Scottish Veterans Fund
10 new projects supported.
Veterans are set to benefit from initiatives to improve employment opportunities and help transition after serving.
Awards made to veterans and ex-services charities across Scotland from the Scottish Veterans Fund (SVF) now total more than £1.3 million.
Grant funding of £204,000 has been newly allocated to ten projects across Scotland to encourage employment opportunities for veterans, help them develop key skills when transitioning and improve community support. Six projects which continue from last year will also be given £67,000 in 2018/19.
This funding includes £93,000 from Standard Life Aberdeen, over the next two years, who continue to partner with the Scottish Government to enhance the fund.
On a visit to the Whitefoord House Scottish Veterans Residence (SVR) in Edinburgh, which has been awarded £3,268 to provide veterans living in supported accommodation with the skills to prepare nutritious food safely and to manage a budget for a healthy diet, the Scottish Veterans Minister Keith Brown said:
“We want to make Scotland the destination of choice for those leaving the Armed Forces, and their families. We want to support veterans, and enable them to realise their potential. The Scottish Veterans Fund provides vital funding to projects that promote employment and skills development, as well as creating opportunities for social inclusion.
“I’d like to thank Standard Life Aberdeen for their continued support, which makes it possible for these fantastic projects to make a real, positive difference to the lives of ex-servicemen and women.
Sandy MacDonald, Head of Sustainability at Standard Life Aberdeen, said:
“At Standard Life Aberdeen, we’ve seen first-hand the hugely positive impact that armed forces veterans bring to our workplace and community. We’re proud to be continuing our commitment to The Scottish Veterans Fund, and it’s great to see that such fantastic projects are going to be receiving this vital support.”
The Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Eric Fraser said:
“I am delighted that the Scottish Government and Standard Life Aberdeen are continuing their support for our veterans community through the Scottish Veterans Fund. There are many innovative and exciting projects this year which will make a real difference and help even more veterans fulfil their potential.”
Background
Established in 2008, the Scottish Veterans Fund has now invested over £1.3 million to over 150 projects since 2008. The £204,453 funding allocation was awarded following consideration by the Scottish Veterans Fund panel chaired by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner.
The full list of successful bids is as follows:
| Organisation |
Project |
Award for 2018/19 & 2019/20 |
| New Projects in 2018/19 |
||
| The First Base Agency |
Costs for operating a Veterans Walled Garden - portable toilet, electricity for kitchen facilities and transport for veterans visiting the garden. |
£1,820 |
| Fares 4 Free |
Free transport befriending service - to employ an additional part time role of Operations Coordinator. |
£15,000 (£15,000 also committed in 2019/20) |
| SVR |
Providing courses for veterans living in supported accommodation within SVR to gain skills to prepare nutritious food safely and to manage a budget for a healthy diet. |
£3,268 |
| Communities and Nature International |
To employ a Projects Manager/Gurkha Veterans Support Officer to support veterans in Aberdeen. Giving telephone/online support and organising drop in sessions and home visits. |
£9,217 |
| Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) |
Towards the employment of Head of welfare and Occupational therapists, psychologists and vocational assessment. Costs for HR, welfare and project monitoring. |
£28,194 (£28,194 also committed in 2019/20) |
| SACRO |
One-to-one peer support employment service for veterans on short term prison sentences. |
£29,682 |
| The King's Church |
To provide activities and group based sessions for veterans and their families at established drop-in sessions. |
£1,500 |
| Support in Mind |
To employ a part-time veterans liaison officer to run and develop the Veterans Community Café. |
£ 14,483 (£14,483 also committed in 2019/20) |
| Glen Art |
To combat loneliness and isolation and raise wider awareness of veterans' issues, while developing horticultural skills. |
£14,812 |
| Veterans Employability & Training Services |
To employ a veterans support consultant to improve employment prospects of veterans. |
£14,400 (£14,400 also committed in 2019/20) |
| Projects that continue to be funded |
||
| Organisation |
Project |
Amount given in 2018/19 |
| GHH (Veterans United) |
Glasgow’s Veterans United – a programme of fitness training, life coaching, health and nutritional education. |
£5,000 |
| Erskine |
Employment of a part-time dementia nurse consultant to train nursing / care home staff, and advise on complex care and treatment. |
£15,000 |
| New Start Highland |
Employability training for veterans, including support to gain qualifications. |
£9,000 |
| RFEA |
Employment adviser to support veterans to move into employment and to continue to provide support where necessary. |
£22,124 |
| LVC |
Continued development of pop-up cafes for veterans across the Lothians, improving social inclusion, employment and health and well-being. |
£16,500 |
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