Blackpool FC Community Trust column: The year-round activities available to the Armed Forces community

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, Blackpool FC Community Trust would like to share the year-round activities and support we offer to the local Armed Forces community.

With fantastic support from the Veterans’ Foundation, BAE Systems, Army Benevolent Fund and Forces Wellbeing Collective, we have expanded our armed forces provision across the Fylde coast in recent years.

Our programmes help veterans and their families stay physically active, reduce loneliness and improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Blackpool has one of the highest rates of working-age veterans and adults receiving military pensions and compensation outside Greater Manchester and Merseyside, making this support particularly important locally.

We offer a range of activities and services for serving personnel, veterans and their families, providing opportunities to connect with others, share experiences and rediscover the camaraderie associated with military service.

Our monthly model making club offers a creative and supportive space to meet others through model-making, explore military history and support mental wellbeing.

We also work closely with 4 Lancs in Blackpool, with the club taking place on the first Monday of each month in the North Stand Community Hub at Bloomfield Road (9am-12pm).

The Breakfast Club is a chance to enjoy a hot sandwich and a drink while catching up, sharing stories and meeting others.

That is on the first Tuesday of each month, taking place at @TheGrange on Bathurst Avenue (10am-11am).

There are also monthly trips to museums, heritage sites and other places of interest, giving participants the opportunity to explore military history, reminisce and enjoy time together.

A Walk & Talk group enjoys a gentle walk around Stanley Park, starting at Blackpool CC and followed by a drink at our wellbeing hub between 1.30pm and 3.30pm on Thursdays.

The NAAFI Break initiative allows participants to meet others from the Armed Forces community over a drink and a breakfast sandwich.

It takes place in The Corner Flag at Bloomfield Road on Wednesdays (10.30am-12pm).

Sandwiches cost £2 each and must be ordered by the Monday beforehand.

To order, call or text 07756 854034 or leave a message including your name.

A Gardening Club helps to maintain the memorial space at Fylde Arboretum dedicated to Blackpool FC players who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

That runs on Thursdays between 10am and 12.30pm.

Finally, Forces Football provides an opportunity to play seven-a-side football, followed by a drink and a chat at our wellbeing hub.

Held at Aspire Sports Hub on Thursdays (6pm-7.30pm), there are also opportunities to represent Blackpool FC in fixtures and events against other teams.

If you, a family member or someone you know has served in the Armed Forces and would like to find out more about our support and activities, please contact BFCCT on 01253 348691, email [email protected] or visit bfcct.co.uk for further information.