What a reminder this morning of the global reach of i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training and the power Instructors give each other to support those around them globally.

Just after 03.20 this morning, a message came in from a fellow i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health TrainingInstructor based in Asia requesting help to share with their friend based in the UK. Myself and Instructors based in England, Wales and Bahrain shared our knowledge to give the critical information to help the friend and their family through this critical time.

I’m proud to be part of i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training global Instructor community working alongside awesome Instructors including Raatha GaneshSamantha Fiorini, Assoc CIPDKELLY MORDECAI (MCIPD)Diane Gibbons (née Sanders) MCIPD in the field of supporting workplaces and their people to thrive, not just survive throughout the world.

Sadly we’ve had to cancel the Growing Talentprogramme due to start Monday 26 Feb in #birmingham. Despite the drive of Pauline and team #JobCentrePlus, Stuart and team #WMCA and their respective partners, there was zero interest from the unemployed people they work with to take part.

A huge thank you to our employers who pledged their time and agreed to ring-fence their jobs – Simon & Lasse Pilgrims Risk Management Group Dan & Adam BaxterStorey and Portico Lois and team SPSand Jacqui Pertemps Network Group for the Birmingham programme.

Onwards now to London for our next Growing Talentcommencing in May with our awesome employers and community partners including David Steeds, Rob Matthews (Anna) and their teams across the #JobCentrePlus estate as well as awesome Izzy HERETOGA LTD and Matthew at #SouthwarkCareLeavers

Collaboration in action!

Thank you also to the unsung heroes behind the scene including Growing Talent alumni, the amazing Adrienne Simpson – who is an organisational super hero – and of course our sponsors Allen Salmon – without you all, the magic wouldn’t happen….

Call to action for May:

If you are an employer who wants access to amazing talent a different way – get in touch.

Together we will make a difference – are you in?

I’m looking forward to sharing Growing Talent and wellbeing with Southwark Care Leavers at their event in Peckham tomorrow!

Whilst it’s humbling to be asked to share my knowledge – I always come away having learnt something myself!

Thank you Matthew Izekor for inviting me….

Great to catch-up with Chyna. It’s now six months since she completed @Growing_Talent and joined @Pilgrims with @Lasse and their team at a global financial services Firm in London.

At the start of her journey, Chyna naturally had self-doubt stepping outside her comfort zone into unknown territory. Who wouldn’t?

But she thought she could – so she did! With mentoring and nurturing from Lasse and their team, Growing Talent and JobCentre Plus any ‘trip hazard’ in Chyna’s path was identified and dealt with.

Now loving the world of corporate security, Chyna is learning every day.

How about you?

Ready to recruit a different way?

Or looking for a job and fed-up of the endless silent responses in your applications?

Why not consider Growing Talent? Next London programme commences in May 2024 – are you in?

Many people I work with are deeply affected by the noise of social media. Growing up with the internet makes it hard to switch it off for some.

One key aspect taught on Growing Talent is ‘are you acting on thought or fact’. Humans make a lot of assumptions and act on their thoughts – without reflecting on whether these thoughts are factual.

A great article from Bellingcat – 6 top tips from #CharlotteMaher see the link below

Bellingcat is my ‘go to’ fact checker.

What is yours?

https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/how-tos/2023/10/26/separating-fact-from-fiction-on-social-media-in-times-of-conflict

The above screenshot is lifted from Linkedin – below is the story behind it…….

Fantastic to see Kearon and Will’s achievements – thanks for sharing Trevor Hart

Kearon joined the company via Growing Talent in 2015 and Will in 2016. Both joined as members of the warehouse team.

I’ve always encouraged everyone on Growing Talent to see the careers that can be grown from the jobs they secure on Growing Talent It’s not where you start that counts, but where you finish.

The collaboration Growing Talent has with employers,JobCentre Plus the talented unemployed participants delivers life changing results for all.

Growing Talent is running in Birmingham at the end of February and again in London towards the end of May. This B2B programme is completely free to take part. Why not recruit a different way and gain some awesome, long-term talent like Kearon and Will in your business?

Thanks to our awesome sponsors Allen Salmon and nurturing employers like Trevor Hart and Sharon Sales along with insightful employers willing to recruit a different way we can actively make a real difference together, add solid value to businesses and communities.

Want to join us?

A big thanks also to @DavidSteeds Rob Matthews (Anna) and their team at #London JobCentrePlus for helping to make it possible for 10+ years

Working with diverse people from all social economic and life backgrounds, I experienced a lightbulb moment when I stumbled across this video featuring Maddy Alexander-Grout speaking with Roei-Samuel on his Big Risk Energy YouTube channel.

I first heard about Maddy through a half page spread in the Daily Telegraph over the weekend talking about the lack of finance understanding ADHD minds can have.

Maddy gave clear insight into the diverse life experiences she has gone through and ultimately conquered whilst dealing with undiagnosed ADHD.

Everyone should watch this video. It inspires in many areas including:

• What it’s like to go through university and being targeted by loans/credit companies
• Free money – isn’t really free money
• How debt can creep up and how you cannot run away from it
• Starting multiple businesses that are successful but then circumstances beyond your control hit
• Bouncing back
• Experiencing post partum psychosis
• Building a business with the sole aim of helping people
• Going from £40K of debt to financial coach
• Setting up the Mad About Money app – a community for all people talking finance – business and individuals.
• Learning about due diligence
• Bouncing back

Maddy did all of the above with undiagnosed ADHD. Her humour, honesty and integrity is clear and the interviewing style of Roei-Samuel of Big Risk Energy is the best I’ve seen in a long time. Enabling your guest to finish their sentences, not talking over them – mainstream media could learn a thing or two!

For the workplace, understanding some of the issues some neurodiverse people live with, will keep that talent in the business and make it more energised and inclusive breaking down barriers caused by assumptions.

Today marks #TimeToTalkDay for 2024.

Let’s do things a little differently.

Firstly……

When someone asks you how you are doing – give them the gift of a really honest answer. Not the automatic ‘I’m fine thanks’.

Then given them the special gift of allowing them to really listen to you.

Secondly…..

Make every day #TimeToTalk day.

I do. The empowerment I feel when someone trusts me to share how they are really feeling is a very special gift.

Agree?

Caught this video today of Jonny Benjamin. For me, and many others, he’s been an absolute legend in sharing his experience of mental ill heath since the film Finding Mike – based on the night Neil Laybourn found Jonny in a really dark place.

From giving talks, holding Q&As making multiple videos, Jonny’s always been driven by supporting others.

Jonny’s insight made me a better instructor in this field, a better volunteer with Give Us a Shout, a better mentor to those on Growing Talent experiencing anxiety and other mental ill health issues.

Now after 10 years, he’s decided to step away from social media and focus on his own wellbeing and life outside advocating for mental ill health.

What better day to do so than on his birthday? Many of us take birthdays for granted. For others like Jonny it’s a huge milestone. They made it to another year.

I firmly believe every business and every person would be enhanced with the empathy Jonny has. The pain he’s felt from negative comments online have clearly taken their toll.

Are you and the people in your business aware of how you/they may be impacting others?