Skip to main content

Updated : August 17, 2022 2 mins read

Forces young people at heart of new strategic vision calling for a step-change to meet unique support needs of peers across Scotland

Updated : August 17, 2022 2 mins read

Forces Children Scotland 2 years ago

Influencing Policy Media

Forces Children Scotland has co-produced a new strategy with children and young people from armed forces and veteran families, who have shared their lived experience and views, to shape strategic priorities to achieve meaningful change forward for peers across Scotland.

These plans aim to set a new standard in meeting specific support needs of over 12,500 children and young people from armed forces and veteran families in Scotland, who face many unique challenges when it comes to education and learning, mental health and wellbeing, making important transitions and active participation in decision making.

The charity has committed to amplify the seldom-heard voice and lived experience of children and young people from armed forces and veteran families louder than ever before to help decision makers, educators and professionals better understand they lives they lead, enhance support provision and ensure they are active participant in future policy making.

A wider call has been issued to organisations working with children and young people from armed forces and veteran families across a variety of sectors to reach out and forge new partnerships with Forces Children Scotland to deliver much of the meaningful changes required and to develop a much broader evidence-base to what is presently available in Scotland.

Forces Children Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, Laura Falconer, said:

“We are very proud to have co-produced our new strategy with children and young people from armed forces and veteran families, which will help ensure their unique support needs are met and their lived experiences are on everyone’s radar. Equally, we aim to encourage greater collaboration and to inspire others to follow our lead in stepping up over the next three-years.”

Notes to Editors:

For more information on our new strategy, please visit Strategy 2022-25 | Step Change | Our New Vision – Forces Children Scotland

For more information about Forces Children Scotland please contact Gary Seath, Communications Manager (gary.seath@forceschildrenscotland.org.uk)

About Forces Children Scotland

  • Forces Children Scotland was founded in 1815, which works directly with children and young people from serving, reservist and veteran families across Scotland.

  • Today, we co-produce services and projects to overcome unique challenges to mental health and wellbeing, education, and learning, important transitions and much more.

  • We provide life-changing experiences to develop new skills, build confidence and forge new friendships through a sense of belonging and shared experience.

  • We provide financial support when it matters most to young people caring for loved ones and we help students to realise their potential at college or university.