Honouring Service: How Clarion Supports Veterans Through Corporate Social Responsibility
At Clarion, we take corporate social responsibility seriously, and we strive to engage our employees in meaningful ways. Many of our team members are passionate about supporting veterans and their families, and this cause resonates deeply within our organisation. In this post, we’ll explore Clarion’s ongoing support for veterans, our collaboration with the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), and how these initiatives align with our core values and corporate social responsibility goals.
Fostering a Veteran-Friendly Workplace: Internal Stories and Insights
One way we actively support veterans within Clarion is by cultivating an open and collaborative space for sharing experiences and learning from one another.
For UK Armed Forces Day on June 29, 2024, we invited Chris, a Clarion employee and military reservist, to share his reflections on how his military service has shaped his leadership style. In an internal blog post, Chris discussed the core values he learned during his service—resilience, empathy, and teamwork—and how these principles align with the inclusive culture we foster at Clarion.
Chris’s reflections also shed light on the unique strengths veterans bring to the workplace. He noted that military training instils the importance of relying on collective experience and seeking input from others—qualities that have helped him thrive in our collaborative environment.
“In the military, we learned to rely on the collective experience and diversity of those around us... At Clarion, I’ve found that asking for advice from colleagues is often a strength,” Chris shared.
As a proud member of the RAF Reserves, Chris is also participating in the Liverpool Remembrance Parade this weekend. We’ll be cheering him on and encouraging Chris, along with any others within our community, to share any photos and stories from this meaningful experience.
Sharing personal stories like Chris’s emphasises how diverse backgrounds contribute to a richer and more resilient workplace. At Clarion, where employee wellbeing is a priority, we recognise the importance of these narratives in fostering understanding and respect. By encouraging sharing, we hope to create a culture where individuals feel valued, connected, and empowered to contribute their best. Aligning our corporate social responsibility efforts with the needs and values of our employees ensures that our initiatives are both meaningful and impactful.
Clarion’s Support for the Army Benevolent Fund
Our partnership with the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) also exemplifies Clarion’s efforts to strengthen the military community and enhance veteran welfare through focused initiatives.
Recently, David (Clarion Insight’s Director) volunteered to facilitate, at no cost, a large workshop in London aimed at enhancing ABF’s internal fundraising capabilities while encouraging collaboration between its headquarters and regional teams.
The workshop included nearly 60 participants, with almost half having previously served in the military. The morning session focused on cultivating a unified “one team” mindset across ABF, while the afternoon was dedicated to creative problem-solving and ideation around new fundraising strategies.
The event was met with high praise from participants, including the Director of Fundraising, who shared:
“Your insight into team dynamics and what drives effective teamwork was invaluable... Coupled with your guidance through the ideation process, we feel more connected and optimistic as an organisation.”
This initiative not only demonstrated Clarion’s support for military causes but also showcased our strategic facilitation skills, allowing veterans and professionals to work toward shared goals. Fostering camaraderie among our employees and the veterans we serve enhances overall well-being and ensures that everyone feels valued and connected.
Recognition for Veteran Advocacy: Silver Award from Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Our efforts to support veterans, like the ABF workshop and our internal initiatives, have not gone unnoticed. These initiatives have earned us recognition within the industry and beyond.
Clarion’s commitment to veterans and military families was recently recognised with the prestigious Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. This award affirms our dedication to creating a people-centred organisation where veterans, reservists, and their families are appreciated and supported.
The Silver Award is not only a recognition of past accomplishments but a symbol of our ongoing efforts to empower individuals and build diverse teams. Veterans bring invaluable qualities—leadership, problem-solving, and resilience—that contribute to our success and align with our corporate social responsibility objectives.
Final Thoughts
Clarion’s initiatives, such as our partnership with the Army Benevolent Fund, reflect our broader corporate social responsibility goals. Our support for veterans is a natural extension of this mission, and through both external partnerships and internal efforts, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who have served.
As we continue to advocate for veterans and their families, we invite others to join us. Whether by supporting the ABF or participating in Clarion’s initiatives, we can collectively create a lasting, meaningful impact on the lives of veterans.