Meg Thomas 6 hours ago
Meg Thomas, our Deputy CEO and Policy Lead, shares some thoughts from a Parliamentary event celebrating Month of the Military Child.
I had the privilege of representing Forces Children Scotland this morning at the Palace of Westminster marking the Month of the Military Child — a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
Thank you to Royal British Legion and Never Such Innocence for bringing people together around this important cause.
We heard thoughtful reflections from Calvin Bailey MBE MP and Louise Sandher-Jones, the Minister for Veterans and People, both sharing personal insights into service life. But it was the voices of five remarkable young people that truly resonated. Through art and poetry, they spoke with honesty and strength about the duality of growing up in a Forces family, the opportunities and pride, alongside the very real challenges of separation, disruption, and change.
Their message couldn’t have been clearer: if we want a battle-ready Armed Forces, we must also be family-responsive.
This is exactly what the Forces Children’s Rights Charter calls for: a commitment to recognising, valuing and upholding the rights of babies, children and young people from Armed Forces families. It sets out, in their own words, what needs to change: being heard, being understood, and being supported consistently — not just in moments of crisis, but throughout their lives.
The evidence is equally clear in Camouflaged in the education system. Too often, Forces children remain unseen — their experiences misunderstood, their needs inconsistently met. Without joined-up systems and informed professionals, their unique circumstances risk being overlooked.
Today wasn’t just about listening — it was a call to act.
It was encouraging to hear a genuine commitment from the Minister to engage. The next step is to keep that conversation going — ensuring children and young people themselves are at the heart of it, shaping how their Charter is understood and delivered.
Because recognising their experiences isn’t an added extra — it’s essential.
This May, Sergeant Scott Urban is running the half-marathon in Edinburgh and raising money to support our work. Here is...
Forces Children Scotland warmly welcomes Former Air Commodore Polly Miller-Perkins CBE to her new role as Armed Forces Commissioner. As...
Last month, Judith (our Learning and Development Worker) and Nina (our Participation Manager) were out on the road delivering our...
As we approach Month of the Military Child, it’s critical we learn from the voices and views of children and...
Let’s work together so children and young people’s voices are heard, and their rights are respected, in Scottish schools. As...
One key recommendation from our jointly produced report on Forces children’s education is to embed children and young people’s participation...
We’re grateful to be among the organisations receiving funding from the Scottish Veterans Fund 2026-27, which was recently announced by...
Children from Armed Forces families grow up with experiences that most of their peers and teachers will not understand firsthand....
What is one small, realistic step we can take to help create a fairer future for young carers from Forces...
Even with the best intentions, participation can be challenging to put into practice. Hear from our participation team about practical...
Recently, we took a step back from our day-to-day work to think about the bigger picture – with help from...
Our participation team is excited to be co-producing a unique resource supporting the wellbeing of younger children while their parent or loved one is deployed. With support from the Armed Forces...
How can we meet the needs of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines community? First and foremost, by better understanding...
Louise, a Ruby Boots Volunteer Facilitator, attended a two-day training course to gain skills and knowledge about how to handle...
Marking Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week 2026, here are some reflections from Deputy CEO and Policy Lead Meg Thomas about...
Children and young people have a right to be heard and taken seriously, but what does this mean, and what...
Young people aged 11-17 are invited to take complete a 20-30 survey and take part in this research project about...
At the most recent SCiP Conference, we saw children and young people take the floor, commanding the attention of over...
Public speaking is no easy task, let alone to a conference with over 100 delegates. Seeing children and young people...
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re privileged to reflect on what the past year has meant for us and...
Here are some reflections from Annabella Alovatti, a Volunteer Facilitator for The Ruby Boots Project and an undergraduate student of...
Remembrance is both collective and deeply personal. It connects us to the sacrifices of previous generations while inspiring us to...
The theme of Befriending Week this year is Collaboration and Partnership. Heather Douglas, coordinator for the Ruby Boots Project, discusses...
This year marks the first in our partnership with Greenwich Hospital, and we’re proud to celebrate what we have accomplished...
We’re happy to share our principles for the meaningful participation of babies, children and young people. Here are some thoughts...
We are so pleased to share that the co-developed, forces-life-specific Talking Mat is now available to children and young people....
Scottish Children’s Health Week is a time to reflect on what it really means for every child to have the...
Here is some feedback from the Ruby Boots summer sessions, plus practical tips for making wellbeing boxes with children and...
We are delighted that Forces in Mind Trust has awarded funding to this research project exploring how children and young...
Earlier this month, we brought a group of 14 young people from forces families together in Edinburgh for an action-packed...
We can provide financial support to empower young people from Regular, Reservist and Veteran families to realise their potential.
We’re proud to share the impact of our recent learning sessions delivered to teachers at Colinton Primary School in Edinburgh!...
Wesley, a former British Army soldier, completed the 2025 Edinburgh Marathon and raised almost £800 for Forces Children Scotland.
Our team attended a families thank you day at RAF Lossiemouth.
Article 31 of the UNCRC says that every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a...
Jaiden, Sophia, Meg, and Robyn delivered a workshop on Forces Children Scotland’s Children’s Rights Report ‘It’s not just their job,...
Policy catch-up with Robyn Pattinson Meet Robyn, who is our Policy and Parliamentary Officer at Forces Children Scotland. Robyn tells...
Attend our SCiP Conference Workshop We’re attending the SciP Alliance Conference in Cardiff to present a workshop on Forces Children...
Response to government announcement concerning the Hayward Review Forces Children Scotland is extremely disappointed by the Scottish Government’s decision not...
Forces Young People meet with the Minister for Children, Young People, and The Promise Six young people, representing the Navy,...
Forces Children Scotland joins over one-hundred charities and organisations in signing a letter demanding the Scottish government fulfil its promise...
The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government outlines its strategic priorities and legislative agenda for the coming year, focusing on key...
Interactive financial readiness tool now live Our short quiz is designed to help families leaving the armed forces consider important...
Scotland has incorporated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots Law. The United Nations Convention...
Scotland has incorporated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots Law, within the limits of...
A talented young Fife artist has designed a captivating series of animated characters for Forces Children Scotland’s Children’s Rights Report...
Looking at forces life through a children’s rights lens We are delighted to launch our children’s rights report to highlight...
Scottish Youth Parliament #SYP81 Representation Rubie and Chloe represented the lived experiences and views of young people from forces communities...
Mascot Design Competition Winner Announced We are delighted to announce that Isla Fraser, aged 13, from Elgin, has won our...
Children’s Rights from forces children’s perspective – Reflections by Meg Thomas, Deputy CEO & Policy Lead. We recently held a...
Making the change from military to civilian life A blog from Robyn Pattison, Policy Officer at Forces Children Scotland. Being...
Pupils combine forces with Forces Children Scotland to celebrate Month of the Military Child. Month of the Military Child raises...
Month of the Military Child 2024 Celebration Pack Available Now Month of the Military Child is about recognising, understanding, and...
Attend Forces Children Scotland’s roadshow events in Edinburgh, Helensburgh, and Leuchars in April. Open to anyone in the community, we...
Young Carers Action Day 2024 This year’s theme promotes a fair future for young carers. Young Carers Action Day is...
Forces Children Scotland’s Youth Forum members announced as award finalists. We are delighted to announce that young people from...
Forces Children Scotland receives bronze Employer Recognition Scheme Award. Forces Children Scotland was presented the award at a ceremony held...
Forces Children Scotland is delighted to become an Associate Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. The announcement follows the recent...
Design a mascot for Forces Children Scotland We are looking for budding young artists from armed forces communities to design...
Military children encouraged to share personal stories for Month of the Military Child Campaign Children from armed forces communities have...
Forces Children Help Shape Future Children’s Rights Landscape in Scotland. Forces Children Scotland worked in partnership with Queen Victoria School...
National Storytelling Week | Sharing the Stories of Forces Children. This fantastic annual event is a joyful celebration of the...
A response to the Scottish Veterans Commissioner (SVC) report ‘Community and Relationships: Anything but Uniform’. Forces Children Scotland welcomes the...
Today has proved very significant regarding children’s rights in Scotland. The Scottish UNCRC (Incorporation) Bill has received Royal Assent &...
Introducing our new Deputy CEO and Policy Lead, Meg Thomas. Meg will lead our exciting policy work, following the release...
Upholding Children’s Rights is fundamental. Children and young people can be one of the most vulnerable groups in society, so...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...
Download our latest Impact Report now! Our mission is simple. We want to become the sector-leading charity that supports children...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...
We have combined forces with young people from the armed forces community to co-develop our influencing strategy and manifesto. Working...
QVS Insights Podcast returns with three new episodes. You may remember our hugely successful podcast episodes with S5 pupils from...
Forces child, Natasha, stars in recent Tornado of Change Campaign. Natasha’s role portrayed a pupil starting at a new school,...
Young people learn how to make their own mini-documentary. Forces Children Scotland has delivered a three-day creative documentary-making residential for...
Podcasts series share lived experience of veterans who have made a successful change from military to civilian life. Forces Children...
Forces young people have worked with Kingdom FM to promote a new project launched in Fife by Forces Children Scotland....
Forces Children Scotland has worked with Queen Victoria School to co-produce a series of podcasts, funded by the Armed Forces...
Christmas can present unique challenges for young people from armed forces families. The holiday season is here, which is often...
Forces Children Scotland will deliver an interactive workshop at the Children in Scotland Annual Conference in November, to present a...