Issue No.9 / May 2022
Ingeus Justice division partner with Geese Theatre
What’s inside...
Page 2 Ingeus helps combat loneliness for Mental Health Awareness Week
Page 3 Geoff finds the shift to a healthy lifestyle simple with Healthier You
Page 4 Restart Scheme London launch event
Our Justice division recently partnered with Geese Theatre company as part of our Personal Wellbeing services. Creative expression and cultural participation are of significant support when it comes to resettlement and rehabilitation; which is one reason the Arts are integral to our wellbeing service approach. Whether it’s poetry, painting, music or drama, providing opportunities for people to engage in art can help them to make positive changes in their lives:
• For some, it can be less overwhelming and more accessible than the written word or talking therapies • It creates positive communities and friendship, reducing isolation, creating a sense of cohesion and belonging • It allows us all to discover new and hidden talents which brings a feel-good factor, increases self-esteem, and changes the narrative – ‘I am a painter!’ This pilot was a great success for all those who took part – read the full report to find out more.
• It can help people to process and express their emotions – as well as practising more effective responses to difficult situations • It moves and inspires those who take part in it as well as those who enjoy the performance or finished product; the observers often feeling understood and less isolated because they can relate to the feelings expressed
Issue no.9 / May 2022
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Ingeus helps combat loneliness for Mental Health Awareness Week Mental Health Awareness Week ran from the 9th - 15th May 2022, and this year’s official theme was combating loneliness. Throughout the week (and beyond!), we encouraged people to build meaningful connections with their friends, family, colleagues, and communities.
Your mental health stories
Our Able Futures team hosted a webinar on how they support people who are experiencing the impact of loneliness in their work-life so that they can learn new ways to feel better. You can watch a recording of the webinar here. Our sister company, CiC Wellbeing, also ran a complimentary mental health and wellbeing bootcamp which included a daily morning email to highlight a different theme to improve mental health. A total of 2,400 registered to receive these daily updates!
Our colleagues from across the business bravely shared their own mental health stories to spread awareness and break down the stigma of talking openly about mental health. On our social media platforms, we shared vlogs from Ingeus employees who spoke about how they personally manage and protect their mental health. Visit our social media pages to view the tips from our colleagues.
NCS launch tape speaks volumes
Issue no.9 / May 2022
Our NCS (National Citizen Service) team recently launched an exciting new mix tape. The soundtrack was inspired by NCS teens and their thoughts and feelings on themselves, their community, the world, and everything else that is important and relevant to them.
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It was recorded in collaboration with three music artists who took the voice of the young people and used this to create three different tracks which will enable them to get their voice heard in an engaging, creative way. Emma Cannon, one of the artists who worked with the NCS crew, describes the motivational mix tape as one that “empowers you to believe in yourself.” Watch the full film on the NCS website.
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Geoff finds the shift to a healthy lifestyle simple with Healthier You Semi-retired, Blackburn-born Geoff has taken back control of his health since being diagnosed as prediabetic. Geoff had always considered himself healthy, so it was a huge shock to him when he attended the Healthy Heart Clinic at the Local Health Centre and was told, that not only was he Pre-Diabetic, but he also had very high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Once diagnosed, Geoff was offered the opportunity to be referred to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, Healthier You, by the health advisor at his GP surgery. In April 2021, Geoff, who is a keen photographer, started the programme via remote sessions with his educator Emma: “The remote sessions were really easy to access online and fitted well into my lifestyle.” Geoff has always enjoyed walking, but since starting the course he has benefitted from an increase in exercise. Geoff has been helping out his disabled neighbour by taking the dog for extra walks to increase his number of steps and is now regularly achieving over 10,000 steps each day. Geoff says:
My activity level has increased massively, and I feel great for it and my neighbour’s dog is extremely pleased too!
Geoff explains how easy he found the changes to make and how the information was given at a nice slow pace which allowed him to make changes over the 10-month course.
The programme has given me the tools to know what to do and has kept me focused by having the regular session check-in.
Issue no.9 / May 2022
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One of the biggest changes Geoff made was to his diet, swapping certain types of food for healthier alternatives. This has also impacted his wife who has been enjoying the healthier meals:
I eat much less bread, biscuits and pies now, and have replaced them with more salads, fruit and even a vegetable-based pasta which I enjoy.
Since joining the programme, these changes, along with the increased physical activity, have resulted in significant weight loss for Geoff. It has been a team effort and his wife has also improved her blood sugar levels and reduced her weight. Geoff has also seen improvements in his blood pressure reading and HBA1c which has reduced from 44 to 37, along with a much-improved blood pressure reading of 120/70, meaning he is no longer in the highrisk category. Overall Geoff has made improvements in all aspects of his health and is feeling great:
I can now do more advanced yoga positions since losing weight and I have much more energy, I don’t feel the changes were a strain or too restrictive and I still enjoy the occasional slice of cake or chocolate.
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Restart Scheme team support Disability Day
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The Restart Scheme team are proud to have supported Surrey Cricket Foundation’s Disability Day at Kia Oval Events this week.
A team of 16 Ingeus volunteers helped run sporting activities for more than 300 children and adults with disabilities. Fun was had by all involved and we can’t wait until next year!
Julie Graham features in Microsoft conference Julie Graham, CEO of Ingeus’s Employment Services, recently featured in a virtual session at Microsoft Envision UK’s digital conference called ‘Digital Talent; Reimagined’. The session explored the steps leaders can take today to think differently about how they build, retain, and attract talent across the UK. Visit the website to find out more and watch the recording of the session.
Issue no.9 / May 2022
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Ingeus showcase CRS at event Ingeus was proud to showcase our Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) Peer Mentor scheme at the ‘Supporting Families: reducing the impact of imprisonment’ event hosted by Violence Reduction Network in Leicester.
One of our Peer Mentors, Nick (pictured), shared a personal perspective of the difficulties faced when a family member is imprisoned. A very moving moment for all that attended. The event also included an interactive performance from Geese Theatre and brought together local agencies to further Violence Reduction Network’s aim of prevention through connection.
Restart Scheme London launch event
The Restart Scheme team officially marked the opening of their Hackney centre at the Central London launch event. Issue no.9 / May 2022
Jobcentre Plus work coaches, representatives from Department for Work and Pensions, local authorities, local employers, training providers and other stakeholders all came together to reflect on what they have collectively achieved in the region so far and renew their commitment to the ongoing success of the programme. Dami Adenuga, Business Manager for Hackney, officially cut the ribbon to open the new centre to help people Ingeus Newsletter
get back into work (pictured with Emma Warren, Regional Director). The Restart Scheme gives people who have been out of work for at least 9 months enhanced support to find jobs in their local area. Ingeus deliver the scheme across Central London with a network of partners, providing expert support and skills to overcome and remove barriers to work.
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Ingeus deliver MHFA and D&I courses for staff
Our new Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training took place this month with fully accredited courses for Ingeus staff, including sessions on Neurodiversity and Diversity & Inclusion. Nina Willis, Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant for Able Futures, attended the course: “I really enjoyed the two-day course. After enrolling, we got sent the manual which is a fantastic bit of kit in itself, and the workbook ready for the course. Everything was easy to access and fully explained. We then had two days online with a manageable size group to enable interaction and space. The course was in-depth and interesting. Despite already working in mental health and being a therapist, I learnt things that I maybe wouldn’t have thought about. David O’Brien, Performance and Delivery Manager for the Restart Scheme attended the Neurodiversity course and said:
Issue no.9 / May 2022
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The course was some of the best training I have completed with Ingeus. It was delivered by subject matter experts with lived experiences which came across. It was informative, thought provoking and valuable. I was able to take away and implement changes in my working styles straightaway. I highly recommend this training to all.
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Jobseekers take a digital leap Over the last six months, Ingeus’ employment participants have been able to access two excellent programmes being delivered nationwide by Catch22.
The Digital Edge and Digital Leap programmes aim to ensure participants are supported and prepared to access opportunities within the tech sector, equipping them with relevant digital skills. Both programmes are co-designed with corporate partners, Microsoft (Digital Edge) and Salesforce (Digital Leap) and have fantastic success rates and even opportunities at these prestigious companies.
Across the Restart Scheme in Central London and Greater Manchester, over 60 participants have already completed the programmes, and JETS participants in London are also accessing the opportunity. The programmes are open to all Ingeus participants – and with start dates every month.
Here are what some of the recent completers from Ingeus had to say about the programmes:
I would give this course 10 out of 10.”
It is the best place to improve your knowledge to be a better applicant, meet people who can help you and you get to know yourself better.
There was a lot of eye-opening things, that helped my mind just to click together. For example, the advice regarding CVs and avoiding “cliché” phrases, which mine just happened to be filled with.
To find out more, visit the Digital Edge and Digital Leap websites or get in touch with Head of Integration for London, Mike Collins at mcollins@ingeus.co.uk.
Issue no.9 / May 2022
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Getting to know you with... Simon Bland We asked Simon some of life’s essential this and that questions: Summer or Winter? Summer – the world just seems a happier place. Working in a prison through the lockdowns, the very existence of the yard made such a difference, especially when the weather was nice. Chocolate or sweets? Chocolate is a sweet. City or countryside? Too tough to call, and nothing I could convey in less than 1000 words.
This month we’re putting Simon Bland, Youth and Arts Lead for our Justice division, in the spotlight. “It may seem strange that we could have an arts lead, and it’s a part of our work that’s often been seen as a ‘nice to do’, not a ‘need to do’, yet I have no doubt that everyone’s life can be better through arts involvement. Simply doing an activity with someone can bring out a totally different side of them, and an openness you’ll perhaps not get in conversation. This is just one of so many ways we can embed the arts into our work. As for young adults, I’ve always enjoyed their liveliness and sense of fun, and worked in a Youth Offending Institute for 15 years. Having grown up near a notorious children’s home I was always keenly aware of how things could have turned out had I had a different start in life and
Issue no.9 / May 2022
have hence long held an affinity for care leavers. I’m a big believer in autonomy (‘Own it’ is one of our values!) and that we give our best when doing things our way. I was given that chance once, and I just want to extend the same courtesy to others. I’m always interested in hearing new ideas, so please give me a shout. I just love what I do, and that those I work with trust me to do it. I get to try out new ideas, and spend my time with amazing and fascinating people, all of whom have a story to tell, be it through music, poetry, art, or just in conversation. I believe the heart of our work is the stories, and I’m in a privileged position of being able to hear and help tell them. If anyone reading this thinks they, or a client they’re working with, have such a story, I’d love to hear from them.”
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Cats or dogs? Cats, I’ve a begrudging respect for any creature that’s so perfected the enslavement of humans. Dressed up or casual? Casual. It’s an effort thing. Phone calls or emails? Too many things stay unresolved with e-mails, though it does depend on who I’m contacting. Books or films? Books have had a more profound impact on my outlook on life, but they’re a lot harder to enjoy as a shared experience, so I go for films more. Night out or night in? Night in, but only because I get to connect with a lot of people in the daytime. Holidays or home comforts? Holidays – that moment when all my worries have dissipated, and my brain remembers what’s truly important.
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