News

Veterans Foundation support for ‘Join In Live Well’ project

Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) has received a major funding boost after a three-year commitment by the Veterans’ Foundation to support our ‘Join In Live Well’ activities programme.

The Veterans ‘ Foundation has kindly agreed to award SVR £75,000; £25,000 per year over a period of three years. 
The grant will underpin our charity’s important work supporting former Service men and women to engage in a varied programme of activities aimed at improving their physical and mental health.

SVR employs two activities officers to work across our three residences in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow, and has in recent years absorbed most of these costs in recognition of the many benefits the project produces for Veterans experiencing homelessness. Now, this generous grant from the Veterans Foundation will help fund Join In Live Well for another three years and keep this important work to the fore.

The Veterans’ Foundation, a leading funder of charities supporting the Armed Forces community, has helped 571 charities and charitable organisations since 2016, awarding more than £36 million to life-changing projects since its inception.

Colin Leslie, Head of External Relations at SVR, said: “We are thrilled to receive this grant and enormously grateful to the Trustees of the Veterans Foundation for their faith in our project. This funding will make a real difference to our residents and allow them to flourish by trying out a wide and stimulating range of tailored activities.”

The Join In Live Well programme involves close consultation with residents, our in-house occupational therapist and the support team, and is designed to offer activities, outings and hobbies for Veterans of all ages and fitness levels. 

This culture of collaboration and consultation is reflected in the wide range of activities SVR has introduced to its programme. In addition to a series of residential trips across the country and established activities such as walking, cycling, climbing, skiing and golf; Veterans have tried swimming (indoor and cold water), football, crafts and painting, yoga, ten-pin bowling, a chain walk, axe-throwing, bushcraft, tai chi, curling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, woodwork, leather-craft, model making, canal trips, photography, badminton, bowls, rifle shooting, paddle boarding, darts, archery and go-karting.

Jane Gurney, CEO, Veterans’ Foundation says, “Many veterans face complex challenges that can affect both their mental and physical health, from the impact of service itself to isolation or instability after service. What’s so powerful about the ‘Join In Live Well’ programme is the way it helps people reconnect - with others, with their communities, and with a renewed sense of purpose. These activities might seem simple, but they can be genuinely life-changing. We’re proud to support Scottish Veterans Residences in creating real opportunities for veterans to rebuild confidence, improve their wellbeing and feel part of something again.”