News

SVR among 17 projects awarded grants by Scottish Veterans Fund

A new occupational therapy initiative for Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) is one of 17 projects across Scotland to have been awarded funds totalling £500,000 to help ex-service personnel access support for physical and mental health, financial, employment and cost of living challenges.

The grant awards for 2023-24 are from the Scottish Veterans Fund, which has now provided more than £2.8 million to nearly 220 projects since 2008.

In the 2023-24 round of funding, SVR will receive £43,150 to ‘employ a full time occupational therapist to support Veterans’ physical and mental health recovery and rehabilitation through the use of a holistic and biophysical approach’.

Martin Nadin, CEO of SVR, said: “Scottish Veterans’ Residences is delighted that the Scottish Veterans Fund has recognised our ambition to enhance service provision for Veterans. We are extremely grateful for the generous grant of £43,150, which we will use to employ a full-time Occupational Therapist to further support our Residents’ and Tenants’ physical and mental health.

“Occupational therapy provides the practical support to enable Veterans to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers that prevent performance of the activities that matter to them. This will help to increase their independence and satisfaction in all aspects of life.”

Veterans Minister Graeme Dey announced the full list of funding awards while visiting Community Veterans Support in Glasgow. The organisation has been awarded £18,536 for its Warmer, Healthier, Safer Veterans project which is providing food, peer support and financial advice to veterans facing challenges as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Mr Dey said: “Scotland has a long and proud military tradition and we must ensure our veterans and their families continue to be supported during this cost of living crisis.

“I am grateful for the close-knit charity sector here in Scotland, and I’m continually impressed by the level, and quality, of support charities are providing. The excellent work of Community Veterans Support is a great example of what can be achieved.

“Each of the 17 projects awarded funding from the Scottish Veterans Fund this year will make a real difference and will mean our veterans can get the help they need, when they need it.”

The Scottish Veterans Fund (SVF) was set up in 2008-2009 as the Scottish Government’s main means of directly supporting veterans in Scotland.

From 2022-2023 the fund has been increased to £500,000 annually, with organisations able to bid for up to £50,000 per project.

To view the full list of 17 funded projects in 2023-24, visit: https://www.gov.scot/news/supporting-veterans/

Main picture: @scotgovveterans/Twitter