Supporting independent living

How it all Began

SVR is Scotland's oldest ex-service charity, being founded in 1910 to support independent living for ex-service men and women and their spouses of all ages. SVR has residents from around the world who have served in the Armed Forces of the crown or seen service in the Merchant Navy (Admiralty Chartered).

Our Accommodation

SVR provides unique and unrivalled full board single room accommodation, many of which have the addition of en-suite facilities, for 180 ex-service men and women in three residences. SVR is also building six one bedroom and five two bedroom flats at Whitefoord House to cope with demand for affordable housing. These flats will be available for rent from summer 2005.

The Charity operates in close association with the Scottish Veterans' Housing Association Ltd which owns and manages the two main residences of Whitefoord House located on Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile and Rosendael situated in Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

How the Service is Delivered

The service is delivered by a dedicated team of professional managers, who are themselves in the main ex-service men and women. The accommodation is full board, all meals being served in the resident's dining room, each single room is fully furnished and a laundry service is provided. SVR has just completed upgrading the accommodation at Whitefoord House so that every resident now has their own en-suite room. Each resident has their own occupancy agreement. The occupancy agreements are flexible in terms of length of stay. Residents are given the choice of how long they wish to stay. The emphasis is on creating a safe, secure community atmosphere where residents are made to feel that the residence is their home as opposed to a temporary refuge.

Residents Social Areas

At both Whitefoord House and Rosendael the residents enjoy a wide range of social areas including, gardens, libraries, bowling greens and sitting rooms for entertaining family and friends. Both have a resident's cafe/shop and are ideally located for the many local amenities, cafes, bars and shops.

Our residents live in a supportive community atmosphere ensuring that our residents never feel lonely or isolated. This atmosphere is created by the residents themselves with quiz afternoons, social events, holiday club and other activities.

Accommodation Charges

The main source of funding will always be the basic accommodation charge paid by the residents which is assessed on each individual's personal circumstances. For those residents at Whitefoord House and Rosendael who are on limited means the charges are met by a combination of personal contribution, based on personal circumstances and statutory funding support e.g. Housing Benefit, Income Support and Supporting People Allowance. No applicant is ever turned away for financial reasons.

SVR believes in working in partnership with our residents and providing a flexible and responsive service that meets the needs and expectations of our residents. Last year we helped some 300 ex-service men and women and their spouses of all ages.