NHS Golden Jubilee celebrates Armed Forces Week 2025
Armed Forces Week took place from Sunday 22 June to Saturday 28 June 2025.
The week honoured and supported those in the British Armed Forces, past and present and NHS Golden Jubilee is proud to support our Armed Forces, ex-personnel, reservists, adult cadets and families through employment opportunities and our dedicated Network.
Throughout the week, we hosted a number of events to pay respects, build connections, inform and educate, with a focus on supporting our internal staff members affiliated with the Armed Forces.
Armed Forces Day Event
The Armed Forces Day event was held on Thursday 26 June in Arcoona. The session shared useful information about NHS careers, support available for Armed Forces staff and personal stories from colleagues with military backgrounds. There was also a live Q and A and time to meet and chat with others who have similar experiences.
Guests included members of the Board, the Armed Forces Talent Programme and the Armed Forces Network.
We were pleased to welcome Ed Challis from the Armed Forces Talent Programme and Matthew Sinclair, Estates Manager at NHS Golden Jubilee, who shared valuable personal and professional insights. The Q and A session that followed was open, engaging and well received.
Thank you to everyone who participated and attended!
Staff Case Studies
Matthew Sinclair, Estates manager and Royal Engineers Electrician
"I served in the Royal Engineers as an electrician for seven-and-a-half years, with deployments in the Middle East, Africa and the South Atlantic. After a short time in civilian work, I returned to the Army briefly before moving into the NHS in 2018, looking for a stable role to be closer to home after my daughter was born.
"After an open and honest interview, I was offered the role and realised it was a place where I could be myself and grow. I started as a maintenance engineer, moved into management and now work at NHS Golden Jubilee as a senior estates manager.
"The values I learned in the Army such as teamwork, reliability and discipline have transferred well to the NHS. We’re used to being part of something bigger than ourselves and pushing through challenges, and that mindset has helped me build a career here.
“I’d recommend the NHS to anyone leaving the Armed Forces. There’s a place for everyone and it really does feel like home. The work is meaningful, the support is strong and it’s a lot easier on family life too.”
Julian Isaac, Cardiac Physiologist and Royal Army Medical Corps
"I served in the Regular Army for 26 years with the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). For the first 13 years I worked as a Combat Medic, which gave me the opportunity to travel widely and take part in military operations.
"I then moved into a new phase of my career, training to become a Clinical Physiologist. Over the next 13 years I gained both academic and professional qualifications that prepared me well for a future career in the NHS.
"As a physiologist in the Army I worked in NHS hospitals that had military personnel attached to them. We worked alongside NHS colleagues day to day, which gave me a good understanding of how the NHS operated. When I left the military the NHS felt like a natural next step.
"Leaving the Army was a big personal change. Even though I’d worked closely with NHS staff during my service it felt very different once I was out, especially without the support network I’d always relied on. For the next 8 to 10 years I did agency work while my wife continued to serve in the Navy. We moved frequently, but this gave me a chance to see how different departments functioned and how staff were treated in different places.
"When I arrived at NHS Golden Jubilee I was really struck by the positive attitude within the department and how supportive the team was. That made me want to apply for a permanent position when one became available.
"My Army experience and qualifications helped me secure the job, but what really helped me settle in was applying the Army’s values and standards. They matched well with the culture already in place here. Everyone here works hard and pulls together.
"At the moment I haven’t needed much direct support as a veteran, although my wife is due to deploy soon, so that may change. If I do need support I feel confident asking for it, and my team in the physiology department have already been incredibly helpful.
“I’d absolutely recommend the NHS to other veterans. In many ways the structure and routine are similar to military life, which makes the transition easier. More specifically, I’d highly recommend NHS Golden Jubilee, it’s a genuinely supportive and rewarding place to work.”
Sandi Bern, Critical Care and Royal Navy Reservist
"I joined the Armed Forces (Royal Navy Reservists RNR) in 2021. I passed out in May 2022, completed my leadership course in 2023, and was proud to be named Top Reservist to pass out for 2022–2023. I’ve had a very positive experience as a Reservist while also working within the NHS.
"I qualified as a nurse in 2017 before joining the Armed Forces. I’d always wanted to serve and was keen to build on my skills so I joined the medical branch.
"I started working at NHS Golden Jubilee after qualifying in 2017, spending a year-and-a-half in Orthopaedics before moving into Critical Care.
"My NHS and military roles have complemented each other well. Of course, my nursing knowledge and clinical skills have transferred across, but my leadership skills, in particular, have developed both ways. The leadership experience I gained in the NHS helped me thrive in my Naval career and the training and courses I’ve completed with the Navy have helped sharpen those abilities even further.
"I’ve had strong support from my managers, which has made it easier to continue with my RNR role. We also have an Armed Forces Teams group that’s easy to access and really supportive of staff connected to the Forces.
“NHS Golden Jubilee has won awards for how it supports Armed Forces staff and, based on my own experience, I’d say it’s a fantastic place to work for anyone linked to the Armed Forces.”
Elizabeth Robbie, Senior Charge Nurse and British Army Reserve Forces Veteran
"I’m a British Army Reserve Forces veteran having served for 15 years, including an operational tour in the Middle East.
"My husband also served in the Regular Forces for 22 years. Supporting him meant moving often, which gave me opportunities to take my job to places I wouldn’t have otherwise gone. Our son is proud of our connection to the Armed Forces and that means a lot.
"I’d always wanted to work in care, but my early years were challenging. I didn’t start my nurse training until I was 27. Because of our family’s military lifestyle I’ve worked in a number of roles over the years. That gave me a broad range of experience and transferable skills that I’ve brought with me into each new post.
"I joined NHS Golden Jubilee in 2023 as a Theatre Coordinator and I now work in Cardiac Theatres as a Senior Charge Nurse. I really enjoy working here. I feel genuinely supported by my team and managers, and I’ve had great learning opportunities that have helped me continue to grow.
"My Armed Forces background has absolutely been recognised and appreciated here. Colleagues often see the value in approaching situations from a different angle, and the Armed Forces Network has been a helpful support.
“To anyone from a similar background considering a role at NHS Golden Jubilee, I’d say bring your experience with you. Everyone has something unique to offer and the skills and mindset you’ve gained will be welcomed.”
Sandie Scott, Director of Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations, NHS Golden Jubilee Armed Forces Lead
"Armed Forces Week is the ideal opportunity for us to publicly show our appreciation and support for Armed Forces personnel, veterans, reservists, their families and local cadet units.
"We are proud to have been the first NHS Scotland Board to receive the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award in 2017 and to have been successfully revalidated in 2022 during our 20th Anniversary year.
“We remain committed to continuing this important support now and in the years ahead.”
