Latest news with #theArmedForces
Daily Record
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Veterans commissioner pays a return visit to community hub in North Lanarkshire
Susie Hamilton helps raise the profile of veterans and promotes wider recognition of their skills Veterans of the Armed Forces and their family members gave a warm welcome to a special visitor to their hub in Wishaw. Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Susie Hamilton, paid a visit to the Veterans Community Lanarkshire Hub in Craigneuk on Thursday, July 24. The Commissioner's role is to engage with veterans and community organisations across Scotland and hear about any issues they are facing. An ambassador for all veterans, Susie helps to improve the lives and opportunities of those in the veterans' community living in Scotland by engaging with them and ensuring there is a focus on their experiences. She helps raise the profile of veterans, and promotes wider recognition of their skills, experience and potential, in Scotland. For example, a report Susie produced recently recommends that more staff working in welfare and financial and debt advisory services are trained to be 'veteran aware', to ensure they can provide appropriate support. Susie said: 'I've come along here today to the hub in Wishaw in my role as Veterans Commissioner to hear directly from veterans and people who support veterans. "I've been to the hub before, a couple of years ago, and it's great to come back and meet new people and others who are continuing to gain benefit from the community hub and get an update on what they are doing now. It's brilliant.' In addition to the hub, the Veterans Community Lanarkshire charity also operates a drop-in café on Fridays at Kings Church in Motherwell. Susie has first-hand experience of some of the issues that veterans can face in society, having served as a Marine Engineer in the Royal Navy herself. She was heartened to meet with people who are feeling the benefits of connecting with others at the hub. 'I heard from someone who's only just started coming along and he's getting really good support,' she continued. 'It's also about meeting friends and connecting with other members of the community. "He came for the first time a couple of weeks ago and didn't know anyone but they were all chatting away like friends, and that's kind of what these places are like - there's a common bond which can be a really powerful connection. 'Social isolation is literally a killer of people, people live shorter lives and live less well. So it's really important to make sure that people are connected. 'The ages of the veterans were from 40 upwards, but there are some families here too with young people. And it's not just men and women who are veterans, there are also widows of veterans as well, so that's really important, they are part of the veterans community too and can sometimes get left behind. There's also a bereaved parent, whose son was killed in action and he comes along. It's important that the whole community is included. 'Our Armed Forces are the last option for preserving our peace and security, particularly in times of peace that can be forgotten quite quickly, but times of peace can often change quite quickly. Public consciousness about what our veterans have done kind of goes up and down, depending on what is happening in the world. Having this kind of support that's always available is really important' The hub is situated at 59 Shieldmuir St, Wishaw. You can email info@ or phone 07840 479024 for more information.
RNZ News
21-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pope Francis death: NZ leaders including Christopher Luxon, Winston Peters, react
Pope Francis celebrates the mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces at St. Peter's square in the Vatican on 9 February 2025. Photo: AFP / Alberto Pizzoli New Zealand's political leaders have begun paying tribute to Pope Francis , the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who died on Easter Sunday. He was 88. His death comes one day after he made a public appearance in Vatican City, where he had appealed for a ceasefire in Gaza during his final speech. He had battled ill health for some weeks, having spent 38 days in Rome's Gemelli hospital between 14 February and 23 March. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Pope Francis as a "man of humility" and said his legacy "includes an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice and to interfaith dialogue". I am saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis. A man of humility, his legacy includes an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice and to interfaith dialogue. My thoughts are with Catholics and all those in New Zealand and around the world who mourn… Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand and its government joined "in mourning his loss and honour his enduring legacy of humility and compassion". On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, we extend our deepest condolences to the Holy See and the global Roman Catholic community on the passing of Pope Francis. We join in mourning his loss and honour his enduring legacy of humility and compassion. -Acting… "Throughout his papacy, he showed deep compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice, inclusion, and the dignity of every person," Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said. Very sad to hear of the passing of Pope Francis. Throughout his papacy, he showed deep compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice, inclusion, and the dignity of every person. His leadership challenged us all to build a fairer and more caring world. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark said she was "deeply saddened" to hear of the Pope's passing. Deeply saddened by news of the death of Pope Francis; respected globally for his dedication to peace & justice. He also made history as the 1st Pope from Latin America. May Pope Francis rest in peace now. @Pontifex Bishop Steve Lowe, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, also shared his condolences: "It is with a heavy heart that we bid God rest to Pope Francis whom whom the Risen Lord gently called from this life a short while ago," he said. "As Mary Magdalene and the apostles saw the Risen Lord face to face may Pope Francis now see him in His glory. "Eternal rest grant to him O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
21-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pope Francis death: NZ leaders including Chris Luxon, Winston Peters, react
Pope Francis celebrates the mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces at St. Peter's square in the Vatican on 9 February 2025. Photo: AFP / Alberto Pizzoli New Zealand's political leaders have begun paying tribute to Pope Francis , the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who died on Easter Sunday. He was 88. His death comes one day after he made a public appearance in Vatican City, where he had appealed for a ceasefire in Gaza during his final speech. He had battled ill health for some weeks, having spent 38 days in Rome's Gemelli hospital between 14 February and 23 March. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Pope Francis as a "man of humility" and said his legacy "includes an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice and to interfaith dialogue". I am saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis. A man of humility, his legacy includes an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, to social justice and to interfaith dialogue. My thoughts are with Catholics and all those in New Zealand and around the world who mourn… Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand and its government joined "in mourning his loss and honour his enduring legacy of humility and compassion". On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, we extend our deepest condolences to the Holy See and the global Roman Catholic community on the passing of Pope Francis. We join in mourning his loss and honour his enduring legacy of humility and compassion. -Acting… "Throughout his papacy, he showed deep compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice, inclusion, and the dignity of every person," Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said. Very sad to hear of the passing of Pope Francis. Throughout his papacy, he showed deep compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice, inclusion, and the dignity of every person. His leadership challenged us all to build a fairer and more caring world. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark said she was "deeply saddened" to hear of the Pope's passing. Deeply saddened by news of the death of Pope Francis; respected globally for his dedication to peace & justice. He also made history as the 1st Pope from Latin America. May Pope Francis rest in peace now. @Pontifex Bishop Steve Lowe, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, also shared his condolences: "It is with a heavy heart that we bid God rest to Pope Francis whom whom the Risen Lord gently called from this life a short while ago," he said. "As Mary Magdalene and the apostles saw the Risen Lord face to face may Pope Francis now see him in His glory. "Eternal rest grant to him O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
