Former armed forces personnel and NHS organisations have been recognised for their dedication and commitment to promoting careers for ex-service people and their families in the health service.

 

The Step into Health Awards were held at a ceremony which also marked the tenth anniversary of the programme which has supported several thousand former armed forces personnel and their families into new careers in the NHS.

 

The programme has led to the NHS employing thousands of talented and dedicated people and helped them find purposeful and meaningful work, changing lives for the better through the provision of good work.

 

The ceremony at the at the House of Lords on Thursday 3 October aimed to celebrate the success of the programme so far as well as committing to the future to ensure it continues to grow and have such an important impact for the next 10 years.

 

Steve Martin of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust was presented the Outstanding Dedication Award, which celebrates a member of the armed forces community working for an NHS Organisation who has shown dedication and contributed in an exceptional way to their team or organisation’s culture.

 

Gavin Jones of Kings Facilities Management was recognised with the Step into Health Champion Award. This recognises a person who has come through Step into Health and is now advocating for the programme and doing exceptional work in their organisation in support of the armed forces community.

 

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust was recognised with the Transition Support Award as an organisation that provides exceptional support to service leavers transitioning into NHS careers.

 

The Forces-Friendly Employer Award for an NHS organisation that has excelled in creating a supportive environment for NHS employees from the armed forces community was presented to Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation trust and Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS trust.

 

Mr Martin, who is a Strategic Partnerships Manager at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and chair of its Armed Forces Network, said:

 

“As a veteran and someone who was part of the Step into Health programme, I make it a priority to support this excellent programme. It is an honour to support our armed forces community by sharing information on the many potential careers in the NHS and providing guidance and support to them throughout their journey, including valuable placement opportunities.

 

“It can be daunting transitioning from the armed forces into another career, particularly for our military service leavers. Through Step into Health we aim to help with this by offering insight days on NHS careers, where all our NHS organisations across the county can share a wealth of information on the possible opportunities available.  We also support our veterans, reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as their families.

 

“The armed forces community have fantastic skills and leadership experience which can be used to great effect within the NHS.

 

“I am truly honoured to receive the Outstanding Dedication Award and that our United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust received the Transition Support Award. It hopefully reflects that we are an organisation that fully supports the armed forces community and their potential to forge new and lasting careers in the NHS.”

 

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said:

 

“Congratulations to all the Step into Health award winners and nominees whose efforts and contributions have been so instrumental in the programme’s success over the last decade. Their work, advocacy and dedication to supporting the armed forces community are deeply appreciated, and I personally extend my heartfelt thanks to each of them.

 

“The armed forces community brings unique and highly valuable skills into the NHS workforce and their contributions diversify and enhance our capabilities and enrich our teams, ultimately supporting good patient outcomes and reducing health inequalities through good employment.

 

“In the last ten years Step into Health has seen exceptional growth and expansion which has in turn had a remarkable impact on people’s lives. I am grateful for the continued support and advocacy from our pledged organisations, key stakeholders and partners, as together we work to reduce the potential disadvantages faced by veterans and their families.

 

“I hope that the outstanding work of Step into Health will continue to support the armed forces community, breaking down barriers to recruitment and broadening participation, in alignment with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.”

 

The Step into Health programme was set up in 2014 after the Prince of Wales – then the Duke of Cambridge – wanted to explore developing a pathway to support service personnel and their families as they move into civilian life.

 

The armed forces community the programme supports consists of British military veterans, service leavers, first degree family members, spouses, partners, reservists, and cadet force adult volunteers.

 

Finding new employment can be one of the largest challenges for ex-service personnel, and so the programme connects candidates with employers to find new opportunities in the NHS.

 

It is run by NHS Employers in collaboration with NHS England, Walking with the Wounded and The Royal Foundation. We support pledged NHS organisations across England and Wales to diversify their workforce and offer guidance on how to become more inclusive recruiters for the Armed Forces community.

 

Since its creation the programme has 166 NHS and healthcare organisations pledged, with an additional 85 expressing an interest in joining.

 

There are more than 2,250 active users registered on an on-line platform which connects individuals with NHS employers.