North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has become one of 47 North West employers to gain a silver award in recognition of its support to the Armed Forces.
The Trust has been chosen to receive the award under the MOD’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), launched to reward employers who support Defence People objectives and encourage others to show the same behaviours.
The Employer Recognition Scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces’ community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. An example of one of the actions taken that has supported this is increasing the leave it allows reservists to take from five days to 10
Teresa Griffiths CBE ARRC, chair of the Armed Forces Working Group at NCIC, said: “I am thrilled that we have been awarded silver status of the Defence Employment Recognition Scheme as it demonstrates another benchmark on NCIC’s journey to improve support to all our Armed Forces community in north Cumbria.
“The award of silver demonstrates the Trust’s increasing commitment to support our Armed Forces staff but also recognises and values the unique skills, experience and competencies that Armed Forces personnel bring to our workforce on a daily basis. I am incredibly grateful for the dedication, hard work and leadership of the small Armed Forces Working Group that have worked tirelessly to help us achieve this award.”
Colonel Mark Underhill OBE DL, Chief Executive at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NW RFCA), said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Defence we are honoured and delighted to be able to recognise the outstanding support and commitment given to the Armed Forces Covenant by businesses and organisations in the region, through the Employer Recognition Scheme awards.
“Each recipient has demonstrated not only that their support to the Covenant and the wider Armed Forces community, but also that they are prepared to support their Reservists, Service Leavers, Spouses, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Cadets in the workplace.”
This latest accolade for veterans is one of a number for the Trust, having already been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant, Veteran Aware and Bronze Defence Employer Recognition Scheme accreditations.
The Armed Forces Working Group is open to staff who identify as service veterans, are active reservists, involved in the Cadet Forces and/or are a member of the wider Armed Forces Community (partner, widow dependent). Monthly meetings are held via Teams. For more information visit the Armed Forces Working Group page.