Lancashire based support

AGE UK Lancashire runs a “Veterans Support in the Community” service which aims to help people remain independent, improves socialisation and encourages taking part in activities within Day Clubs. Our outreach team will work with you on a one-to-one basis, helping you overcome any barriers that may stop you from attending social activities or opportunities to get out and enjoy later life. We will be with you every step of the way ensuring you are comfortable and help you regain or maintain confidence in social settings. If you would like to find out more about this service then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us! You can contact us via email: referrals@ageuklancs.org.uk or alternatively by phone: 0300 303 1234

The Armed Forces Support Group is a social and support group in Pendle, East Lancashire, set up to direct local veterans to the services they need.

First Light Trust runs the Lancaster Café Hub from 63-65 Market Street, Lancaster. The team provides support to veterans and ex-members of the emergency services with a range of social, health and wellbeing services.

Veterans in Communities (VIC) is an East Lancashire based Armed Forces charity that supports military veterans, ex-emergency services and their families who have or are having difficulties with returning to ‘Civvy Street’.

DWS Lifeskills CIC – have an Armed Forces Covenant funded project working with veterans, predominately in Wyre, but also in the Blackpool and Fylde communities, primarily concentrating on health, wellbeing and social inclusion. They run a variety of activities including, quiz nights, kayaking sessions, walking groups and a breakfast club, whilst also engaging with local adult social care staff to provide health & wellbeing services to veterans in their homes. For further information please contact the project lead Dave Whitworth on 07825 698506 or dave.whitworth@hotmail.com 

Healthier Heroes CIC run a veteran specific programme called - UNITE as one, INSPIRE one another, BELIEVE anything is possible. This programme aims to rehome veterans by providing supported accommodation within their Bancroft House location in Burnley and to rehabilitate and reconnect veterans and their families regardless of when they left the services. They also support veterans from the criminal justice system, using a peer mentoring programme to help them rebuild their lives and find jobs. With their combined lived experience and person led approach to the programme, they strive to help veterans and their families overcome barriers that restrict their lives.

West Lancs Ark CIC – specialises in support to ex-offenders, the unemployed, and the homeless. They have recently established an ex-forces provision providing help with employment, housing, training and higher education opportunities. For further information please contact 07826 656387, email westlancark@hotmail.co.uk or visit the Ecumenical Centre, Northway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6LU on Friday mornings.  

There are numerous Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs in Lancashire. They are informal places where the armed forces community meet and socialise. If there isn’t one near you, the AFVBC will help you set one up.

Belisama’s Retreat is a woodland based project on the outskirts of Preston which offers respite to military Veterans through re-engagement with wild spaces. They deliver evidence-based activities which promote positive change to the mental well-being of military veterans.

Some of Lancashire’s Football Clubs, and more specifically their Club Community Organisations (CCO’s), have created armed forces facing projects which provide a range of health & wellbeing activities to the armed forces community. You can discover more about each clubs offer and how to join in with them, by following the links below.

• AFC Fylde Community Foundation
• Blackpool FC Community Trust
• Burnley FC In the Community
• Preston North End FC Community & Education Trust