Posted on: 11 November 2024
This year’s Remembrance Sunday will be marked on 10 November, with Armistice Day on Monday 11 November 2024.
The day is about remembering those who never came home and supporting our staff, service user and veteran groups.
We mark Armistice Day around the UK with a two-minute silence at 11am. It is a time for us to pause and honour the service and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth armed forces.
We’re inviting everyone to gather locally and observe a two-minute silence at 11am, uniting with others across the UK to remember and reflect.
It could also mean wearing a poppy in November, before remembrance Sunday or joining others in your community for a commemorative anniversary. Or it could mean taking a moment on your own to pause and reflect.
Chief People Officer, Nick Green, has recorded a short message that you can watch below.
Marking Remembrance
This morning, CNWL had the privilege of attending a Service of Remembrance at St Pancras Hospital.
Together with Op Courage, North London NHS Trust, and local veterans, we came together to honour and remember those who served and sacrificed in conflicts around the world.
The gathering included a two-minute silence, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony. CNWL’s wreath was laid by Samara Hammond, Nurse Consultant for Deteriorating Patients, and Adam Haslam, Resuscitation Officer.
Festival of Remembrance 2024
The Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance, held at the Royal Albert Hall, is dedicated to honouring the service and sacrifices of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces community.
With Their Majesties The King and Queen in attendance, this year’s festival expressed the nation’s gratitude to veterans, serving personnel, and their families through performances and personal reflections.
Samara Hammond, a Nurse Consultant at CNWL and Reservist with the British Army, joined the event as part of the 256 Multi-Role Regiment, a medical reserve unit based in London.
You watch the Festival of Remembrance 2024 on BBC IPlayer here.
CNWL Armed Forces roadshow comes to St Pancras Hospital
The CNWL Armed Forces roadshow visited South Wing at St Pancras Hospital, ahead of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
Our Armed Forces Champions visited the rehabilitation unit and spoke with patients about their armed forces history and connections. Staff also dropped by to learn about our veteran aware work, the services available, and to sign up for training opportunities. See the photos below.
We are proud to be Veteran Aware
Earlier this year, the Trust was pleased to announce our Veteran Aware accreditation, and our plan of improvements to help support those in the armed forces community.
Our Addiction Recovery Community (ARC) in Milton Keynes are concentrating on a veteran pathway, which is working on making clinic spaces more trauma-friendly, such as removing slamming doors or stark white walls.
Part of CNWL’s Addictions services, ARC Milton Keynes (ARC-MK), work with adults at any stage of their alcohol, drug or gambling difficulties.
They also work closely with the Veterans Community Network (VCN). VCN provide one-to-one support for veterans, reservists and military families, through a network of trained peer mentors.
Dr Gillian Le Page, Service Director of the Veterans Community Network (VCN), and Emily Clare, Sector Manager at ARC Milton Keynes, shared insights on the support provided to veterans through this partnership.
Emily said: “ARC MK works in partnership with We Are With You to make sure each service has an armed forces lead, and they host a weekly webchat, alongside a national online group for veterans and their families.”
Gill continues:
“The partnership between VCN and ARC MK has led to a more accessible and effective service for veterans, including a fast-track assessment and support process. Together, we’ve worked on creative solutions for helping veterans access rehab or detox when needed. Regular monthly meetings allow both teams to discuss individuals receiving support, share advice, and ensure the right approach is taken for each case.”
Supporting the Armed Forces community
We have a dedicated webpage, which includes information about organisations who provide a range of support services for the armed forces community.
Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs
Breakfast Clubs are informal, community-based organisations that provide a supportive and welcoming environment for veterans of the armed forces.
You can find a breakfast club near you by searching on this website, including:
- Uxbridge Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
- Wimbledon (AFC Foundation) Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
- Royal Hospital Chelsea Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
- Islington Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
- Milton Keynes Armed Forces Breakfast Club
OpCOURAGE Veterans drop-in
Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.
They host a series of drop-in events for veterans at St Pancras Hospital. The drop-ins are a safe space for veterans to speak with each other and a variety of professionals, to support them to access a range of help with health and social issues. All ex-service personal are welcome.
There will also be a space where relaxing skills and games can be learned and played with fellow veterans, such as origami, chess and other board games.
The last Thursday of each month from 5pm to 7pm. Find out more on this page.
