How to support veterans and spouses in embarking on healthcare careers through volunteering

Why Volunteer to Career for the Armed Forces Community programme?

When we consider the transition from military to civilian life, it becomes evident how challenging this shift can be for veterans and their families. Helpforce’s ‘Volunteer to Career’ initiative is more than just a programme; it's a gateway for veterans and their spouses to step into meaningful careers in the healthcare sector. By running such an initiative, we provide them with an invaluable opportunity to leverage their skills in a new domain, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging.

Moreover, volunteering offers them the chance to explore various roles within healthcare, allowing them to find their niche without the immediate pressure of employment. Examples of roles that they can undertake include supporting healthcare assistants, nurses and physiotherapists, as well as assisting in the porter, administrative and domestic departments.

The scheme also serves another vital purpose: it integrates veterans and their families into civilian communities. This integration is essential for their mental well-being as it reduces feelings of isolation and provides a support network. Regular interaction with healthcare professionals and patients helps them build relationships and understand the nuances of civilian life, making their transition smoother.

By getting involved, healthcare organisations can demonstrate their commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community through improving their health, wellbeing, and employment opportunities.

How can healthcare organisations support members of the Armed Forces community to succeed with the Volunteer to Career programme?

1. Understand their needs

Members of the Armed Forces Community embark on their careers because they want to deliver a life of service. They seek meaningful employment but, for a variety of reasons, military careers come to an end – sometimes prematurely. So fulfilling volunteering opportunities can help build confidence and provide individuals with a sense of satisfaction while making a difference to the people around them.

Make sure you take the time to engage with individuals to really understand their needs, so you can tailor their volunteering experiences. And do not be afraid to ask what support mechanisms are already in place, conscious that veterans sometimes feel reluctant to relive their personal stories. By checking what assistance is being accessed, and with their permission to contact the organisations that provide it, you can then get to know the person’s background without making them feel uncomfortable.

2. Setting the expectations clearly

It’s very important that you set clear expectations for the volunteering roles, starting from basic stuff, such as dress codes, expected time commitment and specific task requirements. Also ask what they hope to gain from the opportunity and encourage them to build short and long-term goals to work towards.

3. Having buddy systems to support the volunteers

Pairing veterans and their spouses with experienced volunteers can provide them with invaluable guidance. These buddies can offer insights into supporting patients and staff, help them navigate challenges, and provide encouragement throughout their journey. This personalised support can make a significant difference in their confidence and overall experience. In addition, you might encourage your staff to join the Armed Forces championing training courses within the NHS

4. Celebrating their success, big or small

In the military, every success is celebrated very visibly, which plays a huge part in motivating individuals to move forward. This might not always be obvious in civilian life. So, planning opportunities to celebrate volunteers and the impact that they are having will help them to feel engaged and valued.

5. Providing great choices

If you can, try to link with other neighbouring healthcare organisations to offer more volunteering opportunities. We have heard from Paul Wharton, Head of Volunteering Services at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, where his trust and the other trusts, including Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, have created a central hub to recruit volunteers. This allows them to signpost individuals to trusts that have the opportunities that suit their precise career ambitions, as well as fit in with their personal circumstances.

Conclusion:

The ‘Volunteer to Career’ programme not only benefits veterans and their families but also enhances the reputation of the provider organisations. By demonstrating the tangible outcomes and successes of participants, volunteering services can capture the attention of senior leaders within the healthcare sector and beyond. This visibility is crucial for securing additional resources and support for the programme, as Margarita Vidiella, Head of Charity and Volunteers, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, explained at the webinar: “Through this programme, we’ve had the opportunity to work closely with the Business Manager, as he supports with delivery, as well as providing updates to the Chief Nurse on the progress.”

Furthermore, increased recognition from senior leaders can lead to more collaborative opportunities between the healthcare sector and organisations supporting the Armed Forces Community. This collaboration can result in strengthened support networks for veterans and their families, ultimately leading to better career outcomes and enhanced community integration.

As we continue to support the Armed Forces Community, it's essential to recognise the power of volunteering as a transformative tool. By participating in Helpforce's Volunteer to Career programme, members of the Armed Forces Community can find meaningful careers that align with their skills and values. Helpforce invites senior leaders and organisations to join us in this mission.

To learn more please visit https://helpforce.community/our-services/building-your-workforce/volunteer-to-career-for-the-armed-forces-community