Veteran-friendly Organisations in
Ards & North Down
We have identified a range of organisations and activities in your area that welcome Veterans to join in and take part in their activities. Some of these organisations have received direct funding to offer Veteran-specific programmes, while others run year-round activities that are also open to the public.
Activate Outdoor Adventure
Activate Outdoor Adventure offers a range of experiences from skills-based work from outdoor living skills, navigation and personal development.
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Bangor Bulls Wheelchair Basketball Club
Bangor Bulls WBC improves the physical health and wellbeing of disabled people in the Ards and North Down Area through the sport of wheelchair basketball.
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Bangor Cricket Club
Bangor Cricket Club have 4 adult Weekend XI’s as well as a Midweek XI team, all of which play in league and cup competitions within the Northern Cricket Union of Ireland. They are open to new members, so if interested please get in touch.
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Bangor Ex-Services Club
Bangor Ex-Services Club is a members' social club for veterans.
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Beechhill & Conlig Lower Reservoir Fisheries
Beechhill Fishery and Conlig Fisheries are mixed species fisheries. They are both located in Co Down and operated by the Charity NICCA.
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Ards & Donaghadee Cricket Club
Ards & Donaghadee Cricket Club run 2 men's teams; the 1st XI play in NCU Section 3 and the 2nd XI play in NCU Junior League 5. Practice is every Tuesday evening at 18:30 at their home ground Northfield. Cricketers from all ages and abilities are welcome.
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Mercury Fitness NI
Mercury Fitness is a Northern Ireland based Boot Camp operating out of public spaces in Belfast, Lisburn and Bangor.
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Newtownards Royal British Legion
The Newtownards RBL provides financial, social and emotional care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces - past and present, and their families.
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North Down Musuem
North Down Museum tells the history of the area from the Bronze Age to the present day. It is situated at the Town Hall, Bangor Castle, within the laundry and stables of the Castle.
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Ross Jord Trout Fishery & Angling Hub
Ross Jord Fishery is an 8.6 acre reservoir in North Down. They offer bait fishing for organised disabled groups and children under the age of 14. They also offer boat and bank fishing, and teach fly fishing for free.
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Seacourt Print Workshop
Seacourt Print Workshop is an open-access printmaking studio offering resources, courses and workshops. The printmaking family includes master printmakers, multidisciplinary artists, amateurs and those who print to improve their wellbeing.
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Sport NI
Sport Northern Ireland is the leading public body for the development of sport in Northern Ireland.
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Reading Force
Reading Force are passionate about using books to bring veterans and Forces children and families closer together. Their shared reading initiative encourages families to read, talk, and scrapbook about a book, improving communication and enriching relationships with books and each other – one page at a time.
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The Frontier Pipes and Drums
Veterans in Northern Ireland can now benefit from free tuition in piping and drumming, thanks to the formation of The Frontier Pipes and Drums. This project is open to all veterans, regardless of ability. Band rehearsals are held at various locations across NI. For details of your nearest location please email: mindthepipesanddrums@gmail.com, or call 07964421665.
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The Not Forgotten
Formed in 1930, The Not Forgotten Northern Ireland is a tri-service charity which provides entertainment, leisure and recreation activities for the serving wounded, injured or sick and for veterans.
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Athletics NI
thletics NI are involved in all disciplines of athletics including track and field; cross-country; road, fell, ultra and mountain running. There are over 90 clubs based throughout Northern Ireland which are affiliated to Athletics Northern Ireland, and open to Veterans and members of the public.
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Age NI
Age NI has a wealth of information, resources and activities for older veterans. They run programmes throughout the year and offer opportunities to participate in fundraising initiatives.
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Civil Service Rugby Club
The Civil Service Rugby Club, based in East Belfast, is open to all ages and abilities. You do not need to be a Civil Servant to join.
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Disability Sport NI
Disability Sport NI is the main charity in Northern Ireland working with people with a disability who would like to get involved and take part in sport.
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Every Body Active 2020/House of Sport
Every Body Active 2020/House of Sport is a four year lottery funded programme aimed at getting people more active more often through sport and physical activity. Each council area is linking in with clubs, schools, and community organisations to provide opportunities to get involved in a wide range of sports and activities in your local area at a time and place to suit you.
Contact: eba2020@sportni.net
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Irish Disabled Fly Fishing Association
The Association is open to all abilities to access fly fishing through recreational activity and competitions.
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Irish Football Association
Ahead of the Game is the Irish FA’s Foundation's mental health programme for football clubs. The course aims to support clubs and volunteers when dealing with mental health issues, challenging the stigma around mental health, promoting positive mental health and preventative measures.
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Lough Erne Yacht Cub - Veterans' Water Access Project
The Veterans' Water Access project is the only organisation offering Veterans access to water-based activities in the west of the province, offering Sailability, Power Boat Courses and group trips on the lough.
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NI Army Golf Association
The Army Golf Association (AGA) was formed in 1974 to promote the interests of all golfers, both officers and soldiers, regular and reserve. Since then it has encouraged Army personnel to take to the golf course and importantly enable those leaving the Army to continue to play in Army Golf competitions.
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Outdoor Concepts
Outdoor Concepts is an outdoor adventure company, offering a range of activities for Veterans and members of the public.
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Outdoor Recreation NI
Outdoor Recreation NI is a not-for-profit organisation developing, managing and promoting outdoor recreation across Northern Ireland.
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Powered By Sport
Powered By Sport believes sport has the power to positively impact on peoples mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. They offer veterans the opportunity to take part in Sledge Hockey - a dry land wheeled version of para ice hockey. You can read about our experience trying Sledge Hockey here.
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Spokes In Motion Wheelchair Tennis Club
The Spokes In Motion Wheelchair Tennis Club offers an opportunity for veterans and members of the public with physical disabilities to participate in wheelchair tennis.
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HMS Caroline
HMS Caroline is a C-class light cruiser, built in Birkenhead at Lairds shipyard in 1914. After fighting in Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle in history, she was recommissioned for service in the East Indies. HMS Caroline arrived in Belfast in 1924 and became the static floating headquarters of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. After being decommissioned in 2011, the ship was restored with the help of Heritage Lottery Fund, Department of the Economy and the Heritage Memorial Fund and opened as a museum in June 2016.
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The Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum
The Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum aims to collect, safeguard and interpret artefacts and information relating to the Irish linen industry and the history of the Lagan Valley. You can read about the museum's Veteran project here.
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Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum
The Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum welcomes visitors from around the world with a permanent exhibition recalling the Belfast Blitz of 1941, and the presence of US forces from 1942 – 1944. The fallen are remembered in a magnificent stained glass window and granite plinth containing Books of Remembrance from both world wars.
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Portadown Post/NI Bunker
Portadown Post is a Cold War bunker buried underground on the outskirts of Portadown. It has been restored with working equipment, and is open to interested groups for tours. If you would like to visit, get in touch with Alastair. You can read about our visit to the bunker by clicking here.
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Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum
This museum celebrates the history of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, who have played an important part in Armagh’s history since 1793. The museum houses displays of the Armagh, Cavan and Monaghan Militias from 1793 to 1968.
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Royal Ulster Rifles Museum
The museum houses an extensive collection of uniforms, badges, medals and regimental memorabilia covering the history of the Regiment and the campaigns in which it has fought since its formation in 1793.
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The Somme Association & Somme Museum
The Association built and owns the Somme Heritage Centre, between Newtownards and Bangor in Co. Down. It is an institution for the study and interpretation of Ireland’s contribution to the First World War, with particular reference to the Battle of the Somme. Built with the help of grants to commemorate the involvement of the 36th (Ulster) Division, 16th (Irish) Division and 10th (Irish) Division, it provides exhibitions, displays and information.
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Titanic Belfast
Titanic Belfast tells the story of Titanic from conception, through to construction and launch, to her maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.
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Ulster Aviation Society
Formed in 1968, the Ulster Aviation Society is a diverse, charitable organisation made up entirely of volunteers with a wide range of interests within aviation, with a central focus on furthering public education in the history of aviation. You can arrange to visit the hangar, or become a volunteer.
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War Years Remembered
War Years Remembered is a museum which brings to life stories and artefacts from the people of Northern Ireland. They offer educational guided tours of the museum to various interested groups.
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PTSD Resolution
PTSD Resolution is a charity (no. 1133118) that helps Veterans (any former Armed Forces Personnel), Reservists and Families who are struggling to reintegrate into a normal work & family life because of trauma suffered during military service and other adverse life events. The charity is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to the Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services (QNVMHS)
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Hello Sunshine Therapy
Hello Sunshine Therapy is run by Mindset and Wellbeing Specialist, Jo.
Jo practices Solution Focused Hypnotherapy using structured, practical and well-researched strategies to empower people to make positive, significant changes in their lives in a relatively short period of time.
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Versus Arthritus
Versus Arthritis is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting people with arthritis, chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions.
Support groups can be found across Northern Ireland, check out your local branch here:
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Papyrus
PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
Suicide is the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. Papyrus believe that many suicides are preventable.
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