Scottish veterans’ charity to be rolled out nationwide

A veterans' charity run by ex-servicemen that supports hundreds of former military servicemen and women in Edinburgh is looking to capitalise on the success it has seen so far by rolling out services across Scotland in the near future, it has been revealed. 

Veterans First Point Lothian – which provides everything from counselling services to help reintegrating into society and finding a job – is looking forward to the national rollout at last after it managed to secure a windfall of more than £2.5 million. 

So far the charity has helped more than 1,000 people in the Scottish capital alone since its inception in 2009, and it will now be looking to raise this number again following its national rolling out in the next few months. 

Almost half of all the people who have been helped by the charity have, at some point since they left the army, been classed as being homeless, and the charity works with these people to try to get them somewhere to live in the long term. 

According to the Edinburgh News, the money that is being ­invested in Veterans First Point Lothian has been received through the armed forces ­covenant (Libor) fund.

Consultant psychological therapist Charlie Allanson-Oddy said: “It can be difficult to admit things aren’t going well, particularly if someone has been in the military – there’s an emphasis on being strong. 

“To acknowledge debt problems or problems with mental health can be difficult. 

“Our goal is ‘any veteran, any need, or their family’. We aim to provide a one-stop shop as accessibility to services is very important.”

The charity has also started working in partnership with organisations such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Veterans UK. This allows it to offer the chance for people to make their enquiries in one place rather than having to be passed from pillar to post as they seek out help that may need the input of a number of departments.