Sisters In Service CIC was founded in 2024 to fill an identified need for female military veterans working in healthcare. The organisation was created by Dr Bex, formerly a British Army captain and now a psychiatrist, together with Gemma Saunders, a CBT therapist, who jointly established this peer support network as a CIC. Running the CIC alongside demanding full-time NHS jobs is challenging, and the addition of former Army Health Visitor Mel Dyke has made the team even busier. Sisters In Service operates as a peer support network specifically for women who have served in the UK Armed Forces and are now involved in health, social care, or health education. The group’s mission is to foster a nurturing and empowering environment where female veterans in healthcare can connect, share experiences, and support one another on their individual journeys. Over the past year, SIS has grown its membership to over 330 veterans, service leavers, and reservists. Members include nurses, physios, administrators, senior leaders and others from various professional backgrounds. In the last 12 months, SIS has offered: Online and in person sessions for members to connect Complimentary membership from a leadership platform Opportunities to engage with universities Representation at The National Transition Event at Silverstone Advocacy and guidance for members accessing healthcare A keynote speech by Dr Bex at The Athena Effect with Dame Kelly Holmes and much more! Beyond supporting current professionals, SIS also mentors ex-military students undertaking healthcare courses, recognising the distinctive challenges faced, especially when transitioning to student life. The main challenge for the CIC is balancing their ambition with limited time and resources, as all three directors work full-time in the NHS and have busy family lives. There are hopes that, through additional grant funding, SIS will be able to employ a dedicated administrator to further advance the group’s mission. Dr Bex Bennett is applying for grants and running this year’s London Marathon in a weight vest to help fund our expenses. She is training intensively for this challenge, giving it her all!

Stakeholder engagement is central to the way Sisters In Service develops its work. We regularly seek feedback through surveys, conversations and discussions with members, partners and other stakeholders. This gives women with lived experience of Armed Forces service an opportunity to tell us what matters to them, what challenges they are experiencing and what support would be most helpful. Their feedback directly informs our priorities, activities and future development, helping us to ensure that our work remains member-led and responsive to our community.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration