Veterans Scotland

22/08/2026

📌 Veterans in Edinburgh and the surrounding area are invited to an informal support session hosted by the Thistle Foundation.

Taking place at the Thistle Centre of Wellbeing, the session offers an opportunity to access free advice, guidance and signposting in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Date: Thursday 3 September.
Time: 10am to 12pm.
Location: Centre of Wellbeing, 13 Queen’s Walk, Edinburgh, EH16 4AE

Thistle Foundation has been supporting veterans and their families since 1944. Its veterans service provides person-centred health and wellbeing support for those living with long-term health conditions, disabilities or challenging circumstances, including trauma, isolation and loneliness.

Support can include personalised one-to-one support, Lifestyle Management Courses, connections to specialist services and opportunities to improve physical wellbeing.

No one should feel they have to navigate difficult circumstances alone. Veterans, family members and those supporting someone from the Armed Forces community are encouraged to find out more about the help available.

More information about Thistle Foundation’s support for veterans:
https://www.thistle.org.uk/support-for-veterans

Please share this with anyone in the veterans community who may benefit.

Support for veterans Supporting ex-service personnel and their families with long term health conditions and life challenges since 1944. Supporting Veterans Since 1944:Thistle Foundation has a rich history of supporting veterans.We offer person centered health and wellbeing support to veterans and t...

22/08/2026

💼 Sight Scotland Veterans is recruiting three Vision Group Coordinators to help create welcoming, accessible spaces where people with sight loss can connect, build confidence and enjoy being part of their local community.

The successful candidates will plan and lead social, confidence-building and peer-led sessions, working closely with volunteers and community partners across Scotland.

Locations and hours:

Borders: 17.5 hours, hybrid
Highlands & Grampian: 35 hours, permanent, hybrid
Edinburgh, Fife & Tayside: 35 hours, permanent, hybrid

Salary: £28,074 to £30,695 (pro rata for part-time)

Sight Scotland Veterans is encouraging people to apply even if they don’t meet every requirement. Many aspects of the role can be learned in post.

Closing date: Friday 28 August at 23:59 BST.

For anyone passionate about bringing people together and making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with sight loss, this could be a fantastic opportunity.

Find the vacancies and apply: https://bit.ly/4wvwqVL

People come to our vision groups for the activity. A lot of them stay for the company.

We're looking for three Vision Group Coordinators to join that work, across the Borders, Highlands & Grampian, and Edinburgh, Fife & Tayside.

You'll plan and lead social, confidence-building and peer-led sessions for people with sight loss, working alongside volunteers and local community partners to keep groups accessible, safe and welcoming.

Borders: 17.5 hours, hybrid
Highlands & Grampian: 35 hours, permanent, hybrid
Edinburgh, Fife & Tayside: 35 hours, permanent, hybrid

£28,074 to £30,695 (pro rata for part time).

You don't need to tick every box. Most people learn the role once they're in post.

Closing Friday 28 August, 23:59 BST. Link to all current vacancies below.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4wvwqVL

[Image description: Yellow recruitment poster for Sight Scotland Veterans, seeking a Vision Group Coordinator. Locations listed: Borders, Highlands and Grampian, Edinburgh, Fife and Tayside.]

21/08/2026

📖A powerful message from Shaun Cauvin in the Centre for Evidence for the Armed Forces Community’s latest Meet the Expert interview:

“We must also recognise Veterans as skilled, capable and committed people who continue to contribute significantly to society.”

Shaun highlights the importance of seeing transition as more than a single moment when someone leaves the Armed Forces. It is a journey that can touch many aspects of life, including employment, housing, family, identity, social connections and sense of purpose.

The interview also explores the importance of a joined-up approach to support. Strong collaboration between charities, local authorities, employers, housing providers and public services can help create clearer, more accessible pathways for Veterans and their families.

Importantly, the conversation looks beyond support and recognises Veterans for the contribution they continue to make. Across employment, volunteering, mentoring, sport and community life, Veterans bring valuable skills, experience and commitment to communities across Scotland.

Thank you to the Centre for Evidence for the Armed Forces Community for the opportunity to share these perspectives and highlight the importance of continued collaboration across the Armed Forces and Veterans community.

🔗 Read Shaun’s full Meet the Expert interview here:

https://www.centreforevidence.org/news/20260814-meet-the-expert-shaun-cauvin

20/08/2026

🗞️ This week Veterans Scotland welcomed Lt General Sir Nicholas Pope KCB CBE, Chair of Cobseo, and Kate McCullough, Director of Operations, to our offices at New Haig House in Edinburgh.

It was a great opportunity to spend time face to face, share updates and explore our shared priorities, including where we can further align and collaborate for the benefit of our members across the Service charity sector.

As a permanent member of Cobseo’s Executive Committee, Emma Watson Mack said “It was a pleasure to welcome Nick and Kate to New Haig House. Opportunities like this allow us to share perspectives, align our thinking where we can and learn from one another. It is also important that the Scottish context and the experience of our members are clearly heard and understood within the wider UK conversation. We greatly value our relationship with Cobseo and look forward to continuing to build on it.”

A sincere thank you to Nick and Kate for making the journey to Edinburgh and for such an engaging and enjoyable visit. We look forward to building on our discussions and continuing to work closely together.

20/08/2026

⛏️ Wellbeing Through Archaeology.

Looking for a friendly, supportive way to spend time outdoors, meet new people and try something different?

Archaeology Scotland is offering free Wellbeing Through Archaeology sessions for veterans, serving personnel and their families.

Friends and support workers are also very welcome.

No archaeology experience is needed. These relaxed sessions offer the chance to enjoy gentle archaeological activities, spend time outdoors and connect with others in a small, supportive group.

When: Mondays, 28 September to 7 December
Time: 10am to 1pm
Where: Newbattle Abbey College Business Park, Dalkeith, EH22 1FT

What’s included:
• FREE to attend
• Lunch and refreshments provided
• Small, supportive group
• Free help with transport can be arranged

If you, a family member or someone you support might benefit from taking part, please get in touch with Dominique for more information.

Email: [email protected]

Please share with anyone in the Armed Forces community who may be interested.



Army Benevolent Fund

19/08/2026

📌 DMWS is hiring: Marketing and Communications Lead.

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is looking for an experienced Marketing and Communications Lead to join its team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional to help strengthen the organisation’s profile, share the impact of its work and support its mission of providing welfare support to those who serve, veterans, their families and other communities.

Role: Marketing and Communications Lead.
Location: Home-based, with regular travel across the UK.
Contract: Permanent.
Salary: £34,000 to £38,000, depending on experience.
Closing date: 4 September 2026.

Those interested in joining DMWS and using their communications expertise to make a meaningful difference are encouraged to find out more and apply.

Further information and applications: www.dmws.org.uk/careers
Enquiries: [email protected]

Please share with anyone in your network who may be interested.

Job Vacancy: Marketing and Communications Lead
Location: Home-based
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £34,000 - £38,000
Closing date: 4th September 2026

Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of those who serve in the Armed Forces and their families?

To apply, please visit: https://dmws.org.uk/careers/marketing-and-communication-lead/



alt text: DMWS is hiring a Marketing and Communications Lead for a home-based role with UK travel, salary £34,000-£38,000, closing 4/9/2026.

19/08/2026

🌿 Highland Roots | Cultivate & Connect Workshop.

We’re delighted to invite members of the Armed Forces Community to a relaxing and creative day at Marcassie Farm, surrounded by nature and good company.

Join Defence Gardens Scheme and Naturally Useful for a hands-on felted soap-making workshop, using beautiful local rare-breed fleeces and handmade soap from Bee Home Cottage.

Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026
Time: 10am to 2pm
Location: Marcassie Farm, Rafford, Forres, IV36 2TY

Your day includes:

• Welcome refreshments.
• Felted soap-making workshop.
• Lunch.
• Time outdoors to connect, create and unwind.
• Your own handmade felted soap to take home.

No experience needed. Just come along, try something new and enjoy a welcoming day in beautiful surroundings.

Interested in joining us?

Email [email protected] to find out more or register your interest.

Places may be limited, so please get in touch if you’d like to come along.

18/08/2026

🤔 🩺 Why should I tell my GP that I served?

Since launching the Say You Served campaign, Veterans Scotland has received questions and feedback from veterans about why telling their GP practice about their military service matters.

So, we’re answering those questions directly.

YOU ASKED: “Why should I tell my GP that I served?”

Letting your GP practice know that you have served in the HM Armed Forces means your veteran status can be recorded on your healthcare record.

Having this information recorded helps primary care recognise members of the veteran community and can support greater awareness and understanding of the needs that some veterans and their families may have.

It can also help encourage GP practices to engage with the GP Armed Forces & Veterans Recognition Scheme, which provides advice and guidance on the Armed Forces community and the additional support available, including services provided by the military third sector.

Veterans Scotland is engaging with GP practices across Scotland to raise awareness of the Scheme and strengthen understanding of the veteran community.

Recording veteran status is a simple step, but an important one in helping to build better recognition and understanding across primary care.

If you served, make sure your GP practice knows.

Please continue to share this message across your networks to help us reach more veterans and ensure this important information reaches those who may benefit.



The Scottish Government

17/08/2026

🌿Cultivating Creativity and Connection at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Last week, Martin Bell attended the Defence Gardens Scheme Cultivate and Connect Workshop at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden.

The event offered a varied programme of creative and engaging activities suitable for all age groups, providing an opportunity for participants to learn new skills, connect with others and enjoy the unique surroundings of the gardens.

One of Martin’s highlights was trying Tataki-zome, also known as flower pounding. This traditional technique uses flowers and plants to release their natural juices and pigments directly onto fabric, creating distinctive botanical patterns on items such as linen bags and napkins.

Reflecting on the day, Martin said:

“Cultivate and Connect was a fantastic opportunity to try something different, meet others and enjoy a variety of activities in a welcoming setting. I particularly enjoyed learning the art of Tataki-zome and seeing how natural flowers and plants can be transformed into unique designs. I would highly recommend attending future events.”

Please share with anyone who might be interested in joining the next Cultivate and Connect event and taking part in this welcoming and enjoyable experience.

17/08/2026

🏰 Combat Stress Veterans Recovery Network Returns to Stirling Castlei.

Combat Stress will hold its next Veterans Recovery Network event at Stirling Castle on Saturday 5 September 2026, from 12pm to 2pm, following its first event at the venue.

The session is open to all veterans, including those who have not previously accessed support from Combat Stress. It will provide an opportunity to meet other veterans, spend time together and make connections in a relaxed and supportive setting.

There is no requirement for attendees to share personal experiences or take part in specific activities. Veterans can participate at a level that feels comfortable for them.

The sessions are led by veterans with lived experience of recovery and form part of the wider Veterans Recovery Network, which is focused on developing accessible, community-based support for veterans across the UK.

For more information and/ or registration visit: https://combatstress.org.uk/veterans-recovery-network

After a fantastic first Veterans Recovery Network event at Stirling Castle, we’re bringing veterans together there again, on Saturday 5 September 2026 between 12pm and 2pm.

Taking place in one of Scotland’s most historic settings, the session will give veterans an opportunity to meet others, spend time together and connect in a relaxed, supportive environment.

The event is open to all veterans, including those who have never accessed Combat Stress. There is no expectation to share personal experiences or take part in any particular way. You are welcome to join in at a level that feels comfortable for you.

Led by veterans with lived experience of recovery, these sessions are designed to show that change is possible and that recovery is within reach.

This event is part of our Veterans Recovery Network, building local, accessible support across the UK. Thank you to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum for providing the location.

Find out more and register your interest: https://combatstress.org.uk/veterans-recovery-network