VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES
Veterans In Communities (VIC) is a UK-registered charity providing veteran-to-veteran peer support, outreach, and social inclusion activities for ex-service personnel, emergency services personnel, and their families across North-West England.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersHaslingden, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES does
Veterans In Communities (VIC) is a UK-registered charity (Charity Number 1151194) founded in 2012 that supports ex-service personnel, emergency services personnel, and their families across North-West England as they transition into civilian life. The organisation is headquartered at the VIC Centre, 12 Bury Road, Haslingden, Lancashire, and operates a network of outreach drop-ins and breakfast clubs spanning East Lancashire, Preston, Rochdale, Bury, Middleton, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Pendle, and Burnley. Its core service is a veteran-to-veteran peer support pathway delivered through three stages (introduction, involvement in member-led projects, and progression into volunteer leadership), supplemented by a portfolio of activities including Veterans In Production (workshop-based skills programme), VIC Choir, art and craft groups, outdoor pursuits, social coffee mornings, community projects, and horticulture programmes (Rossendale Allotment, DIG for VIC).
The organisation is volunteer-led, supported by a small staff team of 12, with the majority of volunteers drawn from the armed forces and emergency services communities. Service delivery is community-based and non-digital: there is no proprietary technology platform, mobile application, or AI component. The model relies on physical venues, in-person peer interaction, and referral pathways from statutory services (DWP, GPs, drug and alcohol services, mental health teams) and partner veteran charities. Independent research conducted by Anglia Ruskin University has documented transformative effects on members, including improved psychiatric symptoms, larger social support networks, and renewed sense of purpose.
VIC's revenue model is a mix of restricted and unrestricted grants from public sector and charitable funders (Integrated Care Board, Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, NHS CCG historically, ABF Soldier Charity), multi-agency partnership income (notably its role as delivery partner within the £9 million Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Integrated Neighbourhood Team contract), individual donations, sponsorship, and easyfundraising affiliate giving from 3,300 retailers. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries, with no direct pricing model. The organisation carries no external investment, has no parent entity, and operates as an independent non-profit governed by a board of trustees chaired by Ronnie Barker with CEO Amanda Walton.
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES
- Legal name
- Veterans In Communities
- Website
- https://veteransincommunities.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Veterans In Communities (VIC) is a UK-registered charity providing veteran-to-veteran peer support, outreach, and social inclusion activities for ex-service personnel, emergency services personnel, and their families across North-West England.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Veteran Support Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs (EDAAAOAH), Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAI), Veterans Adult Day Programs (HSABANAH)
Keywords
Where VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Haslingden
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Grants and Trust Funding: VIC receives funding from government and charitable sources including the Integrated Care Board, Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, and project-specific funders. The organisation was initially funded by Heywood Middleton & Rochdale NHS CCG until 2018, then received grants from the Armed Forces Covenant Scheme to continue outreach.
- Donations and Fundraising: VIC accepts donations to support activities. Social inclusion activities are funded through donations only. The organisation participates in easyfundraising (with retailers including John Lewis, Aviva, Sainsbury's, Amazon, eBay) and receives sponsorship. Activities are generally provided at no cost or subsidised to participants.
- Multi-agency Partnership Funding: VIC participates in partnership contracts such as the £9million Heywood Middleton and Rochdale INT contract led by Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. VIC's role within partnerships is to identify and support veterans requiring help.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | All services provided free of charge to veterans and their families |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Veterans In Communities (VIC) is a registered UK charity providing veteran-to-veteran peer support and social inclusion services for ex-service men and women, emergency services personnel, and their families across North-West England. Its core offering is a three-stage peer support pathway delivered by volunteer members with armed forces or emergency services experience, supplemented by free social activities, breakfast clubs, outreach drop-ins, skills programs (Veterans In Production workshop, art and craft groups), outdoor pursuits, and community projects.
Product overview
Veterans In Communities (VIC) is a charity organization offering a portfolio of support services for veterans, ex-service personnel, emergency services personnel, and their families. The core offering centers on veteran-to-veteran peer support delivered through a three-stage pathway model. This is supplemented by practical programs including Veterans In Production (VIP) workshop for manufacturing skills, the VIC Choir for social wellbeing, art and craft groups, outdoor activities (carp fishing, walking), community projects, and horticulture programs (Rossendale Allotment, DIG for VIC). The organization operates from its hub at the VIC Centre in Haslingden while providing outreach services across East Lancashire, Preston, Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale, Bury, and surrounding areas through regular breakfast clubs, social gatherings, and drop-in sessions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Veteran-to-Veteran Peer Support Pathway A three-stage peer support pathway delivered by veterans for veterans, providing social, emotional and practical support through shared military experiences. Stages cover introduction, involvement in projects/activities led by core members, and development into active volunteer leadership roles. Available free to ex-service personnel across North-West England.
- Veterans Outreach and Information Services Provides information, advice and support on welfare, housing, benefits, volunteering and employment opportunities through regular outreach drop-ins across East Lancashire, Preston, Rochdale, Bury, Middleton and surrounding areas. Free to veterans and their families.
- Veterans In Production (VIP) Workshop-based programme where veterans learn manufacturing and craftsmanship skills, producing laser-engraved items and other products. Promotes physical and mental health while building practical skills. Delivered at the VIC Centre workshop in Haslingden.
- Veterans Breakfast and Social Clubs Weekly breakfast clubs held across multiple locations including Burnley, Preston, Accrington, Clitheroe, Rossendale, Middleton, Morecambe, Blackburn, Bury and Rochdale. Provides social interaction, peer support and community connection for veterans.
- VIC Choir Social singing group providing documented benefits to mood, wellbeing, lung capacity and social interaction for veteran members.
- Social Coffee Mornings and Afternoons Regular social gatherings providing interaction, sense of belonging and increased wellbeing over refreshments, delivered across VIC's operating areas.
- Art and Craft Groups Creative groups providing social interaction, personal achievement, development of new or existing skills, and self-confidence building for veteran members.
- Outdoor Activities Programme Activities including carp fishing, walking groups, and outdoor pursuits strengthening health, confidence, team building and social networks for veterans.
- Community Based Projects Local initiatives including building garden furniture, marshalling events, supporting remembrance activities, and other community projects that engage veteran members.
- Rossendale Allotment (Helmshore) Horticulture therapy garden in Helmshore where members grow vegetables and flowers, learn gardening skills, and socialise outside the VIC Centre.
- DIG for VIC Social prescribing project developing the back garden at the VIC Centre with raised beds for horticulture and a workshop for woodworking skills.
- Veterans Social Carp Fishing Social angling activity providing outdoor recreation and peer support for veterans.
- Battlefield Tours Educational trips to battlefield sites providing historical context and social inclusion opportunities for veteran members.
- VIC Centre (Haslingden Hub) Main veteran centre hub based at 12 Bury Road, Haslingden, providing a central facility for activities, drop-in support services, workshops, and community gatherings.
Quantifiable outcome
- Transformative effects on members including new friends and support networks, renewed sense of purpose and enjoyment in life, and transformation in sense of self-outlook and behaviour
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.
- Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS TrustcoreLead provider for £9million community health and care services contract in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. VIC works as delivery partner within the INT partnership to support ex-services personnel.
- Burnley FC in the CommunitykeyJoint venture partner for Burnley Veterans Breakfast Club at Burnley Miners Social Club. Has engaged with over 150 local military veterans through sessions and activities.
- Royal British LegionkeyVIC works in partnership with Royal British Legion and other specialist veteran organisations including Combat Stress and Military Veterans Service for referrals and coordinated support.
- Combat StresskeyMental health charity for veterans. VIC works in partnership with Combat Stress and other organisations for referrals and coordinated veteran support.
- Military Veterans ServicekeyNHS psychological therapy service for ex-service personnel. VIC works in partnership for referrals and access to specialised mental health support.
- Veterans' GatewaykeyConsortium of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community. VIC connects veterans with Veterans' Gateway services and receives referrals.
- SSAFAkeyCharity providing practical support to servicemen and women, veterans and families. VIC works with SSAFA for referrals and coordinated support.
- Help for HeroeskeyMajor veteran charity offering recovery centres, mental health support, financial support and employment services. VIC connects veterans with their services.
- Op COURAGE (NHS)keyNHS mental health specialist service for serving personnel, veterans and families. VIC refers veterans to Op COURAGE for intensive mental health care and treatment.
- Prince's Trust ACCROSS Team 9minorPrince's Trust programme for 16-25 year olds not in employment, education or training, run by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. Team 9 helped plant and prepare the VIC allotment in 2016.
- Armed Forces Support Group (Pendle)keyShared mobile outreach with Armed Forces Support Group in Pendle, operating from Holmefield House in Barrowford. Part of the Pendle Armed Forces Forces Covenant Group.
- David Fishwick (Minibus Sales)minorUK's largest minibus supplier provided a 17-seat minibus converted to crew bus for VIC, funded through Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant.
- Anglia Ruskin UniversitykeyConducted independent research identifying ways VIC activities benefit members. Research concluded that combined impacts around learning, wellbeing and community result in transformative effects. Also co-created the 'Return Belong Prosper' documentary film.
- Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CVSkeyProvides information and advice on setting up and running voluntary groups, including funding, financial advice, project management. Helps groups access funding opportunities.
- Citizens Advice Rossendale & HyndburnkeyProvides free, independent advice on rights and responsibilities. advisers meet clients at the VIC Centre by appointment.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Help for Heroes: Major UK veteran charity offering recovery centres, mental health support, financial support and employment services. VIC explicitly partners with Help for Heroes for referrals, indicating overlapping beneficiary populations and service offerings.
- SSAFA: The UK's oldest national military charity providing practical support to servicemen and women, veterans and families. VIC works with SSAFA for referrals and coordinated support, positioning them as comparable peer support organisations serving the same beneficiary base.
- Op COURAGE (NHS): NHS mental health specialist service for serving personnel, veterans and families. VIC refers veterans to Op COURAGE for intensive mental health care, positioning it as a critical partner in the integrated veteran mental health pathway.
- Royal British Legion: The UK's largest military charity, providing welfare, healthcare, and community support to veterans and their families. Directly comparable as a major veteran support organisation, though significantly larger and serving the entire UK rather than a regional focus.
- Blesma: UK military charity for limbless veterans supporting those who have lost limbs, restricted mobility or eyesight, or lost the use of limbs. Comparable veteran-focused charity with peer support and community reintegration programmes.
Direct peers
- Walking With The Wounded: UK veteran charity supporting employment, mental health, and care coordination for ex-service personnel. Comparable as a community-based veteran support organisation with employment and wellbeing programmes parallel to VIC's offerings.
- Turn to Starboard: UK veterans' charity using sailing and water sports to support veterans' mental health and recovery. Featured alongside VIC in the Stories In Transition documentary project, indicating similar community-based therapeutic veteran support offerings.
- Combat Stress: UK mental health charity specifically for veterans, addressing PTSD, anxiety, and depression. VIC has a direct partnership with Combat Stress for referrals, and both organisations address mental health support for veterans through complementary clinical and community-based approaches.
- Veterans' Gateway: Consortium of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community, providing a single point of contact for veterans needing support. VIC connects veterans with Veterans' Gateway services, indicating they serve complementary roles in the same veteran support ecosystem.
Others
- Forces in Mind Trust: UK trust funding research and programmes to support the transition of Armed Forces personnel to civilian life. Comparable mission focus on veteran transition, though operating as a funder/research body rather than direct service provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES social profiles
Digital presenceVETERANS IN COMMUNITIES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES
What does VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES do?
Veterans In Communities (VIC) is a registered UK charity providing veteran-to-veteran peer support and social inclusion services for ex-service men and women, emergency services personnel, and their families across North-West England. Its core offering is a three-stage peer support pathway delivered by volunteer members with armed forces or emergency services experience, supplemented by free social activities, breakfast clubs, outreach drop-ins, skills programs (Veterans In Production workshop, art and craft groups), outdoor pursuits, and community projects.
Is VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES a public or private company?
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES founded?
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES based?
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES is headquartered in Haslingden, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Grants and Trust Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and multi-agency Partnership Funding.
Who are VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Help for Heroes, SSAFA, Op COURAGE (NHS), Royal British Legion and Blesma. Direct peers are Walking With The Wounded, Turn to Starboard, Combat Stress and Veterans' Gateway. Forces in Mind Trust is listed as an others.
Does VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES have an API?
No public API is recorded for VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES.
What industry is VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES in?
VETERANS IN COMMUNITIES's product category is Veteran Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAHAL, Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services, with a secondary code of EDAAAOAH, Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.