Moray commits to attract and retain armed forces personnel and veterans

WORK to address the challenges of attracting and retaining armed forces personnel and veterans to the area is under way.

Moray currently boasts a 15,000-strong armed forces community, accounting for more than 15 per cent of the population. This includes veterans, those currently serving and their dependants.

A discussion led today by Moray and Highland Council’s Armed Forces Covenant Officer, Jo Lenihan, centred on how the area can become a destination of choice for current servicemen and woman, veterans and their families.

Representatives including Community Development Officer from RAF Lossiemouth, Sarah Riley-Evans, Kinloss Barracks Staff Officer, Ruth Douglas, veterans and Moray Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Donald Gatt, came round the table to discuss key topics including education, employability, health and social care, and housing.

Cllr Donald Gatt, a Royal Air Force veteran, said making access to information on these important topics was a priority.

“Moving to a new area can be daunting, especially for current and ex-forces personnel who bring their families with them to Moray. We’re delighted to have secured funding for a Moray and Highland specific Armed Forces Covenant website, will which ensure all members of our armed forces community have up-to-date, trusted information on what really matters to them.

“We know that thousands of veterans choose to stay in Moray and Highland after completing their service; this is a wonderful place to live and we must do all we can to make sure we have the infrastructure and support in place to retain these members of the community, who bring a wealth of experience and skills to the area.”

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.