Erskine (charity) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Erskine |
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Erskine Home
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| Geography | |
| Location | Erskine, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°55′02″N 4°28′40″W / 55.9171°N 4.4777°W |
| Organisation | |
| Care system | Private |
| Funding | Charity |
| Hospital type | Veterans hospital |
| Patron | Prince Charles |
| History | |
| Founded | 1916 |
Erskine Veterans Charity is a special charity that helps people who have served in the British Armed Forces. These brave men and women are called veterans. The charity is based in Erskine, Scotland, but it helps veterans and their families all over central Scotland.
Erskine is famous for giving long-term care to veterans. This includes nursing care, help for people with dementia, and support at the end of life. They also offer short breaks for veterans and their families. The charity has care homes and a "Veterans Village." This village has 44 small houses, a place for activities, five apartments for people who need a little help, and 24 apartments for younger veterans who are leaving the military and looking for jobs or homes.
The charity started in 1916. It was first called the Princess Louise Scottish Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers. It was created because many soldiers and sailors came back from the First World War with serious injuries. People in Scotland wanted to help them. Later, its name was shortened to Erskine Hospital and then just "Erskine." Over the years, Erskine has helped British veterans from every war since. It is now the biggest place in the country that helps veterans.
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History of Erskine
During the First World War, many soldiers and sailors lost limbs. Regular hospitals struggled to care for so many injured people. It became clear that Scotland needed a special hospital just for war injuries.
A group of people in Glasgow decided to form a charity committee. Sir William Macewen, a top surgeon, strongly believed this hospital was needed. He met with Sir Thomas Dunlop, who was the Lord Provost of Glasgow. Sir Thomas was very keen on the idea.
Next, they needed to find a good place for the hospital in western Scotland. After looking at many spots, they chose Erskine. Thomas Aikman, who owned Erskine House, offered his mansion and gardens for free. This was for the war period and a year after it ended. Then, Sir John Reid, a member of the charity committee, bought the mansion and gave it to the charity. Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll agreed to be the hospital's patron. In just a few weeks, the Scottish public donated £100,000 to help set up the hospital.
Agnes Carnochan Douglas was the first head nurse at Erskine. She had worked with Sir William Macewen before. He asked her to be the Matron at Erskine House. She started on April 28, 1916. At first, patients were cared for at Culzean Castle while Erskine House was being made ready. She helped with patient care, hired staff, and worked with the War Office.
The hospital officially opened on October 10, 1916. Princess Louise herself attended the grand opening on June 6, 1917.
How Erskine Grew
Erskine's role has grown over time to meet the changing needs of veterans. It now cares for any former service members and their partners. This includes those with long-term health problems or those recovering from illness. They also offer hotel and support services for the Army's recovery center in Edinburgh.
By 1980, new departments were added. These included social work and speech therapy. The original Erskine House building needed a lot of repairs. So, it was sold to help modernize Erskine. The old building became a fancy hotel called the Earl of Mar, now known as Mar Hall. It opened in 2004.
In 2021, Erskine finished building 24 apartments on the Bishopton Estate. These are for single former service members as they return to civilian life. The apartments offer social activities, fun things to do, and training. This helps residents find full-time jobs and long-term homes.
The charity also has its own radio station, Erskine Veterans Radio.
The current leader of Erskine is Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE. He helps Erskine become even better at helping veterans across Scotland.
Erskine Home
In 2000-2001, the charity moved to two new buildings in Erskine. The Erskine Home opened in 2000. This new main building replaced the old hospital. It is located near the Erskine Bridge. This center cost £16 million. It provides nursing and dementia care for long stays and short breaks. It has 180 beds and is the charity's largest unit. Prince Charles, who supports the charity, opened the unit. He also unveiled a stone plaque to remember the opening.
Erskine Park Home
The Erskine Park Home opened in 2006. It cares for 40 residents and specializes in dementia care. It is also in a park-like area near the Erskine Bridge. The Princess Royal has always supported the charity. She also opened this unit in Erskine.
Erskine Edinburgh Home
The Erskine Edinburgh Home opened in 2001. It is in Gilmerton and can care for 40 residents. It also provides hotel rooms and support for younger service members at the British Army Personnel Recovery Centre. Other groups like Combat Stress (charitable organisation) and NHS Scotland's "Veterans 1st Point" also use this campus. This was the charity's first center outside the Erskine area. The Princess Royal also opened this home.
Erskine Glasgow Home
The Erskine Glasgow Home was opened by the Princess Royal in 2007. It was in Anniesland and had space for 46 residents. It closed in late 2022.
Homes for Veterans' Families
Erskine has also built 44 small houses for veterans and their families. These are on the old hospital grounds at Erskine. They recently finished building 5 apartments for older veterans who want to live on their own but still be close to expert staff. In 2021, Erskine completed 24 "Transitional Support Service" apartments. These are for younger veterans who need a home or job after leaving the military.
Erskine Reid Macewen Activities Centre (ERMAC)
This center first opened for training and meetings. Now, it offers support through fun activities for veterans on the West Coast. It helps those who feel lonely or isolated. It is in the old stable building at the charity's main office. It is named after Sir John Reid, who gave the mansion to the charity, and Sir William Macewen, the surgeon who pushed for the hospital. The building is a Category B listed building, which means it's historically important. The charity worked with Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund to fix it up. Wendy Alexander MSP officially opened it in June 2001.
Erskine Transitional Support Accommodation (ETSA)
The David Boyle Court helps veterans who are finding it hard to adjust to civilian life after serving in the military. It gives them a safe place to live for up to two years. Here, they can learn job skills, get support, enjoy Erskine's activity center (ERMAC), and meet others in similar situations.
The David Boyle Court is part of Erskine’s Veterans Village in Bishopton. It has 24 fully furnished apartments for one person. Each has a living area, kitchen, bedroom, and a bathroom. There are also four apartments that are easy for everyone to use. The new building has two shared spaces for training, one-on-one talks, and learning new skills. One of these spaces can also be used as a cinema room.
Erskine Veterans Activities Centre - North (EVAC North)
To help veterans live well in their communities across Scotland, Erskine is opening more activity centers like ERMAC. EVAC North will start helping veterans in Morayshire, from a place in Forres.
How Erskine Gets Money
Erskine is a charity first and foremost. Local councils help pay for some of the costs of caring for older citizens. However, Erskine needs to raise about £10 million each year. This money helps them provide excellent care, support, and fun activities for veterans. The charity raises this money on its own. It does not get money from the Earl Haig Fund ( Poppyscotland ) or the Poppy Appeal.
Erskine has many fundraising events throughout the year. In 2017, Civil Society Magazine said Erskine was Scotland's best fundraising charity. About 92% of the money they spend goes directly to care or care support. The charity hosts many events, like an annual motorbike gathering and a Military Ball. Veterans also enjoy daily entertainment, physical activities, and arts and crafts in "The Bunker." The charity also welcomes help from volunteers.
Artificial Limbs
After the First World War, many soldiers came back with missing limbs. At that time, Britain had to buy artificial limbs from other countries. Sir William Macewen, the chief surgeon at the hospital, thought this was unacceptable. So, they set up workshops at the hospital to make artificial limbs. Macewen also got help from a local shipbuilding company called Yarrow Shipbuilders. The company not only lent their shipyard but also had their best workers help design and build the limbs.
Macewen and Yarrows then designed a new type of artificial limb called the Erskine Artificial Limb. By December 1917, the hospital had treated 1,613 patients. Out of these, 1,126 needed a new limb. By 1920, 9,500 artificial limbs had been fitted. Most of these were made in the hospital’s own workshops.
Listed Buildings
The original hospital building is called Erskine House. It is a Category A listed building, which means it is very important historically. It is now the Mar Hall Hotel. There is also a piggery, a stables yard, and some other small buildings on the site that are also listed.
Gallery
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Erskine House, the original hospital building. It is now the Mar Hall Hotel.
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The Category B listed Piggery building and Stables yard.
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Erskine Reid McEwen Veterans Activity Centre, also a Category B listed building.
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Erskine Home Bishopton - The charity's Head Office
