February Round-up

Northern Ireland visit

NI visit

I’ve just returned from a trip to Northern Ireland where I met with Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner Danny Kinahan, Welsh Veterans Commissioner James Phillips, and David Richmond, Independent Veterans Advisor to the UK Government.

It was really interesting to catch up and share updates on my work to capture the lived experience of the veterans community in Scotland.

We were also invited by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to visit 'Veteran Life: untold stories by the people behind the uniform', a community engagement exhibition at Lisburn Museum.

Presenting the stories of veterans of all conflicts and the experiences of their families, the exhibition aims to highlight the challenges faced by the community and aims to engage veterans who may feel isolated from civilian life.

 

Susie Hamilton with Patricia Miralles

French Veterans’ Minister meeting

Last week I very much enjoyed meeting Ms Patricia Miralles, French Minister for Veterans, at Whitefoord House.

We had a very insightful discussion comparing the French and Scottish approaches to Veterans' issues, in particular health care.

 

Pride in Veterans Standard

Pride in Veterans Standard achievement certificate

I’m also very proud to share that the Scottish Veterans Commissioner’s Office has joined Fighting with Pride’s Pride in Veterans Standard as a sign of our commitment to the LGBT+ military community. We pledge to ensure that the needs and experiences of this community are reflected in our work, that the voices of LGBT+ veterans and serving personnel and their families are heard, and that they can access welcoming and inclusive support and services.

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April is Month of the Military Child - a time to honour the resilience and strength of children and young people from Armed Forces and veteran families.

My latest blog shares how we're celebrating them this month - and how organisations like @forceschildrenscotland are amplifying their voices year round.

Read it using the link in my bio 🔗
April is Month of the Military Child - a time to honour the resilience and strength of children and young people from Armed Forces and veteran families. My latest blog shares how we're celebrating them this month - and how organisations like @forceschildrenscotland are amplifying their voices year round. Read it using the link in my bio 🔗
2 days ago
I had a really interesting morning at Castle Huntly for the national meeting of Veterans in Custody Support Officers, chaired by Scottish Prison Service Director of Operations Andy Hodge. 

This type of collaboration and sharing of best practice between statutory services - including the Ministry of Defence - and the third sector is well aligned with the recommendations in my Veterans and the Law report. 

🔗 You can read my report in full using the
I had a really interesting morning at Castle Huntly for the national meeting of Veterans in Custody Support Officers, chaired by Scottish Prison Service Director of Operations Andy Hodge. This type of collaboration and sharing of best practice between statutory services - including the Ministry of Defence - and the third sector is well aligned with the recommendations in my Veterans and the Law report. 🔗 You can read my report in full using the "Other links" section in my bio.
1 week ago
A Scottish Government scheme supporting priority groups to buy a home – including Armed Forces personnel, veterans who left service in the last two years, and other eligible groups which may include veterans – is now open for applications.

Learn more at the link my bio 🔗
A Scottish Government scheme supporting priority groups to buy a home – including Armed Forces personnel, veterans who left service in the last two years, and other eligible groups which may include veterans – is now open for applications. Learn more at the link my bio 🔗
1 week ago
A huge pleasure to attend an event to mark the @uniwestscotland's signing of the Armed Forces Covenant in Paisley on Friday. Professor James A Miller FRSE conducted the signing with MOD representative Lt Col Gary Giles RM. Panel discussions highlighted how highly veterans are valued by employers in the West of Scotland, and emphasised the University's commitment to supporting ex-Forces staff and students and their families.
A huge pleasure to attend an event to mark the @uniwestscotland's signing of the Armed Forces Covenant in Paisley on Friday. Professor James A Miller FRSE conducted the signing with MOD representative Lt Col Gary Giles RM. Panel discussions highlighted how highly veterans are valued by employers in the West of Scotland, and emphasised the University's commitment to supporting ex-Forces staff and students and their families.
1 week ago
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