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.”

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Following my recent visit to Inverness and Strathspey, my latest blog reflects on the vital role played by volunteers in supporting the veteran community and in honouring those who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we all enjoy. 

Read more in my latest blog, link in bio - SVC news and blogs 🔗
Following my recent visit to Inverness and Strathspey, my latest blog reflects on the vital role played by volunteers in supporting the veteran community and in honouring those who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we all enjoy. Read more in my latest blog, link in bio - SVC news and blogs 🔗
5 hours ago
It was a privilege to meet Sharon Pickering, Community Support Worker for Scotland at Fighting With Pride, alongside RAF veteran Gary Wilson, who endured deeply unjust treatment under the pre-2000 LGBT ban.

Hearing their personal stories was incredibly moving, and a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of that policy. It also highlighted the challenges LGBT veterans continue to face today.

Support and services for veterans must be inclusive, accessible, and truly reflect the diversity of the whole community. 

@fightingwithpride
It was a privilege to meet Sharon Pickering, Community Support Worker for Scotland at Fighting With Pride, alongside RAF veteran Gary Wilson, who endured deeply unjust treatment under the pre-2000 LGBT ban. Hearing their personal stories was incredibly moving, and a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of that policy. It also highlighted the challenges LGBT veterans continue to face today. Support and services for veterans must be inclusive, accessible, and truly reflect the diversity of the whole community. @fightingwithpride
1 day ago
On Saturday I had the pleasure of joining a Borders veterans’ Big Breakfast in Kelso — a fantastic gathering that brought together veterans from breakfast clubs right across the region.
My thanks to John Greenwell, Veterans Champion for Borders Council, for organising such a welcoming and well‑connected event. It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from veterans living in the Borders, understand their experiences, and learn more about the support that matters most to them.
It was inspiring to see veterans from different parts of the Borders coming together, sharing stories, and building connections that strengthen the whole community.
On Saturday I had the pleasure of joining a Borders veterans’ Big Breakfast in Kelso — a fantastic gathering that brought together veterans from breakfast clubs right across the region. My thanks to John Greenwell, Veterans Champion for Borders Council, for organising such a welcoming and well‑connected event. It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from veterans living in the Borders, understand their experiences, and learn more about the support that matters most to them. It was inspiring to see veterans from different parts of the Borders coming together, sharing stories, and building connections that strengthen the whole community.
1 week ago
During my visit to Speyside I was reminded of the Highlands' legacy as a military training ground and of the enduring importance of nations standing together in times of crisis.
At the Glenmore Visitor Centre I spent time at the exhibit on Kompani Linge, the Norwegian SOE unit who trained in the Cairngorma before carrying out sabotage missions against Nazi forces. Their bravery- including the famous Operation Gunnerside at Vermork- played a crucial role in preventing the Nazis from.developing an atomic weapon. Their story, honoured hynthe Norwegian Stone, remains deeply inspiring.
I also visited the graves and memorial of Force K6 in Kingussie- 14 soldiers from.pre partition India( now Pakistan) who served with the Royal.Indian Army Service Corps. Their graves were.lovingly tended by local resident Isobel Harling BEM, whose own brother fell in WW2. The beautiful memorial, created eith Jndian stone and Cairngorm granite, was supported by Highland Council and the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, with the project led by Colonel Heather Taylor.
A moving day and a powerful reminder of the shared histories and sacrifices that bind nations together.
# KompaniLinge #ForceK6 #Speyside #Remembrance
During my visit to Speyside I was reminded of the Highlands' legacy as a military training ground and of the enduring importance of nations standing together in times of crisis. At the Glenmore Visitor Centre I spent time at the exhibit on Kompani Linge, the Norwegian SOE unit who trained in the Cairngorma before carrying out sabotage missions against Nazi forces. Their bravery- including the famous Operation Gunnerside at Vermork- played a crucial role in preventing the Nazis from.developing an atomic weapon. Their story, honoured hynthe Norwegian Stone, remains deeply inspiring. I also visited the graves and memorial of Force K6 in Kingussie- 14 soldiers from.pre partition India( now Pakistan) who served with the Royal.Indian Army Service Corps. Their graves were.lovingly tended by local resident Isobel Harling BEM, whose own brother fell in WW2. The beautiful memorial, created eith Jndian stone and Cairngorm granite, was supported by Highland Council and the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, with the project led by Colonel Heather Taylor. A moving day and a powerful reminder of the shared histories and sacrifices that bind nations together. # KompaniLinge #ForceK6 #Speyside #Remembrance
1 week ago
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