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March Round-up

Posted on April 11 2024 at 14:56

International Women’s DayIWD 2024 graphic with text reading "Supporting International Women's Day"

On International Women’s Day, I was delighted to see the launch of the Female Veterans Transformation Programme, which aims to improve visibility and support for Servicewomen and women veterans by delivering long-term, systemic change within veteran-facing organisations.

This is an important move, aligned with the findings of my Anything But Uniform Report, to address under-representation of women veterans and ensure that their specific needs are embedded in veteran support services. I’ll be following the Programme’s progress with great interest.

You can find more information about the Female Veterans Transformation Programme here.

 

Commonwealth Day

Monday 11 March marked Commonwealth Day – a day to celebrate the Commonwealth Service personnel, veterans, and their families who are crucial to the fabric of the UK military and valued members of our veteran community.

As this report by Anglia Ruskin University’s Veterans and Families Institute highlights, non-UK Service personnel and veterans can face unique challenges in areas such as citizenship and visas, career progression, and cultural belonging.

Year round, we must be conscious of these challenges, and I will continue to drive forward the recommendations in my Anything but Uniform report that the value and needs of this group are better recognised.

 

Mountbatten Festival of MusicStage and audience at the Mountbatten Festival of Music

I enjoyed an outstanding evening at the Mountbatten Festival of Music as a guest of RMA - The Royal Marines Charity. Highlights included the Corps of Drums playing with Iron Maiden's Niko McBain and  hearing from inspiring Royal Marines and Royal Navy veterans who competed in the Invictus Games. Funds raised from these concerts go to the Royal Marines Charity and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, which provide invaluable support for the RM and RN family.

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Veterans in the Business CommunityAt the Ex-Forces in Business Awards - Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton with Advocate of the Year, Professor Geri Matthews-Smith

The Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards, recognises the achievements of veterans in the business world as well as those businesses who have committed to recruiting and supporting the veteran community. It was a pleasure to meet and celebrate all of the finalists and winners, including Advocate of the Year, Professor Geri Matthews-Smith, who is Director of the Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement at Edinburgh Napier University.

Earlier in the day, I attended the Joining Forces conference – a stimulating day of collaboration hearing how forces-friendly employers can make the most of the talent pool that is the veteran community. It was a great opportunity for all attendees to share good practice and make valuable connections.

 

Perth and InvernessMilitary Wives Choir workshop day in Pitlochry

It was a pleasure to travel further afield to hear from members of the veteran community in Inverness and Perth and Kinross .

I dropped in at the Military Wives Choir’s workshop day in Pitlochry – an uplifting day bringing together 90 women from the military community, including Servicewomen, veterans and family members. With a warm, friendly atmosphere, inspiring coaching and joyful singing, the positive impact for members is clear.

I also visited SSAFA Perth’s Inside Out exhibition, showcasing art by veterans from Perth and Castle Huntly prisons. The works were being sold in aid of SSAFA, which supports the whole Armed Forces community including veterans in prison and their families outside.

In Inverness, I met with veteran prison officers and prisoners in HMP Inverness to hear about their experiences as part of engagement for my next thematic report – Veterans and the Law - as well as speaking to members of the Highland Armed Forces & Veterans Community Covenant Partnership who shared some of the challenges and initiatives going on in and around the Highland capital.

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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.
1 week ago
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