Impact Newsletter - January 2023

Issue No.17 / January 2023

Ingeus to deliver new National Citizen Service residential experiences

What’s inside...

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JETS celebrate award wins at DWP event

Ingeus are pleased to confirm their forthcoming partnership with the National Citizen Service Trust.

Following a rigorous procurement process, Ingeus’ consortia partnership with Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales) (YHA) has been announced as the provider of the new residential experiences for the National Citizen Service 2023-2025 across England.

Ingeus has been delivering the National Citizen Service since 2010, most recently as the Trust’s Managing Partner in the South East and the East Midlands, and as their Recruitment Partner in the North East.

From 2020-2022, Ingeus supported more than 47,000 complete the experience of a lifetime, and last year facilitated more than 215,000 hours of social impact and community projects.

Ingeus are proud to be to delivering the new themed residential experiences from 2023 with YHA, collaborating to deliver high quality programmes to help deliver the Trust’s vision of a country of connected,

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Warm Hubs launched to help people find jobs and stay warm

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Wellbeing check-ins during Winter months

confident and caring citizens where everyone feels at home. Together we will give young people opportunities to connect with others, build their confidence, and inspire their potential through new skills and experiences. Ingeus will be engaging young people across England working with local youth organisations and education providers, prioritising those areas defined as Department for Education opportunity and Levelling up areas.

Read the full media release on the NCS website at https://wearencs.com/ncs

JETS celebrate award wins at DWP event

Ingeus attended the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS) Celebration Event in January, recognising the achievements of the employment support programme over the last two years.

Ingeus were presented with the JETS Partnership Award for our work with Better Health Generation, and Clare Dennon received the JETS Advisor Award. Kay Bendell, Assistant Employment Accounts Director, EAD, CMPD, DWP, presented the partnership award and said it “demonstrated significant evidence of collaborative working which has clearly added value to delivery and supported JETS participants.”

We were also high commended for the JETS Participant Switch Award. Congratulations to the whole JETS team and everyone involved!

New assistive technology for our website s

That’s why we’ve invested in new assistive technology for our websites, giving our staff and customers access to a wide range of tools.

We have partnered with Recite Me, which provides a cloud-based toolbar that increases digital inclusivity by allowing visitors to customise content so that they can consume it in ways that work best for them. The toolbar provides features that can customise our content so all users can access it, including: a screen reader; translations (100+ languages, 35+ speech); styling options (e.g.

web colour); reading options (e.g. magnifier, mask, ruler); MP3 creator; integrated dictionary.

According to Recite Me, one billion people worldwide encounter barriers when trying to read and understand content online. This can be due to disabilities, learning difficulties, visual impairments or language and cultural differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader and an organisation that strives for inclusivity for everyone, we believe every individual should be able to access content online in the way that works for them.

Time, and a new job, proves best healer for Soraya

Successful entrepreneur Soraya Daniels found her life falling apart during the pandemic.

The self-employed massage therapist and energy healer lacked the financial support other workers received and, as her debts spiralled, so too did her mental wellbeing. With support from JETS, the single mother from Bury is now enjoying working in a job which is giving her much needed time and mental space to re-evaluate her future.

“I was feeling overwhelmed during the pandemic,” recalls Soraya, 49. “I really struggled because I wasn’t getting financial support with my lack of earnings, and panic and anxiety set in. But I wasn’t getting full job satisfaction in the first place. My business was already proving more stressful than it was worthwhile.”

After signing up for Universal Credit, Soraya was referred by her local Jobcentre Plus to Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS), a separate strand of the Work and Health Programme (WHP), delivered by Ingeus. There, she was supported by Employment Coach Jack Rigg.

“Jack was a perfect match,” says Soraya. “I instantly felt supported and heard. My mind was in such a panic, he really slowed it down and helped me realise how important my CV was to get me through employers’ doors.”

Alongside support with her CV, Jack also organised financial support for Soraya to help with her job searches. As well as a laptop, she was also given money to buy suitable clothes for interviews and her resulting job.

Soraya says, “I had no money. My daughter and I were made homeless and put in temporary accommodation. I had no spare money for office clothes, so being appropriately dressed for an

interview really helped with feeling confident. Jack helped address the practical issues that mattered.”

Now working as a customer adviser, Soraya is enjoying a less pressured job which is allowing her time to reflect on her previous business and what the future may hold.

She says, “I’ve had to be honest with myself and work out what’s important. I wasn’t taking care of myself when I had my own business, I was pushing myself so hard and I had unrealistic expectations of myself.

“I now realise that it’s not just about having money, it’s about being able to have a consistent income and my own fulfilment. As my mental health as improved, so too has my relationship with my daughter.

“I am re-evaluating what I want to do next, but right now, this is the best job for me.”

Zoe receives Butler Trust commendation

Warm Hubs launched to help people find jobs and stay warm

Ingeus colleague Zoe Gaywood has recently received a Commendation from Butler Trust, one of the sector’s most prestigious accolades, for her work as a Health Trainer for Ingeus’ Commissioned Rehabilitative Services.

The honours are presented each year by the Butler Trust’s Royal Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, to recognise those working in prisons, probation, and youth justice settings.

Check our Zoe’s podcast where she shares her story and rehabilitation journey.

TW: Please note this content contains references to drug abuse, alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and mental illness.

Our Work and Health Programme and Restart Scheme centres in London are inviting customers to drop into sites and use them as ‘Warm Hubs’.

The Warm Hubs are open until March to provide a safe space where customers can get away from the cold and help themselves to hot drinks and biscuits, whilst taking a look at the latest job opportunities in their area. They can also access free job-search facilities, as well as book training courses.

Knowing how hard Christmas can be for many of their customers, the staff at Central London Works had previously volunteered to open each of their three community hubs for a day during the festive break, armed with copious amounts of mince pies and festive tunes of course! Some staff brought their children along so they could see the work we’re doing to support our communities first hand.

Restart Scheme sets the wheels in motion for John

John’s childhood dream is finally coming true. For almost 25 years he held the ambition of working in a car garage, and now Ingeus’s Restart Scheme has given him the help he needed to get his career motoring in the right direction.

When John, now 40, left school, he hoped to start an apprenticeship as a car mechanic. Unable to achieve his goal, he began working life as a postman before drifting from one job to another – each time knowing it wasn’t quite where his heart lay.

“My varied CV might sound impressive,” says John, from Wigan. “But I’ve always had a passion for cars and all I’ve ever wanted to do is work with them.”

Finding himself out of work over six years ago, John’s dwindling confidence meant he struggled to secure a new job. In July 2022 he was referred to the Restart Scheme by his work coach at his local Jobcentre Plus. The Restart Scheme was set up by the Government to provide tailored support to help people get back into work after the pandemic. With tailored support from Restart Advisor Lisa Ward, John began his journey back to working life.

He recalls, “I’ve got ADHD and when people try to push me to do things I become quite stubborn, but Lisa had a way of coaching me through things.

“She was patient and kind with me throughout my time on the Restart Scheme. She has the gift of the gab and moved me in the right direction, I can’t thank her enough!”

One of John’s main barriers to finding work was his lack of confidence speaking on the phone. Realising this, Lisa supported John with phone calls, from registering with his local doctors to organising driving lessons – another ambition he longed to achieve.

John says, “She did so much for me it’s difficult to remember it all! She even helped me get clothes for my work trial. She really was amazing.”

Lisa contacted local garages on John’s behalf, building a relationship with the owner of John Atherton Autos Ltd who agreed to John carrying out a work trial. Impressing them so much during his six

days, he soon secured a job as a full-time Garage Assistant.

John’s employer says, “John is doing great, he’s very hardworking and reliable. We like to help people who have a passion and help them to develop and do their best, even if they have no experience.”

Lisa adds, “I am so proud of John! This is an achievement I will always remember.

“Thanks to this amazing local garage John has a full-time job. What a turnaround for him – it’s the best feeling knowing I have changed someone’s life like this.”

With his practical driving test imminent, John is looking forward to a brighter year ahead. He says, “I can look forward to so much more independence now, both financially and with my car. The Restart Scheme has changed my life. It’s a dream come true!”

Helping others develop wellrounded interpersonal skills

Research by Think Talent and CMS Wire also shows that 97% of employees believe communication has a direct impact on their task efficiency in the workplace.

So how can you develop your interpersonal skills and perform better in your role?

Wellbeing check-ins during Winter months

However, the Samaritans take a different approach, challenging the meaning behind the day by rephrasing it ‘Brew Monday’ and encouraging people to use the day as an opportunity to check in with friends, family or colleagues over a cuppa!

In support, our Able Futures team ran a “New year, new you?” campaign to help people find their focus for 2023. This kicked off with a webinar by Vocational Rehabilitation

Here’s 6 top tips to help you get started.

Maintain a positive attitude towards work and your responsibilities

Be considerate and empathetic towards your colleagues

Ask for feedback on your interpersonal skills

Actively listen to others and consider their ideas and opinions

Keep your emotions in check and think before you speak

Pay attention to your body language and tone

Consultant, Henry Wickenden, who talked about setting goals, useful ways to support yourself in making changes throughout the year ahead, and taking time to reflect on and celebrate your progress.

You can read more in our latest blog on the Able Futures website

Interpersonal skills are a huge part of our everyday lives, and having these well-rounded skills is key when creating and maintaining both personal and professional relationships.

The third Monday of January is widely dubbed as ‘Blue Monday’, coined the most depressing day of the year due to cold weather, dark nights, demotivation around new year’s resolutions and feeling the financial pinch after Christmas spending.

Getting to know you...

James Thompson, Partnerships and Integration Manager for the Restart Scheme in West London

This month we’re shining a light on James Thompson, Partnerships and Integration Manager for the Restart Scheme in West London.

“I have been transitioning into my new role for the last few months, where I manage three Local Integration Leads. Previously I was the Local Integration Lead covering Wandsworth and Hammersmith.

I am responsible for all external stakeholder relationships which include the Jobcentres, local councils, and other local organisations. Recently I led the partnership that is now

in place between Ingeus and Debt Free London – this has seen iPad kiosks installed in all Ingeus Restart Scheme centres to give face-to-face debt advice and support for those participants in need.

Working with my colleagues from Lambeth, I have also been involved in the Battersea Power station development, which is a Wandsworth project extended to include Lambeth residents. Here we have placed participants in roles across the businesses and will continue to assist their recruitment working in collaboration with Wandsworth Workmatch.

I am very much a people person and have built some amazing relationships internally and externally, putting my customer services expertise to good use. I am proud of my ability to forge these strong collaborative relationships for the benefit of the Restart Scheme participants.

Summer or Winter?

Summer

Chocolate or sweets?

Chocolate

Night or morning?

Night

City or countryside?

City

Cats or dogs?

Neither!

Dressed up or casual?

Casual

Phone calls or emails?

Phone

Books or films?

Films

Night out or night in?

Night out (depending on the company)

Holidays or home comforts?

Holidays

We asked James some of life’s essential questions: