Former military personnel in Glasgow who are struggling to adjust to civilian life will receive crucial one-to-one support thanks to the ongoing work of a charity dedicated to ex-service personnel and their families.
Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) helps veterans for whom the battle may not be over when they return home. Ex-service personnel often face a complex range of challenges including mental health issues, addiction, debt, social isolation, and other concerns which create barriers to settling back into civilian life.
The charity supports both visible and invisible injuries and takes a tailored approach to every veteran’s needs, aiming to improve their wellbeing, reintegration and quality of life.
In Glasgow, WWTW operates from the Scottish Veterans Residences in Bellrock, where it offers its Care Coordination programme. This initiative pairs veterans with dedicated coordinators who help them tackle personal difficulties through tailored care plans which can include assistance with housing, accessing benefits, mental health support, trauma counselling and overcoming loneliness. Many veterans also face a pressing need to acquire post-military employment, and WWTW’s coordinators connect them with employment services and specialist organisations when needed.
Underpinning the Care Coordination programme is WWTW’s Quick Reaction Fund, which provides immediate and targeted support to those in need. The fund was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to offer veterans a helping hand with necessities such as travel passes or work boots for new employment opportunities.
The ongoing cost of living crisis has forced the organisation to divert these resources increasingly toward addressing fundamentals such as food and fuel poverty among the veteran community. As a result, the fund is being depleted more rapidly than ever.
Recognising the importance of Walking With The Wounded’s work, The Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust has awarded £5,000 to support the Quick Reaction Fund and the delivery of the Care Coordination programme in Glasgow.
Gillian Marshall Dyson, the Trusts & Foundations Manager at Walking With The Wounded, thanked the Trust, saying, “We are delighted that Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust have chosen to support our Care Coordination programme in Glasgow. This generous donation will make a big difference to the veterans and their families that we help and enable us to continue providing much needed practical support. We are very grateful to the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust for their support.”
Diarmid McBride, People & Compliance Director at Allied Vehicles Group, said: “As an Armed Forces Covenant Silver level employer, supporting all veterans employed by Allied Vehicles, we are proud to support Walking With The Wounded. The work they do is crucial in helping veterans in our community to transition successfully into civilian life. Their hands-on, compassionate approach ensures that each veteran is given the best chance to thrive.”
The funding will allow more veterans in Glasgow and surrounding areas to access the individualised care and practical support needed to rebuild their lives.
