August Round-up

Recovery Through Comedy

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton enjoys the Recovery Through Comedy show at the Poppy FactoryI was lucky enough to get a ticket for a special comedy show at this year’s Fringe, starring veterans from RBL's Recovery Through Comedy programme. The innovative five-day course teaches comedy techniques to improve self-confidence and wellbeing, and the participants I saw at the Poppy Factory last month had the audience in absolute stitches! You can read more about the show and the performers here.

 

 

 

Scottish Region Royal Artillery Association

Scottish Region Royal Artillery Association

I was greatly honoured to speak at the Scottish Region Royal Artillery Association Summer Meeting in Edinburgh. I very much enjoyed meeting members and it was interesting to hear the Association's innovative plans for the future.

 

 

 

 

Marking one year in post

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton meets veterans at Lady Haig's Poppy FactoryIt’s hard to believe I’ve been in the SVC role for a whole year. I’ve had a really interesting year and am hugely grateful to all of the individuals and organisation who took time to chat with me. You can read more about my plans for the coming year in my news article about the milestone here, or catch up on some of my reflections and highlights in my blog post here.

 

 

 

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military TattooIt was an enormous privilege to attend the Tattoo as part of the RAF Salute Takers Night. The outstanding performances showcased the very best of UK and international military musicians and it’s no surprise that people come from far and wide to enjoy this remarkable show. Congratulations to all involved with this incredible spectacle.

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New Scottish Government, same message from me: progress needs to speed up.
 
Today I've published my 2026 Progress Report, checking on how well the Scottish Government is delivering for veterans and their families. Some encouraging steps forward on housing and gambling harm support - but a slowdown overall, and continued concerns on veteran employment, healthcare access and mental health support.
 
More progress at a faster pace is going to be required to make Scotland the destination of choice for Service leavers, veterans and their families.
 
Full news release can be found in the bio.
 
Veterans | Scottish Veterans | Armed Forces | Veterans Commissioner | Support Our Veterans
New Scottish Government, same message from me: progress needs to speed up. Today I've published my 2026 Progress Report, checking on how well the Scottish Government is delivering for veterans and their families. Some encouraging steps forward on housing and gambling harm support - but a slowdown overall, and continued concerns on veteran employment, healthcare access and mental health support. More progress at a faster pace is going to be required to make Scotland the destination of choice for Service leavers, veterans and their families. Full news release can be found in the bio. Veterans | Scottish Veterans | Armed Forces | Veterans Commissioner | Support Our Veterans
1 hour ago
Great to catch up with Peter Gibson, CEO of @fightingwithpride to hear about the charity's plans to further support the LGBT veteran community in Scotland.

Reminder: the Financial Recognition Scheme for LGBT veterans affected by the historical ban closes on 12 December.

Find out more via the link in our bio. 

Veterans | LGBT Veterans | Veterans Commissioner
Great to catch up with Peter Gibson, CEO of @fightingwithpride to hear about the charity's plans to further support the LGBT veteran community in Scotland. Reminder: the Financial Recognition Scheme for LGBT veterans affected by the historical ban closes on 12 December. Find out more via the link in our bio. Veterans | LGBT Veterans | Veterans Commissioner
1 day ago
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
2 days 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
5 days ago
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