External Partnerships
CMREPE-ENU work with ADES who routinely partner with, the Scottish Government on all strategic matters concerned with education, providing advice, and shaping policy. The Scottish Government, in FY 2022/2023 provided specific funding so the ADES National Education Officer acting as an SME could collect data, contribute to the ASL Action Plan, ensuring the interests of armed forces children are fully represented and assist in the delivery of the new Covenant legislation and the Selous Report “living in our Shoes”. Working together the potential for impact and change is significant.
Rallying to the Flag: A Consolidated Picture of Armed Forces Children’s Education in Scotland in 2021: Laying Foundations & Promoting Development
NHS Scotland Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick – Scottish Veterans Wellbeing Alliance - The Scottish Veterans Wellbeing Alliance provides spaces and places across Scotland where veterans and families can connect, receive, and provide support, learn new skills and benefit from activities delivered by a compassionate workforce striving to nurture relationships with all who have an interest in veterans’ health and wellbeing.
Army at the Fringe
Army at the Fringe first opened its doors in Hepburn House in August 2017 with an ambition to spark conversations about what The British Army is, and what it stands for in 21st Century society. Since then it has become a welcome addition to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, building a considerable reputation for innovative and engaging programming over the last five years.
In 2022, Army at the Fringe expanded its reach to the South of Edinburgh with the help of the Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement at Edinburgh Napier University, who facilitated the use of the War Poets Collection and the Lindsay Steward Lecture Theatre to present a concert series of chamber music made by composers during times of war, performed by members of the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
ADVANCE Network
The ADVANCE Network is the collective group of Scottish universities and colleges who have indicated they wish to be part of the network which has the aim of promoting education as a viable option to the armed forces community. ADVANCE wishes to highlight that any member of the armed forces community can consider education and will be supported to do so by the institutions who are part of the network.
The armed forces community includes current serving personnel, transitioning (from service) personnel, veterans, wives/partners of serving personnel, forces children, Wounded/ Injured/ Sick (WIS) personnel and early service leavers.
Within the ADVANCE Network each University and College has a dedicated Armed Forces Champion (AFC) within their institution. This person is responsible for establishing and leading a small team of knowledgeable individuals (familiar with the Armed Forces community).
Role of ADVANCE Network
ADVANCE is intended to be a supporting network with the Universities and Colleges as active members. Due to the extensive knowledge and practice in the field, the Network is led by the AFC’s from Glasgow Caledonian University and Edinburgh Napier University namely:
Chair: Jim Castle (JSC) james.castle@gcu.ac.uk, 0141 331 3062
Vice-Chair: Claire Biggar (CB) c.biggar@napier.ac.uk, 07971624597
Please use both Jim and Claire as points of reference for any queries you might have.
GEN DIT Network
The GEN DIT Network is a LinkedIn network allowing those from the current, ex serving community the opportunity to link in with and those from the business community who have a genuine interest in supporting the AF community.
Coaching
We have introduced a coaching service for ex-service personnel who work or study with us to help with the mental transition from military to civilian life. We have collaborated with the Community Interest Group Rock2Recovery to deliver this service. Please contact R2R Scottish Welfare Office Kenny Watson for further information.