Health & Wellbeing Education & Young People 2025
Scotty's Little Soldiers

Impact Report 2025

Scotty's Little Soldiers supports bereaved British Forces children and young people aged 0-25. In 2025, 796 children and young people were supported across three programmes: SMILES (social connection), SUPPORT (mental health) and STRIDES (education). 349 children took Scotty Breaks; 78% receiving 1:1 support improved in three or more wellbeing areas; £73,149 in grants was distributed; 3,085 care packages were sent. The Behind the Uniform campaign influenced exam board guidance affecting 2 million+ exams.

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📋About

SMILES Programme (respite breaks at 6 lodges, events, care packages, Remembrance weekend); SUPPORT Programme (1:1 bereavement support, accredited counselling, parent/carer support, advocacy); STRIDES Programme (education grants, school advocacy, teacher training, Behind the Uniform campaign); Scotty's Council (youth voice aged 12-25)

📊Key Metrics

796 bereaved British Forces children and young people supported in 2025; 75% of new members joined within 6 months of bereavement Key Metric 1
78% of children receiving 1:1 support improved in at least 3 of 5 wellbeing areas; 99% of Scotty Break families reported improved connection or communication Key Metric 2
£73,149 distributed in 329 grants; 3,085 care packages sent; Behind the Uniform campaign shaped exam board guidance for WJEC and Eduqas (2 million+ exams annually) Key Metric 3

✅Key Outcomes

  • 98% of event attendees felt stronger sense of belonging; 83% of children in 1:1 support improved coping skills; 90% of parents saw improvement in their child's communication, belonging or connection
  • Behind the Uniform campaign launched at Churchill War Rooms; Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote to Scotty's recognising campaign impact; Scottish Commissioner for Veterans called services 'invaluable'; teacher training materials published with Anglia Ruskin University
  • 15th anniversary milestone; 753-child longitudinal dataset published; 4 Scotty's Council members presented at Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research Forum; new START programme planned for 2026; ambition to support 25,000+ bereaved people by 2035

📍Geography

UK-Wide

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