Renewing Our Commitments

Scottish Veterans Fund

We have a dynamic set of charities and other organisations, large and small, delivering valuable support to veterans right across Scotland. The Scottish Veterans Fund was established by the Scottish Government in 2008 to award grants of up to £10,000 to worthy projects.

Decision-making is done in partnership with the sector, with Veterans Scotland administering the scheme and making recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary for Veterans. In 2016/17, the Fund will be £120,000, bringing total investment to over £830,000.

So far the Fund has supported 103 projects across Scotland that provide advice, help and support to the thousands of people leaving the Armed Forces. Projects supported by the Fund have included direct advice through drop-in centres, provision of information campaigns and conferences, roll-out of lifestyle management courses and efforts to promote civilian employment for Service leavers. Other activities include:

• ex-Service community respite support
• Occupational therapy
• Woodworking workshops
• Physical fitness
• Comradeship activity
• Outreach work

The majority of Service leavers settling in Scotland each year integrate seamlessly. However, a small number experience difficulty in accessing some services and require additional support tailored to their needs. This funding provides even more resources to local and national organisations working to support them.

The Scottish Government also supplied £200,000 over three years to Veterans Scotland, aiming to boost the organisation’s capacity and ability to support the veterans’ charity sector.

Looking to the future, we are committed to support the Scottish Veterans Fund, which has offered valuable support for a wide range of organisations, including smaller, locally-based projects.

Beneficiaries of the Scottish Veterans Fund