September V 2019 E VIC Newsletter T Access all areas E WE HAVE widened our outreach services to reach R even more veterans across East , , Middleton and A Heywood areas. At our annual general meeting it was reported that N from April 2018-19 more than 200 outreach sessions had Colne been held, but that figure is S set to increase. Building on the success of the newly opened drop in shop in , we have now lauched a further drop in I café in Billington to serve Ribble Valley. An extra outreach at Middleton Gardens is N complemented by a Coffee Club at ‘The Lighthouse Project’ in the shopping centre and in Pendle, outreach will be available at Colne’s Asda and Nelson’s Middleton C Morrisons. Chief Executive Amanda Walton said: “The new venues will enable VIC to O expand our services into some of the more remote areas of our catchment. M “None of this would be possible without our many volunteers who work alongside M our Outreach Workers and Project Workers and we offer them all huge thanks.” U When the new veterans’ drop in was opened at Ebenezer’s Coffee Shop in N Billington, the Mayor of Ribble Valley Councillor Stella Brunskill performed the I ceremony. Ribble Valley

T Visit VIC AS PART of this year’s The art trail involves nearly produced showing all the Rossendale Art Trail, VIC 50 artists exhibiting in 20 venues and copies are is opening the doors of different venues from available at VIC. on the and We will be holding open I our art studio at the VIC across to Whitworth and arts and crafts workshops Valley Centre from 10am to 4pm includes The Whitaker and from 10am-4pm and anyone E on Saturday and Sunday Edenfield Parish Chuch. is free to call in for a coffee or Art Trail October 5 and 6. A brochure has been just for a chat.

S www.vic.org.uk Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected] A farewell to Liz

OUR well attended annual Furniture general meeting heard that more than 200 outreach donation sessions had been delivered by VIC in the last year. At the VIC Centre in for VIC Haslingden, Liz Hamilton outlined a host of achievements shop for the charity in her last AGM before resigning from the post. FURNITURE Liz said: “From April 2018 to donated by March 2019 we had 175 new Haslingden home members who completed furnishings membership forms. company Clark & “We have also carried out Clark has more than 50 outreach home brightened up the visits to those who were unable back room of our to attend our centre or an Hyndburn shop. outreach session.” The shop, which The charity successfully opens on Tuesdays provided students on the Edwards. Liz stressed the group has achieved it through its and Fridays as a National Citizen Service organisation had been so great volunteers but it is also drop-in in Accrington programme with experience and successful because, besides the important to have a good Chief Arndale Centre, is also brought the armed forces to seven staff members, it has a Executive Officer to steer it.” still proving life for students on Military huge team of volunteers who Liz was quick to point out extremely popular Preparation and Public Services worked together. VIC’s success was down to the and the relocated art Courses. Lancashire County Council team including trustees, staff group has been Liz described the peer Armed Forces Champion County and volunteers. buzzing. support offered by VIC as the Councillor Alf Clempson She added: “I couldn’t have Operations ‘golden thread’ as it is delivered attended and formally presented done my job for the last four Manager Bob Elliott to veterans by veterans who are the Tom Davies Trophy, which years without the rest of you. said: “We are getting able to learn from their own was awarded to the charity in Thank you for a lovely four new people coming personal experiences to help the summer. years.” in every week and others. He said: “The biggest Liz was presented with two they are very She said: “Partnerships are challenge to a lot of service Hannah Dunnett Living Word supportive. We have also really important. It is charities and groups is longevity. prints and a Baptist book. helped a number of important that agencies It is wonderful to see how this veterans to complete understand what a veteran is paperwork so they and ask the right questions, and can get the veterans’ that they understand why they badge and also may not get the full story from a helped them apply veteran at first because of their for the defence past and background.” discount card. Chairman Ronnie Barker “Others wanted to stressed the vital role volunteers know how to obtain played in the success of VIC – their service records, and totalled up that, if they were or the records of paid a minimum wage, the relatives. A lot come annual cost would be nearly £33k. in just to look at the The charity is well supported paintings and we by donations, fundraising and now have a display money raised by the VIC Choir, of beautiful walking which mostly sings in sticks made by VIC supermarkets, was more than AFTER four years piloting the plane, steering the ship and member Dave £4,500. driving the tank, VIC Chief Executive Liz Hamilton has left to Almond.” A successful fundraising retrain as a Baptist Minister. Thanks to Carol ceilidh was held and sponsored Operations Manager Bob Elliott said: “I think I can speak on Duckworth for personal challenges were behalf of our volunteers, staff and members by saying thank you Liz arranging the carried out by Julie Davis, the and we wish her the very best in the future. Liz has taken VIC to donation. daughter of VIC member John another level.” www.vic.org.uk Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected] Bernard joins the team A SESSIONAL vegetating. I am a bit Worker for of a ‘Bob the builder’ Lancaster Veterans in and whatever needs Production has making I can do it. In been appointed. my new role I want to visit VIC secured a expand the range of items VIP makes as A SOCIAL inclusion trip to grant of almost well as pass on my Lancaster will be held on £10,000 from the skills and teach Thursday October 3. National Lottery others.” The crew van will be Awards for All to Bernard served in leaving VIC at 9.30am and cover the cost of new the Royal Air Force once in Lancaster members tools specifically for from 1976 to can decide how to spend the manufacturing December 1987 and their day before the journey project, volunteer was based on back at 2pm. expenses and a Harriers and served Places are limited to 10 structured training and although I tinker a volunteered with VIP on detachment all and a donation of £10 project. lot, really it is just me after attending a over the world. towards transportation Bernard Tighe, who and my rescue placement at the He said: “After I would be appreciated. A £5 has been volunteering animals.” charity while she was left, I was building non refundable deposit with VIP for about six He said he was on a course at North microlights and then I secures your seat. months, has been looking for more Lancs Training. The went on to build scale chosen to lead the veterans to get skills she learnt models of planes – project. involved with VIP and enabled her to get a including one with a He said: “Being a is also offering full-time joinery job. 23ft wing span. Choir sings at part of VIP has got opportunities to For more “I have been stuck me out of the house students to learn new information call 01706 in a rut for 20 years flower festival and stopped me skills. Grace Codd 833180. WELL done to the VIC More Choir for stunning making their artwork singing was debut in created Ribble Valley at the as guests of latest the Mayor Councillor Bob Ross Stella art classes Brunskill. run by They were Arts and Celebration of Communities singing at St Mary’s Church in Crafts Flower Festival. Osbaldeston and received some Co-ordinator The Mayor has chosen VIC to lovely feedback. Darren be one of the beneficiaries of The choir was honoured to be Horsnell money raised during her year of invited to sing at the Songs of office. Praise event that concluded a

A lovely time was had A pop up by all on information board a canal stand was cruise from held in Stretford Rochdale Marina to Exchange by Boothstown Project on the Worker Bev Bridgewater Fowler Canal www.vic.org.uk Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected] What’s On and Where

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