Burnley based flagship project to help ex veterans is full just two months after opening its doors
The success of the project has topped all expectations of founder Andrew Powell, an ex soldier himself who set up the project in December 2020, after completing a successful project previously. But it was always his dream to launch Healthier Heroes in his hometown of Burnley.
“Within two weeks of opening we had people knocking on the door wanting support. And we are now full with 21 veterans or those who are part of the armed forces family here,” said Andy.
“What is happening here is monumental. We are transforming people’s lives on a daily basis, people who are coming to us from across the whole of Lancashire.
“We have a waiting list now.”
Healthier Heroes provide 24-hour support on different levels for ex veterans operating on a two-tie
r housing system with the first one being complete support for the veterans to help them face their issues and deal with any drug related problems and addictions, or mental health issues they may have. They will receive intensive and professional help and counselling.
Then they move to the second tier, where they will live independently within the project, managing their own living space, having learnt how to cook, and budget and then also look at finding employment or go into re-training.
Since Healthier Heroes, a community interest not for profit company, was launched it has helped 200 veterans and their families and Andrew wants to extend that even further to the whole of Lancashire.
Businesses and organisations across Burnley and East Lancashire have thrown their support behind Healthier Heroes with a raft of donations.
The latest company to make a donation was Burnley based RecycleIT. One of the UK’s leading providers of IT management services and ethical hardware recycling, the company delivered 15 fully installed desktop computers for residents to use.
Business Development Manager Carl Greenwood said ‘To be able to gift a full IT suite to Rio and Andy at the site is a real privilege. The work the guys do in the area is really something to behold. The donation will see members of Healthier Heroes upskill themselves and allow access to IT when they need it the most. As part of our Sustainability Project this will be one of many donations we will make into local charities this year. We are so proud to be able to do this for a number of Burnley based charities’
