Scotland’s Veterans Wellbeing Alliance Big Day Out held at Edinburgh Napier University
An event celebrating the contribution of the armed forces community was held at Edinburgh Napier University yesterday.
Scotland’s Veterans Wellbeing Alliance Big Day Out came to ENU’s historic Craiglockhart campus on Saturday 20 June and among the highlights were a welcome from Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, pipers, and a dog show run by veterans’ support charity Bravehound.
As well as music and a range of crafting activities led by Veterans Tribe Scotland, Alliance partners such as Help for Heroes, Combat Stress and Sight Scotland hosted stalls highlighting the opportunities and support available to veterans and their families.
The winners of the Alliance’s ‘My Service My Scotland’ Veterans Voices in Art competition were announced and there was also a talent competition.
The event marks the culmination of the ‘Sunray Two Six’ tour – a veteran-led tour of the Highlands and Islands designed to meet veterans where they are, sparking informal conversation, reflection and peer support.
The Big Day Out was held as part of Armed Forces Week, a national campaign to build public understanding and support for the Armed Forces community.
Scotland’s Veterans Wellbeing Alliance is led by Edinburgh Napier University, through its Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement (CMREPE).
CMREPE Director, Professor Gerri Matthews-Smith, said: “We are delighted to be hosting what promises to be a remarkable event, highlighting the extraordinary contribution of our armed forces community.
“It is also a fitting conclusion for the Sunray Two Six tour, which has proved to be a powerful veteran-led programme.”
Scotland’s Veterans Wellbeing Alliance Strategic Lead Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick said: “We are delighted that so many our partners are able to join us for this afternoon of fun.
“Everyone is welcome and I’m sure we shall identify some rising stars through our “You’ve Got Talent competition.”
Edinburgh Napier’s armed forces roots
This event bolsters Edinburgh Napier University’s strong historical links to the armed forces, which date back to Craiglockhart’s use as a military hospital during the first world war.
The site drew fame as the place where poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen first met – and visitors on Saturday can take tour of its War Poets Collection.
ENU continues to lead pioneering research into life for military personnel and veterans – including the recent evaluation of the impact achieved by the charity Bravehound.
In November, Craiglockhart also played host to a remarkable remembrance event, telling the story of the residents of the German village of Kutenholz and their effort to connect with the families of those who lost their lives there during the Second World War.
