The event was held at the Grove View Integrated Health and Care Hub in Dunstable. Throughout the day, attendees took part in various activities including predicting how many sweets were in a jar and guessing the name of a teddy bear. Participants selected a name from a list, writing their own name next to it. This was later drawn at random, with the winner keeping the teddy as a prize.
Colleagues from Bedfordshire and Luton Employment Services knitted handmade poppies, with over £100 being raised for the Royal British Legion.
The event was supported by Op NOVA, a government-backed service that provides support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system in England. It is commissioned by NHS England and delivered by Forces Employment Charity, which supports service leavers, veterans, reservists and their spouses/partners throughout their working lives.
John Phillips, who works as a caseworker for Op NOVA, shared his stories working with the Royal Air Force (RAF) Police. Following the event, John will begin working with ELFT colleagues across Central Bedfordshire and Luton to support veterans in the justice system.
Colleagues in the region will be holding next year’s veteran awareness open day on Remembrance Day, 11 November 2026. More details will follow next year.
Commenting on the successful event, Rachel Briggs, Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialist at the Grove View Integrated Health and Care Hub, said: “I am delighted that we were able to raise money for the Royal British Legion, which does such vital work to support the Armed Forces all year round. A big ‘thank you’ to Op NOVA and the Forces Employment Charity for your support – we would not have been able to hold the event without you.
“I am proud to be an Armed Forces Champion for the Trust, and I look forward to continuing with this role into 2026 and beyond.”
To learn more about the support the Trust provides for veterans, take a look at our ‘Support for Armed Forces Communities’ web page.
