A grant of £25,000 has been made to the Independent Living Project in Bishopton to support the building of 24 new apartments for Armed Services veterans in Scotland, primarily those of a working age who are classified as Wounded, Injured or Sick and have been medically discharged from the military…

The project, run by veterans’ charity Erskine, will create ‘independent living’ apartments with an open plan living design featuring fitted furniture and including all appliances. The apartments will be fully accessible, for veterans who may have mobility challenges, and there will be communal areas for them to enjoy.

The residents will live as part of the Veteran’s Village which allows them access to a range of services including affordable meals, the Activity Centre and personal care services like podiatry and hairdressing.

The grant is the latest round of support from the RAF Benevolent Fund to Erskine, bringing the total amount granted to more than £1.5million.

Paul Hughesdon, Director of Welfare and Policy at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “RAF veterans who have served their country and especially those who have become mentally or physically affected by their service deserve to live in accommodation that provides them with the necessary level of support to reduce the effects.

“The RAF Benevolent Fund works with several organisations like Erskine to ensure these veterans have access to support services tailored to their needs and we are delighted to do so.”

Building work is expected to be complete by May 2019, with the first new veterans taking up residence in the summer of the same year. In the past year, Erskine supported 188 members of the RAF Family, former RAF personnel and their dependents.

Ian Cumming MBE, Chief Executive of Erskine, said: “We are extremely grateful to the RAF Benevolent Fund for this substantial grant and their generous support over the years. Erskine is renowned for sector-leading nursing care and support to older, more frail, or more vulnerable veterans.

“However, with the help of staunch friends like the RAF Benevolent Fund, we are increasing the breadth and depth of support available to help veterans face and overcome any number of challenges at any stage in their lives, post-Service.

“The Independent Living Project will create a staging post within the Veterans’ Village, where working-age veterans, can recuperate, re-orientate and retrain – before starting the next chapter of their lives.”