Escape the Village, a rural marketing consultancy based in Lyneham, Wiltshire, has been recognised with the prestigious Silver Award under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
This accolade celebrates the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community through employment, advocacy, and awareness initiatives.
The award was presented at a special ceremony hosted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire at Devizes Town Hall, where founder Liz Graney attended alongside her daughter, Izzy Graney, who also plays an active role in the business.
As a company, Escape the Village is proud to actively support defence personnel, reservists, cadets, and the wider Forces community, recognising the valuable contribution they make to both local communities and the economy.
Escape the Village was one of only 50 organisations across the Wessex Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) region (covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Bristol, Gloucestershire, and the Channel Islands), to receive this year’s Silver Award.
Liz, herself a disabled veteran, said:
“Receiving the Defence ERS Silver Award is an incredible honour. We don’t just support the Armed Forces community in name, it’s part of who we are. From helping veteran-owned businesses grow to offering flexible employment for reservists and cadet volunteers, through to sponsorships, work experience, and community events, we are committed to creating real opportunities and recognising the value that the Armed Forces community brings to society and business alike.”
Escape the Village works extensively with veterans, reservists, cadet organisations, and military families, providing specialist marketing consultancy, digital strategy, and content creation services to help small and rural businesses and charities thrive.
Beyond business, the company actively supports local events and charities connected to the Armed Forces community, including REME, the Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes, and veteran business networks.
The company’s values of community, courage, and empowerment are at the heart of its work, championing opportunities for those who often face barriers in rural or military life.
Liz added:
“Our Armed Forces community contributes so much to our country and to local economies. We’re proud to be part of a network of businesses that actively recognise that value, and we’ll continue to do everything we can to make a difference.”
Emily Kadoch, Defence Relationship Manager at Wessex RFCA, commented:
“Escape the Village are a great example that you do not have to be a large organisation to truly look to make a difference within our Armed Forces Community. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support the Armed Forces community and inspire others to do the same. It acknowledges employers who demonstrate a commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and its principles. The Scheme offers Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, recognising different levels of support.Escape the Village have gone above & beyond the Silver ERS Award criteria this year. A big congratulations once again to Escape the Village and I look forward to working closely with you around the possibilities of progressing your organisation to a Gold ERS Award in the future!”
The team at Escape the Village extended their thanks to the Wessex RFCA for their ongoing support and recognition.
