20200506 Record and thanks for actions in and around Culcheth and Leigh.

In this time, when the 'lock down' of people to their homes during the Covid-19 disease caused by a coronavirus SARS-COR-2 emanating from P.R. China has incapacitated many firms and persons from normal activity, we should record the past actions of a local charity thst  now closed  gave great support to ex-service-people ove rthe last few years.

Charity Registration England 1173255 “Shoulder to Soldier”

On 02 June 2017, a lady called Linda Fisher, a solicitor, founded the English Charity “Shoulder to Soldier” to help relieve the distress former soldiers had in obtaining action from the UK Government in their claims and giving help to them when in trouble.

Linda gave full time to this charity and helped others, for which many in the Leigh and Warrington area are grateful. She was supported by volunteers in our area and with the backing of Bents an allotment was created in the Bents’ allotment site to allow those seeking help a place to meet, garden and chat for their well-being both physical and mental.

Bents have continued the allotment as part of their actions as a Veterans Allotment after the closure of the charity.

Linda was obliged to close the charity due to personal financial reasons, however the webmaster feels our website is a place to record their publicity documents and the closing website in thanks to Linda Fisher for supporting ex-service-people in need in the area.

 

What follows is copies of the charity logo, publications and details.

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Copy of Shoulder to Soldier Logo.


"Shoulder To Soldier"

Founder & Trustee Linda Fisher (Chair)

Charity no. 1173255

Contact details:
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 07515892720
Website www.shouldertosoldier.org.uk
Public address was: 40 Church Street, Leigh, WN7 1BB

From Charities House data:

Governing document:

CIO - FOUNDATION Registered 02 Jun 2017

Organisation type: Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Charitable objects

TO RELIEVE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED OR WHO ARE SERVING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES, IN PARTICULAR BY:
A) PROVIDING RELIEF OF FINANCIAL NEED
B) PROVIDING SUPPORT, ADVOCACY AND PRACTICAL ADVICE
C) PROVIDING AND ASSISTING IN THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE
D) SUCH OTHER MEANS AS THE TRUSTEES SHALL THINK FIT WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO RELIEVE NEEDS.

 

Shoulder to Soldier Charity Website Notice.

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Above image of Closing Notice on Shoulder to Soldier website: Clearer text is detailed below.

Copy of text.

 Just over 2 years ago I decided to follow my passion to help and support armed forces families by setting up our Award winning charity Shoulder to Soldier. It was my choice to do this without a salary.

With the dedication of our trustees, our volunteers, the business and wider community we have helped over 200 armed forces families and have held over 30 events, including 5 cinema clubs, 10 fishing trips and our trip to the National Memorial Arboretum. We have delivered an award winning allotment project. Our team has literally taken homeless veterans off the streets, got them into jobs and accommodation. We have won cases and improved the lives of armed forces families. Most importantly we have introduced veterans and their families to each other with friendships now formed for life. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved and your help and support has been overwhelming. With a heavy heart it is time to close the charity due to the need to secure a personal income.

We are pleased to say that with the support of Bents Garden Centre the allotment project will continue as a veterans allotment and this means we leave a fantastic legacy which will help veterans and their families into the future. It has been a privilege and honour to help you all.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Linda x

End of copy of text.

 

Record of Publicity leaflets and allotment volunteers.

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Bents "Shoulder to Soldier"  team allotment volunteers.

Pictured: Ken Orton, Peter Smith, Andy Reynolds, Bob Watson and Lee Armstrong, all ex forces, with Linda Fisher (second from right),
who founded Shoulder to Soldier.

Copy of DIY Week article on the opening o fthe allotment. (Photo credit to DIY Week)

Bents Garden & Home has teamed up with Shoulder to Soldier, donating a plot at its community allotment site to the Leigh-based charity, which dedicates it’s time to supporting serving personnel, their families and veterans.
Shoulder to Soldier was formed in June 2017, and is committed to providing support, practical advice, financial relief and social welfare for those who are serving or who have served in our armed forces. It was a veteran who suggested the use of an allotment to help improve mood and motivation and within 24 hours of making the request a plot was donated by Bents.
Very much a veteran-led project, the allotment has already been visited by a team of 10, plus one current serving member. Everyone who wishes to will have a role in the project and the ex-forces engineers are already using their skills to design the layout which will take into account disabled veterans.
Shoulder to Soldier founder Linda Fisher said: “The allotment is already proving very beneficial and will help improve health and well-being, team building and getting our guys out and about to meet and socialise with new people.  It is fantastic. Thank you to Bents for providing this fantastic facility, which is already proving to be a very popular and thank you to the local businesses who have already supported the project by donating or reducing the price of items.”
Bents Garden & Home head of outdoor retail Matthew Dickinson, who is also responsible for the Bents’ Community Allotments commented: “We have been looking for local groups to take advantage of our community plots but have had little interest, so were delighted when Linda approached us about a plot for Shoulder to Soldier. They are exactly the kind of initiative that we hoped would take advantage of this opportunity and we had no hesitation in agreeing to their request. We’re looking forward to seeing the plot take shape.”
In addition to financial support, the work delivered by Shoulder to Soldier includes advocacy and advice for armed forces families, writing letters, attending benefits appeal hearings on a range of matters covering homelessness and housing, general finance, benefits and employment related matters.
Another local company, Culcheth Paving has donated base flags for an allotment shed and the charity has raised funds for the shed. Bob Brockelhurst of Garden Building Supplies gave a 35% discount and local veteran Kevin Moore has designed a wooden plaque for the shed. The charity would welcome any other offers of support for tools, seeds, plans and equipment.

 

Leaflets.

 

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First birthday Dinner application leaflet.

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CLHG webmaster felt that this local charity, which had gone unrecorded for its good work, and which was much valued by the individuals it helped should be recorded in our website records.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 







 

On the Charity’s first birthday, there was a local dinner.

 

 

 

Allotment announcement in DIY Week paper on 18 January 2018

 

 

 

The Shoulder to Soldier team at work in the allotment.
Pictured: Ken Orton, Peter Smith, Andy Reynolds, Bob Watson and Lee Armstrong, all ex forces, with Linda Fisher (second from right), who founded Shoulder to Soldier

 

 

Bents Garden & Home has teamed up with Shoulder to Soldier, donating a plot at its community allotment site to the Leigh-based charity, which dedicates it’s time to supporting serving personnel, their families and veterans.

Shoulder to Soldier was formed in June 2017, and is committed to providing support, practical advice, financial relief and social welfare for those who are serving or who have served in our armed forces. It was a veteran who suggested the use of an allotment to help improve mood and motivation and within 24 hours of making the request a plot was donated by Bents.

Very much a veteran-led project, the allotment has already been visited by a team of 10, plus one current serving member. Everyone who wishes to will have a role in the project and the ex-forces engineers are already using their skills to design the layout which will take into account disabled veterans.

Shoulder to Soldier founder Linda Fisher said: “The allotment is already proving very beneficial and will help improve health and well-being, team building and getting our guys out and about to meet and socialise with new people.  It is fantastic. Thank you to Bents for providing this fantastic facility, which is already proving to be a very popular and thank you to the local businesses who have already supported the project by donating or reducing the price of items.”

Bents Garden & Home head of outdoor retail Matthew Dickinson, who is also responsible for the Bents’ Community Allotments commented: “We have been looking for local groups to take advantage of our community plots but have had little interest, so were delighted when Linda approached us about a plot for Shoulder to Soldier. They are exactly the kind of initiative that we hoped would take advantage of this opportunity and we had no hesitation in agreeing to their request. We’re looking forward to seeing the plot take shape.”

In addition to financial support, the work delivered by Shoulder to Soldier includes advocacy and advice for armed forces families, writing letters, attending benefits appeal hearings on a range of matters covering homelessness and housing, general finance, benefits and employment related matters.

Another local company, Culcheth Paving has donated base flags for an allotment shed and the charity has raised funds for the shed. Bob Brockelhurst of Garden Building Supplies gave a 35% discount and local veteran Kevin Moore has designed a wooden plaque for the shed. The charity would welcome any other offers of support for tools, seeds, plans and equipment.

 

Links:

Old Shoulder to Soldier Charity website

https://www.shouldertosoldier.org.uk/

 

Bents Garden Centre websites

https://www.bents.co.uk/

 

https://www.bents.co.uk/community/bents-community-allotments/


DIY Week:

http://www.diyweek.net/bents-donates-allotment-plot-to-shoulder-to-soldier-charity