Erskine Veterans Charity receives National Lottery funding to support Veterans in Forres

Veterans in Forres are set for a well-earned windfall after Erskine Veterans Charity secured a £20,000 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund for its new Erskine Veterans Activity Centre in the town.

The £20,000 grant, allocated over two years, will enable the Erskine Veterans Activity Centre to provide essential equipment for a range of therapeutic and recreational activities.

Housed in the historic former Victoria Hotel, the Centre has swiftly established itself as a vital community hub, welcoming over 80 veterans in its first month alone. Through structured programmes, it provides tailored support to facilitate the transition from military service to civilian life.

The funding will also allow the Centre’s to deliver an extensive array of activities designed to promote mental well-being, skill development, and social connection. Veterans will benefit the likes of therapy sessions, model making, woodwork, pottery, art, genealogy, and gardening.

Wing Commander Ian Cumming, Chief Executive at Erskine, said: “We can’t thank The National Lottery Community Fund enough for this generous support. The positive impact it will have on our veterans in Forres is invaluable, allowing us to enhance the opportunities that we can provide at our new Activity Centre. Our experience with the Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre in Renfrewshire has shown how vital these services are for fostering well-being, friendship, and personal growth and thanks to this funding, we can extend these opportunities to veterans across Morayshire and the Highlands.”

Erskine is the only charity in Scotland offering such a comprehensive range of hands-on services for veterans and their families. With purpose-built care homes, Transitional Supported Accommodation Apartments, family cottages, Assisted Living Apartments, Activity Centres in Bishopton and Morayshire, and a Support at Home service, Erskine makes a profound impact on the lives of veterans across Scotland.

Kate Still, Scotland Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Every day, National Lottery funding is transforming lives in communities across Scotland. This project, led by Erskine Veterans Charity, is a fantastic example of how people can come together to support a shared cause. It demonstrates the power of community-driven initiatives and the positive change they can bring to people’s lives.”

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.