warblings 2011 summer

RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter 1

www.rbli.co.uk Supporting the Armed Forces community

RBLI NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2011

Strategy Launch See page 4

The Royal Engineers at

RBLI See page 8

SUMMER 2011

2 RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter

CON TEN TSPage 3 - Steve’s Update Page 4 - Strategy Launch Bygone Days

Page 5 -SocialFirmsCertification Signs Contract

Page 6 - Employee/Manager of the Year Employee of the Month

Page 7 -MedwayOfficeOpening Stranger Danger Winners

Page 8 - Engineer Statue Royal Engineers at RBLI

Page 9 - VOS Service For Margo

Page 10 - Summer Fayre Landrover Reborn

Page 11 - Talita’s Interview

Page 12 - Woodland Scheme Waitrose Tea Party

Page 13 - Village Development Volunteers

Page 14 -Training&Qualifications Railtex

Page 15 - Charity Golf Day Hamleys Window Display

Page 16 - LifeWorks Interviews

Summer already! It really has been an exciting few months since the last ‘Spring’ edition of Warblings. So much so, that I have had to add an extra couple of spreads to this ‘bumper’ edition!

I’ve had some great submissions from all over the Company again and have managed to get out to report on some of our news and events as well as meet lots of new customers and staff.

From this issue on, Alex Brimson will be contributing to Warblings as reporter with his own personal take on RBLI news, so look forward to future articles from Alex.

I hope this communication will help to reinforce and develop links with our local communities and friends of RBLI and reinforce existing relationships.Please feel free to send me any comments you have about this issue of the Warblings Newsletter, either call me on 07500 602065, or if you’re at a computer send me an email to [email protected].

Keep in mind the Warblings Newsletter and continue to submit your great news stories to me or let me know if there’s something that I should attend to report. Keep your eyes peeled for the next edition, which I’m sure will feature plenty of tinsel, baubles, stars and snow… …as I might not be able to help it!

Will Gowin Warblings Editor


D E L I V E RY O F P E R F O R M A N C E A N D Q UA L I T YAfter a period of significant transformation, everyone in RBLI is firmly focused on delivering to consistently high performance and quality levels. This is easy to say but can be challenging to achieve. As always, there is much to learn and sharing of ideas and good practice is undoubtedly central to success.

Whilst visiting our 14 new Work Programme Offices I have noted with pride the professionalism and enthusiasm of our new teams. Many individuals are returners from previous RBLI programmes, whilst others are completely new to RBLI. The freedom provided by the ‘black box’ approach allows us to offer bespoke service delivery models to each individual customer and I have been impressed by the induction programmes I have observed so far. The implementation stage has not been without its challenges but we are now up to full strength; staff training has been first rate and with the support systems close to reaching full operating capability, there is no reason for us not to quickly move ahead of our demanding performance targets.

Social Enterprise and Manufacturing is exceeding expectations with overall financial performance levels bettering target in the first quarter. The Signs department is expanding in line with the strategic plan and we are now seeing the first recruitment of beneficiaries into employment opportunities to support this success. The development and delivery of high quality new wood product lines, such as kindling, is also being well received by our customers. We will only be able to sustain these business development successes if we continue to work to ISO 9001 standards and deliver excellence to all our customers. Speaking of delivering excellence, I am pleased to note that earlier this summer RBLI achieved matrix award re-accreditation for our Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) services – the external auditor commented “…delivery of IAG continues to be high quality, client centred and aspirational”.

Furthermore, we have now delivered two LifeWorks residential vocational courses for Armed Forces personnel where the feedback from the attendees included comments such as “..the staff have been excellent. I came with no idea … now I’ve got things open to me. I know what to do and I’m a lot more optimistic now.”

The quality of our care and service delivery at Gavin Astor House and Queen Elizabeth Court was recognised by external auditors from the Registered Nursing Home Association which noted that “..the higher quality of care results in better staff morale and continues to attract new patients by maintaining a reputation for the delivery of high quality care.”

Our corporate focus this year has rightly been on transformation and innovative new business. Throughout all that time we have not only been delivering existing services but have also designed and introduced new services. I have therefore purposely chosen delivery as my subject for this edition. Our Board of Trustees rightly demand high quality in all that we do. Our beneficiaries deserve our very best and many in RBLI go the extra mile in order to make sure this happens. Our customers will go elsewhere if we do not deliver on quality and price. Indeed, we all gain great satisfaction from recognition of a job well done.

My point is that delivering quality and high performance does not happen by accident. We all contribute towards it and we all have a responsibility to ensure we embed quality in all that we do as well as constantly seeking ways to improve. We at RBLI will continue to work with our beneficiaries, customers and partners to ensure that we are listening and responding to their views and requirements.

RBLI Chief Executive - Steve Sherry CMG OBE

SUMMER 2011


S T R A T E G Y L A U N C H

Hopefully, this will be the first in a series of articles tracing the long history of Preston Hall and RBLI. Working at RBLI, we add a new page to this history every day, becoming history in the making.

BYGONE DAYS The defeat of Vortigem, King of the Britons, in 455, at Aylesford, by Hengist and Horsa, the Saxon chiefs, was really the start of the English nation. Preston Manor near Malling, appeared in the Doomsday Book completed in 1086, and it is presumed that this was the original Preston Hall.For nearly five hundred years, the Colpeper (sometimes spelt Culpeper) family owned Preston Hall. Probably the most infamous Colpeper in history was Thomas, who became the lover of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife. He was executed in December 1540, only six months after the royal marriage and about a year later the same fate befell Catherine. She was heard to say at her execution “I die a Queen, I would rather die the wife of Colpeper”.The last Colpeper to own Preston Hall died in 1723 without an heir, and left the estate to his sister, Lady Alicia Taylor.To be continued….

by the Ancient Mariner

Thank you to all our friends who joined us in celebration of the RBLI 2016 Strategy Launch. It was a fantastic evening of fundraising, networking and rousing music. Our CEO, Steve Sherry, introduced the evening by summarising RBLI’s vision, building for the future, increasing the number of beneficiaries supported and strengthening the links with local organisations and communities. This was followed by the Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers who performed a most enjoyable concert. They really showed us how it should be done, starting with a medley of songs which won us the war, followed by individual pieces including Mr Bojangles and Alfie as well as favourites from

the Beatles. They honoured our very own Steve Hammond with a dedication – The Welshman Arromanches.

The performance sections paused briefly for speeches from our military guest of honour, Lieutenant General Mark Mans CBE and civilian guest of honour, Viscount De L’isle MBE DL – Vice Lord Lieutenant of Kent.

Praise must be showered upon our volunteer team who did a superb job organising the event as well as making sure our friends of RBLI felt welcomed, comfortable and found their way back to their vehicles at the end of the night.

(R-L) Steve Sherry CMG OBE, Lieutenant General Mark Mans CBE and Edwin Boorman OBE DL


SIGNS CO NTRACT

S O C I A L F I R M C E R T I F I C AT I O N

I am pleased to announce that RBLI has won a new contract to provide road signage for the Highways Agency’s contractor – Balfour Beatty. This means that next time you are driving home on the motorways in the South East and read a blue sign for directions, it is likely it will have been made here in Aylesford by RBLI.

This contract, secured by a combination of hard work from Jonathan Shaw and our Social Enterprise team, not only gives our employees in the sign making team a challenging new project, but also forges an exciting new partnership with Balfour Beatty.

Since forming in May 2011, the Training and Assessment Team, or TAAT as we are affectionately known, has been busy developing and delivering new and inspirational courses to ex-Servicemen and women.

Headed up by Sharon Patmore - Head of Workplace Psychology, with input from Emma Carty -Commercial Manager; the team consists of Shaun Maloney, Employability & Life Skills Coach and Trainer, Stephanie Cogdell, Vocational Assessor and Specialist Trainer, Leanne Newick, Support Services Administrator and myself Wendy Checksfield, Vocational Assessor and Specialist Trainer.

At the end of May we delivered our first LifeWorks+ course to 5 soldiers from the Parachute Regiment. The programme incorporated Employability Skills, Coaching for Change and Vocational Assessment and it was quite a journey for both delegates and staff members alike. We have since delivered another successful LifeWorks+ (turn to the back page for interviews with Chris and Andy from the course).

In July we were asked by the Army to roll out the first LifeSkills module 2 pilot; the primary aims of the course were for delegates to develop a CV, increase competence around interviews and raise commercial awareness, resulting in the completion of a personal action plan. The TAAT team offer a reach-back service to LifeWorks+ delegates to see how they are progressing and provide further assistance if required. For more information about LifeWorks, or our other courses please call us on 0800 319 6844 or email [email protected]

T R A I N I N G & A S S E S S M E N T U P D AT E

Last month RBLI was awarded a certification acknowledging our full membership of Social Firm UK. This certification acknowledges that RBLI operated under a Social Firm model which recognises: • That we trade for social purposes and any profits we make are reinvested back into the business to help us achieve our social purpose • One of our main social purposes is to create real, good quality jobs with opportunities for training and development to severely disadvantaged people, in a commercially focused environment.

The accreditation also gives RBLI access to advice on developing new activities within the business under a social firms model, helping with advice on funding and additional support. Tracey Crouch MP for Aylesford and Chatham, came in on 15th April to present the certificate to RBLI Chairman, Edwin Boorman OBE DL in our Signs department. A big thank you to Tracey for presenting the certificate and to everyone else who came along to the presentation event.

SUMMER 2011


EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Rena Patel who has been crowned RBLI’s Employee of the Year. This is a remarkable achievement and one that Rena should be rightly proud of. In a time of great change Rena has shown a huge commitment and dedication to RBLI, making a massive difference to the HR team and the wide range of activities she has been involved with. A really big well done Rena!

Well done to the other nominees, Sharon Pout, Steve Hammond and Clive Matthews, your dedication to RBLI has been admirable.

Congratulations to the joint recipients of the RBLI Manager of the Year award, Sharon Patmore and Kate Porter. Sharon has been at the forefront of our new courses. Her continued hard work and dedication has meant that RBLI is now heading full steam ahead deploying its ‘RBLI 2016’ strategy – returning to its roots helping ex-service personnel. Equally, Kate Porter’s management during a very busy time has meant that her Business Systems team have managed to maintain a truly excellent support service to the rest of the company throughout.

Now here’s a large section in a small space! A really big well done to Sharon Pout for winning the Employee of the Month award for January, Stephanie Cogdell for February, Susan Cairns and Jacqui Melvin jointly for March, Natalie Rac for April and finally Nick McDonald for May.


STRANGER DANGER WINNERS

M E DWAY OFFICE OPENING

Last month we celebrated our first official Work Programme office launch with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This is the first step in our plan for the new Work Programme, as we look to help many people find work and build new futures.

Congratulations to Ella Fisher and Amaan Boodhoo, both nine years old, from Aylesford Primary School. They are joint winners in a competition to create eye catching stranger danger signs. The competition is a joint project by RBLI, Kent Police and Aylesford Parish Council,

The new offices will be used by our consultants to provide vocational training and workshops as well as job searching facilities for our clients. The Medway office opening was attended by our local MP Tracey Crouch, Steve Sherry, Martyn Stone (the Pentagon Shopping Centre Manager) and reporters from several Kent newspapers. Our Medway clients, Mandy and Wendy, who have both been employed since coming to our offices, also attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. A huge thanks to Tracey Crouch and our clients for attending this important event. The Medway office is now fully open and can be located behind Wilkinsons - inside the Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham.

to keep children safe and increase awareness of the Stranger Danger campaign. Ella and Amaan’s signs, which have been built by our signage

team, will be displayed in parks in and around Aylesford. Keep an eye out as their fantastic work may be in a park near you.

SUMMER 2011


E N G I N E E R S T A T U E

R OYA L E N G I N E E R S AT R B L I

RBLI Presented the Maidstone Trust with a cheque for £2,000 to help pay for a brand new Royal Engineer statue in Maidstone. County Councillor Dan Daley – a trustee of the Maidstone Trust, came to our Aylesford site to accept the donation. With help from additional fundraising, the Maidstone Trust aims to purchase a life-size bronze statue of an engineer from the 36 Royal Engineers Regiment, commissioned by Mary Cox. The statue has been requested by the people of Maidstone,

to commemorate the hard work that the regiment has contributed in the current tours, especially within Helmand. The trust aims to raise a total of £35,000 by November, when the statue is expected to be unveiled in Brenchley Gardens, Maidstone. To make a donation please visit: www.maidstone.gov.uk/36statueappeal

A course has been running on our village that resulted in attendees being awarded the qualification, Military Plant Foreman of the Royal Engineers. We offered our land for development and existing car park to be resurfaced, to provide the Royal Engineers with real practical experience. The lads from course No 47 were required to develop a new car park behind London Road and resurface the existing car park at Prince Philip Lodge. This practical part of the qualification would usually be completed within the Barracks based in Brompton. The projects were funded by the Ministry of Defence, taking a total of six weeks, as a result we have two lovely new car parks.

Doreen Vowls, concierge at Prince Philip Lodge, who was just one of many who were sad to see the lads leave, wanted to congratulate them all on graduating with flying colours.

“I went to deliver a card and was passed from pillar to post, meeting nearly everyone in Brompton Barracks!

I was met by a Police officer at the gate, who sent me to the Sentry on duty in the guardhouse. Once I had explained myself a second time, he took me on a route march through the barracks where I was passed to an Officer.

Another explanation later, several phone calls were made and the lads appeared in their best uniforms, all neatly pressed with their buckles and boots shined to a parade ground finish!

I handed over the card with our grateful thanks for all their hard work whilst on the course. They were all so happy to have spent time on the course and explained how pleased they were for the experience.”


FOR MARGOMargaret Copeland (Margo as everyone knew her) had worked for RBLI at Gavin Astor House for 16 years. Margo was a remarkable influence in quality patient care within the Home. Following Margo’s death on Wednesday, 4th November 2009, the Home held a Remembrance Service this year. Kent artist Graham Clarke was commissioned by Margo’s family to paint a picture for the Home in her memory, which was presented at the Remembrance Service. This painting can be viewed in the main entrance at Gavin Astor House. Claire Field

‘One of the greatest secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others’ – Lewis Carroll (the quote which accompanies the painting)

VETERANS OUTREACH SUPPO RT SERVICEThe Veterans Outreach Support Service is about to hold its 7th clinic at the Capel Morris Centre on Wednesday, 17th August between 2.00 and 7.00pm. The service runs on the third Wednesday of each month and is a free drop in service – no appointment is necessary. Several agencies are represented offering free advice, including ourselves, The Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Combat Stress, RFEA, CAB, War Pensions and Compensation Advice Service and SPVA, with more agencies coming on board this month.

The service has become very popular amongst both serving and ex-serving Armed Forces Personnel. It has also become widely accessed by people all over Kent. The drop in service has also become quite a social point for those who have the time to stop for a cup of tea and a chat.

The RBLI Health and Wellbeing Service is able to offer up to 6 free computer lessons for anyone attending, whether it be to brush up on their computer skills or obtain advice on writing CVs or job searching etc.

If you know anyone you think would benefit from VOS, please do not hesitate to contact me for further information – [email protected] – or they can simply drop in at the next clinic. Jane Waring

Margaret Copeland

SUMMER 2011


S U M M E R F A Y R EThe Friends for Gavin Astor House held their Summer 2011 Fayre on Saturday, 23 July 2011. RBLI Chief Executive, Steve Sherry CMG OBE, kindly opened the Fayre which proved to be a huge success, raising £1,000. There were numerous stalls to visit, including cakes, bric-a-brac, beer tent and a barbeque. We had a country dancing team as well as children’s fancy dress and face painting tent. We have received excellent feedback from both residents and their families, who have said that they really enjoyed the day and look forward to next year’s event. Claire Field

L A N D R O V E R R E B O R NA miraculous job has been done on RBLI’s aged 1987 Landrover. The Aylesford REME (Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers) attached to C(220) Medical Squadron 4 Medical Regiment, has transformed our run down four-wheeler into a polished and valuable machine capable of almost any task. The local unit stripped

down the vehicle to its core parts and rebuilt it from the ground up, replacing many of the aged mechanisms along the way and finishing the project off with a new lick of paint. The project took a total of a year and eight months to complete. RBLI funded the parts and the TA Centre provided the labor required. Thanks to a truly professional job by the TAs, what was a rusty eyesore, is now a sight to behold that both the TAs and RBLI can be proud of.


TALITA’S INTERVI E WHi Talita, tell everyone a little about yourself... I was born in South Africa and came to England for a year or two before travelling the world. I met my husband on my first day of work. We’ve since got married and had two amazing children, Ilana (aged 6) and Kristian (aged 4 ½, the half is very important). I am mother of a 19 month old beagle, Zola Wigg, as well. What do you like to do with your spare time?I love going for long country walks. I am an experimental cook and a bad housewife. I also enjoy the TV show Dexter and enjoy lazy Sunday afternoons in our local pub garden - the Maypole in Borden. How did you start at RBLI?I started in August 2008 after the implementation of the Pathways Programme within the Business Systems Team. Since then, I have enjoyed supporting the business in streamlining business processes. Whilst at RBLI, I enjoyed delivering training as it gave me a platform to interact with the people working from our subsites in Kent, Sussex and the North.

We are here to support you with:❋ Colon Hydro Therapy ❋ Iridology ❋ Hydrolinfa ❋ Wellness Screening❋ Allergy Testing

The home of detoxi�cation in Kent

❋ Allergies ❋ Arthritis ❋ Asthma ❋ Anxiety ❋ Bloating ❋ Candida ❋ Constipation ❋ Depression ❋ Diarrhoea ❋ Diverticulosis ❋ Flatulence ❋ Haemorrhoids❋ Headaches ❋ Halitosis ❋ Leaky gut ❋ Insomnia ❋ Irritable Bowel Syndrome❋ Multiple Sclerosis ❋ ME ❋ Poor circulation ❋ Skin problems - eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne etc

Call us now for an appointment on 07515-429008or email [email protected] or online www.kentdetox.co.uk

Kent Detox & Wellbeing@Talitawigg

mailer_design_v1.indd 1 28/07/2011 11:07

We are here to support you with:❋ Colon Hydro Therapy ❋ Iridology ❋ Hydrolinfa ❋ Wellness Screening❋ Allergy Testing

The home of detoxi�cation in Kent

❋ Allergies ❋ Arthritis ❋ Asthma ❋ Anxiety ❋ Bloating ❋ Candida ❋ Constipation ❋ Depression ❋ Diarrhoea ❋ Diverticulosis ❋ Flatulence ❋ Haemorrhoids❋ Headaches ❋ Halitosis ❋ Leaky gut ❋ Insomnia ❋ Irritable Bowel Syndrome❋ Multiple Sclerosis ❋ ME ❋ Poor circulation ❋ Skin problems - eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne etc

Call us now for an appointment on 07515-429008or email [email protected] or online www.kentdetox.co.uk

Kent Detox & Wellbeing@Talitawigg

mailer_design_v1.indd 1 28/07/2011 11:07

What have you enjoyed most about working for RBLI?Meeting all the wonderful people in all the offices. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet many of our beneficiaries. What do you plan to do next? Colonic Hydrotherapist, Complementary Therapist, Business Owner and Entrepreneur.What interested you about your new career path?The first time I had a colonic I knew it was an amazing therapy. I looked into the training requirements and realised I could manage it. I have always wanted to own my own business and this is an exciting vehicle by which I can finally do it.Tell me more...Kent Detox & Wellbeing is a new centre for Health Promotion and Wellbeing. Many people have never sampled the benefits of this therapy, so I am bringing it to the local area in a new and stylish way. I plan to introduce many new therapies into my clinic. Nothing excites me more than being able to help people and educate them in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

SUMMER 2011


W O O D L A N D S C H E M E

The Kent Woodland Employment Scheme is a new initiative by the RBLI that will provide qualifications to ex-Armed Forces personnel. With the help of a Kent business woman who manages an ancient woodland now owned by a charitable trust, the RBLI is raising funds to help teach the skills of coppicing whilst rejuvenating Kent’s ancient woodlands. Allison Wainman helped raise over £150,000 to buy Gorham and Admiral Woodlands on the North Downs. Allison is now helping RBLI to raise almost double that amount to purchase machinery and to hire supervisors to overlook the project. “It is absolutely vital” she said “ that

we help our ex- Armed Forces personnel get proper qualifications and jobs and also save our beautiful Kent woodlands”. Kent’s woodland industry has continued to suffer following decline of coal mining and paper industries. This scheme will offer an opportunity for it to expand and increase once again. Many woodlands that are currently neglected will be coppiced and rejuvenated to produce raw materials for wood products and fuel. The natural recovery process that this initiates could lead to a growth in eco-tourism, resulting in further business growth and employment opportunities.

Our team attended the popular Kent County Show to help raise the profile of the scheme. Considering that the Saturday and Sunday were a washout, we still managed to drum up a lot of interest from the public, overall it was a positive weekend.

If you would like to make a donation, would like more information or if you own a woodland and are interested in having it rejuvenated please email [email protected] or call 01622 795900.

W A I T R O S E T E A P A R T Ytea on Thursday, 21st July. As usual, we were treated to some gorgeous cakes, sandwiches and freshly made scones with jam and cream – needless to say we all had a great afternoon and waddled out very full! We are always made to feel very welcome at Waitrose and their staff go out of their way to make it an enjoyable experience for our residents, nothing is ever too much trouble. We presented them with a collage of our various visits, which they will place in a display cabinet in the staff cafeteria.

As part of their continued support for Mountbatten Pavilion, we were placed in their Community Matters scheme at the distribution centre and we have just received a generous donation of £160, which was very gratefully received and will benefit the residents. Jane Waring

The residents of Mountbatten Pavilion were invited to Waitrose Distribution Centre in Aylesford for afternoon


VIL L AGE DE VEL OPMENTRBLI has been in discussions with the NHS about the future development of Preston Hall and the land within the Royal British Legion Village, following the Strategic Health Authority’s decision to leave by the end of March 2012. The NHS and RBLI are now close to having in place a plan for the site which will give RBLI security and influence in how the village can be developed sensitively in the future.

The proposed plan will secure planning permission for 318 houses, within the village site and Preston Hall, in a development sensitive to the character and setting of the Grade II listed hospital. RBLI’s housing will all remain on site and will not be affected. The land owned by Housing 21 is not part of the plans.

Prior to submitting any plans to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council we are undertaking a community consultation process which puts these proposals into the public domain and which will commence immediately.

If you would like to view and discuss the proposed plans, please attend one of the following public meetings at RBLI’s Capel Morris Centre (Capel Morris Centre, Hall Road, Aylesford, ME20 7QY):

12pm – 2pm, Wednesday, 24 August4.30pm – 6.30pm, Wednesday, 24 August6pm – 8pm, Friday, 2 September10am – 12pm, Saturday, 3 September

For more latest news, information and your chance to comment on the plans please visit the dedicated website: www.southeastcoast.nhs.uk/prestonhallYou may also telephone 07825 311430 or email [email protected]. If you would prefer to send a letter please do so to the following address: David Jessop, RBLI, Royal British Legion Village, Hall Road, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7NL.

VO LUNTEERSAs part of our commitment to the Big Society we have started the development of a volunteer bureau. Volunteers can bring significant benefits to organisations, such as new skills, knowledge and experience. We also expect this to bring closer ties to the local community which will compliment our 2016 Strategy.

This programme is intended to enhance and supplement the current support we provide to our beneficiaries. It can also be an opportunity to provide work experience to our Welfare to Work customers and will not be a substitute for permanent posts. We are hoping that some volunteering opportunities might include:-

• Administration

• Care

• Driving

• Maintenance/gardening

• Manufacturingsupport

We are hoping to launch the bureau in September and will ensure that volunteers will be available to all divisions of RBLI.

SUMMER 2011


T R A I N I N G & Q U A L I F I C A T I O N SRBLI’s North East site has been awarded a certificate (pictured right) by Key Training, for dedication to training. Over the last 2 years, RBLI in the North East has dedicated significant time and resources to staff training and development. Key Training delivered staff training, including IAG level 3 and 4, Management level 4 and Admin & customer service level 2. They also provided the North East site with an apprentice.

Well done to everyone who has gained a qualification or training award this quarter. The team of Get Digital students from Mountbatten Pavilion, who have completed their computer training award (pictured right). Well done to Katrina Cook has achieved her Level 3 NVQ in Health & Social Care – Adults (pictured below left), Suzanne Lock who achieved her Level 3 NVQ from Gavin Astor House and Chris Marsh and Claire Scott who have both completed Infection Control Training at QEC. The following people have achieved the RBLI Team Leader Development Certificate this quarter; Laura Burtally GAH, Lisa Gaymer GAH, Marti Koers QEC, Craig Davies MF, Abbey Motoyosi MF, Tony Scott MF, Len Wells MF, Steve Hammond MF, Kate Porter Bus Sys, Mandy Sweeney Fin.

R A I L T E XRBLI attended this years Railtex on 14-16th June. Railtex, which is a meeting place for many of the big players in the rail industry, was attended by RBLI’s Rob James, Steve Osborne, Sharon Barber, Sue Welch, Jason Brookes, Laura Morettes and David Church.

RBLI attend Railtex every year and it is a fantastic opportunity to meet our existing customers and friends of RBLI. It has also been a great way to raise our profile and show our range of new products and developments such as our new die cut speed signs.

Many people from the public and rail industry stop by our stand, which was custom built by Laura and the Signs shops floor team. In total we had 75 enquiries because of the event. Thank you to everyone who came to see us this year!


D U C K I N V A S I O N . . .

R B L I I N H A M L E Y S D I S P L A Y W I N D O W

CHARITY GOLF DAY RBLI is arranging a Charity Golf Day to raise funds for David’s Day 2011. David’s Day is an annual day out for disabled children in Kent, held in memory of the late David Rowlands MBE, a former Director of RBLI, who was a devoted supporter of services to disabled people.

Our Fulfilment team have completed another fantastic display job. The team planned out and assembled a Tomica railway set on our Aylesford site, took it apart for transport to Hamleys toy shop in London then carefully reassembled

If you’ve had some luck,you’ll have seen the RBLI duck He’s got a yellow bill and webbed feet, he uses RBLI pallets as a seat Don’t be alarmed walking around the site,because our winged friend doesn’t bite. He won’t fight you or attack,but if you surprise him he might quack. Keep an eye out for him in the next edition of Warblings, to win a box of chocolates!

This year, we hope to invite an even greater number of disabled children.The Golf Day event will take place at Broke Hill Golf Club, near Sevenoaks, on Tuesday, 6th September. For more information please contact: [email protected].

it again as a window display for the public to see. The Hamley’s window display was put up in the night of 13th May for TOMY. RBLI supplied everything bar the Tomica product. Great work guys!

B A B Y G I R L Congratulations to Louise Granville, who works as a Healthcare Assistant on Lewis Unit at RBLI’s Gavin Astor House. Louise gave birth to a baby girl, Olivia, on Friday, 1st July. Olivia weighed 7lb 9oz. Best wishes to the new mum and daughter!

S Q U A S H C L U BWe are starting up an RBLI Squash Club in Aylesford. At this stage we are seeing how many people might be interested. If you would like to put your name forward please send me an email: [email protected]

SUMMER 2011


L I F E W O R K S I N T E R V I E W S

Designed by Will Gowin © RBLI 2011

Andrew Hughes

I was in the RAF, but I slipped a disc in my back and was medically retired. Since then I had a number of engineering roles. I then worked as a bar tender and as a janitor/store operative within a supermarket. I found these jobs weren’t challenging enough for me. This left me feeling depressed and fed up and as a result I ended up losing the jobs and lost any sort of belief in my own ability. This resulted in a couple of years being in a really bad place, my finances absolutely shot to bits and struggling with day-to-day life.

I then found out about the LifeWorks Plus course. It seemed like it would provide me with the tailored guidance and training I needed. Once on the course the advisors were absolutely brilliant. They can speak to you on a one-to-one basis, it wasn’t like a teacher-student relationship at all, it was more like a friend that has come to rescue you.

I had a really low opinion of myself before coming on the course, but the five days on it made me feel positive about myself again. My trainer helped me understand that I had many beliefs about myself that were holding me back. They were based on feelings which could have been influenced by depression. My trainer explained that I’ve got to challenge my beliefs. Now that I have, I’ve discovered that I had been mentally holding myself back. I’ve just been lacking self-belief and that’s the main element this course has delivered to me. Self-belief and the tools to help me execute my plan of action.

Chris Francis

I started as a Physical Training Instructor delivering parachute training in the RAF. I left the RAF and ran two parachute schools where we did a lot of film and media work, such as Steven Spielberg’s Band of Brothers and ITV’s Drop the Celebrity. Then I had a big stroke and as part of the fight back into work and re-engaging after the stroke, an opportunity came up to work for Surrey Police, where I worked for a few years until I lost my eye sight and got medically discharged. I have been unemployed since losing my sight, so I’ve been learning how to deal with the changes in various ways.

If you happen to develop an unexpected disability, you need to try and find your way back into life and into the workplace again. You tend to find that you lose part of your persona and personality, that you’re not the person you used to be. It is a huge change in your life. That’s what’s been useful for me about coming on the RBLI‘s LifeWorks course; the reaffirmation of self. This course has reaffirmed that I am still that same person, the only difference is that I can no longer see clearly. But the course has very much shown me that I am the same person essentially. It’s definitely helped me in that respect.

I’ve been involved in teaching and coaching for many years, and I’ve felt that the delivery of the course has been great. It’s not that you’re being sat and lectured to, but you’ve been sharing relevant information as part of the team. This made me feel very comfortable, very much a part of it and it’s been a course in which I’ve felt that my input is valued.

L I F E W O R K S : V o c a t i o n a l a s s e s s m e n t s f o r t h e e x - f o r c e s c o m m u n i t y

Our next LifeWorks course is running from September, if you know someone who may benefitandhasaforcesbackground,beitpastor present, please call us on 0800 319 6844 or email [email protected]

warblings 2011 summer

Documents

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spring edition of warblings

previous rbli programmes

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steves update page

lifeworks interviews