What does the Commissioner do?

The Commissioner’s role, as laid down by the terms of their appointment by Scottish Ministers, is to:

  • be open and accessible to the real life experiences of individual veterans and use information about them to shape priorities and drive improvement in public services;
  • raise the profile of veterans within Scotland, promoting wider recognition of their skills, experience and potential and further promoting their value as assets to communities and employers;
  • enhance focus on delivery of shared outcomes for veterans through collaboration, building on and complementing the work of partners and stakeholders;
  • improve communication, co-ordination and integration, joining up services where appropriate;
  • chair the Scottish Veterans Fund Panel to ensure that robust recommendations and appropriate applications for the Fund are presented to the Cabinet Secretary for Veterans, and
  • improve outcomes for Armed Forces and Veterans’ Families, recognising that they too require support, including during periods of transition.

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I very much welcome the publication of the National Framework for the Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Pathway. This is a significant milestone. 

I have consistently advocated for the development and delivery of equitable and effective mental health and wellbeing services for veterans across Scotland. My annual assessment reports have stressed the importance I place on this. This is an issue that is frequently raised with me as I engage with veterans and those that support them. I hope and expect that the phased implementation of the pathway will continue to be a priority in the months ahead. A key principle of the next phase must be ensuring that no veteran in need is left without access to support.

I am committed to doing everything I can to support this important work.

You can find the framework at the link in my bio - Other links 🔗
I very much welcome the publication of the National Framework for the Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Pathway. This is a significant milestone. I have consistently advocated for the development and delivery of equitable and effective mental health and wellbeing services for veterans across Scotland. My annual assessment reports have stressed the importance I place on this. This is an issue that is frequently raised with me as I engage with veterans and those that support them. I hope and expect that the phased implementation of the pathway will continue to be a priority in the months ahead. A key principle of the next phase must be ensuring that no veteran in need is left without access to support. I am committed to doing everything I can to support this important work. You can find the framework at the link in my bio - Other links 🔗
3 hours ago
Last week was Debt Awareness Week, an opportunity to highlight the challenges many face with managing finances, and recognise available support. 

My latest blog revisits some of the insights from my Veterans and Finance report and spotlights some of the positive work being done in the money advice sector, including specialist support for veterans affected by money worries, debt, or gambling. 

Read more at the link in my bio - SVC news and blogs 🔗
Last week was Debt Awareness Week, an opportunity to highlight the challenges many face with managing finances, and recognise available support. My latest blog revisits some of the insights from my Veterans and Finance report and spotlights some of the positive work being done in the money advice sector, including specialist support for veterans affected by money worries, debt, or gambling. Read more at the link in my bio - SVC news and blogs 🔗
1 day ago
Plenty of considered collaboration took place yesterday at a consultation event in Edinburgh on the delivery of VALOUR - a new national programme led by the UK Government to make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve.

Good to see representatives from Local Authorities, Health Boards, Scottish Government and the charity sector sharing their expertise to help shape the initiative. 

Read more about VALOUR at the link in my bio - Other links 🔗
Plenty of considered collaboration took place yesterday at a consultation event in Edinburgh on the delivery of VALOUR - a new national programme led by the UK Government to make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve. Good to see representatives from Local Authorities, Health Boards, Scottish Government and the charity sector sharing their expertise to help shape the initiative. Read more about VALOUR at the link in my bio - Other links 🔗
2 days ago
A huge well done to all involved in Royal British Veterans Enterprise - RBVE’s first Chairman’s Great Tommy Sleep Out in Scotland. Together, RBVE and Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company staff, joined by defence sector leaders, endured a night of relentless weather to raise awareness and vital funds for veterans facing homelessness.

Hosted at the historic Barnton Bunker in Edinburgh, the event also shone a spotlight on SBMC, where more than 70% of the workforce are veterans and/or people with disabilities.
A huge well done to all involved in Royal British Veterans Enterprise - RBVE’s first Chairman’s Great Tommy Sleep Out in Scotland. Together, RBVE and Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company staff, joined by defence sector leaders, endured a night of relentless weather to raise awareness and vital funds for veterans facing homelessness. Hosted at the historic Barnton Bunker in Edinburgh, the event also shone a spotlight on SBMC, where more than 70% of the workforce are veterans and/or people with disabilities.
4 days ago
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