Guest Blog: A Visit to the Children's Team in Luton by Sarah Buchan
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting our Children’s Services team in Luton alongside Colonel Leona Barr-Jones (CEO East Anglia Reserve Forces and Cadets Association and Deputy Lieutenant of Bedfordshire), spending time with colleagues whose dedication, professionalism and commitment to service continue to make a real difference to the children and families they support every day.
One of the highlights of the visit was catching up with Jo, formerly of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, and Alex, who combines her role as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer and DofE Company Rep with her work in the Children's Rapid Response Team. It was wonderful to reconnect with fellow members of the Armed Forces community and hear about the diverse experiences that have shaped their careers in healthcare.
As often happens when veterans and serving personnel get together, it took no time at all before stories from military service began flowing. The shared experiences, values and sense of camaraderie that the Armed Forces instil remain strong long after leaving uniformed service. These conversations served as a reminder of the immense contribution veterans, reservists and military families make across our organisation.
The visit also provided an opportunity to meet service leads and members of the wider children's team, gaining a deeper understanding of the outstanding work they deliver. From supporting children with complex health needs to providing responsive and compassionate care when families need it most, the team’s commitment was evident throughout the day. Their professionalism, innovation and unwavering focus on improving outcomes for young people were truly inspiring.
A key theme of our discussions was how the Armed Forces Covenant works in practice. Seeing the support available to veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers and military families within our services brought to life the principles that underpin our commitment as an organisation. It demonstrated that the Covenant is far more than a statement of intent, it is embedded in the way we support our people, recognise their experiences and create opportunities for them to thrive.
Visits such as this reinforce exactly why our organisation has achieved the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. The award recognises employers that actively champion the Armed Forces community, and meeting colleagues who embody that commitment every day showcased the impact of these efforts. The experience and skills gained through military service continue to enhance our workforce and contribute positively to patient care.
Looking ahead, we discussed opportunities to strengthen these links even further. There is significant potential for mutual learning and training opportunities between healthcare teams and the Armed Forces community, allowing us to share expertise, develop new skills and build even stronger relationships. By continuing to work together, we can ensure that both our organisation and the Armed Forces community benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience that exists across both sectors.
Thank you to Jo, Alex, Gary, Jordan and every member of the Children's Team in Luton for their warm welcome and for sharing their experiences. The visit was a powerful reminder of the incredible people we have across our services and the value of maintaining strong connections with our Armed Forces community.
"Together, we continue to live the values of service, teamwork and commitment—whether in uniform or in healthcare."
