Erskine sets out bold six-year strategy to expand community reach as veteran needs evolve
Scotland’s leading provider of dedicated veterans’ care has unveiled a new national strategy designed to reach more former servicemen and women earlier in life at a time when other charities are reducing their physical footprint.
The Erskine Strategy 2025–2031 sets out a decisive shift towards community-based services, preventative support and geographic expansion, underpinned by a strengthened financial position and a renewed ambition to become “the most recognisable and highest social impact Veterans charity in Scotland”.
Framed by the vision of “a Scotland in which Veterans and their families thrive”, the strategy reflects significant demographic change within Scotland’s veteran population. As the generation of Second World War veterans diminishes, a growing proportion of veterans are younger, often geographically dispersed, and more likely to seek support embedded in communities rather than residential settings.
Erskine will retain its two care homes in Bishopton and Edinburgh and continue to provide 44 family cottages, retirement apartments and 23 Transitional Supported Accommodation (TSA) apartments.
However, the strategic emphasis over the next six years will be on expanding its community model, including new Erskine Veterans Activity Centres (EVACs), wider Home Support services, and enhanced outreach to veterans living in non-Erskine care homes.
Target areas for future EVAC development include Fife, Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire, Perth/Stirling and the south-west of Scotland, reflecting census data and supporter networks identifying concentrations of veteran need.
The charity estimates there are currently around 176,000 veterans living in Scotland, with more than 50,000 elderly veterans and spouses who may require care or support. Yet only a small proportion live within easy reach of Erskine’s residential facilities.
The new strategy therefore prioritises earlier intervention, tackling isolation, supporting transitions into civilian life and strengthening local networks.
Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Chief Executive of Erskine, said: “Those who serve enter into a social contract with the nation, accepting risk, separation and sacrifice on our behalf. Our duty, in return, is support. This strategy is about honouring that contract in a modern Scotland. We are ready to be bold. While others may be stepping back from physical presence, we intend to step forward, reaching more veterans, earlier, in more communities across the country.
“Our care homes will always remain a sanctuary for those who need them. But if we are serious about veterans and their families truly thriving, we must intervene to prevent crisis, reduce isolation and help shape positive futures long before residential care is required. That is what this strategy will deliver.”
The strategy also outlines potential service additions to be evaluated over the period, including veterans’ holiday and carers’ breaks, micro transitional accommodation in underserved areas, a benevolent fund to assist with unexpected post-service costs, and the possible redevelopment of estate assets to expand supported living options.
Financial sustainability remains central. In 2025, Erskine required £10m in fundraised income to sustain operations. The new strategy sets a target of at least £15m annually to underpin expanded services and national reach. Erskine is confident that public donations will help them rise to that challenge in the knowledge that for every £1 Erskine spent in 24/25, just 13.5p was used towards raising funds, 86.5p was spent on services to support Veterans.
Founded more than a century ago to care for veterans of the Great War, Erskine believes it now spends more on veterans’ services in Scotland than the next eight major UK military charities combined.
If you would like to donate to Erskine, please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk/give-support/donate-to-erskine