Northern Ireland veterans recognised at Road to Invictus event in Lisburn
Northern Ireland Invictus Games competitors and veterans have been recognised at a special Road to Invictus event in Lisburn ahead of the Games returning to the UK in 2027.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons joined veterans, their families and representatives from the Armed Forces community at the event, which celebrated the role of the Invictus movement and highlighted support available to veterans across Northern Ireland.
The Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will mark the first time the international sporting event has been staged in the UK since the inaugural Games were held in London in 2014.
Northern Ireland Invictus Games competitors recognised
The Lisburn event brought together members of the veterans community as preparations continue for Birmingham 2027.
Mr Lyons attended alongside Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone and representatives from organisations working with veterans and their families.
The Communities Minister said the Invictus Games provide an opportunity to recognise the determination and achievements of wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans.
He also highlighted work being undertaken by the Department for Communities to improve the support available to veterans and their families in Northern Ireland.
This includes assistance relating to areas such as benefits and housing, as well as efforts to ensure former members of the Armed Forces are able to access the services they require.
Support for veterans in Northern Ireland
The Department for Communities has been developing its support for the veterans community, including the introduction of the Veterans Support Line NI.
The dedicated service was launched earlier this year and provides veterans and their families with a confidential point of contact through which they can seek information and support.
Work is also continuing to improve awareness of the needs of veterans among staff delivering public services.
The department says this includes strengthening engagement with organisations representing the Armed Forces community and identifying potential barriers which veterans may encounter when accessing services.
Mr Lyons pledged that work to support the veterans community would continue.
Invictus is ‘much more than sport’
Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone highlighted the importance of the Invictus movement and the role sport can play in recovery and rehabilitation.
The Games provide an international platform for wounded, injured and sick serving military personnel and veterans to compete in a range of sports.
However, Mr Johnstone said Invictus represented much more than sporting competition.
The movement also focuses on resilience, recovery and the impact that service-related injury or illness can have on individuals and their families.
Bringing the Road to Invictus event to Northern Ireland provided an opportunity to explain the purpose of the Games while recognising the experiences and sacrifices of the Armed Forces community.
Former Invictus competitor and Invictus Games Foundation team member Johnny Ball was among the special guests attending the Lisburn event.
Invictus Games return to UK in 2027
The Invictus Games were established by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, with the inaugural competition taking place in London in 2014.
More than 400 competitors from 13 countries participated in those first Games.
Since then, Invictus has developed into an international sporting movement, with Games staged in cities around the world.
Birmingham will host the competition in 2027, bringing the Invictus Games back to the UK for the first time in 13 years.
The event will once again bring together serving personnel and veterans who have experienced wounds, injuries or illness, with competitors taking part in adaptive sporting events.
The Lisburn Road to Invictus event forms part of the build-up towards Birmingham and provided an opportunity to recognise Northern Ireland’s involvement in the Invictus community ahead of the 2027 Games.
Further information: Department for Communities – Road to Invictus event
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