As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, NHUC has committed its support to the Armed Forces Community, as an employer, healthcare provider and system partner. This is important to us as a community benefit society and in delivering on the Social Value objectives of our strategy. We recognise our privileged position locally within our Armed Forces Communities across Hampshire & Surrey that includes locations such as Aldershot Garrison, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, RAF Odiham and Minley Barracks, as well as the many veterans who have settled in the area.
Following a six-month period of preparation by the NHUC Veterans group, we have now become accredited as an NHS Veteran Aware organisation. The programme is designed to support NHS healthcare providers understand and meet the needs of the Armed Forces Community. As part of the accreditation, NHUC has received the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award and also made improvements to recruitment and staff training and awareness. We have also joined the Career Transition Partnership to enhance our visibility to service leavers as an employer.
The process of becoming an NHS Veteran Aware organisation has been genuinely helpful in making NHUC better for our Armed Forces Community and the support from our regional Veteran Aware Lead was invaluable in this process. We look forward to continuing to deliver improvements and maintaining our accreditation. If you would like to find out more please visit www.veteranaware.nhs.uk or get in touch with us via communications@nhuc.co.uk.
Steve Clarke, Director of Governance
NHUC