Berkshire Healthcare commemorates Remembrance Sunday

On Sunday 12 November 2023, our staff participated in the Service of Remembrance at Reading Minster, honouring the memory of all those who have served.

Following the service, Berkshire Healthcare laid remembrance wreaths at the Cenotaph in Reading, alongside colleagues from Royal Berkshire Hospital, in a display of unity to show mutual support and respect for the Armed Forces.

Jon Giemza-Pipe, a Veteran who works in our Op COURAGE team, and Governor Debra Allcock Tyler, who wore the medals of her father who served, represented Berkshire Healthcare at the wreath-laying, paying tribute to our Armed Forces and Veterans, and all those impacted and affected by conflict and war.

Jon Giemza-Pipe said:

“We’re honoured to be invited to take part in this event and demonstrate our unwavering support for veterans and their families, and are committed to showing compassion, respect, and dedication to the wellbeing of the people we serve.”

Our support for the armed forces

We’re committed to helping our Veterans in every way possible; caring for their mental and physical health, supporting them and their family and carers to live a healthy and happy lifestyle, and ensuring that they have equal access to any employment opportunities within our organisation.

We're part of a growing number of Trusts who have volunteered to be part of the Veteran Aware accreditation scheme to help us deliver the best possible healthcare and support to veterans and their families.

 We provide Mental Health and Wellbeing Services for Veterans through the NHSE’s Armed Forces Op COURAGE service.

We have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant showing our commitment to people from the Armed Forces and their families, ensuring that Service personnel, Veterans, and their families are not disadvantaged by their service and that special provision is considered for those who have sacrificed the most, including the injured and the bereaved.

We support our staff who are members of Reserve Forces, through flexibility around working hours, and additional leave for deployment and training commitments and Adult Cadet Volunteers

 In July 2022 we were awarded a prestigious Gold award by the MoD (Ministry of Defence) in recognition of our efforts to become an Armed Forces friendly employer and have signed up to the NHS Step into Health programme and the Armed Forces Guaranteed Interview Scheme

Find out more

Supporting veterans' healthcare (opens in new window)

Mental Health and Wellbeing Services for Veterans of the UK’s Armed Forces (Op Courage) (opens in new window)

Photo Gallery

Left to right: Dan Brooks (Berkshire Healthcare’s Armed Forces lead), Andrew Statham (Royal Berkshire Hospital), Jon Giemza-Pipe, Baxter the dog and Governor Debra Allcock Tyler.

Left to right: Governor Debra Allcock Tyler, Jon Giemza-Pipe, Baxter the dog, Andrew Statham from Royal Berkshire Hospital and Dan Brooks, Berkshire Healthcare’s Armed Forces lead.

Baxter the dog