Latest Training and Personal Development News - 2011
Below you will find some of our most recent news, please click on a headline to read the article.
West Midlands Association for Women in Policing have recently run their annual dinner and awards event, held at Aston Villa Football Club. The event celebrated the achievements and successes of women police officers and staff throughout the West Midlands police force.
In recognition of all that West Midlands do to support and develop women, including running both Springboard and Spring Forward programmes, the Springboard Consultancy was delighted to be able to sponsor the Excellence in Performance award, won by Dawn Miskella.
Licensed freelance Springboard trainer Jan Morris received a special recognition award as a big 'thank you' from West Midlands Police for all the fantastic work she has done for women in the force. Jan has run 14 Springboard and 4 Spring Forward programmes for West Midlands police, and was instrumental in getting the West Midlands Association for Women in Policing off the ground.
The response to Jan's nomination was overwhelming, with endorsements and praise being sent in from more than 100 women whose lives have been touched by Jan and the Springboard and Spring Forward programmes over the last 8 years.
Jan says 'it's a privilege and pleasure to work with the women of West Midlands Police, and I am full of admiration and respect for their amazing achievements.'
Our congratulation go to Dawn and Jan, and to all the award winners. Many thanks to the organisers for putting on such a brilliant event.
Award and recognition for Springboard trainer at British Transport Police
Warmest congratulations go to Springboard licensed trainer and PA, Nadia Head from British Transport Police. Nadia has recently won a prestigious award for loyalty to an organisation. The event was held at the Mayfair hotel, London and attended by over 200 PA's. Awards were given in 5 categories. As well as being PA to Detective Chief Superintendant Nadia also assists with the diaries of three superintendants.
The judges were impressed by Nadia's varied work history and the fact that she mentors other PA's in her own time and also acts as Secretary to the City Police Children's Charity.
Nadia says 'I feel valued and trusted by the people I work with and this makes coming to work an enjoyable experience.'
William Hill, Europe's leading gaming and sports betting business, recently completed their first national Springboard programme. A group of 40 women from across the UK attended the sequence of four workshops, held at venues in Leeds, Liverpool, Edinburgh and London. The majority of women were betting shop managers and the remainder held administrative posts.
The programme received the full support of Ralph Topping, Chief Executive and at the final workshop David Russell, Group HR Director presented certificates and heard first hand of the women's achievements.
The main outcomes of the programme for the women were:
- Greater levels of confidence in their own abilities
- More awareness of their own achievements
- Better focus on objectives and goals both at home and at work
- Establishment of a strong support network amongst women on the programme
- Taking more responsibility for their own development
- Greater commitment to and motivation for work
The programme was run by Sue Hewitt, Head of Learning and Development at the Springboard Consultancy and Gilli Bruce, from Gilli Bruce Training.
Gilli said, "I've really enjoyed working with the women from William Hill. They have really got hold of the way that the programme works and reported really significant changes." "These women have been telling us of the very many small steps they have taken which have made a real difference for them both at work and at home.", reported Sue, "the networking that started on the programme has been continued and strengthened through the women setting up of a Facebook group and arranging a day out at Alton Towers. They are now able to support each other, even when they work at different ends of the country".
Comments captured at the end of the programme underlined the positive progress made:
"I feel the programme has given me the confidence to speak up for myself and believe in what I say"
"I found the course insightful, motivating, and enjoyable and I learnt skills and insights that I will use continuously throughout my life, it is a totally worthwhile experience and would champion this course to all women."
"Springboard as changed my life, you will be amazed how such simple exercises can teach you that all the questions you have can be answered by yourself."
"Springboard was an amazing experience at a tough time in my personal life. Exactly what the doctor ordered."
The photo shows the women at workshop 4 in London standing alongside some of their creative work.
Sharon Feasey of Royal Mail recently ran a Springboard programme which finished in July 2011. Here is her story:
"A number of the participants decided to stretch themselves a bit further on Sunday 4 Sept, by taking on a Go Ape adventure at Bedgebury Forest. While 2 of us had done something similar before, 3 of us hadn't and were facing some fears / challenges. For some of the participants it was quite a commitment, for example, Josie had a 6hour drive from Rhyl and Lorraine had a 3hour drive after finishing a night shift!
Above is a picture of the group at the end of the Go Ape course (when we were all considerably more wet, mucky and exhausted) and all in desperate need of a hot chocolate to steady our nerves . Those pictured from left to right are: Sharon Feasey, Jacqui Walsgrove (Hailsham DO, Josie Jones (Rhyl DO), Donna Nutt (Gillingham DO, Kent), Lorraine Hocking (SWDC – South West Distribution Centre).
Below is a picture of the participants at the end of their Springboard programme."
September 2011
Vodafone in Luxembourg completed their first Springboard course in June 2011.
The Luxembourg business attracts women from across the globe and there were 10 nationalities represented amongst the participants. The course was run by Dr Sue Hewitt, Head of Learning and Development at the Springboard Consultancy.
Read about the Vodafone course...
July 2011
Devon and Cornwall Police's latest Springboard course has just finished in a 'flourish' of Flowers, Frocks and Fascinators – a theme picked by the group for workshop four to mark their celebrations of completing the course.
This fantastic programme was held in the picturesque setting of Roadford Lake in Devon, which proved to be a great inspirational place to learn. Read more...
July 2011
Once again this year the Springboard Consultancy office team ran the Race for Life – Kathy Connell, Georgina Pullen, Sue Hewitt, Sue Keane and Pat Glover. The event took place on Sunday 10th July in Barnstaple. Take a look at some images of the day...!
The weather was kind to us and we had a fantastic day. Everyone made it round the course in good time and excellent spirits. It was an incredibly moving event, seeing how many people's lives have been affected by cancer and feeling the goodwill and determination to succeed amongst the huge group of runners was very inspiring and kept us all going.
Many thanks to everyone who sponsored us for the event. If you would like to make a donation there is still time! Click here to donate to a very worthwhile cause.
July 2011
Qtel are a Qatar based telecoms company. They recently ran their second Springboard programme, this time exclusively for select female employees in Customer Services. Led by Hissa Al Souwaidi, Career development Supervisor at Qtel, and their only Springboard certified trainer, the programme focuses on self-development.
"Springboard gives women a unique opportunity to learn how to voice their opinions and set their own career goals," she said. Guest speaker from various fields shared their experiences with the group, inspiring the Qtel staff.
June 2011
The Springboard Consultancy were once again delighted to be able to sponsor the mentoring award at this annual event.
90 people attended the 2011 BAWP Awards dinner at the Marriott Hotel, Leicester on 13th June, including licensed Springboard freelance trainer Liz Castle who attended on behalf of the Spring Board Consultancy.
She heard amazing stories of hard work, bravery, life long achievement and support and development of others.
The photo is of Liz Castle and the BAWP president Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick presenting the mentoring award to Nicky Flower, an Inspector with South Wales police.
June 2011
Now that 'NewsSplash' has moved online we have archived pdfs of the past editions of 'NewsSplash'.