Saint Catherine’s is the country’s first ‘Veteran Aware’ hospice to receive a Silver Award

Saint Catherine’s is the country’s first ‘Veteran Aware’ hospice to receive a Silver Award

Saint Catherine’s has achieved Silver Award status as part of its work supporting veterans and the armed forces community.

Saint Catherine’s is currently the only hospice in the country to be granted the Silver Award for being Veteran Aware under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme.

The hospice became the first hospice in the UK to receive Veteran Aware accreditation in November 2022, when it was given the Bronze Award.

Recipients are recognised for their unwavering effort to support the forces, in their workplace and community, with services and practices that benefit veterans and armed forces families.

Michelle Muir, Clinical Quality and Safety Lead at Saint Catherine’s, said: “We are really thrilled and honoured to receive the Silver Award. It is incredibly important to us as an organisation that we recognise the needs of veterans and their loved ones. It is an important element in making sure that care is personalised for each individual. We also have many staff and volunteers who are part of the armed forces family and bring invaluable skills and experience.”

Colonel Jason Wright, Chief Executive RFCA YH said: “Veterans, reservists and adult volunteers bring a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge from their military experience, making them invaluable contributors in a workplace environment or organisational team. We are grateful for the employers committed to ensuring equal and fair opportunities for these individuals and their families.”

Saint Catherine’s has also become the first organisation in our area to be involved in the Step into Health scheme.

Step into Health is a programme which connects candidates from across the Armed Forces community with employers and new healthcare career opportunities.

It provides support and guidance to review and enhance recruitment practices, so employers are able to attract members of the Armed Forces community, benefit from the transferable skills and values they bring to the workforce.

To find out more about the schemes, go to:

www.rfca-yorkshire.org.uk/news/2024-silver-ers-recipients/

www.saintcatherines.org.uk/saint-catherines-joins-step-into-health-scheme/