Our Values brought to life

One of the biggest challenges we have is how to highlight our 5 Values within our work environment. How we achieve this needs to come form ourselves and through delivering a valued service. Making a difference begins with us. The words outlining our values need to be brought to life so that we have confidence and pride in delivering them.

Firstly, let us look at our vision:

It's what we do, moving nurses, teachers, cashiers, carers, doctors, students and importantly the vulnerable from A to B. Importantly, supporting our community and everyone within it.

Next, let us look at our values. Day in day out colleagues live these values without realizing what they are achieving.  We should celebrate the importance of our actions and strive to consistently meet our values and share them with our community. 

 

 

Finally, the driver who takes pride in his job by driving safely; looking out for his passengers; leading by example is demonstrating all of these qualities.  Too often a good job can be under estimated, make a mental note of your successes and be proud.



Your Voice Update

Your Voice Surveys closed on Saturday night and this snap shot was taken on Friday lunchtime but shows how well we did in Essex completing the surveys. It was pretty much agreed by all participants that this survey was concise and easy to complete with relevant questions which will make a difference once the results are published and the action plans developed.
I believe that it is important that 'YOUR VOICE'  is part of all of our agendas throughout the year, so we can all challenge at all levels regarding how to make our work place and work environments an improving and great  place to work.

 

 A massive thank you to every one involved, as this means we will

have raised over £1600 for Prostate Cancer UK

 

During my time helping complete the surveys a lot of interest was shown in how to find out more about this terrible disease and I will be looking in the future at possibly getting a representative of PCUK to spend time with colleagues discussing all aspects of Prostate Cancer. Colleagues have spoken to me about different experiences; questions and points of concern always cropped up.  Talking and gaining knowledge really helps.

 

I also want to comment on the massive result that Both Colchester and Clacton achieved prior to Christmas raising over £1255 for St Helanas Hospice. Charity work is so rewarding and also helps to engage our customers whilst invoking community spirit.

 

In the week prior to Xmas, Hadleigh and Chelmsford raised over £85 for Prostate Cancer just by donating and wearing a xmas related  item.

On Friday 3rd March I will be available in Clacton Telford road,
between 10.30 and 14.30.

 

Your Voice 2017

Your Voice 2017 is here and we need as many colleagues to complete the survey as possible.  It's 18 months since our last survey and we need to know what progress we have made to make our work environment a great and safe place to work in.

This is your chance to make a difference. If things are going well then we can still continue to improve and if we need to change some aspects then the company need to know what they are.

Your views count and what you say is key to how we make changes within your depot.

The feedback received is fundamental and changes happen for the better due to the feedback from colleagues.

This years survey is user friendly, simple and quick to complete.  It literally takes no more than 5 minutes of your time.

For each survey completed First Bus are donating £2.  In 2015 Essex raised over £1,800 for Prostate cancer and If memory is correct a donation of around £450 was made to The Essex air ambulance

This week we have donated £750 due to colleagues completing the survey.

Already FIRST BUS has raised over £10,000 in 5 days!!!

To complete the survey follow the below link:
http://insight.karianandbox.com/uc/FirstGroup/ospe.php?SES=e559dedb47586213abf9abcc61708cca&syid=2180&sid=2181&act=start

and enter the pass word BUS2017 (which needs to be in upper case letter)

or go to www.yourvoicesurvey.com

I will be supporting colleagues in completing the survey and will be in Essex from Monday to Friday in the canteen areas assisting colleagues with the process.

Hadleigh colleagues completing the survey.

What a week

What's been going on this week. Wow, they don't come much busier than this one. I will give you a short overview of some of my week's commitments. Early Monday, I spent time in Chelmsford Bus station, and managed to chat to colleagues about the upcoming "Your Voice" survey-that starts in early February.
At lunch,  I moved to Hadleigh to support the "Brew and Bake" a fantastic £250 was raised by YOU. Well done, to Simon and Grace for fully organizing and coordinating this event and everybody who contributed to the stall.  I have some spare Prostrate Cancer packs available if any other depots wish to follow suit.
I think I put on a few pounds but Paul Hollywood hasn't got nothing on us Essex bakers! Well, if I am honest my effort was baked by my wife as she will not let me cook in her kitchen, since I last broke her oven!.

Late on Monday, I completed a short training session on DSDB. 

Tuesday, I met with the local Unite Union to give my period report.
Wednesday, I met with local Employee Directors to listen and share best practice in each others OpCos.
Thursday, I attended the National Employee Engagement awards alongside other First Group colleagues. We were short listed for our Aberdeen employee phone App used by colleagues and I was honoured to win an award for Employee Engagement.

A Great Event

 

If you want to see my interview hit the link below. Maybe it's a good job I won't be presenting this years Oscars!

www.bit.do/antgreen

 

Friday am, I am part of developing improving safety for all staff based through our 'Be Safe' principals and finally after lunch, I was able to witness a great approach to 'BE SAFE' when I participated in a weekly de brief meeting which had lots of positivity making Essex a great OPCO to work in.

Next week I will be in Basildon early on Monday available during the run out if you want to catch up with me.

PCUK Brew and Bake 2017 Monday 23rd Jan 11am-2pm

Hadleigh Depot is inviting everyone to a "Brew & Bake"-raising money for First Group’s chosen charity – Prostate Cancer UK. Come and join in and have a slice of cake, something savoury, or even a brew. All proceeds will be donated to this fantastic charity so every little helps!

Create and Bake

 The more people that bake the better! Anything from sweet to savoury. Bring in your creation/s on the day at 10am.  Simon and Grace will be in the canteen where they will label and set out the food.

The more cakes we bring in the more yummy creations we can buy and enjoy! 

All drinks from the canteen will be between the hours of 11am – 2pm at a £1 each. Every penny of this will be donated to Prostate Cancer.

HOT TIPS

If you are interested in baking but not too sure what to bring to the table – there are recipes available on the PCUK website including Nigella Lawson’s Strawberry Cheesecake!

 You can also buy raffle tickets  to help raise money-£1 per ticket or £5 for a strip of 5.
Everyone is welcome, and if you want to bake or buy raffle tickets please contact Simon Lawrence or Grace Doucette at Hadleigh Depot let them know what you are bringing so we can organize labels and space etc.

 RAFFLE TICKETS
£1 per ticket
£4 per strip of 5 tickets
Please see Simon Lawrence or Grace Doucette for tickets
HOME BAKING
The more people that bake the better! And it can be anything from sweet to savory! Bring in your creation/s on the day at 10am to the canteen for us to label and set out ready.
BREW
All drinks from the canteen between the hours of 11am – 2pm will be £1 each. Every penny of this will be donated to Prostate Cancer.
HOT TIPS
If you are interested in baking but not too sure what to bring to the table – there are recipes available on the website including Nigella Lawson’s Strawberry Cheesecake!
Prostatecanceruk.org/brewandbak

whats your resolution ?

2017, what will it bring? and what will you promise to yourself to achieve, it's a great chance to start a fresh and turn over that new page for the next chapter in your life. My home life brings challenges with my daughter, in the past even to get her to go to school was a daily mountain to over come.  She suffers from Turners syndrome and is on the autistic spectrum.  Over this past year, I have had to think outside the box to achieve the goal I was aiming for, a child with learning difficulties has made me realise that everybody is an individual and we all have different attitudes and behaviours that can be a great asset.  Also, that what is easy for one person can be a massive challenge for another. 
By carrying out my role, I have learnt the best ideas can come from very small beginnings and that you are only as strong as your weakest link.
How many times do we react to what occurs on our bus and subsequently react to how we behave. A simple customer question of what number bus are you? should not be over looked; the individual may have not used the service before and might be looking for reassurance; they may be short sighted or you may be the only person they get to speak to all day.   Never forget how important all individuals are to us, at this challenging time. To keep  passengers travelling we need to go the extra mile we need to make our service one that people want to return to.  If you want that feel good factor then try starting in small steps- smile and greet all the passengers.  See if you notice a difference in them and more importantly in yourself. Begin to recognize that you are making a difference to yourself and others.

Christmas Charity Week 2016

Please get involved in the charity week event. I have seen lots of Christmas jumpers today!  its great when we all pull together.   and within the past couple of years we have built upon this and now all participate as a team across Essex. Colchester & Clacton  (who have previously raised large funds) lead the way and every penny counts, so thank you to everyone.

 

 

  Have some fun before xmas day and help raise a smile to one and all.

  Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year