Veterans Connect North Moving Forward Residential Programme
Free four-day Residential at YMCA Lakeside, on the shores of Lake Windermere.
YMCA Lakeside outdoor education centre is a dedicated site designed to offer personal development programmes to people of all ages. We will use the modern facilities and have exclusive access to everything the site offers for the weekend. The Moving Forward programme will use the lake, the surrounding fell side and the woodland to support our key themes. Our approach to all outdoor exercises and group work is ‘Challenge By Choice’. Only you can decide how involved you want to be in any of the activities.
All meals will be fully catered, and you will have a single, ensuite room. Lakeside is not a hotel, but it still provides a comfortable, supportive environment for everyone on the programme. The staff are on hand to support you throughout your time at Lakeside. Our course is designed for veterans struggling with anxiety, loss of confidence, or indecision. For others, it can deepen into isolation, poor life choices, or a feeling of no longer belonging. Our residential programmes are designed to intervene before people reach crisis point - offering space, structure, and skilled support at a moment when it can make a real difference.
During the programme, participants are supported to:
- Make sense of their military experiences and recognise the strengths they still carry forward
- Gain clarity on their current situation without judgement or pressure
- Rebuild a sense of identity, purpose, and personal direction
- Develop motivation and realistic plans for civilian life
- Begin addressing post-service needs in a constructive, confidence-building way
- Access employment-related support
Who the Programme is for: Organisations supporting individuals who:
- Are approaching transition or have recently left the Armed Forces
- Struggle with identity, direction, or confidence post-service
- Would benefit from structured reflection, peer connection, and future-focused planning
- Are based in Cumbria & Lancashire
Our approach is aspirational, individual-centred, and grounded in respect.
We don't tell people who they should become – we help them rediscover who they already are, and how to move forward with resilience and purpose.
Book now at Activities – Veterans Connect North
Events and activities are not organised by Ribble Valley Borough Council unless stated otherwise. Neither is Ribble Valley Borough Council responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. If you are under 18, ask your parent/guardian before taking part in any event or activity.