News

November and December Round-up

Dec 17, 2024: A round-up of engagement from November and December, and wishes for the festive season.

UK Government launches LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme for veterans affected by military homosexuality ban

Dec 12, 2024: LGBT+ veterans who served under the British Armed Forces homosexuality ban could receive up to £70,000 each.

Supporting Veterans in the Justice System: Good Practice

Nov 13, 2024: Highlighting some of the exemplary work taking place to support veterans in Scotland's justice system.

October Round-up

Nov 7, 2024: Some highlights from the month of October, included the beginning of the Remembrance period.

Report launch: Veterans and the Law

Oct 24, 2024: New SVC report examines support in place for the small minority of veterans in the justice system.

August and September Round-up

Oct 4, 2024: Some highlights from August and September.

SVC publishes annual progress report 2024

Sep 18, 2024: The 2024 progress report urges the Scottish Government to prioritise mental health and housing.

Identity, Purpose and Belonging: The First Scottish International Conference on Armed Forces Research in Society

Sep 4, 2024: A summary of my time at Scotland's first international conference on Armed Forces Research.

Two years as Scottish Veterans Commissioner

Aug 22, 2024: Some reflections as I mark the second anniversary of my appointment as Commissioner.

July Round-up

Aug 8, 2024: Some highlights from July.

June Round-up

Jul 5, 2024: A round-up of the latest news from June 2024.

Celebrating Pride in the Veteran Community

Jun 18, 2024: This month marks the first Pride celebrations since LGBT+ Service personnel and veterans who served under the British Armed Forces homosexuality ban received a formal apology from His Majesty’s Government.

Improving understanding of Scotland’s veteran community

Jun 13, 2024: Data about Scotland’s veteran community that was collected in Scotland’s Census 2022 has been published today.

May Round-up

Jun 10, 2024: A summary of my recent activity and engagements.

Commemorating D-Day 80 years on

Jun 6, 2024: Some reflections to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The Female Veterans’ Transformation Programme

May 31, 2024: The FVTP is seeking the views and experiences of women veterans and those who work with them.

April Round-up

May 10, 2024: Some activity and engagement highlights from the month of April.

March Round-up

Apr 11, 2024: Some of the latest news from March 2024.

January and February Round Up

Mar 7, 2024: Some SVC highlights from the months of January and February.

Spotlighting the less heard voices of Scotland's veteran community

Feb 1, 2024: Why support and services for veterans and their families must reflect the diversity of the community.

Report launch: Community and Relationships: Anything but Uniform

Jan 29, 2024: New SVC report puts the spotlight on those whose voices are less often heard in the military community.

Poll results: Accessing support online

Jan 11, 2024: Results from the recent SVC poll on how the veterans community finds support online.

SVC 2023 Highlights

Dec 20, 2023: A look back on some of 2023's highlights.

November Round-Up

Dec 8, 2023: Some SVC highlights from the month of November.

Poll results: Scotland’s veterans community doesn’t feel valued

Nov 15, 2023: Results from the recent SVC poll on whether or not Scotland's veterans community feels valued.

New Scheme to improve healthcare for veterans

Nov 6, 2023: The General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme has been rolled out across Scotland.

Veterans and Mental Health

Oct 10, 2023: A blog post about veterans and mental health

September round-up

Oct 3, 2023: A round-up of my latest activity and engagements for the month of September.

SVC publishes annual progress report 2023

Sep 26, 2023: The 2023 progress report highlights successes and shortfalls in support for Scotland’s veterans community

August Round-up

Sep 8, 2023: A round-up of my engagements from August.

Highlights from my first year as Commissioner

Aug 25, 2023: Some reflections on my first year in post, the people I've met, and the things I've learned.

One-year Anniversary

Aug 23, 2023: A summary of my first year in post and some information on my upcoming work.

June and July Round-up

Aug 3, 2023: A round-up of the latest news from The Scottish Veterans Commissioner for June and July 2023.

May Round-Up

Jun 9, 2023: News from the Scottish Veterans Commissioner for May 2023

Visit to Sight Scotland's Hawkhead Centre in Paisley

May 15, 2023: I very much enjoyed my visit to the Hawkhead Centre, and it was a privilege to meet and chat with many of the veterans who attend.

Coronation of King Charles III

May 6, 2023: This is a momentous day as we celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

April Round-Up

May 1, 2023: News from the Scottish Veterans Commissioner for April 2023

Celebrating Scotland’s Veterans

Apr 21, 2023: I was privileged to attend not one, but two awards ceremonies celebrating some of the amazing achievements of Scotland’s veterans community.

March Round-up

Mar 24, 2023: News from the Scottish Veterans Commissioner for March 2023.

February Round-up

Feb 17, 2023: Northern Ireland visit, French Veterans’ Minister meeting and Pride in Veterans Standard.

Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company

Feb 9, 2023: I met with the inspiring team at Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company – a social enterprise providing meaningful employment and accredited training for veterans.

Veterans Housing Scotland

Jan 6, 2023: I attended the launch of Veterans Housing Scotland’s campaign to secure 25 more homes for veterans by 2025.

See Me

Dec 14, 2022: See Me explored the experiences of veterans all over Scotland to launch The Guard campaign, which aims to encourages veterans who are struggling with their mental health to ask for help more quickly.

Forces Children Scotland

Dec 1, 2022: I met with Laura Falconer and Carly Elliott of Forces Children Scotland to hear more about their broad programme of work supporting children and young people from Forces and Veteran families.

SVC publishes annual progress report 2022

Nov 16, 2022: Scotland’s Veterans Commissioner (SVC) today published her assessment of progress in the delivery of recommendations made to Scottish Ministers which aim to make things better for Scotland’s 250,000 veterans and their families.

John Muir Way

Nov 16, 2022: Earlier this year, a team of veterans, serving personnel from 6SCOTS, and staff from Sacro’s Veterans Mentoring and Forces of Nature services came together to complete the 134-mile John Muir Way.

Progress Report 2022

Nov 16, 2022: On 16 November I published my first independent assessment of progress in the delivery of recommendations made to Scottish Ministers which aim to make things better for Scotland’s 250,000 veterans and their families.

Scottish Poppy Appeal and Remembrance

Nov 11, 2022: A key event in the veteran community’s calendar for many reasons, I was delighted to attend the Parliamentary Reception for the launch of the Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Engagements, events and activities

Oct 14, 2022: A snapshot of some of the many engagements, events and activities the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Lt Cdr (retired) Susie Hamilton has undertaken since starting her role.

New Scottish Veterans Commissioner Announced

Jul 13, 2022: The new Scottish Veterans Commissioner has been announced as Lieutenant Commander (retired) Susie Hamilton.

Commissioner calls for early implementation of the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan in his third and final report on getting transition right in Scotland

Mar 28, 2022: A report published today by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner says that the healthcare needs of those transitioning from the armed forces must not be neglected as the NHS struggles to recover from the Pandemic. The report examines provision of healthcare for veterans in Scotland and makes four recommendations to enable a more seamless transition to the civilian world.

Veterans Commissioner reports on progress against recommendations put forward to improve Veterans’ services and support in Scotland

Nov 5, 2021: Charlie Wallace, Scotland’s Veterans Commissioner today published his third annual assessment of progress made against recommendations put forward by his office for improving services and support for veterans and their families living in Scotland.

Veterans Commissioner says too many Service leavers are still ‘falling through the net’ when it comes to finding a home after serving their country

Jun 30, 2021: A new report launched today by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner has called for improvements to the housing support and provision for Service leavers in Scotland after finding that over half of Service leavers move on from Service without housing arrangements that fully meet their needs in place.

Government needs to think differently about transition to give Service leavers and veterans the best life chances

Dec 7, 2020: A new report launched today by Scottish Veterans Commissioner Charlie Wallace calls for the UK Government to lead an overhaul of the transition model, which shapes and supports the journey and experience of military personnel returning to civilian life.

Support for Scotland’s veterans has improved, but they mustn’t be left behind in nation’s COVID-19 recovery plans

Nov 17, 2020: The Scottish Veterans Commissioner (SVC) Charlie Wallace has published his second annual independent assessment of the Scottish Government’s progress on supporting veterans in Scotland.

Don’t Forget Veterans’ Needs in Scotland’s COVID-19 Recovery Plans

Jun 25, 2020: The Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Charlie Wallace, today released an interim ‘snapshot’ of progress against his evidence-based recommendations for government, aimed at improving services and support for Veterans and their families living in Scotland.

‘Win-Win’ for our Veterans and Labour Market if we can get Transition from the Armed Forces into Civilian Life Right

Nov 28, 2019: The right support towards a positive destination rather than just any destination is needed for veterans to reach their full potential on civvy street, with the benefits of ‘a good transition’ reaching far beyond individuals themselves.

Scottish Veterans Commissioner ‘ups’ scrutiny and publishes his independent assessment of progress

Jun 11, 2019: According to an independent assessment published today by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner Charlie Wallace, progress on supporting veterans in Scotland is to be applauded. However, there is more to do to ensure our veterans continue to receive the best possible levels of support and the services they need.

Scottish Veterans Commissioner visits Erskine

Feb 4, 2019: Charlie Wallace, the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, last week visited the Erskine Veterans Village in Bishopton, meeting with Chief Executive Ian Cumming MBE.

Scottish Veterans Commissioner visits the Bravest Manufacturing Company in Scotland

Jan 31, 2019: Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) has today welcomed a visit from the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Charlie Wallace, ahead of its official launch later this year.

Charlie Wallace announced as new Scottish Veterans Commissioner

Jun 29, 2018: Veterans Minister Graeme Dey has announced the appointment of Charles (Charlie) Wallace’s as the new Scottish Veterans Commissioner. His appointment will start in the autumn.