SSAFA – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Scots called upon to come together for a cuppa in SSAFA’s Big Brew Up

Research released by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity ahead of its Big Brew Up in October encourages Scots to share a ‘wee cup of tea’ in support of the Armed Forces community.

New research commissioned by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity confirms that people in Scotland enjoy a cuppa, with 81% confirming they take a wee cup of tea.

More than half (59%) of Scottish tea drinkers agree that a cup of tea makes having hard conversations easier. But despite this, nearly a quarter of Scots (24%) say they never have a hot drink and a natter with others.

SSAFA has released the insight ahead of its Big Brew Up, taking place throughout October, which invites people in communities across the UK to come together and share a cup of tea while supporting the Armed Forces community.

A “Brew Up” is a term used across the military for coming together for a quick pause over a cup of tea, which is recognised as an important ritual among Armed Forces personnel. Most serving military personnel and veterans that have been involved in a brew up agree that they are important for morale and camaraderie during service (75%) and it makes them feel closer to home (66%).

While a Brew Up is a longstanding pillar of Armed Forces culture, nearly three quarters of Scots (74%) have had a positive experience as a result of a brew up.

Almost a third (32%) reported feeling calmer afterwards, a quarter (28%) said they felt more connected to the person they had the Brew Up with. Nearly a quarter (23%) said that the Brew Up helped them check in on the other person’s wellbeing.

It’s also backed by science, with research showing that simply holding a warm drink can unconsciously make us feel warmer towards others.

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Dan Thwaites, co-founder at Capuchin Behavioural Science, explains: “Holding a cup of tea can create what psychologists call embodied cognition.

“One study by Williams and Bargh1 showed that the physical warmth of the drink can unconsciously translate into emotional warmth – which probably explains why having a cuppa makes us feel warmer towards the people we are with.”

Amy Bartlett, Head of Volunteer Operations at SSAFA, said: “In the military, the Brew Up is a morale booster and stress reliever. It strengthens bonds, particularly on deployment or after tough days.

“At SSAFA, a Brew Up is often the starting point of offering support. Our volunteers and employees build rapport by sharing a simple cuppa when they first meet a member of our Armed Forces family who needs some support. It can often help to bring people together.

“We’d love to see people across Scotland host and attend Big Brew Up events this October, raising funds to help us support serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families, so they never battle alone.”

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How to get involved

More information on hosting a Big Brew Up with friends, family, colleagues, or within a community group, is available on the SSAFA website

SSAFA honours 140 years of service with ‘memorable’ Edinburgh thanksgiving

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity recently commemorated a significant milestone marking 140 years of support to the military community with a special service held at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The event brought together over 200 attendees from across the military, civic, and charity sectors to honour SSAFA’s enduring support for the military community since 1885.

The service was a blend of music, reflection, and gratitude. The congregation was welcomed with stirring performances by The King’s Own Scottish Borderers Pipes and Drums and Duncan Ferguson, Organist and Master of Music at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Reverend Nicki McNelly, SSAFA Chair for Edinburgh & the Lothians, opened the ceremony, with prayers and a sermon delivered by Rev Dr David Coulter.

A heartfelt address from SSAFA’s National Chair, Air Marshal Sir Simon Bollom, underscored the charity’s historic and ongoing impact. Sir Simon later led an Act of Dedication, reaffirming SSAFA’s commitment to its mission.

Musical highlights included performances from the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Edinburgh and Rosyth Military Wives Choirs, and a rousing rendition of Highland Cathedral which, according to one guest, “sent shivers down my spine.”

A particularly touching moment came with a poem reading by Anya Rose McNelly, followed by a spirited performance by the Queen Victoria School’s Pipes, Drums and Dancers.

The event concluded with a full ensemble performance of the SSAFA March, a fitting tribute to the charity’s legacy and community spirit.

Feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive. ‘It was truly a memorable and emotional event to mark our 140th,’ said Sir Simon Bollom.

A representative from the City of Edinburgh Council added, “It was terrific and it was great to be part of the celebrations.”

SSAFA extends heartfelt thanks to all participants, performers, and guests who made the event a success — a powerful reflection of 140 years of steadfast support for those who serve, have served and will serve.

Free tickets available for service marking 140 years of SSAFA

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been commemorating its 140^th year throughout 2025, with a service set for Edinburgh at 2pm on Saturday, 31 May, at St Mary’s Episcopal Church.

The charity was founded in 1885 after The Times published a letter from Major – later Colonel Sir – James Gildea, asking the public to support the wives, widows and children of soldiers and sailors who were killed, injured or rendered incapacitated through service to Queen and Country.

This, effectively, was the foundation stone of what became the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Families’ Association, which in 1919 added Airmen to its title, becoming later SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The event at St Mary’s Episcopal Church will recognise the contributions made by SSAFA’s volunteers and supporters for the past 140 years. It begins at 2pm on Saturday, 31 May, with several special performances throughout.

Performers include pipers, drummers and dancers from Queen Victoria School, The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Pipes and Drums, and the Edinburgh Military Wives Choir.

Sandra Millar, Corporate and Special Events Officer, Scotland at SSAFA, commented: “We hope to welcome as many people as possible to the service in May to show our collective support for the Armed Forces community.

“The event will recognise the efforts of SSAFA’s employees and volunteers, past and present, who provide practical and emotional support to serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families across Scotland and beyond.”

It is free to attend, however guests are encouraged to register their attendance by visiting: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us/events/community/ssafa-140-cathedral-service/

SSAFA has been working for the whole UK Armed Forces community for 140 years, since 1885. Its mission is simple: to reach and embrace the Armed Forces family, so they never battle alone.

SSAFA attends The Great Escaper première in Edinburgh

Based on the incredible, and poignant, true story of British World War II Royal Navy veteran Bernard Jordan – played by Sir Michael Caine – who in June 2014 “broke out” of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in Normandy, The Great Escaper has been released at the cinema.

Ahead of the general release, several premières have taken place around the country – including in Scotland – and volunteers from the Edinburgh & The Lothians Branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity attended the screening by Edinburgh’s Army at The Fringe.

SSAFA Caseworkers Fran Good and Mags Granger, and Branch Chairman Walter Gallacher, were moved by the film, which co-stars the late Glenda Jackson in her last role as Bernard’s wife Irene.

No spoilers, but some thoughts on the film from SSAFA volunteers:

Mags commented that the film: “… is a humorous but moving reminder that life is more than the person you see in front of you.

“It really is a must-see film for all those who care passionately about others and the role we play in extending a hand of support and friendship to those who need us most.”

Walter added: “It’s as if the film was made for SSAFA and similar organisations and the people who work for us and volunteer with us and for all those we help.”

The Great Escaper – directed by Oliver Parker, whose credits include various adaptations of Oscar Wilde works, Johnny English Reborn, and Dad’s Army – is now on general release.

SSAFA was granted access to Oliver to interview him about the film. To watch the interview, visit vimeo.com/870713127.

Watch the full interview at ssaf.as/1z7

For more information, visit ssafa.org.uk.

The Larky Belters all set to take on Edinburgh Kiltwalk for SSAFA

An eleven-strong team based in and around Larkhall, South Lancashire is set to step off for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity on the last Kiltwalk of the 2023 season.

Wearing their finest red SSAFA T-shirts and striking red tartankilts, the team – led by former WO2 Karen Macdonald – will make their colourful way around Edinburgh on September 17.

It is not, however, Karen’s – or the Larky Belters’ – first Kiltwalk. Karen organised a smaller team for last year’s Kiltwalk and has expanded her fundraising team for 2023, which comprises her, another Karen, Fliss, Jen, Caterina, Fiona, Rosie, Sharon, Claire, Debbie, and Lisa.

Karen enjoyed a long and varied career in the Army, which she joined in 1989 with WRAC (Women’s Royal Army Corps, which became the Adjutant-General Corps in 2002).

Leaving in 2004, she served in – deep breath – the MoD, 4 Signal Group Germany, Headquarters Northern Ireland (where she was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service), 1st Battalion Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, 7 Parachute Regiment, the Army Training Regiment, and finished with 1st Bn The Highlanders in Edinburgh. She completed three operational tours in Bosnia.

Now a civil servant, Karen has been a fitness fan since joining the Army, and says: “I spend many Sundays putting in the miles encouraging others to join as feel walking is good for the soul and head space especially during these difficult times.”

“The atmosphere is tremendous, and you get to talk to so many people on the way round from all walks of life supporting their chosen charities.

“For us it’s SSAFA, which we support so proudly. The charity – it’s the UK’s oldest tri-service charity – does amazing by supporting serving military personnel and their families, older veterans, those who might need some help with their mental wellbeing, as well as its transitional mentoring for service leavers.

“All of these aspects are so important to individuals and their families, and really, it’s like SSAFA’s part of your family, always there to support you.”

The Larky Belters enthusiasm for and belief in SSAFA is perhaps all the more remarkable as Karen is the only member of this year’s team with personal military service.

Karen concludes: “So, if you see us on the 17th in Edinburgh, give us a wave and if you can’t make it to the Kiltwalk, then drop us a donation so that SSAFA can carry on its life-changing and sometimes life-saving work, just as it has since 1885.”

Donations can be made to the Larky Belters at justgiving.com/fundraising/karen-macdonald.

For more information, visit ssafa.org.uk.

Film addressing stigma of mental health in Scotland’s Armed Forces community premiered at Holyrood

‘These people are going to bend over backwards to get you to the point where you can stand straight and walk down the road with a bit of pride in yourself again’

On Tuesday (March 21), Glasgow’s Helping Heroes (GHH) of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity held an event – sponsored by Paul Sweeney MSP – in the Scottish Parliament.

The event celebrated the unique holistic service GHH, which a two-year long independent service evaluation, funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) and conducted by the University of Stirling, identified as “vital” and “life changing” to Glasgow’s Armed Forces community.

The report found that GHH produced a Social Return On Investment (SROI) of £6.63 for every £1 spent during the evaluation period.

As the evaluation was conducted during the Covid pandemic, and included the multiple lockdowns where several of the measures in SROI generation such as employment and housing were effectively shut for all of society, the researchers estimate that in “normal circumstances” the SROI for GHH would exceed £11 for every £1 spent.

During the evening, guests heard from Paul Sweeney MSP, Chairman of SSAFA Sir Gary Coward, GHH’s Manager Rachel Tribble, and FiMT’s Chief Executive Tom McBarnett.

The highlight of the evening, however, was the launch of short film, Courage, which addresses the stigma surrounding mental health challenges for Armed Forces personnel.

The film focuses on the strength it takes to seek help and also how once a person walks through the door at GHH, they will find a team that will, as one of the beneficiaries says in the film says:

“These people are going to bend over backwards to get you to the point where you can stand straight and walk down the road with a bit of pride in yourself again.”

The film features two GHH beneficiaries, Patrick, and Joe, who were among the guests at Holyrood as well as Alan, their GHH peer support worker. Once the film ended and the audience erupted into applause, Alan was heard to say to both men how proud he was of them. The bond between them was palpable.

More than 65 guests were in attendance and the evening was hailed a success.

Scots cyclist swaps tyres for trainers as he takes on first ultramarathon

Embarking on your first ultramarathon is no mean feat, but that is just what Iain Leggat – family home in Fife, but lives in Edinburgh – is undertaking for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The son of two Armed Forces’ veterans – his father, James, was in the RAF and his mother Penny is former Nursing Officer late of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, and volunteers for SSAFA’s Fife branch – Iain will run the 36.2 miles of the coastal EnduranceLife Northumberland on February 25 starting and finishing at Bamburgh Castle.

Coincidentally, Iain turns 26 the following day, so he is hoping to give himself a bit of a birthday present by running a great time in not only his first ultramarathon, but also his first marathon following a half marathon in October 2022.

Iain, who works as a Marketing Executive for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has swapped his bike for running shoes in recent months, putting in the miles with Parkruns – including the Holyrood Parkrun just last weekend. He also trains with friends as well as with fellow members of Good Time Running Club in Edinburgh.

He is not, however, underestimating the challenge ahead of him.

Iain explained: “The blurb for EnduranceLife Northumberland states that runners will ‘… enjoy sweeping sandy beaches and rolling dunes on this striking landscape steeped in history’.

“Well, I’m not disputing that it’s a beautiful part of the world, but my focus is on doing a good run, having a brilliant time with friends, and raising a great amount for SSAFA.“

Iain has set himself a target of £360, and he is around a third of the way to his target, but he knows he can smash this.

“I want to smash this target, because of countless stories of the incredible case work that SSAFA does in Fife, across Scotland, the rest of the UK, and even the rest of the world.

“Whatever they’re facing, our Armed Forces and their families can rely on SSAFA and its personalised support to help them through it, for as long as it takes to get that person’s life back to where they want it to be.”

For more information, visit ssafa.org.uk/fife and to donate to Iain’s 36.2-mile ultramarathon, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/ileggataround.