Lt Col Rachel Diss, Occupational Therapist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and National Diversity and Inclusion Lead for the Army Cadet Force, won the Defence Inclusivity Award at the 2025 Soldiering On Awards.
The ceremony, held in partnership with Barclays at the Park Plaza in London on 22 October, celebrated individuals and organisations making outstanding contributions to the Armed Forces community.
Lt Col Diss was recognised for her exceptional leadership in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion across the UK Army Cadets. Her work has empowered cadets and adult volunteers from all backgrounds to feel welcome, valued and supported.
Notably, she led Army Cadet participation in the 2025 Pride in London parade and has worked tirelessly to champion equality of opportunity for cadets and adult volunteers from under-represented backgrounds, establishing diversity networks to offer education and support, and embedding inclusive policies and training across the national cadet network.
Through her efforts, she continues to demonstrate how inclusive leadership can empower young people and create lasting change.
“I was honoured to have won the Defence Inclusivity category,” said Lt Col Diss. “This award is a recognition of the collective effort across the Army Cadets to build a culture of respect and inclusion, welcoming diversity and difference as a positive contribute to our organisation.
“I want my cadets to be happy and ready to do well. That’s my job as a leader. We want our cadets to be accepted as themselves - that’s when they thrive. Together we are stronger and with trust and integrity paramount in our team, we lead the next generation into a more successful future.
“I don’t receive this award by myself, I see and acknowledge everyone making this effort together, from our supportive leadership, our hardworking instructors through to our wonderful cadets.”
Lt Col Diss’s inclusive leadership is rooted in her belief that authenticity and empathy are key to empowering young people. Her initiatives have focused on enabling participation for all, including those who are LGBTQ+, multi-faith, neurodiverse, or living with disabilities. She has also championed social equity, drawing on her own experiences growing up in Barrow-in-Furness to inspire others.
She said: “Our work is all about
awareness and people being included, enabling anyone to participate - it is about social equity. As an Army Cadet, I attended a Detachment with cadets from very deprived, poor backgrounds and I know some of those cadets have gone on to have a successful Army careers, gaining qualifications, owning their own home, and supporting their family into a more financially stable life from the opportunities and skills they gained in their time at Army Cadets.”
In addition to her role with the Army Cadets, Lt Col Diss works as an Occupational Therapist at the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC), covering Barrow, Kendal, Lancaster and Royal Preston hospitals. She delivers clinics alongside rehabilitation engineers to ensure wheelchair users receive tailored support and also makes community visits to assess and meet individual needs.
“I’m an occupational therapist and enjoy problem solving,” she added. "It is all about making sure people’s needs are met, getting the right equipment, or moulding that to suit. It can be life-changing for people, even just making sure they have the right cushion or chair.”
Lt Col Diss’ enthusiasm for her work doesn’t end there: “I also work on the family farm - Jeremy Vine, who presented the awards, commented ‘how do you fit it all in?!’ but I enjoy everything I do, they are priorities to me.”
Now in their 15th year, the Soldiering On Awards honour individuals and organisations that support and inspire the Armed Forces community. Winners are selected by a panel of senior military and industry leaders and celebrated for their excellence, courage and innovation.
The ceremony was hosted by Jeremy Vine, with Matt Goss providing entertainment, and Lt Col Diss added: “It was amazing and inspiring to see what veterans are doing across the country to improve lives.”
Former Trust colleague Gregg Stevenson MBE was also nominated for the Inspiration Award, which was won by Mark Ormrod MBE.
