Dartford 22nd/23rd February

My first trip to Dartford in many years and it was definitely worth the wait.   It all started really well when a kind lady accessed the internet and gave me directions to the office.

It was great to meet some familiar faces and some new ones in the Dartford office and could instantly feel a positive atmosphere.  I’m pleased they had Milk too

We had a really diverse group too.  Instantly it became apparent that we had some very intelligent and knowledgeable people in attendance.

The conversation ranged from Archery, ancient Rock Art to meeting the Queen!   Some very quiet characters and some more outwardly confident ones too.

Sometimes, just making it into a course can be a real challenge.  For two people in particular on day one, the course instantly made them consider areas that are quite tough for them and to make any changes you must feel ready.  I credit them for attending and do wish them all the best.

Day two was an amazing day for me.    A young, lovely smiley lady, who attended the course to help with confidence issues instantly pushed her comfort zones and completed yesterdays challenge on her own!  A real achievement as she had not touched it the day before.   Throughout the day she would amaze me and more importantly herself.  Especially with the interview role play, in which she was fantastic!  I wish her all the best for her Volunteer work that she starts today and consider the course to be perfect preparation.

We were also joined by a wonderfully artistic lady who thrives on creativity.  Understandably, she has some personal challenges and can be very hard on herself.  I hope that she remembers the fantastic feedback from the group and what she achieved by making new friends and talking.  I was also amazed by her wonderful aptitude for communicating her thoughts and encouraging others.   I have no doubt, with short-term goals, support and planning that she can find that job to inspire her creativity and therefore offer a greater quality of life.  The creative, colorful mind map in the picture is her handywork.

At the beginning of day two, I also had a great music chat with my sole remaining male.  A quiet man, but a wise man, who when he talked, everyone listened intently.  Throughout the two days, I kept getting a caring vibe from him and he did mention that he might enjoy working with the elderly. (something to consider)   He also enjoyed the experience of meeting new people and has gone away feeling refreshed.

Finally two bubbly smiley ladies.   One who instantly became a real lively and supportive character for the group.  Actively attending interviews.  I have no doubt that she will be in employment too.  I was amazingly impressed by her throughout and she gave it everything. Full of knowledge and enthusiasm, I just hope she works with people.

We also had our facilitator.  The person who always cares about others first and sometimes forgets their own needs. Throughout the two days, she was an absolute legend.   Facing personal challenges and receiving wonderful feedback.  Definitely suited to her career choice of working with Children.  I hope she takes the advice to go and study and find a volunteer placement.

I wish them all the best in the future and thank them for a great two days.

Matt

Ashford 16th/17th February

2nd course for me in one week and this was another really enjoyable one.

I was joined nice and early by a lovely chap, wearing a cool t-shirt with Guitars on it. We discussed his favorite football team losing the night before and thankfully he was ok about it.   He informed me quite early that he was very nervous and struggles in new social settings.  Throughout the two days it was a delight to see him gain confidence and join in.  He has experienced some real health challenges in his life and should realise just how much strength and determination that he has shown.  That’s his evidence, that he can use to inspire him for his next challenges.   We also had another person attending his first course in many years, initially quiet too, he quickly joined in and appreciated the opportunity to meet new people.

 I did a temperature check at the beginning of the course to find out how much they wanted to be here and I was informed 2-3′s out of 10.  Thankfully by the end I was informed 8′s and some were 10′s, which was great news.

We were also joined by possibly the most polite person that I have ever met.  A young lady, who was genuinely excited about attending the course and was fantastic at drawing pictures.   It was a pity that she couldn’t attend day two, as she had an interview.  Fingers crossed it went well.  We also had another chap who demonstrated some excellent practical skills, who also had a trial day on day two working in Catering. Hope that it went well for him.

There were a number of highlights on this course, but number one for me was a moment in which one of the group invited another to join the club that he helps organise.  I was extremely impressed by the kindness and support that this man showed and grateful that he came on the course.  Sometimes confidence is a major issue and this particular young man, possibly showed me the biggest change I have witnessed over a two-day course.  He also cracked one of the problem solving activities with some really intelligent thinking.  Hopefully he will join the club, as i’m sure it will help him.

Finally, we were joined by a bubbly positive lady, who is about to embark on a complete career change away from Catering.  I have no doubt that she will realise her goals and recommend she consider a role helping others.

Overall, this course was extremely memorable and a real pleasure to be part of.   That’s me done for the week……time to relax!

I thank them for all their hard work and participation and wish them all the best in the future.

Matt

Chatham 14th/15th February

A return to familiar settings for me.    Having previously worked in Chatham, there was number of people attending whom I had previously met.

A group of 8 (which is a nice number) and they were all extremely different personalities, which made for an interesting two days.   This group included my first couple attending together!  Interesting baring in mind we were celebrating Valentines Day!   It was a challenge to see how well they know one another and how they can support each other to make necessary changes.   A wedding is on the horizon and some paid employment would definitely help to make the day complete.

I was also amazed by a lady who asked me the following question within the 1st 10 minutes of the course “are we going to do role-playing? because I hate role playing” , to enable her to relax, I must admit to telling a small white lie……day two role-playing arrived and I needed a volunteer…….guess who put their hand up?!!  although nervous, she did wonderfully well and should be very proud of herself.   We also had a joker in the pack, who sat with another ‘rebel’ at the back. Both characters helped make the course lively and were very kind and supportive members of the group.  I also joined by a young lady who has been lucky enough to meet Paul McCartney and also has some musical talent herself, inherited from a supportive parent.  Braving toothache, she soldiered on and impressed me with her eloquent conversation and focus.  We also had a quiet lady, who when she spoke everyone listened, as it was always something wise and interesting.  A caring person, who keeps bearded dragons and other wonderfully exotic pets.  Finally, we had our Artist, who drew a fantastic picture and smiled throughout the two days, which was infectious.  I recommend that she pursues her history and art passions.

This group also remembered a staggering 46 areas that we covered in one day. That was impressive team work, which was evident throughout    With some motivation, confidence and support I can see everyone in this group rising to new challenges.

I wish them all the best for the future and thank them for their participation.

Matt

Tunbridge Wells 1st/2nd Feb

This was my 1st ever trip to Tunbridge Wells and it was definitely an interesting one.    Weather was absolutely freezing and it is an interesting place to get to by train (4 changes).

As usual, I was unsure what to expect. However, this feeling was more than usual. 1/ new location 2/ new people and 3/ new office.   I arrived in good time and was taken to the room I would be training in.    It’s interesting, as I usually have a faint idea of what the room may look like, but on this occasion, I was nowhere near!   We were situated down in the basement, which therefore made for an interesting atmosphere.  I could hear myself echo!

This group all arrived early (always a good sign), but I was interested to hear that a majority of them were only given notice of the course the afternoon before.   So I was faced with people who had differing opinions of how they felt about attending.  To there credit, they were motivated and extremely welcoming.

Thankfully, we all hit it off really well and it made for a really positive and open atmosphere.   I particularly enjoyed that the conversation flowed throughout the two days.   We were also lucky to have a real range of personalities, interests and also some extremely skilled and qualified people.   Certainly food was discussed on many occasions, especially a well-known brand (no names mentioned:)) and it was interesting how many of us fell for this!

Our hypothetical road map exercise to short/long-term goals took us to Cornwall for a Cornish Pastie, which was great fun and they also thrived in an open setting.

 This all made for a great first course in Tunbridge Wells which made the long journey and cold conditions well worth it.

I wish them all the best in the future.

Matt