Today (29 November 2017), the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) and Veterans First Point (V1P) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with the aim to improve collaboration between the two organisations and to better serve the Military community in Scotland.
DMWS and V1P’s cause complements each other; both organisations focus on improving the health and well-being of veterans and their families.
Read moreHousing Options Scotland (HOS), a Scottish charity offering housing advice to disabled people, older people and veterans is celebrating 20 years of service this year.
Founded back in 1997, the Edinburgh-based organisation has grown from a small operation to a well-established charity helping an average of 500 clients per year. Over the last 20 years, HOS has built-up a reputation of excellence by providing its customers with advice and support on the complex design, financial and legal processes involved in buying or renting a property.
Read moreCombat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, has today announced Neil Oliver as an ambassador in Scotland.
The television presenter, archaeologist and author, best known for presenting series such as A History of Scotland, Vikings and Coast, will help the charity to raise awareness of its vital work supporting former servicemen and women with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Neil recently visited Hollybush House, the Combat Stress treatment centre in Ayr, to meet with veterans supported by the charity.
Read moreScotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, the largest employment development specifically for Scottish veterans in decades, will open at veterans’ charity Erskine’s headquarters next June, it was announced today.
Renfrewshire-based social enterprise SBMC is projected to help more than 40 of the country’s brave ex-servicemen and women every year through direct, flexible employment – whilst also offering vital tailored wrap-around welfare support and accommodation in collaboration with Erskine.
Read moreFrank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, was joined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and fellow politicians, as well as members of the Armed Forces community, for a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance to mark Remembrance Sunday today (November 12th).
More than 100 wreaths were laid at the poignant service, organised by Legion Scotland at the City Chambers, to remember those who have fallen in conflicts. Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE, the President of Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, read Binyon’s Lines after the bugler had played the Last Post.
Read moreThe firing of the Edinburgh Castle gun signalled the start of the Armistice Day Service, in Edinburgh, today (Saturday 11th November). A two-minute silence followed thereafter before the Rev Dr Karen K Campbell conducted the service in the Garden of Remembrance.
Members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, attended the poignant event, organised by Legion Scotland, to remember those who have fallen in conflicts. Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, led a special group of wreath-layers at an event that was open to the public. The ‘Poppy Bus’ – provided by Lothian Buses and appropriately numbered 11 – halted beside the Garden of Remembrance at 11am.
Read moreSt John’s Kirk of Perth will be getting into the Christmas spirit by holding a concert on Wednesday 6 December to raise money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
More information: Performers will include the Kirk Choir and Organist, the Military Wives Choir from Leuchars base in Fife, an Ensemble of the Highland Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, well-known Olivier award winning actress Lesley Mackie, as well as local dignitaries, including Brigadier Mel Jameson CBE- the Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, and Branch President, the local Regiment -51st Highland, 7th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Black Watch Association and many SSAFA volunteers.
Read moreFollow this link for all the latest news from Veterans Scotland.
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The closing date for submission of applications is 30 November 2017. Organisations are encouraged to bid for funding to deliver projects that offer new or innovative approaches to tackling the issues veterans face, in areas like health, housing and employment.
Around £600,000 of funding, including £240,000 from Standard Life Aberdeen has been made available through the Scottish Veterans Fund in the three years to 2019/20.
Read moreA note from their Military Matters Consultant, Tony
It’s 5 years since our Military Matters project launched. We’ve moved with the times to make sure we’re at the forefront of developments on housing information and advice for the wider Armed Forces Community. So, what have we been up to?!
Scotland was the first country in the UK to appoint an independent Veterans Commissioner who reports directly to Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary. We worked with the Commissioner to provide help and examples of our work which were included in reports on Transition – the process for those leaving the forces – and the wider provision of housing information and support.
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Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
