Latest News

667741944_1369929948502214_6800435301341472331_n

British War Veterans of America - £4000 Donation

After serving in the British Armed Forces for 15 years, one of our service users, Alex Abel, emigrated to the United States. During his time there, he became an active member of the British War Veterans of America, eventually rising through the ranks to serve as President.

The British War Veterans of America was formed in 1919 by British servicemen who had either returned from war or settled in New York. In the aftermath of the First World War, the organisation focused on something deeply important: maintaining the bonds of camaraderie forged during wartime. For many veterans, these shared experiences were difficult to replicate in civilian life, particularly in a new country.

What made the organisation especially notable was its ability to blend social connection with charitable purpose. Its gatherings, including social evenings, were not simply opportunities to meet they also played a vital role in raising funds to support veterans in need, including those beyond its membership, as well as their families. In this way, every event contributed to helping less fortunate ex-servicemen and women and their children.

Unfortunately, after 107 years of existence, the British War Veterans of America is in the process of closing down. Following extensive discussions with Alex and his committee, a generous donation of £4,000 has been made to Lothians Veterans Centre, ensuring that the legacy of supporting veterans and their families will continue.

Scottish Veterans Funding Announcement

We are delighted to be included among the organisations that received funding from the Scottish Veterans Fund 2026-28, which was announced on 4 March 2026.

This funding with contribute towards our drop-in centre, which offers a range of holistic, person-centred advice and support to veterans and families primarily in the Lothians.

You can find out more about the funding here: Help for veterans and families – gov.scot

Mr Dey said:

“The Scottish Veterans Fund has supported thousands of veterans and their families with services such as financial support, employability and by helping them cope with mental and physical health challenges.

“This year’s funding allocations will continue to provide targeted support for our Armed Forces and veterans community across Scotland, and prioritise projects that address recommendations made by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton.

“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting service personnel and their families – past or present, living or based in Scotland – and to ensuring they have access to all the help, support and public services they require.”

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton said:

“It was greatly encouraging to see such a strong field of high-quality applications from organisations across the length and breadth of Scotland.

“I warmly welcome the increase in funding to £600,000 this year, enabling support for a greater number of impactful projects. I was particularly pleased to note proposals that align closely with recommendations made by my predecessors and me, including in the areas of justice and financial wellbeing, and those reaching the less heard from parts of the veteran community.”

Three girls holding a large cheque for LVC

YPI WINNERS!! 🥳🎉🙌

You may remember we posted a few weeks ago about Jade, Elizabeth and Sonia, a group of school pupils from St David’s RC High School in Dalkeith, who chose LVC as their nominated charity for YPI Scotland.

Well, they’ve only gone and won £3000 for our charity!

We are SO proud of them and all their dedication and hard work. Their presentation at the finals this morning was, by far, head and shoulders above the other 4 finalist groups. It was evident that they have worked tirelessly to research our charity and the issues affecting the Veterans and families we support. They delivered an interesting, professional, articulate and thorough presentation about our work at LVC and it was clear that they were well prepared and knowledgeable in their subject matter, not least because Elizabeth’s parents and grandparents served in the Army and Royal Navy respectively!

Please join us in showing our immense gratitude and in wishing them congratulations for such a great job and for choosing us as their nominated charity.

The girls’ valiant efforts and achievements will be recognised when they visit the centre again on 25th March 2026.

WELL DONE AND A MASSIVE THANK YOU. YOU SHOULD BE EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOURSELVES! WE SALUTE YOU!

Female Veterans Networking Event and Afternoon Tea, The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh, Saturday 28th February 2026

On Saturday 28th February 2026, LVC’s female staff and dedicated volunteers had the absolute pleasure of hosting a group of awe inspiring female veterans, and many empowering women from our partner organisations that support them, at our THIRD Networking Event and Afternoon Tea in the beautiful Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh.

These events get bigger and better each time and the women were welcomed to this one by our piper, Sean. We were also joined by the handsome Clyde

, a BRAVEHOUND puperoo who came along with Ali! We must also give a big shout out to Pip, from Operation Cairngorms CIC, one of our trusted partners, and THE FIRST female Army Commando!

We want to say a massive thank you to Susie Hamilton, the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, who delivered an engaging address, and to Liza Jarvis, Female Veterans’ Transformation Programme Lead, who updated us on their online toolkit and who highlighted that, out of all the devolved nations, Scotland had leaned in most to offer support. Susie and Liza have supported LVC’s female veterans’ project, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, since it began 2 years ago and we are especially grateful to them.

We would also like to say a big thank you to Dr Alethea McHardy, a Consultant in Sport, Exercise and Rehab Medicine, working for the MoD as clinical lead for Scotland and Germany. Alethea is undertaking a PhD in health outcomes for female veterans in Scotland and she chose our event to launch her much needed project for female veterans and servicewomen ‘Her Service Her Health!

We also want to say a massive thank you to Peter from Dundee Gin who came to support us again and who brought his delicious array of gins to taste and buy and provided all the goodie bags for our attendees.

A huge thank you also goes out to Rebecca, an Army veteran, who came all the way from Elgin to offer crafts and helped the women personalise some keyrings, coasters and bookmarks to take away. A hoofing shout also out goes to Carole, a Royal Navy veteran, who very kindly made and donated the delicious Scottish tablet for our attendees and who drove a 4 hour round trip from Gourock to Edinburgh to deliver the tablet as she couldn’t attend the event because she was so unwell. A stellar example of just how resilient and remarkable our veterans are!

A great big thank you also goes to Grace, a Royal Navy veteran, and also of our longstanding and hard working volunteers and board members, and to her family for donating the fabulous hamper for our raffle! We raised a fantastic £665!

This was a day of fun, shared experiences and purpose, where the atmosphere was uplifting and buzzing, and where former servicewomen from all over Scotland could connect, collaborate and celebrate their service in a tri-service environment.

We can’t wait for the next one!

#WomenVeterans

#femaleveterans

#Networking

2 SCOTS Breakfast Morning

Two of the team joined 2 SCOTS for their monthly Veterans breakfast morning held at Scots Corner. We were treated to copious amounts of tea and coffee to wash down the selection of filled rolls which included bacon, fried eggs, black pudding etc. Thanks to the guys at 2 SCOTS for having us. The Veterans breakfasts are held on the first Tuesday of every month, 10am – 12pm, so if you are free get yourself down for a free brekkie and some banter.

2026 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Lothians Veterans Centre will be held on Thursday 29th January at 18:30hrs at LVC, 11 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG.

In line with the continued tradition of LVC having open AGMs, the Board of Trustees are content if any veterans or family members wish to attend, but please notify us in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling the centre on 0131 660 5537.