Empowerment, Connection and Celebration at Female Veterans Afternoon Tea

Lothians Veterans Centre hosted a spectacular event! The room at the Royal Scots Club was vibrant from the moment guests arrived. Laughter carried across tables laid for afternoon tea, stories were exchanged over well-earned cups of tea and flutes of fizz – and something deeper was unmistakable in the atmosphere: solidarity.

Attendees were given colour-coded stickers on arrival to show whether they were Army, Navy, or Air Force and enable them to ‘find their tribe’, as well as civilians from organisations supporting veterans. In total, over 100 women (and one male Bravehound support dog) came out to celebrate and champion women who have served.

This was not simply a social gathering. It was a celebration of women who have served, a recognition of progress, and a powerful reminder that female veterans refuse to be an afterthought.

Creating Space Where It Didn’t Exist Before

Proceedings began with a piper, backed by a crowd clap-along so perfectly synchronised it could have rivalled the drum corps.

Opening the afternoon, CEO Pauline Cherrington reflected on how far things have come. When she first connected with the Centre in 2018 as a volunteer, she noticed a distinct absence.

There were very few women veterans walking through the doors. Those who did attend were often wives or partners of male veterans.

“We need to sort this out,” she remembered thinking.

From that moment, change began deliberately and quickly. The Centre introduced monthly female drop-ins, networking events and female-specific activities designed to feel welcoming and relevant.

The impact has been tangible. The number of female veterans seeking support has increased significantly. Just as importantly, the Centre has influenced other organisations to improve how they engage with women who have served.

With a small team of four staff and an army of committed volunteers and board members, the Centre continues to deliver far beyond its size — something warmly acknowledged with a round of applause.

Shifting the Narrative

The Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Susie Hamilton, delivered a powerful reflection on how women’s service has historically been viewed through a male lens, with systems not always designed with women in mind.

“That is changing,” she said. “And it’s changing because women veterans have spoken up. They’ve stepped forward, and they’ve refused to be invisible.”

Across the sector, progress is being made. There is greater recognition that women veterans may have different experiences and needs. Tailored healthcare pathways are developing. Research is growing. Organisations are reviewing their approaches to mental health, trauma-informed care, family impact and transition.

Crucially, the narrative is shifting. Women are no longer viewed as a sub-category of veteran, but as veterans in their own right — who happen to be women.

The Commissioner also celebrated the immense contribution women veterans continue to make in civilian life. Leadership, adaptability, courage, teamwork and integrity do not disappear when the uniform comes off. They are carried into businesses, charities, public service roles and communities across Scotland.

Many women have navigated environments where they were in the minority, developing empathy, emotional intelligence and solidarity in the process — qualities that are deeply needed in today’s world.

Perhaps most importantly, she reminded guests that pride in service does not depend on having had a ‘perfect’ career or an easy transition. Every individual who stepped forward to serve contributed to something bigger than themselves — and that will always matter.

Ten or fifteen years ago, a gathering like this might have felt rare, even impossible. Now, women veterans’ networks are growing, influencing policy, shaping services and lifting one another up.

We also heard from Liza Jarvis, who spoke about the Female Veterans Transformation Programme — a national commitment to improving outcomes for women who have served. She outlined how the programme is working to ensure that policy, services and support pathways properly reflect the lived experiences of female veterans, rather than retrofitting systems originally designed around male service. From healthcare access to transition support and long-term wellbeing, the programme recognises that meaningful change requires both listening and action. She also highlighted that as a devolved nation, Scotland is leading the way.

Her message was clear: transformation is not about creating separation, but about equity — ensuring women veterans are recognised, understood and supported as veterans in their own right.

Launching Groundbreaking Research: Her Service, Her Health

The afternoon also marked the launch of Her Service, Her Health, led by Alethea McHardy.

Her passion for the project was sparked by an experience in clinical practice, where she observed two very different recovery outcomes between a male and female service member following similar injuries. That moment prompted a fundamental question: are we truly designing training, roles and medical pathways to ensure the best long-term health outcomes for both men and women?

The research examines large-scale data to better understand the health outcomes of female veterans, including complex and potentially sensitive areas such as pregnancy and reproductive health following the 1990 policy change that allowed women to remain in service during pregnancy.

The scale of the work is groundbreaking. The study includes nearly 8,000 female veterans from Scotland — the largest cohort of female veterans examined in a single study anywhere in the world.

Working with NHS Scotland data (fully pseudo-anonymised), the research aims to ensure that those who serve their country receive the best possible medical treatment, both during and after service.

The project has gained international traction, with collaboration planned with the Canadian Institute of Military and Veterans Health Research later this year.

In a surprise announcement on the day, Alethea pledged further support for Lothians Veterans Centre. In May, she will walk coast-to-coast across Scotland to raise funds for the Lothians Veterans Centre, reinforcing the spirit of collective effort that defined the afternoon.

More Than Afternoon Tea

There was warmth. There was humour. There were empowered conversations over cups of tea and some stronger beverages (the blueberry gin was a smash hit).

But above all, there was community.

The Female Veterans Afternoon Tea was a reminder that progress happens because people show up — for themselves and for one another. It was about connection, shared stories and the simple but powerful truth that women who have served are not alone — and never were.