The Scottish Government's Cross Party Group on supporting Veterans in Scotland was established in 2008 to consider issues affecting the veteran community in Scotland in order that those responsible for shaping policy, locally and nationally, recognise that the needs of some veterans may be different from other members of the community. Its work has focussed on issues such as improving allocations policies for social housing and priority medical treatment and on securing better mental health services for veterans.
The Group was keen to establish a network of local 'champions' to work with veterans groups, promote veterans issues within their Councils and liaise with the Cross Party Group.
Each local authority was invited to appoint a Veterans Champion to act as a link with:
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The Cross Party Group
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The Scottish Government
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The UK Government
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Veteran's Charities
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Veteran's Organisations
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Veterans
Falkirk Council appointed Councillor Robert Spears as its Veteran's Champion in October 2009. Councillor Spears can be contacted at robert.spears@falkirk.gov.uk| or by telephone 01324 506275.
Robert Spears has been a Councillor with Falkirk Council since 1996 and has served as a Captain in the Royal Engineers. He is a veteran of two tours in Iraq.
For more information see forthcoming events.
A number of organisations provide valuable support to veterans. Some of these are listed below together with contact numbers:
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Organisation
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Telephone No.
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Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
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0800 169 2277
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Veterans Welfare Service
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0800 169 2277
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Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP)
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0845 231 0300
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ABF The Soldiers' Charity
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0131 310 5132/
0131 310 5116
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British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA)
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01764 652 480
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Erskine
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0141 812 1100
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Ex-Serice Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress)
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01292 561 300
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Forces Pension Society
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020 7820 9988
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Officers Association Scotland (CA Scotland)
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0131 557 2782
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Poppyscotland
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0131 557 2782
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Regular Forces Employment Association
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0131 557 1747
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Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF)
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0131 225 6421
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Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA)
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0131 225 5221
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Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS)
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0131 557 2782
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Royal Naval Association (RNA)
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02392 722983
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Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT)
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02392 60112
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Scottish War Blinded
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0131 333 1334/
0131 333 1369
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Scottish Veterans' Residence
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0131 556 0091
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Seafarers Support
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0800 121 4765
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Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help (SSAFA Forces Help)
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0845 1300 975
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St Dunstans
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020 7723 5021
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War Widows' Association of Great Britain (WWA)
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0845 2412 189
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