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September round-up

Posted on October 3 2023 at 11:18

Visiting veterans in Orkney

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton at the War Memorial at St Magnus Cathedral in OrkneyAt the beginning of the month I travelled up to Orkney to meet with members of the local veterans community and learn a bit more about the support and services available on the island. Speaking with members of the Kirkwall Legion and the Orkney Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club, I learned about some of the challenges in accessing support compared with built-up areas on the mainland.

I also attended a Firm Base meeting which involves local services and organisations coming together to give updates and share insight on local support for the veterans and forces communities.  

On my second day, I was invited to Balfour Hospital where I met with veterans now working for NHS Orkney. They shared their experiences of living more remotely and of taking up a career in the NHS after their Service.

I’m hugely thankful to all who gave their time to speak with me and show me around.

 

 

 

Lothians Veteran’s Centre

SVC Susie Hamilton outside Lothians Veterans CentreCloser to home, I met with veterans and their partners at Lothians Veterans Centre, as well as the dedicated staff and volunteers who keep this important support group going. I very much enjoyed meeting with everyone and it was great to witness how much peer-to-peer support there is within the veterans community.

 

 

 

 

 

My Annual Progress Report

I published my annual assessment of the Scottish Government’s progress in improving support and services for Scotland’s veterans and their families. The latest assessment identified notable successes across the areas of health and wellbeing, and employment, skills and learning. However, it also highlighted mental health and homelessness prevention as areas where further progress is required. Providing scrutiny and supportive challenge to policy makers and those providing services to veterans is an important aspect of my role, as it gives an independent and impactful picture of statutory support for veterans in Scotland, allowing us to celebrate successes and focus attention on areas where more effort is required.

You can read more about the key findings of the report here, or you can view the report in full here.

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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
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