FORMER soldiers making the change to civilian life are amongst those benefitting from £4.5 million of National Lottery cash.
Based in the Govan district of Glasgow, the drop-in Coming Home Centre offers art therapy classes, computer and cookery lessons and free meals to ex-military personnel.
It has been granted £90,000 in the latest round of Big Lottery funding amidst rising demand for its services.
Operations manager Ian Hopkins said: “Over the last two years we have seen the numbers of veterans seeking help and support almost double, currently now providing 200 meals per week, plus food bags and emergency supplies, alongside cooking and healthy eating classes. Given the increase in numbers and the variety of requests for support, our administration requirements have also increased.
“The funding from the Big Lottery Fund means we can employ a full-time catering manager and part-time admin worker, which will allow the rest of the team to focus on the support side of our operation, dealing with housing, benefits, pensions, those suffering with mental and physical health issues, and providing a safe and secure environment where veterans can share time with others who have similar experiences and values.
“Our client base ranges from Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq, back to the Second World War.”
Other projects to benefit include the Kinloch Historical Society, which will redevelop a former primary school on Lewis to create a new community hub, and Voices of Carers Across Lothian, which will provide respite to carers with the cash.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here