Here at the Vanguard Centre, we have always been happy to work with charities and to help out with good causes, and we’d love to share some of the community outreach that we have done over the years!
We like to work closely with our local community to improve physical health and mental well-being through helping people find a fun and accessible activity. We want to bring archery and HEMA to the wider community throughout Glasgow while supporting other organisations and charities that are doing good work for people.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Some of our students have studied HEMA as part of a Duke of Edinburgh award. Our instructors work with students for 12 months, practising not only the physical applications and techniques, but studying the literature available to us in these particular sword disciplines. Learning to use a sword takes a lot of time and dedication, and we hope our students find the learning process as wonderful as we do!
Move On in Glasgow
We have also partnered with the Move On charity, which works with vulnerable young people. Part of the help they provide is through a programme where the young person has a mentor that helps them with guidance and advice. This charity also provide young and vulnerable people with training and support – part of this involves the young person choosing an activity they would like to try, attending that activity with their mentor for around six weeks.
Glasgow Life and the Family Active Budget
The Family Activity Budget is part of a scheme run by Glasgow Life. It aims to make activities more available to young people who otherwise might not be able to attend clubs and classes due to limited finances.
Key Support Charity
We attended the 40th anniversary of Key Support, a charity based in Glasgow that helps people with disabilities and learning difficulties to live independently. Our instructors gave a demonstration and a sword lesson at this event. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to try some broadsword fencing!
The Triquetra Collection
Over the years, we have fundraised to be able to donate a new books to the charitable Triquetra Collection of antique swords and fencing treatises. Whenever we find antique books that would fit the Collection, we always try to do what we can to acquire these items and donate them to the charity for preservation and study.
Low Parks Museum
We have given demonstrations, have-a-go sessions, and historical presentations at the Low Parks Museum in South Lanarkshire. The museum is home to many interesting historical artefacts and we have been helping to provide information and context about and related to these items for the members of the public who want to learn more about them.
Would you like to work with us?
If you run a museum, charity, or social enterprise, and would like to work with us on a project, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us, and we would be delighted to talk with you to see what we can do to help.