April 2017 - The university hosted and organised a successful series of events which focused on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and highlighting the universities commitment to fulfilling the pledges outlined in our Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. The day consisted of a morning lecture entitled:
“The impact of life events; PTSD and Complex PTSD” and the evening event was a panel discussion entitled “Alleviating Distress Following Trauma; Policy and Systems of Care”. Both events proved very popular with mixed audiences. The impact of both events has been extremely positive in helping to breakdown the stigma of PTSD within current and ex-service personnel as well as other sectors such as the emergency services and journalism.
Due to the success of the day in April 2017, the university hosted an event in March 2018 with the theme around how PTSD affects the family members of those experiencing it entitled “PTSD and The Military Family - The Lived Experience”. This was a panel discussion with guests including a married couple (husband Ex-Army with PTSD and his wife) who both detailed their experience of PTSD and how it affected family life, an academic who has conducted research with military families, an actress whose father had PTSD and how it affected her growing up and a charity who supports families experiencing PTSD.
August 2017 - we arranged and hosted a half day workshop for small veteran’s charities to give advice to them on how to fundraise and apply for grants.
October 2017 - we played host to The Rivers Centre annual Conference.
January 2018 - we co-hosted an education conference in collaboration with Glasgow Caledonian University, Veterans Scotland and S02 Transition. The purpose is to encourage all Scottish Universities and Colleges to introduce Veterans Champions into their institutions with the view of ensuring current and ex-service personnel can gain consistent information around FE/HE educational opportunities.
February 2018 – hosted the UKPTS annual conference which included workshops around military mental health issues featuring Edinburgh Napier University Academics.
July 2018 - co-hosted a full day event with UNSWIS (Universities in Support of Sick, Wounded, Injured Service Personnel). We invited those who have been medically discharged or about to be medically discharged from military service to learn about educational and employment opportunities in Universities.
November 2018 – organised and hosted a number of events at our Craiglockhart Campus to support the centenary celebration of the end of WW1.
March 2019 - hosted a talk by JJ Chalmers who is the Royal Marine who stood on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in 2010 and faced life changing injury. After rebuilding his life and competing in the Invictus Games, he now has a successful broadcasting TV career. He shared his story with staff, students and the general public.
We support the Armed Forces Day in West Lothian and Edinburgh by taking a stand to promote out activity and support of the armed forces community.