Commissioner and Burnley MP Back Healthier Heroes to Support Local Veterans

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, and Burnley MP, Oliver Ryan, visited the Healthier Heroes project to see first-hand how the organisation is using £10,000 seized from criminals through the Commissioner’s Community Fund to support veterans and vulnerable people across the county.

Healthier Heroes CIC, based in Burnley, provides specialist support to veterans, prison leavers and individuals with complex needs, helping them reintegrate into society through structured support, safeguarding, and wellbeing programmes.

The funding was awarded through the Member of Parliament strand of the Community Fund, which enables MPs across Lancashire to champion local organisations that help prevent crime, reduce reoffending, and strengthen community safety.

Last year, representatives from the Commissioner’s Office and Lancashire Constabulary strengthened their support for the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant, a national pledge ensuring that serving personnel, veterans, and their families are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Following the visit, Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said:

“This project is a fantastic example of why reinvesting cash taken from criminals back into Lancashire is a great thing – supporting vulnerable people, preventing crime and making our communities safer.

“This is targeted work where Healthier Heroes CIC is delivering a unique, evidence-based scheme that will make a real difference in people’s lives.

“As I hold the chief constable to account to ensure the most efficient, effective policing service possible here in Lancashire, it is vital that we use all the tools at our disposal to prevent offending in the first place, which reduces demand on officers and breaks cycles of offending, with this investment just one example of how my Office is investing in our county’s safety.”

Oliver Ryan, MP for Burnley, said:

“Healthier Heroes do outstanding work supporting veterans across Burnley and beyond – helping those who’ve served our country to find a sense of purpose, and community. I’m proud to have backed their Safe Pathways for Veterans project through the MP Grant Funding Scheme.

“This £10,000 investment is exactly the kind of difference a Labour government is making – supporting local organisations that change lives and strengthen the support available for our Armed Forces community here in Lancashire.’’