Warblings 2011 Spring

RBLI NEWSLETTER

The new RBLI organisational design

SPRING 2011

ARC project update See page 4

See page 3

www.rbli.co.uk

Supporting the Armed Forces community

RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter 1

Spring 2011

It’s here again!

Three fantastic months since the winter edition Warblings and the spring edition is upon us already. It has been difficult to resist populating this issue with daffodils and Easter bunnies but I just about managed it!

CONTENTS Page 3 – Transformation Page 4 – ARC project update Page 5 – Learning Café

name game Page 6 – Employee of the

month

Page 7 – Computer training

Qualifications Page 8 – Leatherhead update Page 9 – Social care film

25 year service Page 10 – Mike Smith;

the interview Page 11 – E.T. phone reception

Meet a job coach Page 12 – Inspiring Lewis 2 RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter

I have some great news and stories from all areas of the company for your reading pleasure. This time around you have interviews, competitions and an inspiring good news story on the very last page. I have also included a special visit from a film star for you, page 11.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a story or news article for this edition. My apologies if your item had to be reduced or put on hold for the next issue. Where possible I will put full interviews onto SharePoint if I haven’t been able to include them in full.

If you have any comments, please do drop me a line on 07500 602065, or if you’re at a computer send me an email to will.gowin@rbli.co.uk.

Keep in mind the Warblings newsletter and continue to submit your great stories to me. Keep your eyes peeled for the next edition which will feature our upcoming exhibitions – South East Business Show, Welfare, Employment and Skills Conference and Kent 2020.

Will Gowin Warblings Editor

TRANSFORMATION The “RBLI 2016” Strategy continues at a good pace.

As we go to press, the Army Recovery Capability pilot assessment course for 12 injured soldiers is nearing completion. In addition, the bids for the Government’s new Work Programme are now closed and RBLI finds itself as a sub-contractor in 8 of the 10 bids – as a specialist and covering broader customer groups. A strong position indeed, but as yet still no guarantee of success. We are being positively supported by local governments and Kent County Council and Medway, to name but two, are strongly behind our ambitions to support the Armed Forces community through Social Enterprises such as Manufacturing, Blue Sky and the Learning Café.

Service Delivery Division -

A foundation stone in the development of our strategy is to transform our organisational design. The key objectives of such changes are to streamline our business, provide better integration across all functions and to provide clear lines of responsibilities and accountability. With a more coherent and effective organisational foundation, we will be better placed to seize new opportunities and expand in future years.

The first phase of these changes will take place from the 1st March 2011. In essence there will be 2 Operational Divisions delivering services and products:

headed up by Andy Milton and leading on employability, condition management, vocational assessment, business to business and Village welfare support. This includes delivery of services to the Army Recovery Capability and to TRBL through our Civvy Street team.

Social Enterprises -

headed up by Steve Osborne, this will initially have three main elements:

Manufacturing – Signs, Pallets, Fulfilment Blue Sky Work Teams

Print and Fulfilment, Leatherhead In support of the delivery of services and products will be the:

Support Services Division -

headed up by David Jessop with the mission of providing all the essential support to RBLI to include:

Property Services HR Administration Business Systems Operational delivery support In addition, for this first phase, the Services Support Division will also retain some responsibility for delivery in the form of: Care - Gavin Astor House and Queen Elizabeth Court Learning Café - (Social Enterprise) Housing - 74 Houses and Bungalows The Executive Team will consist of myself, Business Development (BD) and Finance and will continue to provide essential support to the Board of Trustees ensuring that RBLI remains forward looking, beneficiary focused and well governed.

This is not an exercise in changing names and budgetary re-alignment. It is about “changing the way we do things around here”. Our focus of attention is now firmly on our beneficiaries and customers. The job of the Service Delivery and Social Enterprise Divisions is to ensure that RBLI always delivers on time and with high quality; expectations are to be exceeded. The Service Support Division is to provide efficient and cost effective support to ensure this success. This will include: developing our people; designing and developing our Village as a centre of excellence; compliance; assurance and efficient IT support.

We are in the midst of a challenging period for RBLI and everyone involved with the organisation. On the one hand we are forging ahead with exciting new opportunities, whilst on the other hand there is a significant number of staff whose jobs have been placed at risk because some major contracts are ending. We are doing all we can to support those in the at risk category.

RBLI has survived as a successful charity since 1919 and this has been achieved by our predecessors adapting to the changing world. We are now doing our part to maintain and enhance RBLI’s reputation. Our hallmark is quality and a passion for people and for enabling success. I thank you all for your continued support.

Steve

Sherry

RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter 3

Spring 2011

A R C P R O J E C T U P D AT E

The Capel Morris re-opening event took place on the 11th February. This provided an opportunity for our Chairman, Trustees and Executive Team to recognise the hard work that has gone into turning the building from a rarely used club house into a contemporary training and leisure centre for injured soldiers. In view of the sensitivity the re-opening was a low key event. A more formal event will be arranged when the centre is launched as a Learning Café this year.

weeks they had numerous activities and courses to attend including: Individual Vocational Assessments – To assess and determine the skills of each soldier, particularly in the context of any residual affects of injuries or health conditions the may have sustained.

Coaching 4 Change – This course is designed to help understand and embrace change positively, overcoming negative thought processes and prioritising solution Patiently holding their smiles and poses, focused thinking and goal setting. everybody waited whilst I photographed the CV Writing – To help write an effective CV moment our Chairman - Edwin Boorman and application letter.

OBE, cut the ribbon, certifying the reInterview techniques – To inform soldiers opening of the building and the completion about all the different interview types, of the refurbishment work. However, this preparing for interviews and how give a was just the beginning - it would still be a successful interview. couple of days before the soldiers arrived.

The soldiers also attended several activities The soldiers and their Army support staff out of the scheduled course hours such as did arrive that Sunday and remained on access to free gym membership and a trip site for two weeks. The newly refurbished to the Sittingbourne dog racing track.

Prince Philip Lodge provided their Fast forward two weeks later to today and residential accommodation. Over the two the course has come to an end.

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The students attended a celebratory leaving dinner on the last night of the course and have now left to go back home to their loved ones. They have all been provided with contact details for the various trainers and support staff so we can ensure they have access to ongoing advice and support.

The course has been well received by the Army. The feedback we have received about our trainers and all staff involved has been very positive.‘The RBLI staff have been amazing both in a professional way and in their understanding of the problems of being an injured soldier. This was a pilot course and in my opinion the whole project was outstanding.’

LEARNING CAFÉ NAME GAME Are you a wizard with words, or do you have a passion for puns? If either of these describe you then why not enter our Name Game to win a bottle of champagne?

The objective of the game is to come up with a name for our Learning Café inside the Capel Morris Centre. But here’s the stipulation, the name has to be catchy, funny and be around the idea of learning, teaching or famous intellects.

Our CEO Steve Sherry said, ‘I am impressed and wish to thank everyone who has been involved in this remarkable team effort which I hope has made a real and positive difference to the lives of 12 injured soldiers. This is at the core of our strategy “RBLI 2016” and it is great to see it in action.’

We have great news, following on from the success of the initial pilot we have managed to secure two further courses which will be delivered in April and June. This is a real testament to the team work and effort that made the pilot course such a resounding success. We are also in discussions with the Army regarding other opportunities for RBLI to support ‘ARC.’ Will Gowin

Have you got the hang of the rules now? Good!

Once you’ve got a great name, drop me an e-mail with subject title ‘Name Game’ at will.gowin@rbli. co.uk. Good luck!

RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter 5

Spring 2011

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH Paula Richards has been employed by RBLI since 1998, originally as a RGN but in more recent times was promoted to Deputy Home Manager on Lewis Unit 2 years ago.

Paula was nominated for the employee of the month for November for her unstinting commitment to the residents, staff and myself during the last severe snow crisis.

Paula is often one of those Managers that are not noticed for the hard work that she does, and often without any expectation of being thanked for her efforts. She was a tower of strength not only to me, but to all of the nurses, care staff, housekeepers and others that she delivered safely to work and more importantly returned them home with the assistance of the Property Services Team. During this crisis, Paula became Administrator/Receptionist, agony aunt, counsellor, stand in nurse and healthcare assistant and airport controller.

Anyone that knows Paula will be aware of her sense of humour and fun and her liking of ‘dressing up’ for events for staff parties and home parties. Linda Alder If you have a colleague who has done something special and deserves the honour of Employee of the Month, please ask a member of HR or the Marketing team for a nomination form. The nomination form can also be found on the HR section of SharePoint.

GOLF DAY

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RBLI is arranging a Golf Day to raise funds for David’s Day 2011 in the summer.

David’s Day is an annual day out for disabled children in Kent, held in memory of the late David Rowlands, MBE, a former Director of RBLI, who was a devoted supporter of services to disabled people.

This year, we hope to invite an even greater number of disabled children.

The Golf Day event will take place at Broke Hill Golf Club, near Sevenoaks, on Friday, 13 May. More information to follow.

QUALIFICATIONS

Congratulations to Steve Hammond, Steve Beevis and David Haddaway. They have all achieved level 2 NVQ in Warehousing and Distribution.

Also, Frankie Miller, who achieved her Level 2 NVQ in Health & Social Care.

Leatherhead’s Sarah Mutter and Sharon Elliott, successfully completed their NVQ level 2 in Business and Administration.

COMPUTER TRAINING Mountbatten Pavilion has received several new computers as part of an initiative by the Get Digital Funding Programme to provide free computer training sessions. The sessions, supervised by Jane Waring (Community Wellbeing Officer) and Jim Hayat (from The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education), are designed to help first time computer users as well as people who would like to improve their know-ledge of using email or surfing the internet. Sixth form students, Hannah Milton & Mary Pye from Oakwood Grammar School have also been doing a great job helping out as part of their volunteering programme.

The initial sessions have been well attended by the residents of Mountbatten Pavilion and the Royal British Legion Village in Aylesford. So far twenty three people from the RBL Village have attended. The free sessions are available to everyone who feels that they may benefit, including RBLI staff.

The courses are held every Wednesday at Mountbatten Pavilion. If you would like more information about the training, please contact Jane Waring on 01622 718573. For more information about The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education please visit www.niace.org.uk RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter 7

Spring 2011

LEATHERHEAD UPDATE

After various successful campaigns and printing requirements being fulfilled at Manufacturing Leatherhead, such as Rainbow Trust, Covell Marketing, Dixie Jane, Dreamtime Events, C. M. K. Ice Gripper, Matrix Braintree, Learning Tree, and many more, we now look forward to another productive year and welcome our new customers. We also welcome all small and large business recommendations, as we have the capacity and are very keen to increase in all areas.

With help from key members of the Aylesford team we are now working in closer partnership with RBLI Aylesford to efficiently

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complete printing and fulfilment requirements that they have. We happily welcome and encourage RBLI employees to visit our site and see the excellent work our team can do.

Paul Sutherland Waite celebrated with his mother her 90th birthday. They had a big party with all her friends.

Mark Taylor went on his first-time Caribbean cruise with his parents with P&O cruises. He had a fantastic time, as expected the weather was warm. Mark also visited a rainforest in Jamaica and several exotic restaurants.

Sharon Elliott Sales Administrator RBLI Leatherhead

SOCIAL CARE FILM

Our social care apprentice from Gavin Astor House, Pearl Ianson, has been approached to participate in a short film for Kent County Council. The film uses real case studies to highlight the talents and skills of apprentices and celebrate the value of apprenticeships for National Apprenticeship Week (7 to 11 February 2011). You can find out more about apprenticeships and view Pearl’s film online here: www.kent.gov.uk/careapprentice The following is a short interview with Pearl from the KCC website.

Hello Pearl, what do you do?

I am working at Gavin Astor House. The home provides nursing care for people of a wide age range. I am involved in a number of different things everyday including helping people to eat their meals and with personal care.

What did you do before this?

I had been in education full time and had been looking for work since finishing my BTEC course.

Why did you become an apprentice?

I liked the idea of gaining experience while earning a qualification.

What is the most important thing that you have learnt so far?

I have learnt that everybody is an individual and that you need to get to know them as individuals. I have also learnt a lot about myself and the skills and qualities that I have.

Pearl, you are a credit to RBLI and Gavin Astor House. You have been an excellent icon for the great work that our nursing team do.

25 YEAR SERVICE

GOOD LUCK NIKKI

A big thank you to Ray Pound and Nigel Chambers for 25 years of commitment to RBLI, John Redfern was also presented with a certificate for 15 years commitment. They were each presented with their special certificates by Steve Osborne.

Best wishes to Nikki Meredith who after four years service has left RBLI and Gavin Astor House for the Celtic pastures of Wales. Nikki will be greatly missed as our G.A.H. Administration Manager. ‘It’s been a pleasure working with you all, and I will miss everyone very much.’

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Spring 2011

MIKE SMITH: THE INTERVIEW Before Mike Smith finally retired from RBLI Aylesford, I was fortunate enough to ask him a few questions, Mike, How are you?

I am so far enjoying being “retired” but keeping myself busy.

Have promised my wife to cull some of my hoarded bits and pieces but keep finding things that I feel compelled to keep.

Please explain a little about yourself: My background before getting into IT and systems was as an accountant. I’ve worked in several industries in three countries – the UK, Zambia in Central Africa, and South Africa.

Coincidentally, when my wife and I relocated to the UK some years ago we ended up in our present location of Rochester, just 20 miles from where I spent the first 26 years of my life – the Isle of Sheppey!!! (And it’s NOT as bad there as people like to make out!) I went to Zambia in 1971 as an accountant on contract with the copper mines, and I loved it! I spent 3 years there, then moved down to Cape Town in South Africa where I lived and worked for 5 years before being promoted to a Head Office job in Johannesburg, where I stayed until 1994. I’m married to Nadine, have 3 sons and two grandsons.

My youngest son lives in London, the other two and my grandsons are in Johannesburg.

What have you enjoy most about working for RBLI? It’s always people who make the most impression on us! I’ve been fortunate to work with some exceptional people and teams during my 12 ½ years at RBLI, and I’m very proud in particular 10 RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter

to have been part of the Business Systems team, all of whom are now firm friends of Nadine and I. It’s been hard work but we’ve had a tremendous amount of fun together. I’ve seen some major changes in the organisation and feel very privileged to have been part of it all!

Do you have a favourite memory of working at RBLI? It wasn’t funny at the time, but some years ago, when Kate Porter and I were the sole extent of the IT team, we both had holiday booked, Kate to go away and I to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. We thought that “nothing major could go wrong”! It did – overnight we had a major rain storm and the server “room” (it was actually a cupboard in those days!) was flooded because of a severe ceiling leak. I was called early in the morning and rushed in to attempt to recover the servers. After some incredible luck and many absorbent cloths, we managed to get the core applications up and running again for most users and generally mop up a very wet IT installation. However, we did get a new server AND a proper server room out of that incident, and I’m sure that people thought Kate and I had engineered the whole thing to motivate that! By the way, my wife and I made the garden party with 3 minutes to spare!

What do you plan to do now?

Firstly, Nadine and I are off to South Africa for a few weeks to

enjoy some sunshine and our son’s wedding in Cape Town!

When we return, I’ll be working for my own business, providing systems-related business support services to SMEs and not-forprofit organisations. I’m also involved with an online mentoring scheme for new businesses in Uganda, which involves providing general advice to clients over a 3 month period, looking at such things as business plans, financial results etc and holding a onehour telephone mentoring session each week with the business allocated to me. I start the first one on a trial basis in April and am doing some prep work for that now! If I’m fortunate enough to secure voluntary or paid work that allows some travel to African countries then so much the better!

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

I wish RBLI, its staff and management all the very best for the future. I certainly plan to keep in contact with you all and look forward to hearing some good news stories over the coming years!

Thank you & all the best Mike!

To read the full interview go to the ‘Our World’ section of SharePoint.

E.T. PHONE RECEPTION KINDLING RBLI is looking at a number of projects to try and get its kindling wood on garage forecourts.

Watch this space for more information.

19 years since his disappearance ET has finally been rediscovered within our Manufacturing site. The face of Spielberg’s Extra Terrestrial was found within a piece of pallet wood by Brian Birch.

MEET A JOB COACH! FULL INTERVIEW AVAILABLE ON SHAREPOINT...

For our spring edition of Warblings, Nick Swift, one of our Job Coaches will attempt to answer the probing set of questions! Please send me your nominations for the ‘meet an RBLI employee’ hot seat, will.gowin@rbli.co.uk.

Next edition it could be you!

What was the last book you read? Dark Matter by Michelle Paver.

What’s your favourite film and or TV show? On TV, Wallander-original Swedish editions.

Which sports do you like?

Clay pigeon shooting /fly fishing for trout.

How do you spend your free time? Vice Chairman of local Charity-Strode Park Foundation, and L.A. Governor of local primary school. When have the opportunity, crewing on Sailing Barges.

BABY GIRL Congratulations to Lauren Tampin, who had a baby girl – Tilly – born 6 Dec 2010 - Weighing 7lb 4oz.

Tell me about a favourite event of your childhood.

Being introduced to the fun of sea fishing.

What countries have you visited? France Germany Holland Belgium Spain Norway Sweden Finland Russia Canada USA and a few others.

What is your motto in life? “If you don’t like something, but you can’t alter it, forget it, and concentrate on those things that you can”. Don’t waste time - life’s too short.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Elizabeth Wright, Joanna Sas-Bilinska & Helen Winzar from Margate office who’s combined age will be 120 years! Sorry girls!

Happy 40th birthday Leanne Scotcher.

RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter 11

Spring 2011

INSPIRING LEWIS Lewis was referred to me as a mandatory client.

He is profoundly deaf and 23 years old.

His participation in the initial meetings didn’t go well, he did not want to work and did not understand the benefits of working but said he did not care as no one had told him about work.

There was some anger as he had been trying to find jobs at other employment centres, but they did not book interpreters so he didn’t know what they were saying to him. Eventually I helped him to understand the benefits and he said he did understand and that he would come back.

After my next meeting with Lewis, it was apparent he had a few barriers to work that we needed to consider. Lewis is profoundly deaf and can speak very little English. After a basic skills assessment I realised that he would require extra support.

As I have experience of working with people with learning disabilities and mental health issues I was able to ask him questions and build a picture of his needs. I knew he had potential deep down but just needed a bit of guidance. I was determined not to give up on him!

After talking to Lewis about what he liked and enjoyed I put to him the idea of working in a shop.

By now I had built a good working relationship with him and he told me that he has always wanted to work in a shop but no one showed him how. We had a look on the internet and there was a new Waitrose opening with vacancies. I persuaded Lewis to apply. Together we went through the application, which took some time – but I wasn’t prepared to give up on this young guy.

He got an interview – but was reluctant to go!

More persuading from me and talking about how different his life will be if he works, the pride it will give him, the extra money he would have.

He only agreed on the basis I would go with him as he was nervous. The interview lasted all day and consisted of a group assessment with nine other people. I had to arrange for two interpreters to attend and give a quick deaf awareness presentation to the group so that Lewis would be fully included.

At the end of the assessment, the manager called us aside and offered Lewis the job on the spot.

She said that she had never seen someone give as much effort and show as much character.

Lewis turned to me, gave me the biggest hug and said, “Thank you for not giving up on me.” I don’t think anyone has made me cry that quickly before!

Lewis is now working at Waitrose 18 hours a week.

Story by Claire Trako Specialist Employment Advisor for deaf people in Kent

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Designed by Will Gowin © RBLI 2011