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May Round-up

Posted on June 10 2024 at 12:57

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton outside Erskine Veterans Village

Visiting Veterans at Erskine

At the beginning of the month, I was invited to Erskine Veterans Village in Bishopton, where I was shown round the care home, transitional support accommodation, and the Reid Macewen Activity Centre, where veterans and their families can enjoy activities, access support services, and spend time socialising. It was a pleasure to meet the veterans who praised Erskine’s dedicated staff and outstanding facilities, and spoke about the difference that Erskine has made to their lives.

 

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton with veterans at the Dumfries Veterans Garden

Dumfries Veterans Garden

I also visited the award-winning Veterans Garden in Dumfries, where veterans can relax, make friends and access support. As well as growing flowers and veg, there are chickens, a wood workshop and a new beehive. I really enjoyed meeting members and their dogs and hearing how much the group means to them. The charity recently was recently awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest honour given to local voluntary groups in the UK and a testament to the dedication and hard work of the volunteers who run the Garden.

Attendees at the Legion Scotland Conference 2024

Legion Scotland Annual Conference

I attended Legion Scotland’s Annual Conference in Dumfries, where I was delighted to provide an update on my work as SVC. It was a great opportunity to hear more about the work being done to address issues and challenges faced by Scotland’s veteran community, and a pleasure to meet veterans from across Scotland and see them sharing comradeship and supporting each other.

 

British Troops on a Normandy Beach at the D-Day landings in 1944

Commemorating D-Day 80 years on

Ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day on 6th June, I was honoured to attend a Commonwealth War Graces Commission service at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. In a moving ceremony, the Torch of Commemoration was passed by two Normandy veterans to a young Sea Cadet, to symbolise passing the responsibility of remembrance to the next generation. The ceremony was part of CWGC’s Lighting their Legacy roadshow, which saw the Torch of Commemoration travel from London to various locations across the UK, culminating in a number of special commemorative events at cemeteries and memorials across Normandy.

After the ceremony, I had the privilege of speaking with the Normandy veterans, as well as representatives from CWGC, the War Widows Association, Legion Scotland, and Colourful Heritage, which is raising funds to build a memorial in Glasgow to the British Indian Army.

You can read more of my reflections on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in my blog.

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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.
16 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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