Portsmouth dad sets up his own recruitment and entertainment business after losing two jobs in lockdown

The dad-of-five, from Port Solent, said he began to struggle with his mental health while trying to find work, juggle family life and care for his elderly grandfather.

Ricki said: ‘I lost two really good jobs in the space of a couple weeks; it was horrendous.

‘I went through a period when I lost all of my confidence and my self-esteem, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make through.’

Inspired by his grandfather, Ricki has decided to take his employment into his own hands – and he has big plans to launch his own recruitment and entertainment business called Ward and Scott Associates.

After losing his job, Ricki became a full-time carer to his grandfather Stanley Hore after he was diagnosed with a progressive spinal condition.

Ricki stressed how instrumental his grandfather was in inspiring him to start his business.

Ricki said: ‘I’m proud to say, I’ve been in work my entire adult life. I’ve always been a grafter, that’s something I learned from my granddad growing up, he’s always been my role model.

‘If I can do it, going through mental challenges and looking after an 86-year-old man, I just want to show people anyone can.’

Ricki decided to set up his own business at the end of 2020 and stressed how, similar to his granddad, he aims to inspire others to make the leap.

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He said: ‘There are people out there who have lost their jobs similar to me and to what I went through. If I can do it, then other people can do it as well, I want to spread that message.’

Ricki’s business will see him put on live gigs in people's gardens and streets, helping them to celebrate but stay Covid safe.

He will also be offering a recruitment agency service, for any industry in the Portsmouth area, helping businesses to find solutions to their staffing problems as lockdown restrictions ease.

He said: ‘These two businesses come off the back of my two passions - entertaining people and creating trusting relationships in order to support recruiting into businesses.’

The business will launch on April 1. For more go to wardandscott.co.uk/ or email [email protected]

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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