A Blog about the Heroes among Us

We recently reached out to our entire workforce, encouraging former military personnel to share their experiences of transitioning from military to civilian life and their current roles at Cygnet. The individuals who came forward hold diverse positions in our OT, HR, Finance, and H&S departments, demonstrating the wide range of career opportunities at Cygnet and the valuable transferable skills that military personnel bring to our organisation. Read on and enjoy the stories of Emma, Mark, Ross & Jo – just 4 of the heroes among us… 

Emma’s an Occupational Therapy Assistant based at Cygnet Appletree in Durham and she’s currently on Cygnet’s Apprentice OT pathway. 

Aged 16, Emma left school and joined Army Foundation College where she began a 6-year career as a Plumber in the Royal Engineers (part of the British Army) and completed a tour of Afghanistan in 2009.

‘’ …joining Cygnet has allowed me to showcase skills I obtained within the Military such as hard work, proactivity, robustness, prioritising, team-working, problem-solving, and attention to detail.  I take great pride in my work and each day I now gain a sense of achievement.’’

The military recognises hard work and rewards its staff. Mark was awarded a commendation for his dedicated and exemplary service. Cygnet also recognises the hard work of its employees. As Mark said,

‘’Whilst at Cygnet my hard work has been recognised and I have been awarded “Employee of the month”

Ross served in the Royal Air Force Fire and Rescue Service for 22 years, from 1991 to 2013. His career in the RAF took him worldwide; from Afghanistan to San Diego, to the Falklands and Canada.

Attaining the rank of Sergeant, Ross, unfortunately, suffered a life-changing injury which ultimately led to a medical discharge. But, in his final years and during the Resettlement period, Ross served as RAF Waddington’s Fire Safety Officer, gaining civilian-recognised fire safety qualifications through NEBOSH and Fire & Engineer professional accreditations with the Institute of Fire Prevention Officers and the Institute of Fire Engineers.

‘’I found the transition to civilian life relatively easy thanks to the work ethic and ‘can do’ outlook instilled by the military from the first day of training to my final day in uniform.’’ 

After several years in retail-based fire safety, Ross spotted the position of Fire Safety Manager here at Cygnet. Ross believed that working in a healthcare setting would provide him with the fresh challenge he was looking for. 

‘’when I made the decision to leave, I wanted to be part of an organisation that made a difference. ‘’

Jo currently works in Cygnet’s Central Function team as an HR Business Partner.  In her role, she supports several sites with any employment-related issues and also helps manage activities such as training and development, retention, and performance management. 

Jo was able to transfer her certifications and qualifications in Leadership and Management, Education and Training, and complete her CIPD Level 5 diploma in HR Management.  

‘’My time in the forces helped me develop as an individual and I was able to use the skills that I learned, such as making assertive decisions under time constraints, being able to communicate with different stakeholders, and adapt to different environments. ‘’

We now want to work towards our Silver Award by resurrecting our Veterans Network and re-appointing a Cygnet Armed Forces Champion. We also wish to make sure any new ex-forces staff are well supported here at Cygnet as they transition into their work and civilian life. Our network will give them a chance to speak with others with similar experiences and perspectives, sharing the challenges that others may not face.

We understand and value the unique skills of ex-military personnel, which are highly transferable to the healthcare sector. We recognise the importance of discerning these qualities from a candidate’s CV and are committed to supporting and recognising the talent of ex-armed forces personnel in our recruitment drives. We also respect and support reservists who already work with us.

We also prioritise staff support, especially for ex-military personnel, and we have national leads in TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) and StRaW (Sustaining Resilience at Work) – two strategies that support staff well-being. TRiM offers peer support and intervention after traumatic incidents, while StRaW prevents burnout and compassion fatigue in high-pressure jobs. Both strategies aim to detect mental health risks early and intervene with appropriate measures, providing crucial support for our staff, especially veterans.

If any ex-military personnel are interested in joining Cygnet and entering the mental healthcare profession, we encourage you to visit us to see how we operate. Our ethos and values are a great match with yours. Working in mental health can be challenging but fulfilling, with excellent support available. 

If you care about making a difference, we have opportunities for service leavers, reservists, veterans, and their families. Apply now for a satisfying, meaningful career.