Scottish Government provides funding for charities supporting veterans

The Scottish Government has provided funding for 14 charities which offer support to veterans.

Around £460,000 will be given to the groups through the Scottish Veterans Fund, including £50,000 each for two employment charities and just shy of that figure to help “build the community of LGBT veterans”.

Veterans minister Graeme Dey announced the move during a visit to the Thistle Foundation in Edinburgh, which will receive more than £34,000 to support 150 veterans living with long-term health conditions and their families.

The minister said: “The Scottish Veterans Fund has provided £2.8m to support ex-service personnel and their families since it was established by this government in 2008.

“Our armed forces and veterans make a valuable contribution to society, and it is important that they continue to receive the best support possible.

“This fund allows charities across Scotland to continue their excellent work, ensuring veterans can access the support they need and are not disadvantaged by their service or the circumstances they find themselves in.”

Thistle Foundation chief executive Mark Hoolahan said: “At Thistle we have been committed to supporting veterans and their families since 1944.

“Many of the veterans that come to Thistle have had extremely difficult and challenging life experiences.

“Veterans tell us that, often, support is difficult to come by, and by the time they reach us we find that it can take longer to engage in our support.

“That’s why it’s absolutely vital that funding like this is made available through the Scottish Government so that we can engage veterans at an earlier point and support them to live lives that are about thriving and contributing rather than just surviving.”