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Veterans Fund to help employability, befriending and wellbeing projects.

Veterans will be helped transition to civilian life through projects delivering employability and health and wellbeing services following the award of £120,000 of grant funding through this years’ Scottish Veterans Fund.

Veterans Minister Keith Brown made the announcement during a visit to the Coming Home Centre in Govan, which received £5,000 from the fund for a woodworking workshop for veterans with health and social needs.

Projects being supported include the provision of bespoke housing advice and information service for disabled veterans, comradeship and befriending events for veterans to combat isolation and promote mental and physical health, and virtual job and careers fairs aimed at SMEs.

Established in 2008, the Scottish Veterans Fund has invested more than £833,000 and supported 125 projects that provide vital outreach, advice and support services to the thousands of veterans transitioning to civilian life.

The Scottish Government also confirmed that a further £70,000 will be provided to Veterans Scotland, building on previous investment of £200,000 over the past three years through the Catalyst for Change funding. This investment will enable the organisation to carry out a number of programmes to promote veterans’ needs, keeping up momentum in support of veterans and their families in Scotland.

Mr Brown said;

“Our veterans are an asset to Scotland and deserve, and should receive, the highest level of advice, support and care possible.

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that no one should suffer disadvantage as a result of service. That is why I was delighted to publish ‘Renewing Our Commitments’ last month that reiterates Scotland’s commitment to support our armed forces and veterans’ communities.

“The projects awarded funding today are specifically designed to help and support veterans across Scotland to help us deliver on our ambition of making Scotland the destination of choice for those leaving the military. The projects range from employer engagement and employability support to various comradeship and befriending activities. The result is that since 2008, we have provided grant funding of over £890,000 to veterans and armed forces charities through the Fund.

“We owe an enormous debt to all those who have served in our armed forces. Offering them the best possible support is the least we can do and the very least they deserve.”

Colonel Martin Gibson, Executive Chairman of Veterans Scotland said:

“The Scottish Veterans Fund recognises the important contribution that veterans make in all parts of society across Scotland. Whilst the vast majority of members of the Armed Forces community are an asset to society and adjust well to civilian life after Service, some encounter difficulties. By understanding the causes of those difficulties, we can all work together to ensure that transition becomes easier.

“We are therefore very grateful to the Scottish Government for their on-going funding support. This enables Veterans Scotland to continue our important spectrum of work with statutory organisations, other charities and the private sector to meet the needs of veterans and the wider Armed Forces community.”

Notes To Editors