Erskine Veterans Charity is keen to hear suggestions for Forres Activity Centre
MORE than 100 people enjoyed a meet-and-greet with representatives of a charity that is converting a prominent hotel into a wellbeing centre.
Erskine Veterans Charity invited the community to an open afternoon and evening at Forres House Community Centre to meet the people behind the new Erskine Veterans Activity Centre (EVAC) in the former Victoria Hotel on Tytler Street, due to open in December.
A spokesperson confirmed both sessions went “extremely well”, attended by veterans and key stakeholders including potential members for the centre, partners and people seeking employment.
She said: “Fifteen minutes before the initial session, we had a queue of people waiting to come in!
“We introduced ourselves personally - starting on the path of being a recognised, established part of the community. The attendees were most interested in what Erskine is, what we are bringing to Forres and why.”
Following its purchase at the start of the year, Simpson Builders have been modernising The Vic’ since May, ahead of it becoming a hub of activity and support for veterans and their families.
Erskine’s spokesperson said: “When the EVAC opens, it will be totally refurbished to cater for our new members. We will have an art room, gym, therapy suite, IT suite, dining and social activities. There will also be blank canvas space which will be established with the new membership.
“The work is progressing at pace as we look forward to a soft launch in December. We will be offering taster sessions to veterans who are considering becoming members and, in the New Year, we will be arranging an official launch.”
Erskine’s engagement event at Forres House was an opportunity for the charity to gain insight into what veterans need at EVAC.
“We achieved this,” said the spokesperson. “Lots of contacts were made, business cards exchanged and, most importantly, our new neighbours placed faces to the names they have been reading about in the press!
“ERMAC Veteran Committee members gave first-hand accounts of the benefits the centre will bring and insight into the kind of activities we hope to establish.”
Erskine CEO Ian Cumming, regional service manager, Debs Dickson, and manager of the new centre, Davie Grant, also provided insight.
“People were really interested in what Erskine is bringing,” finished the spokesperson. “There was a large offering of support in terms of volunteering and partnership work.”
Erskine is running a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZZHBC27 to find out what else people would like to see at EVAC.
A fundraising firewalk is also scheduled to take place at Grant Park on Sunday, November 10 at 6pm. Visit https://www.erskine.org.uk/news/erskine-veterans-charity-firewalk-for-forres-2024 for more information.