November Round-Up

Remembrance

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton visiting the Royal Scots ExhibitionNovember is always a busy month with loads going on to mark the Remembrance period. As well as events and activities taking place to raise funds in support of Scotland’s veterans community, there are many opportunities for meaningful reflection on the sacrifices made by members of our community. Remembrance is an important reminder to take a moment to thank all those who have served, and think of all those still living with the impact of conflict, including veterans, their loved ones and the bereaved.

I very much enjoyed a visit to the 'The Royal Scots', a Remembrance exhibition at Dalkeith Palace. It was beautifully curated and moving, thoughtfully highlighting the service and sacrifice of individual soldiers. It brought real meaning to the words we say every year: "We Will Remember Them".

 

 

 

 

 

General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme 

Veteran visiting a GPNovember also saw the launch of the General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme across Scotland, announced by Veterans Minister Graeme Dey. The move aims to benefit veterans and Armed Forces families by providing more tailored healthcare focused on the specific health challenges they may face following military service.

The national roll out of the scheme aligns with SVC recommendations and is a hugely welcome move. For most Service leavers, GPs are the gatekeepers to wider healthcare services, so an improved understanding of veterans’ needs is a pivotal step towards ensuring they can access appropriate health and wellbeing services in a timely manner.

You can read more about the Scheme here.

 

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton at the OVA Conference in York meeting Robert Gordon University Researchers

Conferences

Attending the Office for Veterans' Affairs conference in York, I saw many insightful presentations and had a chance to meet Professor Zoe Morrison and Dr Moira Bailey from Robert Gordon University, who valuable research on Improving Access to Service Charities for Female Veterans. You can read the research here.

I also attended the Army in Scotland Firm Base Conference 2023, another great opportunity to gather insight and information about the latest work being undertaken to improve support and access to services for Scotland's Armed Forces, Service leavers, veterans and their families.

 

Royal Naval Benevolent Trust

I had a very interesting meeting with Rob Bosshart of The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust to hear of their work supporting serving and veteran Naval personnel and families in Scotland.

Follow us on Instagram Instagram

10 things to know about veterans and their families...

@veteransofficegovuk has created a series of resources to improve understanding of the veteran community for people working alongside them or developing or providing services.

The resources include a poster, a desk aid and a short film. 

You can find out more at the link in my bio 🔗
10 things to know about veterans and their families... @veteransofficegovuk has created a series of resources to improve understanding of the veteran community for people working alongside them or developing or providing services. The resources include a poster, a desk aid and a short film. You can find out more at the link in my bio 🔗
3 days ago
I had a very productive meeting in Dundee this week with David Wallace, CEO of Social Security Scotland. It was good to hear about the development of the organisation since it became operational. He explained the focus on dignity, fairness and respect when supporting applicants.
I had a very productive meeting in Dundee this week with David Wallace, CEO of Social Security Scotland. It was good to hear about the development of the organisation since it became operational. He explained the focus on dignity, fairness and respect when supporting applicants.
4 days ago
During my visit to Dundee on Monday, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Campbell, Lord Provost of Dundee and Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, about the support available for the local veteran community.

I also met Susan Paterson, NHS Tayside’s Executive Armed Forces Champion, to discuss how NHS Tayside upholds its Armed Forces Covenant commitments – to its staff as an ERS Gold Award holder, and to those accessing health and care services.
During my visit to Dundee on Monday, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Campbell, Lord Provost of Dundee and Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, about the support available for the local veteran community. I also met Susan Paterson, NHS Tayside’s Executive Armed Forces Champion, to discuss how NHS Tayside upholds its Armed Forces Covenant commitments – to its staff as an ERS Gold Award holder, and to those accessing health and care services.
5 days ago
I enjoyed the opportunity to meet students and alumni of the cyber security Pathways Programme at @abertayuni, which allows Service Leavers to gain cyber skills and qualifications while tackling a crucial skills gap. With thanks to Natalie Coull who runs the programme at Abertay, Martin Bell of @veteransscotland, and Andrew Jackson of @salutemyjobuk, which recruits and selects Service Leavers and veterans for the programme.
I enjoyed the opportunity to meet students and alumni of the cyber security Pathways Programme at @abertayuni, which allows Service Leavers to gain cyber skills and qualifications while tackling a crucial skills gap. With thanks to Natalie Coull who runs the programme at Abertay, Martin Bell of @veteransscotland, and Andrew Jackson of @salutemyjobuk, which recruits and selects Service Leavers and veterans for the programme.
6 days ago
Loading