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One-year Anniversary

Posted on August 23 2023 at 16:54

It’s now been one year since I took up the role of SVC. It’s been a busy but highly insightful and enjoyable first year. One of my top priorities has been meeting with individuals and organisations from across the country with the aim of capturing the collective voice of Scotland’s veterans community.

I’m extremely grateful to everyone who has given up their time to share their experiences. I appreciate that some of the memories and views shared have been deeply personal, and I hope that using them to inform my work will result in positive change for other members of the veterans community in the future.

I’m delighted to announce that the first of my reports to come out of this work will be published in January 2024. Themed around community and relationships, this piece of work will look into the experiences of the wider veterans community and how well-served all veterans and their families are by existing services and support. It will pay particular attention to the needs of women veterans, of LGBTQ+ veterans, the bereaved and to the partners, spouses and children of veterans and Service leavers – groups which I believe deserve a greater focus when it comes to supporting the veterans community.

Through engaging with groups such as Forces Children Scotland, the V Word, BLESMA,  Military Wives Choirs, Fighting With Pride, the Association of Wrens and many, many, more, I have a wealth of material to work with and I very much look forward to sharing my findings and recommendations early next year.

I also look forward to sharing an update on the Scottish Government’s progress against recommendations from previous SVC reports in September. Carried out annually, the purpose of the SVC Progress Report is to provide scrutiny and supportive challenge to policy makers and those providing services to the veterans’ community. This is an important piece of work which can help to highlight both successes and areas requiring further improvement.

Looking ahead to my second year, I will continue to drive forward my commitment to listening to the voice of lived experience and building it into all of my work. Thank you again to everyone who has welcomed me over the past year – it has been a real pleasure to meet you all and your contribution is hugely valued.

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Today, I’ve published my new report on the support available to members of the military bereaved community. Bereavement within the Armed Forces community is uniquely complex - shaped by service, sacrifice, and shared experience - and it’s vital that support reflects this. Read the full report at the link in my bio 🔗
Today, I’ve published my new report on the support available to members of the military bereaved community. Bereavement within the Armed Forces community is uniquely complex - shaped by service, sacrifice, and shared experience - and it’s vital that support reflects this. Read the full report at the link in my bio 🔗
1 hour ago
On Monday, I attended the opening of the exhibition Remembrance & Reconciliation at Edinburgh Napier University. It included a seminar which covered the history of Edinburgh’s Robin Chapel, and the efforts in Kutenholz, Germany, to honour everyone who died there in the Second World War, including Robin Tudsbery, in whose memory the chapel was built. We were treated to a moving performance by the chapel’s choir. It was truly special to see family members of British servicemen alongside the Kutenholz community, recognising their service and sacrifice.
On Monday, I attended the opening of the exhibition Remembrance & Reconciliation at Edinburgh Napier University. It included a seminar which covered the history of Edinburgh’s Robin Chapel, and the efforts in Kutenholz, Germany, to honour everyone who died there in the Second World War, including Robin Tudsbery, in whose memory the chapel was built. We were treated to a moving performance by the chapel’s choir. It was truly special to see family members of British servicemen alongside the Kutenholz community, recognising their service and sacrifice.
16 hours ago
On this day, we pause in quiet reflection to honour those who gave their lives in service. We thank all those who have served, and we think of all those still living with the impact of conflict, including veterans, their loved ones and the bereaved. #LestWeForget
On this day, we pause in quiet reflection to honour those who gave their lives in service. We thank all those who have served, and we think of all those still living with the impact of conflict, including veterans, their loved ones and the bereaved. #LestWeForget
2 days ago
A very busy October with engagements ranging from conferences to support group visits, and of course the start of the Remembrance period, which brought a number of moving, reflective events. Read more in my latest monthly round-up - link in bio 🔗
A very busy October with engagements ranging from conferences to support group visits, and of course the start of the Remembrance period, which brought a number of moving, reflective events. Read more in my latest monthly round-up - link in bio 🔗
2 days ago
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