We are proud to announce that Livewell Southwest has just been awarded Silver Employee Recognition Standard (ERS) status!
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
In order to move from Bronze ERS to Silver ERS, Livewell had to prove the following:
- Our staff included Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, Veterans and Military Spouses/Partners – the information was not previously collected, we asked for responses from staff through the bulletin and staff Facebook… we also added a form to contract emails for new starters to complete. From the feedback we received from staff we are in the process of setting up a Livewell Southwest Military Families Network.
- Review and adapt policies to ensure leave was equitable for all staff who volunteer with the military services. (As Cadet Force Adult Volunteers were in a separate policy to Reservists).
- Signed up to the Step into Health website which reaches out to personnel registered on the site and send introduction emails.
- Attend Military Tuesdays held in Plymouth.
- Provided proof that the organisation has HR policies implemented that allow for flexible working, crisis leave, and bereavement leave that support all employees.
- Made links and met with a range of military areas and are currently discussing how we can work more closely together.
- Provided proof that Livewell supports staff whose partners are deployed out of area where possible with remote working .
- Provided testimonials from our staff.
Marie Brayne, Future Workforce Manager, commented:
“Whilst completing the application to move to Silver with involvement from Veterans, Reservists and Cadet Force Volunteers we have received some wonderful feedback regarding the organisational support they have received, and we could not be more proud of our staff.”
Dawn Slater, Director of People and Professionalism and Chief Nursing Officer, said:
“We are very proud of this recognition of Livewell’s work with veterans within Plymouth and the difference we can make particularly in a military city. The staff have identified the support that Livewell provides to ensure we support our military and their families.”
