Veteran Support for Blackpool

BLYTH, NORTHUMBERLAND- MAY 19, 2013, Blyth Battery Volunteers stage Re-enactment of World War 2 Beach Assault, on Sunday May 19, 2013 at Blyth, Northumberland, England, UK.

Community Trust announce new partnership initiative with The Royal British Legion aimed at supporting older veterans.

Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that there is a need for more social opportunities for ex-servicemen and women in the Blackpool and Fylde area. Through funding from The Royal British Legion (TRBL), we are delighted therefore to announce news of two new social groups that will be aimed at veteran (aged 50+) servicemen and women. This follows on from our recently launched Sporting Memories programme, which is aimed at older (50+) sports fans.  Ashley Hackett, Chief Executive at Blackpool FC Community Trust explains that “the aspiration is that these fun groups will be an opportunity where like-minded people with similar interests and backgrounds can meet up, share stories, make new contacts / acquaintances, and hopefully be less socially isolated.”

• Monthly Veterans Club at Bloomfield Road. Last Tuesday of every month, 1.30-3pm (Starts March 27th)

• Weekly Veterans Club at Teanlowe Centre, FY6 7A every Wednesday from 1.30-3pm (Starts April 4th)

• Weekly Sporting Memories group at Bloomfield Road, every Thursday from 1pm – 2:30pm

Alison Bunn, Area Manager for the Royal British Legion, said: ‘Many people don’t realise that we fund other organisations to fill gaps in services to the Armed Forces Community, but RBL gives a significant amount to support local projects. Blackpool FC Community Trust’s project will help us to support older veterans and their families by bringing people together.  This can combat social isolation and help to build confidence while linking participants into other positive activities.  It also means that we can identify those who are not accessing other support services but may need additional support – through projects like this we can help even more veterans and their families.’

If anyone would like to learn more about the Blackpool FC Community Trust projects please email [email protected] or telephone 01253 348691