Unforgotten Forces funding provides More Than A Journey

Thanks to funding provided by the Unforgotten Forces Consortium and The Scottish Government, we have been supporting a veteran and his two siblings who have been caring for their dependant mother, Margaret (88) as unpaid carers. Margaret was recently given a terminal diagnosis in her fight against cancer and with two heart valves no longer working properly either, there has been a significant deterioration in her mobility, which is where we have been able to help. Having taken this in her stride she refuses to let anything get her down.

Through our intelligent signposting, our CEO and team welfare specialist, Marie Crombie, arranged various meetings with the family to help signpost quickly and efficiently after Margaret’s diagnosis. Marie provided the family all the information that they needed to act quickly and giving them the empowerment to access the support that they were entitled to, but never knew existed, which saw Margaret move happily into a nearby care home where she now receives 24-hour care and support. The family can now enjoy spending quality time together and what a difference it has made on everyone’s mental wellbeing.

Margaret’s final wish before the Winter, which she understands could be her last, was a day trip to Callander to reminisce of times of old with her husband Michael and to visit the world famous Christmas Shop to buy in presents for her grandchildren and three great grandchildren. But more importantly, was showing everyone at the Care Home, her favourite Outreach Support Driver David Owens, who has been supporting her amazingly well for months, and the swanky van that picks her up because her son is a Veteran. Margaret felt like the bell of the ball being picked up yesterday and we were delighted that she had the weather for the day also.

Her daughter Trina had the following to say about Outreach Support Driver David Owens and the funding that made this possible, 

"My mum has been looking forward to this day trip for weeks and the rapport she has built with David over the past few months is so nice to see. At times you would think she prefers David to her own children, but his professionalism, his manner with her, and the way he makes our mum feel so comfortable, safe, and relaxed really is amazing. We might not get another day like this, and David really did make it More Than A Journey. We will be forever grateful to him and to the Unforgotten Forces Consortium for funding this trip."