Residents at the Erskine Home for Veterans in Bishopton, Scotland, celebrated the life and poetry of Robert Burns last Saturday, marking the occasion with poetry, singing and traditional Scottish food and drink.
Erskine care for over 1000 veterans each year and have been supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity for almost 10 years. In 2019 the RNRMC awarded a grant of £40,000 to help Erskine support Royal Navy and Royal Marines veterans. As well as improving the quality of life, Erskine Veterans benefit from enhanced on-site care services such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and the specialised support of not only a Dementia Nurse Consultant but an Advanced Nurse Practitioner. Access to consultants such as these is especially important for those living with complex medical needs.
Veterans also benefit from a huge programme of social and recreational activities, such as the weekend’s Burns Night celebrations.
‘Our Navy and Marines veterans all had a wonderful time’, said Gareth Toner, Erskine’s Trust Fundraising Manager.
‘Residents gathered together with staff and volunteers in ‘The Bunker’, our large recreation area and enjoyed the traditional meal of haggis, neeps and tatties along with shortbread and cranachan for dessert. There was also traditional music performed as part of the celebrations.’
