Four members of Scotty’s Council travelled to Canada alongside founder Nikki Scott to attend The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum 2025, sharing their experiences and helping to showcase the charity’s work on an international stage.
Angel (21), Molly (21), Joshua (20) and Baxter (19) have all experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces. They are members of Scotty’s Council, which plays a central role in shaping Scotty’s work, ensuring the voices of bereaved military children and young people are at the heart of decision-making. At the Forum, all four members spoke confidently during sessions and discussions, representing bereaved British Forces children and young people to an international audience.
Reflecting on the experience, Angel said:
“Attending the conference in Canada was a surreal experience! It felt very special and moving to witness a piece of research which placed voices of Scotty’s members at the heart, presented on an international stage. It was also great to have the opportunity to spend time with the other members, exploring Canada and soaking in the experience together.”
Watch a video of Angel, Molly, Joshua, Baxter and Nikki’s time in Canada – https://youtu.be/fD6YX737gtU
The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) works to enhance the health and wellbeing of Canada’s military personnel, Veterans, public safety personnel and their families. Each year, its Forum brings together thought leaders from across academia, government and the charitable sector to share research, insights and ideas aimed at improving outcomes for those who serve and their loved ones.
This year’s Forum took place in Ottawa, Ontario, from 20–22 October, under the theme Serving those who serve us. Scotty’s was invited to attend following its ongoing collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University’s Veterans and Families Institute for Military Social Research (VFI). Dr Faye Acton presented updates from their joint research project, The Impact of Bereavement Support for Military Children, which explores how being part of a military-specific charity shapes a bereaved child or young person’s sense of identity and belonging.
The co-produced study highlights the importance of culturally responsive, co-designed research and practice-based evidence in shaping future policy and service provision. The work recognises that specialist charities like Scotty’s play a vital role in providing highly tailored,
culturally relevant support that mainstream services cannot easily replicate. It also underlines the power of youth voice and the value of involving young people in the design, delivery and evaluation of both services and research.
The research partnership aims to demonstrate the impact of Scotty’s work on young people’s identity, wellbeing and connectedness, and to strengthen the evidence base for targeted funding and cross-sector collaboration. Early analysis suggests that Scotty’s significantly enhances members’ sense of belonging, peer relationships and emotional resilience – helping them navigate one of the most life-changing and devastating experiences a child can face. Read more about the research here.
Nikki Scott, founder of Scotty’s Little Soldiers, said:
“It was such a privilege to be in Canada alongside four incredible members of Scotty’s Council at the CIMVHR Forum. The Forum is a powerful opportunity to share research based on lived experiences on an international stage and highlight how tailored support can help bereaved military children feel understood and connected. Scotty’s is built on the voices of our members so having them involved was so important. Watching them represent bereaved military children and young people filled me with pride. They spoke with confidence and honesty, answering questions and engaging brilliantly throughout the conference.”
Dr Faye Acton, from Anglia Ruskin University’s Veterans and Families Institute for Military Social Research, added:
“CIMVHR is recognised as one of the leading international conferences in military and veteran health research, so being invited to present the work that Scotty’s and I have been working on was a true privilege. Having Angel, Molly, Baxter, Josh, and Nikki out in Canada to support the project and champion Scotty’s was absolutely wonderful. I felt deeply honoured to share our co-produced project with such a large and diverse audience of practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, and I was thrilled by the overwhelmingly positive feedback the presentation received from delegates.”
Findings from the research highlight that Scotty’s work is making a real difference for bereaved British Forces children and young people, and the charity is exploring how the knowledge and experience it has developed since it was founded 15 years ago, could also be used to help bereaved military adults, as well as children. In the New Year, Scotty’s will launch its new vision for the future – setting out how it aims to help even more bereaved British Forces families.
This work forms part of Scotty’s STRIDES Programme, which supports the education and development of bereaved military children and young people. The STRIDES Programme is principally funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund, and Scotty’s would like to thank them for their generous support in making this possible.
