A career in the Armed Forces is unique and challenging.
Recent Ipsos MORI research commissioned by Sodexo reveals a notable gap between the expectations and reality of life in the services, and this can negatively impact job satisfaction, general wellbeing and the tendency to remain in the force.
The impact of mental health for the armed forces
Decreased mental ill health and reduced suicide incidence and impact are both identified as key outcomes in the Defence People Health & Wellbeing Strategy (2022-2027).
This strategy also highlights that the military’s physical, mental and social wellbeing is vital to the optimisation and development of the whole force.
Our nutrition and wellbeing tool, Mindful Active, is in place to improve military mental and physical health. It provides health and fitness guidance for army personnel, which they can access through an app or on site, in the form of nutritional information, healthy recipes and mental health counsel. The initiative is based on four pillars: FUEL (the body for whatever lies head); FOCUS (on your performance goals); PERFORM (boost your energy levels) and RECOVER (re-energise post-training).
Reducing isolation through social spaces
Physical environments play an important role in the social and mental wellbeing of people, especially for military staff. Having this in mind, we created a scalable, flexible solution - Village. This hub is designed to cater to the social needs of the military and provide them with a place where they can unwind and build community. The idea was in response to research conducted by Sodexo and the Ministry of Defence which showed low levels of morale and feelings of isolation on base.
Deploying mental health first aiders
With statistics from the 2022 Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey showing that just
45% of personnel are satisfied with service life, and 39% reporting low morale in their unit, it is important that we play our role in boosting morale and providing the right counsel for improved mental health on base. This is why we have staff who are dedicated to providing support for military personnel and their families, from redeployment support and arrival to settling in with a supportive community.
Support with mental health challenges
When service personnel or veterans face any mental health challenges, someone who understands what they are going through is key.
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, provides specialised services, and Sodexo proudly supports them through employee fundraising, volunteering and mentoring service-leavers.
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Our Social Value Strategy outlines the principles that guide us to create a greener, healthier, safer and more prosperous society for all.
People pledge
We create spaces that enable our employed reservists, veterans and their families to thrive. We also hold a Gold Employer Recognition Award, reflecting our commitment to the UK Armed Forces community.
Waste Watch initiative, powered by Leanpath, enables our kitchen teams to identify efficiencies within menus and operating procedures - all backed up by real-time data.