Armastice Brunch

Colleagues who work with veterans across Derbyshire came together at the Nuclear Skills Academy at Rolls Royce last week to honour and remember the sacrifices of our armed forces community. Colleagues from Derbyshire Police, Rolls Royce, The University of Derby, Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, Derbyshire Community Foundation Trust, with representatives from Derbyshire Cadet Force, Veterans charities and Op Courage also in attendance.

Dr Bex Bennett spoke to thosse in attendance about the importance of Service and an extract from the speech can be found below:

"I wanted to take a moment to focus on service. Many of us here understand what it is like to serve.

Some here have chosen to serve through our armed forces, answering a call to protect and defend, often far from home and loved ones. They have stood ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, facing hardships and dangers to safeguard the freedoms we hold dear.

This commitment to service doesn’t end when the uniform is hung up; for many, it becomes a lifelong dedication that carries over into civilian life.

Some veterans have chosen to continue to serve by stepping into careers in healthcare, bringing their strength, compassion, and resilience to the care of others. This devotion reminds us that service is more than a moment; it’s the unwavering impulse to stand up for others, to contribute, and to make sacrifices. To make a difference.

However, that commitment can sometimes bring additional risks. Careers in healthcare can lead to re-traumatization, burnout, and moral injury, as veterans must balance the weight of previous military experiences with the intense demands of the UK healthcare system."

This is one of the many reasons Gemma Saunders and I decided to launch Sisters in Service and alongside a poignant service, we were able to further advocate for the needs of female veterans across the region.