In 2015, having left the armed forces, we both faced several struggles with employment, mental health and just needing some general support, my husband Chris Squires and I set up Trafford Veterans CIC. It has been a huge learning curve and we have built up a great directory of connections and made good relationships with other veterans organisations along the way.
It’s not easy for us setting something up from scratch, there is not much help from the big organisations either. We are not near any bases or military camps and our local Army Reserve unit closed down. But we have heart, lived experience and delivering local support in Trafford. We do the best we can with what we have, against the odds!
Fast forward 10 years and we have 5 years experience of being a community interest company, have been awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Service, the TSB Community Heroes award in the Pride of Manchester awards in 2021, Points of Light awards from the Prime Minister, special recognition from the Rotary Club and community certificates from ASDA.
Our peer support activities include a monthly breakfast, weekly Friday Hub, weekly model making club, allotment and memorial orchard project, transit van and mobile hub all with he help of our great team of volunteers
To date we have served over 6,000 breakfasts, attended over 50 community events with the mobile hub since it’s delivery in 2023, written 114 newsletters, issued over 500 food parcels over the years through our partnership with Fare Share UK, run a model making club for 8 years kindly supported by Models for Heroes and helped hundreds of veterans and family members as evidenced in our monthly newsletters.
We have delivered cakes at milestone birthdays for 103, 102, 101 and 100 years. Our eldest member has just turned 104!
So…… with all this in mind, would your business like to become a sponsor? Help us to continue supporting people whilst getting some great PR in return.
£2.50 can provide hot refreshments for veteran
£5.00 can provide hot full English breakfast
£10.00 can help towards the food bills at Fare share each week
£20.00 could help us towards the room hire for the model making club
We are open to discussion, but please help us make a difference. We would love to hear from you.
With thanks to our funders who have helped us get this far The National Lottery Community Fund Cadent Gas Limited Asda Foundation Irwell Valley Homes Veterans’ foundation
Please get behind the smaller local groups who do so much in the community!
