Gary Kniveton Bay Veteran's Association
The Pitch
Problem statement
We are a veteran's support group. Our region - covering Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth has a veteran's population of approx 5000 according to the 2021 census. We currently have a group of 200 veterans, mostly of post retirement age and we need to develop strategies to attract younger members to the group. We have now attracted enough younger veterans to form a football team and could enter the NW veterans League , starting in September. These veteran's suffer from social isolation, depression and mental health issues caused by and during their military service. This project has encouraged participation and has raised their moral and has led to new friendships forming.
Solution
The project aims to train our newly formed team to enable them to join the NW Veteran's League where they will play other veteran's teams. The funding will provide a strip for the team, footballs, cones and training equipment, and pay for the hire of a practice pitch.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
We are the only veteran's support group in the area and understand the needs of our members who are reluctant to join other community groups. Veteran's respond to other veterans!! We have our hub in Morecambe where the team meet and get to know each other and discuss the project. They practice informally together and have gelled really well. The new strip and future fixtures has motivated them to come along to the hub where they mix with other members of the group, address their social isolation and mental health issues. we are working in collaboration with Lancaster FC who are an amateur team but allow us to use their facilities and wish to support veterans in our community.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Full strip for 15 players @ £70 per player | £1,050 |
| Goalkeepers away strip | £80 |
| Training pitch hire. 2 sessions per month over 9 months. | £450 |
| Footballs, Flags, Bibs, Whistle, Bags etc | £420 |
Beneficiaries
20 people
Who will benefit
Expected impact
This project has attracted a group of younger veterans who feel disadvantaged due to perceived lack of support in the community. This group includes ex offenders, former addicts and those suffering mental health issues from depression to PTSD. We have enthused an ex offender who is a former army PTI to train and manage the team. Our older veterans are enthused to support the team and the Veterans League are happy to welcome a new team. this project has raised an awareness of veterans needs with Lancaster FC who are being encouraged to become members of the Armed Forces Covenant and are interested in further projects involving veterans - a monthly breakfast club in particular.
Track record
This is our first venture into veterans football. Prior to this we have only managed to play informal walking football with our older members. The interest generated in this project has exceeded our expectations.