Members News
Resolutions Rochester Scaffolding branches out – when to into construction recruitment change and how Business partner Ben, added: “We want to build a reputation for sending the right people to the right job, first time. We will know exactly which person and what skills are needed and will only send someone if we have that match – we won’t send people who can’t do the job which wastes time.”
Rochester Scaffolding has raised the bar – by adding a second company to their portfolio.
January is a great time for change, but rather than resolutions – which usually add more to your plate, think about exit…stopping something, quitting something, making a major change instead. Do you want to exit and change a situation? Why do you want to exit and change? What do you want to achieve? Dedicate some time to thinking about what you want to change and why, to really understand what you need to do. Don’t try to squeeze it in or around other work or life tasks! Make some notes and get your thoughts out. Work change – is it about your role, money, colleagues, company values, culture, ethos, working pattern? Do you want to work more, less, go self-employed, go employed again? Work exit – are you leaving because you don’t like the job or people, you want more free time to travel, care, have a family? Earn more, train, change your responsibility level? Relationships change or exit – why do you want to make the change? What’s missing? What do you want more of, less of? Is it you or someone else who is the problem? Health - does it affect you at work and in your personal life? What is the main issue? What will be better after?
How will you feel when you’ve achieved it?
Nowadays, there is an overlap between home and work, so change will affect all aspects. You can exit and change something without conflict or blame – but remember, you can only change yourself, not others. Business and personal coaching can help you to organise your thoughts, get through the fog and confusion, and create a clear plan of action. Rosemary Williams RW Coaching r.williams@rw-coaching.co.uk
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Thinking Business
The 16-year-old company, run by Ben McMahon from Rochester, has launched Rochester Recruitment. The new company specialises in recruiting candidates for positions within construction, civil engineering and logistics and will be headed up by new business partner Sonny Hammond. Both have a background in scaffolding and construction, which gives them a better insight into who’s required by their clients. Sonny said: “We’ve both worked on the tools and so we know who would make a good person to send in for a particular job – skills, attitude, abilities.
“Most recruiters haven’t worked in the trade, but with our combined experience, we have a better idea of what’s needed; rather than matching candidates just through CVs ‘on paper’, we can match them much better, knowing what skills they have against what’s required for the job.”
Rochester Scaffolding was founded in 2007 and has worked on large scale projects across London and major cities, plus on smaller projects across Kent and the South East. Their motto of ‘Large enough to cope and small enough to care’ will be the focus for the new business. rochesterrecruitment.com info@rochesterrecruitment.com
Ashford Borough Council and Social Enterprise Kent join Forces to Invest in Charities and Social Enterprises in the Borough Ashford Borough Council and Social Enterprise Kent are excited to announce an initiative aimed at providing critical support to the thriving community of charities and social enterprises within the Ashford Borough.
With more than 160 charities and social enterprises already operating in the region, these organisations play a pivotal role in fostering social and economic growth. They rely on public donations and support from local authorities. Most will also have a ‘business enterprise’ where they sell their products or services to fund their ‘social purpose.’ These enterprises serve as both a source of income and a means of engaging the very individuals they assist. For instance, charity shops staffed by people with learning difficulties not only contribute to the community but also offer valuable life skills, such as teamwork, financial management, and interpersonal communication. However, many leaders in the charity and social enterprise sector seek professional business expertise and guidance to enhance their operations effectively.
They are eager for private consultations with experienced advisors, as well as opportunities for peer learning and networking. Often, they lack formal business training and struggle to find the time to invest in such education while balancing their social missions.
In response to these challenges, Ashford Borough Council has secured £50,000 of its Government funded UKSPF allocation and partnered with Social Enterprise Kent to secure the services of a seasoned Senior Business Advisor. With over thirty years of business experience as a social entrepreneur and a corporate executive, as well as a master’s degree in business administration and a postgraduate in sustainability, this advisor is well-equipped to guide these organisations toward success. Additionally, he serves on the board of one of the county’s major charities. Over the next eighteen months, Ashford Borough Council and Social Enterprise Kent will collaborate to support 40 existing and startup charities and social enterprises. The Senior Business Advisor will provide personalised,
one-on-one mentoring for these organisations and their teams. The initiative will also include training and workshop courses, networking sessions, and a dedicated conference.
To learn more about this transformative initiative and how it will empower Ashford’s charities and social enterprises, please visit the Social Enterprise Kent website: [https://sekgroup.org.uk/businesssupport/ashford-business-support/] Social Enterprise Kent has a rich history of delivering successful business projects in the county. This program will be connected to past and present initiatives to ensure that charities and social enterprises can be introduced to specific partners if necessary. As Cllr Heather Hayward, Portfolio Holder for Performance and Direction, puts it, “Specific support for this sector needs to be delivered by professionals who have the network and experience to provide the tools, advice, and confidence our charities and social enterprises require to thrive.” For media inquiries, please contact: Michael Roberts Social Enterprise Kent. m.roberts@sekgroup.org.uk www.sekgroup.org.uk
