Laura Cashman leads Health and Social Care at The King's Trust - formerly The Prince's Trust - which has supported over 20,000 young people into health and social care careers since 2019. Their programmes are free to employers and backed by Department of Health funding.

Want to work with The King's Trust? Email them here workwithus@kingstrust.org.uk

Connect:
Kirstie Jones - Salutem Care and Education
Laura Cashman - The King's Trust

Exciting Announcement: Workshop 21st January 2026

We're not just talking about this - we're doing something.

This conversation didn't just make for a great podcast episode. It sparked action.

AudienceLink, Rowan's business, is partnering with Roy to host an exclusive workshop on January 21st, 2026, at the Grimaldi Building in King's Cross, London.

Why AudienceLink? Because Rowan's day job is finding the right people for the right jobs. He spends his time identifying hidden talent pools and connecting organisations with candidates they didn't know existed. When he discovered that 11,000 skilled, motivated workers were sitting unemployed—simply because organisations don't know how to reach them - he knew AudienceLink had to be part of the solution.

Contact Rowan if you want to attend, or know someone who this is perfect for.

Connect Rowan and Roy

If this conversation changes how you think about inclusive recruitment, please like, subscribe, and share with your network. Together, we can make meaningful change for thousands of skilled workers who are ready to contribute.

“There’s awards for everything,” Raf explains in our recent podcast episode for Engage Care Talent. As Group Expert by Experience Lead at Cygnet he’s seen the sector from all angles. “But there’s not much that really celebrates the fantastic lived experience talent, the different initiatives, projects, the charitable work taking place, the creativity.”

The National Lived Experience Awards fill that gap. For many attendees, it’s the highlight of their year - some love it as much as Christmas!

Power Sharing in Action

The awards began in 2013, launched by service users at Cygnet Derby. People now travel from Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, London - all corners of the UK. Service users, support workers, nurses, chief executives, Cygnet, Priory, independent providers, and NHS trusts all come together.

“A big part of what co-production is about that power sharing,” Raf explains. “You’ve got someone in services sat next to a chief executive they’ve never met before, but everyone’s just there supporting and celebrating together.”

Rowan Marriott [founder of AudienceLink and co-host of our Engage Care Talent], who was a sponsor this year, experienced this firsthand. Walking into a room “full of rainbows,” he immediately understood: “It didn’t matter who I was. This is going to be special.”

Why Staff Need This Too

“A lot of people that have been moved to tears are the staff,” Raf notes. “Having them see a performance of someone they’ve supported over the years - you feel invested in that individual.”

In inpatient services, staff only see people during crisis points. Once discharged, they rarely witness the recovery journey’s outcome.

“It’s easy to forget what recovery looks like,” Raf said. Events like these show staff what’s possible.

Building Recognition into Daily Life

Beyond the annual event, Raf’s team has created ongoing recognition:

• The People’s Council: Patients choose “staff of the month” - reversing the power dynamic

• The Cygnet Yellow Book: Showcases talent and provides recovery resources in all receptions

• Social Hubs: Benefit everyone. “We talk about staff as if they’re robots. Staff also like music. Staff benefit from sensory stuff too”

“I wouldn’t be here if that wasn’t the case,” Raf says. “It would be easy just not to invest in these things.”

The Energy That’s Hard to Describe

For Raf, standing on stage presenting never gets old. The energy - where everyone is equal, recovery is celebrated, talent is recognised - is irreplaceable.

“It’s just an energy that’s difficult to describe. Everyone’s just equal.”

This is co-production at its finest. Recognising that recovery isn’t done to people, it’s achieved with people.

As Rowan reflects: “People were addressing the room with a proper message of belief saying you can do this, you can absolutely do this.”

And it all happens in a room full of rainbows.

Want to hear the full story? Watch or listen to the complete conversation on the Engage Care Talent podcast.

Attracting, engaging, and retaining talent in health and social care is a challenge many organisations face every day. But it’s also a challenge that can be tackled — step by step, conversation by conversation.

That’s the focus of Episode 3 of our Engage Care Talent documentary – The Meeting. In this episode, Rowan Marriott and Chris Le'cand-Harwood head into the studio for a planning session, diving into the purpose and future of Engage Care Talent.

Why Engage Care Talent Exists

Engage Care Talent is more than a podcast. It’s a platform and community for anyone passionate about transforming the care sector. Our mission is simple: share opinions, experiences, and practical insights on how to attract, engage, and retain talent in innovative ways.

It’s about honest conversations - no hidden agendas, no vanity metrics, just straight talking. And it’s about giving people a space to learn, collaborate, and take action.

What Happens in The Meeting

In this episode, we talk about:

• How to give individuals and organisations the tools they need to attract and retain talent effectively

• Why engagement matters just as much as retention

• How creating a shared community can help people learn from real-world experience

• Building resources and conversations that act as informal career coaching for leaders at every level

We also discuss the power of documenting this journey. A documentary lets people see the real work behind the business - the planning, the reflections, and the action. It’s about building in public and inviting others to be part of that growth.

Why This Matters

Health and social care faces immense challenges, but that doesn’t mean change is impossible. By sharing experiences and building a community, organisations and individuals can gain the tools, confidence, and inspiration to make a real difference.

This episode shows that Engage Care Talent isn’t just talking about change - we’re actively shaping it. And it’s exciting to see how conversations today can lead to something meaningful tomorrow.

📺 Watch Episode 3 – The Meeting here

Explore Our Podcast Catalogue

Engage Care Talent has a growing catalogue of content to help anyone in the business of attracting, engaging and retaining talent. We’ve released nearly 20 episodes covering:

• Leadership in health & social care

• Innovations transforming healthcare

• Employer branding masterclasses

• The economy’s impact on talent attraction & retention

• Case studies and insights into what engages staff

👉 Access it all here: Engage Care Talent

Join Our Community

This isn’t just a podcast - it’s the start of a true community.

We’re building a community of people passionate about solving the care talent crisis. Early access will open soon for 20 people.

So register your interest here.

Sign up for Engage Care Talent

Solving the care talent crisis one conversation at a time. Engage Care Talent is a community for anyone passionate about transforming the care sector through attracting and retaining talent.

Subscribe

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Feeling like attracting and retaining talent is too big to tackle? You’re not alone.

In Episode 2 of the Engage Care Talent documentary - The Run - Rowan Marriott and Chris Le’cand-Harwood [founders of Engage Care Talent] go on an early morning run and explore how mindset, and small steps can make a real difference in attracting and retaining talent in health and social care.

Chris and Rowan have a candid conversation about how persistence and confidence can turn seemingly impossible challenges into achievable goals.

Attracting and retaining talent in health and social care can feel like a marathon. The challenges are real, the stakes are high, and sometimes it can feel impossible to make meaningful change.

But the good news? With the right mindset, confidence, and a community of passionate practitioners, it can be done.

On the surface, running is a simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. But it’s also about tackling big challenges.

During the run, Chris and Rowan talk about:

• Resilience – staying the course even when it feels tough

• Endurance – understanding that progress takes time

• Action – taking that first step, even if the finish line feels far away

Just like long-distance running, solving talent challenges in health and social care requires persistence, belief, and a clear mindset. One step at a time.

Listen here

Missed "The Meal" - Ep.1 of the Engage Care Talent Documentary?

If you haven’t seen it yet, Episode 1 of our Engage Care Talent documentary is already out.

In this behind-the-scenes dinner conversation, Chris and Rowan share their personal motivations and the vision driving their mission to tackle the healthcare talent crisis. It sets the stage for everything that follows, so make sure to catch it along with Episode 2.

🎧

Listen here.

🎯 Subscribe now to catch Episode 3, The Meeting, where we reveal how we’re planning the future of Engaged Care Talent:

Sign up for Engage Care Talent

Solving the care talent crisis one conversation at a time. Engage Care Talent is a community for anyone passionate about transforming the care sector through attracting and retaining talent.

Subscribe

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Explore Our Podcast Catalogue

Engage Care Talent has a growing catalogue of content to help anyone in the business of attracting, engaging and retaining talent. We’ve released nearly 20 episodes covering:

• Leadership in health & social care

• Innovations transforming healthcare

• Employer branding masterclasses

• The economy’s impact on talent attraction & retention

• Case studies and insights into what engages staff

👉 Access it all here: Engage Care Talent

Join Our Community

This isn’t just a podcast - it’s the start of a true community.

We’re building a community of people passionate about solving the care talent crisis. Early access will open soon for 20 people.

So register your interest here.

Sign up for Engage Care Talent

Solving the care talent crisis one conversation at a time. Engage Care Talent is a community for anyone passionate about transforming the care sector through attracting and retaining talent.

Subscribe

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Ready to implement new workforce technology but worried about getting it right?

We dive deep into the topic in part 2 of our 2-part series with Temployer - the flexible workforce management platform.

It’s another great episode on Engage Care Talent as we try to solve the care talent crisis one conversation at a time.

Hosts Chris Le’cand-Harwood and Rowan Marriott sit down with Mark Hily, from Cygnet, and Ben Benhafsi, from Temployer.

They’ve worked closely for the last few years to roll out flexible workforce management technology at Cygnet.

And it’s made a massive impact on the way they manage their flexible workforce.

This isn’t just another tech conversation – it’s a masterclass in change management.

Our guests reveal the exact steps they took to transform busy teams into engaged adopters, sharing real insights on overcoming implementation challenges and driving behavioural change.

This saved Cygnet millions of pounds, but more importantly, it ensures quality care while making flexible workforce management more streamlined.

What You’ll Learn
• Proven strategies for getting staff engaged with new technology
• Step-by-step change management approaches that actually work
• How to overcome resistance and build buy-in across your organisation
• Common implementation pitfalls and how to avoid them
• The psychology behind successful technology adoption
• Practical tips for managing behavioural change in the workplace

Whether you’re planning your first workforce management system rollout or looking to improve adoption of existing tools, Mark and Ben’s hard-won experience will save you months of trial and error.

Listen or Watch on Spotify

Guests: Mark Hily (Cygnet) & Ben Benhafsi (Temployer)

Hosts: Chris Le’cand-Harwood & Rowan Marriott

Don’t let poor implementation waste your technology investment – watch now for actionable advice and a real view into what it takes to make something happen.

💡

Watch Episode 1 with Temployer.

Subscribe to the Engage Care Talent Newsletter for more episodes like this.

Chris joined Engage Care Talent Co-Host on the AudienceLink stand for RecFest 2025, and the conversations about CHANGE on were brilliant.

Here's what stood out:

The Perma-Crisis Era

We're living in what one festival-goer called a "perma-crisis" – five years of pandemic hiring freezes, the Great Resignation, economic uncertainty, and AI reshaping talent acquisition. But the best practitioners aren't just surviving this chaos, they're thriving by embracing change as a competitive advantage.

Rory Sutherland: Stop Optimising for the Wrong Thing

The Ogilvy genius delivered behavioural science gold: hire for three or four potential roles, not one perfect fit. He shared how 20% of bees don't produce honey – they explore and discover, ensuring the hive's survival.

The question for talent leaders: Are you hiring enough explorers, or just optimising for honey production?

Soft Skills Are The New Hard Skills

Values-based hiring is imperative when you need a workforce that can handle constant change. You can teach technical skills, but finding people with the right values and vocation requires human connection.

The AI Strategic Imperative

Someone will eventually sell an AI TA solution to your CFO, promising to replace your team. If you're caught off guard, game over. Get ahead of it now – develop your AI strategy and show how technology amplifies rather than replaces your team.

The Power of In-Person Connection

Walking RecFest as the sun set, watching thousands of professionals network and share insights, reminded us we're in the people business. AI will change everything, but talent acquisition remains fundamentally about human connection and finding people who'll thrive in your culture.

Looking Forward

The question isn't whether the industry will advance – it's what you'll do differently. Are you hiring explorers or honey producers? Building your AI strategy proactively or reactively? Having strategic conversations with leadership or just order-taking?

Watch the full episode here:

The future of talent acquisition isn't about surviving change – it's about leading it.

What changes are you seeing in TA?

We'd love to feature your insights in future content.

P.S. – If you missed RecFest, put next year on your calendar. Some conversations are worth the sunburn.

Picture this: Two founders spending time together recording a documentary about building Engage Care Talent. Over dinner, we’re discussing chicken schnitzel and ancient grains, when suddenly the conversation switches to business and revealing why we're both passionate about having an impact on health and social care.

This is Episode 1 of our behind-the-scenes documentary series, and it perfectly captures the heart of why Engage Care Talent exists.

We're tackling the care talent crisis one conversation at a time, and this is just one of them.

This is just the beginning.

In more episodes, we'll continue going behind the scenes as we dive even deeper into building something that matters.

Want to be the first to access all three episodes plus exclusive content? Subscribe now.

Why a Documentary? Sharing The Founder Story

We produce documentaries for clients, so it was natural for us to turn the lens on ourselves.

What makes this documentary special isn't just the topic - it's building in public.

When we decided to spend a couple of days together we knew we wanted to capture the real conversations, not just the polished presentations.

This episode reveals the personal motivations behind two founders who are passionate about making an impact. Why dedicate years of your life to healthcare talent? What drives someone to believe they can actually change an entire industry?

The answers aren't what you might expect.

💡

Listen to Episode 1 here.

Your Voice Matters

This community only works if you're part of the conversation. Whether you're dealing with recruitment challenges, at the forefront of your organisation’s strategy, or leading talent strategy at an organisational level, your perspective shapes what we explore next.

What healthcare talent challenges keep you up at night? What solutions have you seen that actually work? Hit reply and let us know - your insights can become our next episode topics.

Together, we're not just talking about change. We're creating it.

Let’s tackle the care talent crisis, one conversation at a time.

Chris Le’cand-Harwood & Rowan Marriott: Co-Founders & Hosts of Engage Care Talent

P.S. The chicken schnitzel was really good, though the ancient grains might have been the healthier choice. Sometimes the most important conversations happen when two passionate founders just sit down together and talk honestly about why they do what they do. Can't wait to share what we discovered in Episodes 2 and 3.

Want to be part of these conversations? Subscribe to our newsletter and join our growing community of people who are passionate about attracting, engaging and retaining health and social care talent.

Healthcare organisations are struggling with staffing complexities and skyrocketing agency costs. In this episode of Engage Care Talent, we dive deep into how innovative tech solutions are transforming workforce management in healthcare.

It was great to get Ben Benhafsi from Temployer into the studio to chat about creating sustainable, flexible, and cost-effective staffing solutions that maintain high standards of patient care. Rowan Marriott [Co-Founder of Engage Care Talent] gets some unique insights into the world of workforce management, technology and the Temployer platform.

What You'll Learn:
✅ Why over-reliance on temporary agencies is hurting healthcare organisations
✅ How to balance permanent staff satisfaction with flexible staffing needs
✅ The tech framework that's optimising workforce management across multiple facilities
✅ Compliance automation and invoicing efficiencies that save time and money
✅ Real implementation strategies from organisations seeing remarkable results

Key Takeaways:
• Prioritise internal resources before turning to agency staff
• Integration doesn't have to be overwhelming with the right partner
• Compliance and cost control can work hand-in-hand
• Technology can create value for organisations, employees, AND agencies

Listen here.

Coming Up Next:
In the next episode, Ben joins us again with Cygnet Group, where we'll explore their partnership with Temployer and the remarkable results implementing these workforce management solutions organisation-wide.

**Subscribe** to get the next episode in your inbox

Connect with Ben:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-benhafsi-13b04932/
Temployer Website: https://temployer.co/

Tired of networking events that feel like sales pitches? We're doing something different with Engage Care Talent

While Engage Care Talent started as a podcast tackling the care talent crisis one conversation at a time, we're expanding into something bigger - real, in-person connections.

Here's what we're planning:

Events where care sector professionals can come together, not to be sold to, but to genuinely connect and share best practices.

There's something powerful about being in a room with people who understand your challenges and can offer real insights from their own experiences.

We were at a networking event recently - 20 TA professionals having breakfast together - and you could feel the energy. People were genuinely relieved to get off Teams, out of the office, and connect face-to-face with others who are passionate about attracting and retaining the right talent.

Our goal? Create spaces where care professionals can:

✅ Share challenges and solutions

✅ Learn from different regions

✅ Build lasting relationships

✅ Realise they're not alone in their efforts

We're in the planning phase now, but our first Engage Care Talent event is coming soon.

Because community isn't just a buzzword - it's about creating real connections that continue long after the event ends.

Who's ready to join us? 🙋‍♀️

Can you help us by doing this 🙏

✅ Watch our conversation in the video where we dive deeper into why events matter for building genuine professional communities.

✅ Subscribe now and get more details when we’ve finished our planning.

The healthcare sector is facing big challenges - NHS restructuring, immigration changes, and an ever-evolving job market. But what if instead of constantly reacting, we could get ahead of these changes?

We were in the studio recently recording an episode all about workforce management technology. And it showed how important having sustainable systems is for organisations.

So we talked about it more in this short episode.

This is what a sustainable workforce looks like - moving beyond just talent attraction to focus on:

✅ Strategic retention initiatives

✅ Immersive learning approaches

✅ Cross-departmental workforce planning

✅ Future-ready organisational design

We’re producing a series about sustainability for Engage Care Talent.

We want to talk to HR Directors and Chief Executives who are leading this transformation.

Want to be part of the conversation?

The sustainable workforce movement is just beginning. Whether you're an HR Director reimagining retention strategies, a learning specialist pioneering new approaches, or a Chief Executive charting your organisation's future, your voice matters.

The challenges facing healthcare are too significant for any organisation to solve alone. But together, we can build workforces that don't just survive change - they thrive because of it.

Want to share your sustainable workforce story? We'd love to feature your insights in our ongoing series. Reach out to join the conversation.

It's been a busy 2025 but we still find the time to capture the conversations that tackle the care talent crisis.

One of the productions we've been working on is the Engage Care Talent Documentary. Chris and Rowan welcome you behind the scenes of our planning session in Knutsford. And it's resulted in a three-part series that gives you a real feel for the why, what and how of Engage Care Talent.

Here are some of the stills from our documentary.

So make sure you're subscribed to get the episodes when they land. We've also got a whole host of other content coming in the next few weeks!

Chris and Rowan

There's been a lot going on at Engage Care Talent these past few months, and we have a catalogue of nearly 20 episodes for you to feast on! And more coming soon!

Chris and Row take some time to look back at recent episodes on the podcast that's all about tackling the care talent crisis one conversation at a time:

🎙️ Artificial Intelligence and Talent Acquisition - there's some real value in this episode packed full of tips about how to implement AI.

🎙️If you have a people problem you have a leadership problem - get some practical advice for leaders who want high performing [and happy] teams

🎙️We dive into the Government's plans for the NHS and what that means for TA and retention.

🎙️Do employees really leave their managers?

🎙️How to lead an effective Resourcing Team

🎙️Behind the scenes of a nursing employer branding project

🎙️A review of the economy and what that means for health and social care employers

And we give you a sneak peek about Engage Care Talent's plans for the next 12 months. And tell you about how exclusive Engage Care Talent Documentary!

Thanks for listening. Thanks for watching.

If you want to suggest a topic then tell us here!

Chris and Rowan - Founders and hosts of Engage Care Talent

Help us create 12 Months of game-changing conversations about attracting, engaging and retaining talent in health and social care.

Here at Engage Care Talent we're on a mission to transform talent attraction and retention in health and social care.

And we want you to be part of it by helping us define the conversations that matter over the next 12 months.

What keeps you up at night about attracting and retaining talent in health and social care? What conversations need to happen?

Your voice matters.

Submit Your Topic

We're opening our content calendar to the health and social care community, inviting you to shape the discussions that will define our industry's future.

✅ Submit your burning topics

✅ Join our exclusive guest waitlist

✅ Be first to hear about our Engage Care Talent documentary

✅ Connect with industry pioneers at our live events

✅ Be the first to hear about our World Record attempt later in the year!

Submit Your Topic

🚨🎬Coming Soon🎬🚨 Look Behind The Scenes of Engage Care Talent with co-founders, Chris and Rowan as they talk about the why behind Engage Care Talent. You'll also get new episodes with strategies and tactics on how to attract talent and stand out in the industry.

Thanks. Let's do this!

Chris and Rowan - Founders and hosts of Engage Care Talent

And we want you to be part of it by helping us define the conversations that matter over the next 12 months.

What keeps you up at night about attracting and retaining talent in health and social care? What conversations need to happen?

Your voice matters.

Submit Your Topic

We’re opening our content calendar to the health and social care community, inviting you to shape the discussions that will define our industry’s future.

✅ Submit your burning topics

✅ Join our exclusive guest waitlist

✅ Be first to hear about our Engage Care Talent documentary

✅ Connect with industry pioneers at our live events

✅ Be the first to hear about our World Record attempt later in the year!

Submit Your Topic

🚨🎬Coming Soon🎬🚨 Look Behind The Scenes of Engage Care Talent with co-founders, Chris and Rowan as they talk about the why behind Engage Care Talent. You’ll also get new episodes with strategies and tactics on how to attract talent and stand out in the industry.

Thanks. Let’s do this!

Chris and Rowan - Founders and hosts of Engage Care Talent

Julius shares valuable insights on how recent economic shifts are impacting recruitment in health and social care.

Despite initial concerns about a continued recession, the UK economy has shown resilience. While job growth has been generally stagnant, the healthcare sector stands out as an exception, continuing to create new positions.

We explore crucial topics including:

• The impact of the new Labour government’s autumn budget on healthcare recruitment

• Current wage growth trends

• The effects of national insurance contribution changes on care homes and healthcare businesses

Julius also discusses why healthcare remains a stable sector for employment despite economic uncertainties, offering valuable perspective for both employers and job seekers in the care sector.

Listen to the episode here.

It’s important to channel our inner economist regularly - it’s important to understand the climate that your organisation works in, especially when it comes to health and social care.

In this episode of Engage Care Talent, we dive deep into the UK's economic landscape with Julius Probst, European Labour Economist at Appcast.

Julius shares valuable insights on how recent economic shifts are impacting recruitment in health and social care.

Despite initial concerns about a continued recession, the UK economy has shown resilience. While job growth has been generally stagnant, the healthcare sector stands out as an exception, continuing to create new positions.

We explore crucial topics including:

• The impact of the new Labour government's autumn budget on healthcare recruitment

• Current wage growth trends

• The effects of national insurance contribution changes on care homes and healthcare businesses

Julius also discusses why healthcare remains a stable sector for employment despite economic uncertainties, offering valuable perspective for both employers and job seekers in the care sector.

Listen to the episode here.

How do you run a successful Resourcing Team?

Being a Resourcing Leader is a key function in Human Resources. And it has a fundamental impact on attracting and retaining talent.

The role has its challenges, especially when you're hiring and onboarding thousands of people across mental health services. But it’s an exciting role that has a bottom line impact on organisations.

In this episode, we chat with Ben Hopewell, Head of Resourcing at Cygnet. We explore how his career experiences have shaped his current role, and he shares invaluable insights on:

✅ How to lead a resourcing team
✅ Building the right team structure
✅ Navigating your first year as a Head of Resourcing
✅ Engaging with senior leaders
✅ Aligning recruitment with business objectives
✅ Behind the scenes of a nurse employer branding and recruitment campaign
✅ Defining and achieving success

Or listen to it here.

We've got plenty more episodes for you so check them out here or subscribe for future episodes direct to your inbox.