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Haven for veterans
23/04/2009
Scotland is leading the way in helping ex-service men and women rebuild their lives as civilians.
A dedicated veteran's hub will help those leaving the armed forces to access specialist help and support to get into work, find a home and increase their wellbeing.
It is the first time in the UK that specialist help and advice has been brought under one roof for veterans' and their families.
Key help will include:
- Health - assessments and treatment with an on-site therapist for those experiencing illnesses such as post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression
- Education - advice on how to boost qualifications, secure funding and find the right academic or practical training course
- Employment - access to volunteering opportunities and information on looking for a paid job
- Housing - welfare advice and practical support to find the right place to live
- Social - linking veterans to other veterans and providing advice on getting involved in community projects and social events
Staffed by peer support workers with military backgrounds, the service will be run by veterans', for veterans'.
The pilot project will be based in Edinburgh's city centre and, if successful, similar hubs will be rolled out across Scotland.
Officially opening the Edinburgh centre today, Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:
"Scotland's heroes deserve our support to get back into civilian life.
"This new service will ensure that veterans' - who are readjusting to civilian life - get the right help in the right place and are supported by other veterans' who understand what they are going through.
" We are committed to doing all that we can, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the wider veterans and armed forces community, to meet the needs of all of our servicemen and women, both past and present.
"We have already introduced a series of measures to improve the lives of veterans' including priority NHS treatment and guidance for social landlords on allocating housing for veterans'. We will continue to find new ways to provide support."
UK Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said:
"This is clearly an excellent facility, which I hope will make a real difference to veterans and their families.
"It's an excellent example of how the MoD, Scottish Government, NHS and veteran charities are all working together to deliver services that will improve the lives of veterans in Scotland.
"There are about half a million armed forces living in Scotland. The vast majority of them make an easy transition from military to civilian life, but for those that do struggle, we need to be there for them. They are valued members of our communities and deserve our support."
Dr Charles Winstanley, Chair NHS Lothian said:
"We are delighted to be involved in this project. We have established significant experience in this area through our Rivers Centre for Traumatic Stress. From the beginning we involved and worked with veterans and a whole host of veteran organisations in order to understand how best we can provide a service that meets their specific needs, not just in health but in all areas of their lives.
"Together, we have developed Veterans First Point, a dedicated one stop shop that has been designed by veterans and is staffed by veterans for veterans. I'm sure this service, which aims to meet the needs of veterans whatever they may be, will be warmly welcomed by them."
Veterans First Point is a pilot project funded by the Scottish Government, NHS Lothian and the Ministry of Defence.
Funding of £930,000 has been provided for the pilot to 2011 - the Scottish Government has provided £640,000 and the Ministry of Defence has provided £70,000. NHS Lothian has provided £220,000.
The service has been developed by a Veterans Advisory Group which was established by the Rivers Centre for Traumatic Stress, Royal Edinburgh Hospital which included veterans and representatives from a wide range of veteran organisations.