NORTH Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has become one of 47 North West employers to gain a silver award in recognition of its support to the Armed Forces.

The Trust received the award under the MoD’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), which rewards employers who support Defence People objectives and encourage others.

The Employer Recognition Scheme uses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces’ community,

An example of one of the actions taken that has supported this is increasing the leave it allows reservists to take from five days to 10.

Teresa Griffiths CBE ARRC, chair of the Armed Forces Working Group at NCIC, said: “I am thrilled that we have been awarded silver status of the Defence Employment Recognition Scheme as it demonstrates another benchmark on NCIC’s journey to improve support to all our Armed Forces community in north Cumbria.

“The award of silver demonstrates the Trust’s increasing commitment to support our Armed Forces staff but also recognises and values the unique skills, experience and competencies that Armed Forces personnel bring to our workforce on a daily basis.

"I am incredibly grateful for the dedication, hard work and leadership of the small Armed Forces Working Group that have worked tirelessly to help us achieve this award.

” This latest accolade for veterans is one of a number for the Trust, having already been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant, Veteran Aware and Bronze Defence Employer Recognition Scheme accreditations.