Growing Talent

Jane’s world – Friday Review

Jane JamesLeave a comment

What a week it’s been!

As a certified neurodivergent coach, it’s a joy to watch the progress my coachees make. 

This week saw the third session with a manager from the higher education sector who made a decision that was right for them without any rumination – #amazing.

Final touches were made to the three Growing Talent journey books. Now up-to-date and ready for a final proof reading and printing ahead of September’s programme. 

I love getting a large piece of work of my desk – don’t you? A feeling of great satisfaction.

I suddenly realised this morning, whilst the room was booked for Monday’s information session with JobCentre Plus work coaches, the presentation was complete and ready to go, teas and coffees ordered – thanks Ads! – I had forgotten an ‘aid memoire’ for the work coaches to take away with them. This was quickly composed with all key facts and sent for printing. Phew!

Pause for Thought

If something is legal, but not necessarily morale, does it make it right? Or wrong?

What do you think?

This thought popped in my head following the media report this morning regarding a housing minister who has stepped down. I’ll let you go and find the story. 

After reading the story, did you change your mind?

We cannot control what others are doing, but we can control how we let it impact us.

Have a peaceful, fun weekend

3 before 4!

Jane JamesLeave a comment



Tanice secured her role today joining Grace, Peter and Owolabi – the dynamic quartet jumping into employment on Growing Talent‘s 41st programme! 👏 👏 👏 👏

It takes a lot of courage to rise to the challenge of leaving benefits to go into work – especially on Growing Talent as we do things differently!

What unemployed people know and think will happen on their journey into employment goes out of the window!

We do things differently and it works. We get results.

So what did Tanice think of the experience?

“Thank you so much for everything I feel very lucky to have been apart of your programme and it’s been an amazing experience. Thank you” Tanice

I have the best job!

Drum roll please!……

Jane JamesLeave a comment



Introducing Grace & Peter – newly qualified i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training – Managers!

In line with ISO45003 – workplace psychological safety – Grace and Peter now have the tools, steps and effective communication to not only build their mind muscle but be aware of the emotional temperature of those around them.

With over 50 tools and 90+ referral organisations, i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training was designed specifically for any workplace to be used by anyone – no matter their level of medical understanding.

Its pro-active approach smashes the focus we are brought up with to put everyone else first. How can we do that if we aren’t thriving? Building our own mind muscle is critical – not ‘nice to have when I’ve got time’.

As an i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training Instructor, I deliver the Manager level to those going into employment through Growing Talent for two reasons:

✅ Where they start is not where they finish! They will me leading others in time.
✅ Every employee should be aware of their manager’s responsibilities to them both morally and legally.

Grace and Peter now know how to start flexing their mind muscle with the micro techniques I teach.

What were their thoughts?

“This course gave practical tools to recognise signs of stress or mental health struggles, both in myself and others. It helped me feel more aware, supportive, and better prepared for the emotional demands of the workplace and community.” Grace

“A key learning for me was how to support someone else in the workplace who might be struggling using cues” Peter

We know Grace and Peter will have awesome careers with CIS-Security and be equipped to support their teams and clients. 👏 👏

The wait is over for Owolabi!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

The 41st Growing Talent programme has been the most interesting and challenging so far!

Some got roles and are on the Orientation and Holistic week currently, others have been going for meetings with different managers to identify the right fit.

The waiting game.

We all know how tough it is, waiting to hear results on anything – but especially whether we’ve secured that job or not is painful!

Owolabi was, until yesterday afternoon, waiting to hear and wondering if his life was about to change.

Now he knows it is.

Stable employment and a regular income enable unemployed people to start taking back control of their life, make their own choices and close their own social mobility gap.

This is even more important for those with challenging back experiences. A permanent job really does change lives.

A huge thank you to Matthew Izekor of Southwark Care Leavers who referred Owolabi to Growing Talent and supported him throughout the process.

Also a massive thank you and nod of respect to Gina and the team CIS Security Limited for joining us in doing things differently.

If you are looking to gain some amazing talent with hidden skills that will add value to your business in London – why not join us?

Next programme starts September 2025. Contact me for details.

I got up at 5am to get here in time!”

Jane JamesLeave a comment



Peter realised he didn’t have enough money on his Oyster to use the train to travel into London, so he planned his journey, got up extra early to arrive as close as possible to the start time of Growing Talent‘s Orientation week.

#respect

So a boiling hot Monday. A difficult journey and then faced with three manuals and an i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training training pack! This is a lot for anyone, let alone a neurodivergent superstar.

#respect

Grace had an equally trying time having to juggle getting the children to school and then into Central London. Did she want any ‘special treatment’? hell no. She set her mind on doing Growing Talent following her husband’s experience on the last programme, no matter what.

#respect

So a morning of learning, discussing, sharing thoughts, views and opinions on effective communication, unconscious bias, what is neurodivergence, managing conflict, how to move on – internally and externally, we arrived at some case studies. Real life experiences of problems previous Growing Talent participants had experienced. What would Grace and Peter have done? the conversation flowed.

That’s the beauty of working together leading with respect, inclusion and without pre-judgement.

For the rest of the week, we move to training our minds – the holistic element of Growing Talent

Both Peter and Grace are joining CIS Security Limited Their ability to connect with people, observe the cues humans give and think calmly coupled with the intense security training and guidance CIS Security Limited will give them, they have a world full of opportunities about to open for them.

A big thank you to those behind the scene supporting Grace and Peter including

Adam Bushell
Adrienne Simpson & the room bookings team Portico
@DavidSteeds, Rob Matthews (Anna) and the Job Centre Plus teams
Matthew Izekor and the team at Southwark Care Leavers
Gina and the team CIS Security Limited

What a morning!

Jane JamesLeave a comment



Growing Talent‘s ‘getting to know you’ event for applicants and employers ahead of the selection stages.

Mark BaxterStorey, James SPS UK & I, Gina & Megan CIS Security Limited met the awesome applicants including Tanice, Sharon, Siddik, Sujibomi, Aeurlien, Zaniyah, Peter, Grace, Owolabi & Daphine.

Matthew Izekor and Rob Matthews (Anna) also joined us to support their awesome applicants.

Initial nerves gave way to confidence and laughter as the applicants gelled with each other and the employers.

Adam Bushell shared why he supports Growing Talent and spent time encouraging the applicants.

The heart of the session was the London Challenge. Imagine having to work with a complete stranger to identify a problem within London’s communities and devise a solution to present to the employers – WITH JUST 45 MINUTES PREPARATION. Could you do that?

Our amazing applicants didn’t flinch. Rising to the challenge we had 5 thought provoking themed presentations including:

💡 The cost of living – giving people the knowledge to navigate this era.

💡 Youth Club – revitalising a heart of the community hub to give young people a place they truly belong

💡 Problem housing – giving tenants the knowledge and tools to look after the homes better and improve their health – repairs, mould removal, decoration etc

💡 Foodbank – developing these crucial lifelines connecting the community and hospitality businesses with more food, recipe and nutrition options

💡 Crime – smashing the rise in mobile thefts and knife crime with more outreach, role model, a different life path

More about these fantastic ideas tomorrow!

The overriding feeling from the applicants was how different Growing Talent is to anything they’ve experienced before.

What none of them realised is just how amazing they are. Their commitment, drive to work together and willingness to step out side their comfort zone are all qualities employers want.

Growing Talent enables the individual to be seen, not be judged by their label.

A big thank you to everyone behind the scenes 👏 👏 👏

Be prepared!……….

Jane JamesLeave a comment

The Scout’s motto “be prepared” has been core to my critical thinking as a trainer, mentor and coach.

Even the basic things can get lost in translation.

The pictures were taken this morning ahead of Growing Talent‘s ‘Getting to know you event’ for unemployed applicants and employers.

I’d asked the awesome room set-up team for two half circles facing each other. One for employers and one for applicants. I got the standard theatre style set-up – not the best for a ‘getting to know you experience’!

With ‘be prepared’ in mind, I arrived on site early to deal with any issue like this.

Did I complain? – nope, no need
Did I alert the team to get someone to change it for me? – nope, no need

I rolled up my sleeves and did it myself inside 10 minutes. Job done. No hassle. No fuss.

It’s much the same in life – business and home.

We spot something that isn’t right and either:

Ignore it – someone else will do it
Moan about it to everyone that can’t/won’t do anything about it

No one is going to change things for us. We have to do it ourself. They may help us, give us some guidance, some tools to use, but ultimately it’s down to us to take action.

Do you agree?
What action have you taken today?

What an amazing 8 week journey…….

Jane JamesLeave a comment



We’ve learnt together, laughed together and pushed through fears together.

Now Mulenga and Aboidun have a solid plan to move to where they want to be as well as the tools and steps to get there.

Growing Talent‘s Talent Hub is an optional resource for those applicants to Growing Talent who do not go past the employer selection stage.

A specific topic is worked on each week focussing on an area of work or life. In addition, where applicable, we also look at business start-up – turning a passion into a future business.

Keep an eye out for Mulenga’s Korean lifestyle experience business. Passionate about all things Korean, Mulenga is fluent in the language and culture. From translation, to event management, marketing and promoting, to critical information needed to visit Korea and the must see places – Mulenga is full of ideas to develop and services to offer.

Aboidun has a few business ideas including AI – what is it? how to use it? – definitely needed by people like me! How to reverse diabetes with diet and exercise – which he did and the world of Nigerian food.

I have no doubt both will grow their service offering over time with more ideas, products and services.

Like many others, their fledgling businesses will be side projects alongside work but never losing sight of their ‘why’ will deliver results.

Jeff Bezos and his then wife started Amazon in their garage. Look how that grew!

Mulenga and Aboidun have so much hidden talent, empathy, critical thinking and ability to learn continuously, they will be amazing employees for any employer, and amazing employers for their employees of the future.

It’s been an honour to work with them both.

“Get your foot in the door and work your way up”

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Sound familiar?

I use it all the time on the Growing Talent employability programme I run. It can be hard to see an opportunity when you have a fixed idea in your mind about a role you want when you are unemployed.

Often it can result in missing an opportunity that will get you where you want to be – just a different route – by simply getting your foot in the door and working your way up!

Meeting Fajar from Portico on the current Growing Talent programme, it was great to learn how Alex and Katie have progressed since joining her team on the last programme.

Neither started where they thought they wanted to be.

Katie realty wanted a static role in welcome/reception. Alex was interested in any stable role but didn’t believe he would achieve one – let alone a client facing one.

Both silenced their internal negative chatter, took a deep breath,  stuck their foot in the door and worked their way up really quickly!

Within a few short weeks of joining her roving welcome host role, Katie got her desired static role!

Alex, is in such demand from Portico accounts across London – Fajar confirmed he’s booked up until August.

Sometimes we can overthink so much, we let that negative voice in our head get so loud that we don’t seize the opportunities which come our way. Instead, we remain exactly where we are. Stuck.

How do you feel about ‘get your foot in the door and work your way up?’

Challenges – could you do the London Challenge

Jane JamesLeave a comment

After the pressure of making the employers do a spot of public speaking and share their journey to their current role as well as their top tips to impress employers, it was only fair that the awesome Growing Talent applicants stepped up too!

London Challenge demands the applicants to come up with an idea to improve London.

Imagine this….

First part is to brainstorm ideas. Then, form a team with people you didn’t know two hours before, devise the beginning, middle and end of a unique idea within 45 minutes before presenting it t the panel of employers!

Would you do it?

The employers were treated to four unique ideas.

🎯 Group 1 – Leon, Niki, Katie & Bozena
🎯 Group 2 – Kai, Iuliia, Samuel, Anita & Alex
🎯 Group 3 – James, Aboidun & Mulenga
🎯 Group 4 – Shantelle, Dejanae & Sarah

Ideas ranges from community mental health and well being, creative hubs, food and nutrition – with a community greenhouse and intelligent use of public cctv to reduce response times!

All applicants chose to return 19 February for our ‘slow dating’ event – also known as the employer first stage selection!

It’s going to be amazing!

Thanks to everyone who took part including:

SPS UK&Ireland
#IronMountain
Portico
CIS Security Limited
ISS A/S
hashtag#NGBailey
hashtag#JobCentrePlus
hashtag#DavidSteeds & teams across London
Rob Matthews (Anna)
Matthew Izekor
hashtag#SouthwarkCareLeavers
Adrienne Simpson
Adam Bushell