Recharge the batteries

Annual leave gives us all a chance to recharge our batteries and get some quality family time. We all  need  time away from work to create a work life balance. Too much time at work and you risk a burn out, both physically and mentally - this is neither productive or helpful.

As well as annual leave, there are steps during the working week that can help keep us ticking over. Taking even 10 minutes away from inside a cab or from a desk environment provides a mini break which can have great value. Such as, thinking more clearly and feeling sharper and refreshed.

Weekend time -3 Children, 2 dogs and 1 wife!

 

So how else can we relax:

 

• Always go for a short break even if it's just up and down the bus
• Take lunch outside your depot or office, find a quiet spot
• At the weekend, choose a hobby that takes you into a positive mindset
• Complete crosswords and brain quizzes
• Read the book you have always promised yourself that you would read
• Walk to the shops instead of using the car
• Walk and enjoy the scenery
• Have a drink and read a paper
• Work in the garden
• Go for a bike ride
• Cook a nice meal
• Relax in the garden
• Turn off the mobile for 1 hour during the evening. 

 

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Why the Feel good factor works

Hadleigh Litter Pick Update

This was created to  encourage a positive vibe with regards to doing something good as a First employee.  As well as, being a good opportunity to meet and greet some of the local community as they asked us what we were doing etc. This created a feel good factor and was a good work out. We ended up with 6 bags of rubbish and a shopping trolley. It really was eye watering, the level of plastic rubbish we found in just a 2 hour window.  This event will probably be arranged again in 6 months’ time as a Xmas litter pick event. So if interested, please chat to me and I will take it forwards.

 

As you can see, we helped local wildlife; with lots of positive feedback from walkers who could view our First table display. It is nice for our team to be able to walk home this way or take a walk in their break, and have a clean and wildlife friendly zone to stroll through.  This  example will engage  our local community, it is a progressive step.  As well as, working with the council with whom we work amongst.

 

 Maybe we could use an event like this to review the plastic we have on our sites and perhaps, going forward, manage the plastic bottles from the canteen, the plastic packaging that’s used on site, or even see if Biffa have a plastic-recycling initiative we could use.  there are many possibilities.

 

This is only a very small step but if others followed suit, then our local surroundings and leisure environments would be cleaner and happier places.

 

Ant

The roller coaster of life

I always look at life in a number of ways. Firstly, I often describe it by quoting "with no lows how would you enjoy the highs". And I totally agree with comments such as "you only fail when you give up trying".  Also, It's important to remember that when setting goals there must be some realistic outcomes.  However, in reality many of us seem to over set goals and then completely fall away from our target, before getting any where near and giving up.  Why not, instead of aiming for the unachievable, aim for what is achievable.  This can be accomplished by simply setting yourself a daily reachable challenge, then try a monthly one, followed by a yearly one. Think about the question, what will you do to make a difference to yourself and others?

 

In the bigger picture of things, time passes so very quickly. I am sat writing today, in a humid 25 degree temperature and it's hard to believe that only 8 weeks ago we were all shivering during the visit from the 'Beast from the East'.

Over the past year, I have lost family, friends and work colleagues, who all passed too early. This has made me consider the value of everyday.  Yes, we are all on the rollercoaster of life and sometimes the ride will be bumpy, but believe me it's a trip that will also offer joyful moments. This makes me want to grab every opportunity, to have new and shared experiences.

Next Sunday, we have arranged a litter pick event, which would benefit all concerned. Working with Castle Point Council, we plan to have a litter pick at the local nature reserve. The Westwood, which is just around the corner from bus depot, this event  would involve us volunteering as a team and giving a couple of hours of our time on a Sunday morning (or whatever time you can spare). Our objective is to aim to put something back into the community which we serve, whilst enjoying a pleasant mornings walk through the woods. Sometimes when you give a little, you get more back.

 

We will provide PPE, equipment and bin bags. Put the date in your diary 10th June between 10am and 12am. If you have any questions speak to please speak to me.

Learning at work week 2018

I'm really looking forward to  Learning at Work Week which is nearly here. It's from  Monday 14th of May to Friday 18th of May.  Essex depots are carrying out a variety of fun and engaging themes.  The 2018 theme for Learning at Week is- 
'Network for Learning'

1.Who can take part?  - Anybody can join in

2. Why take part?

•  Changing attitudes to learning and work. Positive!

•  Positive perceptions at business and individual levels

•  Stimulating and collating feedback, ideas and perspectives that inform future planning

•  Drawing on employees own knowledge, passions and interests to create engaging activities well as, wider sharing and collaboration in the workplace

•  Greater recognition and an understanding of different ways to learn in the workplace

•  Encouraging a broader perspective on how learning and development happens and how    employees can take advantage of new ways to learn – from traditional classroom based training through social media, to team meets for generating and sharing learning

•  Bringing employees from different parts of the business together or partner organizations in to learn from each other, sharing best practice.

3.What opportunities does it provide?

Learning at Work Week is not prescriptive in terms of what you can do and how you should use it, instead it provides ideas and inspiration.  Whether you want to develop new skills to aid your mindset or challenge yourself, the decision is yours.

 Greater awareness of learning, motivation, engagement which all enhances our work environment.

My input to Learning Week, focuses on IT skills, predominantly the top 5 UK apps. This is just to give an awareness of what they are used for. For example, if your daughter, son or grandchildren talk about them, you will know what Snapchat or Tumblr are.
I will be in Colchester on Tuesday afternoon, Basildon on Thursday am and Hadleigh Thursday pm. 

4.WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN?

Learning opens doors and makes us more informed, sometimes things we don't know hold us back.  Why not ask questions and explore options regarding your own learning experiences.

Charity choice 'Action for Children'

Having a child with a learning disability and mental health issues is one that effects many colleagues.  Action 4 children received the highest colleague vote so for the next 3 years this will be our 3 year partnership. The below outlines are plan and gives a small amount of information as to who how partnership will specifically help

Action for Children will receive proceeds from fundraising as well as advertising space across the UK transport network:
 Children's charity Action for Children is set to become the new national partner of transport operator FirstGroup.
The two Organizations will form a three-year partnership potentially worth around £1 million in cash, fundraising, and the commercial value of gifts in kind

“Our partnership will enable us to provide expert mental health support directly to the children and young people we help. In addition, these specialists will up-skill our existing staff, leaving a lasting legacy in our Organization. Throughout the next three years, FirstGroup will be a key partner in helping us to achieve our ambition that any child who needs help gets help starting in April 2018, our new partnership with FirstGroup will aim to raise £1 million over three years to provide mental health support for disadvantaged children and young people to overcome the trauma they have experienced. Together we will show them that life is worth living.

One of FirstGroup’s key objectives is to create a positive and lasting impact in the communities they serve.  And there is no better way that they could demonstrate their commitment to local communities than supporting the most disadvantaged children in these local areas.

 

Many of the children we support in our services have been:

• Physically, sexually or mentally abused.
• Have been in the care system after being removed from their parents,
• Live in poverty or are homeless,
• They may have a disability or be caring for a sick relative – taking on the worries and responsibilities of an adult.

Our partnership will enable us to deliver essential specialist mental health support to children who desperately need help.

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Wishing for spring

Over the past 4 weeks, we have all had to put up with the 'Beast from the East', and now we have the sequel.

 

 

Weather impacts our lives in unexpected ways. At home it's a struggle to get our two dogs to go for a walk the radiator seems far too appealing to them. Then if we make it outside we have to decide how to handle my daughter using the mobility scooter or the wheelchair which becomes a challenge in its own right. The balance of staying in or making sure that we can ensure her safety outside. 

The snow is beautiful when it falls and everywhere looks so serene, but many people are having dramas of their own. When the weather has a red warning, why do people decide to travel? and then wonder why emergency responders have to rescue them? The news warns us not to  travel unless you urgently have to.... For me it's safety first.  In these atmospheric conditions I have seen colleagues go the extra mile on countless occasions.  For example, gritting the walkways and driving at slower speeds.  Basically, looking after each other and our customers; making safety a personal core value and which is great to see.

Roll on spring.  More travel, more people, an economy boost and sunshine!

 

 

 

How do you win a medal?

Over the past two weeks, I have been enjoying watching all of the winter sports. It never stops amazing me the fine line between success and failure. Four years of hard work graft and commitment can be over within a blink of an eye.  The difference between walking away with a life long ambition or walking away frustrated and despondent.                                 

                                                                                    I watched Lizzie Yarnold make history and

become the first double gold winner that GB has ever achieved in winter sports. Her love for the sport is very apparent  and  her positive attitude always comes across strongly.  For me she seems to have found the perfect  ambience of  work and life .  After winning gold 4 years ago She chose to relax and didn't even sit on a skeleton for 18 months so she could enjoy life; in between she took up cycling running and yoga all keeping her motivated and enjoying life to the full. Then she returned to  the sport where 100ths of a second is the difference between the worlds top performers- she wins! Smiles and celebrates by knitting a scarf! She believes in herself and thus brings her A game to the table.

   Compare and contrast  Elise Christie in the speed skating.  Again, a highly motivated individual but you sense, when she's interviewed, the weight of her reputation.  Previously,  she has gained success by obtaining world champion and this may be why she puts herself under immense pressure. Split second decisions have all worked against her. Her work ethic can't be questioned so why does she seem destined to fall at the final hurdle. She was unfortunate 4 years ago and now she has replicated this.  But, even after this she seems almost certain to return again; working to obtain the one medal she so desperately yearns for. She certainly has resilience and determination!

 

I will end with these questions- At work which attitude do we choose? How do we over come failures? How do we celebrate success?

 

Have a great week! I will be in Colchester Rest area on Friday between 10 and 2pm.