Erskine Veterans Charity celebrates over 80 members at new Veterans Activity Centre in just one month

Scotland’s leading veterans charity, Erskine, has had an immediate impact in Morayshire as its newly opened Erskine Veterans Activity Centre North (EVACN) in Forres surpasses 80 members since opening its doors last month.

Housed in the iconic former Victoria Hotel, the Forres centre has quickly become a vital lifeline for local veterans, offering resources and tailored programmes to address the unique needs of post-service life.

From recreational activities and peer support to mental health and well-being initiatives, the centre aims to empower veterans, helping them transition from military service to civilian life while rediscovering purpose and connection.

Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Chief Executive at Erskine, said: "The success of the EVACN has exceeded all expectations. Reaching 80 members so quickly is a testament to the strength of the veteran community and the need for spaces like this. We’re proud to offer a hub that fosters well-being, friendship, and growth for those who have given so much for our country."

The Forres centre is modelled after Erskine’s successful Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre (ERMAC) in Bishopton, which has served as a cornerstone of support for veterans in the west of Scotland since 2018. The proven success of ERMAC, which has had 466 members aged between 28 and 99 since opening its doors, inspired the expansion into the north, ensuring that the same opportunities for connection and support are available to veterans in Morayshire and the Highlands.

Members at EVACN have already reported life-changing benefits. One member said: “When men and women leave the armed forces, many of them feel lost.  Everyday tasks like doctor appointments and paying bills have always been done for them while they were serving. Civilians often don’t understand what it’s like to be a Veteran. Having a place like this in Forres is a godsend. Veterans can all relate to one another’s experiences and talk the same language. There’s nothing else like this in the area.”

Looking to the future, Erskine is committed to further growth. Plans are in place to open additional centres across Scotland by 2026 and to integrate services such as the charity’s Support at Home pilot programme, bringing vital support directly to veterans’ doorsteps.

Wing Commander Cumming added: "This is just the beginning. EVACN demonstrates the potential to transform lives, and we’re eager to bring that transformation to even more communities. Our veterans deserve the best, and we are determined to provide it."

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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’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @ErskineCharity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity or listen to Erskine Veterans Radio at Erskine.org.uk/radio. To donate directly to Erskine, please visit Erskine.org.uk/donate.