NSFT’s support for female veterans is model of best practice in national toolkit
NSFT's support for female veterans has been featured as a case study of best practice in a new national toolkit.
The toolkit is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and was launched by the Female Veterans Transformation Programme (FVTP) earlier this month. It provides services and businesses with resources to help raise awareness of the specific needs of female veterans, and how organisations can both better recognise and support them.
Vicki Bailey, Veterans Clinical Nurse Specialist at NSFT Veterans Integrated Service, was asked to include her experience of setting up the first female veteran support group in the country in the hope other organisations will be empowered and inspired by it.
Vicki said: "I am over the moon the FVTP asked me to contribute to this important piece of work. When I started researching military health in 2016, there was no female focused veteran support, so to now have a toolkit which will be shared with organisations nationally is a massive step forward.
"The toolkit will help organisations better understand the needs of female veterans and help provide safe spaces for them."
Anthony Deery, Chief Nurse at NSFT, said: "Vicki has worked incredibly hard to provide support to female veterans across Norfolk and Suffolk. The fact that work is now being shared as an example of best practice nationally is not only testament to Vicki's dedication and passion, but it also reflects the improvements NSFT is making to provide safer, kinder and better services."
Vicki will be introducing the new toolkit to NSFT's Veteran Champion's Training and is also planning to roll it out more widely across the Trust.
To find out more about NSFT's Female Military Veterans Group, please email vicki.bailey@nsft.nhs.uk The group meets virtually on the first Monday of the month.