Unforgotten Forces

Unforgotten Forces is a partnership of charities working together to deliver high quality and joined-up support that boosts the health and wellbeing of ex-Armed Forces personnel in Scotland age 60 and older.

About Unforgotten Forces

https://youtu.be/RYC5SLFCg84

The Unforgotten Forces story

Unforgotten Forces was established in 2017 with a three-year grant of £4 million from the HM Treasury through the Aged Veterans Fund. This made possible a range of new services, and enhancements to existing services, to better meet the heath and wellbeing needs of veterans in Scotland age 65 and older.

Design of the Unforgotten Forces portfolio was informed by the findings of the 2014 Poppyscotland study of Health and welfare of the ex-Service community in Scotland.

Read the Poppyscotland 2014 Household Survey report here

In this initial funding period Unforgotten Forces provided more than 13,000 episodes of support. Many older veterans received support from more than one partner, with in some cases life-changing results.

Read the 2020 Unforgotten Forces impact report here

Under the leadership and co-ordination of Poppyscotland mechanisms were put in place, and a culture fostered, of knowledge and good practice sharing, and of joint working. This is core to the partnership: not every partner receives Unforgotten Forces funding, but all benefit from increased collaboration.

One example of the collaborative approach is the Unforgotten Forces policy round table group, which concluded its work in early 2020.

Check out the 2020 Unforgotten Forces Policy Round table group impact report here

On 1st October 2020 the Scottish Government replaced the Aged Veterans Fund (latterly known as the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust) as funder of the Unforgotten Forces partnership. The role of lead and co-ordinating partner was transferred from Poppyscotland to Age Scotland.

Read the news release announcing the new phase of Unforgotten Forces

In early 2023 the Scottish Government agreed a further 3 years funding for Unforgotten Forces, securing the future of the partnership from April 2023 to March 2026.

Read the news release announcing the 2023 funding award

Unforgotten Forces partners

The Unforgotten Forces approach

Unforgotten Forces partners are committed to providing older ex-Armed Forces personnel with high quality and joined-up support. Where one partner believes that client it is supporting could also benefit from services provided by other partners it can, with the client’s permission, share their story with these. The client will then be contact by relevant partner charities, which will already know their story, so there is no need to explain it over again.

Get support for older ex-Armed Forces personnel

Check out a range of support available to older people who have served in the British Armed Forces.

Get help

Unforgotten Forces magazine

Unforgotten Forces magazine aims to inform, inspire and empower older ex-Armed Forces personnel in Scotland.

Inside you’ll find stories about the work and difference made by Unforgotten Forces partner charities and other groups that support people who have served in the British Armed Forces. You’ll also find information about your rights and extra help available to you, as both an older person and a member of the Armed Forces community.