To mark a new Army Reserves unit moving into the Army Reserve Centre (ARC) in Luton, the ARC opened its doors to guests for a special Army Engagement Group (AEG) event.
Seventy guests from the local community flooded through the gates on the morning of 7th May to hear about the Army, the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC), and meet their local reservists. The event included a fully cooked breakfast, a presentation, a Q&A session and a chance to network with other local businesses.
Some of the guests represented businesses that had already made their AFC pledge to ensure those who serve, or have served, and their families are treated fairly. They were able to share their experience of how partnering with Defence benefits their businesses with other guests.
Kristina Carrington, Regional Employer Engagement Director on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, and members of the East Anglia RFCA Employer Engagement Group for Bedfordshire were on hand to explain the ways in which businesses can partner with Defence via the Armed Forces Covenant and the Employer Recognition Scheme.
Kristina said: ” It was great to see so many members of the community engaging with the local Reserve units.” She added: “I hope all the organisations who attended will call me to help them prepare their pledge.”
The main objectives for the event were for people in the local community to welcome the new unit into the community and for both units to be able to ask the community to support them by signing the Armed Forces Covenant pledge and take part in the Employer Recognition Scheme.
B flight 678 Rifles, a troop of 158 Regiment RLC, moved into the Luton ARC with 6 Army Air Corps. The Army Engagement Group tours the country engaging with a wide variety of people to give them a greater understanding of the British Army; who is in the Army, what the Army does and how the Army contributes to society.
