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The world today can be especially stressful for young people growing up in forces families.

This page highlights the key resources and support we can offer babies, children and young people from Regular, Reservist and Veteran families.

Co-production is essential to what we do, so the projects and strategic work you’ll read about here have been shaped by the views of other children and young people.

Please get in touch if you need support, want to get involved or have ideas for us — we always love to hear from you!

At the bottom of this page, you’ll also find phone numbers for crisis support.

 

 

Participation Work

Youth Participation

We work in schools across Scotland to support and connect with children and young people from forces families. Over the summer, we also offer residential programmes to bring young people from across the country together.

Participation and children’s rights drive our work, so by getting involved you will be shaping our support for babies, children and young people.

Get involved

 

 

Peer Support

The Ruby Boots Project

The Ruby Boots Project was co-designed with children and young people to enhance the wellbeing of those facing the transition to civilian life. These sessions are delivered with the help of volunteer buddies from veteran families.

The Ruby Boots Project is available at schools in Edinburgh and Fife, with school-wide assemblies and summer sessions also taking place.

Get involved

 

 

 

 

Who we are

Forces Children Scotland is a small team, and many of us are part of forces families too. You can learn more about us here.

As an organisation, we are defined and motivated by four key values — we are passionate, trusted, collaborative, and honest.

To learn more about how we work:

  • Our Participation Principles outline how we meaningfully involve babies, children and young people in our work while keeping them protected.
  • Our Three-Year Strategy defines our vision and identifies four goals we are working towards between now and 2028.
Our Participation Principles Our Three-Year Strategy

 

 

Get help now

If you need urgent mental health support, or feel concerned about someone else, you can:

  • Phone 111(NHS 24) and select the mental health option for support and advice
  • Call Samaritans at 116 123, available 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk
  • If you prefer texting, text Shout for 24/7 support
  • If you’re 18 and under, call Childline at 0800 1111 to speak to a counsellor
  • If you’re over 16, call Breathing Space at 0800 83 85 87, available on weekends 24/7 and weekdays from 6pm-2am

If you’re in danger or it’s an emergency, please call 999 for immediate help.