Case studies

Ian Shiells

Dec 5, 2024: “As someone who had a smooth transition to civilian life, I wanted to support veterans who hadn’t been as fortunate."

Kent

Jun 20, 2024: “I’m glad that people are no longer having to go through what I went through and hide who they truly are. No one should have to live a lie.”

Sophia

Apr 15, 2024: "When my dad left the Army two years ago, it was really confusing and stressful for everyone. I was sad to leave the military community and move into an ordinary house where I didn’t know the neighbours."

Richard Barker

Sep 14, 2022: “I feel that having a GP who is better informed about veterans and their backgrounds would have been really beneficial. My GP was in an area with a sizeable military and veteran population, yet he was unable to offer me any specialised advice or refer me to more suitable support.”

Sam McGeachie

Aug 14, 2022: “It was really important that I found somewhere I felt safe and secure. But it was my first home outside the Army and I didn’t know where to start.”

Sally – The Story of a Wee Scottish Veteran in 2020

Jul 14, 2022: 28-year-old Sally* served in the Army for five years, including a tour in Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, she had struggled with her physical and mental health and had little stability in life. When she finally reached out for help, she found an amazing team of support workers and volunteers working tirelessly together to help her get back on her feet.

Red Bruce

Apr 14, 2022: “It got to the point where I only had a couple of months to find something, or I was going to be leaving without a job on the other side”

Dominic Pitts

Mar 14, 2022: “When I was asked by my Resettlement Officer what I wanted to do on leaving the Army, it was the first time in eleven years that I’d had to make a decision for myself.”

Craig Powers

Feb 14, 2022: “We’re bad at selling ourselves and we underestimate our skills because we can’t see how they fit in the civilian world.”

Follow us on Instagram Instagram

I spent the day at the RAND Europe Stakeholder Workshop on Future Views of Mental Health. 

Funders, service providers and stakeholders in one room, thinking through what mental health need and provision could look like over the next 20 years. Really valuable conversations - grateful to have been part of it.

Mental Health | RANDEurope | Future Of Healthcare | Armed Forces | Veterans
I spent the day at the RAND Europe Stakeholder Workshop on Future Views of Mental Health. Funders, service providers and stakeholders in one room, thinking through what mental health need and provision could look like over the next 20 years. Really valuable conversations - grateful to have been part of it. Mental Health | RANDEurope | Future Of Healthcare | Armed Forces | Veterans
14 hours ago
I attended a fascinating event this week.

We heard about Forces in Mind Trust's new 'FiMT Challenges' initiative - a fresh approach to accelerating positive change for the Armed Forces Community.

It was also a pleasure to meet Matt Bazeley OBE, new CEO of Forces Employment Charity, and hear his vision for supporting veterans as they transition into and progress through civilian employment.

Some really insightful and encouraging conversations about collaboration and innovation across the sector.

Veterans | Armed Forces Community | Veterans Commissioner | Scotland
I attended a fascinating event this week. We heard about Forces in Mind Trust's new 'FiMT Challenges' initiative - a fresh approach to accelerating positive change for the Armed Forces Community. It was also a pleasure to meet Matt Bazeley OBE, new CEO of Forces Employment Charity, and hear his vision for supporting veterans as they transition into and progress through civilian employment. Some really insightful and encouraging conversations about collaboration and innovation across the sector. Veterans | Armed Forces Community | Veterans Commissioner | Scotland
3 days ago
Yesterday, the Veterans Commissioners for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales met with Sir Chris Bryant MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Defence, Calvin Bailey MBE MP, Minister for Veterans and People, and Sarah Owen MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
It was a welcome opportunity to raise the concerns of the veteran community about the legislation and to have an open and candid discussion about the way forward.

Veterans | Armed Forces Community | Veterans Commissioner
Yesterday, the Veterans Commissioners for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales met with Sir Chris Bryant MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Defence, Calvin Bailey MBE MP, Minister for Veterans and People, and Sarah Owen MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. It was a welcome opportunity to raise the concerns of the veteran community about the legislation and to have an open and candid discussion about the way forward. Veterans | Armed Forces Community | Veterans Commissioner
4 days ago
August has been a busy month, with a range of activity and events. Highlights included the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and a visit to The Black Watch Association and Museum.

Read more in my latest blog, link in bio - SVC news and blogs 🔗
August has been a busy month, with a range of activity and events. Highlights included the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and a visit to The Black Watch Association and Museum. Read more in my latest blog, link in bio - SVC news and blogs 🔗
1 week ago
Loading