January 2024 Update
Welcome to the first 2024 edition of Unforgotten Forces news for groups and services supporting older veterans and their families.
Veterans' Services Update
Our next Unforgotten Forces Gathering conference, for professionals and volunteers who support older veterans in Scotland, will be on Wednesday 15th May at the Norton Park conference centre in Edinburgh. Programme and booking information will be available soon and shared in this bulletin.
Erskine goes north and expands support for hearing loss
Erskine has announced plans to establish a veterans activity centre in Forres, Moray. CEO Ian Cumming said "We intend to transform the Victoria Hotel into a Veterans Activities Centre, in the mould of our flagship centre in the Erskine Veterans Village in Bishopton, Renfrewshire. Here, Veterans of all ages can benefit from learning new skills and hobbies, building new support networks, and staying active – with a hot meal, tea, coffee, and friendly banter always readily available. Read the story.
Erskine has also announced it will extend its support for veterans with mild to sever hearing loss and tinnitus over the next two years, visiting multiple veterans support locations across the central belt on a rolling basis. It will offer hearing screening, hearing aid maintenance and support; advice on useful equipment to improve everyday life; and support before and after hearing aids have been fitted. This programme is grant supported by The Veterans’ Foundation.
Addiction recovery arts and veterans
The UK-wide Addiction Recovery Arts Network has recently published a newsletter that focuses on Veterans’ projects. Read it here.
Black and minority ethnic veterans
The number of minority ethnic ex-Service in the UK Armed Forces is growing year on year. A report commissioned by Forces in Mind Trust has looked at what research says about their distinctive needs. Read the report.
Scottish Veterans Awards open for applications
The Scottish Veterans Awards are open to all Armed Forces Veterans, serving reservists and those organisations / companies that support the veterans’ community in Scotland. For 2024 a new Award ‘Veterans Group of the Year’ has been introduced. Closing date 23rd February 2024. Find out more here.
A lived experience network for the RAF family
The RAF Benevolent Fund has established a ‘Lived Experience Network’ to increase the inclusion of the RAF Family in its work. The network is a group of volunteers across the UK that the Fund will call upon for their insights as part of the RAF Family. Ways in which network members may be asked to help include completing surveys, joining focus groups and participating in a long-term working group for an internal project - all doable from home. To find out more email volunteering@rafbf.org.uk.
Communities Round-Up
Food and fuel vouchers
A new emergency energy and food voucher initiative to support Scotland's most vulnerable older people. Through the charity’s free national helpline, 0800 12 44 222, expert advisers will identify those most in need in order to provide crisis support. winter has been launched by Age Scotland in partnership with SGN. Find out more
New dementia training for groups and services
Age Scotland has added to its suite of dementia-focused training with new short courses on and ‘Planning and running dementia inclusive activities,’ ‘Becoming a dementia friendly community,’ and ‘young onset dementia.’ These online events will take place on the afternoons of 6th, 19th and 29th February. Details and booking.
Age Scotland has also published 2024 editions of its dementia advice guides, these covering ‘what is dementia’, ‘risk reduction’, ‘living well’, ‘caring for someone with early-stage dementia,’ and ‘dementia and the workplace.’ Read and request guides.
Events and Training
Tue 6 Feb
UK Veterans Family Study research findings event
9am-12pm, Leonardo Royal Hotel Haymarket, 1 Morrison Link, Edinburgh EH3 8DN
The UK Veterans Family Study has researched the health and wellbeing of veterans and their family members, looking at factors that support or challenge psychological health and wellbeing, and examining current and future support needs including access to support resources and barriers to care. This event will share findings from across the UK and highlight Scottish specific data. There will also be an opportunity to discuss recommendations from the research in terms of practical use, policy shaping, and future research needs.
To register email Dr Eric Spikol, e.spikol@qub.ac.uk, mentioning any allergies/intolerances or accessibility needs.
Wed 21 and Thu 22 Feb
Mental Health First Aid for the Armed Forces Community Course
Erskine Reid Macewan Activity Center, Bishopton
Some free places are available for this 2-day course, and expressions of interest are invited from those who support military veterans in Scotland such as the staff, caseworkers and volunteers of military charities and of Service and Regimental Associations.
Contact Glen MacDonald, glenmacdonaldmhfa.afc@outlook.com or tel. 07871 250654.
Thu 22 Feb
Understanding and supporting LBGT veterans’ workshop
12-1.30pm, online, free. Details and booking
Thu 29 Feb
An Introduction to Young Onset Dementia (Age Scotland)
10am-12pm, online, free. Details and booking
Mon 4 March
Dementia awareness workshop (Age Scotland)
10am-1pm, online. free. Details and booking
Thu 7 March
North Region Forum Unforgotten Forces
2-3.30pm. Confirm attendance by email to veteransproject@agescotland.org.uk
Thu 21 March
Northeast Regional Forum Unforgotten Forces
2-3.30pm. Confirm attendance by email to veteransproject@agescotland.org.uk
Wed 15 May
Unforgotten Forces Gathering
One day conference. Edinburgh. Details and booking coming soon.
Funding
The Veterans’ Foundation
Grants for charities, community interest companies and other organisations delivering charitable activity to support those in need among serving armed forces personnel, veterans, operationally qualified seafarers, and their immediate families. The grants fund a wide variety of projects including those that reduce homelessness, increase employment, provide welfare and medical support, increase confidence and social integration, as well as reduce dependence on alcohol and drugs.
Next deadline: 23rd April 2024 - for a decision in June 2024