Sisters in Service UK

11/10/2026

This National Cadets Week, we’re not only celebrating the young people who challenge themselves, build resilience, discover the outdoors and develop the confidence to support themselves and others... But we’re also proud of our members that are inspiring the next generation, whether they’re Cadet Force Adult Volunteers or working in support roles.

We’re delighted to share an upcoming event from our own Sally Orange MBE (Sally Orange ) ; veteran, former RAMC Physiotherapist, mental health and breast cancer advocate, and National Ambassador for Army Cadets UK

🎬 Everyone’s Everest is a film made by veterans, featuring veterans including Sally, Sir Chris Bonington, Alistair Carns (), Hari Budha Magar MBE FRGS (Hari Budha Magar) and Krishna Thapa, with the voice of Dame Joanna Lumley.

The film explores the power of nature, adventure and the outdoors in supporting mental health and people living with cancer, a message that resonates strongly with the values of service, resilience and looking out for one another. Following the film, there will be a Q+A panel.

Sally would love to see some of our sisters there if you can make it. Everyone is welcome.

📅 When Life Gives You Lemons... Everyone’s Everest

📍 Royal Geographical Society

🔗 Find out more and book your place: https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/everyones-everest

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11/10/2026

“I did not know I was gay when I joined up, I was a teenager.”

“I didn’t realise I was gay when I joined the Army in my early 20s.”

“I had an inkling I was different but didn’t know what Gay really was.”

For many LGBT+ veterans, coming out wasn’t something they could safely navigate while serving. Under the ban on homosexuality, isolation, fear and secrecy were part of military life.

Today, on Coming Out Day, let’s remember those who served without being able to be their authentic selves - and those who lost their careers because of who they loved.

Fighting With Pride’s “Battle for Lost Veterans” campaign is working to reach veterans affected by the historic gay ban, but time is running out. The reparations scheme closes on 12 December.

Please share the campaign. Help us reach the veterans who may not yet know they could be eligible.

Find out more here: Fighting With Pride

All quotes were taken from the late Lord Etherton’s 2023 Review on the ‘Gay Ban’.

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ArmedForcesCommunity Healthcare NHS

05/10/2026

This week marks the first ever National Cadets Week, celebrating the thousands of young people and adult volunteers who are part of the UK’s cadet community.

For many, becoming a cadet is about far more than putting on a uniform. It can be a chance to discover new experiences, develop confidence, learn leadership and teamwork, build resilience, make lifelong friendships and discover possibilities they may never have considered.

And sometimes, the impact lasts a lifetime.

Many of our Sisters have their own cadet experiences that helped shape who they became and their lasting connection with the Armed Forces.

We asked our member Lou O’Connell MBE (Lou O'Connell ), to reflect on her time as a cadet and what she took from the experience:

“I joined the Army Cadet Force at 13, shortly after my mum died, and it gave me something I desperately needed: a sense of belonging. Cadets gave me confidence in myself. They gave me friendships, purpose, responsibility, new experiences and the belief that I was capable of more than I thought.”

Lou’s story is a reminder that the experiences we have when we are young can stay with us for years to come, shaping our confidence, friendships, skills and sense of belonging.

Lou did go on to join the Army, completing 22 years in the regulars and 8 years and counting in the Reserves. Her military service included four operational tours, and she was awarded an MBE in 2015 for her work with bereaved military families. Her military experience informs her trauma-informed coaching and leadership training. Lou is now a mental health nurse and an EMCC Accredited Senior Practitioner Coach, offering support for ADHD, anxiety, stress, burnout, grief, trauma, and major life transitions

This National Cadets Week, we’re celebrating all those who make the cadet experience possible: the cadets, adult volunteers, families and communities who support them.

And to everyone who was once a cadet: What did you take away from your experience?

We’d love to hear your stories, so drop them in the comments! 👇

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29/09/2026

We are incredibly grateful to the Veterans Foundation and everyone who plays the Veterans’ Lottery for supporting us with a new grant. 

This funding will help us with our core running costs, events, website development and communications support, strengthening our capacity to grow and expand our peer support, mentoring and career-focused support for women from the Armed Forces community who are working or studying in healthcare.

The Veterans’ Foundation’s support will help us reach more women, create more opportunities to connect and share experiences, and continue building a strong, supportive community for women navigating careers in healthcare.

Thank you to the Veterans’ Foundation and every Veterans’ Lottery player for helping make this work possible. 🙏

The Veterans’ Foundation raises funds and awards grants to charitable organisations supporting serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their dependants who are in need.

The Foundation also administers the Veterans’ Lottery, with tickets costing £10 per month and a jackpot of £75,000.

Find out more about the Veterans’ Foundation and the Veterans’ Lottery here: https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/lottery/join/

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20/09/2026

Such a wonderful evening with such a bunch of amazing women!

To be able to see the ceremony of the keys and have a private tour of the Tower was such a privilege.

It is amazing how many doors are opened by a military career. A real ‘pinch myself’ moment.

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Last night at the Tower of London.

WOW!

We hosted 75 glorious members from our community for a very special evening.

Most of us met at All Bar One for pre-drinks and we pretty much took over the entire place!

Then we headed to the Tower and met our awesome host for the evening, Lisa Garland 🤩

Lisa gave us THE best tour and then we headed to The Keys for few drinks and the most fun raffle we’ve ever been involved in!

Then the absolute privilege of witnessing the historic Ceremony of the Keys 🏰🗝️

Shout out to our fabulous creative team, Steffi Andrews & Jo Edginton for capturing our evening.

More photos coming soon!

Full hearts ♥️

📸 Steffi Andrews Photography

20/09/2026

What a special evening at the Tower of London with our friends and sisters at The Female Veterans Alliance. ✨

There is something so powerful about bringing together women who share the bond of service. Different stories, shared understanding, new friendships and cherished connections. 💛

One comment stayed with us:

“I only wish I’d found this when I was younger.”

This is why these events matter. They create a welcoming space where women can feel understood, supported and connected.

If you have been wondering whether to attend an event, take this as your sign…Go!

You may meet someone who understands your journey, or discover a sense of belonging you did not know you were missing.

A huge thank you and heartfelt congratulations to Kelly and Lisa for all their hard work in making such a memorable evening possible 👏

Follow the FVA on linked in and Facebook and join Sisters in Service (via link in bio) to discover upcoming events and join our growing community.

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17/09/2026

We’re excited to see our friends at Female Veterans Alliance heading to the Armed Forces Community Awards (Soldering On Awards) tonight as finalists for the Community Impact Award!

They’re up against some fantastic organisations in Fighting With Pride and HULL 4 HEROES , and whatever the outcome, we couldn’t be prouder of Lisa Rawlings and Kelly Farr and the incredible work they’re doing.

It’s fantastic to see the space for military women continuing to grow in value, visibility and impact.

Good luck, ladies! We’ll be cheering you on 🥂

📸 Female Veterans Transformation Programme / Agora Photography

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FVA

10/09/2026

Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland dies by su***de and 1 in 4 of us has had suicidal thoughts.

This World Su***de Prevention Day (10th Septmeber), we’re sharing an important message from Samaritans: If you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts and show them you care.

To find out how, visit samaritans.org/WSPD

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***dePreventionDay Healthcare NHS

21/08/2026

Autumn Connect - Check your emails!

Our next quarterly catch up is on Tuesday 1st September, from 1200-1300 on Teams.

No agenda, just a safe space to share, connect and support each other. We do have one ask though... it’s Armed Forces T-Shirt Day and we think it would be great to see all of our sisters in military t-shirts for the call (if you can make that work of course!).

SIS members should have received an email with the Teams link on Tue 18 Aug. If you haven’t received this, please email [email protected].

We hope to see you there!

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NHS

14/08/2026

Turn to Starboard (T2S) (based in Falmouth) are currently delivering a series of 5-day sailing retreats designed for female veterans living with complex trauma. They secured multi-year funding back in 2024 from the Armed Forces Cov Fund Trust to run a project called Vitamin Sea, which was created specifically to support women who have experienced sexually inappropriate behaviours including r**e and sexual assault.

They have been working with to deliver this project, but there are two retreats later this year (dates below) that Salute Her UK are unable to join. Therefore, they are looking further afield to ensure this opportunity is offered to any women who might benefit.

Drawing on all the powerful healing benefits of spending time on the water, these retreats are designed to promote mindfulness and relaxation, and to facilitate post-traumatic growth. They also serve as a gentle introduction to sailing, but there is no expectation for participants to engage with any sail training unless they have an interest. They are running these with all-female crews to ensure women feel safe and comfortable.

Moving forward, they will be offering women-only sailing opportunities throughout 2027, so give them a follow to staay tuned.

W/C 21st September - for a group of 8 women (onboard their tall ship, Spirit of Falmouth)

W/C 28th September - for a group of 6 women (onboard their yacht, Angels Share)

For more info call Turn to Starboard on 01326 314 262.

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NHS