Support
The Support Pillar of Veterans Scotland is led by Poppyscotland. It aims to provide funding and research support for all VS member organisations. Membership of the Support Pillar will come from those whose primary role is to enable other service-providing organisations. Recent research (http://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/need.htm ) identified four categories of provision under this general heading.
Benevolence. Many organisations provide grants to veterans and their dependants to ease financial distress. Before such a grant can be awarded it will be necessary for the person in need to meet with a caseworker who will consider what assistance is required. Here in Scotland, the bulk of caseworking is done by SSAFA Forces Help. Your local branch of SSAFA Forces Help can be found at (http://www.ssafa.org.uk/contactUs.asp) or by calling 0845 1300 975. Important info for SSAFA caseworkers: For up-to-date details on how to access mobility equipment and occupational therapy services click here Support News .
Advice. Service men and women who have been injured in the course of duty may be eligible to receive a war pension. The Royal British Legion Scotland helps many ex-Service men and women with their war pension claims and also provides free representation at appeal cases. If you need advice on war pensions then you should call 0131 557 2782 and ask for the Pensions Advisory service. Assistance is also provided to war widows and on compensation claims. Poppyscotland is funding an advice partnership with the Glasgow Consortium of Citizens' Advice Bureaux. As well as delivering advice to the veterans of Glasgow we also seek to gain a better understanding of the issues faced by veterans in the city, including financial needs, care, employment, housing and social welfare needs. Long-term we hope to run out the initiative on a national basis so that every Citizens' Advice Bureau is able to refer veterans to the most appropriate source of help.
As part of the project, a helpline has been created, run by Citizens Advice Direct. This will provide first line advice and, if required, appointments will be made for veterans at their local Bureau where the full range of help will be available. The helpline number is 0845 231 0300Support to other organisations. Many organisations provide grants to others that deliver specific support to Veterans in Scotland. Examples of beneficiaries include:
- Combat Stress - £170K towards their charitable treatment and their national welfare outreach service
- Erskine - £20k for a specially-adapted minibus
- Gardening leave - £11k to purchase vehicle
- Haig Homes - £45k to repair water piping at properties in Saughton, Edinburgh
- Thistle Foundation - £20k towards running their Lifestyle management courses for veterans with mental health issues.
- William Simpson's Home - £6k to purchase special beds for residents who are veterans
- Combat Stress - £170K towards their charitable treatment and their national welfare outreach service
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Supported Employment. In Scotland, there are currently three providers of supported employment for disabled ex-Service men and women. Recent research suggests that we are not yet meeting the need and we intend to do more in this area. If you would like more information about vacancies please contact: a. Erskine - 0800 085 7191 or (http://www.erskine.org.uk/) b. Lady Haig's Poppy Factory - 0131 550 1573/4 or (http://www.ladyhaigpoppyfactory.org.uk/)Poppyscotland - Contact Details for Benevolence
Head of Charitable Services
Gary Gray Telephone: 0131 550 1593 E-mail: g.gray@poppyscotland.org.uk
Postal Address
Poppyscotland (The Earl Haig Fund Scotland) New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EHJ7 4HR
Other Useful Information
Main Switchboard: 0131 557 2782 Fax: 0131 557 5819 Website: http://www.poppyscotland.org.uk