ICB awarded Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award

Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board has been recognised with the Silver Award by the Ministry of Defence for their exceptional support of the Armed Forces.

The Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme (ERS) inspires employers throughout the UK to spotlight the crucial contributions made by members of the Armed Forces community.

Recognising organisations that go above and beyond in their support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families, the Silver Award is presented to those who demonstrate their commitment by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and implementing policy changes and workplace adjustments.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that acknowledges and understands that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve, ensuring that their contributions and sacrifices are respected and valued in the workplace.

Organisations align their values with the covenant and champion welfare and facilitating employment.

There is a three-tier approach of bronze, silver, and gold, and the ICB is one of only four others that have recently received the Silver Award.

Sue Harriman, Chief Executive Officer, BSW ICB, said: “We are delighted to receive the ERS Silver Award which recognises our unwavering commitment to the Armed Forces.

“As a Royal Navy veteran, I know this cohort are proven to be reliable, resilient, resourceful and committed members of our team.

“The Armed Forces community brings a unique and highly valuable set of transferable skills to the NHS, they demonstrate key values including compassion and willingness to serve others, which makes them a huge asset to us as we commission services in the area to improve health and enrich lives of the public.

“We are pleased to be able to deliver long term careers for our ex-forces colleagues and thank them for their previous service to the country.”

Hosted by Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards for the county of Wiltshire took place on Thursday 17 October at Devizes Town Hall.

Collecting the Silver Award, Dee Runciman, the ICB’s Strategic People Manager and reserve RAF mover, said: “It’s an honour to collect this award on behalf of the ICB.

“It is a testament to the efforts of everyone who has worked to ensure that our policies and practices truly reflect our dedication to the Armed Forces community.

“For me, a serving reservist who is employed by the ICB, it means being understood and supported by my employer — being able to thrive at work whilst having the confidence that my employer will support me and my family while I serve or am deployed in my military role.

“I am proud to stand alongside fellow service personnel and their families, who continue to make remarkable contributions to our communities.”

The ICB has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at supporting military personnel and their families, including active recruitment opportunities, flexible employment policies and bespoke support packages, notably Op Community.

This is an initiative which offers an easily accessible NHS single point of contact for families and carers of current and former Armed Forces personnel, offering free help and advice when looking for support with matters relating to health, care and navigating the local NHS pathways.

Sue continued: “The Silver Award is an accolade which builds on our long-standing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. We are proud to be a ‘forces friendly’ organisation and Dee is a great example of our employees being our greatest assets.”

Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire has strong military connections with the 2021 Census reporting the highest proportion of UK armed forces veterans in the South West region, with over 17,000 personnel stationed in Wiltshire.

The Armed Forces Covenant underlines the important relationship, and the mutual benefits, of organisations working together with our Armed Forces.