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Community and Relationships: Anything but UniformScottish Veterans Commissioner Recommendations

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Recommendations

The purpose of this work was to listen to the experiences of the wider veteran community, seek to understand how well served all veterans and their families are by existing services and capture observations and findings. Each section sets out suggestions of how things could be improved for veterans and their families based on the evidence and testimony gathered.

These suggestions will support the following outcome focussed recommendations I am making to the Scottish Government: 

  • The identity and contribution of under-represented groups within the veteran community are recognised. Diversity is recognised in language, imagery, policy and practice and barriers to access are eliminated. Gaps in provision for the specific needs of under-represented groups within the veteran community are addressed.
  • A better understanding by service providers of the specific needs of women veterans is required, particularly in the areas of mental health and sexual trauma, to support them more effectively.
  • Improved and expanded data capture, analysis and transfer supports and enhances policy development, quality of support and service delivery for the veteran community. 
  • Spouses, partners, children and the bereaved are explicitly included in policy and practice relating to the veteran community.
  • Mechanisms are established to raise awareness, promote good practice, identify and resolve challenges, and provide assurance and consistency of delivery of veterans’ services by public bodies in Scotland (in line with the principles of removing disadvantage due to Service and applying special consideration if appropriate).
  • Inconsistency of financial support for the most vulnerable veterans in Scotland should be eradicated by Scottish public bodies. 

My recommendations are made in line with my remit to ‘provide leadership and challenge and drive momentum’ towards realising the Scottish Government’s ambition to improve support and access to services for veterans and their families.

These are long term outcomes and I recognise that achieving them will require collaboration with a range of delivery partners across public, private and third sectors. By working collectively, we can continue to make life better for veterans and their families living in Scotland.

SVC at the poppy factory, a former wren with sight loss and her guide dog, SVC meeting Fijian veterans, and women veterans with archery bows

 

«  Section 3: Responsive to need and collaborative in approach»  Personal Stories

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I welcome the publication of the new UK Veterans Strategy, which sets out a clear vision that veterans are celebrated for their service, their potential is fully realised, and the right support is in place to achieve this. It’s encouraging to see a stronger focus on outcomes and measuring impact, under the strategic themes of Celebrate, Contribute, and Support. I am pleased that the Scottish Government will now develop a Strategy Action Plan to deliver this vision across Scotland - particularly in devolved areas such as health, housing, and justice. I look forward to continuing to support all efforts to improve the lives of veterans and their families across the country. Read the full Strategy at the link in my bio 🔗
I welcome the publication of the new UK Veterans Strategy, which sets out a clear vision that veterans are celebrated for their service, their potential is fully realised, and the right support is in place to achieve this. It’s encouraging to see a stronger focus on outcomes and measuring impact, under the strategic themes of Celebrate, Contribute, and Support. I am pleased that the Scottish Government will now develop a Strategy Action Plan to deliver this vision across Scotland - particularly in devolved areas such as health, housing, and justice. I look forward to continuing to support all efforts to improve the lives of veterans and their families across the country. Read the full Strategy at the link in my bio 🔗
1 day ago
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 🔗
2 days 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.
2 days 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
4 days ago
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