Veterans' Services Update

Veterans ‘anything but uninform’ says Commissioner

The Scottish Veterans Commissioner has called for more support for the ‘invisible’ members of the veteran community in her new report: ‘Community and Relationships – Anything But Uniform’. The report puts the spotlight on those whose voices are less often heard in the military community including women veterans, the LGBT+ community, families, the bereaved, and non-UK veterans.
Read the report
Read the Commissioner’s blog
Watch case study videos

Research report puts veterans needs in family context

The final report of the UK Veterans Family Study is now available. The study explored psychological health, wellbeing, and social support among UK veteran families. It found good wellbeing overall in veterans’ families and highlighted key risk factors and barriers to accessing services among more vulnerable families.
Read the report

Veterans invited to apply for HM Armed Forces Veteran Card

Veterans who left the UK Forces before December 2018 can now apply for a HM Armed Forces Veteran Card. The card will help veterans verify their status and make it easier to access support services.
Apply online
Apply by phone via Veterans UK Helpline 0808 1914 218

Action for LGBT+ veterans

The UK Government is encouraging LGBT+ veterans affected by the ‘gay ban’ in the Armed Forces prior to 2000 to apply for restorative measures following the Etherton Review.
How to apply

Meanwhile campaigners are pressing the UK Government to accelerate compensation for these veterans.
See BBC website story

The UK Government has now confirmed that it will fund a LGBT+ Armed Forces memorial and is inviting organisations to bid to oversee the memorial’s design and construction.
View webpage

The RAF Benevolent Fund has announced a new LGBTQ+ telephone friendship groups service. To find out more about this service email support@rafbf.org.uk.

Experiences of moral injury in UK military veterans

New research by Combat Stress and The King’s Centre for Military Health Research looks at experiences that could lead to moral injury and the impact that moral injury can have on veterans. Findings include that veterans who reported experiencing a morally injurious event were significantly more likely to meet the criteria for PTSD, depression, and anxiety than those who hadn’t.
Read the report

Unforgotten Forces Gathering 15th May - booking open soon

A reminder that 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. We're busy finalising our programme and will include a booking link in the March issue of this bulletin.

Communities Round-Up

An action plan for dementia

The Scottish Government has launched a 2-year dementia strategy delivery plan. This follows publication last year of the 10-year strategy to ensure that every person living with dementia receives the care and support they deserve.
Read the plan
Read Age Scotland commentary

Poverty amongst older private tenants

A report by charity Independent Age has highlighted increasing levels of poverty amongst older private tenants.
Read the story

Events and Training

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.
Details and application
Next deadline: 23rd April 2024 - for a decision in June 2024