The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) provides dedicated information, advice and support to members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland.
The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) will come to an end on 30th September, and will no longer be accepting new clients. For 14 years, the service has been funded by Poppyscotland, leading a consortium of armed services charities. Through the introduction of a range of new frontline welfare services, an annual investment of £1.5M and nationwide alignment of Poppyscotland and Royal British Legion services, it has been decided with deepest regret that funding for ASAP will no longer be part of their future strategy.
All stakeholders acknowledge the enormous impact that ASAP has made since 2010 and the dedication and passion of the advisers who have been involved in supporting the armed services community through this project. Many of those advisers have armed services backgrounds themselves and have been involved since the launch of the project, they have become widely trusted and respected throughout the community, having supported around 20,000 clients and unlocked in excess of £24M in financial gains, which has transformed the lives of those serving and the veterans of our armed services and their families.
Despite the end of this service for the armed services community from Citizens Advice, normal service continues through our network of 59 bureaux across Scotland. Please continue to direct the people you work with to us with general enquiries. Organisations who are seeking to refer clients for specialised support should now direct them to Poppyscotland via 0131 550 1557 – open 8am – 8pm 7 days a week or email: info@britishlegion.org.uk
Our Chief Executive, Derek Mitchell has praised the service, saying “We regret very much that the funding for the ASAP project, delivered through our CABs along with their general work, has come to an end. Throughout the armed services community, ASAP has become respected and trusted by individuals and organisations across Scotland.
We acknowledge the long-term support of the project that was provided by our partners at Poppyscotland and hope that Royal British Legion national services will provide similar advice, support and financial gains for the most vulnerable members of the community. We are in no doubt that the entire armed services community in Scotland will share in our gratitude to the Citizens Advice bureaux managers and advisers who have devoted 14 years to supporting the veterans and serving members of our armed services community.”
Antony Baines, Executive Director of Poppyscotland and Services at Royal British Legion said “The ASAP project has been a great partnership, filling a large gap in the support for the Armed Forces community in Scotland over the past 14 years, and I look forward to both organisations working together in a new way to ensure that support is there, when needed.
Over the past 6 years, Poppyscotland and the Royal British Legion have invested millions of pounds expanding and introducing new services in Scotland, strengthening our commitment to our community in Scotland. Poppyscotland now spend over £1.5M per year providing a full range of welfare support services, including a contact centre and urgent support service available 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, an expert caseworking service supported by individual grants, an independent living advice service, an outreach service supporting the most vulnerable in our community and a specialist dementia support Admiral Nurse Service”.
Thank you for your support with this project and the opportunity to work together. We look forward to continuing to work with you to support people in our community.
Further support and advice for all veterans, serving personnel and their families can be found below:
Action on Hearing Loss Scotland
Defence Medical Welfare Service
Music in Hospitals and Care Scotland