Introducing Unforgotten Forces
A short animation for older members of the ex-service community that introduces Unforgotten Forces and the ways it can be of help.
Get support for older veterans
There are a range of support options available to older veterans. If you are a veteran age 60 or older and are seeking support, or you wish to refer an older veteran for support, please have a look at the below list of our partner services below.
You can contact these services directly with any queries.
Practical Support
Fares4Free
Fares4Free can get you to and from vital appointments, groups, and clubs. Available Scotland-wide.
Call: 0141 266 6000
Fares4Free website contact form
Fare4Free on Facebook
Fighting with Pride
Fighting With Pride is the military LGBT+ charity. They have lived-experience support workers in Scotland and can help connect LGBT+ veterans, serving personnel and families to services that can help and support. FWP also has a community events programme in Scotland which includes short breaks.
- Call 07704 271392 (Veterans Community Worker Scotland)
- Online contact form
- Website
Highland Veterans Handyperson Service (ILM Highland)
The Highland Veterans Handyperson Service carries out small jobs and small repairs in and around the home, if you live Ross-shire, Sutherland, Inverness and Moray.
Call: 01349 884774
Email: handyperson@ilmhighland.co.uk
ILM Highland on Facebook
Poppyscotland
Poppyscotland provides life-changing support to the Armed Forces community. Their Welfare Services can help in a number of ways, through financial support and mobility home adaptations, to advice and information services.
Call: 0131 550 1557
Email: info@britishlegion.org.uk
Poppyscotland website
Poppyscotland on Facebook
RAF Association
The RAF Association offers a range of welfare support services for you and your family.
Call: 0800 018 2361
RAF Association website
RAF Association on Facebook
SSAFA
SSAFA offers practical and financial support to veterans in need of physical or emotional care. It has branches and volunteer caseworkers across Scotland.
Call: 0141 488 8552 (within Scotland)Call 0800 260 6767 (outside Scotland)
SSAFA website
Information and advice
Age Scotland helpline
Age Scotland offers information and advice on later life matters, and free advice guides for older veterans: by post and online.
- Call: 0800 12 44 222
- Message Age Scotland helpline
- Age Scotland helpline webpage
- Age Scotland on Facebook
Read Age Scotland advice guides for older veterans
Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP)
The Armed Services Advice Project provides access to free, independent, and confidential advice, information, and support for the Armed Forces community. The service is open to those currently serving, families and veterans and can be accessed through Scotland's Citizens' Advice helpline, with one-to-one support available across 11 regions.
- Call: 0800 028 1456
- Message ASAP
- ASAP website
Health-related support
Blesma: the limbless veterans
Blesma offers life-long support to serving and ex-service men and women with limb-loss and loss of use of limbs, including widows and widowers.
- Call Steve Burton: 07766 258461
- Email bsosniroi@blesma.org
- Web https://blesma.org
Combat Stress
Support is available from Combat Stress regardless of a mental health diagnosis.
- Call: 0800 138 1619 (All and every day)
- Text: 07537 404719
- Email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk
- Combat Stress website
- Combat Stress Facebook
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) can provide welfare and support within a NHS Hospital setting and within the community to veterans and their families if you live in Fife, Lothian, Borders, Lanarkshire or Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS areas.
- Call: 0800 999 3697
- Email: referrals@dmws.org.uk
- DMWS website
- DMWS on Facebook
Sight Scotland Veterans
Sight Scotland Veterans can support you to adapt to sight loss, restoring your confidence and regaining independence. (Previously known as Scottish War Blinded)
Social Opportunities and Support
Age Scotland
Through the Age Scotland helpline older veterans can enjoy individual telephone friendship, enjoy regular peer friendship as part of a weekly telephone Comradeship Circle, and find out about a wide range of social opportunities available to them nationwide.
- Call: 0800 12 44 222 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm)
- Message Age Scotland
- Age Scotland on Facebook
Erskine
Enjoy camaraderie and a range of activities at the Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre in Renfrewshire.
- Contact: Debs Dickson, Centre Manager
- Call: 0141 814 4534
- Email: debra.dickson@erskine.org.uk
- Erskine Reid Macewen Centre webpage
- Erskine on Facebook
Legion Scotland
Legion Scotland’s friendly volunteers can visit regularly and support you to re-connect with your community if you have lost touch.
- Contact: Tommy Douglas
- Call: 0131 550 1560
- Email: support@legionscotland.org.uk
- Legion Scotland website
- Legion Scotland on Facebook
Men's Sheds
Men’s Sheds offer a friendly, welcoming and healthy environment for men (aged 18 and over) to socialise, work on personal and/or Shed projects and take part in activities together with a purpose. Find your local Shed today:
- Visit www.scottishmsa.org.uk/find-a-shed
- Call 07465202834.
- Email admin@scottishmsa.org.uk
RAF Association
RAF Association ‘Connections For Life’ is a bespoke volunteer-based friendship service for the RAF community.
- Call 0800 018 2361
- RAF Association Website
- RAF Association on Facebook
Creative and wellbeing
Veterans Tribe Scotland
Veterans Tribe Scotland offers creative and wellbeing events and activities where veterans and their families can relax, have fun with creativity and build friendships. These are suitable for all ages and abilities and delivered
face to face and online.
- Call Gerry McGregor: 07817 979 48
Veterans Tribe Scotland website
Not sure who to contact?
If you are unsure who to ask for help, message the Age Scotland helpline. Tell us about your situation, and we can put you in contact with the partner, or partners, who can best assist.
Unforgotten Forces leaflet
Our leaflet includes a directory of Unforgotten Forces services.