Children and Young People
Armed Forces Ambassadors
Hermitage Academy
Hermitage Academy have a dedicated group of young people serve as Armed Forces Ambassadors, acting as the voice of Armed Forces young people within the school community. They help shape support for Armed Forces pupils and raise awareness among staff and peers.
The Ambassadors have represented Hermitage Academy locally and nationally at a range of events, including:-
Visit to Queen Victoria School – 24th February 2023
Orienteering Event for S2 pupils – June 2023
Armed Forces Day at Hermitage Academy – June 2023 and June 2024
In-Service Day Training – November 2023
P6/P7 Open Evening – September 2024
Forces Children Scotland Podcasts – April 2025
Met with Local Councillors to discuss their experiences of being in an AF family – 21st May 2025
Forces Friday Event – 20th June 2025
P6/P7 Open Evening – September 2025
Forces and Me Lunchtime Clubs
Forces and Me Lunchtime Clubs operate in various schools across Helensburgh and Lomond, offering a supportive space for children and young people from Armed Forces families.
The clubs are designed to support pupils who may:-
- Be experiencing a parental deployment or separation
- Be new to the school and looking to make new friends
- Want general support and to connect with others in similar situations
These clubs offer:
- A safe, welcoming space to talk with understanding adults
- Peer support — helping young people realise they’re not alone
Clubs have been held in the following schools
- Cardross Primary
- Colgrain Primary
- Garelochhead Primary
- Hermitage Academy
- Hermitage Primary
- JLB Primary
- Kilcreggan Primary
- Rhu Primary
- Rosneath Primary
- St Joseph’s Primary
Feedback from the clubs
"Lots of crafts and games."
"It makes me feel relaxed."
"She LOVES military club, thanks for making it a wonderful experience for her. "
"We have people to talk to."
"Good to talk about my family in the Navy."
"There are way more Armed Forces kids than I thought at my school."
Are you an Armed Forces young person moving to the Helensburgh area?
Relocating can be a big transition - especially for Armed Forces families. Whether this is your first move or one of many, we understand the challenges that come with settling into a new community.
To help you feel at home, local young people - many from Armed Forces families themselves - have created a series of welcome videos and leaflets. These offer a child’s perspective on what it’s like to live in Helensburgh, and they’re full of information and helpful tips.
Watch the Welcome Videos Here:-
Albatross Arts have been working with a fantastic group of children and young people from the local area on an animation project generously funded by the HMS Oardacious Submarine Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
The films created by the young participants explore the theme of building mental health resilience by confronting challenges. With a diverse mix of forces, ex-forces, and civilian children/young people from eight schools, we are incredibly proud of their achievements.
A Special Look Inside Hermitage Academy
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when new S1 pupils were unable to attend the usual Hooked on Hermitage Transition Days, students at Hermitage Academy stepped up to help.
They created a fantastic to help new pupils get a feel for the school before their first day. The video walks you through the building, introduces key areas and gives you a taste of life at Hermitage Academy from a student’s perspective.
Living in Helensburgh - A Guide for Young People
in order to provide young people living in Helensburgh with a guide to their area.
Suggestions for this content were gathered from pupils at Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh’s Forces and Me Club and young people who attended the Academy’s Armed Forces Day event.
