Alness reaches out with veterans project; Poppyscotland keen to extend services
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AN armed forces charity is piloting a new outreach project for veterans in Ross-shire.
Poppyscotland held the first one of its drop-in sessions to bring their services closer to veterans north of Inverness.
Hosted at the Heritage Centre in Alness, the initiative will be running on the last Tuesday of the month in November and January, with hopes of extending it after that period.
Welfare services coordinator for the North of Scotland, Roy Harrison, said: "Currently in Inverness we have a weekly drop-in where people can have a laugh over te and coffee, share the comradeship spirit and ask for help on the support we can offer if needed, and wanted to bring it to people outside of the city.
"We have introduced this type of outreach in Elgin which two or three months ago as a pilot and as we have seen positive changes we decided to bring it to Ross-shire as there are a lot of veterans from the RAF and other forces in the area.
"The initiative is aimed at tackling isolation and loneliness and bringing the services closer for those who would normally have to travel all the way down to Inverness.
"It's chance for people to get out of the house, talk about the old days and get advice on our welfare services."
Poppyscotland have supported the development of a breakfast club in Easter Ross running every last Saturday of the month in Alness, which has become very popular in the six months it has been running, with around 15 attendees aged 20 to 96 coming along each time.
Mr Harrison added: "Hopefully people who normally attend these can come to the outreach or those who cannot make it in the weekend will be able to go on Tuesdays."
