Veterans charity Erskine has been awarded a grant of £40,000 from The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and its supporting partner Greenwich Hospital, towards the cost of providing nursing, dementia and palliative care for Royal Navy and Royal Marines Veterans at The Erskine Home, Bishopton.

The donation will allow The Erskine Home, Bishopton to deliver the best possible care to elderly Royal Navy and Royal Marines Veterans and spouses.

Erskine’s residents enjoy a high quality of life through enhanced on-site support services such as physiotherapy, access to specialist care staff like an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Dementia Nurse Consultants, and staying physically and mentally active.

Veterans also benefit from social engagement through an extensive programme of recreational activities, regular trips and outings, and the camaraderie of like-minded fellow Veterans and spouses.

Erskine has been receiving this grant since 2011.

Erskine’s Chief Executive, Ian Cumming: “Erskine is both privileged and proud to offer sector-leading care for Royal Navy and Royal Marines Veterans. In February, The Erskine Home, Bishopton was again awarded Grade 6, the highest possible grade, by the Care Inspectorate on both assessed themes. These grades recognise the improved wellbeing and social engagement that our Veterans experience. The care and support challenge, is more difficult and more important, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Erskine simply would not be in this position without our incredible supporters who help fund our on-site clinical expertise, enhanced staffing ratios and extensive recreational activities. We are hugely grateful to The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and Greenwich Hospital for their long-term commitment to helping Scotland’s brave Royal Navy and Royal Marines Veterans receive the expert care and support that they truly deserve.”

The RNRMC’s Director of Relationships and Funding, Mandy Lindley: “Having visited The Erskine Home, Bishopton in June last year I witnessed first-hand the excellent facilities and high standard of care in place. It was a great privilege to meet with Royal Navy and Royal Marines Veterans and wonderful to see that the naval humour was well and truly thriving among them! RNRMC is pleased to be able to continue to support Erskine in caring for our beneficiaries.”

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is the principal charity of the Royal Navy. The Charity exists to support sailors, marines and their families for life. Since 2007, with its funding partner Greenwich Hospital, the Charity has distributed millions of pounds annually to military charities which care for the children, families and Veterans of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. To find out more, please visit www.rnrmc.org.uk and www.grenhosp.org.uk.

By Ricky Kelly

Main writer for Renfrewshire News