Forces Children Scotland to host Scottish Parliament exhibition

Here at Forces Children Scotland, we are getting ready for a busy week at the Scottish Parliament later this month.

We will host an exhibition in the Member’s Lobby from 21-23 June where we are excited to meet with MSPs to raise awareness of the experiences of children and young people in serving, reservist and veteran families, to strengthen and develop existing and new connections, and to consider ways we can work together to support children and young people in armed forces families.

The children and young people we work with consistently tell us that they do not feel their experiences are understood by decision-makers and that they do not feel their voices are heard in decision-making processes.

Our experience certainly suggests that they are an overlooked group in law, policy, and practice. This appears particularly true for those in veteran families where it is often assumed that they will no longer experience challenges associated with armed forces life once the serving parent leaves the armed forces.

We are therefore particularly looking forward to discussing with MSPs how we can work together to ensure they are engaging directly with children and young people in veteran families, listening to and learning from their lived experience to understand what support is needed, and taking action to amplify their voices to ensure they are truly heard in decision-making processes.

Alongside the exhibition, we are delighted to be welcoming MSPs, several of the children and young people we work with and their families, and many of our partners and stakeholders to an evening reception on Wednesday 22 June.

The reception will serve as a celebration of what Forces Children Scotland has achieved working directly with children and young people from serving, reservist and veteran families to help them realise their potential and thrive.

In particular, guests will have an opportunity to learn about our Forces Life board game and comic book, to speak directly to some of the young people involved in co-producing this project, and to hear about our ambitious plans for the future.

Both the exhibition and event are kindly being sponsored by Alexander Stewart, MBE MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, whose ongoing support with our work is greatly valued and appreciated by Forces Children Scotland.

Would you like to learn more about policy and influencing work at Forces Children Scotland? Please email policy@forceschildrenscotland.org.uk