Veterans 'Need More Help' Getting Work

More action is needed to get disabled and vulnerable veterans into work, that's the message from a Scottish charity.

Poppy Scotland says there's a lack of specialist employment services.

Veterans in Scotland also suffer more from homelessness, alcoholism and mental health problems than those in the rest of the UK.

It found that though barriers still exist, there has been a shift, with a smaller percentage of veterans in Scotland experiencing difficulties than those in the rest of the UK.

Poppyscotland’s Head of Welfare Services Gary Gray commented: “We believe that finding sustainable employment is vital in order for veterans to lead fulfilling and successful lives. The 2009 findings were of huge concern and compelled us to focus on this area as a priority. We are encouraged by the new report, which provides evidence that the investment by Poppyscotland and others in the sector is making a difference. However, although we are heading in the right direction, there is still a long way to go.”
 
He added: “As a charity that relies on donations, Poppyscotland has only been able to provide this level of support thanks to the generosity of the Scottish public. From paying for a bus or train fare so that a veteran can attend a job interview to funding a mental health project for a year, our services are cost-effective and they are improving lives. We hope that the public will continue to support us as we strive to help disabled and vulnerable veterans get back into work.”

Over the past six years Poppyscotland has invested more than £2 million to fund a number of employment initiatives for disabled and vulnerable veterans, including retraining grants, a mental health employability programme and a vocational assessment course.