Issue No.7 / March 2022
Royal seal of approval for Ingeus Justice colleagues
What’s inside...
Page 4 Restart Scheme launch new centre in Hammersmith
Page 6 Restart Scheme team do their best to help customers battle fuel poverty
Page 8 Teams take time out to fundraise for comic relief
It’s been a long three years, but some of our hidden heroes from our Justice team were finally recognised at a glittering ceremony for the Butler Trust Awards. Issue no.7 / March 2022
The trust’s Royal Patron, Princess Anne, was on hand to present the awards at the event, which had been delayed due to the pandemic. It was a hat-trick for Ingeus, with Pat Bannigan, Simon Bland and Parmjit Rai all receiving honours for their work within the former Reducing Reoffending Partnership led by Ingeus. The annual awards ceremony is the highlight of the Butler Trust’s calendar but has not been held since 2019. Last
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week, guests gathered in the heart of Oxford University, at the Sheldonian Theatre for a bumper celebration. The award winners received their certificates from the Princess and later enjoyed afternoon tea in the Gothic dining hall of Keble College. Pat Bannigan, Partnership Manager, won the Butler Trust Award for 2020-21 for his financial support work. Pat helped prisoners transition from custody to life in the outside
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Continued from cover... world, assisting them with money management, setting up bank accounts, budgeting, and dealing with debts. Pat says: “Winning a Butler Trust award is something that only happens to other people. So, when I was nominated and then actually won an award I was in shock. It’s a great honour, and meeting the Princess is an experience I will never forget.” Meanwhile Simon Bland received a commendation for his creative use of the arts, particularly music, to engage with prisoners during his time as a case worker at HMP Leicester. Simon, now a youth and arts lead, received the 2019-20 commendation for helping prisoners to discover the value of creativity and nurturing their musical talents. He says: “The last time I saw my fellow recipients was early 2020 as we prepared ourselves for that year’s ceremony. The general passing of time, and the exceptional circumstances of
Issue no.7 / March 2022
the last two years created a reflective feel, but I’ve been lucky to be able to use something I genuinely believe in, and follow my own ideas, to try to touch the lives of others. Also, Princess Anne is pretty cool!” Another to be honoured at the event was Parmjit Rai, who was commended for his role in the innovative and highly successful STAR Housing Project in Derby from 2020-21. At the time, Parm was a housing and welfare case worker for Ingeus. Parm was part of a team of three behind the project, providing accommodation for prison leavers. Parm, who has since left Ingeus to work as an accommodation advisor, says: “The STAR Project helped support, transform, and resettle male service users in the Derby area. It was great to be recognised for our commitment, and to know that the project continues to thrive.”
and said: “Attending the Butler Trust award ceremony was a pleasure and privilege. I felt extremely proud when Patrick, Simon and Parmjit walked up to collect their awards from HRH Princess Anne. I simply could not stop smiling. The award was well deserved and a reflection of their hard work, commitment and always going the extra mile to deliver a great service. I am so proud of their achievements, and they are a credit to the organisation. Huge congratulations Patrick, Simon and Parmjit you are an inspiration to service users and colleagues.” Although their roles may have since changed, the work of these three heroes leaves a great legacy for the justice team – well done to everyone involved! You can read all about their work in our recent evaluation series here.
Regional Manager, Beverley Caesar, represented Ingeus at the awards
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Sam receives Inspirational Volunteer of the Year award
Sam Horton, Mental Health Practitioner for Working Well Work and Health programme, has been named Inspirational Volunteer of the Year as part of Cheshire West Voluntary Action’s (CWVA) annual Volunteer Awards. She has been recognised for the support she’s provided for survivors of sexual violence. The CWVA is an organisation that works with charities, social enterprises, community groups, voluntary organisations and faith groups across west Cheshire. The staff have extensive knowledge and skills to help local voluntary and
Issue no.7 / March 2022
community groups thrive, and they help with governance, good practice, volunteering, funding, training and networking. The Volunteer Awards is a way of celebrating all the fantastic work volunteers do in their communities. Sam volunteers as a Counsellor at Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service (CSASS), supporting survivors of sexual violence. Despite having to shield very strictly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam has continued to support her clients consistently and this regular, knowledgeable, and skilled care has helped survivors cope while trapped in unsafe or unhealthy situations in lockdown. Sam has helped build their mental health and strength, address the effects of trauma, and take steps to create the healthier life they deserve. She was also instrumental in setting up and leading the weekly online
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support group CSASS, which has run since 2020, seen as a lifeline by survivors who attend. The list of achievements doesn’t end there as Sam has organised monthly walks and talk groups for survivors, bringing joy and building confidence by getting into nature as restrictions have lifted. The person who nominated Sam said: “She has shown extraordinary resilience and determination during the last year and brought great compassion, flexibility and professionalism to her role.” Samantha says: “It means so much to win this award. I have been volunteering with CSASS since I was a trainee counsellor and the training and support they have provided has allowed me to help people with increasingly complex trauma, to gain my BACP counselling qualification and to run a variety of outreach programmes from walk and talk groups, to crafting.”
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WHP JETS sky rockets Rachel’s confidence Rachel Denby felt sceptical about finding employment when she joined the WHP JETS programme, considering herself too unconfident and her circumstances too difficult to find a fulfilling job. But with support and encouragement from the programme’s team, her attitude – and confidence – changed and, just one interview later, she was snapped up for work. “I was terrified of finding a job,” says Rachel, 42. “I was completely lacking confidence in myself and my abilities and I was very dismissive when Jobcentre Plus suggested I tried JETS – I didn’t think they would ever find me a role.” Rachel, who lives near Morecambe, was referred by her local Jobcentre Plus
to employment coach Judi Webster at Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS), a separate strand of the Work and Health Programme (WHP), delivered in North West England by Ingeus. Supporting her mum through end-oflife care, as well as looking after two young children, meant single-mum Rachel needed a role which would fit with her circumstances – something she was unsure would be possible. She recalls, “Judi was wonderful – she reassured me that together we would find a job that was right for me, and my attitude completely changed. I was completely honest with her and she was very understanding about mum. “Throughout the time of mum being poorly and her passing away, Judi rang me each week. It was just what I needed. I didn’t feel pressured in my search at all – they were ringing to make sure I was ok. The all-round support was amazing.” Initially, Judi helped her to find a role working from home which, although not Rachel’s ideal choice, best suited her situation. Within three weeks she
had a job lined up, but when her mum passed away in November 2021 the start date was deferred and Judi found Rachel a role which suited her even better. Then, she was put in touch with another employment coach, AnneMarie, who helped build her confidence through practice interviews. Rachel, who is now employed as a youth mentor for a local charity, confesses, “My last interview was about 20 years ago so I was absolutely petrified! But the support I received was amazing and I smashed it! “I’m eternally grateful for everything the team has done. If I’m even half as good as Judi with the mentoring I’m doing, then I’ll be pretty good!” Find out more about JETS at: https:// ingeus.co.uk/services/employment/jets
Restart Scheme launch new centre in Hammersmith Our Restart Scheme celebrated the official opening of its newest centre in Hammersmith on 1st March. Over 80 people attended the event, including representatives from the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus and other local partners including charities and specialist services. The Ingeus team showcased the support provided by the Restart
Issue no.7 / March 2022
Scheme and highlighted the variety of one-to-one support and services available. Abdullah Claim, Senior Performance Manager for the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “I was delighted to be able to attend the launch event for the Restart Scheme in West London. It was great to meet more of the Ingeus team and find out about the fantastic work they are doing to help local residents find lasting work, especially seeing the power of partnerships between providers, employers and local charitable organisations in making a positive difference to people’s lives.”
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Caroline Banks, Ingeus’ Operations Director for the Restart Scheme in Central and West London, added: “It was fantastic to see so many people attend our official launch event in West London. Our mission is to enable better lives and we strive to do this by helping as many local residents get back into work as possible.” The event was also covered in London post, click here to view the coverage.
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CRS open days
Able Futures provide a wake-up call on how to get a good night’s sleep
It was World Sleep Day on 18th March, and our Able Futures team hosted a webinar about the importance of sleep for good mental health and performance at work. Having a good night’s sleep impacts your mental health, your focus during the day and things like memory, decisionmaking and creativity.
Our CRS (Commissioned Rehabilitation Services) team kicked off a series of events for the National Probation Service (NPS) in March, promoting the wide range of services available, as well as support offered by the wider Justice team, including CFO3 and CFO Activity Hubs.
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The team thoroughly enjoyed delivering the events and gained valuable feedback from NPS partners, who expressed their interest in continuing the events in the future. Hull and East Riding Court Senior Probation Officer, Sonja Harrison, said: “We received great feedback from staff on the event. They really found it useful. It was lovely to meet all of you.” Clair Selman, Contract Management, said: “The event was a very positive experience.”
Able Futures Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant, Henry Wickenden, explained how Able Futures can help support people to build a good sleep routine, deal with problems that are affecting their sleep or cope if sleep problems are affecting their mental health at work. You can watch a recording of the webinar here.
Issue no.7 / March 2022
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Restart Scheme helps customers battle fuel poverty
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NDPP helps husband and wife get a handle on diabetes
In a brandnew video, two participants enthuse about the service they received on the Healthier You programme.
Ingeus’ Greater Manchester Restart Scheme team held the first of their ‘Energising You and Your Finances’ event on 24th March, and it was fantastic to see so many of our customers benefitting from the advice of local experts and finance professionals. Issue no.7 / March 2022
We know that rising energy costs are a growing concern for our customers and many of them are having to make difficult decisions to heat or eat. During the event, local experts such as Gateaway M40, Northwards Housing, Southway Housing, Electricity North West, and more were on hand to review personal finances, offer energy saving tips, and money advice to those who attended.
David and his wife, Andrea, were at risk of developing type 2 diabetes before they joined NDPP. With support from their Educator, they both learnt the simple and easy lifestyle changes that have reduced their risk. David James, a National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) participant said: “Being on the programme has helped me tremendously. I’ve lost two stone in weight, my blood sugar level has been reduced and I’m enjoying my exercise! I am really pleased I was referred to the course”. View the video on our Facebook page.
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International Women’s Day
Tuesday 8th March marked International Women’s Day - a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women across the world. This year’s theme was #BreakTheBias, where people across the world campaigned for an equal, diverse world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. We showed our support and commitment to a gender equal world free of bias by striking the #BreakTheBias pose. While there is always more work to do, we are very proud that more than 60% of Ingeus’ workforce selfidentified as female, including 6 out of 9 of our Executive Team. We’re lucky to be surrounded by so many ambitious, professional women!
NCS work with The Woodland Trust to boost environment A big well done to our incredible National Citizen Service teens who took the time out of their weekends to plant over 900 trees in partnership with The Woodland Trust in March. National Changemaker Lead of NCS, Kayshia says: “The Plantathon was a huge success, I’m so proud of the team.” Take a look at the NCS website here.
Issue no.7 / March 2022
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Teams take time out to fundraise for comic relief
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Teams across the business really got into the Swing of Red Nose Day on 18th March! We donned fancy dress costumes, red clothing and face paint, and themed backgrounds for our virtual teams. A big thank you to all that got involved and made the day a success. We raised money for a very worthy cause and had fun doing it!
Getting to know you with...
Summer or Winter? - Winter, I love getting wrapped up warm!
Rachel Tillet
Chocolate or sweets? Chocolate, galaxy for me This month we’re putting Rachel Tillet, Performance and Delivery Manager for Cumbria and Lancashire for the North West Work and Health programme, in the spotlight. Laura has been with Ingeus since April 2016 and has worked across three contract areas so far! “I began my career at Ingeus as a Key Worker in our Bolton centre in 2016 and have been in my current role since 2021. I have loved employability ever since joining Ingeus - I love helping people and changing their lives. Even now where I oversee several teams, the news of hearing participants have found work or overcome barriers to find their dream role never gets old!”
Issue no.7 / March 2022
We asked Laura some of life’s essential ‘This or that’ questions:
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Night or morning? Morning, I’m way more productive in the morning! City or countryside? Countryside, I just need a dog to join me on my walks! Cats or dogs? Dog person all the way and no-one will convince me otherwise Dressed up or casual? Casual, I spend my free time in gym kit Phone calls or emails? Phone calls as it gets the job done quicker Books or films? Books (but only if I’m by a pool on holiday!) Night out or night in? Night in watching reality TV (can’t resist a night out though) Holidays or home comforts? Holidays! I can’t wait to get back on a plane
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