Scottish Veterans Fund: beneficiaries

The Scottish Veterans Fund (SVF) was set up in 2008-2009 as the Scottish Government’s main means of directly supporting veterans in Scotland. The grant awards for 2023-24 are from the Scottish Veterans Fund, which has now provided more than £2.8 million to nearly 220 projects since 2008.

Seventeen projects across Scotland have been awarded funds totalling £500,000 to help ex-service personnel access support for physical and mental health, financial, employment and cost of living challenges.

Below is a full list of projects which will receive SVF funding this year:

Community Veterans Support

Warmer, Healthier, Safer Veterans

Extend “Warmer Spaces” provision for veterans into evenings and weekends, including food, peer support and financial advice.

Funding allocation

£18,536

Erskine

One-Stop-Shop

Extend provision of tailored financial advocacy, guidance and support to veterans through Erskine’s One Stop Shop.

Funding allocation 

£13,450

Fighting with Pride

The Journey Home Project in Scotland

Fund the introduction and development of the Veterans Standard Manager role in Scotland to build the community of LGBT veterans in Scotland and support developing capacity in services that can support that community.

Funding allocation 

£49,042

FirstLightTrust

Supporting the support

Introduce a new support worker for the Hawick Hub to help develop support pathways for veterans impaired by physical or psychological trauma.

Funding allocation 

£25,000

Forces Children Scotland

Future Transitions | Financial Education for Civilian Life

Develop a bespoke financial education service to support children, young people and parents in making the transition from military to civilian life.

Funding allocation 

£38,624

Forces Employment Charity

Early Service Leavers – Scotland Co-Ordinator

Continue pilot scheme from 2022-23, which introduced an Early Service Leavers co-ordinator for Scotland to provide dedicated employment support for this vulnerable cadre.

Funding allocation

£50,000

Lothian Veterans Centre

Warm Welcome for veterans and their families

Provide support in current cost of living crisis by opening warm hub for veterans and their families to provide food, heating and social interaction in a location that can provide onward access to other support.

Funding allocation

£22,572

Military Wives Choir

Supporting our Hidden Community

Enhance level of support given to members in Scotland and to reach and recruit more members amongst women whose lives are currently impacted by their connection to the military.

Funding allocation

£40,000

On Course Foundation

Golf skills and employment programme

Deliver a sustainable golf skills and employment programme with confidence building events, peer networking and employment experience and opportunities.

Funding allocation

£16,344

RAF Association

The Battle Ahead

Provide programme of support to ensure that no member of the RAF veterans community is left cold, hungry or lonely as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Funding allocation

£23,695

RAF Benevolent Fund

Scottish Welfare Support Executive

Provide welfare support to RAF veterans and their dependants with complex needs living in Scotland. Assess individual’s circumstances and create tailored support plans.

Funding allocation

£17,032

Salute my Job

Career Jumpstart Programme

The Career Jumpstart Project aims to reskill jobseekers from the Armed Forces community  for employment in roles in greatest demand in public, private and third sector.

Funding allocation 

£41,700

Scotland Bravest Manufacturing Company

Enhanced Manufacturing Traineeship

Provide opportunities for early service leavers and other veterans to obtain qualifications and sustainable employment with the support of a qualified trainer.

Funding allocation

£50,000

Scottish Veterans Residences

Occupational Therapy to Improve Veterans’ Health and Wellbeing

Employ a full time occupational therapist to support Veterans’ physical and mental health recovery and rehabilitation through the use of a holistic and biophysical approach.

Funding allocation 

£43,150

SSAFA

Professional Support to Relieve the Cost of Living Crisis

Partly fund the employment of a Regional Casework manager to better manage workload of case workers in Scotland to provide a more agile and individualised response to veterans.

Funding allocation 

£10,000

Thistle Health and Wellbeing

Meaningful Connections

Support 150 veterans and their families across Scotland who have been severely impacted by long term conditions, particularly early service leavers, medically discharged veterans and those with mental health needs.

Funding allocation

£20,124

Veterans Housing Scotland

Tenancy Sustainment Service

Expand pilot project to identify and support tenants at risk of tenancy failure.

Funding allocation 

£20,000