About Us

Our story begins........

Garelochhead Station Trust was established as an organisation to help ensure that veterans and their families have easy access to the services that they are entitiled to, in a warm and informal setting.
We aim to provide training, company and information to those who need it, as well as hosting a number of social events, outings and plenty of opportunities to just have a chat.

Its story began in March 2018, when Helensburgh & Lomond TSI was approached by Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust to ascertain if there was scope to redevelop the vacant train station building in Garelochhead. 
Following a number of community consultation meetings arranged from April 2018, discussions with partners, business owners, community groups and the public highlighted a gap in the accessibility of veterans' services in the area.
 During that year, much progress was made with volunteers forming the group,  KSRHT appointing an architect to draw up draft plans for the station building, and the first application for charitable status being submitted to OSCR.  Some of the trustees took part in Age Scotland training for those delivering services to veterans and their families, starting their own journeys into developing this potential.
In January 2019 KSRHT secured funding from Scottish Government through the Supporting Communities fund for a year long development worker post, and Morevain Martin was appointed in February 2019. New partnerships were established with Age Scotland; Scottish Government Cross party group for Armed Forces and veterans Community; SSAFA; Scottish War Blind; Erskine Read Centre; Help for Heroes; Legion Scotland; Service Pupil Adviser; Police, MOD and local businesses before we then went on to deliver an introduction to Argyll & Bute Armed Forces, Grey Matters and to the Community Partnership. These events resulted in new members joining the group, some from communities farther afield, but many local to Garelochhead. 
June 2019 saw negotiations begin with SPT for the lease of the station building, along with a visit with the architects to consult on the plans, and the awarding of charitable status, along with SCIO number from OSCR, opening new doors for funding and working with many organisations, from local level such as Jean's Bothy, Community First Responders and NHS teams to national established charities such as Poppy Scotland and more. 
GST are looking forward to working with more partner agencies, and helping to connect local people with community groups that suit their needs in both the short and long term future.

Working together is integral to our organisation

We have worked alongside a lot of other groups and charities, to provide services, and to integrate those existing further into our community. Some of the people who have helped to train us, and our members include:

We have many people to whom we would like to say
"Thank You!"

The list of people and organisations that we owe a debt of gratitude to grows every week.  We are only able to provide and expand our services thanks to those who support us, whether that is through volunteering, advice, information, donations, or through securing funding.  Amongst those who have been essential in our story so far, we offer our appreciation to Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust; Veterans' Foundation; the CO-OP; Scottish Government; Greggs; Baillie Gifford; Paths For All; Babcock Marine; Cycling Scotland; many Argyll & Bute council groups;  The Gibson Hall; nearly all of the businesses and community organisations in Garelochhead and  too many individuals to list here!

Brunch Clubs

We hold fortnightly brunch clubs in the Gibson Hall in Garelochhead, from 11am til 1pm on Tuesdays. 
This is in part thanks to funding secured from Greggs, and Baillie Gifford.  These days are well attended by a wide range of people from the community, and those still serving at the nearby Faslane naval base.
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