Scotty’s brand-new lodge for bereaved military families
When Nikki Scott set up Scotty’s Little Soldiers in 2010 following the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, the first thing she wanted to do was give bereaved military children the chance to go on a respite break. The idea occurred to her on a family holiday nine months after her husband’s death, when she saw her five-year-old son, Kai, playing in the swimming pool and smile for the first time since his daddy died. She immediately wanted to give other bereaved Forces children the same opportunity.
Thirteen years later, On Wednesday 29th March 2023, Nikki travelled down to Devon Cliffs to open our seventh Scotty lodge for bereaved military families.
Nikki with the Palin family at Scotty's new Devon Cliffs lodge
Devon Cliffs Lodge Opening
The new lodge, based at Devon Cliffs Haven, was unveiled in an opening ceremony attended by Nikki, the Palin family – who are supported by the charity – and representatives from Forces Support, who have generously funded the entire costs associated with the new lodge. The ceremony involved the cutting of a ribbon and a celebration with cake, balloons and even a special visit from Haven’s mascots!
Scotty Members Ruby and Lennon Palin with Nikki and Haven's mascots
The Importance of a Break
Scotty Breaks have become a key component of the support we offer, giving bereaved military families a chance to get away from their daily routines and make new happy memories together. Because the break is organised by Scotty’s, families naturally have conversations about their loved one who has died in a safe environment away from home.
For newly bereaved military children, Scotty’s respite breaks are often the first time they have been away without their parent. This can lead to some complicated feelings and be an emotional situation for many young people, which is why knowing Scotty’s are there can make such a positive difference.
Nikki and her daughter, Brooke, at the opening of Scotty's first lodge in 2012
The Palin Family
The Palin family, from Plymouth, have been supported by Scotty’s since 2013 and attended the opening ceremony. Cpl Mark Palin was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011, aged 33. He left behind his wife Carla and son Lennon, who was just one at the time. Their daughter, Ruby, was born a few months after his death. The Palins have benefited from a range of support from Scotty’s, including breaks away.
Lennon, who is now 13 years old, said: “To me, Scotty breaks mean having fun and enjoying yourself. Rather than being sat at home on the Xbox, we get to go out, do stuff and have a good time as a family.”
11-year-old Ruby said: “Scotty’s is really special. It’s got a special place in my heart. You know if there are other people here from Scotty’s, you can relate to them.”
Their mum Carla added: “The new lodge is amazing. You get to have some time away from life and school and work and just come away and be a family and make great memories together. That’s really important to me because Lennon and Ruby weren’t able to make any memories with their dad.”
The Palin family outside Scotty's new Devon Cliffs lodge
Scotty Break Locations
Scotty’s respite breaks take place all over the UK, with six more lodges located around UK Haven sites, including one other at Devon Cliffs, just a short walk from the brand-new lodge. Due to the number of families the charity supports, Scotty’s also provides breaks at Butlins, Alton Towers and Center Parcs.
Scotty Members Ruby and Lennon Palin with Nikki outside the lodge
Forces Support
Forces Support is a UK bereavement and veterans’ charity who have shown their dedication to Forces families by providing Scotty’s Little Soldiers with funding to cover the costs of the new lodge. They previously funded all Scotty’s respite breaks for the whole of 2021 and have continued their support by funding breaks for 100 bereaved military families each year from 2022 to 2024.
Carol Reynolds, CEO of Forces Support, said, “Forces Support are delighted to have been able to fully fund the purchase of a new lodge, based at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, on behalf of Scotty’s Little Soldiers. We hope that all the families who visit enjoy their stay and benefit from the chance to spend some quality time together making new happy memories."
The chairman and CEO of Forces Support celebrating the opening of our Devon Cliffs lodge
Scotty’s founder, Nikki:
“As soon as I saw the positive impact a holiday had on my family, I wanted to provide breaks for other bereaved Forces families. Including our new lodge at Devon Cliffs, Scotty’s now has seven holiday homes, which means more bereaved military families can have that much-needed break, spend some quality time together, have those really important conversations about their loved one and remember that it’s okay to smile. That’s what it’s all about.”
She continued: “We are so grateful to Forces Support for their incredible generosity which enables us to make a difference to the lives of children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.”
Scotty's founder, Nikki, outside the new lodge
Supporting bereaved military children
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people (0 to 25 years) who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Inspired by the experience of Army widow Nikki Scott, following the death of her husband Corporal Lee Scott in Afghanistan in 2009, the charity, which was set up in 2010, provides support and guidance to hundreds of bereaved military children and young people throughout their childhood.
Services offered to Scotty’s members include access to child bereavement support, guidance to parents and carers, personal education and learning assistance (including grants), and fun activities such as holiday respite breaks and group events. These are all designed to remind the children and young people supported by Scotty’s that they are not alone.
Scotty Members Ruby, Lennon and Kai with Haven's mascots
If you are the parent or carer of a bereaved military child or young person, click here.
If you work with bereaved children & young people, click here.
If you are a bereaved young person seeking support, click here.
