October V 2019 E VIC Newsletter T E Planting a future FUSILIER Andy Greaves now It gives me a lot of peace of likes nothing more than mind thinking that someone is R planting up a beautiful going to enjoy that garden for a flowerbed knowing it will season or two.” give months of tranquillity He said the physical exercise, A and pleasure. including his 20 minute walk to Five years ago, having served and from home, helped him to in Afghanistan, he left the Royal cope with his mental health N Regiment of Fusiliers 1st problems. Battallion with anxiety, Although still pending a PTSD depression and symptoms of diagnosis, his GP has said S Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Andy’s condition is complex and compounded by autism. he is on medication which has He discovered the healing helped with his anxiety and properties of horticulture while depression. Remembrance merchandise helping out on an allotment Andy, 29, said: “Every day my belonging to VIC. life still has ups and downs and I I OUR shop have to maintain a state of calm It is fair to say, when Andy has a large collection was referred to the charity he to keep myself going. Work has of Lest We Forget was in a very dark place and his helped massively and made me merchandise available mood swings were erratic. feel like I am no longer a leper. I N in time for His inward emotions would don’t want to be on benefits. Remembrance. spill out into outward displays of “The light at the end of the The stunning anger and anxiety and, although tunnel has now become a reality collection includes this was not directed towards to me.” colour changing mugs, people but at situations, it was The plants in the polytunnels coasters, keyrings, C clear to all around him he was at the garden centre are laid out place mats, mouse struggling to cope. in perfect straight lines; military mats, prints and more. Now he has landed a job as style. Andy said: “My boss The shop, at the an apprentice landscape Michael Nelson likes them to be Arndale Centre, also O gardener at Marl Pits Garden in order and so do I; it is what I has a large collection of Centre in and has am used to. paintings, prints and turned his life around. He is an “I still struggle with my mental crafts made by VIC. M inspiration to veterans and those health, but I keep a chipper Arts and Crafts around him. attitude; as long as you stay Co-ordinator Darren He said: “I volunteered with positive, it is doable. Horsnell said: “Over the M Stubbylee Community “I don’t really want to look next few weeks we will Greenhouses in and did back on how I was, I was have wallets and purses my foundation and Level 1 in tortured and torturous to be and we also offer the U practical horticultural skills. around. I now do deep breathing same range as a “About seven months ago I exercises throughout the day to personalised item, just began volunteering at the control the bubble of anxiety, but ask.” N garden centre and after about I have found a way of helping two months I went full-time. myself. “My main jobs are garden “The military work ethic is to I Works party for centre maintenance. As well as cutting keep things going and I am getting better and better and the VETERANS will be helping out Waterfoot the lawn, striping if necessary, and strimming, we also do feedback from customers is T Health Centre to plant a wildflower meadow. fantastic. I have the opportunity The volunteers will be putting posts in the intricate bed work, weeding, planting and cutting back any here to do further study and in ground, roughing up the soil and sewing the 10 to 15 years I might want to seeds. The centre is a veteran friendly practice overhanging branches and I topiary. have my own gardening and lunch will be provided. company.” Anyone who is available to help on “My favourite part is planting flowers; I like making a garden Andy has also been Wednesday October 30 from 10.30am should supported by the ABF: The E contact the centre on 01706 833180. full of flowers because I find it pleasant, peaceful and calming. Soldiers’ Charity.

S www.vic.org.uk Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected] Time for Curry and a cuppa quiz

THE first Middleton Middleton Coffee Club AFTER the huge Coffee Club was well success of our Curry attended at the and Quiz night in June, Lighthouse Project in VIC will be hosting a the Arndale Shopping further event on Centre. November 17, again at As well as attending North Street Indian the weekly Tuesday Restaurant in Coffee Club, VIC Project Rawtenstall. Worker Bev Fowler also Tickets are £15 per held an information stall person, which includes a in the shopping centre. meal and the quiz. A raffle She held a further will also be held. information morning at Wellfield Surgery, Hear the Rochdale. The Sandbag Cafe And it was celebration time for the second news birthday of The Sandbag VETERANS who are Café in Heywood. unable to read a The café served up newspaper for whatever 41 full English breakfasts reason can have a free to mark the anniversary. copy of the talking Thank you to all the newspaper for regular members and Rossendale. visitors who attended Readers have been and the committee that providing an audible run the coffee morning version of the Rossendale every week. Free Press for people who can’t read for a number of reasons, including sight problems and difficulty in Wood holding the paper. For more information call Rodney on 01706 appeal 213962. WE NEED your wood. Veterans In Productions is looking for wood – Honours for VIC at English awards ideally lengths of at CONGRATULATIONS to all Café in Heywood Liz Davies was worthy finalists. least 5-6ft long. the veterans, including VIC third in the Volunteer of the Year “To have three finalists from Our recycling members who were named category while Outreach Worker VIC on the shortlist when there project makes as finalists at the prestigious Steve Butterworth was a finalist are so many charities and planters, bird tables English Veterans’ Awards in in the Role Model of the Year organisations supporting and many more Bristol. Award. veterans was a great honour. bespoke items, but the VIC was incredibly proud to As Darren was away, Chief “Congratulations to each and wood they have to use have three finalists named and Executive Amanda Walton every one who was named, both is dwindling. Arts and Crafts Co-ordinator attended the ceremony with the finalists and those who collected Anyone with free Darren Horsnell was second in veterans. the trophies. Every shortlisted wood to offer the the Community category. She said: “It was a privilege to veteran was a winner.” project can contact Former VIC Project Worker be able to attend the awards’ VIC’s former Transformational 01706 831880. and founder of the Sandbag ceremony and to be able to meet Coach Terry Morley picked up and hear the stories of so many the Community Award title. www.vic.org.uk Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected] No need to ‘Hide’ THE previously dark ‘The Hide’ Festive lunch Activities room has been transformed and is VETERANS and TWO walks and a supporters of VIC are social inclusion trip now being widely used as a social invited to join our are planned over Christmas Lunch meeting place. the next few weeks. celebration at Old Mother The room, which On Hallowe’en, Redcap in Blackburn. still had its original Thursday October 31, A three-course meal will dark wood panelled there will be a 7.5mile be served at 12.30pm on walls and ceiling, is walk along Rooley Tuesday December 17 and now bright and airy Moor Road and a decorating the room, used at lunchtime the cost is £9.99 per person. and more attractive. further six-mile walk fortunately we still and it is ideal for Anyone wanting to attend Operations over Darwen Moor to had some magnolia members who want should contact the centre for Manager Bob Elliott the Tower will be held paint to keep with the to sit and chat among the menu choices and leave said: “I would like to on Thursday colour scheme of the friends. a £5 deposit. say a big thank you November 14. VIC Centre. “If you haven’t VIC members Simon For both walks, the “Already the room been in, it is worth Peace and Brian crew van will leave is now being widely having a look.” Art Trail McEvoy for the centre at 9.30am IT WAS open house at the and a £3 donation VIC Centre when we took towards transport School project part in the Rossendale Art costs is requested. Trail. A Social Inclusion BESPOKE planters created by The newly refurbished Trip to the National Veterans In Production have The Hide was home to the Emergency Services’ been delivered to St James Crafty Chatters while artists Museum in Sheffield School, . took over the craft room. will be held on VIC was also asked to install a Arts and Crafts Thursday November greenhouse. Operations Manager Co-ordinator Darren 23. Bob Elliott said: “I would like to Horsnell said: “I would like Places are limited thank Brian McEvoy, Sessional weeks because of bad weather as to say thanks to Christine to 11, including the Worker Bernard Tighe, Paul a base had to be laid before the and Emma for the food and driver, and the crew (Willy) and Guy Walker for helping jigsaw puzzle job of constructing Pat McEvoy for the van will be leaving the out. The project lasted a couple of the greenhouse was carried out.” chocolate and all the VIC Centre at 9.30am members of the art and craft prompt. Rations for homeless group for making it A donation of £10 worthwhile and producing includes entry and SURPLUS army rations have been so many fantastic pieces transport. Former or recycled to form emergency food kits for of work.” serving emergency homeless veterans. services personnel The Duke of ’s Regiment Choir on song are entitled to free donated the spare rations and because they admission on are highly nutritious, contain plenty of SUPERB feedback was production of proof. calories and can be eaten hot or cold, VIC given to the members of Crafty Chatters created 30 ration packs. the VIC Choir who sang at Tesco in Haslingden. Thank you to Barnsy and Book sales Jacko who collected money ATOTAL of £1,350 throughout the performance. was raised from the summer sale of Remembrance books at Haslingden Tesco. A SPECIAL Festival of VIC, along with 10 Remembrance will be held other Rossendale at Rochdale Town Hall on charities and good Friday November 1 at causes, benefited 7pm. Tickets are £15 and from the money include supper. raised. Liz Henson Photography www.vic.org.uk Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected] What’s On and Where

ROSSENDALE THURSDAY BURNLEY AND PENDLE Activities are held at the VIC Centre, Bury Computer and IT help drop-in Road, Haslingden, BB4 5PL, unless otherwise Outreach Service 11am-3pm stated. TUESDAY - alternate weeks VIC Choir (weekly) Breakfast Club at Burnley FC in the Outreach Service 6.30-8.30pm Community Cafe, Charter Walk. MONDAY-FRIDAY FRIDAY 9am-11am 9am-4.30pm Art Group and drop-in For a home appointment call 01706 833180 10am-3.30pm Contact 01706 833180 for dates of outreach MONDAY SECOND SATURDAY at Burnley FC in the Community, the Pendle Crafty Chatters Rossendale Armed Forces and Veterans’ Armed Forces Support Group, Holmefield 10am-12 noon Breakfast Club Mill, Gisburn Road, Barrowford, at Morrisons WEDNESDAY 10am-12.30pm in Nelson and Asda in Colne. Allotment and Veterans In Production The Link Cafe, Haslingden Community Link, Help on the allotment in Holcombe Road, Bury Road, Haslingden BB4 5PG HEYWOOD, Helmshore, or manufacture wooden items EVERY MONTH at the centre. Contact 01706 833180. Painting in the Style of Bob Ross art MIDDLETON AND Art Class classes Contact Darren 01706 833180. ROCHDALE 2pm-4pm Walking Group, Social Outings and Jubilee Court, Jubilee Road, Haslingden, Outdoor Activities These are held every The Sandbag Cafe and drop in BB4 4DD. THURSDAY. Visit the Events section on our TUESDAY THURSDAY VIC Facebook page or the VIC website and 10am-noon Woodworking Course follow the link to Projects and Activities. Sandon House, Taylor Street, Heywood 10am-3pm OL10 1EF. VIC Outreach RIBBLE VALLEY 9.30am-11.30pm TUESDAY Ebenezer's Coffee Shop, The Old Chapel, 12.30pm-2.30pm Outreach Service Ebenezer's Terrace, Billington, BB7 9NN. Middleton Gardens, M24 1AB TUESDAYS VIC Middleton Coffee Club 1pm-2.30pm The Lighthouse Project, Middleton Shopping VIC – 01706 833180 Contacts Centre, M24 1AB. Chief Executive Amanda Walton Combat Stress Helpline THURSDAY [email protected] 0800 138 1619 9am-10.30am Rochdale Breakfast Club NHS Military Veterans Psychological Rochdale Town Hall Bistro OL16 1AB. Operations Manager Bob Elliott Therapies Service (NW) 10.30am-noon [email protected] 07961 554 006 0161 253 6638 VIC Outreach The Royal British Legion 1 Riverside, Rochdale OL16 1UB. Admin Officer Eileen Smith 0808 802 8080 7 days a week 8am-8pm [email protected] SSAFA Outreach Worker Steve Butterworth email [email protected] HYNDBURN [email protected] 01772 260 462 Outreach Service and Art Group Project Worker Bev Fowler Rossendale Citizens’ Advice TUESDAY [email protected] 07741 902 343 0300 456 2552 10am-3pm The Samaritans Transformational Coach Gill Hughes VIC Shop, Accrington Arndale Centre, BB5 01282 694929 Mon to Fri 9am-9pm 1PL. [email protected] 07741 902 411 Freephone 116 123 FRIDAY Volunteer Outreach Worker Carole Mills Mental Health Helpline Outreach Service [email protected] 0800 915 4640 Mon to Fri 7pm - 11pm Sat 10.30am-3pm Volunteer Support Worker Mel Fitzgerald & Sun 12 noon to 12 midnight [email protected] Royal Air Forces Association Arts and Crafts Co-ordinator Darren Horsnell 0800 018 2361 Want to help? [email protected] Veterans UK Free Helpline 0808 1914 218 Outdoor Activities Co-ordinator Ivy Limbrick To donate to support the work of VIC please East Lancashire Single Point of Access [email protected] via GP or self-referral visit our website and click on the secure Sessional Worker Bernard Tighe 01282 657116 Virgin Money Giving link VIC Choir Bookings Barry Hyde Bolton Armed Forces Centre 4 Veterans [email protected] www.bafc4v.org 01204 776628 www.veteransincommunities.org/donate.html

VIC supported by: East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group www.facebook.com VIC Veterans In Communities

VIC News is produced by: Catherine Smyth Media. 01706 877150/ 07903 997375 www.catherinesmyth.co.uk