Recognising Reservists' unique skills and ensuring they can thrive
Overview
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust provides community and mental health services across South East London, Kent and South West England, with over 4,000 staff working across diverse settings, including schools and prisons. The trust signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2018 and has included support for the Armed Forces in its values ever since.
Key benefits and outcomes
- Reservists have enhanced transferable skills gained through military training including leadership, adaptability and problem-solving.
- The trust’s efforts have been nationally recognised, earning the prestigious Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in 2022.
- By being seen as a forces-friendly employer Oxleas can recruit from a wider pool of candidates. It has also increased retention amongst Reservists.
What the organisation faced
While Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust has a strong history of supporting the Armed Forces community, embedding its commitment across a large and complex organisation came with its share of challenges.
Ensuring consistent awareness and understanding of Armed Forces support across multiple teams and services required ongoing communication and engagement.
Plus, balancing Reservist training schedules with the trust’s operational demands also required careful planning to avoid service disruptions. Additionally, providing tailored support for staff with varying military commitments had to be managed with standard HR policies, requiring flexibility and collaboration across departments.
What the organisation did
The trust meaningfully supports Reservists and the wider Armed Forces community. This was formalised when Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2018, publicly pledging to support serving personnel, veterans and their families as part of the Trust’s core values and mission.
Firstly, the trust introduced supportive HR policies, including up to 10 working days of paid leave each year for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs), enabling them to fulfil essential military training and duties without compromising their NHS responsibilities.
Then in 2024, the trust established a permanent Armed Forces and Veteran co-ordinator role to ensure there is dedicated leadership to oversee the trust’s support initiatives. These support initiatives include creating a dedicated Armed Forces intranet hub, offering easy access to resources, guidance and signposting for staff.
Plus, launching an internal Armed Forces Community and Allies sub-network, which provides a platform for peer connection, support and sharing of Armed Forces-related news, updates and opportunities across the trust.
To support their goal of ensuring that they continually raise awareness of the Armed Forces community the trust actively celebrates national recognition events such as Armed Forces Week and Reserves Day, including hosting storytelling sessions where Reservists share their military experiences and inspiring colleagues across departments.
"Balancing NHS and military commitments can be a challenge, but at Oxleas, it’s always been a collaborative conversation. As long as I flag my Reserve training dates early, my manager works with me to make it happen. It’s a culture of ‘how can we make this work,’ rather than putting up barriers." Dan Gray, IT Delivery Officer at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and Reservist.
Results and benefits
The proactive steps taken by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust to support Reservists and the Armed Forces community have delivered significant and positive outcomes for both staff and the organisation.
- The trust’s ongoing commitment was nationally recognised when it received the prestigious Gold Employer Recognition Award in 2022, highlighting Oxleas as a leading employer in supporting the Armed Forces community.
- Staff members like Dan Gray, who balances his role as an IT delivery officer with his duties as an Army Reservist, have openly shared how the trust’s support enables him to effectively manage both military commitments and NHS responsibilities. This practical backing boosts morale and improves retention among Reservists.
- The presence of a dedicated Armed Forces and Veteran co-ordinator ensures that tailored and timely support is consistently available. This role plays a crucial part in offering advice to line managers and providing personalised guidance, so the trust can maintain smooth operational functioning alongside military commitments.
- Collectively, these results have strengthened staff engagement and retention, enhanced the Trust’s reputation as an Armed Forces-friendly employer, and fostered a workplace culture that values diversity, commitment, and service.
Key takeaways
- Formal commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant is only the beginning—sustained action matters.
- Having a dedicated Armed Forces lead ensures consistent support and alignment across the organisation.
- Reservists contribute more than just skills—they bring values, leadership, and a sense of duty that enhances team culture.
- Supporting Reservists is a mutually beneficial investment, both for individuals and the wider organisation.
