Arundel Castle in West Sussex, home of the Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England, will be hosting a groundbreaking networking event on July 1st, 2024. This event, aimed at supporting veterans in finding employment, is the first of its kind to be held at the historic castle.
The idea for the event came from Renford Marsden, a former UK Ministry of Defence employee, who experienced the struggles of unemployment and ageism after his contract ended. Marsden, the son of a WWII British Army veteran, was inspired to help other veterans facing similar challenges. He teamed up with RBLI, a charity dedicated to finding employment for veterans, to organize and sponsor the event.
The event has gained support from various organizations, including JobOppo, Southern Railway, and Sussex Police, who have expressed their desire to assist veterans in finding employment. Over 70 guests have already shown interest in attending the event.
The event will feature workshops and opportunities for veterans to connect with potential employers. Marsden hopes to encourage companies to pledge donations of £1000 each to RBLI’s Lifeworks program, which helps veterans overcome unemployment, depression, PTSD, and homelessness. The event will also serve as a platform to promote the values and goals of The Armed Forces Covenant and shine a spotlight on veteran recruitment in Sussex.
The idea for the event came about during a conversation between Marsden and Jean Rogers, a veteran advocate and actress known for her role on ITV’s Emmerdale. Rogers, who had experienced discrimination against veterans firsthand, envisioned an event that would bring together veterans in need and organizations willing to help.
In a statement, Marsden expressed his enthusiasm for the event, saying, “I am overjoyed that we have been able to put together this opportunity to bridge the gap between veterans and employers. We hope to encourage as many companies as possible to participate and pledge a donation to RBLI to help Lifeworks in Sussex. We could all feel incredibly proud if we are able to achieve this – bringing unemployed veterans into exciting teams and great companies in dignified paid work across the UK.”
The event has also received support from other veteran advocates, including Sussex Police and Helen Richards, founder and director of The Little Calm Company and The Office Retreat. Richards, who joined the Royal Navy at 17, believes that veterans possess valuable skills that can benefit any organization.
The event will be sponsored by Wordsmith & Paper Limited and its trademark brand, The Trainer Explainer®, under the leadership of its CEO and Founder, Renford Marsden. In partnership with RBLI, the event aims to help veterans find employment and promote the goals of The Armed Forces Covenant. Emma Nugent, Assistant Director of Strategic Development at RBLI, praised Marsden and Wordsmith & Paper for their support, saying, “I am hugely appreciative of Wordsmith & Paper, led by Mr Renford Marsden, for sponsoring this exciting new event. It is a unique opportunity for companies and employers to demonstrate their support for The Armed Forces Covenant.”
The event is set to make a difference in promoting the values of The Armed Forces Covenant and helping veterans find gainful employment. By bridging the gap between veterans and employers, the event aims to provide support and friendship to those who have served their country.
