Poppyscotland is on the lookout for Veterans from every conflict since 1939 for an ambitious new project that will capture these precious stories in a series of interviews.
The Veterans’ Voices project, which is being funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Chancellor using LIBOR funds, will seek out veterans the length and breadth of Scotland in a bid to compile a definitive dossier of interviews to cover each and every conflict over the past 80 years.
Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland, said:
“Veterans’ Voices will be a unique resource of high-quality film archive of interviews with veterans living in Scotland of military conflict from 1939 to the present day. Our ambition is to capture as many of these personal recollections so that their stories can live on.
“We aim to have an interview with at least one veteran from every conflict where the British Armed Forces have been stationed since 1939. We also aim to have a range of veterans of different ages, backgrounds and experiences. Interviews will cover veterans’ experiences and their thoughts on remembrance.
“It is important that these stories are captured now before they can no longer be shared, ensuring greater understanding for future generations. What’s more, our research has shown that audiences are keen to understand more about recent conflicts and the experiences of our veterans.”
The Veterans will be asked the same set of questions giving a unique insight into their experiences and views at different times in history. Poppyscotland will also conduct group interviews to allow intergenerational interaction.
The completed body of work will be available to view on the charity’s learning website and made available to schools. The short video clips will help the public to develop a better understanding and engage with veterans, and have greater appreciation of more recent and less well-known conflicts.
If you are a veteran and would welcome the chance to tell your story, please contact Veterans’ Voices researcher Hannah Uttley on 07833 750 937, or at veteransvoices@poppyscotland.org.uk. While all veterans are encouraged to get in touch, it is particularly important that interviews include a real social and gender mix.
Notes to Editors
• For further information and all media enquiries, please contact David A. Findlay, PR Manager at Poppyscotland, on 079797 35611, or email at d.findlay@poppyscotland.org.uk.
• For more information on the Veterans’ Voices project, please visit the learning portal at: http://learning.poppyscotland.org.uk/announcing-veterans-voices-and-how-you-can-get-involved/.
• The hashtag for the project is #veteransvoices
• Poppyscotland provides life-changing support to the Armed Forces community. Money raised from the Scottish Poppy Appeal and Poppyscotland’s year-round fundraising enables them to deliver support to members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland by providing tailored funding and assistance. The charity also funds services in advice, employment, housing, mental health, mobility and respite. Please note that we are known as “Poppyscotland”, and not “PoppyScotland” or “Poppy Scotland”. For more information, please visit us at: www.poppyscotland.org.uk.
