Armed Forces veterans outside of the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan - Photo taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has received the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for its outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community, as announced by Defence Minister Leo Docherty on Friday 16th July.
Representing the highest badge of honour, Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards are awarded to those that employ and support those who serve, veterans and their families.
To win an award, organisations must provide 10 extra paid days leave for Reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for veterans, Reserves, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
Organisations must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme.
Rebecca Lyon, WWL’s Director of Operations for Specialist Services and project lead said:
“We are delighted to receive the highest recognition from the Ministry of Defence, and it continues to be an honour to support our Armed Forces community in the way we at WWL do.
“To achieve this award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the whole Veteran Aware Project Team at WWL and our wider WWL family for the care and passion they provide to our Armed Forces community, and I must thank our Executive Team for their tremendous support in embedding the programme throughout the Trust.”
WWL’s Armed Forces Healthcare Navigator, Lesley Holding, added:
“For WWL to be accredited Gold standard in the Employer Recognition Scheme is an amazing achievement, it is such a great honour for the Trust to receive it and it has been a privilege to be involved in the Veteran Aware programme.
“Myself and the team would like to convey our gratitude to our local armed forces community and the amazing team at the Wigan Armed Forces Community HQ who have all supported the programme from its very beginning.”
Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty said:
“I would like to thank all the organisations who have proven their support for the Defence community during such unprecedented and challenging times.
“The vast range of those recognised this year demonstrates how employing the Armed Forces community makes a truly positive and beneficial impact for all employers, regardless of size, sector or location.”
Jan Cox, Regional Employer Engagement Director 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 delighted to be able to recognise the support and commitment given to the Armed Forces Covenant by employers in the region, through the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold awards. Each recipient has demonstrated the highest level of support to the Armed Forces community and we thank them for their outstanding commitment and enthusiasm.”