Located in the heart of the Erskine Veterans’ Village in Bishopton, the Centre opened its doors in 2018 for an initial one-year pilot project. The principal aim was to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of Veterans in the community. The results were overwhelming.

Now the Centre, referred to by some as lifesaving, after significant investment and refurbishment, is set to increase capacity and support accessibility, to build on success of the previous years.

Centre Manager Debs Dickson said: “The Centre expansion and refurbishment programme is now complete and we are proactively recruiting new members. Our aim is to increase capacity of service to support 40 Veterans per day. I can say without any doubt that time spent with us will be a unique and rewarding experience, surrounded by a friendly community spirit.”

She continued: “One of the reasons the Centre is so successful is because once attending, many of the Veterans realise just how much they have to offer to their fellow comrades. From forgotten talents - once again remembered and shared, to the simplicity of reaching out a helping hand to someone who is struggling, the results are heart-warming”.

One particular Veteran said: “Coming to this centre has been life changing for me. It has given me structure, a sense of belonging and a routine. I feel better about myself and I have met so many nice people”.

The Centre will be holding Open Days on 31st March and 1st April showcasing the new facilities and some of the wide and varied range of activities available on a weekly basis at the Centre. Debs said: “During our open days there will be activities such as; art, pottery, woodwork, IT, therapy, social, gardening model making Tai Chi and genealogy. We are delighted to be reaching out to even more Veterans and hope many visiting on these days will join the Centre. If you are a Veteran, you are more than are welcome to drop in and try any of the activities, have a cuppa and meet the troops.”

More information on what will be available during the open days can be found on our website erskine.org.uk/get-support/reid-macewen-activities-centre

To donate directly to Erskine, please visit Erskine.org.uk/donate or search Erskine Veterans.

To find out more about Erskine’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @Erskine Charity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity or listen to Erskine Veterans Radio at Erskine.org.uk/radio or Paisley 107.5 FM