Home, sweet home for veterans at new £4m accomodation
Erskine unveils stylish apartments for military leavers
Erskine has unveiled a £4million state-of-the-art residential development to support veterans as they leave the military.
The charity has opened David Boyle Court to provide accommodation and an employability programme to support service leavers and veterans whose life or transition plans have been disrupted.
As part of this support service, Erskine will offer each resident a support package tailored to suit their needs, including volunteering, training and work experience, as well as job opportunities with local businesses.
The new development will offer them a safe place to live for up to two years, where they can learn job skills, access support services, enjoy the charity’s activity centre, and meet others in the same position.
David Boyle Court, based within Erskine’s Veterans Village in Bishopton, features 24 single occupancy apartments that come fully furnished, complete with living and dining spaces, kitchen, bedroom, and an en-suite wet room.
There are also four fully accessible apartments.
The new facility features two communal spaces which will be used for training, counselling and skills development.
One of these spaces will also be used as a cinema room.
Each resident will have access to all the facilities in the Veterans’ Village, including the Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre.
The centre aims to boost the quality of life and well-being of veterans by providing them with an increased social network, a range of activities and access to support services and new skills.
The Erskine Village also offers a range of amenities, including Harry’s Café, the Royal Scots Shop, a hairdresser and a podiatrist.
Wing Commander Ian Cumming, Erskine chief executive, said: “Erskine’s strength lies in the very special blend of dedicated care, compassion and understanding that we offer our residents, tenants and their families.
“Many of us, myself included, have served in the military and this enhances our understanding of some of the challenges they face.
“David Boyle Court is just the latest project in a lifetime of tireless work aimed at providing support and care to veterans.
“Veterans have a great deal to offer civilian society and most transition seamlessly.
“However, like most people who change career, they need support and new skills to help with the transition.
“This project will give them time and space to get the best possible support to develop and showcase their talents as they re-prepare for civilian life.
“This significant investment signals an exciting chapter for the charity and a bright future for our veterans.”
Erskine will be working with several partners to deliver the employability support packages, including Barclays Veterans’ Employment Transition Support (VETS), OCS, Walking With The
Wounded, Poppyscotland and Buildforce.
The charity will also work closely with the MOD’s Defence Transition Services during the referral process.
Wing Commander Ian Cumming, added: “We look forward to working with these partners to deliver the best opportunities to our veterans, and we would encourage any business that would like to support us with this project to get in touch.”
Any veterans interested in finding out more, or businesses looking to support the project, can contact Tracy Higgins on 0141 814 4578 or email accommodation@ erskine. org.uk
You can support Erskine at www.erskine.org.uk/supportour-work/donate/
This project will give them time and space to get the best possible support