Working Well Trust: Recent Episodes
Bukky Fehintola, Karine Adandedjan, Charlotte Knighton
The Working Well Trust is a mental health charity that supports people to achieve their recovery goals through training and support to employment. This podcast aims to give clients the space to talk about their experiences and stories to inspire others. The podcast is also a resource for clients to use to gain insider industry knowledge.
This episode focuses on kindness and in particular, how kindness at work has a positive impact on an organisation’s employees, culture and performance.
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/centres/kindness/
https://claudiahammond.com/the-kindness-test/
This episode explores stress at work, the impact of a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ culture on employee wellbeing and performance, and the actions organisations need to take to minimise stress within the workplace.
Resources
https://www.acas.org.uk/managing-work-related-stress
https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/stress/beat-stress-at-work
The Mind Tribe
https://www.themindtribe.co.uk
In this episode, I focus on Anxiety within the workplace. Talking openly about triggers and a few techniques we can use to help manage this.
I put a lot of focus on disclosure as reaching out and talking is something we encourage at Working Well.
The main event however, is being joined by Miss Maisie Abbott from Hertford NHS services. Maisie is a social worker who has experienced workplace anxiety that resulted in her having to take some time off. Maisie talks very openly about her journey in identifying her triggers, her symptoms and eventually her steps to recovery.
I employ anyone who is feeling like that are over whelmed to listen, anxiety in high stress jobs is common and you are not alone if this is something you experience.
In the April edition of the WWT bitesize podcast, we are focusing on the work we do surrounding clients with criminal backgrounds. As Employment Specialists we are well aware that sometimes we work with people who may see their past as a barrier to employment and often we may not know how to help them overcome this.
Today I speak with Chris Wild from NHS Enfield and MIND UK who touches on his own personal experience in using his own criminal convictions as a catalyst to overcome the adversity
' turning adversity into advantage'
Chris touches upon how we need to work with employers to overcome these barriers and shed light on having a workforce readily available. Below I have linked Chris' social media page and links to his books written as well as linking a charity below that list employers that have schemes in place for those who have a criminal conviction in their past.
Home - UnlockDamaged | Chris Wild (chriscwild.com)Chris Wild (@ccwild79) / Twitter
In this chat I aim to highlight a conversation around LGBTQ+ history month. For information on this please visit the link
https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/about/
In this podcast I reference another pod from inclusive employers that is keeping well within the theme of this month, Stephanie Hurst discusses ways in which we can work to make members of this community feel included and safer at work. She highlights ways in which we can reflect on our own actions to better educate ourselves on this community.
https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/talking-inclusion-with-podcast/?cn-reloaded=1
I am then joined by our very own Agnes, Equalities Lead at WWT, to discuss some of the changes and ideas we can bring into our own organisation to ensure that WWT are promoting and leading by example as being inclusive employers. Agnes discusses the importance of 'equity over equality'
Go give it a listen!
Myself and well-being lead Rebecca will be discussing some of the issues faced at work and how we can manage our own well being to ensure self care is being looked after. Additionally Rebecca will give an insight to some well being updates within Working Well.
Take care!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Opening up is key to making progress with recovery
Ask for help
Keep yourself busy
Get yourself a routine
Don't isolate yourself
Get involved in the community
You can buddy up with a friend when doing a new course (e.g.peer support training)
Clarify the unknown variables when thinking about jobs/courses by asking for help and asking questions for clarification
Making goals - Jobs Goals, Relationship goals, Enjoyment Goals
Get mentorship and support on your goals where possible
Start off by working part time and build up from there
What do they do?Assist those with complex employment needs such as Learning Disabilities, Autism, Homelessness or Substance Abuse Issues
- Person Centred Goal Setting
- SMART manageable goals, broken up into chunks
- Moving at the speed of the client
- Clients learn by doing
- Overcoming stigma, stereotypes and discrimination in the workplace through education, training and the provision of resources
- Highlighting the unique perspective and contribution of neuro-divergent people
- Help clients become excited about work and training
- Build upon and helping restore a sense of control over lives of the client
- Building confidence and empowering clients
- The huge impact of reasonable adjustments
- Common, effective workplace adjustments that everybody has the right to ask for
Challenges...
- Trouble with change of identity
- Mental health issues arising from your job
- Transitioning into training before transitioning into the next role
- Feelings of failure during transition
- Anxiety, low mood, overworking and burnout
- Breakdown between personal and professional life
Advice...
- Importance of taking time out to reflect on how to make a change
- Take a break (if you can)
- Don't rush into your next position
- Find out what your priorities
- Improve self talk
- Moving towards self love
- Recognizes importance of changing patterns
- Overcome feeling like failure due to transition
- Speak to yourself as if you were speaking with a friend.
- Find what drives you
- Try find separation between who you are and what job you do
- See it as a process
- Reassess situation objectively
- Look at areas to improve and areas to celebrate
- Identify common themes of internal reactions
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Key Duties -
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Remote working from home over the phone
- Reduce isolation and loneliness
- Provide choice and autonomy to the client
- Signposting
-
Even saving lives through a conversation
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How to flourish in a new job role -
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Identify the key skills and structure of the job
- Practicing ways to communicate well
- Asking for help from management if struggling
- Open, honest and polite communication with line manager
- Receive training on the job
- Gain knowledge through education (IAG course, for example)
- Turn knowledge into skills
- Break down the job into parts and hone each part
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Prepare before your shift
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How to deal with upset client -
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Restate and remind the client of what the aims are of the service
- Remain calm and professional
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Be boundaries and stern where necessary
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Well Being -
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Do things that feel good
- Go for walks
- See friends
- Go to the community centre
- Buying things
- Remain positive
- Join online workshops if have social anxiety
- Don't isolate yourself
BOOKSELLER | Industry Perspective
- Duties -
Tidying shelves
Talking to customers
Knowing what books are out there
Knowing what authors and books will appeal to different customers
Customer Service/Till work
Lots of reading
Booking in deliveries of book orders
Running a subscription service to send books out regularly to customers
Learning about books and customer behaviour
- Benefits -
Meeting interesting people (Academics, people buying gifts)
Connecting with people over their lives
Transferable skills of improved conversational and listening skills
- Downsides -
The role can be draining if you're not feeling good because of the intense customer interaction
- How to land a bookselling job? -
If you have extra skills and experience to contribute to the business it is a big bonus
Knowing the best sellers is important
Have niche knowledge relating to the bookshop and its surroundings e.g if the bookshop was in a historic area
Have excellent customer service skills
Have a thirst for knowledge
Be non judgmental and friendly
Sales Assistant | Client Perspective
How to do the job well?
- Passion for the industry
- Reading your customer
- Discover the customer's needs
- Develop rapport with the customer
- Develop trust with the customer
- Develop good product knowledge
- Learn by being thrown in at the deep end
- Storytelling around a product
- Be nice and kind with customers
Challenges?
- Being flexible when working in a small team and a small shop
Bonus' of the job?
- Commission - Good incentive to sell
How to get the job?
- Be flexible in attending interviews and trial shifts
- Investigate the job market
- Approach local shops by calling, email and in person
- Try to get the hiring manager's contact details
- Edit your CV by personalising your application
- Describe your passion and knowledge of the product
What should you look for in a retail job?
- A place where they want to develop and train you
How to sell yourself
- Sell your ability to sell
- Sell your passion for the product
- Focus on your experience and sell how your experience is transferable
Mental Health
- Find a job that suits your personality
How to do the job well?
- Passion for the industry
- Reading your customer
- Discover the customer's needs
- Develop rapport with the customer
- Develop trust with the customer
- Develop good product knowledge
- Learn by being thrown in at the deep end
- Storytelling around a product
- Be nice and kind with customers
Challenges?
- Being flexible when working in a small team and a small shop
Bonus' of the job?
- Commission - Good incentive to sell
How to get the job?
- Be flexible in attending interviews and trial shifts
- Investigate the job market
- Approach local shops by calling, email and in person
- Try to get the hiring manager's contact details
- Edit your CV by personalising your application
- Describe your passion and knowledge of the product
What should you look for in a retail job?
- A place where they want to develop and train you
How to sell yourself
- Sell your ability to sell
- Sell your passion for the product
- Focus on your experience and sell how your experience is transferable
Mental Health
Find a job that suits your personality
In this new episode of Working Well Trust's Bitesize Podcast I am joined again by our Peer Support Worker Murat, who runs the Peer Fitness group. We discuss the effects of movement on productivity, and how you can incorporate more movement into your everyday life.
If you would like to join the Peer Fitness group, or would like to access any of the resources please email Murat on murat@wwtrust.co.uk or talk to your employment specialist.
If you have any topics you would like to be addressed in future podcasts please get in touch with me at charlotte@wwtrust.co.uk
In the new episode of Working Well Trust's Bitesize podcast series our peer support worker Murat gives us an insight into Ramadan, it's significance, and gives tips on how to make fasting and working easier during this time. Thank you Murat for suggesting this topic!
If you have any suggestions for topics for future episodes please send me an email at charlotte@wwtrust.co.uk.
In this new episode of Working Well Trust's Bitesize Podcast Series, I am joined by Param Iyer from JP Morgan, who has volunteered to share his wisdom around the interview process, from how to prepare to how to deal with a difficult questions.
If you have any topics you would like to be addressed in future podcasts please get in touch with me at charlotte@wwtrust.co.uk.
In the new episode of Working Well Trust's Bitesize Podcast series we look at the topic of discussing you mental health in a workplace environment. Brian shares his personal experience with it, and we mull over some general advice on this topic. If you want to look into this further take a look at the links below.
If you have any topics you would like to be addressed in future podcasts please get in touch with me at charlotte@wwt.co.uk.
Bridge to Recovery: https://www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/mental-health-in-the-workplace-what-to-say-to-your-boss-about-your-treatment-plan/
Mind:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/discrimination-at-work/telling-my-employer/
Psycom.net: https://www.psycom.net/how-to-talk-to-your-boss-about-your-mental-health/
The Muse: https://www.themuse.com/advice/heres-how-to-have-an-honest-talk-with-your-boss-about-your-mental-health
Heads Up: https://www.headsup.org.au/your-mental-health/talking-about-a-mental-health-condition-at-work/should-i-tell-my-employer
In this episode of Working Well Trust's Bitesize Podcast series, our Industry Expert Brian gives his take on how you can care for your own mental health whilst working in a role that cares for others, and shares the tactic he uses to separate his work and home life. If you have any topics you would like to be addressed in future podcasts please get in touch with me at charlotte@wwt.co.uk.
Employment Specialists Tazneen and Charlotte who are based in the Enhanced Primary Care Team in Tower Hamlets introduce themselves and how they can support clients.
In this episode of Working Well Trust's Bitesize Podcast series, our Industry Expert Brian gives a short overview of what it is like to work in care roles, and shares the one piece of advice he would give to someone currently applying to work in care. Brian will be back in future podcasts to cover specific topics related to care and support work, so if you have anything you would like addressed in future episode please email me on charlotte@wwtrust.co.uk.
This short Working Well Trust podcast introduces our new Industry Expert Brian, who is currently available for phone appointments with clients. His aim is to support clients to gain employment in areas in which he has expertise (care, teaching, and retail). If you would like to speak with Brian about your own job search, or would like to refer a client, please get in touch, you can email me at charlotte@wwtrust.co.uk.
Welcome to Working Well Trust's first Bitesize Employment Podcast. This is the first in a series of short podcasts addressing common questions that come up during job searching for Working Well Trust clients.
This episode features IPS client Syeda is centered around how her experience of staying motivated whilst job searching, which is more relevant than ever during these challenging times.
If you have any topics you would like to be addressed in future podcasts, please email charlotte@wwtrust.co.uk with any ideas.
By Charlotte Knighton
Today I am joined by Tasha Dean who will tell us more about her journey as a musical artist.
We will be discussing her EP, Instagram, money, and of course mental health.
All the songs featured in this episode are from Tasha's EP, Grapefruit.
Follow her on:
Instagram & Twitter @misstashadean
By Karine Adandedjan
According to a Guardian poll, one in three UK firms is planning to cut jobs by autumn, which suggests that the economic impact of the pandemic will accelerate in the coming weeks.
In this new episode, Brian discusses long-term unemployment and mental health with me. He also shares how he keeps himself motivated and focused to find employment.
By Karine Adandedjan
Nahin tells more about his job as a Sales Assistant and how the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted his role.
By Karine Adandedjan