SVR is a registered charity that provides high quality accommodation in registered housing support services in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow. Each year it supports around 200 ex-service men and women of all ages who are homeless or in need.

SVR first opened its doors on 1 January 1911 and, through both world wars and modern day conflicts in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, its residences have met the needs of some 60,000 ex-servicemen and women. Today, SVR provides an unrivalled level of residential accommodation where each veteran has his or her own fully furnished en suite accommodation and lives in a supportive community environment.

Army veteran Adam Powell, 22, served 3 years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) before being medically discharged. He moved to Edinburgh in January 2015 as his girlfriend was at Edinburgh University. As he had no employment or accommodation he was referred to Scottish Veterans Residences’ Whitefoord House on Edinburgh’s Canongate where, along with being housed in an en-suite room he has had specialist assistance from the Housing Support team. Adam has decided to return to full time education and intends to read Legal Services at college before undertaking a law degree. He has also been helped to find a flat and will shortly be moving out of Whitefoord House into his own tenancy in Edinburgh.

Adam said: “The help I have had at SVR has been fantastic. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the help from the staff. I would probably be working in a factory instead of embarking on a career in the law. I can’t wait to start work experience at Balfour+Manson to get an insight into working in the legal profession.”

Adam is spending time with the current Balfour+Manson trainees in the Employment, Commercial and Litigation teams during his work experience.

Robert Holland, partner and head of employment law, said: “We are delighted to welcome Adam to the firm to gain experience of the legal world. It is a real change from his previous career, and he is to be congratulated for taking this next step in his life. SVR have once again shown how valuable they are in assisting ex service personnel to get back into civilian life, and are to be commended for this initiative.”

Phil Cox, CEO, Scottish Veterans Residences, added: “It has been a pleasure to house and support Adam at Whitefoord House. He is a young veteran with enormous potential who quickly showed his drive and determination to succeed in civilian life. We are hugely grateful to Balfour+Manson for supporting Adam’s career ambitions in this important way.”