Shining a spotlight on Ben this Reserves Day, Wednesday 23 June
As part of the national Armed Forces Week (Monday 21 June – Sunday 27 June) organised by the Ministry of Defence, Wednesday 23 June is dedicated to celebrating reservists.
Reservists are everywhere, but you might not know it. We are lucky enough to have an Occupational Therapist and reservist, Ben, working for us so what better opportunity than now to share a bit more about Ben and celebrate the value that reservists bring to our Trust.
Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve as part of the military.
The Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of our Armed Forces personnel and as such are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas, particularly providing capability in specialist areas such as medical and cyber.
We spoke to Ben, who said:
“I am proud to be a Veterans Mental Health Practitioner for the Midlands and East NHS Veterans Transition, Intervention and Liaison team.
“From an early age I had a strong sense of pride for my country and the sacrifices that servicemen and women made to protect our freedom left a deep impact on me. So, at 16 years of age I decided to join the regular Army as a vehicle mechanic. I experienced postings to Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom and served in 3 operational tours of Afghanistan. For the most part I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of each posting and it was an honour to serve in HM Armed Forces.
"In 2014 I decided to leave the regular Army to pursue a different challenge and favoured a more traditional family approach to a working lifestyle. Therefore, in 2015 I began the journey to become an Occupational Therapist. Whilst on this journey, I explored joining the Army reserves with my local reserve unit (214 Battery Royal Artillery) and in 2016 after a two-year break from the Army community, I re-joined as an Army reservist.
“The Army reserves helped me financially whilst undertaking a four-year full time academic course whilst also allowing me flexible opportunities to gain additional leadership, management and interpersonal skills which I have found to be a huge help in my role now as a veteran’s mental health practitioner. I am privileged that both of my employers, NHS and HM Armed Forces afford me flexibility in both of my roles.”
Ben’s manager, Lynne Davidson, West Midlands Regional Lead – Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, added:
“Reserves day presents us the opportunity to celebrate the value that having a member of the Armed Forces community can bring to our workplace. Ben has a unique set of skills and joins the team with a wealth of experience, knowledge and great banter. He is a fantastic asset to our Veterans Mental Health Team and to CWPT.”
We would also like the opportunity to remind you of our Veterans Mental Health TIL Service and the support we are able to offer to the Military Community.
Veterans Mental Health TIL Service – Midlands and East, is a partnership between the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Walking with the Wounded, and Mental Health Matters, established to achieve joined up care pathways for veterans across the Midlands and East.
Staff include veterans and civilians with a range of highly relevant and professional experience. The TIL service will provide a responsive, innovative and high-quality service-user mental health service operating as one team, delivering local care through three geographically well-placed hubs. Each Hub is attached to its nearest M.O.D. (Ministry of Defence) DCMH (Departments of Community Mental Health) for direct in-reach link for those veterans in transition, to ensure they receive the best transition possible into civilian life.
To find out more, please visit our dedicated webpage.