The Erskine Veterans Charity has marked the first anniversary of its Forres based Activity Centre, Erskine Veterans Activity Centre North, with a celebration that brought together nearly 100 members.
The event had to be postponed for a week due to adverse weather, but the delay did little to dampen spirits when members were finally able to come together.
As anyone at EVAC North will tell you, no celebration is complete without cake, and the centre’s team made sure the day more than lived up to expectations.
Staff and volunteers organised games and activities throughout the day, creating a warm atmosphere filled with laughter, friendly competition, and conversation.
The anniversary marked a major milestone for a centre that has quickly become a trusted space for veterans across Moray and the wider north.
Centre Manager David Grant said the past year has been about building something genuinely special.
“Reaching our first anniversary is a huge milestone for EVAC North.
“Over the past year, we’ve built something genuinely special, a welcoming place for over 600 veterans where they can feel part of a community, take part in activities, and know there’s always someone to talk to.
“Seeing nearly 100 people come together says everything about what this centre means to our members.”
Members Committee Chair Shaun Moat said the celebration reflected the relationships built within the centre.
“The centre has become a real lifeline for so many of us.
“Today was about celebrating a year of friendships, laughs, and the support we have shared.”
He said the strength of EVAC North lies in its people.
“EVAC North is all about the people, our members, staff, and volunteers.”
The centre offers peer support, tailored wellbeing programmes, and practical activities designed to meet the unique challenges faced by veterans.
It provides a safe, welcoming environment where veterans of all ages can connect, learn new skills, and find renewed purpose after service.
For many in and around Forres, EVAC North has become more than a building, it is a community built on understanding, trust, and shared experience.
