Veterans' Services Update

Awareness of older ex-Armed Forces webinar

Unforgotten Forces has developed a one-hour webinar for staff and volunteers in services and groups that support older people, and/or ex-Armed Forces men and women, in particular for those who are new to working in support of the older ex-Armed Forces community. Titled ‘Does past military service matter in later life?’, the webinar will offer insight into the lives and needs of older people who have served in the military, highlight additional support available to them, and clarify for participants which older people can access that support. The first of these webinars will run on 26th June 11am-12pm on MS Teams. Register for the 26th June webinar

D-Day 80th Anniversary

The 5th and 6th June 2024 will be the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, the successful allied invasion of the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944. The Normandy landings made up the largest seaborne invasion in history and played a crucial role in liberating Western Europe from Nazi occupation. The UK Government has published a website to mark the occasion, including stories from those involved and information about commemorative events taking place in the UK and France. Amongst the events is a concert in Edinburgh on Thursday 6th June. Visit the webpage

A memorial for LGBT+ Armed Forces

The Office of Veterans Affairs has awarded a grant to Fighting With Pride to lead on the design and construction of an LGBT+ armed forces community memorial. Due to be unveiled next year at the National Memorial Arboretum, the memorial will commemorate all LGBT service personnel, including those impacted by the pre-2000 LGBT ban. In the video below the charity and veterans share what the memorial means to them.

Unforgotten Forces Gathering

Around 70 delegates from the veterans’ support community in Scotland took part in our Unforgotten Forces Spring Gathering Conference on 15th May in Edinburgh. From powerful stories and singing, courtesy of Military Wives Choirs, to axe throwing with Sight Scotland Veterans, it was an eclectic programme exploring ways to improve the health and wellbeing of older members of the ex-Armed Forces and their families.

Veterans’ charities launch manifesto

Poppyscotland and Royal British Legion have published a manifesto for the coming UK Parliamentary General Election. Read the manifesto

Communities Round-Up

Scotland needs urgent plan for the care of people with dementia says charity report

Scotland has a fragmented, crisis-prone care system that is failing to meet the long-term needs of people with advanced dementia. That’s the finding of a major new report by Alzheimer Scotland, which highlights how a lack of national and local strategic commissioning and planning has left the residential care home system largely in the hands of the open market. Read the report

Making end-of-life a talking point

Demystifying death week took place in May, with the aim of encouraging people across the country to talk openly about their wishes and plans for death, dying and bereavement. To mark the week Age Scotland published a blog article about action in Highland to encourage and support such conversations. This autumn Unforgotten Forces in partnership with Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief will be offering free online training on this topic – look out for details in future issues of this bulletin.

Age Scotland Awards

Nominations are invited for the Age Scotland Awards 2024. This year’s awards ceremony will be held on 1st October, International Day of Older Persons, at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow. The Age Scotland Awards recognise the hard work and dedication of individuals, groups and organisations who make a positive difference to the lives of older people in communities across the country.

Nominations are encouraged regarding groups and individual volunteers involved in supporting older members of the ex-Armed Forces community. All award categories except ‘member group of the year’, are open to non-members of Age Scotland. Last year Saltcoats Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club won the Patrick Brooks Award for best partnership working. The deadline for nominations is 12th July 2024. Details and nominations here

Events and Training

Funding

The Armed Forces Covenant

The Major Capital Grants Programme offers grants of £75,000 and £500,000 for projects completing significant refurbishment, including extensions and new builds, of rental accommodation for Veterans with a housing need. Larger grants may be available for exceptional projects, charities and social housing providers (with relevant experience) can apply. Next deadline 19 June 2024. Details and applications

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: 30th July 2024 for a decision in September 2024.