Many were unaware they were entitled to assistance
A welfare service run by Erskine Veterans Charity has helped unlock over £470,000 in financial support for former servicemen and women – many of whom were unaware they were entitled to assistance.
Since its launch in 2021, the One-Stop-Shop service at the Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre (ERMAC) in Bishopton has supported hundreds of Veterans struggling with post-service financial insecurity.
The free-to-access service provides personalised advice on a range of issues, from applying for welfare benefits to debt management. It has become a regular point of contact for many of the 439 Veterans who have engaged with ERMAC since it first opened in Renfrewshire.
Many of those supported are experiencing long-term socio-economic challenges, including poor mental health, limited mobility, and the lasting effects of military service. Some are simply unaware of their eligibility for support, while others are overwhelmed by the bureaucracy involved in accessing it.
The service helps veterans apply for Housing Benefit, War Pensions, Adult Disability Payments, Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance. It also supports applications for blue badges, veterans ID cards, entitlements such as railcards and local authority concessions, and more. Veterans are referred to debt advice services when appropriate.
One user said: “Every morning now, I wake up and I know that the debt men aren’t going to come and knock the door.”
The success of the Bishopton-based service informed its inclusion at Erskine’s newly opened Veterans Activity Centre in Forres (EVAC North). Since its launch in January 2025, more than 350 Veterans have registered as members of the Centre and over 50 appointments have already taken place at the One-Stop-Shop.
A recent case involved an elderly veteran who had lived for the past 15 years on the lowest rate of basic pension. With support from the One-Stop-Shop, he is now expected to be over £1,000 a month better off, with a significant backdated payment of earned entitlements due.
The service is delivered by an experienced financial inclusion officer, who often works with veterans facing complex challenges, including anxiety, panic attacks, and cognitive decline.
Lesley Cowie, Erskine trusts and foundations manager, said: “We see time and again how easily veterans can fall through the gaps in the system, not because the support isn’t there, but because navigating it can be overwhelming, especially for those dealing with trauma, disability or isolation.
“This service is about someone sitting down with our members, without judgement, and helping them reclaim some sense of control. For some, it’s the first time in years that they feel heard and understood.
“We are under no illusions about the challenges many veterans face, particularly in the current economic climate. That’s why our financial inclusion work is core to how we support people who have served.”
Lesley added: “We could not deliver this service without external funding. We are hugely thankful to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust which has enabled the provision of the Bishopton service, and similarly, the Scottish Veterans Fund which supports the EVAC North service.”
The One-Stop-Shop service is available free of charge to all members of ERMAC in Bishopton and EVAC North in Forres. Both Centres are free to join and open to veterans of all ages and backgrounds.
For more information on how to become a member or to access support, visit: www.erskine.org.uk/
