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Sam McGeachie

Sam McGeachie and Keria

34-year-old veteran Sam McGeachie was medically discharged at the end of 2020 after serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps since 2009. When it came to planning for life after Service, housing was her main concern.

“As soon as I found out I was leaving, I started thinking about where I was going to stay and it was definitely my main stress. It wasn’t an option for me to stay with family, and I also had Keria, my companion dog to consider. A lot of rentals won’t allow pets so I was worried about finding somewhere that we both could stay. I suffer from complex PTSD and so 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.

“When you’ve spent all of your adult life in the Army, your accommodation is taken care of for you and you don’t have to think about it. All of a sudden it becomes your responsibility but you don’t know what’s out there, where to go for help, or who there is to turn to.

“My Personnel Recovery Officer (PRO) recommended I get in touch with Housing Options Scotland, who then put me in touch with Veterans Housing Scotland. I was put on the waiting list for one of six flats that were being built specially for veterans at a new development in East Lothian, and fortunately I was successful in getting one. I’ve settled in really well here with Keria – my flat is spacious and I feel safe here.

“I know a lot of people have to wait much longer to find a home after leaving, so I do feel really fortunate to have got somewhere sorted so quickly. Not having to worry about housing has allowed me to move forward with my life, and I’m looking forward to starting university and training to be a paramedic later in the year.

“I think that giving leavers a proper pack with all of the information that they might need in one place, in a way that is easier to understand, would be a really good way to help more people leaving the military know what their options are. There’s a lot of support out there but it can still be hard to know which organisation to approach first and for which type of help. I don’t know what I would have done without the help I received, so it’s really important that those who need it are able to access it.”

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Great to be in the gallery for the debate on support for the veterans and armed forces community in Scotland. A consensual debate highlighting the huge value contributed by our veteran community, the support available if needed, and the progress we still need to make. Always good to see Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC and Brigadier Jody Davies MBE as well. Click the link 'other links' in our bio to read the Scottish Government Support for the Veterans and Armed Forces Community 2024 report.
Great to be in the gallery for the debate on support for the veterans and armed forces community in Scotland. A consensual debate highlighting the huge value contributed by our veteran community, the support available if needed, and the progress we still need to make. Always good to see Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC and Brigadier Jody Davies MBE as well. Click the link 'other links' in our bio to read the Scottish Government Support for the Veterans and Armed Forces Community 2024 report.
15 hours ago
On International Volunteer Day, I'm celebrating the remarkable contribution that the support and dedication of volunteers make to the veteran community. As highlighted in my Anything But Uniform report, volunteering can make a huge difference in the lives of both beneficiaries and volunteers themselves. Ian Shiells, who volunteers with Fares4Free has shared his story to help raise awareness of volunteering. Click the link 'other links' in our bio to read.
On International Volunteer Day, I'm celebrating the remarkable contribution that the support and dedication of volunteers make to the veteran community. As highlighted in my Anything But Uniform report, volunteering can make a huge difference in the lives of both beneficiaries and volunteers themselves. Ian Shiells, who volunteers with Fares4Free has shared his story to help raise awareness of volunteering. Click the link 'other links' in our bio to read.
1 day ago
At the @veteranshousingscotland Annual Gathering on Thursday night, we heard how the charity's focus on people and partnership has enabled it to expand services this year. It was a pleasure to catch up with Anna Wright, CEO of @armedforcescovfundtrust.
At the @veteranshousingscotland Annual Gathering on Thursday night, we heard how the charity's focus on people and partnership has enabled it to expand services this year. It was a pleasure to catch up with Anna Wright, CEO of @armedforcescovfundtrust.
6 days ago
Having served in the previous HMS SHEFFIELD, it was a privilege to witness the first cutting of steel for the next RN ship to bear this name. The T26 class is being built by BAE Systems at Govan, a notable employer of ex-Service personnel in Scotland with a supportive Veterans Employee Recognition Group. I also met members of the HMS SHEFFIELD Association whose ship was so sadly lost in the Falklands conflict in 1982, and Cdr Andrew Loring RN, whose family presented this Sheffield steel valve wheel which his father had rescued from the first HMS SHEFFIELD commissioned in 1937.
Having served in the previous HMS SHEFFIELD, it was a privilege to witness the first cutting of steel for the next RN ship to bear this name. The T26 class is being built by BAE Systems at Govan, a notable employer of ex-Service personnel in Scotland with a supportive Veterans Employee Recognition Group. I also met members of the HMS SHEFFIELD Association whose ship was so sadly lost in the Falklands conflict in 1982, and Cdr Andrew Loring RN, whose family presented this Sheffield steel valve wheel which his father had rescued from the first HMS SHEFFIELD commissioned in 1937.
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