Thursday 11 November 2021
We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which supports those who protect our nation, veterans, their families and service leaders.
The covenant is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.
It focuses on helping members of the armed forces community have the same support as any other citizen, spanning education, housing, starting a career, access to healthcare, financial assistance and more.
TEWV is geographically the biggest NHS Trust in the region to sign the covenant, with several military bases in our patch, including Catterick Garrison, RAF Leeming, Imphal Barracks, Strensall Barracks and many Reserves and cadet organisations.
The Trust signed the Covenant in October 2021, which is part of our commitment to involve people with the lived experience of the armed forces and their family members to develop their services.
Joanne Clare, RAF veteran and involvement volunteer, said: “Signing this Covenant means that veterans, dependants and families will now have a legitimate voice and will be listened to regarding the unique differences and difficulties that we face when transitioning and living in a civilian community. I will work hard with you and other veterans to bring our knowledge and expertise in this to tailor services to achieve positive outcomes.”
John Manson, RAF veteran and public governor at the Trust, said: “As a veteran, it is really important to me that we hear from these seldom heard voices in our communities and that the Trust works closely with members of the armed forces, their families and veterans to help develop and design the mental health services in the community.”
