Mental Health First Aid – Page 3 – Learning to Action ™

Stop the press! Shennell & Alex start work four weeks early!

12 Jun 2015Jane JamesLeave a comment

What an achievement for both of them.

So, ladies first!

Shennell in her Iron Mountain uniform

Shennell’s was referred to Growing Talent by her brother who I’d worked with previously on a programme called the Real Apprentice. Due to various things going on at the time, Shennell decided to take a break from her University Studies in March 15 and work for a year before deciding what she really wanted to do. Would this be a return to Uni, travelling or employment – so many options!

She arrived at the Assessment Day not knowing what to expect but was open-minded. Nervous on entering the room full of strangers, she soon started to relax and join in. All of the assessments are designed to be fun and inter-active enabling true personalities to be seen and good matches made.

Selected by Chloe & Russ of Iron Mountain, to train to be a Data Specialist, Shennell joined the team close to Canning Town. Learning the processes quickly, Shennell showed her commitment and focus from the start resulting in an excellent first appraisal, followed by the offer to start paid employment from 29 June instead of 27 July!

Alex looking every inch the manager not a Growing Talent Associate!

Alex had a passion to join the Army from a young age. His dad didn’t share his plan. At the age of 16 when Alex wanted to join but needed parental consent, his dad said no. So he carried on with studies etc before raising the issue again at 18, thinking he no longer needed his dad’s position. However, living at home means parents rule!

So job searching commenced with little success. This is often the case when we can’t follow our passion. What role would suit us? What company do we want to work for?

Alex secured some work experience with his local JobCentre. Impressing the Employment Coaches with his tenacity, they put him forward to Growing Talent. Alex won offers from a few companies with roles ranging from administration, mailroom to data specialist. His older brother had worked at Iron Mountain previously and Alex was particularly attracted to their offer of Data specialist.

Like Shennell, he impressed Iron Mountain and has also started paid employment four weeks early. Russ, their line manager is still freeing them up to attend the Holistic Week commencing 22 June when personal finance, fitness, nutrition and mental health first aid will be delivered.

‘Everyone’s a winner’ – as I believe Hot chocolate once sang!

Whirlwind of Visits Last Week!

19 May 2015Jane JamesLeave a comment

In amongst the usual order of business last week including a VETs (Veterans Employment Transition) meeting in Canary Wharf, discussion for the annual Growing Talent graduation ceremony in November and a meeting with a leading facilities company on ideas for a mental health/wellbeing training programme, were three site visits to see how some Growing Talent Associates were getting on.

Based in Old Street, London, MHFA is a niche organisation leading the way in mental health first aid training and awareness. Part of the global family of MHFA which is now in over 20 countries globally, they were looking for an enthused person to join the team in data entry/admin duties and decided to put the vacancy through Growing Talent. Reece Newton was selected by Gillian and Emma from MHFA’s central team to join them.

Two weeks in, I was keen to find out how Reece was getting on – seen above with Gillian – at MHFA’s offices. Unfortunately, the directions I’d given Reece were pretty useless as a lot of building work had gone on since my last visit! So after a stressful start trying to the find the office, Reece soon settled into the team. So far he’s printed and checked over 800 Mental Health First Aid Certificates, worked on the database ensuring records are uptodate and general office duties. Completely different to his previous retail experience, Reece is so far loving the challenge – and the commute!

Over to PwC’s offices at Embankment Place to see Alenchenu working with the five strong rapid team which includes David Calloway from Growing Talent 4! Alenchenu is settling in well. He’s already absorbed the processes for tracking and delivering packages throughout the building – not as easy as you might think! He’s already making plans for when he secures the permanent job. First on his list is independence! He’s keen to get his own place. Next is evening college to focus on courses to aid his ultimate dream job – robotics prosthetics. Alenchenu is enjoying the role so far and getting on well with the team.

My final visit was to Camilla at Portico seen below with one of the Portico managers – Gary Grant………

Looking the consumate professional in her Portico uniform, Camilla looks as though she has worked at PwC’s More London offices for years! Michal – Team Leader and Marcia – Floor Manager, below, agreed Camilla has not only worked hard to support the team, she has learnt the meeting room operations quickly, staying late to aid events and been positively enthused throughout.

This week, Camilla is in the sun with her family celebrating her mum’s 50th. On her return Marcia and Michal plan to give Camilla the diverse experience of a floor assistant. Camilla has enjoyed Growing Talent so far and looks forward to what lies ahead……………

With plans for an advertorial in the Evening Standard and a month long banner ad campaign on line, hopefully Growing Talent will grow and grow!

Growing Talent 5 – What’s The Status?

12 May 201512 May 2015Jane JamesLeave a comment

Well after a prolific pre-screening programme back in April, leading employers including Mitie, Harrow Green, Iron Mountain, Portico and MHFA selected 11 to join them on the Growing Talent journey.

Jason, Bradley & Gavin went into operations roles with Harrow Green, the leading business relocation organisation, who also took Shanika in a Customer Service role and Jose who has joined their HR team.

(l-r: Trev, Shanika, Sharon & Jose)

At the point of employment on completion, Jason, Bradley & Gareth will be skills multi operations assistants with a solid career path ahead of them. Jason is already learning the tablet technology and has his sights set on installation.

Shankia had only retail experience and was a little worried on the office environment. She need not have worried! The team already feel she’s been there forever and is like a sponge when it comes to learning. She is enthused and supportive with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. The end job within the team will call for extensive liaison on the phone, in person whilst keeping a cool head in solution sourcing.

Jose was born and brought up in Maderia. A strong trait of self-sufficiency saw Jose relocate to the UK a few years back to learn English. His career had largely been spent in hospitality. but a natural passion for people and business saw him undertake evening studies in CIPD HR. Working closely with the new HR Manager, Jose has a new project to deliver though idea, design, testing, launch, training.

Mr Reece Worrell joined the Mitie team in the archiving department. The team look after all the information, records, contracts etc of a global financial firm. Better than Reece 1 & 2 is the use of ‘Mister’ – not a note of favouritism!

Mr Reece Newton was selected by Gillian and Emma to join their small but industrious team at MHFAEngland based in Old Street in the role of Admin Assistant. Reece was initially nervous – taking time to make sure his work was accurate – especially when it came to producing the First Aider Certificates!

Gillian from MHFAEngland with Reece and Simon – Portico.

Pauline spotted Alenchenu’s potential to sine in her team at Mitie Service Solutions. As part of the Rapids team, Alenchenu has to ensure all deliveries of urgent items reach their destination efficiently. Not as easy as you might think! These items can be high value documents or personal IT goods. Based in the Charing Cross area, Alenchenu is looking forward to the end role and promotion prospects!

Iron Mountain choose Shennell and Alex to join their data entry team in East London. Shennell is on a year’s break from her University course in Psychology and Criminology. Having done summer and part-time roles, Shennell wanted something which would give her options. She has settled in well and is on course to secure a flexible job to turn into a career when she’s ready. Alex, quiet by nature,

Camilla was selected to join the Executive Welcome team with Portico working at global organisations in central London. This role is highly visible and customer facing. Responsible for meet and greet, direction, meeting room set-up, client safety on site, inter departmental liaison the Executive Welcome team work with all levels of personnel including Board. Camilla has embraced the challenge and is working very well. Simon, MD of Portico and Jordan, Welcome Team Executive – also Growing Talent Associate on the 2nd programme! – were judges on the Social Enterprise idea, the flagship workshop of the Orientation Week.

Camilla won the Social Enterprise Challenge with her idea – Renaissance House. Seen below receiving her cup from Jon or PwC

The guys have all been on site for a week now and starting to get used to the routine of employment. Each have gone into roles open minded and hungry to learn. They are doing well and initial reports are encouraging.

Watch this space to see how the guys progress over the coming weeks……………..

Latimer Vibe

13 Nov 2014Jane JamesLeave a comment

Early, on a cold November morning seven intrepid Growing talent Associates stumbled from their warn beds to start their train journey to Latimer House.

After a train into London, tube across London, overground out of Marylebone, they arrived at Chalfont & Latimer for the final leg by taxi to the hotel. Arriving at 9.20am, there was just time to grab a warming drink before the first module of Latimer Vibe commenced.

Mental Health First Aid – kicked off session one. An understanding of mental health, the growth of the Mental Health First Aid global family, awareness in spotting the signs and steps to take to support someone as well as ourselves. After lunch the finance workshop designed by Jon Barnes was delivered called ‘It’s Your Money’. Learning on all areas of personal finance from store cards, credit cards, bank accounts, mortgages etc.

Sofie & Kate from Healthy Bites Nutrition, delivered an innovative workshop on healthy eating, food labelling and cheap ideas to feed ourselves on a tight budget. A demo on a quick and easy breakfast on the go preceeded the pot noodle extravaganza! Everyone had their own spices, dried rice noodles, frozen veg selection to compile their own bespoke lunch at a fraction of the cost of work lunches! This went down really well……. All said they would start changing their lunch habits – saving money and better for health! The intention is there, let’s see what reality brings……

Day one ended with the second MHFA session on suicide and depression. The photo below shows Andy, Mo and Ariane presenting their teams’ findings when considering some mental health symptoms and what they may look like.

At the three course dinner, we were joined by Lesley Davies and Chris Thompson – managers ahead of delivering their workshops on day 2!

Madi's gigantic burger — Madi’s gigantic burger!

Day 2

First workshop was about personal finance. We worked from the Latimer Vibe manual learning about standing orders, direct debits, bank accounts, overdrafts, store cards, credit cards, online banking, loans, mortgages, credit rating savings, increasing finances etc. This was followed by a quiz. Helped retain the information learnt.

Next was a fitness without the gym workshop giving valuable advice on staying fit at work, small changes to deliver big changes in our health, understanding how our body breaks down food and releases energy – a full on hour around renew and rejuvenate. The guys then had to devise a plan to get fit taking into account things like mindset, rewards etc.

Next followed Session 3 of MHFA learning about Anxiety before Chris delivered an interactive workshop on poetry and creative writing to express and alleviate mental health issues.

It was powerful and sometimes shocking but absolutely innovative beginning with a YouTube clip of an American rapper. We don’t generally associate rap with poetry but listen to the words and composition there is a definite link. Next up was a short film on Sylvia Plath – I personally have always found her work very dark but she manages to express what a dark place she was in. It’s often difficult for people with no experience of depression to appreciate the despair involved. The final clip Chris showed was an amazing poet – Neil Hilborn who wrote about his journey into and then out of love whilst living with OCD and the impact this had on his girlfriend. What initially drew him to her eventually pushed her away. Thought provoking.

‘I loved it. Chris made poetry interesting and fun’

The final session was MHFA 4 – Psychosis! Understanding psychosis isn’t just about hearing voices started to question fears we all have about stereotypes:

‘I was afraid of mental health before, but know I feel I have gained a lot of knowledge on the subject for future reference’.

‘It’s important for us to understand more about mental health’.

A well earned drink with dinner followed!

Before and after the workshop session, the guys had full use of the facilities – swimming pool, sauna, gym between 6am-10pm.

Stairs at Latimer — On the way to dinner

Stairs 2 Latimer — The end of Latimer Vibe!

The next Growing Talent will commence in January 2015. For anyone interested in the First Aider course for mental health, check out http://www.mhfaengland.org.

The written word!

4 Nov 2014Jane JamesLeave a comment

Just picked-up the final manual in the trio for Growing Talent.

Latimer Vibe is full of key information to ensure onward learning supporting the key points we cover at Latimer House, Chesham. I’m really pleased with the finish and content. This covers personal finance, fitness, nutrition and wellbeing as well as information on housing. It’s been a labour of love over the past few months to get completed in time. So far – really good feedback.

Orientation workbook supports the Growing Talent Associates at the start of their journey focusing on communication, assertiveness, body language, personal support, dealing with work situations and so on.

MHFA is an amazing manual to complement the two-day Mental Health First Aider course produced by MHFAEngland.org. All Growing Talent Associated undertake this valuable course.

I might start a new career as an author!!!!!

Comprehensive information for every stage of Growing Talent

Latimer Vibe Mark 3!

3 Nov 20143 Nov 2014Jane JamesLeave a comment

A briefing session for the 3rd Latimer Vibe takes place at PwC Hays Galleria tomorrow (4 November). The content of the workshops delivered grows each time. We have a new manual to encompass all of the workshops running at 57 pages! Topics now covered include:

It’s Your Money – a basic, broad range look at personal finance from banking accounts, direct debits vs standing orders through to savvy saving practices, store/credit cards, debt management, mortgages through to increasing income potential.

How to get fit! – insight in how to plan a routine to ensure you increase your individual fitness level without gym membership

Fitness without the gym – blood pumping techniques for when you are desk-bound!

Hippy dippy – a look at well-being and positive thinking

Health Nutrition Bites – focussing on healthy eating on a budget

Practical Kitchen – the essentials to know about cooking for your self, food hygiene etc

Housing – some signposting for emergency housing and a look at what to consider if you are in secure accommodation but want to plan an independent move

In addition to the above all seven Growing Talent Associates will undergo the two-day global Mental Health First Aid course which will enable them to deliver first aid in this specialist area if they wish to. It will definitely enable them to look after themselves better.

We have visiting managers delivering workshops in the above areas along with plenty of relaxation time which can be spent exploring the grounds, in the swimming pool, sauna or gym. I expect a beer in the bar at the end of the day will be welcomed as well.

should be an exhausting but fun three days ahead. Latimer kicks off Wednesday 5 November ending on Friday 7 November.