Giving veterans confidence back can only be a good thing, says Erskine chief executive

STEVE CONWAY, the chief executive at Erskine, says giving veterans their confidence back can have a huge impact on their lives.

And, he hopes, the new Reid Macewen Activity Centre will help ease the isolation suffered by many leaving the forces.

He said: “If this gives people the confidence to go out and socialise and learn new skills, it can only be good.

“One of the guys using the facility has talked about how previously he wasn’t confident enough to leave his flat.”

The Activity Centre is part of the Unforgotten Forces Project, a consortium of 15 organisations including Erskine and Poppy Scotland, which has been awarded £4m from the Aged Veterans Fund to undertake a three-year programme of support for older veterans and families.

And in June, the Royal British Legion Industries will take over the former print works and furniture-making factories on the Erskine estate to open Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC), the largest employment development specifically for Scottish veterans in decades.

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More than 40 ex-servicemen and women every year will be helped through direct, flexible employment.

The development is in response to a 2015 study which found that ex-service personnel are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as civilians in Scotland.

“I think the Activity Centre and SBMC are going to complement each other very well,” said Steve.

Erskine was founded in 1916 as The Princess Louise Scottish Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers, due to there being insufficient hospital facilities to care for those who were wounded in battle.

It has since cared for more than 85,000 ex-service personnel.

“My vision for Erskine is that it will become a veterans’ village,” Steve continued.

“People looking for employment can work in the factory, single guys can live in the 24 apartments we recently announced we will be building – 22 people have already expressed an interest – and there are 44 cottages for families.

“Then, when the time comes, we help them in their old age.”

Steve believes there is more going on to help veterans than is appreciated.

“Scotland has a veterans’ commissioner, Eric Fraser, who has the benefit of being independent of the Government and provides a voice for veterans.

“And governments are giving charities funding to help.

“When people become aware of the issues, the public comes to the support of the charities.

“We have to raise £10m every year and the support we receive is incredible.”