Erskine Veterans Charity

Please name the main purpose of your business.
Erskine Veterans Charity has been caring for Veterans since 1916. Today, we support almost 800 members of the Veteran community in Scotland.

Erskine is excited to announce we are expanding our service to Forres. We are transforming the former Victoria Hotel into the Erskine Veterans Activities Centre (EVAC), in the mould of our flagship centre in the Erskine Veterans Village in Bishopton, Renfrewshire. Here, Veterans of all ages can benefit from learning new skills and hobbies, building new support networks, and staying active – with a hot meal, tea, coffee, and friendly banter always readily available.

What are the benefits to operating in Moray?
Moray is well known for its proud service history. In fact, the area has a significantly higher percentage of Veterans living in the community than the average across Scotland.

The establishment of the EVAC is part of our ongoing commitment to support Veterans and their families. We believe that providing a dedicated space for Veterans to come together, access support services, and engage in various activities will greatly benefit the surrounding community and honour the sacrifices made by those who have served our country.

How do you connect to your local customers?
As Erskine’s Fundraising and Development Manager (North), I engage with local communities in various ways. I am always happy to meet with and give presentations to local businesses or organisations, such as Rotary Clubs and Cadet Units. Supporters can also take part in our D-Day 80 fundraising campaign, as we mark this pivotal date’s 80^th anniversary in June. Charity partnerships, such as the Burghead Boxing Day Swim 2023 are a fantastic way to raise vital funds and awareness for our Veterans. With the summer months arriving, keep an eye out for the Erskine gazebo at outdoor events such as Forres Highland Games in July!

For any Veterans interested in visiting EVAC North, they can contact debra.dickson@erskine.org.uk for more information.

Why are you part of Moray Chamber of Commerce?
Being part of the Moray Chamber of Commerce gives Erskine the opportunity to reach your member organisations, who are interested in hearing more about our Activity Centre in Forres. Perhaps they have employees, who are Veterans and would like to access our services, or they are interested in supporting Erskine locally, through our various fundraising and volunteer opportunities.

What are you most proud of?
Erskine are proud to have cared for over 105,000 Veterans since 1916! We are also very proud to be opening EVAC in Forres this year and aiming to fill an unmet support gap for Veterans across Moray and beyond.

Finally, name one misconception that people have about your business.
Many people still refer to us as “Erskine Hospital”. We originally opened in October 1916 as “The Princess Louise Scottish Hospital for Limbless Soldiers and Sailors”. Erskine was initially envisioned for WW1 Veterans but has evolved throughout the decades into a modern institution.

Today, we provide unrivalled support to Veterans in Scotland, through care homes, and a Veterans Village in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, comprising of 44 cottages, an Activity Centre, five Assisted Living Apartments and 24 Transitional Supported Apartments. Our new Activity Centre in Forres is the next chapter in our story.

Michael Parkes
Fundraising & Development Manager North (Based in Buckie)
M: 07899 066228
E: michael.parkes@erskine.org.uk

Erskine Veterans Charity
The Erskine Home, Erskine Veterans Village
Bishopton, PA7 5PU