The Army Benevolent Fund is proud to announce a new partnership with AFC Fylde Community Foundation, awarding a £10,000 grant to support its impactful work with soldiers, veterans, and their families.
Operating across Lancashire and nearby areas, AFC Fylde Community Foundation has spent the last five years delivering a highly successful Armed Forces support programme. The initiative provides recreational facilities, personal development opportunities, and vital wellbeing services. It has become an essential resource for the local Armed Forces community.
In recent months, demand for the Foundation’s services has surged following the repatriation of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment to Weeton Camp, near the Foundation’s offices. The arrival of over 1,000 service personnel and their families –many with complex needs – has highlighted the importance of tailored support, including one-to-one guidance and peer mentoring.
The Foundation’s mission is rooted in personal development and community cohesion. Through a wide range of projects focused on health and wellbeing, education and skills, employability, and community engagement, it is making a tangible difference in the lives of those who have served.
Our grant will go towards the operational costs of AFC Fylde’s Armed Forces support programme, ensuring these vital services continue to be delivered effectively.
Daisy Sheridan, the Foundation’s Community Engagement Manager, said:
“Our Armed Forces support project is one of the primary initiatives at AFC Fylde Community Foundation. It provides essential support to members of the Armed Forces community across Fylde.
“Thanks to the funding from the Army Benevolent Fund, we’re able to continue assisting veterans and running our group sessions, which play a key role in bringing people together.
“These sessions create a welcoming environment where individuals can connect, share experiences, build friendships, and support one another – helping to reduce feelings of isolation and strengthen the sense of community among veterans and their families.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer of the Army Benevolent Fund, added:
“AFC Fylde Community Foundation carries out vital work for the Army community in Lancashire and the surrounding area. Its support is multifaceted, providing a range of crucial services, and is important to the wellbeing of veterans and their families.”