For those who have served their country and have found themselves affected by isolation and PTSD, the Erskine Reid Macewen Activities Centre (ERMAC) in Bishopton provides a safe space. Within its walls, lives are transformed and strong friendships are made, thanks to the impactful work of Erskine Veterans Charity.

At the heart of their mission lies a commitment to combatting the social isolation often experienced by veterans. Thanks to over £190,000 in National Lottery funding, Erskine has been able to establish a sanctuary where veterans like Steve find support through mindfulness sessions, activities and holistic therapies.

Steve, a veteran who served in the Falkland war, is just one example of a veteran whose story embodies the transformative power of Erskine Veterans Charity’s work. In this blog, we hear his journey to recovery.

Steve’s Journey

Born in Dumbarton and drawn to a career in the Army, Steve served for 14 years, during this time he was deployed to the Falklands, Northern Ireland, and beyond. Like many veterans, Stevie faced challenges upon leaving the military—challenges made worse by undiagnosed PTSD and a lack of support.

Reflecting on his time serving in the Falklands, Steve said,

 “I didn’t realise till years later how it affected me. You don’t get the chance to think about things at the time as you are busy.” His words echo the experiences of many veterans who’ve been affected by PTSD and isolation long after their service has ended.

In his journey post-service, he struggled to find stable housing and had nightmares and anxiety.

“Transitioning after the Army was difficult,” he recalls. “Life was totally different.”

“There was not enough help when I left the military. It was like bye bye off you go. I had to move in with my mum and dad, which made me feel frustrated, being in my 30’s and living with my parents.”

“I first started to experience symptoms of PTSD in 2004/2005. I knew something was wrong. I was depressed, experiencing horrible nightmares – it became so bad I couldn’t go outside.”

However, Steve’s path took a hopeful turn when he encountered Erskine and the support it offered. At first, Steve was shy and didn’t talk to anyone, but soon he came out of his shell.

Through the Erskine Reid Macewen Activities Centre, Steve began his healing journey and uncovered a sense of purpose. “ERMAC was a godsend to me,” he shares. “They have helped me to do things I couldn’t have done before.”

“I enjoy the friendliness and banter. You are never alone – you all speak the same language,” he says. “I have changed as a person in the last three years and that’s down to ERMAC and myself as well.”

Through the activities centre, Steve feels he has a new sense of purpose. He became a pillar of the community, mentoring fellow veterans, contributing to the centre’s council, and even started writing a monthly newsletter for the centre.

A beacon of support and connection

The Erskine Reid Macewen Activities Centre (ERMAC) serves as more than just a physical space; it’s a lifeline for veterans grappling with the aftermath of their service. Here, they can engage in a range of meaningful activities, from talk therapy to mindfulness sessions and holistic therapies. But perhaps most importantly, they find a community—a group of individuals who understand their struggles intimately, having walked similar paths themselves.

Find out more about our funding

Erskine Veterans Charity were supported through our National Lottery Improving Lives programme, helping them support hundreds of people over three years.

Regional Manager EVAC Services, Deb Dickson said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this substantial funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.  The profound impact this incredibly generous support will have on our Activity Centre members is immeasurable. It will allow us to continue our work of ensuring that Veterans of all ages, can benefit from learning new skills and hobbies, build new support networks, and stay active in a welcoming environment.  We thank all involved who made this possible”.

Last month we announced our latest awards, find out which projects that shared in over £15m in National Lottery funding.

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