Poppyscotland is recruiting new staff to help deliver a national service which will help veterans
A charity for veterans has created a new service to offer vital welfare support.
Poppyscotland will launch a new welfare support service for the Armed Forces community in Scotland in the coming months.
From early summer, a new team will deliver the service to help those who are vulnerable or have complex needs. The service will have national capability, but, critically, will have a local focus and be tailored to the specific needs of each individual. It will be made up of four welfare support officers and two independent living advisers, each working within a designated geographical area.
Gary Gray, head of welfare services at the charity, said: “Poppyscotland is at the forefront of delivery of support to our Armed Forces community across Scotland. We reach out to those who have served, those still serving, and their families at times of crisis and need by offering vital, practical advice, assistance and funding.
“This is a hugely exciting period for the welfare services team. The implementation of the service will offer us a unique opportunity to deliver support in the communities across Scotland; providing a holistic, person-centred support to individuals who are particularly vulnerable and have complex needs.”
Chris Fisher, who served in the Royal Navy from 1970 to 1977 and now lives in Helensburgh with his wife Julie, has received help in the past from Poppyscotland. Chris suffers from a progressive and degenerative disability, in which his body has been trying to form a foetal position. He only has the use of his left hand and his hips and knees have fused, meaning getting anywhere was impossible until Poppyscotland provided a grant for a specially adapted van which allows Chris to get out and about.
He said: “The difference the support has made is huge. I have much more freedom and independence now and cannot thank Poppyscotland enough for all that they have done for me.
“Looking ahead, it’s great to hear of the new welfare support service that will help other veterans like me to access the right support in the right location. The local focus will be so important, especially given the complexity of so many of the cases that Poppyscotland deals with. My own condition is incredibly rare, so it will prove invaluable in the future for those in need to have a named point of contact.”
