0131 550 1561 office@veteransscotland.org.uk
Resources

Resources

Whether you are a Veteran or not, you may like to know more about how the various stakeholders in the Veteran Community who work together to support and assist our veteran community here in Scotland.

Veterans Scotland Information Guide

This booklet includes details of the Veterans Champions who have been established across Scotland to ensure that those who are serving and have served are not disadvantaged as a result of their service. It also brings together a wide range of help available to both the Veteran Community and those supporting them, the majority of which is available via the Internet. It lists some but not all of the organisations that provide support and advice to the Veteran Community. Additional information is available from the Veterans-Assist website.

The Veterans Scotland Newsletters

Copies of previous Veterans Scotland newsletters are available vai the link here. 

THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT -

A Guide for Local Authorities: How to deliver the Covenant in your area


The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served, and their families, are treated fairly. This commitment is made in recognition of the sacrifices they make on behalf of the country. The Armed Forces Covenant is not designed to give the Armed Forces, Veterans and their families’ preferential treatment compared with other citizens but it should ensure that they get a fair deal and are not disadvantaged because of their Service.

This tool kit is designed to help councils think constructively about their local Armed Forces Community and the implementation of their local Covenant pledges. We began developing each element of this toolkit during the initial research for the first edition of this report. We have revised the toolkit in the light of the four additional deep dives and the London Boroughs Covenant event by making some changes to the core infrastructure and the self-assessment tool. We envisage councils use the tool as a way to review their implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant, identify any gaps and prompt discussion between stakeholders.

our-community-our-covenant-improving-delivery-local-covenant-pledges.pdf (pcdn.co)

Scotland Guide

This guide has been produced to provide information on a range of topics to consider as you plan for your transition to civilian life in Scotland. It aims to give useful information on the sort of help you available and importantly who can provide it.

The guide was developed as a collaborative effort between Veterans Scotland, Skills Development Scotland and Army HQ Scotland.  Its aim is to provide information to those currently serving in the Armed Forces, Service Leavers and their families who are thinking of settling in Scotland. The Scottish Government aims to make Scotland the destination of choice for service leavers and their families and a great quality of life is certainly here for the taking.

Age Scotland - Information and advice for older veterans

"Age Scotland knows about the issues involved in growing older in Scotland and has developed this guide with the needs of older military veterans in mind. It will point you towards the information you may need and the organisations that exist to help you.

They also produce the Unforgotten Forces magazine Unforgotten Forces Magazine | Age Scotland (ageuk.org.uk).

Local Authority Guides

Local Authorities across Edinburgh and the Lothians have now produced their own Armed Forces and Veterans Guides to services and support available within their local authority areas.  Copies of the various guides are listed below and are also available on the relevant local authority websites.

   

Argyll and Bute Council Welcoming our Armed Forces - Information for serving personnel and veterans

Moving from military to civilian life or relocating from one area to another can be challenging for veterans or serving troops and their families. The information provided here offers practical advice, guidance and support.

Additional Information and advise on a range of subjects relating to the Armed Forces and Veterans Community across Argyll and Bute is also available here.

Civilian Life in the Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders Council have recently re-issued their guide "Civilian Life in the Scottish Borders" which aims to support veterans and their families who already live within the Scottish Borders or are looking to settle within the area.  It looks to give information and advice on a number of areas which may be of interest to the veterans community.  The link below will take you to a PDF version of the document, however copies are available from the Borders Council on request.

Veterans First

A guide for people leaving the Armed Forces in Perth and Kinross.  This has been produced in partnership between Perth & Kinross Council and the local SSAFA branch.  It looks to deliver information about what is available to support our Armed Forces veterans in Perth & Kinross.  If you wish to view the booklet please click on the link below:

Housing Options Scotland

Finding the right home in the right place can be a confusing and stressful experience at any time. It can seem harder when you’re planning to leave the armed forces and facing the uncertainty of transition to civilian life.  Having talked to recent service leavers and their families, Housing Options Scotland have pulled together this information for those who may be thinking of leaving the Armed Forces. We also believe it has relevance to serving personnel and their families too, whatever the stage of your career.  If you are thinking of either buying or renting your first home or if you are confused by the number of incentive schemes to help get on the housing ladder, the booklet contains a lot of useful information.  

Link to Booklet Here >>>>

There is a huge network of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community, so finding the right one for your needs can be tricky.

We make it quick and easy by being your first point of contact for whatever support you need, whether you are based in the UK or abroad.

Find Out more

Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT)

FiMT have funded a number of reports recently which look at a wide range of subjects relating to transition from service and the support available.  The link below will navigate you to the various reports that have been produce as a result of this funding.  Click here for the link



Age Scotland

Age Scotland Veterans’ Team: Doug Anthoney (Lead), Linda McNeill (Assistant), Pam McLennan (Comradeship Circles)

Tel 0333 323 2400 Email veteransproject@agescotland.org.uk

Age Scotland is the leading charity representing older people in Scotland and supporting their rights and interests.  If offers free advice guides for veterans on key later life topics, and can provide them with later life information and advice through the Age Scotland helpline 0800 12 44 222 / Helpline@agescotland.org.uk. It also offers socially isolated older veterans group telephone camaraderie through its Comradeship Circles service. Age Scotland is coordinating partner in Unforgotten Forces, a consortium of leading charities working together to boost the health and wellbeing of veterans in Scotland age 65 and older.

www.age.scot/veterans

www.unforgottenforces.scot

The Veterans Scotland Newsletter

This weeks Veterans Scotland Newsletter is now available.

In this weeks Newsletter

  • The Veterans’ Foundation – upcoming grant application deadline on Tuesday 30th January
  • Operation Unicorn – A personal reflection from Tim Purves
  • SCVO – Village and community halls handbook
  • Last 4 weeks To Apply, Scottish Veterans Awards 2024 – Nominate or Apply NOW!
  • trellis gardening for wellbeing
  • TFN magazine’s January edition is out now
  • “Often overlooked”: third sector pivotal to Scotland’s economy, research shows

And much more 

UK Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022 to 2032

The strategy addresses the challenges armed forces families face with mobility, deployment and separation and the implications this has for accessing good quality healthcare, education, and accommodation.

It also notes the evolving nature of family life and the pressures this can place on childcare and managing the career of the partner or spouse alongside that of the Service person.

The strategy will be supported by an action plan that includes the commitments made in the government’s response to Andrew Selous MP’s ‘Living in Our Shoes’ report. The strategy and action plan will be delivered in partnership with the devolved administrations, the charitable and private sectors.

Download the strategy here.