Blog: How our Comradeship Circles are supporting older veterans

Age Scotland's Comradeship Circles service connects veterans around Scotland with each other for a weekly chat by phone.

It's available to any veteran of the British Armed Forces aged 50 or over and their partners, widows or widowers. This includes all branches and forces, from regulars to reservists and National Servicemen and Merchant seafarers who have been part of a UK military operation.

We can also set up dedicated circles for clubs and groups that have been suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Veterans and Families Support Worker Pauline Cherrington told us about how this has made a difference for the members of Lothians Veterans Centre in Dalkeith:

“For us as an organisation, it’s frustrating to not be able to offer all the services that we used to be able to provide and so this is a good alternative at the moment.

"I think Comradeship Circles are a great opportunity to bring our members together at a time when we can’t have them in the centre. It doesn’t take much knowledge of technology- it’s a simple phone call and keeps everyone connected.

"It’s a good alternative to our usual services during these times, keeping our members in touch and updated with what’s going on, especially our older members. It’s a great idea.

"I’m really grateful to organisations like yours that can help in any small way to improve our members’ weeks so thank you!”

Hazel has been taking part in one of the Lothians Veterans circles for the past month:

“I'm loving it. It's good for a catch up, we haven't seen everyone in months. This has been going on 6 months now.

"It's a great way to catch up with other members of the group and hear the news from the centre. It's really good to have this circle where we can talk on the phone. It's a shame we can't see each other in person but it’s fantastic to be able to keep in touch.”

If you’d like to find out more about how to set up a circle for your group, please get in touch with Comradeship Circles Coordinator Rachel Connor at veteransproject@agescotland.org.uk. Or if you’d like to join an existing circle yourself you can register by calling the free Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.

More information is available here.