Recently Shaun Moat and Gary Burgess  from the Erskine Veterans Activity Centre North (EVACN)  in Forres have been delighted to take part in Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) events at local schools, visiting Elgin Academy last week and Speyside High School this week.

YPI is an inspiring active citizenship programme that empowers young people to champion causes close to their hearts. By researching and presenting on local charities, pupils develop valuable skills while learning how they can make a real difference in their community.

Shaun and Gary proudly represented the EVACN, showcasing the centre’s impact on the lives of veterans and the wider community. If selected by the students, the £3,000 YPI grant would fund the creation of a new garden at the centre which will be fully wheelchair accessible and designed to offer a multi-sensory experience for all visitors.

Both Shaun and Gary said they were inspired by the enthusiasm of young people across Moray and their genuine commitment to making change happen locally.

EVACN provides a place where veterans can connect, not only with essential services, but with each other, their own history, and the wider community. The centre is a lifeline for veterans in Morayshire and the Highlands, offering everything from social activities and skills workshops to specialist welfare advice through its “One-Stop-Shop” service.

Erskine is Scotland’s leading veterans’ charity, providing unrivalled care and support for former servicemen and women since 1916. Alongside award-winning nursing, residential and dementia care homes on the east and west coasts, and activity centres in Renfrewshire and Morayshire, the charity also runs a Veterans Village in Bishopton with 44 family cottages, five Assisted Living Apartments and 23 Transitional Supported Accommodation Apartments.

For more information about EVACN, contact: evac-north@erskine.org.uk

For further information please contact Susan Hamilton, Communications Officer, on 0141 814 4719 or email susan.hamilton@erskine.org.uk 

To find out more about Erskine Veterans Charity’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @ErskineCharity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity. To donate directly to Erskine, please visit Erskine.org.uk/donate.

Erskine Veterans Charity | Company No. SC174103 | Registered Charity No. SC006609 | The Erskine Home, Erskine Veterans Village, Bishopton, PA7 5PU