AWP is proud to be recently named a Veteran Aware Trust by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA).
To achieve the Veteran Aware status, the Trust has demonstrated its commitment to:
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ensuring that the armed forces community is treated equally, in line with the NHS's commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
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ensuring staff working in veterans’ services are highly trained to support veteran specific culture and needs.
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making veterans, reservists and service families aware of appropriate charities or NHS services beneficial to them. This includes mental health services or support with financial claims.
The Trust employs and supports veterans like Simon, who is one of AWP's Non-Executive Directors and a commander in the Royal Air Force reserves.
AWP has also signed the Armed Forces Covenant. This acknowledges the value that veterans, serving personnel, reservists and military families bring to their communities. As part of the covenant, the Trust has pledged to:
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promote itself as an armed forces-friendly organisation.
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support the employment of veterans.
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strive to support the employment of service spouses and partners.
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support AWP staff who choose to be members of the reserve forces.
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support local cadet units, either in the community or in local schools.
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actively participate in Armed Forces Day.
Simon, who served 10 years in the Royal Marines, was supported to recover by AWP. He is now employed by the Trust as a Support, Time and Recovery Worker, using his lived experience to help other people with mental health conditions to connect with others and build self-esteem and confidence.
Simon commented: “The signing of this covenant shows that the Trust is making a commitment to veterans and their families. Veterans and military personal have lots of transferable skills that would make them ideal employees for the Trust. They are diligent, hard-working and committed, and to know there are opportunities for them once they leave the services is really positive."
Sarah Jones, Deputy Director of Nursing and Quality, at AWP, said: "We are delighted to be recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust. We know that veterans can experience very traumatic situations during their careers, which can lead to mental health difficulties. However, with the right help and support they can recover and lead fulfilling lives with an alternative career.
“We consider ourselves very lucky to have Simon as part of our workforce and his contribution and dedication to helping others is admirable. We have always and will continue to support any member of staff who is a reservist by accommodating their training and deployment wherever possible and we welcome applications from any veterans and their spouses and partners of as part of our recruitment process."
