A consortium of organisations, which includes Legion Scotland, has been awarded £4 million from the Aged Veterans Fund to undertake a three-year programme of support for older veterans and their families in Scotland.

Unforgotten Forces is a partnership between 14 leading organisations which will deliver a range of new services and enhancements in areas including advice, access to healthcare, social isolation, respite, along with creative activities and events for those in care settings. The consortium has been awarded the funding to undertake this ambitious programme of work.

The funding will enable Legion Scotland to offer befriending services to veterans across Scotland with the addition of five new employed Veterans' Community Support Co-ordinators around the country. 

The application for funding was made to the HM Treasury grant-giving body funded from Libor banking fines. The money will be used over the next three years to improve the coordination of existing provision and introduce new services aimed at supporting aged veterans.

The portfolio will include services such as advice provision, support for those on the NHS pathway with transport being provided to appointments. Loneliness and isolation will be tackled through befriending, respite breaks and a newly created day centre.

Unforgotten Forces is comprised of the following organisations:

Action on Hearing Loss Scotland

Age Scotland

Care and Repair Scotland

Citizens Advice Scotland

Defence Medical Welfare Service

Erskine

Fares4Free

Legion Scotland

Luminate

Music in Hospitals Scotland

Poppyscotland

Scottish Older People’s Assembly

Scottish War Blinded

University of West of Scotland