0131 550 1561 office@veteransscotland.org.uk

Veterans Charities

There are so many organisations covering so many subjects that it is hard to summarise the range of support that Veterans charities can provide.  So if you are in need of any help or support, search this section and those in Veterans Organisations thoroughly, because there is a very good chance that you will find what you are looking for.

To refine your searches by local authorities choose from the form below and click search.



The Thistle Foundation

Pat Mackinnon
Tel: 0131 656 9933

Niddrie Mains Road , Edinburgh EH16 4 EA

Working in partnership with agencies such as Veterans First Point and Combat Stress, we run highly commended Lifestyle Management for Veterans courses in a range of locations across Scotland. Providing support to veterans of all ages, our courses are currently held at our Edinburgh headquarters. We hope to expand the reach of these courses across Scotland. This course was a Highly Commended Finalist at the 2010 Military Civilian Health Partnership Awards, in both categories entered – ‘Mental Health Award’ and ‘Care of Veterans Award’.

http://www.thistle.org.UK-wide/our-services/health-wellbeing/support-veterans

The White Ensign Association

LT Cdr Michael Howell – Area representative for Scotland
Tel: 02079 408 131 Email: mike.howell@whiteensign.co.UK-wide

HMS Belfast , Tooley Street, London WE1 2JH

The White Ensign Association’s mission is to inform and provide guidance to all serving and former members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, their Reserves and also to their dependants on finance and personal administration, and employment and resettlement on an unbiased, confidential and free basis.

http://www.whiteensign.co.UK-wide/wordpress/

Veterans Housing Scotland

Veterans Housing Scotland has over 100 years’ experience in providing homes for disabled Veterans and are extremely proud of their history and of the service they have provided to those who have served their country yet are equally excited about their future and how as a charity they will continue to work with and support members of the Veterans Housing Scotland family. The Charity’s vision is to offer the Veterans Housing Scotland family much more than just a home but also, through coordination and cooperation with specialist partners, ensure that those veterans and their families who are in need of support get that support when and where it is required – as demonstrated in their strapline ‘building lives; building communities’.

Email:  admin@vhscot.org.uk

Phone:  0131 557 1188            Address: 1 Waterfront Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1SG

Veterans International Aid

Mr Billy MacLeod
Tel: 07889 400830 Email: billy@v-i-a.org.UK-wide

VIA aims to help those who have served on operations and have suffered the effects of PTSD or who find it hard to adjust to civilian life. VIA will organise and run adventurous fund raising events and expeditions which will be manned by veterans who have been treated for PTSD and will build self esteem and confidence in those who have suffered and train the expedition leaders of the future.

Veterans Scotland

Jim Wilson – General Secretary
Tel: 0131 550 1569 Fax: 0131 557 5819 Email: gensec@veteransscotland.org.uk

New Haig House , Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HR

Veterans Scotland’s aim is to establish cooperation and coordination between Veterans Organisations in Scotland, to act as a focal point for all matters concerning the ex-Service community within Scotland and to represent these matters to Government at all levels.

http://www.veteransscotland.co.uk/

Veterans’ Foundation

Trustees of the Veterans Foundation allocate grants every three or four months.  They welcome applications from Armed Forces charities and other organisations carrying out charitable work for serving or veteran members of the Armed Forces, qualifying merchant seamen, and their dependants, who are in need. Deadlines for applications are the end of December, March, May and September each year. Further details can be found on the website www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/grant-application/ .

Veterans’ Foundation show continued support for Scotty’s Little Soldiers with two generous grants

Bereaved children’s military charity, Scotty’s Little Solders, has been awarded two grants from the Veterans’ Foundation, totalling £35,766, to help provide support to children and young people who have experienced the death a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.

The Veterans’ Foundation was set up to help fund charities and other charitable organisations that are helping serving and former members of the Armed Forces, and their dependants, who are in need. The Veterans’ Foundation raises its money through the Veterans’ Lottery and donations, and has shown continued support for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, having awarded the charity with a number of grants dating back to 2017, and every year since.

Scotty’s Little Soldiers was founded in 2010 by war widow Nikki Scott, a year after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, was killed in action in Afghanistan. Nikki saw the devastating impact on their two young children and set up the charity to help others in the same situation.

Scotty’s supports its members through four Family Programmes:

  • The ‘Smiles’ programme is about fun and community.  Gifts and vouchers are sent to Scotty members at extra difficult times of the year. There’s also group events, respite breaks and special experiences – all designed to put a smile on some very brave young faces.
  • The ‘Support’ programme helps with the emotional health and wellbeing of members. Scotty’s has an internal support team to provide instant and direct guidance to the families, can help identify their needs and facilitate them getting the relevant support.
  • The ‘Strides’ programme assists members with their transition to adulthood. They are provided with access to first class work experience opportunities and mentoring, as well as being offered financial assistance for development related activities ranging from education to sports – all designed to develop self-esteem and build confidence.
  • The ‘Springboard’ programme is for 18-25-year olds and focuses on providing guidance and career opportunities around education, vocational training and employment.

The Veterans’ Foundation has provided Scotty’s with a £15,766 grant which will be used to fund Scotty’s ‘Smiles’ programme. This will go towards gifts for Scotty members at difficult times of year such as birthdays, Christmas and the anniversary of their parent’s death, as well as events and activities that help remind the children and young people they aren’t alone.

Additionally, a second grant of £20,000 will be used to fund the salary of Scotty’s Strides and Springboard Programme Co-ordinator, to provide career and development opportunities to young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served. This will be delivered through workshops, training days and mentoring, as well as personal grants to broaden the individual’s skillset.

Scotty Founder, Nikki Scott, said:

“We are so grateful to the Veterans’ Foundation for their continued support. They understand the challenges faced by children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent and can see the difference it makes to them to feel part of a supportive community. We’ve made a promise to be there for the children of our fallen heroes and the Veterans’ Foundation, having awarded us a number of grants over the years, play an important role in helping us to keep that promise. I want to say a huge thank you to the Veterans’ Foundation.”

Veterans’ Foundation CEO Major General, David Shaw, said:

“The Veterans’ Foundation is delighted to support the excellent work of Scotty’s Little Soldiers again.  One grant will directly support the young people through the Smiles programme and the other grant helps with salaries.  The latter is essential to deliver the good that Scotty’s Little Soldiers delivers.  Keep up the good work!”

Who Dares Cares

Who Dares Cares supports our Armed Forces, Emergency Services and Veterans including their families who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They provide weekend family retreats, Walk, Talk and Brew Groups, PTSD awareness groups or individual sessions to help provide a better understanding of what the signs and symptoms of PTSD are, how to manage these symptoms and ways that families can better support in a way that is helpful to the individual.  The charity recognises the importance of exercise as part of recovery and they work to encourage this and make this accessible for those who are struggling with PTSD and anxiety related issues.

Website: https://www.who-dares-cares.com

Email: wdc@who-dares-cares.com

Phone: 07341 872805

Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust

– Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust
Tel: 02392725141 Email: generalsecretary@wrnsbt.org.uk

Castaway House , 311 Twyford Avenue, Portsmouth , Hants. PO2 8RN

The Charity was established in 1942 to help in cases of hardship among the thousands of women who served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. A member is anyone who served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service and transferred to the Royal Navy before 1 November 1993, or anyone who has served in the WRNS since 3 September 1939. This amounts to 143,000 women and there are currently 50,000 members. The Trust assists approximately 350 former Wrens and their families each year and in 2013 spent over £300,000 on annual and one off grants. Over the last seven decades it has helped more than 12,000 women. All Trustees are former Wrens including our current Service and Royal Navy and Royal Marines representatives.

http://www.wrnsbt.org.uk/