Community-21 – a series of conversations reflecting on community work over Covid-19, funded by the Community Relations Council‘s Media Grant Scheme.
Times have been difficult for veterans in normal times. Many of these issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic. One organisation renowned for serving veterans is the Royal British Legion. The Ballymoney branch’s Club Chairman, Sammy Clements, is especially astute at serving not only veterans but the entire community of Ballymoney.
A branch that was once struggling to survive, Sammy has worked hard to revitalise the organisation – balancing budgets while increasing their services and revamping their outlook. They’ve been able to refurbish what is now a mighty impressive venue for the community in Ballymoney Town Centre.
Despite some of the biases one might hold against the British Legion, Sammy and his community members are committed to the organisation’s values of non-sectarianism, being open to everybody while maintaining a staff that is 100% volunteer. Anyone from anywhere can join and are highly encouraged to do so.
Mental health and addressing social isolation is at the heart of everything the Ballymoney Royal British Legion does. Of course, veterans have always been a priority for the organisation. With more and more young men and women returning home from conflicts further afar, Ballymoney’s Legion has used its wealth of life experience and the perseverance through the trials of its own members to aid young veterans as they attempt to return to a ‘normal life’. They are in the early stages of planning the opening of a Veteran’s Hub that will be available to support veterans in this manner.
Sammy doesn’t have his blinders up, however. He knows that mental health is a pandemic affecting many people these days. That’s why the Ballymoney branch and colleagues across the community sector are supportive of a range of projects and initiatives helping boost the community’s mental health. He was keenly aware that mental health issues are disproportionately affecting men in NI today. Also being understanding of the fact that many men lack community and tend not to engage in community projects, Sammy’s club founded Ballymoney’s first Men’s Shed to help bring men together and further reduce social isolation. The Ballymoney Royal British Legion is a vital part in making that small but crucial difference in helping members of the community get healthy while building a stronger community.
If that’s not all proof enough of the Ballymoney’s Legion’s commitment to the community, Sammy and his colleagues went door-to-door during the pandemic to help people in need, providing not just care parcels but the knowledge that there is a community organisation just down the road that has been made for the community, by the community.
This message was heard loud and clear, and now many from all walks of life are attending the centre for a range of events and activities now that Covid restrictions have been lifted, all steadfastly centred on promoting good relations across the town.
I should also mention that they have cheap pints and some nice big screen TVs to watch the footy and you can bet I’ll be back very soon to enjoy both of those things!
Most importantly, the thing I took away from meeting Sammy is his infectious benevolence for people that has, in its own way, inoculated members of the Ballymoney community against some of the hardships caused by the pandemic, and that’s more than anyone could ask for.