A ROYAL Navy veteran from Helensburgh has hailed the launch of an enhanced welfare service for the local armed forces community.

The Poppyscotland charity's welfare support service will be available to former service personnel across the country, but will have a strong local focus.

The service will be provided by a team of six staff – four welfare support officers and two independent living advisers, each working in a designated geographical area.

One veteran who has already received help from Poppyscotland is Chris Fisher, who served in the Royal Navy from 1970 to 1977, and now lives in Helensburgh with his wife Julie.

Chris suffers from a progressive and degenerative disability, in which his body has been trying to form a foetal position.

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He only has the use of his left hand and his hips and knees have fused, meaning getting anywhere was impossible until Poppyscotland provided a grant for a specially adapted van which allows Chris to get out and about.

On the help he has received, Chris says: “I approached Poppyscotland and within two weeks I had a new van sitting in the driveway.

"It’s emotional because without the van, I wouldn’t have a life, I wouldn’t be able to go outside and to do what other people take for granted.

"I cannot thank Poppyscotland enough for all that they have done for me.

“It’s heartening to hear of the new Welfare Support Service that will help other veterans like me to access the right support in the right location.

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"I feel lucky to have got the support so quickly, but there are so many other veterans out there who have similarly complex needs and struggle to seek out help.

"However, the new Poppyscotland service will ensure that they have the right package of support put in place within their own community and that will make a huge difference.”

The service in Dunbartonshire will be provided by welfare support officer Fiona Deacon, while independent living adviser Mary Spence will look after Argyll and Bute.

Fiona, who covers south-west Scotland and the Borders, and served for almost 20 years in the Royal Military Police, said: “As an armed forces veteran myself, I feel very privileged to be part of this new community-based, beneficiary-focused service.

"I look forward to working in partnership with other service providers and charitable organisations to achieve the best possible results for our armed forces veterans and their families.”

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Mary, who covers Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Forth Valley, Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, said: “I am delighted to be joining Poppyscotland in my capacity as an independent living adviser, working alongside our partners to deliver person-centred services to our beneficiaries and their families.”

“In this, the 75th year since D-Day, it has never been more important or relevant to remember the sacrifices made every day by our armed forces and, as importantly, their families, and the debt we owe them.

"We are already busy with referrals and have been able to provide advice, support and financial assistance to the armed forces community across Scotland.”

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Gary Gray, the head of welfare services at Poppyscotland, said: “Poppyscotland is at the forefront of delivery of support to our armed forces community across Scotland.

"We reach out to those who have served, those still serving, and their families at times of crisis and need by offering vital, practical advice, assistance and funding.

“This is a hugely significant development for veterans across the country. The implementation of the Welfare Support Service enables us to deliver greatly enhanced support in local communities across Scotland; providing one-to-one and face-to-face support to individuals who are particularly vulnerable and have complex needs.”

To find out more information about Poppyscotland’s new Welfare Support Service, visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-help/.