Representatives from a local NHS trust recently attended a celebratory event in London after the trust became one of the first to sign up to the ‘Step into Health’ programme, which supports military veterans to gain employment in the NHS.
Last year, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) officially pledged to champion the Step into Health campaign and to value the contribution made by military service leavers and their families.
CWP service director Julia Cottier recently attended the national, public launch of Step into Health, where the Duke of Cambridge joined representatives from NHS organisations involved in the programme, its ambassadors, those employed through the programme and leaders from across health and the armed forces.
Julia said: “It was an honour to be invited to the public launch and to be thanked for signing up to the Step into Health programme.
“The programme is an incredible opportunity in which employers work with the Armed Forces Community to provide career and development opportunities within the NHS, and it was fantastic to meet the people who have found employment through this scheme.
“It’s clear that the NHS really value the transferable skills military veterans develop whilst serving and I would encourage any NHS organisation to pledge their support.”
Designed by the NHS in conjunction with The Royal Foundation and Walking with the Wounded, Step into Health first launched in 2014 and has seen a number of military veterans gain employment over the last three years.
