Age Scotland Veterans' Project news issue 1

News Edition 1: Autumn 2017

Meet our team Steve Henderson (top, left): Community outreach for the north of Scotland.

Joanne Wakeley (bottom, left): Veterans’ Rights Officer, based in our Helpline.

Doug Anthoney (centre): Team Leader. Community outreach south of Scotland.

Laura Delahunt (bottom, right): Administrator and general project enquiries.

Derek Young (top, right): Senior Policy Officer.

Introducing the Age Scotland Helpline Our helpline is friendly, impartial and free. It offers high quality information, advice and support for older veterans and their families. The helpline specialises in: benefits; care; and legal matters, such as power of attorney. It’s also a gateway for older members of the veterans’ community to support from a wide-range of organisations: if we can’t help, we’ll make sure that someone else can.

Join our mailing list If you would like to receive future editions of our newsletter please call Laura on 0333 32 32 400. Newsletters will be sent quarterly and we will not use your contact information for any other purpose.

About the Veterans’ Project We aim to enhance the services that Age Scotland provides for veterans, including: the Age Scotland Helpline; information guides; and community outreach. Our aim is for these to better meet the needs of the older veterans’ community. We are also

gathering evidence about issues and concerns for Scotland’s older veterans’ community, and we will raise these with decision-makers where necessary.

Our project sits within Unforgotten Forces, a partnership of 15 leading

Visits to veterans’ groups Do you belong to a comradeship group or veterans’ association? Would you and your fellow members like to know more what Age Scotland can offer, and about additional entitlements and support available to veterans age 65 and older, and their dependants? We would be delighted to contribute to one of your meetings.

To find out more, or to arrange a visit from the Veterans’ Project, call Laura on 0333 323 2400 or email: veteransproject@agescotland.org.uk

Warm and well sessions for groups

organisations that are delivering a range of new services and enhancements for

Do you belong to an older people’s group or club in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh

older veterans living in Scotland.

or Glasgow? Age Scotland’s Warm and Well project can visit to inform your group about ways to stay warm while reducing winter fuel bills.

Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Registration Number 153343. Charity Number SCO10100.

For more information, call 0333 323 2400 or email: warmandwell@agescotland.org.uk

Spot the veteran

Break Away with Poppyscotland Break Away is a new service from Poppyscotland, providing much-needed breaks for veterans aged 65 and older. It is aimed at anyone who would benefit from a holiday, whether it’s coping with ill health or bereavement, or for those who just need a change of scene and would like some new company.

The Break Away service will run throughout the year and can be enjoyed anywhere in the UK. Each break will be tailored to meet the individual’s circumstances and break preference, with many packages providing disability-access coaches, hotels

and activities. The cost of the break, travel costs and a small pot of additional spending money will be made available.

Who is counted as belonging to Scotland’s veterans’ community?

A typical answer would be that it is anyone who has had a

For some, the break might be a six-day escape to the Highlands, taking in the ‘Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’, the mountaintops of the Cairngorms and the beautiful valleys of the rivers Spey and Dee. Others might prefer a trip to South

career in the military. Many would be less certain when it comes to reservists and

Devon’s glorious coast for a relaxing stay in Torquay. Here they can enjoy sandy

those who did national service. Yet according to the Scottish Government:

beaches, a lively waterfront and the chance to take an excursion on the famous

“a veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in Her Majesty's

Flying Scotsman. These are just a few of the options available.

Armed Forces (regular and reserve) or Merchant Mariners who have seen

Respite breaks are also available for those with more complex personal care

duty on military operations.”

needs such as a severe physical disability or medical condition. You and your

The average age of an adult member of the veterans’ community in Scotland is currently 67, compared to age 49 for adults generally. This is mainly because the generation who did national service is now in later-life. However those who did

partner/carer can be taken on a break that will be tailor-made for you and will provide the much-needed holiday that you can really enjoy. All applications will be assessed on a basis of welfare need and means, and you must be 65 or over.

national service may not always consider themselves as veterans and may, consequently, be missing out on additional support and entitlements. Veterans’ dependants, including wives, husbands and young children, can also be eligible for additional support.

What extra help might they be entitled to? It could include additional benefits. You can call the Age Scotland Helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for a free benefit entitlement check. There is also a range of organisations that offer support services to the veterans’ community, including Poppyscotland (please see overleaf). The Age

For more information about the service or to make an application for a break

Scotland Helpline can tell you about others that exist: locally and nationally.

please contact Louise Maiden, Breaks Coordinator:

Photo Courtesy of SCRAN. National Service Volunteers at a Civil Defence training centre in Perthshire.

breakaway@poppyscotland.org.uk or call 0131 550 1557