The Happy Manual: Recent Episodes
TSW Training
Welcome to The TSW Training Happy Manual, a career fulfilment and happiness at work magazine. Released once a quarter, its features are designed to enrich learner experience and inspire them to get the most from their qualifications.
Henry, a one time apprentice and a Data Delivery and Insight manager from Legal & General, completed his ILM Level 4 over the summer.
He's recently changed jobs and is managing a team of brand-new apprentices. As someone who knows the journey inside out, and its challenges, he is the perfect expedition lead, with a more hands-on and individualistic approach since he completed his qualification. In this interview, he dives into that management approach and how it helps his team to flourish. Let's discover Henry's story...
Tyran is a self-described 'serial careerist’ who loves to learn in every job that he’s in. When we caught up with him, he’d just finished an apprenticeship in Maintenance Engineering, and was looking forward to taking a degree next year. He told us about the highs and lows of an apprenticeship, and has some sound advice for new apprentices. To find out more about engineering apprenticeships, please visit: https://www.tsw.co.uk/apprenticeships/engineering
Food and volunteering are inextricably linked. Food is good for the soul, and so is lending your time, skills and energy for the greater good, and both bring communities together. For some, our fondest memories centre around food and random acts of kindness. Sometimes the two merge - when you baked a lasagne for the family with a new baby, or when you volunteered at a food kitchen. In this brand new feature to The Happy Manual, we step inside The Green Kitchen to meet Training Advisor, and vegetarian home cook, Stephanie Mills to discuss green diets and their impact on the planet, plus what would be on her Com
It was fourteen years ago when Allie Asprou first discovered the amazing work of the Noah’s Ark Charity in Cardiff. She was being treated for bone cancer in the hospital the charity supports and would always be greeted in the foyer by a lovely, smiling lady who worked in the shop there. In this episode of The Happy Manual, she speaks to Rachael Southcott of Noah’s Ark Charity talks to us about the importance of volunteers and how they can bring a bit of sparkle to a child’s day.
When we pull up at Gareth Martin’s allotment, it’s a hot summer’s day. The sun is beating down on us, the birds are chirping in the trees, and the hills of Torfaen roll far off into the distance. You wouldn’t think that we were on the grounds of a school, just a stone’s throw away from teenagers having their Thursday morning classes. As we wander the rows of planters, bees and butterflies swooping around us, it’s clear to see Gareth’s passion for the allotment he’s been cultivating for the last few years. Gareth works with young people who are at risk of becoming NEET (young people not in education, employment, or training) in school, and young people who are already NEET who want to engage in employment or training. In one corner of the allotment, he talks us through the vegetables he’s been growing with the young people he works with. Onions, carrots, peas, peppers, herbs, and even a grapevine take pride of place in the planters and polytunnel.
Volunteering is a gift you give to your community. When you lend your time, energy and focus, without expectation to others, you’ll experience a wellbeing lift. It changes how you see and feel about yourself. When how we act is motivated by kindness, to support a cause and prioritise it over the stresses and strains in your own life, it’s a mood regulator, so says The Mental Health Organisation. Kindness is linked to self-esteem, increased wellbeing, it makes us feel more active and changes our brain for the better. It’s as good for you to volunteer, as it is for the community. In this episode of The Calm Club, Training Advisor Sue Hampson is dialling in from New Zealand. But this isn’t a regular holiday for Sue, this is the first time she’s ever been able to hold her eight-month-old granddaughter, now Covid restrictions have finally lifted. Along with her daughter, Kellyanne and her brand new granddaughter, we discuss how volunteering creates a community when your family and friends are far flung.
Training Advisor Jess Webb describes her experience as 'Bluebell', a volunteer leader at her local Rainbows unit. Growing up as a Brownie, our Training Advisor Jess Webb learned the importance of having a friendly community around her. So when the opportunity arose to be a volunteer at Rainbows a few years ago, she jumped at the chance to help out. Since 2021, Girlguiding (the overarching charity for Brownies and Rainbows) has seen a 20% increase in young membership, for girls aged four to 18, showing that the lifelong skills the children learn at their sessions are still in high demand. We spoke to Jess about her time with Rainbows, the difference it made to her life, and why she’s had to hang her badges up for now.
When big life changes happen, loneliness can start to creep in, especially if your loved ones don’t live close by. So, finding somewhere that you can visit twice a week, to meet like-minded people and take part in activities that keep your hands and mind busy, is a life-saver. The MenShed in Clydach has become a hub for the community, and, as the shed manager, Belinda Gardiner has brought together people from all walks of life. There are MenSheds all over the world and you’ll never find two the same. Designed to help men talk about their mental health, the MenSheds were formed due to research that showed men are more likely to open up when they’re working side by side on a task, than in a face-to-face conversation.
TSW Training’s Quality Manager, Lindsay Sandall, tells us all about bouncing her way to happiness with the latest Zumba inspired fitness craze, Funky Bounce. “Once you put any weight on it and you move, it gives you a spring,” our Quality Development Manager, Lindsay, tells us.
We’re standing among the rockpools on Porthcawl beach, the waves lapping at our feet. It’s a busy Wednesday afternoon, the prom bustling, but in our little spot, there’s hardly anyone around, except for a couple in deckchairs who are basking in the sun. Lindsay is helping Amanda into a pair of Kangoo boots, so she can experience Lindsay’s happy place for herself. They look like roller blades, but instead of wheels, there are two springy devices that contract when you bounce. “It gives you an extra foot in height, as well as a lot of fun,” Lindsay smiles.
How we wish we could start this podcast with the iconic riff from Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain'! We'll get to why in a second, but first, let us introduce you to engineering apprentice at FSG Tool and Die, Rhodri Jones. At FSG he's put his skills to the test on a national stage at Skills Wales and he's on his way to Blackpool in 2022 for UK Skills. During his studies he's realised his life goal; to work for Formula 1 (there's the Fleetwood Mac link!) Listen in to Rhodri's story in this latest episode of The Happy Manual: An Extra Smile.
Childcare Route Manager, Rachel Cox, was recently voted Community Councillor of Taffs Well and Nantgarw. In this special volunteering episode of The Happy Manual, she speaks to Allie Asprou, about the difference one person can have on their local community.
The nerves were getting the better of Rachel Cox as she waited for the votes to be counted. If it were any other election, she would have put her vote in and found out the results a few days later, like everyone else. But tonight was different. Tonight, Rachel would find out if she had been elected to the Community Council for Taffs Well and Nantgarw.
After a nail-biting few hours watching the votes being counted by volunteers, it was finally time to hear the news.
“...44 votes...” the announcer said, reeling off the other candidate’s numbers. “Cox Rachel Elouise - 63 votes. I do hereby declare Ms. Rachel Elouise Cox to be duly elected...”
She had done it. Rachel had been elected Community Councillor.
When Ryan began his ILM Level 4 qualification, he had no idea just how much he’d accomplish in the time he was with TSW Training. From overcoming nerves to pass his Essential Skills tests with flying colours, to leading his team to success using tools he’d picked up on the programme, Ryan’s confidence has soared. In our interview together, he tells me more about the struggles he faced and the hurdles he’s overcome, with self-determination and the support of the TSW team.
Hello! Welcome to The Happy Manual: An Extra Smile Podcast.
A happiness and fulfilment at work show produced by TSW Training and presented by Alice Asprou, and Amanda Bathory-Griffiths. What makes an amazing afterschool club? Playwork apprentice Louise Coates says it's all about play! Sheep, chickens, pizza ovens, mud pies and water pistols. She spoke to our reporter Amanda about putting play at the heart of the club, giggling with the little ones and supporting
the older children after a hard-working day at school. Her efforts mean the parents have peace of mind, and the children don't want to leave!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to The Happy Manual Podcast and follow www.instagram.com/tswtraining for a daily dose of happiness and fulfilment at work content. To discover Playwork and CCPLD qualifications, please visit www.tsw.co.uk/apprenticeships.
Today we’re joined by Recruit 1, otherwise known as Jamie Davies, from series 7 of the Channel 4 TV Show, SAS: Who Dares Wins. He also happens to be one of TSW’s ILM alumni. Here he describes the intensity of his experience at the SAS Military Base in Jordan. In punishing desert heat, enduring barked leadership tactics, Jamie discovered that strength is a state of mind, and that under harsh orders is an individualistic approach, uniting teams and powering you onto win.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe to The Happy Manual podcast, or follow our Instagram page www.instagram.com/TSWTraining to get a daily dose of happiness and fulfilment at work inspiration.
To find out more about leadership and management skills development, please visit www.tsw.co.uk and to watch SAS Who Dares Wins series 7, featuring Jamie, catch every episode streaming on All 4 right now.
Karen's role completely changed when the pandemic began.
Organising childcare and free school meals for the children of key workers, it was a responsbility Karen had never had before. She worked around the clock to make sure that all the children stayed with their with familiar classmates. In this episode, she speaks to Alice Morgan about how she balanced all that new responsibility with her apprenticeship and applied everything she learnt from her leadership and management ILM course.
Find out more about leadership and management apprenticeships by visiting www.tsw.co.uk/apprenticeships
In this episode of The Happy Manual, highways engineer, Stephen Sherwood, describes stress and strain from an engineer's perspective. He uses the analogy of loads placed on a simple wire coathanger to describe managing loads and balancing tasks without straining your mind and body.
How often do you arrive at work with a plan and the best of intentions, only to be overrun by emails, or be swept up by the priorities of your colleagues? It happens to all of us! Fortunately joining us on episode 3 of The Happy Manual: An Extra Smile is a leadership and management apprentice who has learnt how to combat that very issue. Recreation Duty Supervisor at Aneurin Leisure, Tom Bradley tells us about how he learnt to balance workload and time using the Eisenhower Matrix, a technique he picked up during his ILM Level 4 apprenticeship.
On the show today, we meet Engineering apprentice, Dan Ford. He works for Rocialle Healthcare in Mountain Ash and won our Learner Of The Month award for his hard work and perseverance during his engineering apprenticeship. Daniel’s love for learning just keeps growing, mapping out a career full of qualifications. We chatted to him about his ambitions and how his TSW Training apprenticeship will set him on the right track to achieving a lifelong dream.
On the show today, we’re chatting to our superstar Learner Of The Month, Mia-Beth Poulton Davies, about her ambitions to be a photographer and journalist, her growing confidence and love of working in the family business, Aluminium Windows & Shopfronts in Bridgend. Support Mia-Beth and find out more about Aluminium Windows & Shopfronts by following their Instagram channel, @awshopfronts.
We chat to training advisor, Sue Hampson about using Eisenhower's Matrix to balance your work and wellbeing. Tourism expert, Nia Hollins, reveals the legends and myths woven into walks around the Vale of Glamorgan. Owner of Walk N Talk talking therapy service, Kirsty Kelly, wanders away her worries. Essential Skills training advisor, Jessica Webb, borrows her way to wellbeing with BorrowMyDoggy. We pull on our walking boots and join Health And Social Care training advisor, Emma Jones, as she walks 100 Miles For Mind around Fforest Fawr. And finally we meet two exceptional apprentices who've just wrapped up their studies. Stuart Macaulay-Lane and Emily Casey tell us about their experiences and hopes for the future.
00:30 Going The Extra Mile
Find calm, quiet and good mental health between the trees with H&S Training Advisor, Emma Jones as she walks 100 miles for Mind.
09:10 Life In The Leader’s Lane
Apprentice Stuart Macaulay-Lane reveals the confidence boost an apprenticeship gave him as he tackled a new role at Legal And General.
13:40 Borrow Your Way To Wellbeing
Cover star and Essential Skills TA, Jessica Webb is using intuitive movement to pursue happiness (and walk the dog!)
21:08 Climbing Mountains
Adventurer and work based learning administrator, Sam Jennings, hikes around Wales and the world.
25:24 Beside The Sea
Five accessible walks in south Wales to help you wind down.
28:30 A Beach For Everyone
Did you know that Barry Island hires out beach wheelchairs to anyone who needs them?
29:30 Walk N Talk
Kirsty Kelly runs Walk N Talk, an outdoor talking-therapy service. In green space serenity, Kirsty’s clients reflect on their thoughts and feelings, carving out new paths to good mental health...
36:10 Showcase Your Skills
IAG apprentice, Emily Casey, tells us about her rewarding work in the community.
39:40 The Calm Club
How can you make wellbeing a priority? Apply the Eisenhower Matrix to bring balance to your working day
49:16 A Story With Every Step
Liven up your walk around the Vale of Glamorgan with the Vale Tales app.
57:39 My Happy Place
Journey to the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole to visit Holefoods Deli - the happy place of Leadership and Management TA, Sue Hampson.