How do we cope presently

In these unprecedented times it's important that we continue to be strong for ourselves, our family and others who we interact with. Life has currently changed, with our days not being our norm and what we are used to. We are all looking at ways of making this work, so when we finally emerge from this that we can do the best we can.

   Due to the situation we are all missing many things, simple pleasures that I took for granted that I now see as a luxury, my routine has been interrupted, as I abide by the government advice. I miss walking along the seafront, watching a football match in the local park, nipping to get a newspaper and not having to think about social distancing. These small pleasures aren't disappearing and the seafront will be there for us all once we recover and football players will once again grace the pitch, this gives me the light at the end of the tunnel.

   We are now a household of five, As a family we have had to devise a plan which gives us all the direction and focus for the day, this really helps and keeps the day running to time  - learning, exercise, fun activities, rest, are all built into an agenda which means everyone has to play apart. Each has strengths that they bring and weaknesses that they need to work upon (my teenage son).

Rather than focusing on the challenges of COVID 19 and the associated issues. I want to share on the inner strengths that are arising.

    I don't think I have ever spent so much time with my children.  Lily would normally be at her care centre,  and has lots of transfer equipment and wheelchair etc, Lauren  would usually be at work and Alex at college.  I watch how they handle the situation which I feel is character building. Both Alex and Lauren have stepped up to the plate with regards to caring for Lily, not only for Lily but also for their grandparents who are in 12 week isolation.

 My 45 minutes exercise has become the key to maintaining my day and it's my simple pleasure that sets me a goal to complete.

What goal can you set?

• Complete an on-line course 
• DIY tasks that need completing in your house
• Support someone in need
• Video chat with relatives

remember if anyone wants to chat  i'm always available through normal communication channels

What can we do?

                                                    What Can We Do?

In challenging times it is easy to focus on the negatives instead of actually what we can do.  We as a society are social and fast moving, travelling and integrating.  During this current pandemic we need to focus on our behaviours to help ourselves and others.  There are  simple steps that we can all take which will support life's current challenges.

What can we all do?

• Use hand gel when we can't get to a sink
• Use hand wash and warm water (remember the 20sec rule)
• Try not to touch your mouth, eyes or nose
• If you are unwell with a temperature or persistent dry cough self isolate for 7 days
• Be aware with people that you have been into contact and how they are
• Wipe down work areas, phones, keyboards 
• Use a tissue and bin it, then wash your hands or sanitize them
• Help an elderly neighbour with shopping etc.

How do we help as bus drivers?

• Many people rely on our services
• As a company we want to ensure our customers that we are doing our bit
• We are a lifeline for some to get to work, shops, school or hospital 
• We can adapt our behaviours

Lots of people touch their faces and this is a behaviour we need to change.  An entry point for the virus is through the nose, eyes or mouth.  If we are washing our hands before food then this limits the spread.  Also, not rubbing our eyes or touching our noses also limits the spread.  Be aware of your work environment whether it be a bus cab or desk.  There are hard surfaces that can be wiped down this also limits the spread.

Any one can progress

We have had our dogs now for over 3 years and bearing in mind I never had a dog until I was 47 I can't believe it took so long to become a dog owner.  And to be honest I now reflect on not having a dog and can see how they bring so many positives to not only myself, but all the family as well as neighbours and people who live in the surrounding community. I have to go right back to explain why we made this decision. Primarily, we decided to get a pet for Lily and thought it would be the ideal companion and that has certainly proved the case.  Secondly, we felt it would bring the family together and provide an opportunity for family time  during walks.  Then, finally we knew that two walks a day would benefit everyone from a fitness and mental health well being perspective.

 

    We found Murph at the RSPCA and we were reliably informed that he was in last chance saloon as he had a tendency to nip (being a pomeraian cross he's hardly dangerous his bark is worse than his bite). In the early days we certainly experienced nervousness, but over time and with the use of positive reinforcement he is such an asset to all of us. His bond with Lily is particularly heartwarming every second of the day, when Lily is at home, Murphy spends time with our daughter. I think he has a sense of protection and sees lily as part of the pack and it is his duty to defend her which he does so to much amusement ( try bedtime with a wheelchair and dog it's always interesting).

 

When we go for walks around our neighbourhood  people stop and talk which in our society is something that we should cherish. Many of our neighbours are elderly and the 2 dogs recognise and greet them like old friends we know being lonely can be difficult and others can easily be ignored, so it provides an opportunity to chat,  some petting time for the dogs and a moment that brings cheer to everyone present (both human and canine).

The point is everybody can be changed, nobody is lost forever and there is always help providing there is support. If one little dog can change many peoples lives for the better anything is possible.

Planning ahead for a great result

This Saturday I'm planning our annual shopping trip with my daughter who is a wheelchair user.  If we fail to plan we fail to travel well and enjoy our day.

Before we even leave the house we have a morning routine which includes moving from bed, to chair and from room to room, timing is key.

 

First we need to decide what time the bus is, as waiting in the cold is not an option.The new FirstBus app will be perfect to assist with this.  Lily's wheelchair takes up quite a lot of room so bus space also needs to be managed.  Autism means travelling on public transport means noises, eye contact, fears and phobias need to be fully managed.  For example, ear defenders, positioning of wheelchair and making sure anxiety levels are controlled are all essential elements of care whilst travelling. 

 

As you can see, our dog Murphy is very aware of Lily's needs and looks out for her.

                          A person with Autism finds the following difficult:

Noises                                Spacial awareness                       Different people

Conversations                       Change                     Buses being late         Buses being crowded

Anxiety levels                      Eye contact                  The unexpected    

                        A  wheelchair user finds the following difficult:

            Wet floor           Space        Uneven surfaces            Spacial awareness of others

         Own spacial awareness                              Other passengers bags

                                                What works well:

• Lowering the floor  and making the ramp available
• A big smile  
• Patience and understanding whilst entering the bus
• A smooth ride
• Extra information/up-dates in case of diversions

       In our roles we can all play our part, being a Journey Maker.

What difference will you make today?

                                                          

Skills you learn last a lifetime

I'm currently studying for a NEBOSH qualification to develop my safety skills further. Learning has many different styles and each of us learns in a variety of ways. Some people respond better to repetition whilst others learn better using a hands on approach.  What do all colleagues who are currently studying have in common? A desire to succeed! This drives us forward with a  reward when the final destination is reached.

 

We all learn at different speeds and at different levels, you can be a fast instant achiever or a slow burner with a more reflective approach. There isn't a right or wrong approach and one glove definitely does not fit all. One approach that I have found quite useful is to use prompt cards to help me embed the key messages that I need to adopt. My conservatory walls are also plastered with A4 memo notes to help me embed the key learning points.

The human brain has an effective learning system, new things sit in our short term memory until we actively use the information- by means of repetition, writing it down, using a questioning approach- then the information moves to our long term memory.  So remember that you need to act on new ideas for them to move from your short term memory to your long term memory.

 

Learning prompts can be:
 
Written - which can be referred back to
Graphic (visual) - quick to interpret jargon free
Practical & verbal  - quick and direct to interpret
 

A balance of all 3 are beneficial and keeps learning interesting and engaging.    The below image makes sense and clearly explains the concept as well as taking it to the next level.

Look at the same poster for 1min every day and by the end of the week you will have learnt the information.

At 'First' we have a free resource the 'First University' site have a look and see what's available it's never to late to take that first step.

You can find the site at:

https://firstgroup.sumtotal.host/core/dash/FirstBusUniversity

The Power of One

What a cricketing summer it has been- England won the one day world cup and then we draw the Ashes with Australia. We've had some exiting sporting events over the years; Jonny Wilkinsons last gasp winner in the Rugby world cup, Manchester Utd beating Munich in 99 and last year Liverpool coming back from 4 nil down to beat Barcelona. What all these events have in common is that anything is possible and you should never give up. To quote Joe Root 'as long as we have 2 men at the crease we have a chance and will fight to the end'.  All these teams have had a brilliant tactician and sychologist behind them but what they also has had are moments of shear brilliance from individuals who tipped the odds into their teams favour.

None of these results are down to luck they come from hardwork and practice, putting the hours in so when the time comes to deliver on the big stage they are ready and prepared.


 

After all, look how Ben Stokes has grown from an aggressive player, who at times was on the edge, to being focused, professional and staying in the zone. If you saw him in the world cup he barely celebrated when he reached his centaury. I don't think I have ever enjoyed listening to Test match special on the radio as I did when he single handedly defeated Australia (not forgetting Jack Leach!)

  We can emulate these team players by following these principles:

• Practice, Practice, Practice  (remember you only fail when you stop trying)
• If you are on a scale of 8, what can you do to get to a 9?
• Positivity brings results, Negativity brings resentment and disorder
• Engagement works wonders
• Sharing best practice is key
• supporting each other is a foundation

what will you achieve this week ?

Goals motivation and happiness

How important are goals in life and work?  Well, if we don't have a goal or think we need a goal then we have no destination.  After all, next steps are goals and keep our minds active & alert. ' You can spend your whole life running up and down and not achieving anything'. As a team we had a goal of 55 miles whilst completing the London to Southend ride. Raising money for Action for children as well as Cancer research

Top performers, world-class athletes set goals, anybody can.  That’s because when you set goals, you have a vision to work toward, ensuring that you are pushing yourself to get the best results, rather than resting on your laurels and waiting for things to happen.

Goals can create a focus and even small goals can have a positive result.  Achieving something and crossing it off my list gives me a feeling of accomplishment. The fact that we carried this out as a team gave us additional motivations with additional pressures we all had to finish. 30 miles into the ride we worked as a team encouraging, double checking and giving confidence to each other.

If you set a goal, you are accountable to yourself. Working hard to achieve things is great for self esteem and positive thinking.  I'm certain I can ride further than 55 miles I want to push my boundaries and ride 100 miles at 13/14 miles an hour, I'm sure I can achieve this.

Negativity can bring people down and having nothing to look forward to can be a contributing factor. Set your goals around things that you enjoy and allow time for worthwhile activities.  All these ideas then filter through into other areas of life and in-turn can make goal setting less challenging.

Just towards the end, one of us only had 1 working pedal so didn't quite make it to the finish.  He was a crucial part of our team so we finished on his behalf. 

At the finish line the reward is not just the medal around our necks but as a team we completed our goal with focus and perseverance.  We did it. Goals ensure that you get the best out of life and that's probably the best reason of all!