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Join us in Newbury for Armed Forces Week 2026
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is inviting colleagues, veterans, reservists, serving personnel, military families, partner organisations and local communities to join us in Newbury on Thursday 25 June as we celebrate Armed Forces Week 2026.
The event, which will be attended by the Mayor of Newbury Cllr. Jo Day, will bring together organisations and individuals from across Berkshire to recognise the contribution of the armed forces community, showcase support available locally and celebrate the strong partnerships helping to improve outcomes for serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Whether you have a military connection yourself or simply want to show your support, everyone is welcome.
Event details
Thursday 25 June 2026, 10am-2pm
Newbury, Corn Exchange and Market Place
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet representatives from a range of organisations supporting the armed forces community, learn more about local services and hear how partnership working is making a difference across Berkshire.
Supporting the armed forces community
At Berkshire Healthcare, we’re proud to support the armed forces community through specialist services, strong partnerships and employment opportunities for veterans, reservists and military families.
One of the most significant ways we do this is through leading the delivery of Op COURAGE: The NHS Veterans' Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, which provides specialist mental health treatment and support for veterans, reservists and their families across the South East region. To do this we work in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and military charity Walking With The Wounded and employ veteran peer support workers and family workers with lived experience of service.
We also work closely with Defence Medical Services and healthcare partners to help military families access the support they need. In one recent example, partnership working helped ensure a child from a military family was able to receive care within the same timeframe as any other family, helping to ensure they were not disadvantaged because of service life.
Reflecting on this partnership, a Defence GP said:
"You make me glad that my patients are in Berkshire."
Creating opportunities through NHS careers
Supporting the Armed Forces community also means creating opportunities beyond healthcare services.
Through the NHS Step into Health programme, Berkshire Healthcare helps veterans, reservists, military spouses and family members build rewarding careers in the NHS. Over the past year, 23 members of the Armed Forces community have joined the Trust through the programme.
One of those colleagues is Esther, a military spouse who found a route into a healthcare career while balancing the demands of military family life. Her story (link below) demonstrates how the NHS can provide flexible and fulfilling opportunities for members of the Armed Forces community.
A chance to come together
“Armed Forces Week is an opportunity to recognise the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community, but it is also a chance to reflect on the support we provide every day. Whether someone is a serving member of the Armed Forces, a veteran, a reservist or part of a military family, our aim is simple – to ensure they can access the care, support and opportunities they need, without disadvantage because of their service. I look forward to meeting veterans, reservists, serving personnel, military families and supporters at our event in Newbury, celebrating the contribution they make to our communities and thanking them for all they do. We look forward to welcoming you to Newbury as we come together to celebrate Armed Forces Week and support the people who serve or have served and their families too. ”