Advice for the armed forces community
This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales
You're a member of the armed forces community if you're:
currently serving in the armed forces - either regular or reserve
a veteran who served in the armed forces - either regular or reserve
a member of the Merchant Navy who served on a commercial vessel in support of legally defined UK military operations
a dependant - for example, the partner or child of someone who's currently serving in the armed forces, a veteran or a member of the Merchant Navy.
Get advice
You can get free, impartial, confidential advice on a wide range of topics from Citizens Advice Scotland. Find out how to get advice.
Scottish government
Find support for the armed forces community on mygov.scot. There's support including:
health and well-being - for example, veterans' right to priority NHS treatment and access to healthcare support
housing - help finding a place to live
funding for education and training - help to pay for qualifications
employment - help to find a new job or develop new skills.
GOV.UK directory
GOV.UK has a directory of o
rganisations that provide support to veterans of the UK armed forces and their families.
Find support for veterans and their families on GOV.UK.
Other organisations
The following organisations give advice and support to members of the armed forces community.
PoppyScotland
Poppyscotland provides help and support to the armed forces community in Scotland.
It can provide tailored help with:
grants and funding
advice
mobility
housing
mental health.
Legion Scotland
Legion Scotland promotes remembrance and comradeship. Find out more on the Legion Scotland website.
Seafarers' Advice and Information Line
SAIL is a UK-wide Citizens Advice service dedicated to serving and veteran Royal Navy personnel and their families. They offer free benefits advice and support. Find out more on the Seafarers’ Advice and Information Line website.
SSAFA
SSAFA is a national charity that provides lifelong support to people who are, or have been, in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force and their families. It works in local communities with a network of trained volunteers in the UK and worldwide. It provides general advice and practical support. Find out more about how to contact SSAFA on their website.
Forces Employment Charity
Forces Employment Charity assists ex-service personnel to find civilian employment on leaving the armed services. Find out more on the Forces Employment Charity website.
Officers' Association Scotland
Officers' Association Scotland provides advice and guidance on employment to officers resident in Scotland who have already left the armed forces. Find out more on the Officers’ Association Scotland website.
Combat Stress
Combat Stress provides advice and care for veterans who have mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. It offers clinical treatment and a community outreach service. Find out more on the Combat Stress website.
Veterans UK
Veterans UK, is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). They provide free support for veterans and their families, including:
a Veterans UK helpline
Veterans Services
Defence Transition Services
injury or bereavement compensation scheme payments.
Find out more about Veterans UK on GOV.UK.
Veterans Services
Veterans Services gives advice, guidance and welfare support to ex-service personnel and their families. They can help with war pensions, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, and Armed Forces Pension Scheme.
The service can also provide advice on financial and employment difficulties, housing and social care and relationship breakdown. The service will try to help with any kind of problem veterans might have.
Find out more about Veterans Services on GOV.UK.
Veterans First Point
Veterans First Point is a free service that has been developed by veterans for veterans. It's part of the NHS in Scotland and is run by veterans and clinicians. It can provide peer support workers, well-being support and help to access advice. Veterans First Point is available in:
Ayrshire and Arran
Borders
Fife
Lanarkshire
Tayside.
You can search for local information about Veterans First Point online.
Defence Medical Welfare Service
The Defence Medical Welfare Service is an independent charity that provides medical welfare to those who have operated, and continue to operate, on the front line.
Vector24
Vector24 supports veterans and their families throughout Scotland with transport to essential, recreational and therapeutic appointments that they otherwise would be unable to attend. Find out more on the Vector 24 website.