The Erskine Activities Centre is delighted to have, once again, received incredible support from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust in the form of £18,150.

Two grants have been awarded from the Force for Change programme to fund the Centre’s extremely popular IT and Pottery classes for a 12-month period. The classes provide Veterans with the opportunity to learn new skills as well as meet other Veterans.

Building social networks and combatting isolation and loneliness have proved more difficult since the outbreak of the pandemic.  However the Activities Centre IT classes make it easier for the Veterans as more and more services move online and digital devices are becoming the norm as a way of keeping in touch with loved ones.

Thanks to the funding from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, during the IT classes, Veterans can work on a variety of subjects from becoming more familiar with their own devices, to completing online Microsoft and literacy courses. As with all classes, each session is member led, to give maximum benefit to all attending.

At the Pottery classes Veterans have the chance to explore their artistic talents in new and different ways. Camaraderie and the infamous military banter are always in full flow in the art room, where social interactions and friendships stem from shared experiences.

The Activities Centre works hard to combat social isolation, improve wellbeing and increase skills though meaningful activity. Funding such as the grants from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, makes a significant difference to the lives of the incredible men and women we are proud to support.

ERMAC Manager Debs Dickson said: ‘The Erskine Veterans are absolutely delighted at the continued support by The Armed Forces Covenant Trust.  Both classes have a loyal following which provides structure, routine and therapeutic advantages for all involved’.

The Erskine Reid Macewen Centre membership and classes are available, free of charge, to any Veteran, spouse or carer living in the local area. If you would like to know more about becoming a member at the Erskine Activities Centre, please visit https://www.erskine.org.uk/get-support/reid-macewen-activities-centre/

To find out more about the generous work of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, please visit http://www.covenantfund.org.uk or visit

Facebook @CovenantTrust, Instagram:armedforcescovfundtrust orTwitter @CovenantTrust, LinkedIn:The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

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