News

May round-up

Scottish Government Minister for Veterans

Jamie Hepburn MSP has been appointed as the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans in the new Scottish Government. Mr Hepburn has been an MSP since 2007 and now represents the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency.

I look forward to working with him, and with partners across the veteran and armed forces community, as we seek to make life better for the ex-Service community in Scotland.

Valour Recognised Centres

VALOUR is a UK-wide programme, delivered on behalf of the Office for Veterans Affairs (OVA), that aims to improve how veterans access local, in-person support by developing VALOUR-recognised Centres (VRCs) across the UK that can connect them to the help they need. VRCs will need to operate collaboratively with other statutory and non-statutory support services within their region.

The funding round has now opened for the next phase of grant awards for the VALOUR Recognised Centres (VRCs) Development Fund. The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust will award grants of up to £1m, on behalf of the OVA, to provide veterans, and then the wider armed forces community, with in-person guidance and support.

Round Two of the programme will follow a two-stage process. Stage One is an Expression of Interest (EOI) stage where applicants will be able to share an overview of their proposed project. This will be followed by Stage Two, the Full Application stage, only for organisations invited to progress further in the process. In terms of deadlines:

• Stage One: Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 12:00 midday 15 June 2026.
• Stage Two: Successful Stage One applicants will be invited to submit a full application in July 2026, with a deadline to submit a full application by 12:00 midday 26 August 2026.

You can get more detail and apply at: VALOUR Recognised Centres Development Fund - Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

New UK Armed Forces Commissioner

It was very useful to have an introductory meeting with the first UK Armed Forces Commissioner. Polly Miller-Perkins CBE is a retired RAF Air Commodore with over 30 years of service. Through the Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025, this role was established to champion service personnel and families and has powers to investigate welfare issues and oversee Service Complaints.

We discussed the importance of working together as I, together with the Veterans Commissioners in Northern Ireland and Wales, continue to advocate for the veteran community.

You can find out more about the work of the Armed Forces Commissioner at: Welcome to the Armed Forces Commissioner | Armed Forces Commissioner

Army Widows Association AGM

It was very special to join the Army Widows Association when they held their AGM in Glasgow. It was a privilege to meet some of the remarkable members of the Association who have given so much for our country and support each other with exceptional warmth, humour and friendship.

This was a great example of the connection and community that I reflected on in my recent blog, which you can read at: Connected for Life: The Power and Benefits of Shared Experience | News | Scottish Veterans Commissioner

Britannia Visit

I was delighted to meet some of the Association of Royal Yachtsmen on board HMY BRITANNIA during their annual maintenance week. As well as carrying out some maintenance jobs, it is a great opportunity for those who formerly served in the Royal Yacht to share experiences and camaraderie.

New Report on Mental Health

A new research report conducted by RAND Europe, commissioned by Combat Stress and funded by Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), was published in May. It explores the future landscape of mental health within the UK Armed Forces community, looking at a range of plausible future scenarios out to 2045. The report considers how defence demands, wider social conditions, and changes in mental health care may shape future support needs for serving personnel, veterans, and families.

You can access the report at: Future Scenarios for Mental Health in the UK Armed Forces Community.

Remembering the Iraq War 

I had the great privilege of attending a sombre and emotional service at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark 15 years since the withdrawal of British forces from Iraq. 179 British Armed Forces personnel lost their lives in Operation TELIC and many more were wounded, some with life-changing physical injuries. Others experienced emotional or mental ill-health as a result of their service in Iraq. The event was an opportunity to offer deepest gratitude to all who served with honour in Operation TELIC, and the families who supported or grieve them.

Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) Scotland and North of England Recognition Evening

I ended the month by attending an event at the Merchant’s House of Glasgow where the RNRMC presented certificates of thanks to individuals and groups who have supported the Naval family in Scotland. It was wonderful to hear just how much support is being provided and to see a diverse range of award recipients including Serving personnel, cadets, charity representatives and private citizens being justly appreciated for their contribution.