DMWS collaborates with Veterans Housing Scotland and SSAFA's Glasgow's Helping Heroes to support homeless veterans. - DMWS
It can be difficult for some veterans and their families/carers to find and keep a safe place to live and thrive. With an amazing donation from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, led by Veterans Housing Scotland, Defence Medical Welfare Service and SSAFA’s Glasgow’s Helping Heroes. are proud to be coming together to provide comprehensive and coordinated services that address homelessness, tenancy sustainment, and medical welfare needs. The project will also utilise referral pathways through Op FORTITUDE, a dedicated service which helps to combat veterans’ homelessness.
Kevin Gray MM, Chief Executive of Veterans Housing Scotland, said: ‘We are very grateful for this wonderful support from the Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA). Our initiative will provide adaptable, comprehensive, and coordinated support services for vulnerable Veterans across a range of support needs. The support will enable Veterans to remain in safe housing by addressing issues affecting their tenancies, including medical welfare needs and non-clinical issues. Our collaborative approach will reduce homelessness through increased housing stability, and improved wellbeing for Veterans in Scotland, allowing them to transition to lower-level support.
The focus of our programme will be to provide comprehensive support to disabled Veterans in Scotland to sustain their tenancies, reduce the risk of homelessness, and ultimately improve their quality of life.
Dedicated VHS Visiting Officers and DMWS Welfare Officers will work together to identify and support Veterans who are on challenging and potentially chaotic housing journeys.’
DMWS Chief Executive Abby Dryden added “No veteran should be left unsupported and without a home. DMWS welcomes this fantastic opportunity to bring focused welfare support to veterans who can be struggling with many aspects alongside their housing concerns. Working in collaboration allows us to bring together expertise and greater support that can bring huge improvements in mental and physical wellbeing as well as improved living conditions for veterans in Scotland.”
Sy Harty, Interim Operations Manager SSAFA Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, said: ‘The Reducing Homelessness for Scottish Veterans project is about more than providing shelter, it’s about tackling the root causes of homelessness among veterans and delivering holistic, joined up support that restores stability, dignity, and hope for our veterans across Scotland. Made possible through the generous support of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, this project brings together Veterans Housing Scotland, SSAFA’s Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, and Defence Medical Welfare Service in a powerful collaboration to make lasting change.’
Need support?
Sometimes things can get on top of you, and it feels like nobody can help. In the military you’re trained to push on, but you don’t need to struggle alone.
To access this service, please email referrals@dmws.org.uk.
Our support is available for tri-service serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and family members/carers.
Notes to Editors:
Veterans Housing Scotland was established in 1915 to provide homes for veterans in Scotland who are disabled.
It was believed at that time, and still to this day, that the spirit of comradeship and sense of belonging in a community of like-minded people who had served their country and shared similar experiences would go a long way to providing, when needed, valuable peer support from a friendly face.
Based in Edinburgh, the charity has 635 homes across Scotland and is supporting around 1000 veterans and their families.
About Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is an independent charity providing medical welfare to those who have, and continue to, operate on the frontline. We place trained professional welfare officers in locations throughout the UK and Cyprus to deliver much-needed additional support for those who are on the clinical pathway. DMWS is committed to providing the highest level of welfare support to those in need, promoting their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Whether it is a new or pre-existing issue, our service is for anyone undergoing treatment for a health-related issue. By providing support in a range of settings, our staff are committed to promoting and preserving the health and wellbeing of those who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities. In addition, they are committed to enabling them to reach their full potential. This can speed up discharge from hospital, help patients recover more quickly, and reduce the likelihood of readmission or the need for onward referral.
DMWS has a long and proud history of supporting the military in times of need, offering expert help and advice to those affected by health-related issues. Through its comprehensive services and outstanding dedication, DMWS has become an integral part of the armed forces community, offering invaluable support to the armed forces community at their critical time of need.
More can be found out on our website at https://dmws.org.uk
Published: 6th August, 2025