self belief – Page 2 – Learning to Action ™

Mental Health – when do we start teaching it?

12 Jul 2019Jane JamesLeave a comment

The conversation has been getting bolder and louder over the part decade or so on Mental Health. Businesses are now putting in place some training around starting and managing a conversation when a change is noticed. We know a lot about self-care and the importance of observing our self-care techniques as ‘non-negotiable’.

However, with the report published below, we can see how earlier intervention is essential. Check out the link below… the stats are shameful.

https://news.sky.com/story/teachers-to-work-with-nhs-to-support-mental-health-of-young-people-in-schools-11761403

1 in 9 of children in full-time education aged 5 to 15 has a diagnosable mental health condition. Maybe read that again.

In 2017 there were 226 recorded suicides of people in full-time education including primary schools. Again – shocking.

We know education about road safety has reduced road deaths. We know regular brushing of our teeth reduces teeth decay. We start learning these things at home before we’ve event gone to school.

Shouldn’t parents be talking openly to their children about feelings, kindness to others, it’s ok not to feel ok and it’s a strength to alway talk about our feelings? Surely this would start to normalise mental health.

Of course not every parent is equipped to provide this guidance.

Schools have a lot on their curriculum. Considering the huge cost to society, business, NHS, communities, families etc, isn’t it now worth making part of Ofsted’s school inspection look at the provision of mental health resources in our schools to nourish the future generations making them more robust in dealing with life issues?

The earlier the intervention the better the recovery.

Do we make a difference now or wait for the time bomb to stop ticking and just explode?

The end of the road…………

10 May 2019Jane JamesLeave a comment

Today is the final day of Growing Talent 21. Nine of the 13 who started the journey have completed and secured their permanent roles.

Their true grit and determination has paid off.

Congratulations and respect to:

Amar – joined MitieTDM – Specialist Internal Firm Services

Bernie -joined MitieTDM – Specialist Internal Firm Services

Navin -joined MitieTDM – Specialist Internal Firm Services

Kelly – joined Melia White House Hotel

Heavenly – joined Firmdale Hotel

Robert – joined Firmdale Hotel – initially as Kitchen Porter but his performance saw him start as Commis Chef

Natasha – joined Firmdale Hotel

Charlie-Ray – joined Portico at PwC

Katrina – joined Portico at PwC

We wish them all well in their careers ahead………………

Growing Talent’s Holistic Week…….

25 Jun 2018Jane JamesLeave a comment

The definition of ‘holistic’ aptly fits what we cover on Growing Talent’s Holistic Week……. Dealing with the mind as well as the body delivers lifelong learning and empowerment.

18-23 June inclusive saw our return to Southwark Cathedral for this element of the Growing Talent programme. We generally start with the two day Mental Health First Aider course which delivers a qualification. An intense two days of growth in how we see mental health. This time we were joined by Sirio an employer from Ballymore. The MHFA is so thick, the guys get a gym workout by default – who needs weights!

‘I think it was very informative and raises awareness on the importance of our mental health’

‘I felt confident in my knowledge of mental health before the course but I had no idea how to deal with it. I do now!’

After an intense couple of days, we relaxed a little with ‘fun learning’. In Everyday Finance we cover amongst other things bank accounts, standing orders, direct debit, credit and debit cards, debt management, the power of money, saving and basic investing options – generally how to make the most of our money.

‘This workshop made me more penny conscious!’ ‘It made me challenge the way I currently bank’.

Just as putting the right petrol in a car is key to it’s efficient running, so is eating/drinking the right things for us humans! Kate from HBN (Health Bites Nutrition) shared some myth busting knowledge as well as healthy swaps and eating nutritionally on a budget. The practical was making a healthy pot noodle which the guys reported on the following day as being great and something they would repeat. Shae even said she might reduce her visits to the chicken shop!!!

A curve ball on the Holistic Week is always the Art project. The guys have to agree on which art gallery they will visit – The Tate Modern or The National. Armed with their project sheet, they pick a piece which ‘speaks to them’. Either love it or hate it. They then have to ask a series of questions and bring their completed sheet in the following day. The purpose of this is to make everyone make use of these free institutions we’re lucky to have in London. By asking questions whilst looking at exhibitions, it makes appreciation easier and effectively reduces stress levels without even realising it! Although there was some hesitancy at the start, all the guys enjoyed this exercise…..

‘It wasn’t something I’d choose to do but it was a new experience. I enjoyed it. Art is a tool to de-stress’.

‘I haven’t visited an art gallery for years. I liked this visit and it made we realise my appetite for art is maturing and growing. I found the drawing exercises therapeutic and will use my drawing kit as an escape from my work life’.

Next time you think of grabbing a quick bite at your desk, why not grab a quick bite outside with a pad and pencil. Just drawing what you see is a great de-stresser, reboots your energy levels and makes you way more productive in the afternoon. Why not try it?

8 months – what a transformation…..

5 Mar 2018Jane 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.

Social Mobility – What is it exactly?

13 Feb 201824 Aug 2018Jane JamesLeave a comment

I was thinking about this the other day. Maybe my definition is different to others….

So what prompted this thought? I’d been invited by a global financial services organisation with a multi £bn turnover and global presence to share my work with their Social Mobility team.

During this meeting I explained how I devised and run Growing Talent which has got over 120 people from the ranks of the unemployed into permanent jobs which they have flourished in. Over four years, many have returned to encourage those following them and shared how much Growing Talent had changed their lives. Some have started their own business.

I gave many examples from graduates who had no direction, self belief nor understanding of what the world of employment looked like to people like Richard – mid 30s, never worked – who not only completed the programme but has been employed for over two years now.

People on Growing Talent come from all social backgrounds including the homeless, single parents, people who have experienced mental health issues and so on.

With nurturing and encouragement they have secured employment, got savings, taken back control of their lives and have immense self-belief. To me, this is social mobility.

At the end of the meeting, the Social Mobility team said Growing Talent was good but what about clothes? Clothes do not bring about change. A mindset, encouragement into work and self belief do as my evidence shows.

So what does Social Mobility mean to you? Is it a new set of clothes or is it giving the tools to someone to literally change their lives?

I sincerely hope the money being invested into these Social Mobility teams actually delivers real change and doesn’t just become a tick box exercise….

New Year = New Opportunity!

4 Jan 201824 Aug 2018Jane JamesLeave a comment

At the start of 2017, there were 27 people who really wanted to change their lives and get into permanent work – but being unemployed – they had no idea how.

At the same time there were a number of employers including some from the world of hospitality, business moves, recruitment, data management and business services looking to add new talent to their businesses but not knowing how to confidently recruit people with knowledge of their current and future potential as well as their commitment and reliability.

Growing Talent is the bridge between the two. A supported journey for both sides to evaluate the other delivering sustainable recruitment and no surprises!

All 27 people mentioned above at the start of 2017, completed Growing Talent and went into work. Their employers were confident they had the right match for their roles, teams and business.

To date, Growing Talent has seen 121 people from diverse backgrounds go into permanent jobs changing their lives and their employer’s perception on the talent that is missed in the ranks of our unemployed population.

It’s so difficult ‘selling’ your skills and potential on a faceless cv. It’s even harder if confidence has dropped due to unemployment. Some of the success stories of Growing Talent below………

Richard – mid-30s and never worked. Dropped school at 15. Secured a role with Harrow Green – still working there almost 2 years later.

Dan – a graduate who didn’t know what career he wanted. Joined a front of house team on a corporate site as a Welcome Host. 18 months later – on their fastback programme progressing to team leader.

Chris – a little over 3 years ago, had a series of temp jobs in retail and some volunteering. Was unwell with depression. When asked why he should be given a chance on Growing Talent, he replied ‘I honestly don’t know’. He joined a business solutions organisation on a corporate site. After two years he moved to a hotel reception role and is now Supervisor there managing a team! He’s also started a degree course in his spare time.

If you are looking to get into work in 2018 and don’t know how – check http://www.growing-talent.co.uk.

As an employer, if you don’t recruit through Growing Talent, do you want to continue missing out on great talent like Chris, Dan and Richard? It costs nothing other than time, open mind and commitment.

What are you going to change in 2018?

Shennell – what an inspiration……

23 Nov 2017Jane JamesLeave a comment

An elated Shennell sent me the feature photo of her graduation on 21 November 2017. The smile says it all.

I first met Shennell on Growing Talent 5 over two years ago. She had left university due to peer pressure, amongst other things, just one term short of completing.

Her self-esteem was low and she couldn’t see which direction to go in. Gradually her confidence began to Grow through the workshops, mentoring and positive peer/employer support. She completed Growing Talent and joined Iron Mountain a document management organisation. After a few months she applied for and secured a front of house role with Portico.

Completing her degree was always in the background. Eventually she chose to leave Portico to return to uni – but life doesn’t always go to plan. She worked for various organisations and looked at some training in marketing before finally returning to uni this year.

Shennell is an amazing role model for never giving up. I am so proud of her achievements and look forward to the next chapter………..

Go Shennell!

What an honour!

12 Jun 2017Jane JamesLeave a comment

Running Growing Talent, it’s my responsibility and privilege to mentor and support vulnerable people to successfully complete and secure the permanent job on offer – literally changing their lives.

Like most things we experience vulnerability is on a scale. People on Growing Talent come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some will be very vulnerable others not so.

This support doesn’t end with the programme. I continue to mentor and support long after the programme has finished.

It’s been a difficult few months for one graduate of the programme from seven programmes ago. Still employed and doing well at work but experiencing some personal issues. A pendulum of events and emotions over the past few months will continue a while longer. I have no doubt the person concerned will conquer this period and be a much more empathetic force.

I am very proud to have received this award and know that I do make a difference.

We should follow Action for Happiness’s view on automatic living. We bundle through live without actually living it. Taking a breath to take in our surroundings and live in the moment is so key to our wellbeing and strength. I personally believe affirmation every day and a reflective period on what we have done well at the end of each day boosts out self-esteem and positivity.

I’ll look at my award every now and then to remind myself I do make a difference and do a good job. Why don’t you try it and see how your self-esteem increases?

Mental Health First Aid – Lite

3 May 2017Jane JamesLeave a comment

Just been retained to deliver three workshops for 60 people in total for a global organisation with HQ in London.

With diverse backgrounds in the room, these should be an effective training sessions!

Lite is an introduction to the full Adult First Aid course. It covers:

Languages & Mental Health Issues
What is Mental Health
Mental Health Problems
Supporting people in distress
Managing our own well-being

Covering 3 hours, the course is designed to be a taster in understanding this complex subject.