The charity Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) invested over £160,000 in the project with the support of donors including ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, BlackRock UK, The MacRobert Trust, Poppyscotland, The RAF Benevolent Fund and Trinity House Maritime Charity.

Frank Ross, Edinburgh’s Right Honourable Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost, joined residents at Whitefoord House, which provides housing support services for 85 homeless veterans, to formally open the new facilities.

They include a whole new servery area as well as upgraded decoration, flooring, furniture and fittings and the provision of a variety of seating areas and options. The new decoration includes large monochrome portraits of eight residents which will form a key feature of the dining room walls, highlighting how veterans are at the forefront of the work carried out by SVR.

The Whitefoord House dining room is used by residents three times a day and, for many, it provides a place for social interaction. The improved security that accompanies this refit will now enable 24-hour access to the space as a new, comfortable social area. 

Martin Nadin, CEO of Scottish Veterans Residences, said: “As an organisation committed to the well-being of homeless veterans, we’re pleased to have completed this latest upgrade to our facilities.

“This newly refurbished and modernised dining room is designed to appeal to the wide age range of our residents making it more suitable for individuals with mobility difficulties and those dealing with mental health issues.

“The re-design brings a more flexible approach to dining and creates a relaxing community space outside of meal times which will encourage further social interaction and better suit the overall needs of our residents.”