Totemic Community May 2020

May 2020

Totemic Community News

Belonging Issue 7

totemic community Building a Sense of Belonging in the Workplace during Lockdown A busy 7 staff members Time achieve to 10 Talk years’ Day service!

Remembering Derek

Welcome to the ‘Belonging’ issue of our Totemic Community Magazine.

Getting to know each other

Represented by the dog on our Totem pole of values, having a sense of belonging is a vital human need, as a purpose to a greater community improves motivation, health, and happiness.

Whilst we may not be able to see each other in the office at present, we’ve been overjoyed with the hilarious stories of teams and departments helping to keep everyone’s spirits up… with increasing appearances of fancy dress! We’ve also had a few insights into what our directors have been doing to stay entertained, whilst we’re all at home.

And then there was Sunday...

Our Facebook group has allowed us to keep in touch with most people on a regular basis, with lots of pictures of pets and children helping out in the home office, wonderful views of sunny gardens, book and film recommendations and snippets of joyous things that make us happy.

If you have not joined ‘Totemic Engagement’ we would love for you to update us on what you’re up to at home, whether you’ve tried a new recipe, have found a fantastic new series or would just like someone to chat to, please get in touch with myself (Erica) or Luke.

The weekly Totemic Pub Quiz is as popular as ever, with work friends and families in the UK and Lisbon tuning in each Friday for an hour of competition hosted by Luke and myself.

Last week saw a special quiz, hosted by group director Lianne Firth… perhaps this will ruffle up the leaderboard, currently dominated by two of our marvellous weekly teams Kimdonbunic (Kim, Donna, Nicola & Ellie) and Drink While You Think (Corrin & Marie). Join us with your household and a tipple next Friday, keep an eye on your emails for the Zoom login.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue.

Stay home and stay safe, Erica & Luke x

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What’s in this issue?

3

300,000 Step Challenge

4

Remembering Derek

5

NHS packs

6-7

Time to Change Day

8-9

10 year service

10-11 And then there was Sunday 12-13 MasterChef 14-16 Getting to know each other...

17

One Month into Lockdown

Welcome to the ‘Belonging’ Issue of our Community Magazine During these unparalleled times, new words and phrases have become a daily part of our lexicon - ‘lockdown’; ‘self isolate’; ‘following the science’; ‘home schooling’; ‘PPE’; ‘herd immunity’ - the list is endless. In the midst of all this, we’ve adapted to working from home, and even though we cannot see our colleagues daily, we continue to communicate well via video and social media.

This issue highlights some of the great work we continue to do to help others and ourselves, such as the ‘Time to Talk’ initiative and the 300k Step Challenge. We find that we’re a dab hand in the kitchen too! There is insight into people within the business with the ‘getting to know you’ interviews and the ‘our favourite things’ comments too.

We hope you enjoy it!

New arrivals Welcome to the world little one!

18-19 Our favourite things about Totemic

Congratulations to Becky Clough and Chris Simpson on the arrival of their beautiful baby, born on Tuesday 14th April at 10.48am

20

Mylo Harry Simpson was born weighing 7lb 4oz, both mummy and baby are doing well.

Crossword

Money raised for Marie Curie We’d like to give a huge thank you for those who volunteered to raise money for Marie Curie during their Daffodil Appeal.

A fantastic total of £472.99 was raised across a couple of days, with a special thank you to Carl Stokes who used 1.5 of his paid volunteering days and stepped in to cover a last-minute absence.

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300,000 Step Challenge A huge congratulations to the following people who achieved more than 300,000 steps during the month of March, as part of our 300,000 Step Challenge.

Emma Squires Doug Towning Jess Grummit Palo Lamis Antonio Rocha Natalie Botwright Emma Halliwell

Dorothy Gaun Donna Kelly Jane Clapton Li Kopall Damien Numan Vicki Winter Celia Martins

Brian Giddens Max Sims Daniel French Joey Hammond Lizzie Marlow Paulo Capdeville Sam Dagnell

Jo Charles Debbie Coleman Joanne Eaton Laura Manning Wendy Bradley

Well done to everyone who participated, we hope you enjoyed becoming more active… and of course, competing with your work colleagues!

Meet our 300,000 Steps Hero, Paulo Capdeville…

During the first 3 weeks of the 300,000 Step Challenge, Paulo managed to take an incredible 1,000,000 steps! Ana sat down with him to learn how he managed this outstanding achievement...

What motivated you to sign up for the challenge?

I started working out 2 weeks before the challenge.

Because I will be 46 years old in May, I had decided to join a gym and hopefully get fit by then, since 50 seems so close now.

When I received Luke’s email with the challenge I was already motivated, the smartwatch was just another very nice goal to achieve.

Did you use to exercise before the challenge? How did you do so?

I have been doing martial arts since my teens, although I stopped working out in the last 5 years. By then I was doing Krav Maga and Boxing, and I stopped because of schedule conflicts and I didn’t look for an alternative. It is very easy to let yourself go, and very hard to step back in.

Tell us how you were able to complete so many steps – where you walked, at what time and with whom?

It was a mix of running, walking and Pokémon Go. Every morning I get up at 5 am and go to a big park near my home, to run for about an hour. I don’t like to count how many steps or kilometres I do, because I’m not a very good runner, I’m heavy and I don´t want to raise expectations about that. 1 hour is enough to get me pumped up, after that I load Pokémon Go and start walking until around 8am.

If you don´t know, Pokémon go is a game that uses augmented reality, very similar to Google maps. It puts Pokémon in the real world and we, the player, have to catch them. I started playing 2 years ago with my kids, and

still am. It’s fun and makes you walk.

I will walk or sprint to Pokémon locations to grab them until around 8 am, by that time I will run home because I have to go to work.

In the weekends I would extend this period to 10 am or 11 am.

After work, instead of catching the bus that would take me home in around 20 minutes, I would walk to Cais do Sodré to catch a boat to the other side of the Tagus River, where I live. This is normally a 20 minutes walk, but I would take 2 to 3 hours to accomplish. Again, walking and catching Pokémon. After the boat ride is another 20 minutes’ walk home.

Sometimes after dinner, if I still had the energy, I would go to the park for another hour or two, or if it was raining, I would do it in the city.

On the weekend, if my kids were staying with me, I would go catch Pokémon with them.

After the challenge was cancelled, I continued going. I wanted to know how many steps I could achieve. At those early hours, there isn’t anybody at the park, it’s only when I leave that the first runners start to show up.

Did you lose weight? What was your weight before and after completing the challenge, if you don´t mind sharing.

I started with 93kg, mid-February and didn’t weigh myself until the 31st of March, by that time I was with 85kg. I lost 8kg. Big win for me!

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Remembering

Derek

On the 13th April this year it was the 5 year anniversary of the death of our previous Group Finance Director Derek Chick. We continue to miss him and every year we celebrate his life with our Derek Day, which we hold near his Birthday, in August.

A few thoughts from people who worked closely with Derek: There isn’t a day goes by I don’t draw upon the things he taught me, I’ll be forever grateful for his patience (mostly at my impatience…somethings don’t change!). He was a great man, with a great sense of humour and a dry wit. He was much loved by all of us who were lucky enough to work for him, and I know we all miss him very much. – Jill Sparks Derek was one of the most genuine down to earth people you could meet. Whoever he spoke with he left a mark on them and has certainly left a mark on me. We as the accounts department were privileged to have known him, he has guided us with his wisdom, knowledge and wit. Personally I can say and I am sure that I speak for the accounts department who will agree with me Derek’s main characteristic were- Kindness, Strong Willed, Determined, Fair, Understanding and an Ethical leader who is still missed considerably. Collette Deladrier Derek and I used to reflect on the day and chew the cud most evenings after close of play, before we went home. He would pop his head round the door – often smile – and wander over to the window to look out towards the houses being built behind the offices. We would talk about business issues, how to play tricky conversations and usually finish with any special things happening at home - especially with his daughter, Alex, who is an accomplished equestrian rider and whom he was very proud of, and his wife, Laian who he always spoke of very fondly, and who kept their horses and made his home. Although Derek enjoyed our business, he was a home lover - an intelligent, kind and dry-witted man with a huge heart and a generous spirit. 5 years have passed since Emma, Sarah and I were driving back from France, when we received the tragic news that he had been written out of the script – ironically on the one day he left the office early because he was going to cut his grass as it was such a lovely day. His spirit and wise counsel are still at the heartbeat of our Company and he often gets quoted in meetings to this day. – Lianne Firth

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Working hard to create helper packs for the NHS Thank you to every single one of you who got involved with raising money for our NHS/Carer packs initiative. In total, we raised an amazing £452 in only a few days.

With this money, we were able to create 100 packs that we distributed to care homes in the Grantham area. The following care homes were able to benefit from our packs: • Newton House • Gregory House • Kings Court • Apple Trees • Attention2Care We were also able to provide all Marie Curie nurses in the Lincolnshire area with packs. Fundraising manager Lauren Alexander said “We were delighted to hear from Luke at Totemic who rang to offer some care packages. These have been delivered to our Rapid Response Team based at Grantham, Boston and Lincoln. Claire and Hayley who accepted the packages were so touched they cried. The gesture means such a lot in these extraordinary times. Totemic’s kindness has boosted our nurses morale whilst they ensure our services remain open and that we can continue supporting our NHS colleagues too, ensuring people at the end of their lives can remain in their place of choice. THANK YOU Totemic!”

The packs were made up with hand washes, hand creams and a mixture of other products such as shower gels, facemasks and foot creams.

Thank you again for your kindness and thank you to Sarah Davis who supported me with phone calls and deliveries with the care homes.

Luke x

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Back in February, we celebrated ‘Time to Talk Day’ across the business, to further encourage everyone to open up about their mental health. Each department took part in group activities, from team breakfasts and quizzes, to thoughtful chats and discussions of how to access our company Employee Assistance Programme.

At Totemic House, we held two very popular lunchtime group dog walks around the local area. Everyone who took part loved meeting other people we might not normally work alongside during our usual workday and of course all the dogs adored the extra treats and fuss!

We were also visited by trained counsellor Hayley Latham, who saw a great range of Totemic staff for private sessions across the day.

Here are a few of our favourite pics from the day.

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10 YEARS’ SERVICE We would like to wish all of our 10 year service staff a HUGE congratulations for reaching 10 years with us, we thank you all for your hard work and commitment.

Joe Clarke

Joe Clarke started working for Payplan 10 years ago as a Case Officer answering calls in DMP Support, from there Joe progressed to be a Team Leader running a very successful team. Joe also did a stint as a Team Leader in our DMP Services department before moving to work for the Group in Project Management. He has gained extensive project management skills and is a very well-liked and valued member of the Totemic family. In his current role, Joe is responsible for ensuring Paylink prioritise and then deliver all the internal IT changes requested by the Group Businesses.

His colleagues say…

“I’ve worked with Joe for many years and he has always been courteous, professional and positive in everything he does. I know that his colleagues really value him as a team leader and general all-round great person to work with” Well done for making 10 years Joe! – Sue Rann Joe is a Totemic Legend and we’d all be a lot worse off without him!

Many congratulations on your ten year anniversary Joe. Thank you for everything you do week-in, week-out and we all look forward to celebrating it with you once we’re back in the office - Navdeep Sethi

Kate Lane

Kate started with the business ten years ago as a Co-Ordinator within Bespoke Services, supporting Case Officers and Clients through their IVA journey. She continued that role for approximately 7 years until the merge of IVA Partnership and Bespoke. Kate moved on to be a Case Consultant remaining within our Bespoke Team and with such a level of knowledge and experience takes on our more complex cases (sorry Kate!).

We call her the Oracle!

Kate is our very own Mary Berry – making cakes for all occasions, including department Birthdays, Weddings, baby showers etc. She refuses to enter Great British Bake Off but we won’t give up trying to persuade her!

On another note, Kate once went a whole year without wearing the same outfit twice – so you can imagine the size of her wardrobe. Her dry humour is very much loved by IVA, the department wouldn’t be the same without her.

Congratulations Kate on your ten year anniversary – and here’s to many more years.

by Donna Dixon - Payplan IVA

Sandy Dunford

Congratulations Sandy Dunford on her 10 years with her business.

I have not personally known Sandy for that long, but what I can say is that she is one of the most dedicated, bubbly and friendly people I have met during my time at the company. She is a pleasure to have around the office and I know I speak on behalf of all my guys when I say there is never a dull moment when Sandy is about. It’s a shame that we are not in the office to celebrate this milestone with her. I would like to personally thank Sandy for all of her hard work and look forward to the many more high-quality brew rounds, along with her motivating poems and flossing that can be found regularly in room 110. Please be sure to congratulate Sandy if you see her on her achievement when we are all back around Totemic House.

Scott and the team Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary Sandy.

We are very fortunate that you are part of the DMP Services Team; despite being far from the rest of the team your contribution towards the team success does not go unnoticed.

Many thanks for the hard work and dedication and of course looking forward working with you for many more years. from Nicholas & Vera Many congratulations Sandy, Totemic’s most positive person x Stefan Packwood

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Tom Harper

Tom joined the accounts department 10 years ago and is a big part of the accounts family.

He started his Totemic Journey working in the Purchase Ledger and has seen his path take him through many of the department areas to where he is now having companies and their respective management accounts to call his own.

He’s also completing his AAT accounting qualification adding further strings to his bow as he goes.

Tom arrived that semi fresh-faced young man full of the joys of life in those early days and although not so semi fresh-faced today we’ve seen his life fill with different joys as he married his long term partner and best friend Katie and of course there was the patter of tiny feet in the house as they brought Dotty their beloved dog to the family unit.

He is the salt of the earth and would often go out of his way to help anyone both professionally and personally.

Tom is known for his continued chatter and we often joke about him talking the hind legs off a donkey.

His smile is big enough to light up any room and lighten everyone’s day.

On accounts nights out he is also full jokes and laughter and the sole of the party just ensure you’ve had your share of the red wine before passing the bottle on his way.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom for everything he’s done and achieved in the 10 years that we have worked alongside him, he’s a pleasure to work with and a credit to the department.

Colette Deladrier - Head Office Accounts

Jo Charles

Jo joined Totemic ten years ago on the 1st March as a trainer within the Personal Development Academy and despite the many changing faces of training, many homes and of course the many changing faces of the manager! Jo has remained the steadfast reliable professional within learning.

Jo is L&D’s very own Oracle, she has the answer to everything and a can-do attitude. I know that for those of you that know Jo, you will agree she has a cracking sense of humour too! Jo is a very valued member of the L&D team and I for one couldn’t do without her.

Congratulations Jo on your ten year anniversary – and here’s to many more years.

by Jayne Topham - Group HO Learning & Development

Rob Matchett

Rob Matchett joined the business ten years ago – and since then has taken on a number of sales based roles – a previous car sales man, Rob has the “gift of the gab”. Having worked in Acquisition (various roles and campaigns) and Red Potato, it was inevitable he would want to give IVA a go too.

Many had a first impression of Rob – as a bit of a confident Del Boy – could sell ice to eskimos! However since joining the IVA team we’ve been introduced to the many other sides of Rob. He’s our office joker, and spent minutes hiding in the stationery cupboard to scare his colleagues.

Weeks went by thinking he had won, until the day he returned to his desk to found somebody under it – don’t think I have ever seen a grown man so scared! We like to tell Rob he’s our office heartthrob, in his spray-on jeans and V necked t-shirts… knowing how embarrassed he gets!

He’s also very caring and likes to check on everyone, make them a cuppa when needed, as well as contributing to our charity days such as IVA Bake Off, which he won.

Ever the keen sportsman, you can often identify exactly where Rob is going directly after work, by his chosen attire! He keeps up to date with cricket, golf and football, and likes to make sure his colleagues know just what is happening!

Putting the above to one side, Rob is a tremendously hard worker, much loved by his colleagues and an asset to our team. We are very lucky to have him and hope that we get to see many more years of him working within IVA. Congratulations and Thank you Rob

by Donna Dixon - Payplan IVA

Vicky Hullott

Vicky is a key member of our payment services team, she is always calm, positive and patient - key skills in mastering the art of reconciliations! She joined the Payment Services team from DMP Accounts which positioned Vicky perfectly to take the lead on the DMP CASS 11 Reconciliations – no easy task!

Vicky’s cakes are truly a work of art and are loved (and eaten) by us all, it’s a shame the same can’t be said of her dishwater tea!

Thank you for all your hard work and support over the last 10 years! Here’s to many more!

by Jill Sparks - Paylink Congrats work buddy, I’ve had the pleasure of annoying you for nearly 3 years of those 10 years, love the days we critique all the songs on the radio and you sing Baby Shark in your deepest of voices :) Natalie Whitlow

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And then there was Sunday...

Lockdown… doing things we used to do.

Lockdown… new experiences and challenges we have to deal with – because there is no one else to.

Lockdown… facing up to – or, depending upon which side of the bed you jumped out of - having the opportunity to – do those jobs which have never quite made it far enough up the (urgent or interesting) list!

Sundays are largely about those things now – well, mine seem to be.

My Sunday this week was filled with jobs that needed doing, jobs I used to do and a few new challenges around my established Sunday routines.

It’s another sunny spring morning and I wake with great endeavour in my heart… today I am going to do some of those jobs… I am already ahead of the curve, breakfast is done, as is the essential daily crossword and I have finished collating the weekly Group Update for my fellow directors.

Then comes my first side-ball of the day - my boys want me to cut their hair… I remember chuckling to myself when Nicola mentioned she was about to become a hairdresser for her boys, a couple of weeks ago, and I we are… distinctly remember thinking “ooh, I’ve not done that since they were very little”… and here used to do I buzz-razor (with guard!) in hand, facing my 1st challenge of Sunday, doing something , refused to a long time ago. I would have posted pictures of my handiwork, but the boys, unsurprisingly blonde be photographed. I ponder for a moment how long my hair will grow and what percentage of the population will still be blonde after lockdown? since Post a light lunch and a quick game of frisbee with the dogs, I set on a job which has waited archway Christmas – the sorting of the “doing room”. The doing room is a small room, through an open ber off the lounge, which became disorganised when we swapped tables for Christmas dinner (remem as Christm the by those happy social occasions?). More out-of-place-furniture appeared in there, followed the decorations and slowly but surely, as other rooms were sorted and tidied, it became messier. With and re advent of homeworking and subsequent lockdown, I found myself working from, well, anywhe lifting everywhere really, and I decided I was going to make it my space. Some 4-5 hours later of heavy my room is and shifting, cleaning, hoovering and sorting (I am no domestic goddess!) and I have joy as are boxes reborn – this time with my favourite stuff exactly where I want it. Don’t get me wrong, there from moving house 3 times in 1 year (April 20162017) which are still to be discovered, but for today, my work here is done.

On a Thursday we are visited by Chris the Fish. Chris is a jolly chap who sells delicious fresh Grimsby fish from his van and because he sells it every day, can’t bring himself to eat any of it! We are pretty much last on his round before he heads back up north and so we tend to get a good deal and most of the time,

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a lot of fish! Sun day is the last da y I consider safe to fare and this is w freeze or cook his hat I set about nex t. I am no chef-ess a reasonable home ei ther, rather more cook of basic dish es and I cook from having used recipe my heart – never s for other than ba king.

My fish dishes ar e simple in the extr eme and super tast because I cheat. I di y – but that’s vide up the fish in to two or three dish and add any of a es and chop selection of vegeta bles – usually incl and not includin uding onions g broccoli as it nev er survives well on – then I add a fres a slow cook h soup, cover and cook in the oven fo minutes. My favo r about 40-50 urites are Tomato & Basil (known as Fish), Miso (Japan Mediterranean ese Fish) and a gr een soup, Pea and Mint, Spinach an H am, Pea and d Pea (Green Fish , obviously). By ta adding a little sp iloring the veg an ice, soy, or garlic, d we end up with fo week. It works for od for lunch for the us! Tonight we ha ve some of the Japa rice noodles, washe nese fish, served on d down with a litt le chilled white win e.

My Sunday finis hes pretty much li ke Saturday – ch and family in fron ecking in on frien t of the box – althou ds gh tonight I’m in I think about my my doing room. week ahead with re solve to walk, exer inner domestic go cise and find my ddess, in conjunct ion with our busy wheels of the busi days keeping the ness turning.

I toast those of you with families.

I toast those of you with spotless fridge s, tidy knicker dr gardens. awers and neat I toast all of you w ho help keep the w heels turning, whe furloughed or stil ther you are l on the front line.

Although I’ve been saying it every m orning - for some weekend I resolve time now - next to sort out that he ap of stuff in the corner of the bedroo m!

You heard it here.

Lianne x

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Cookery Corner

Lisbon held their very own Masterchef competition earlier in the year, putting their baking skills to the test. Based on the title of ‘Healthy Cakes’, the only limitations were that the recipes must not have included wheat flour or sugar.

Thank you to the six colleagues who entered this competition with delicious healthy cakes!

Cake 1 was a Japanese Cheesecake, made by Pablo Lamas Cake 2 was a Pistachio and Zucchini Cake, made by João Seguro Cake 3 was a Goan Sweet, made by Juscelino Pereira Cake 4 was a Carrot & Apple Muffin, made by Rita Tiago Cake 5 was a Brownie, made by Kasia Marcinska Cake 6 was a Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel, made by Luis Moreira Ana would also like to thank all the sixteen judges, two from each department, who volunteered for the difficult task of tasting all the cakes to decide on their favourite.

And, the winner was... PABLO LAMAS with 7 Votes! Congratulations!

Rita Tiago came in a close second, followed by Kasia in third. Well done to you too!

We hope you all had a fun morning and enjoyed finishing off all of the cakes afterwards.

Lisbon

MasterChef

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Os Olhos Tambem Comem (Eyes Also Eat) As I AM lazy in the kitchen, I started a Facebook Group a few years ago, to share my quick, easy and affordable recipes. Also, to learn new recipes.

Covid19 changed our lives and routines 360 degrees; and has created an environment which has brought many pluses, one of them being many of my friends, family, relatives, co-workers (30 from Paylan) and ex co-workers, dedicating time to cooking and to share their ideas, their recipes, creating a growing pool of ideas while at the same time making it possible that I keep in touch with everyone, every day, every week! Talk about keeping mentally healthy! Talking about going worldwide, we have participants from Brazil, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa and more...

Cooking relieves tension; for many, it is indeed a relaxed moment where we can develop skills or improve recipes onto a new level.

We can create delicious meals for the entire family, having fun and enjoying them at the same time. In Portuguese we have a saying “os olhos tambem comem” – “eyes also eat” and because of many posts and amazing photos, people are happily engaging to this FB group that has quickly grown from less than 500 members to nearly 800 members today! With the group growing so fast, I felt the need to change its initial concept so that it can now cover any category, not just quick and easy, but gourmet recipes that everyone can make.

Swan Serra

Emma Halliwell’s

Cheese Scones Preheat oven to 200 degrees C, or gas mark 6 In a bow,l put 300g self-raising flour, 150g extra mature cheddar and a tsp of chilli powder. Mix around a bit. Then add 250g fat-free natural yoghurt. Combine until you create a dough.

Roll out dough to about 2cm thick and using a 6cm pastry cutter, cut out as many scones as possible.

Top with some more cheese (I went with red Leicester this time as I’m daring like that!)

Bake for around 18-20 minutes. Enjoy!

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Getting to know each other...

Navdeep Sethi How long have you been with Totemic and where do you work?

I’ve been working with all the amazing people at Totemic and Paylink for 12 months now, as Paylink’s Chief Operating Officer.

Tell us about the volunteering experience that you are part of?

One of the organisations whom I support and volunteer with is called Guru Nanak’s Mission (GNM). GNM aligns with the Sikh principle of Seva (service without expectation of reward) and consists of a group of volunteers who cook and serve over 200 meals every week to the homeless. The meals are cooked across three Gurdwaras, which are Sikh temples, in Old Basford, Lenton and Sherwood, each on separate evenings. The food is then served in Nottingham Town Centre, just outside of Marks & Spencer’s.

How did you find out about the volunteering opportunity and how did you get involved?

I used to support GNM, prior to working in London, so now that I am back in the East Midlands I find it a really positive organisation to be part of and a great way to contribute to something, in a manner that’s more than financial and directly help those in need.

How many people do GNM feed a week?

Normally we serve about 70 homeless people, 3 days a week in Nottingham City Centre.

It’s predominantly the same group of people every week, who know we’ll be there every Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 7.30pm. It’s our way of helping those who are sleeping rough, or in a night shelter to ensure they

get at least one hot meal on the days we can help. There is always a queue of people waiting for us whatever the weather! And especially when it’s cold or raining, it makes such a difference to those in need.

How is the Coronavirus situation changing the way you volunteer?

Since Covid-19 and restrictions on social distancing, we’ve had to completely change the way that we operate. Obviously we’re no longer allowed to meet up in Nottingham City Centre, or even get groups of people together from different families to do the cooking.

So we’ve now changed to have set families do the cooking and then a team of administrators and drivers co-ordinate who needs food and then delivering it to them.

We’ve teamed up with the City Council and shelters across Nottingham, such that we’re now providing more than 240 meals across 32 different locations.

What words of advice would give to anyone in Totemic looking to volunteer?

Just do it! There are so many different ways in which you can help and so many organisations that are desperate for help. It’s also super easy to forget how lucky we all are and to take so many things for granted.

Volunteering is not only a great way of giving back to others, but it also really helps me stay grounded and appreciate all the positive things we do have.

If anyone would like to make a donation to GNM, they can do so via this just giving page: https://bit.ly/2zybHt9

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Ellie McKinnon

Dave Milligan

How long have been with Totemic?

18 months What’s your role and how would explain it people?

Head of IVA – look after the day to day running of the IVA business What previous experience have you had before this? Any interesting or funny jobs?

Worked at Deloitte for 15 years, Debt Free Direct for 7 years and then MoneyPlus Group for 4 years.

Interesting job is I have worked at Manchester United as a Wine Waitress in the Directors’ Lounge (the most exclusive room at the Club) for the last 32 years – during this time I have served many many very famous people from Royalty to Z list celeb’s.

What makes Totemic different to anywhere else you have worked?

The people and sense of loyalty – Debt Free Direct in the early years was similar but it’s something quite special at Totemic Tell us 3 things people might not know about you?

I have been to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. I don’t have any A Levels and didn’t go to university as I was asked to leave two schools.

I cannot knit or do crochet (have photographic evidence) but am pretty good at tapestry Do you have any hobbies or special interests?

Drinking – shot o’clock is my favourite time! Aiming to complete the 6 World Major Marathons – have done (vert slowly) London, New York, Chicago and Berlin; just Boston and Tokyo to go!

What’s your favourite thing about Totemic?

The people

How long have you been with Totemic?

A smidge over 5 years. Although when I come across something new it can feel like 5 minutes.. Curve balls often find their way to me & keep me on my toes!

What’s your role and how would explain it people?

I am the Head of Data Insight.

DI is a mergence of the teams formerly known as MI (Management information) & BI (Business intelligence).

A CV explanation would read something cheesy like: as Head of DI I am responsible for a highly skilled team of analysts and developers to provide insight, context and measurement across the Totemic group.

In reality, it’s not a pure management role as I have the opportunity to get my hands very dirty by doing a fair amount of analysis and reporting myself, which is very much the way I like it.

As a function we provide numerous services to the business but it can be summarised by saying that we use the data captured in our various systems to keep the business informed. We cover many things from press release stats to control/risk reporting to how many self employed 25 year olds with a limp entered DMP Support in the last 3 years.

What previous experience have you had before this? Any interesting or funny jobs?

I’ve had a few varied jobs in my time: Paper boy > door to door dogfood salesman > Clothes shop assistant > KP / Trainee chef > Sainsburys > Royal Air Force > Financial Consulting firm > Totemic My most interesting job was my 8 years spent working as an Intelligence Analyst in the RAF. Unfortunately I can’t really go into much detail of what I did exactly as it was all highly classified.

Open source info can be found here

should you be interested: https:// www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/roles/ roles-finder/intelligence/intelligenceanalyst-linguist. Find me with a drink in my hand and I’ll likely be up for sharing a couple of stories.

I like to think that each of my jobs has helped mould me into the person I am today. Being a door to door salesman or working in the forces is perfect if you want to build rhino thick skin by being sworn at on a daily basis!

I have a number of funny stories, many of which ended up with me getting in a bit of trouble.. but I would have to say my most bizarre experience was actually working as a paper boy when I had an undercover police escort one morning! The day before the ‘stakeout’ I was delivering the daily papers when a guy stopped me, told me to knock on a door and ask for a particular woman.. a man answered and asked why I wanted her, I said that a guy had just asked me to knock.. I then had to describe him as he had since done a runner. Later that day the police came and spoke to my mum and basically said that they’re going to follow me on my route the next morning to see if the guy turns up again.. It turns out that this gentleman was either a prison escapee or someone on the run who was due to go to prison! At the time I didn’t bat an eyelid but thinking back it’s pretty crazy, especially as the closest prison was Strangeways in Manchester which is full of wronguns and this guy looked like he had spent the last 10 years doing press ups all day everyday..

What makes Totemic different to anywhere else you have worked?

Everything! The people, our approach, our adaptability, our working environment!

I swapped a military uniform for a suit and tie working in a multi-national wealth management consultancy firm which was about as corporate as corporate finance gets, to joining cont...

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Getting to know each other... (cont) Totemic where nobody bats an eyelid when someone attends a meeting wearing slippers.. It was a big cultural change for me personally but the main difference I found was that our sole purpose wasn’t just about making money. My purpose in my previous role was essentially making our stinking rich clients, even richer but here we are genuinely interested in helping people who are struggling with their debts! It sounds crazy to say but some of the business decisions that have been made during my time here have actually put client wellbeing above commercial gain. You simply will never see that in a corporate environment unless you are working for a charity.. That philanthropic outlook makes us very different to other companies.

Tell us 3 things people might not know about you?

I’ve lived in 20 different towns or cities, shortest period in one place being 5 weeks, longest being 7 years.

I can speak, read & write Farsi (Iranian) and could probably still get by with the Russian that I can remember.

I’m 6ft 3 but I would be 7ft 2 if my childlike legs were in proportion to my upper body.

Do you have any hobbies or special interests?

My main hobby is sitting on my backside watching sports, films & tv shows. That said I am a keen photographer and a bit of a fair weather fisherman. I also don’t mind socialising now and then as long as there is plenty of alcohol at hand.

What’s your favourite thing about Totemic?

I honestly can’t name just one thing as there are a number of reasons why I choose to stay here whenever I am approached to go elsewhere.

My top 3 would be: 1 – Environment. I like how people are not afraid to share their thoughts and opinions at all levels. I like how we take chances on people by giving them additional responsibilities and allowing them the opportunity to succeed. I like how we come together and are able to implement things insanely quickly (although admittedly I have whinged about this on occasion when it causes my team more work down the line..) I also very much like the workplace banter, we’re always able to rely on our humour even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic!

2 – Family Values. This is a big one for me having two children myself. Many companies claim to have strong ‘family values’ but in reality they only pay it lip service. You only have to walk around Totemic House for a few mins to bump into numerous staff members belonging to the same families. Sports days & school plays have never been an issue for me whilst working here, when in the past I have had to put in leave for the whole day, on occasion having my leave request rejected! I’m also aware of a number of times where the company has gone above & beyond to help out a member of staff or a staff member’s family. This isn’t stuff that is publicised, it’s simply done on the quiet. I have a lot of respect for things like that.

3 – Loyalty. Every other week someone is celebrating 10 years at the company and many have been here for much longer than that already. That’s something I like to see and want to remain a part of. You only have to look at the amount of people that leave and subsequently return to Totemic to realise it must be a good place to work! I’m fortunate that I’ve already worked in places which weren’t the best so I don’t have to learn the hard way.

New starters A huge welcome to all our new starters.

Gemma Shaw - Case Officer, DMP Dorrett Campbell - Case Officer, DMP Vulnerable Client Team Sarah Carter - Case Officer, DMP Nathaniel Hiorns - Case Officer, DMP Dawn Atter - Housekeeper, Estates Jana Siebers - Housekeeper, Estates Archana Vinu - Junior Tester, Paylink Robyn Webb - Digital Marketing Executive Stacey Hinge - Senior HR Business Partner Philippa Sawyer - Housekeeper, Estates Gemma Foster - Sales and Customer Support Executive, Reach Financial Services

Katrina Jackson - Mortgage Assessor, Clever Mortgages Harriet Kellett - Case Officer, IVA Client Assistance Harriet Ball - Case Officer, IVA Client Assistance Shannon Korver - Case Officer, IVA Client Assistance Devonie Dawson - Case Officer, IVA Client Assistance Hollie Cammack - Case Officer, IVA Client Assistance Clementina Kokoricha - Management Accounts Assistant, Head Office Accounts Calum Atter - Case Officer, Payplan Scotland

Totemic Community News - Belonging | 17

A perspective on Home Working & Isolating

We’re all having to go through huge upheaval in our daily lives; how we operate, communicate, socialise, isolate, exist. We are all affected by this global pandemic, and nobody will be unscathed.

Unlike any other point in recent history, wellbeing is a key issue and the need to keep in contact with those you work with, your family and friends.

We will all have a different journey, and a tale to tell: this is my light-hearted look at what has changed in our household:

1. The obvious one was to find a place to work at home that was both practical, comfortable, and least resembled a cell. I chose one of our bedrooms, with a hastily assembled desk that looks out onto the main road from a first floor vantage point. I have officially become that snoopy neighbour (‘they’re not socially distancing,’ ‘that dog’s been out on four walks today,’ ‘his grass needs mowing,’ ’that cat’s coming into our garden again,’ etc.)

2. As my wife is also working from home — and we’re both usually video conferencing at similar times — it was imperative that we find office space far enough apart.

Cue another converted bedroom, with yet more missioncontrol tech cluttering up the space. Also, the slamming of doors when you realise that your video conversation is disturbing the other one…

3. Lunching together: a novelty for me is the fact that all meals are now taken together. Work is the usual lunchtime topic, followed by forthright opinions on our political leaders.

4. Daily walks: not a novelty, but lovely to be out of these four walls for even short periods. We’re blessed by being in the countryside, and our options are endless, with very few people around us while we wander.

5. Zoom: how did we ever manage without it? Evenings are taken up by frivolous video conversations with friends and family, with much wine involved…

6. …Which leads us to timetables: anybody else counting down time daily until their next meal/alcoholic tipple?

Menus are planned meticulously, a week ahead. This is followed by our weekly treat: a socially responsible trip to the supermarket, farm shop and deli for provisions.

7. Cars get washed, rooms get cleaned properly, cupboards are tidied (how on earth did we amass 27 chargers? What are they all for?).

8. Rediscovering albums in my music collection — items not played for years (sometimes 20 or more), and realising that a) ‘they’re brilliant, whatever happened to them?’, or b)’what on earth possessed me to buy this crud?’.

9. Box sets: I’ve never watched as much TV as recently.

Currently working through ‘Treme,’ a four-season (36 episode) trawl through New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. If you love New Orleans music (we adore it), then this is for you.

10. Sleep - or lack of it: the daily sleepless patch between 3 and 5am. I started with putting Jazz FM on, and driving

Theo Pywowarczuk - Head of Marketing

myself mad with wanting to know what the tune was and having to Shazam it. So now it’s Radio 4.

11. Discovering new words and phrases. I’ve purloined these from the web, but we’ll all be using them:

Coronacoaster The ups and downs of your mood during the pandemic: you’re loving lockdown one minute but suddenly weepy with anxiety the next. It truly is “an emotional coronacoaster”.

Quarantinis Experimental cocktails mixed from whatever random ingredients you have left in the house: the boozy equivalent of a store cupboard supper. Southern Comfort and Ribena quarantini with a glacé cherry garnish, anyone?

These are sipped at “locktail hour,” i.e. wine o’clock during lockdown, which seems to be creeping earlier with each passing week.

Coronadose This refers to the overdose of bad news from consuming too much media during the current crisis. Can result in a panicdemic.

The elephant in the Zoom The glaring issue during a video conference call that nobody feels able to mention, e.g., one participant has dramatically put on weight, suddenly sprouted terrible facial hair or has a worryingly messy room visible in the background.

Covid-10 The 10lbs in weight that we’re all gaining from comforteating and comfort-drinking: also known as “fattening the curve”.

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