Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the 2024 Defense Employer Recognition Scheme ERS Gold Award at the highest level in recognition of its work as an employer and advocate of the Armed Forces community.
To achieve Gold status the Trust had to show its forces-friendly credentials and values in its recruitment, support for mobilisation of colleagues who are Reservists and Cadets, along with the support it provides for patients, staff and volunteers.
As an employer, Airedale has over 30 colleagues from the Armed Forces community and has a range of policies to support both active and former members of the Armed Forces.
This includes a special leave policy to allow for 10 days paid leave, with additional unpaid leave, for Reservist and Cadet Force Volunteers for training camps.
The Trust is also currently supporting two colleagues who are going through the Reserves recruitment process.
Kathyrn Hooper, Head of Planning and Contracting and Armed Forces Lead at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said,
“Achieving the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is a great achievement for us and represents continued progress in the delivery of our plans to support the Armed Forces Community.
Supporting members of the Armed Forces community, whether serving, veterans, or reservists and their families, and recognising the valuable skills and experiences they bring both the Trust and to our local community is very important to us.
We know the value they bring and are proud to support them.”
The Trust has also supported the Armed Forces community through the work of its Armed Forces Advocate, Martin Flint-Johnson, who has created a supportive Armed Forces staff network.
Martin holds regular coffee morning sessions for colleagues and patients who are currently serving or veterans, so they can get together and share advice amongst friendly faces.
Around 15 regular Veterans from within the Trust and from the Community come along.
Martin says,
“The Trust received the Silver re-accreditation late in 2023 and to now receive the Gold accreditation demonstrates how far Airedale has come supporting the Armed Forces Community, Reserves, Cadets and staff in such a short time.
This award is testament to all the great work our Trust provides to the Armed Forces community, with only two other NHS Trusts in the West Yorkshire area achieving Gold standard.”
The 2024 ERS Gold Awards Ceremony will take place on 14 November at the Hospitium, Museum Gardens, York, aligned to the Royal Gun Salute for His Majesty King Charles III.
Certificates will be presented by HM Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and a senior military representative.
For more information on veteran support see the Trust website Armed Forces Advocate page here.
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