We are proud to share that Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has achieved the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award. This is the Ministry of Defence’s highest honour for employers who go above and beyond in supporting the armed forces community. This includes reservists, service leavers, and their families.

This award is given to organisations which have already achieved the Silver Award, who are working to provide more support to veterans, and who are championing the recognition of veterans within their policies and culture.

This is a significant achievement for us. Only around 200 organisations in the south east have reached this Gold standard. The award reflects our ambition to support everyone we help to live well.

Our support for the armed forces community is demonstrated through various work streams:

Veterans advocate

We’ve introduced a full-time veterans advocate who works within the Liaison, Diversion and Reconnect service and has helped achieve a 0% reoffending rate over 2.5 years, well below the national average of 66%, by supporting veterans in the criminal justice system. They also connect veterans with housing, benefits, mental health services, and work with partners like Operation Nova, Courage, Restore, and Fortitude to offer wider support.

Training

We are one of the small number of trusts that has made veterans awareness training mandatory, which all colleagues complete. Our veteran advocate also trains teams on an individual basis to help them understand the different needs and support a veteran may need, as well as the community support available.

Other actions

The trust offers colleagues in the reserve and adult cadet forces 10 days of extra paid leave annually to fulfil defence commitments, including training. We’ve also joined Step into Health, a pathway that helps the armed forces community access NHS careers. Automatically shortlisting ex-service personnel and their families who meet role requirements.

Receiving the award

To receive the award on behalf of the trust, Rose Waters- Service Director, Andrew Sharp -Veteran Advocate and Sonia Belsey - Quality and Performance Assistant attended an afternoon awards ceremony at the Army Air Corps Museum in Middle Wallop, Hampshire on 24 September 2025.

Rose Waters said ‘It was an honour to attend such a prestigious event on behalf of the trust and recognised for the work we do for our armed forces community.’

Presenting the awards were Nigel Atkinson ESQ, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and guest speaker was Major General M R Keating CBE, Chief of Staff Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

Sonia Belsey said ‘It was incredible to hear of the personal journeys of reservists who work within the NHS. Their commitment to serving in the armed forces is inspiring.  It’s an honour to be recognised as a trust doing all we can to support those who are part of the armed forces community.’

Andrew Sharp said “The award marks an amazing achievement for the trust. It shows that we truly values those who have served, are serving and their families. We provide 10 days’ extra leave so our reservist and cadet force adult leaders can maintain their commitment to keep this country safe.”