Step Into Health celebrates 10th anniversary

This year, the Step into Health programme is proud to celebrate its 10^th anniversary. In collaboration with The Royal Foundation and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Walking With The Wounded established Step into Health in 2014 after recognising the potential that the NHS had to offer regarding job opportunities for those who have served.

Launched by the now Prince of Wales, the programme has created an innovative employment pathway, unlocking numerous job opportunities within the NHS for ex-service personnel, and is the first employment pathway to guide Armed Forces veterans specifically into the NHS.

Over the past decade, Step into Health has demonstrated how organisations can benefit from the transferable skills and values that can be found in the Armed Forces community, whilst also addressing the employment barriers faced by some.

Particularly for those personnel who are wounded, injured or sick, the idea of beginning a new career after service can seem daunting and sometimes unachievable, but Step into Health aims to change that. The Step into Health programme offers tailored work experience packages to service leavers, allowing them to explore an array of career opportunities within the NHS, opening the door to careers that they may not otherwise have known were available to them.

Thanks to the dedication of all key stakeholders, the Step into Health programme has been widely successful and continues to grow. In 2017, NHS Employers took ownership of the programme, whilst WWTW and The Royal Foundation have maintained advisory roles to ensure the connection between the programme and the Armed Forces community wasn’t lost, with WWTW ISP Employment Advisors continuing to refer physically and mentally injured or socially isolated military personnel into the vital programme.

A former Army Officer, who was discharged due to PTSD joined Step into Health in 2014 and secured a position within NHS clinical support services, has described the programme as an “excellent experience, showcasing what the NHS offers professionally and personally […] The programme guides and facilitates work placements to suit you and helps find an area you’ll enjoy working in.”

Since 2014, 80% of veterans who completed a work placement through the programme have secured jobs with the NHS or enrolled in educational programmes, accessing higher education and professional training. To date, 160 organisations across the nation have pledged their support for Step into Health, and with a further 90 organisations expressing interest in the programme, it is hoped that Step into Health will continue to grow and support even more ex-service personnel into employment opportunities that are right for them, allowing them to find their place in society once again.