News

January and February Round-up

Care After Combat

The SVC office was represented at a moving and informative event at Trades House in Glasgow, presented by Care After Combat, members of Thrive Together. The session provided valuable insight into the charity’s work to support veterans in prison and within the wider criminal justice system.

Care after Combat works closely with criminal justice partners in England and Wales and delivers training and awareness sessions to organisations supporting veterans in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

My Veterans and the Law report examines the support in place for veterans involved in the criminal justice system and considers the role and contribution of those working or volunteering within it.

Sight Scotland Veterans

In January I was pleased to join UK Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP, Johanna Baxter MP and Paul Sweeney MSP for a visit to Sight Scotland Veterans’ Hawkshead Centre in Paisley.

We were shown around the impressive facilities by Bryce, an RAF veteran who uses the centre every week and who told us what a difference the support from Sight Scotland Veterans makes to him.

City of Glasgow College Maritime Hub

A visit to the City of Glasgow College Maritime Hub highlighted an inspiring facility delivering world-leading nautical training to students from the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Merchant Navy.

The hub offers access to a highly sophisticated suite of engineering and bridge simulators designed to enhance learning and prepare students for operational environments.

Thanks go to Chris Keenan, Dean of the Faculty of Nautical and STEM, and Gus Grubb, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, for a fascinating tour. It was also a pleasure to meet Dr Paul Little CBE, Principal and CEO of the college and an Honorary Captain in the Royal Naval Reserve.

Glasgow’s Helping Heroes

I was delighted to visit the team at Glasgow’s Helping Heroes to hear an update on their work and get the latest insights into the Armed Forces and veteran community that they support.

It was particularly encouraging to hear about new initiatives in response to emerging needs, while maintaining their continued commitment to supporting individuals facing housing, health and employment challenges.

Scottish Forces in Business Awards

I enjoyed an inspiring evening at the Scottish Forces in Business Awards, where the huge contribution of the Reservist and military community in Scotland was recognised.

Employers from a wide range of sectors recognised the achievements of their military colleagues, with awards spanning Rising Stars through to Lifetime Achievement. It was great to catch up with David Dent MBE, who was on the judging panel.  

I reflected on the evening in my latest blog, highlighting what is possible when members of the veteran community are given the opportunity and support to thrive in the workplace. It also explores the encouraging progress being made in this area, while recognising that further improvement is still needed.

Congratulations again to all nominees and winners.

Cobseo

I had a helpful and productive catch up with Lieutenant General Sir Nick Pope KCB CBE, Chair of Cobseo: The Confederation of Service Charities, and Director of Operations, Kate McCullogh.

Their UK-wide perspective on policy and practice was hugely valuable, and the conversation offered a welcome opportunity to share insights on developments affecting veterans in Scotland.

Future-proofing Armed Forces Research

The SVC Office took part in a workshop exploring the research and data landscape for the armed forces and veteran community, looking particularly at evidence needs in relation to health, wellbeing and occupational outcomes.

It was useful to talk through the progress that has been made, as well as the barriers and challenges that need to be overcome.

This session was part of a programme of work being funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and delivered by the King’s Centre for Military Health Research at King’s College London.

Veterans’ Foundation

I had an invaluable meeting with Jane Gurney, CEO of the Veterans’ Foundation, hearing about its strategic approach to supporting the veteran community, and plans to target and extend funding to ensure the greatest possible impact. The Foundation’s continued commitment to strengthening support for veterans and their families is both impressive and inspiring.

Scottish Government catch-up

A constructive meeting with Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Veterans and Parliamentary Business, covered a range of priorities, including the importance of maintaining momentum on key Government projects such as the Veterans Mental Health Pathway during and beyond the Scottish election period.

Giving evidence in relation to the Armed Forces Bill

I gave evidence to the Westminster Defence Select Committee alongside the Commissioners from Wales and Northern Ireland as part of scrutiny of the Armed Forces Bill.

The session provided an opportunity to welcome the planned extension of the Armed Forces Covenant, while also discussing the opportunities and challenges this will bring across the UK.

We were clear that effective communication and clear guidance will be essential to success, and that planning needs to start now for effective implementation.

You can read more about the work of the Committee here.

Barclays Military Work Placement Programme

It was a pleasure to meet Service Leavers, veterans and staff at the Barclays UK campus in Glasgow, where the Military Work Placement Programme is underway.

The scheme gives members of the Armed Forces community insight into civilian careers at Barclays and includes practical support such as CV workshops and mock interviews.

It was particularly valuable to hear from veterans already employed at Barclays UK and from Service Leavers considering their next steps.

Lothians Veterans Centre Women’s Networking Event

Lothians Veterans Centre delivered another excellent event for women veterans, offering opportunities for connection, camaraderie and fun. The Female Veterans’ Transformation Programme shared some insights from its latest work, which includes the launch of its Female Veterans Toolkit at the end of last year.

The event also saw the launch of an important new project by Dr Alethea McHardy, Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine for the Ministry of Defence.

Her Service Her Health is a national awareness and education initiative designed to inform women before service, during service and after service about the potential long-term impact of military service on their health.

It aims to drive forward positive change in healthcare for the women who have served our country, and will provide accessible, evidence-based information to support informed decision-making, earlier help-seeking and improved engagement with healthcare services for women considering a military career, those currently serving, and female veterans.

You can read more about Her Service Her Health here.