Social Enterprise – The JJC Ltd

The Orientation Week is a series of workshops to boost confidence of those applicants selected by employers for a place on Growing Talent, delivering a permanent, full-time job on completion. It’s carried out at a central London location prior to applicants going on site with their employers.

For the whole of 2019, we’ve carried out all speed dating events, orientation and holistic weeks are Etc Venues in Eastcheap. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea is provided along with fresh fruit, tea/coffee/hot chocolate, herbal teas and smoothies/orange juice with breakfast.

From the start of the Growing Talent journey, all participants – known as Growing Talent Associates – feel invested in and start increasing their self-esteem. Their #YesICan attitude increases massively.

During the Orientation Week we have visiting professionals to share communication, art therapy and workplace choices to increase knowledge.

Within 10 minutes of arriving for the start of the Orientation Week, Associates are tasked with their first challenge. To draw a set number of images about milestones in their life and then present them. Yes, public speaking in front of strangers! It works every time to showcase just how strong Associates are. They start believing in themselves, not the perception of their labels.

During this week, Jade from CCF (Customer Care First – an excellent training company Jade started) delivers her bespoke 2 hour workshop with the Associates sharing all the nuances of communication from body language, spatial awareness, tone, emphasis etc to the topics to avoid in effective communication.

Daniel going to Pertemps and Tequila going to Churchill Services discuss topics that are ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ to discuss with clients…..

Debbie and Juliet – both going to Park Plaza Hotel in Westminster, doing the same task as Daniel and Tequila above but addressee colleagues/managers….

Jade and the guys above discussing the importance of tongue twisters for loosening facial muscles making it easier to speak for longer.

Tequila and Juliet experiencing how important communication is. Juliet is holding a picture of a pair of boots which she has to describe to Tequila who draws what she hears. Laughter aside, it proves the point we need to ask questions and probe to make sure we have the right information to complete our tasks at work. As Tequila said ‘I never asked if it was a pair!’

The Jade’s session ended with smiles all round in the knowledge the Associates have more knowhow in communication!

Lesley, Head of Health, Safety & Environment at PwC always delivers her excellent ‘Zest for Life’ workshop featuring the 3Rs – Refuel, Rejuvinate and Renewal. Knowledge, information and tips for Associates to look after themselves on the Growing Talent journey and beyond!

Lesley introduces herself and shares her journey of how she got her current role which was unplanned and totally unexpected but ended up being something she loves.

Explaining how humans were not designed for the predominantly desk based jobs we do now, she asked the Associates to think of their roles and come up with suggestions of a body to do their tasks adequately. As you can see the two heads/multiple arms in the drawing below look like something of a SciFi prototype! However, if shows we must be vigilant in taking care of ourselves so our bodies do not suffer.

A key thing is our body bank balance! Things such as coffee – too much is bad but if we follow each cup of coffee with a cup of water it balances out.

Lesley then shared tips on nutrition, saving money by making our own lunches, batch cooking and freezing as well as top tips on relaxation and finding what works for us.

She then set the task of each pair of Associates thinking of three questions for the opposing pair to answer based on her workshop.

Tequila & Daniel devising their questions…..

Debbie & Juliet devising their questions for Tequila and Daniel. I’m glad to report all gave the right answers #payingattention

Smiles all round as Lesley left after sharing key knowledge…..

Emma from Unravelling Minds attends to deliver her Art Therapy workshop and join the Associates for lunch after.

Emma shares her journey from high powered/pressurised career in fashion to complete mental health breakdown. Art was a particular feature in her recovery and she now shares her learning with others. Previously involved with Balloons and the Brain and now Unravelling Minds, Emma runs a unique cafe. A safe non-clinical environment for people to bake and talk together – CBT_Cafe (Cake Before Therapy – what’s not to like!). Check out the remaining dates and information on Emma’s journey below.

Whilst sharing her journey, Emma invites the Associates to select one of three challenges to see how art during their lunch breaks or at any quiet time calms the mind.

Heart full of favourite things
Graffiti newspaper
Illustrate your Growing Talent mantra
Start with a doodle and see where it takes you

The concentration and quiet in the room was amazing!

Daniel’s mantra with it’s hidden message uncovered

Debbie taking up the graffiti challenge!

Juliet focussing on her favourite things.

Tequila starting off with a doodle which soon filled the page!

Juliet also shared her steps of affirmation.

Time for a group shot before an interactive lunch together.

Various workshops with me continued throughout the week ending with the Social Enterprise Challenge. Up for grabs was £50 cash.

The running challenge throughout the week is to devise and deliver a social enterprise to benefit a local community and vulnerable group living there.

Judges l-r seated are Anna – JobCentre Plus, Judith – Churchill Services, Pedro – Head Judge from Pertemps and Shennell – Growing Talent Ambassador who completed Growing Talent on the 5th programme!

Associates standing l-r are Juliet, Tequila, Debbie & Daniel.

First to present was Debbie delivering her Brighter Futures. Based in Wandsworth it focussed on upskilling ex-offenders by teaching them skills to refurbish a venue given by Wandsworth Council. These skills would enable them to apply for roles with the Council in maintenance as well as FM companies. In return the ex-offenders would share their bad choices and consequences with excluded 10-13 year olds with the target of enabling them to make the right choices. Professionals from law, social services, medical etc would attend to help with any issues the participants experienced. A safe space to learn, grow and become more productive.

Next to present was Daniel with his Health Hotspot based in Orpington. Daniel described the location and need for information and choices for better health. Many people develop intolerances to certain food groups. Learning from others with the same intolerance on recipes, adapting ingredients etc would be hugely beneficial and break down barriers. Equally people making choices based on media/fashion such as ‘clean’ diet, ‘sugar free’ – often includes sugar under a different name!, ‘vegan’ – how to ensure you get enough protein and so on. Learning together builds community spirit.

Juliet’s presentation ‘Brotherhood Marching Together’ targeting the stigma within the Afro Caribbean community towards prostrate cancer using colour, music, joy and information was delivered with passion based on Juliet’s own family experience of the disease. ‘Afro Caribbean men don’t talk about such things’. Mindful of inclusivity Juliet wanted all men in the Brixton area where she lives to be included. So men can support men regardless of their cultural background. Using the 02 at Brixton for the end music extravaganza, the day would start at the Museum of Black History with cancer charity specialists in place to talk about the stigma. Affected men and their families can ask questions in a non-clinical environment. Moving to the square where a plethora of stalls for music, food, clothes would highlight all cultures in the area breaking down barriers. All money raised from entry fees etc would go to research. The event would build support structures for all concerned.

Finally, Tequila shared her vision of Take Action. A unique idea to upskill low income parents in turning their houses into homes and also making them more employable with these new skills such as painting and decorating, tiling, plumbing and so on. Tequila shared her view that children of low income families are often introverted and don’t have a voice. Take Action would enable the children to design their bedrooms to be their ‘space’ and give them confidence in using their voice. Supported by local colleges and organisations like B&Q the change delivered would be lifelong and really make a different.

The judges had a tough time whittling down these great ideas to just one winner. Who was it????

Juliet collecting her £50 prize from head judge Pedro….

Ahead of lunch with the Associates, the judges shared their journey to the current roles along with their top tips for shining at work.

After completing their evaluations after lunch, the Associates left to relax over the weekend ahead of starting on their employer sites.

Check back to see how they get on…..

Challenge is the right word! Faced with the prospect of having to devise and deliver a project to benefit a local community and have a revenue stream, really tests our workshops on ‘Fake it until you make it’!

Negative overthinking gives way to confidence and ownership. It’s a privilege to watch everyone learn together, nurture each other and step up to this challenge on the final day of the Orientation Week.

So, how did the Growing Talent Associates so?

Stallion Cycles by Calum, below who is joining Park Plaza Hotel at Westminster. Living in a small village, Calum had noticed how congested the single road in and out was – especially when on his driving lessons! Calum’s idea was based on the ‘Boris Bikes’ of central London but for those living out of London in semi rural areas or traffic hotspots.

Pegasus devised by Brendon was set in the Brookhouse Road community centre where he lives. Addressing self esteem, personal belief using a mixture of sports and professional encouragement. Brendon is a little camera shy so no photos of his excellent presentation.

Scripts by Romain, above based in part on his own experience discovering acting as a vehicle away from the wrong path and crime. Taking over a disused cinema, Romain had a number of strands to using art. Life skills would be taught to 5-11 year olds – kindness and respect of others. His core audience were 15-25 using all the potential career opportunities in a theatre for them to try and consider. In addition, rooms above the theatre would be rented out for studio space and similar. Romain joined Park Plaza Hotel at Westminster.

Life Advice by James seen above focussed on working with high school students on mapping personality to potential industries for career consideration, he also covered mentoring, investing, general life skills and opened up the opportunity to parents as well. Using a mobile unit he could visit estates/schools easily. James joined Red Personnel.

Strictly Dancing Elderly by Miyuki seen below tackled fitness and isolation in the over 65s combining tea dances with social interaction, tea and of course cake! She based this in Lewisham where she lives and shared her story of isolation since her longterm friend found a partner leaving her alone. With a growing over 65s population , Miyuki’s idea was simple yet effective. Miyuki joined ISS at PwC More London

Street View by Stephan is based in Forest Hill where he lives. An area which has missed out on investment and regeneration over the years, Stephan had noticed how there was a growing population of homeless people on the streets and also the burgeoning art community who had no platform to showcase their work. Street View married the two. A magazine featuring the artists’ work sold by the homeless delivered a solution to address these two important issues which would easily be replicated in other areas. Stephan joined ISS at More London. Stephan presenting below.

Steel Games was Jordan’s idea seen below. Having stumbled into playing the steel drums as a child, he ended up as part of an orchestra which entered into a competition. Jordan’s orchestra come 2nd and they performed on Junior Panorama. Based in Anerley with multiple recent stories of knife crime, Jordan believed his idea would give those at risk of being involved a different path to consider. On one floor, he would have gaming consoles and teach young people ways to use this technology safely as well as a selection of steel drums on the bottom floor. Encouraging all to try out this diverse instrument. Jordan joined ISS at PwC More London

A.I. delivered by Stephen was based on using artificial intelligence to deliver administrative innovations to large organisations such as JCP, NHS etc. The idea being appointments are never missed as A.I. removes the use of human error. A unique interpretation of the Social Enterprise Challenge. Stephen joined ISS at PwC More London seen presenting below.

Lastly Michael worked hard on his E-Library idea even though he was not attending the Social Enterprise Challenge as his employer Churchill Services had a large senior management meeting which Michael presented at instead- see below! Just as nerve-racking I suspect! Michael clearly shone as two senior managers contacted me after this Churchill event to say how impressed they were!

Judges l-r – Mariatu – ISS, Geoff – North London JCP, Patricia – Red Personnel, Jon – PwC and head judge, Judith – Club Quarters Hotel, Pedro – Pertemps & Anna – JCP South London and overall lead for Growing Talent at JobCentre Plus.

As you can see the judges above had a tough job deciding on the winner. After much deliberation the £50 cash prize was won by……

Jon presenting a very surprised Miyuki with her £50 prize for her winning idea ‘Strictly Dancing Elderly’! Very well deserved.

Every judge made a point of saying how good the ideas were, how doable and how socially aware they were. Empowering for all Growing Talent Associates!

Challenging ourselves can be scary, but the sense of achievement in pushing ourselves that little bit further is so worth it.

If you are facing something daunting, don’t overthink it. Fake it until you make it! The benefits are amazing. Just ask the Growing Talent 22 Associates!