Scotland’s newly appointed Minister for Veterans has visited Erskine Veterans Charity in Renfrewshire to see how the organisation is supporting former Service personnel at every stage of their lives.

Jamie Hepburn MSP, who was appointed Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans in May, met Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Chief Executive of Erskine, Scotland’s leading Veterans Charity, at its Bishopton Veterans Village in Renfrewshire.

The Minister was given a tour of The Erskine Home by Home Manager Lesley Wylie, learning more about the specialist nursing and dementia care provided to residents and the charity’s commitment to ensuring veterans can live with dignity, independence, and companionship in later life.

He then visited Erskine Transitional Supported Accommodation at David Boyle Court, led by Erskine Head of Estates, Facilities & Accommodation Services Dougie Beattie. Officially opened in May 2021, the £4 million flagship development provides supported housing and tailored employability programmes for Service leavers and working-age veterans who require additional support while transitioning to civilian life.

Residents receive individual packages of practical and personal assistance, helping them to develop skills, access employment opportunities, and work towards securing appropriate long-term accommodation.

The Minister concluded his visit at Erskine Veterans Activity Centre West, where Centre Manager Evonne McCord outlined the wide range of activities, peer support, and specialist services available to veterans living in Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, and surrounding communities.

The centre gives veterans of all ages opportunities to form friendships, develop new interests, improve their physical and mental wellbeing and access advice and support within a community environment.

Erskine has since expanded the activity centre model to Forres, where Erskine Veterans Activity Centre North provides services and support for the growing veteran community across Moray and the north of Scotland. The charity has plans to broaden these services throughout the country – and this will include replication of its West Scotland Home Support Service, in other regions.

The visit took place during Erskine’s 110th anniversary year. The charity was founded in 1916 to care for servicemen returning from the First World War and has continued to adapt its services in response to the changing needs of Scotland’s veteran community.

Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Jamie Hepburn to Erskine so soon after his appointment and to show him the full breadth, and depth, of care and support we now provide for veterans and their families.

“Erskine began 110 years ago in response to the needs of servicemen returning from the First World War. The circumstances facing veterans have changed considerably since then, but our purpose remains the same: to ensure that those who have served their country receive the care, respect, and opportunities they deserve.

“Today, that means providing specialist nursing and dementia care, helping working-age veterans establish stable and fulfilling civilian lives, and creating communities in Bishopton and Forres where veterans can rebuild their confidence, make connections and rediscover a sense of purpose.

“We were grateful for the opportunity to discuss the experiences of veterans and the pressures facing the organisations that support them. Continued partnership between government, charities and the wider Armed Forces community will be essential if Scotland is to meet the changing needs of its veterans in the years ahead.”

Veterans Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “I am grateful for the level and quality of support provided to veterans by our active and close-knit charitable sector, and Erskine should be congratulated, having worked to support veterans for 110 years now, which is a remarkable contribution.

“That’s why I’m so pleased that the Scottish Veterans Fund has been able to support Erskine’s EARS 2 Hear programme.

“We take a whole of Government approach to supporting our veterans and Armed Forces community and across areas such as health, mental health and housing we are working closely together to improve and refine the support on offer to veterans and their families.” 

Erskine currently supports veterans and their families through specialist care homes, transitional and assisted accommodation, activity centres in Bishopton and Forres, a regional Home Support service and its wider Veterans Village community.