Christmas

8 months – what a transformation…..

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Whilst in the London office, I bumped into Phil – one of the Mitie managers in Service Solutions – seen on the right with Jamie ex-Growing Talent Associate.

 

Phil selected Jamie in July 2017 on the 13th programme.  Jamie had never held a permanent, full-time role but had a strong work ethic.  He was really confident at home and with friends, but it was a different story in the corporate glass building that  he would be based in.

 

Jamie picked up the role really quickly.  He has been so supportive of his team from day 1 that when it came to the annual Graduation in December, Jamie didn’t stick around for the adulation and photos.  He wanted to get back to his team as they were so busy with the Christmas rush!

 

Today, I bumped into Phil who gave a glowing report on Jamie. ‘He always works late if necessary, supports the team and even covered two departments on his own.  He really is up there with the great personalities  we’ve had on Growing Talent’.

 

It’s lovely to hear how well everyone continues to do.  Jamie truly is a fab role model for others to follow.

Euston – do we have lift off….. for a brilliant idea?

Jane JamesLeave a comment

In the moon landing era of the 1960s it was of course Houston not Euston.  Today, it was reported in the press Euston Train station came up with the brilliant idea of opening and welcoming the homeless for Christmas Day as no trains run.

 

Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?

 

The term ‘homeless’ doesn’t represent reality.  Some homeless people don’t live on the streets.  They may live in temporary accommodation or sleep on friend’s settees etc.  Some street  sleepers  don’t want to leave the streets but would welcome the company of others and shelter on Christmas Day.

 

Crisis has been running a successful few day service each Christmas providing beds, food, clothes, showers, hairdressers, doctors, dentists etc for a umber of years.  They are expert at this much needed pop-up service.  Imagine what could be achieved if all train stations opened their doors for Christmas Day and partnered Crisis to deliver a fantastic offering.

 

The real meaning of Christmas maybe?

ENEI – Great News!

Jane James2 Comments

Heard last night that Growing Talent has been shortlisted for an ENEI (Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion) award in their Community Impact category.  Winners will be announced at the Law Society on 14 July 2015!

It’s strange to think when I wrote the entry back in March, 20 people had gone through Growing Talent and secured permanent jobs.  By the time the announcements come round, it will be 41!

It is a great encouragement to the employers who have been involved including Harrow Green, Iron Mountain, Pertemps, Aramark, Baxter Storey, Mitie, Portico, MHFA, Red Personnel, Sheridan Maine, Network Compucare, Honeywell, UpTownOil, JobCentre Plus’s management team and of course PwC to continue, grow and develop Growing Talent over the coming months and years.

Any awards won endorse the programme and encourage others to get involved.  Coupled with the online advertising on Daily Mail, Telegraph and Guardian websites through the month of June and the Evening Standard feature – which I’m now told will be published on 11 June – the word is definitely spreading!

The story in pictures………………

team

Comfort, Sophia, Holly & Jason – pilot

20140814_165445

Mikele, Jordan, Nirosana, Sholape, Anthony, Chris, Samick, James & Caroline – 2nd programme

Stairs 2 Latimer

Andy, Matt, Kavita, Mo, Madi, Ariane & David – 3rd programme

cropped group

Michael, Kit, Selwyn, Kaith, Daoud, Joshua, Sinead, Michell, Max, Jane, Courtney & Jess – 4th programme

Chris and the guys

Gavin, Chris (now a presenter!)Alenchenu, Jose, Bradley, Camilla, Shanika, Reese, Alex, Shennell, Jason & Reece – 5th programme

So the madness begins…..

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Why is it every year people spend money on things they can’t afford for people they don’t always like, let alone love in the name of Christmas – a great marketing ploy……

Now the awful news for CityLink’s workforce of losing their jobs – what new year beckons for them? – especially if, like many people, they spent overdrafts/loans etc getting presents, food, booze and so on?  The news this morning of queues 500 deep for the Boxing Day sales!  Where does this total consumption end? Half the time we buy stuff in sales which we regret later.

Life can be very cruel and we never know what is round the corner.

Watching the baby in our family show huge excitement at the balloons, tinsel, wrapping paper struck me on how much I’d become wrapped up in the consumerisation of Christmas.  Buying too much of stuff that will be thrown away.  The baby of the family showed me all that is needed is time, attention and love – none of which we can buy.

As the New Year beckons, let’s love ourselves and our families that bit more by giving our time, energy and focus to what they are doing rather than line the pockets of retailers.

I’m very lucky in having a job I love and family and friends I care about and who care about me.  I wish you all the same.  May 2015 be filled with opportunities for you.  My New Year’s resolution is to not fall into the marketing/sales traps anymore.  To enjoy the holidays for their true meaning – not religious dictates – but to be with those we love and show them we love them – not with goods but with us physically being there – all of the time, not just at the holidays.

Instead of being rich, losing weight, never drinking again, why don’t you pick a New Year’s resolution which is achievable, sustainable and will bring you so much more joy.

Happy New Year!