Veterans in the Community set up outreach group in Rochdale

VIC members at Hollingworth Lake

Veterans in the Community (VIC), an ex-services charity, has set up an outreach group in Rochdale.

The charity, which is based in Haslingden, currently has a group up and running in Heywood and is looking to extend their reach to Rochdale.

Steve Butterworth, an outreach worker from VIC, said: “We know there is a demand for this type of group in the area. We currently have a number of regular member’s attending the group in Heywood and once the Rochdale group is up and running, we are hoping to start another in Middleton.”

The group, which is supported by Rochdale Council, offers outreach services to veterans as well as offering them the opportunity to pick up new skills and continue with hobbies.

The outreach service provides members with free information, advice and guidance on a number of issues including finances, housing and welfare.

Steve added: “With the outreach side of things we can point people into the right direction of the places they need to go to for help. We work with many other organisations to offer this signposting service.

“We then do a variety of other things with our members with our aim being to support the members with what they want to do. We have done things like art groups, walks around Hollingworth Lake and fishing workshops.”

The group isn’t just for ex members of the armed forces, ex emergency service workers are also welcome - the Heywood group has two former fire service workers as members.

The first meeting of the group was held yesterday (Wednesday 13 August) with the charity planning to hold meetings every second Wednesday of the month at Rochdale Leisure Centre.

“We have been given a grant by the Clinical Commissioning Group to offer these services in the area and Link4Life have been great in letting us use their buildings. We were told that there are a number of veterans who use the leisure centre so it seemed like a good place to start,” said Steve.

Meetings are planned to start from 10:30am.