Erskine

Funded: May 2023

Blue Light Card Foundation has provided a grant to support the continuation of a successful programme of massage therapy and wellbeing sessions for social care staff at Erskine’s three care homes in Scotland

Sectors supported: social care

Erskine is Scotland’s largest Veteran charity. Established in 1916, they provide unrivalled support to Veterans in Scotland, through three care homes and a Veterans Village comprising of 44 cottages, an activities centre, five assisted living apartments and 24 transitional supported apartments. Erskine cares for nearly 1,000 residents each year and their care homes provide veterans with the companionship of like-minded people.

Massage therapy is well-recognised as having a range of benefits such as relaxation, reduced muscle tension, reduced stress, improved circulation and increased joint mobility and flexibility. Erskine has run this project since July 2022 and, following huge demand and positive feedback from staff, they will continue these sessions with the support of the Foundation.

Gareth Toner, Erskine’s trusts and foundations manager, said: “On behalf of our care home staff, thank you so much to the Blue Light Card Foundation for supporting this valuable staff wellbeing project. Erskine’s three care homes support up to 230 elderly Veterans and spouses to benefit from an excellent quality of life and a unique range of on-site enhanced care services. Erskine’s staff are hugely proud to care for veterans and it is vital that our charity supports their health and wellbeing.

The continuation of staff massage and wellbeing sessions at all three Erskine homes will have a huge positive impact upon our staff’s mental and physical wellbeing over the next six months. Many of our staff already benefit from the Blue Light Card discount service and we are thrilled to now have the support of the Foundation too – thank you again for this terrific grant.”

For more information on Erskine’s work, please visit www.erskine.org.uk/ .