About Unforgotten Forces
Contact Unforgotten Forces
For individual support requests
Visit the Unforgotten Forces referrals page.
For all other enquiries
Email: veteransproject@agescotland.org.uk
Phone: 0333 323 2400
The Unforgotten Forces team are:
- Frank Gribben: Partnership coordinator
- Karina Vidler: Administrator
- Doug Anthoney: Unforgotten Forces magazine editor and trainer
Unforgotten Forces partners
Unforgotten Forces comprises the following organisations:
- Age Scotland
- Armed Services Advice Project
- Blesma: The limbless veterans
- Combat Stress
- Defence Medical Welfare Services
- Erskine
- Fares4Free
- Fighting with Pride
- ILM Highland
- Legion Scotland
- Poppyscotland
- RAF Association
- SSAFA
- Scottish Older People’s Assembly
- Scottish Men's Sheds Association
- Sight Scotland Veterans
- Veterans Tribe Scotland
The Unforgotten Forces approach
Unforgotten Forces partners are committed to providing older veterans with high quality and joined-up support. Where one partner believes that a veteran it is supporting could also benefit from services provided by one or more other partners it can, with the veterans’ permission, make a cross-referral. He or she will then be contact by a partner charity, or charities, that already know their story, so there is no need for the veteran to explain their situation over again.
The Unforgotten Forces story
Unforgotten Forces was established in 2017 with a three- year grant of £4 million from the HM Treasury through the Aged Veterans Fund. This made possible a range of new services, and enhancements to existing services, to better meet the heath and wellbeing needs of veterans in Scotland age 65 and older.
Design of the Unforgotten Forces portfolio was informed findings of the 2014 Poppyscotland study of Health and welfare of the ex-Service community in Scotland.
Download the Poppyscotland 2014 Household Survey report here
In this initial funding period Unforgotten Forces provided more than 13,000 episodes of support. Many older veterans received support from more than one partner, with in some cases life-changing results.
Download the 2020 Unforgotten Forces impact report here
Under the leadership and co-ordination of Poppyscotland mechanisms were put in place, and a culture fostered, of knowledge and good practice sharing, and of joint working. This is core to the partnership: not every partner receives Unforgotten Forces funding, but all benefit from increased collaboration.
One example of the collaborative approach is the Unforgotten Forces policy round table group, which concluded its work in early 2020.
Download the 2020 Unforgotten Forces Policy Round table group impact report
On 1st October 2020 the Scottish Government replaced the Aged Veterans Fund (latterly known as the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust) as funder of the Unforgotten Forces partnership. The role of lead and co-ordinating partner was transferred from Poppyscotland to Age Scotland.
Read the news release announcing the new phase of Unforgotten Forces
In early 2023 the Scottish Government agreed a further 3 years funding for Unforgotten Forces, securing the future of the partnership from April 2023 to March 2026.
Read the news release announcing the 2023 funding award
Unforgotten Forces library
Unforgotten Forces library
In this library you will find Unforgotten Forces magazine and other partnership publications.
-
Unforgotten Forces magazine issue 8
Unforgotten Forces magazine aims to inform, inspire and empower older ex-service men and women in Scotland. -
Unforgotten Forces magazine issue 7
Unforgotten Forces magazine aims to inform, inspire and empower older ex-service men and women in Scotland. -
Unforgotten Forces magazine issue 6
Unforgotten Forces magazine aims to inform, inspire and empower older ex-service men and women in Scotland. -
Unforgotten Forces magazine issue 5
Unforgotten Forces magazine aims to inform, inspire and empower older ex-service men and women in Scotland. -
Unforgotten Forces magazine issue 4
Unforgotten Forces magazine aims to inform, inspire and empower older veterans in Scotland. -
Unforgotten Forces magazine issue 3
Unforgotten Forces magazine aims to inform, inspire and empower older veterans in Scotland. -
Unforgotten Forces magazine issue 2
Unforgotten Forces magazine aims to inform, inspire and empower older veterans in Scotland. -
Unforgotten Forces magazine issue 1
Unforgotten Forces magazine aims to inform, inspire and empower older veterans in Scotland. -
Guide to supporting older veterans in Scotland
This Age Scotland publication aims to help staff and volunteers in community groups and services improve the support they offer to older members of the ex-Armed Forces community. -
Printable Poster Unforgotten Forces
An A4 poster advertising Unforgotten Forces that you can print and display. -
Unforgotten Forces Directory leaflet
A leaflet with information about Unforgotten Forces partner services. Hard copies of the leaflet can also be ordered from publications@agescotland.org.uk. -
The Veterans Guide to Later Life
Age Scotland's main advice guide for older people who have served in HM Armed Forces, covering topics including money, housing, health and care. -
Unforgotten Conversations Episode 3
Podcast about the health and wellbeing benefits of singing with a community choir, featuring Military Wives Choirs and mens' choirs. -
Unforgotten Conversations Episode 2
Podcast about spiritual wellbeing, why it matters, and support for it that's available to older ex-service men and women. -
Unforgotten Conversations Episode 1
Podcast exploring what Men's Sheds can offer older ex-servicemen. - Issue 8 Unforgotten Forces news
- Issue 7 Unforgotten Forces News
- Issue 6 Unforgotten Forces News
- Issue 5 Unforgotten Forces News
- Issue 4 Unforgotten Forces News
- Issue 3 Unforgotten Forces News
- Issue 2 Unforgotten Forces News
- Issue 1 Unforgotten Forces News