During the Awareness Week, hundreds of events take place, both online and in person, all over the country to raise awareness of sexual abuse & violence.
If you are holding an event, you can contact info@sexualabuseandsexualviolenceawarenessweek.org and they will promote your event on their social media platforms.
If you are worried that a young person and/or an adult are experiencing sexual abuse and/or sexual violence, there are services that can help. If you google help after sexual abuse or assault there are a lot of options to explore, we have included a few below:
1. Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)
They offer medical, practical, and emotional support 24/7 to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused.
SARCs are located across the country and are here for everyone, regardless of when an incident happened. They are staffed by health and wellbeing professionals, who can provide support to individuals and arrange counselling and therapy sessions following rape, sexual assault or abuse.
You can self-refer and, unless there is a safety issue, it’s up to you whether to involve the police or not. Click this link to find a centre in your area.
2. The Survivors Trust
Who are the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK and has been providing infrastructure support to their members for the past 20 years.
They have 120 member agencies based in the UK and Ireland providing information, advice, support and therapy, and their services work with victims and survivors of all ages, all genders, of all forms of sexual violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, including support for partners and family members. To access them follow click on the button.
3. Safeline
They help prevent sexual violence and support anyone who has been affected. They can be contacted by calling 01926 402 498 or by visiting their website. Click on the button.
If you are a practitioner who is worried about a child and/or adult you are working with then you will need to take action.
Always follow your organisations policies and procedures, but below is some additional information that may help.
If you are worried about a child but you do not have consent to make a referral to Social Care:
In most cases it is appropriate to seek consent. However, there are still some cases where it is not.
Consent should not be sought if doing so would:
• Place a person (an individual, a family member, worker or a third party) at increased risk of significant harm to the child.
• Prejudice the prevention, detection or prosecution of a serious crime - this is likely to cover most criminal offences relating to children.
• Lead to an unjustified delay in making enquiries about allegations of significant harm to a child.
If you are worried about an adult (who has additional care and support needs) but you do not have consent to make a referral to Social Care:
Sharing the right information, at the right time, with the right people, is fundamental to good practice in safeguarding adults but has been highlighted as a difficult area of practice.
Adults have a general right to independence, choice and self-determination including control over information about themselves.
If a person refuses intervention to support them with a safeguarding concern, or requests that information about them is not shared with other safeguarding partners, their wishes should be respected.
However, in the context of adult safeguarding these rights can be overridden in certain circumstances.
• The person lacks the mental capacity to make that decision. This must be properly explored and recorded in line with the Mental Capacity Act.
• Other people are, or may be at risk, including children.
• Sharing the information could prevent a crime.
• The alleged abuser has care and support needs and may also be at risk.
• A serious crime has been committed.
• Colleagues are implicated.
• The person has the mental capacity to make that decision but they may be under duress or being coerced.
• A court order or other legal authority has requested the information.
If you are worried about an adult (who DOES NOT have additional care and support needs)
If the adult does NOT have additional care and support needs, then a referral to Social Care would not be accepted.
In this instance you would:
Listen
One of the most important things you can do for someone who was abused or is being abused is to listen without judgment. Acknowledge their feelings and experiences.
Let them share their story at their own pace and avoid interrupting or minimising. Validate their emotions and experiences and let them know it was not their fault.
Accept their version at face value and refrain from suggesting how they could have handled or could handle the situation differently or better.
Connect Them With Resources
Numerous resources are available, including therapy and support groups.
Encourage, and offer to help to seek out these resources. You can also direct them towards hotlines and websites that offer resources and support, such as the services listed in this article.
Respect Their Boundaries and Decisions
It’s crucial to respect the persons boundaries and decisions. It’s important to be patient and understanding, while offering support and encouragement.
Whatever a survivor chooses to do with their story is their decision. Respecting this autonomy will empower them on their healing journey.
Take Care of Yourself
Supporting someone who has experienced abuse can be emotionally taxing. It’s also important to take care of yourself and seek support from others.
Supporting survivors of abuse can be challenging, but it’s a critical part of their healing journey. It requires patience, understanding, empathy, and a non-judgmental attitude. Your support can be incredibly beneficial for their recovery.
More on this can be found at: https://endcan.org/
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
We are always looking for different tools to make training interesting and interactive in the classroom, but especially more so, on Teams and/or Zoom. A Jamboard could be the answer!
A Jamboard is a digital whiteboard that lets you collaborate in real time using either the Jamboard device web browser or mobile app.
Put simply, it’s a giant whiteboard that allows you to work in real time with all your participants.
So what does it allow you to do?
1. Work together in real time
You can share a jam session with collaborators whether they are on a Jamboard device, mobile app or web browser.
People in up to 50 user sessions can work on a jam at once to.
• Write and draw with the included stylus.
• Search Google and insert images or webpages.
• Drag and resize text and images with your fingers.
• Sketch a box, star, cat, or dragon. Image recognition technology converts your sketch into a polished image.
Using Jamboard on a computer, you can use a web browser to:
• Write and draw using a mouse or trackpad.
• Search Google and insert images or webpages.
• Drag and resize text and images.
• Present your jam to a Google Meet video call.
• Open your jam on a Jamboard device.
Using the Jamboard mobile app, you can
• Write and draw using your touchscreen.
• Drag and resize text and images with your fingers.
• Open your jam on a Jamboard device.
2. Work with Google Drive
Using a Jamboard device, mobile app or web browser, you can also add Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to a jam.
And since your jam files are automatically saved to Drive, You can view and edit your jams from anywhere with an internet connection. Your jam work saves automatically.
There is a great video on YouTube that shows you how to use one if you want to know more from teachers tech:
About the Author
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
When a learner feels understood and supported:
* It helps them to stay motivated as they know that someone understands them and will listen if they are struggling or need advice.
* It increases self-awareness and encourages them to advocate for themselves.
These skills in turn lead to better outcomes in their learning experience, post-learning and also in future employment.
Tuning in to a learners emotions shows them that you understand and accept them without judgement.
Empathy is different from sympathy. Sympathy focuses on responding or reacting to experiences, empathy takes this a step further as the person will be able to put themselves in the other persons shoes.
Some simple ways to show empathy:
All of these things will enhance an experience for your learners.
Emotions
Feeling emotional? Research shows that your feelings affect how you learn. This includes how you process new information, how you solve problems, remember information and even how much attention you have.
If you are learning something new you are opening yourself up to new possibilities. If it is something you are choosing then great, but if you’ve been put on a course you don’t want to do, or feel unsure about, emotions can play a big part on the outcome.
Negative emotions: Stress, anxiety, sadness, disinterest, fear, anger, indifference and boredom.
All of these can hinder the learning process and affect the ability to learn. In a learning setting fear of not achieving, being unprepared or being disconnected from other learners will end in a negative learning experience. Low motivation to learn or disengagement with the process can be a result of negative emotions which are unproductive.
Positive emotions; Pride, hope, happiness, joy, interest, engagement, passion and creativity.
Positive emotions reward the brain, this feeling makes learning desirable and fulfilling. It helps focus and the learners attention span lasts longer. Learners with a positive frame of mind can respond well to constructive criticism, feedback and push through challenges.
Make sure that you understand how to recognise emotions and engage with your learners to address them. Showing empathy is a great starting point!
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
What safeguarding training do I need and how often do I need to renew it?
At The National Training Academy we cater for both English and Welsh legislation and guidance. When it comes to safeguarding there are differences. So let us take a look.
Levels of Training
Basic safeguarding awareness
Country
England
Wales
Level/Group
Level 1
Group A
Renewal
Needs to be reviewed every 2 years
Needs to be reviewed every 2 years
Examples of roles applicable to this training
Caretaker, Receptionist, Call Handler, Cleaner, etc.
ALL staff who join a public or voluntary sector organisation or agency in Wales
You don’t need to do your Level 1 or Group A prior to taking the Level 2 or Group B training.
Country
England
Wales
Level/Group
Level 2
Group B
Renewal
Needs to be reviewed every 2 years
Needs to be reviewed every 2 years
Examples of roles applicable to this training
Staff or volunteers who spend time with people in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis.
Examples include Child-care worker, Housing Officer, Care Assistant, Family Practitioner, Trainer, Volunteers,
Country
England
Wales
Level/Group
Level 3
Group C
Renewal
Needs to be reviewed every 1 year
Needs to be reviewed every 3 years.
Guidance also suggests that the learner completes 6 hours CPD per year, specific to the are in which they work.
Other training requirements
They must have completed their Level 2 training prior to taking this course.
Inter-agency or Multi-agency training is also required this will be delivered through either a Safeguarding Adults Board or a Local Safeguarding Children Partnership
They must have completed their Group B training prior to taking this course.
Inter-agency or Multi-agency training is also required this would be delivered by your Regional Safeguarding Board.
Examples of roles applicable to this training
Designated Safeguarding Lead for an organisation
Designated Safeguarding Person for an organisation
Who creates guidance on renewals?
In England we take guidance from the NSPCC and Social Care for Excellence.
In Wales we take guidance from Social Care Wales.
What if I manage a team who work with children or adults at risk but am not the Designated Safeguarding Lead/Person?
We have developed a short 2 module Safeguarding for Managers Course (England and Wales versions available). This course has been developed due to enquiries from organisations looking to support their managers. The Level 3/Group C training isn’t suitable as it muddies the waters in relation to who is coordinating safeguarding within the organisation.
The aim of this training is to give managers who manage staff that have safeguarding responsibilities the knowledge and understanding of what is needed to ensure staff are trained, supported and safeguarding concerns are dealt with in the correct way.
This is NOT a Safeguarding Designated Lead/Person course. All Managers will need to have completed their Level 2/ Group B Safeguarding Awareness training in order to under safeguarding and manage staff effectively.
To view any of our safeguarding course please visit the relevant pages on our website.
Our lives run at such a fast pace these days and everything is mobile – banking, bookings, our social lives! What about learning? Learning takes place in so many ways, every day of your life you learn new things. That's why I love working at The National Training Academy, we can make a real difference.
A bit about me...
A couple of years ago I took the plunge and moved to the coast in North Wales, not knowing anyone, not knowing the area it was a real leap of faith, but it was the best move ever! Through lockdown it has been great, having beaches and mountains on my doorstep I'm truly blessed. The great outdoors is one of lives simple pleasures.
In my spare time I love riding my Triumph Tiger (there's a growing number of female motorcyclists out there!). I love cooking, lockdown has given me the opportunity and time to try many new recipes, curries seem to have become a special favourite.
Author: Claire Arthur
Visit Claire on LinkedIn
How can you become more resilient?
The holidays can be a stressful time. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, other traditions or events; or you just have the children off school, it can be a very difficult time of year.
One of the best things we can do to help us to cope with stress is build our resilience.
So what is it?
Resilience is defined as the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity. It can be described as a person’s capacity to respond to pressure and the demands of daily life. Put simply, resilience is our ability to ‘bounce back’.
The more resilient you are, the greater your capacity to deal with the stresses and pressures of life, leading to greater success and happiness.
So how do we become more resilient?
A good way to look at resilience is to think of it as a holistic approach. You need to make sure you are working on yourself as a whole. These are called the 5 pillars of resilience:
Here are a few things to get you started!
Self-awareness and emotional well-being
Self-awareness is a form of stepping back and observing your thoughts and feelings as they unfold. It ultimately allows you to understand yourself and to connect to the world around you.
It helps you to build resilience because when you understand your strengths and also areas for improvement, you're able to adjust accordingly, acquire extra knowledge when necessary, and make positive decisions that reflect who you really are.
Try these things to help you build your self-awareness:
1. Keep a daily journal.
This can help you to better understand your emotions and help you to reflect on your day. What was good about it, what wasn’t so good, why you felt or behaved in the way you did. It is also good to write down memorable events and how they made you feel.
2. Ask people you trust for feedback.
This should never be about criticism. It is about learning how other people see you and then reflecting on whether their answers match up to how you see yourself. You could start with simple things like:
Think about what you want to know.
3. Understand your personal values
One of the most important elements of self-awareness is understanding why you do what you do. In other words, self-awareness means living a life that’s intentional and thoughtful.
Identifying your personal values plays a major role in being self-aware. You could start with simple things such as:
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique you can learn which involves noticing what's happening in the present moment, without judgement. You might take notice and be aware of your mind, body or surroundings.
It doesn’t have to be spiritual or religious but can help to build resilience because it helps you to become self-aware, feel calmer and less stressed, feel more able to choose how to respond and cope with difficult thoughts or events.
It is a skill that requires practice but some simple things you can do are:
Self-care
Self-care is about actively taking care of yourself. This allows you to give yourself a break and focus on your health, needs and wants. It is where you spend time building yourself back up, refocusing and recharging and spending time focussing on you and what you need. This in turn will help to build your resilience. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive, you can start with simple things like:
Exercise: . Even if you go for a 30-minute walk two or three times a week, you can let off some steam and release those endorphins that will make you happy.
Go outside: It may be tempting to sit and do nothing when you have some free time, but getting yourself outside will get some fresh air into your lungs and brain. However there is no shame in staying in your pyjamas for part of the day if that is what you want to do!
Eat well: Making sure you eat well is really important. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of chocolate, cake, crisps or sweets, but make sure they are in moderation and you also eat healthy and nutritious meals.
Have a bath: Grab some candles, throw in some bubble bath, stick some music on and just lie in blissful warmth for a bit. Don’t forget to lock the door, especially if you have children!!
Create a self care playlist: Find some calming music that you enjoy, add in some motivational songs, songs from your childhood, anything that makes you happy and sing along to your heart’s content.
Learn to say no: It’s very easy to feel guilty when saying ‘no’, but sometimes it can be the best thing you can do for yourself. Saying yes all the time is exhausting and can lead to you feeling stressed, anxious and resentful.
Get creative: This isn’t for everyone, but creative activities can keep your mind focused and productive, whilst still keeping you chilled. Get yourself a mindfulness colouring book, draw, bake, anything that you enjoy but may have neglected due to life taking over. The most important thing is to have fun!
Build positive relationships
People who build open, honest and trustworthy relationships with others, and are able to share their challenges and ask for help, have a strong network and support system.
This in turn enables them to be highly resilient and achieve their goals.
It's a common misconception that resilient people are fiercely independent or lone warriors. It is the people that surround themselves with others that they love and trust that have the help and support they need if they are facing a challenge
Purpose
Purpose is essential to resilience. Having a purpose and meaning in life has been shown by research to:
Each person’s purpose or meaning will be unique to them, but their awareness of it can make the difference between success and failure.
Start by asking yourself:
Examining these questions can provide helpful clues to what you value and lead you to discovering your own unique sense of purpose.
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
It’s December and for many that means Christmas celebrations, but did you know there are many other religious holidays for the month of December?
Dec. 6: Saint Nicholas Day — Christian
This holiday honours the birth of Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop of Myra. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Russia and Greece, of a number of cities, and of sailors and children, among many other groups.
He was noted for his generosity, as a kindly old man, who was united with old Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents. The resulting image of Santa Claus in the United States crystallised in the 19th century, and he has ever since remained the patron of the gift-giving festival of Christmas. In Britain he was largely replaced with Father Christmas.
Dec. 7 to 14: Hanukkah — Judaism
THis is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, which celebrates the Maccabean revolt in Egypt. In their victory the Macabees, led by Judah, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to their God. They only had enough oil to ignite the temple light for one night, and yet the light burned for eight days.
It runs from sundown on the 7th until sundown on the 15th. Eight candles are lit with a menorah to honour the holiday. It is celebrated by lighting the menorah, playing games, exchanging gifts, and enjoying traditional foods.
Dec. 8: Immaculate Conception — Catholic
In the lead-up to Jesus’ birthday celebration on Christmas Day, Catholics celebrate the day of Immaculate Conception to honour his mother Mary, who they say was preserved from original sin for her entire life.
Dec. 8: Rohatsu (Bodhi Day) — Buddhist
This holiday celebrates the historical Buddha’s decision and vow to sit under the Bodhi tree until he reached spiritual enlightenment. The story goes that, rejecting the luxurious lifestyle of a prince, Siddharta left the comforts of the palace at the age of 29 and went on a journey of deep introspection to seek meaning in life.
Buddhists commemorate this day by meditating, studying the ‘dharma’ (‘universal truth or law’), chanting sutras (Buddhist texts), and performing kind acts towards other beings. Some people mark the day in a more traditional sense by cooking a meal of tea and cakes.
Advent – Christian
Advent is a Christian tradition that marks the period of preparation and anticipation leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It typically begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts for four weeks. The word "advent" itself means "coming" or "arrival." During this time, Christians engage in various practices and rituals, such as lighting Advent candles on an Advent wreath, reading daily Advent devotionals, and reflecting on the significance of Christ's coming into the world. It is a time of spiritual reflection, hope, and expectation for believers.
Dec. 22: Solstice —Pagan and Wicca
Solstice is the point in the year when the earth is farthest away from the sun. The celebration of Winter Solstice takes place on the shortest day and longest night of the year. The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world.
Pagans and Wicca believers will celebrate that event through Yule, in which believers also honour “the winter-born king, symbolised by the rebirth of the sun”. Traditions of decorating evergreens dates back to many ancient civilisations, including the Romans. Today, Pagans decorate a pine, fir, cedar, juniper, or spruce as their Yule tree.
25th December - Christmas Day - Christians
December 26th to January 1st, Kwanzaa
It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is widely celebrated with religious services, gift-giving, festive decorations, and gatherings with family and friends.
This is a week-long celebration that honours African heritage and culture. It involves lighting the Kinara (candle holder), storytelling, music, dancing, and reflecting on seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba.
December 31st New Year's Eve
Marks the end of the Gregorian calendar year (the calendar system we use today, was first introduced in 1582). People often gather for parties, fireworks, and countdowns to welcome the upcoming year.
Our lives run at such a fast pace these days and everything is mobile – banking, bookings, our social lives! What about learning? Learning takes place in so many ways, every day of your life you learn new things. That's why I love working at The National Training Academy, we can make a real difference.
A bit about me...
A couple of years ago I took the plunge and moved to the coast in North Wales, not knowing anyone, not knowing the area it was a real leap of faith, but it was the best move ever! Through lockdown it has been great, having beaches and mountains on my doorstep I'm truly blessed. The great outdoors is one of lives simple pleasures.
In my spare time I love riding my Triumph Tiger (there's a growing number of female motorcyclists out there!). I love cooking, lockdown has given me the opportunity and time to try many new recipes, curries seem to have become a special favourite.
Author: Claire Arthur
Visit Claire on LinkedIn
How you set up your classroom is extremely important. You want to get the best out of the learning experience, so below are a few things for you to consider.
Setting up your room:
1. Environment
You need to create an environment that will make learners feel comfortable. It is a good idea to speak to the person who books the rooms in advance to let them know what you will require. Think about what you would like in a learning environment.
Examples of this could be:
Please be aware that with all the planning in the world, you rarely get everything you want so be ready to adapt to any room that you get! 99 times of out 100, the room is not in the style you request!
2. Room layout
Depending on what kind of training you are delivering will depend on what kind of room layout will work best. There are lots of different ways that a room can be set out, each has its own advantages, however, you will find what works best for you. The styles below are different options for you to consider.
For any training that is interactive, cabaret style would be ideal.
The reasons for this is that you will be wanting your learners to partake in small group exercises using flip chart and pens. This style will allow for that kind of learning to take place. Every learner will be able to contribute, there will be plenty of space on the tables for writing and groups will already be split into the sizes that you want for your exercises.
For any training that is interactive, cabaret style would be ideal.
It is also a great layout for you to be able to walk around, listen to the group discussions, get involved where appropriate and sit down on a table with the learners if you need to.
Board room style can also work for interactive training, but isn’t as effective. With this style, some people will have their backs to the front, group work is more difficult, but the learners do have a desk to write on, you can put resources in the middle of the table and move around the room so that you can help and support any learners who need you.
Theatre style and classroom style are good for when you are imparting information. Learners can file in, listen to what you have to say, make notes and then file out again. You see these styles in University lecture theatres, but we would not recommend them for training where you want learners to do activities and get involved.
If you do arrive at a venue and there is no way that the room will accommodate the layout that you want, you will have to work with what you have!
Your learning environment is now set up and you are fully prepared. What you need to do next is get off to a great start!
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
The dreaded ‘role play’ (or skills development as we like to call it!). Is it as bad as we think? Well actually no!
Role play is a really effective learning tool as it increases learning retention, it provides hands on training in a ‘real life’ scenario, it has us thinking on our feet, working together as a team and can increase communication and understanding. It also allows us to make mistakes and learn new strategies and ways of working in a safe and controlled environment.
Learning through play puts staff directly into situations that they will face in the real world. The training becomes hands on and encourages the application of knowledge, rather than staff listening to someone talking and reading handouts. It can be anything from communication through to clinical skills or problem solving techniques.
Role play exercises can also help to develop conflict resolution, team building and trust. When people are involved in or observing role play activities it allows them to brain storm ideas, share skills and problem solve together.
When employees are put in the situation of their ‘clients’ it gives them the opportunity to see the situation from the ‘clients’ perspective, which can increase empathy and tolerance. The facilitator can also present situations from a variety of different perspectives; the clients, co-worker, caregiver etc… so different solutions and experiences can be shared and discussed.
Learning through play can also increase confidence. When a person has already been through/managed a situation (the role play), they can act more confidently in a real life situation as they will be more emotionally prepared for challenging situations.
Top tips for learning through play:
• Use everyday examples and situations
• Summarise the situation and clarify the objective – everyone needs to be clear on what is expected
• Try to encourage people to volunteer so they feel comfortable taking part
• Make it exciting and fun and facilitate it effectively
• Praise the group and have a debrief afterwards. Make sure you talk and reflect.
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
Timescales and changes
A number of our courses refer to Section 21 notices – A Section 21 enables landlords to repossess their properties from assured shorthold tenants without having to establish fault on the part of the tenant. The Renters’ (Reform) Bill will abolish section 21.
When will Section 21 be abolished?
The government submitted the Renters (Reform) Bill to parliament for its first reading in May 2023. The bill must then go through the House of Commons and the House of Lords before it achieves royal assent and becomes law. Parliamentary observers estimate that it could take up to 18 months before these new laws for landlords become a part of official UK legislation, other estimate changes will be in place by the Summer of 2024.
The Renters’ (Reform) Bill will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.
After section 21 is abolished, landlords will need to provide their tenants with a “reasonable” reason for ending the tenancy. They can do this under strengthened section 8 rules. A Section 8 eviction notice is passed when you want to evict the tenant because of something they have, or have not, done such as the tenant failing to pay their rent, causing destruction to your property or they are being a nuisance to neighbours. They can do this under strengthened section 8 rules.
What other changes are coming under the Renters’ (Reform) Bill?
Developed in consultation with landlords and tenants, the bill aims to create a fairer and more secure environment, and includes several proposed reforms:
• Introducing a national landlord register and to improve standards and increase transparency.
• Establishing a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman that would be able to provide impartial and binding resolutions to any disputes.
• Doubling the notice period for any rental increases, and preventing tenants being locked into automatic rent increases.
• Improving the security of tenure for tenants by ending “no-fault” evictions.
• Strengthening Section 8 which allows landlords to end a tenancy early if there are legal grounds to do so.
• Move to periodic, rolling tenancies without a specific end date and where the tenant must give at least 2 months’ notice to leave.
• Strengthening the powers of local authorities to enforce standards and take action against rogue landlords.
• Offer tenants the right to request a pet in the property.
Summary
For now, Section 21 is still in place. We will update our courses closer to the time to reflect the changes in the law.
Time – once it’s gone you can never get it back. Have you ever noticed as you get older time appears to pass more quickly? The long summer holidays you had as a child seemed to go on forever, but now a month flies by in the blink of an eye.
We all have 24 hours in a day, but how and what you choose to do with your time can have a massive impact on your work and personal life. Effects of poor time management include:
You will lack focus
Being disorganised and not having timescales means that you can lose sight of what is really important. When this happens, you will focus on the urgent, not important, activities. Without focus, how do you prevent crises in the future?
You will miss deadlines
If you are constantly completing urgent but not important tasks, how do you meet important deadlines? Without good time management deadlines can creep up on you or you can miss them completely. If you are rushing to meet a deadline, are you producing the kind of quality that you would if the task was well planned?
You will look and feel disorganised
When you are not in control of your time, you tend to juggle lots of tasks meaning you end up extremely disorganised. Your to do list never gets any smaller, it’s harder to find things and you will get stressed.
You overlook important details
When you are struggling to fit everything in and rushing to meet deadlines, it's easy to overlook the details that are important. In some instances, this can lead to significant errors. It's a bad reflection on your professional ability. It's definitely not the impression you want to make with the co-workers who depend on you.
It can cause strained relationships
If you are missing deadlines, being disorganised and producing substandard work, other people can feel frustrated with you. In turn, as your work load is piling up, you can also become more frustrated with them. This can place a strain on relationships if it's not addressed.
Here are some top tips to help manage your time.
Time Management Tips
2. Email is a godsend these days, it means quick efficient communication. However, how many times have you been doing a piece of work and a message pops up to say you’ve got a message. The temptation is there to ‘just check it’s nothing important’ then you end up responding to it anyway. Then you have to get back into the zone to continue on your original task. Try checking your email three times a day and turning it off in-between, you’ll be surprised at how much time this will save.
3. Facebook and other social media – unless your role involves updating your customers via social media turn it off. Status updates and responding to friends is a constant distraction for many, if you must, check it in your lunch break.
4. Meetings for meetings sake! How many times have you been in a meeting and thought ‘why did we need a meeting for this?’ Make sure that your attendance at a meeting is essential, can you send one of your team members or is a meeting really required. If people like the face to face element then why not consider Teams or Zoom, it’s free and easy to use. If a quick meeting is really required, try this little tip. Don’t book a meeting room. have the meeting standing up, it’s proven that the meeting will take less time. Obviously this won’t be suitable for all types of meetings!
5. Colleagues – How often do you get asked ‘can you have a look at this?’ or ‘what do you think about such and such?’ Make sure if the task isn’t related to your role refer your colleague on to whoever is responsible. Having a quick catch up should be done over lunch not by the water cooler.
6. Poorly defined tasks – Having to go back to your manager to ask questions about what exactly they want takes up unnecessary time. Make sure that tasks are well defined and that communication is effective to save time.
7. Preparation – Make sure there is a clearly defined agenda for meeting so that you can prepare in advance. This in turn will save time. If you have any queries email prior to the meeting so that the meeting itself goes smoothly.
8. Learn to say no – This sounds simple but how many times have you thought it will be quicker if I do it. If it is not your responsibility pass it on to whoever is responsible.
9. Lists - This must seem like a simple and obvious thing to do, but you would be amazed how many people do not use lists as a way of organising themselves and the tasks they need to do. Not only does making a list stop you from forgetting things, it is also a great way of seeing what you’ve achieved as you tick things off when you’ve done them.
If you want to learn more, we have a fantastic Time Management course.
Our lives run at such a fast pace these days and everything is mobile – banking, bookings, our social lives! What about learning? Learning takes place in so many ways, every day of your life you learn new things. That's why I love working at The National Training Academy, we can make a real difference.
A bit about me...
A couple of years ago I took the plunge and moved to the coast in North Wales, not knowing anyone, not knowing the area it was a real leap of faith, but it was the best move ever! Through lockdown it has been great, having beaches and mountains on my doorstep I'm truly blessed. The great outdoors is one of lives simple pleasures.
In my spare time I love riding my Triumph Tiger (there's a growing number of female motorcyclists out there!). I love cooking, lockdown has given me the opportunity and time to try many new recipes, curries seem to have become a special favourite.
Author: Claire Arthur
Visit Claire on LinkedIn
Being assertive means being able to communicate in a calm and positive way. Assertive individuals are able to get their point across without upsetting others, or becoming upset.
Benefits:
• Assertiveness helps you to stop people from taking advantage of you (passive), and also helps you to not intimidate others (aggressive).
• Helps to increase self confidence
• Empowers you to communicate your wants and needs
• Earns you trust respect from others
• Improves communication
• Helps you to be happier in life and work.
How to be assertive:
Talk to yourself in an assertive way – I won’t be taken advantage of, and I won’t attack other people, if they do not agree with me.
Speak calmly and be clear – Use a non-threatening tone, be confident in what you are saying and speak loudly enough to be heard, but don’t shout.
Stand or sit tall and maintain eye contact – Sit tall, hold your head high and deliver you message in a confident way. Smile, and maintain eye contact.
Use constructive language and always be considerate – Convey respect, sincerity and firmness. Be patient with others and give constructive comments. State your wants/needs/opinions in simple sentences and use ‘I’ statements when asking for what you want or confronting someone. ‘I’ statements show that you are willing to take responsibilities for your own feelings and behaviours.
Display assertive body language – show that you are paying careful attention to what the other person is saying by being open and using gestures such smiling and nodding, avoid fidgeting, looking around the room or playing on your phone!
Think through a problem/situation carefully before making a decision – being assertive means taking control and making decisions that are in your best interest. By identifying all possible solutions and outcomes, you’ll be able to be more confident in the decisions you make.
Practice! – If you are unsure, practice with someone you know and trust. They will give you honest and constructive feedback and help you to try out real life scenario’s in a safe environment.
About the Author
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
It wasn’t that long ago that learning was thought to be a strictly rational process and that emotions didn’t play a big part. However opinions are changing…
Feeling emotional? Research shows that your feelings affect how you learn. This includes how you process new information, how you solve problems, remember information and even how much attention you have.
Employers and employees need to recognise the fundamental role that emotions have on learning. Whether it be in a classroom or online, emotions can have a huge impact, either helping or hindering the learner.
If you are learning something new you are opening yourself up to new possibilities. If it is something you are choosing then great, but if you’ve been put on a course you don’t want to do, or feel unsure about, emotions can play a big part on the outcome.
Negative emotions: Stress, anxiety, sadness, disinterest, fear, anger, indifference and boredom.
All of these can hinder the learning process and affect the ability to learn. In a learning setting fear of not achieving, being unprepared or being disconnected from other learners will end in a negative learning experience. Low motivation to learn or disengagement with the process can be a result of negative emotions which are unproductive.
Positive emotions; Pride, hope, happiness, joy, interest, engagement, passion and creativity.
Positive emotions reward the brain, this feeling makes learning desirable and fulfilling. It helps focus and the learners attention span lasts longer. Learners with a positive frame of mind can respond well to constructive criticism, feedback and push through challenges.
Emotions are important to consider when learning because they significantly influence our cognitive processes, motivation, and overall learning experience. We now know that emotions influence learning. Below are some areas to consider:
The four emotions of learning are interest, surprise, confusion, and satisfaction. Interest drives the desire to explore and discover new information. Surprise arises when learning is engaging and enjoyable. Confusion can occur when facing challenges or difficulties in the learning process. Finally, satisfaction is experienced when understanding is achieved or goals are met. These emotions play a crucial role in the learning experience and can impact motivation and engagement.
1. Memory and retention: Emotions can enhance memory and retention of information. When we have positive emotions like curiosity or excitement, our brain releases neurotransmitters that facilitate the encoding and storage of new information.
2. Motivation and engagement: Emotions play a vital role in motivating and engaging learners. Positive emotions can increase motivation, curiosity, and the willingness to explore and learn. On the other hand, negative emotions like frustration can hinder motivation and engagement.
3. Attention and focus: Emotions can impact our attention and focus. When we are emotionally invested in a topic or task, we are more likely to pay attention and concentrate on the learning material.
4. Decision-making and problem-solving: Positive emotions can enhance creative thinking and problem-solving skills, while negative emotions may impair decision-making processes.
5. Overall well-being: Emotions are closely tied to our well-being and mental state. Creating a positive emotional environment in the learning process can contribute to a more enjoyable and effective learning experience.
Our lives run at such a fast pace these days and everything is mobile – banking, bookings, our social lives! What about learning? Learning takes place in so many ways, every day of your life you learn new things. That's why I love working at The National Training Academy, we can make a real difference.
A bit about me...
A couple of years ago I took the plunge and moved to the coast in North Wales, not knowing anyone, not knowing the area it was a real leap of faith, but it was the best move ever! Through lockdown it has been great, having beaches and mountains on my doorstep I'm truly blessed. The great outdoors is one of lives simple pleasures.
In my spare time I love riding my Triumph Tiger (there's a growing number of female motorcyclists out there!). I love cooking, lockdown has given me the opportunity and time to try many new recipes, curries seem to have become a special favourite.
Author: Claire Arthur
Visit Claire on LinkedIn
These are some of the features that you can use to make your training enjoyable and interactive. Make the videos full size and unmute to learn more.
The chat bar
The chat bar is a feature that every trainer can use on Teams. It is found on the top bar and is in the shape of a speech bubble. It can be used for people articulate their thoughts, make points in relation to a discussion, share links to relevant documents and to provide feedback (this list is not exhaustive). The tutor can also for comments in the chat bar or use it for people to answer questions.
Raise your hand function
A participant can use the raise your hand option to get the trainers attention. It is found on the top bar and is in the shape of a hand with a smiley face next to it.
This feature is important for the following reasons., and creates a personalised interaction because:
• Participants can signal that they want to talk without disrupting the training.
• The trainer can see if anyone in the training wants to talk.
• It can make training more inclusive by encouraging participation and can be used as a feedback tool. E.g. raise your hand if you have any feedback on ABC…
• It provides a simple way for participants to let the trainer know that they would like to speak on this particular subject area, once they have finished speaking.
Reactions
These can be used when you don’t need people to speak but you would like to get a reaction from them. They are a good tool to use if you can’t see people, but you want to know for example that they are back from break or lunch.
Break out rooms
These can be found on the top bar and are in the shape of a large and small square. When you click on them, the instructions are self-explanatory, but I would recommend you familiarise yourself with the feature before the training, including how as the trainer you can visit the rooms and how you give announcements to each of the rooms.
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Breakout rooms allow the trainer to imitate a classroom environment by splitting their participants into multiple online rooms for small group discussion and collaboration.
Slide share
In most training sessions a trainer will use slides. To slide share you need to click on the icon with three dots on the top bar.
Slides should never be a tool to just read from moving from slide to slide with no discussion.
On Teams it is always good to have slides as they are something visual for the learner to see and they keep you as a trainer on topic. They should be a summary of what you want to talk about and discuss.
Videos with sound
You can also share videos on Teams. This feature is useful if you want to share a real-life story or experience.
If you have a pre-recoded video, you can share this by running the stream from a browser or from your PC's media player by sharing your open Window
About the Author
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
Fireworks and bonfires are common feature in November with events such as Guy Fawkes Night or Diwali, which are celebrated in November. These festivities can provide opportunities for enjoyment and social gatherings. .
Enjoy the celebrations but be careful. With all these fireworks there is always a risk of accident. November course offers. Take advantage of £10 off both courses, for November you can by these each at a cost of £25 instead of £35 (inc. VAT)
• Fire Marshal course
• Fire Safety course
Photo by Philip Myrtorp on Unsplash
Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is a traditional British celebration that takes place on November 5th. It commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when a group of conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. The plot was foiled, and Guy Fawkes was arrested.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated by millions of people around the world. This year it falls on the 12th November, it varies each year depending on the lunar calendar. Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
During Diwali, people decorate their homes with lights and colorful decorations. They participate in religious rituals, exchange gifts, and share festive meals with family and friends. Fireworks are also a common part of the celebrations.
Diwali holds cultural and religious importance, symbolizing the triumph of knowledge, hope, and positivity. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and spreading joy.
If you have friends or family with noise-related issues, children and of course pets the lead up to and Bonfire Night itself can be a scary time. You may be contemplating purchasing silent fireworks or attending an organised silent firework display.
However, Steve Raper, ViceChairman of the British Fireworks Association, emphasised there were technical limitations on reducing noise from fireworks. He told us that:
"You cannot have an absolutely quiet firework. The lifting charge on a firework for a shot tube is about 95 decibels, and that is just the cartridge being ejected into the air".
Rather than silent fireworks, there are low noise fireworks which are fireworks designed to be much quieter than regular fireworks, typically by removing the gunpowder from the equation. That said, these fireworks are just as breathtaking as other types of fireworks; they just come at a much lower volume.
If you would like to see how"silent" these fireworks are, click the button below to watch a video.
Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November - UnitedStates): Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States, celebrated onthe fourth Thursday of November. It is a time for expressing gratitude andsharing a meal with family and friends.
Remembrance Day (November 11 - various countries):Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day or Veterans Day, is observed invarious countries to honor and remember the sacrifices of military personnelwho lost their lives in war.
All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, is aChristian holiday observed on November 1st. It is a day dedicated to honoringand remembering all the saints, known and unknown, who have attained heaven.The day is celebrated by various Christian denominations, including theCatholic Church and some Protestant Churches.
Movember (November): Movember is an annual event thatinvolves growing moustache during the month of November to raise awareness andfunds for men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, andmental health.
World Diabetes Day (November 14): World Diabetes Dayis observed globally to raise awareness about diabetes, its prevention, andmanagement. It aims to promote better healthcare and support for individualsliving with diabetes.
Set goals and you’ll achieve them, sounds easy right? Then how come so many of us don’t achieve our goals?
The goals are too big and take a long time to achieve so we feel demotivated and give up.
We place unrealistic expectations on ourselves.
Our lives are busy with general living and then unexpected circumstances and events get in the way.
Negative self-talk.
Procrastination- just getting started seems difficult..
Fear.
Lack of support, negative influences.
Take time to identify and examine your barriers, acknowledge them and then consider how to address them. This will help you to determine if you need to change your goal.
Are you being realistic? For example:
I’m too old! – This could be real for certain goals; wanting to climb mount Everest when you are 80 is maybe a little unrealistic. Although Yuichiro Miura did accomplish this, so nothing is impossible.
I can’t do it! – Negative self-talk. You need to look within and decide where this belief/habit comes from. Is it from past experience? is it from others telling you their opinions?
If your internal voice is positive, then the affect it has on how you see yourself and how much you value yourself is huge. The same can be said if your internal voice is negative. Start small with 5 things you like about yourself, repeat them over and over again and it will naturally improve your self-image an in-turn your self-esteem (how much you value and appreciate yourself).
You need to decide if you can turn a negative into a positive. What do you want to be true in the future? I can’t run a marathon yet, but I will in the future. I couldn’t run 5k a month ago but with a training plan, I can now; so with small steps I can achieve my goal.
Fear is real. Fear is scary! Fear is a barrier! - Facing our fears whatever they may be is a challenge. But fear can be overcome; it takes confidence, it take courage and it takes determination. If you’re facing your fears and trying to overcome them you are all of those things; confident, courageous and determined!
I’ve got no motivation – Motivation is ‘what drives you’ to behave in a certain way or to take a particular action. It is your WHY. Your why is the strongest reason for you to desire something. It is not what you desire but the strong reason you desire it.
Are you going to accept these barriers or are you going to challenge them? People can get comfortable with being uncomfortable. You can challenge and overcome them if you make the decision to do so, and take positive action.
Ask yourself, if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow?
A goal without a plan is just a wish!
Goals need to be realistic but that isn’t to say you can’t go big! If you have big goal to achieve then breaking this down so into mini goals (milestones) will help tremendously. It is vital that you recognise and celebrate these milestones, as this all contributes to boosting your motivation.
Plan and prioritize – you need to plan daily tasks to meet short term milestones and long term goals.
Task initiation – you need the ability to motivate yourself to begin the tasks by directing your behaviour and actions.
Organisation - keep track of where you are and where you want to be.
Think about what you want to achieve and be realistic.
Break down your milestones and celebrate them.
Avoid negative self-talk, your amazing, focus on the positives. Be confident and believe in yourself.
Involve friends with a positive outlook, they will encourage you on your journey.
Accept support, no man is an island!
Our lives run at such a fast pace these days and everything is mobile – banking, bookings, our social lives! What about learning? Learning takes place in so many ways, every day of your life you learn new things. That's why I love working at The National Training Academy, we can make a real difference.
A bit about me...
A couple of years ago I took the plunge and moved to the coast in North Wales, not knowing anyone, not knowing the area it was a real leap of faith, but it was the best move ever! Through lockdown it has been great, having beaches and mountains on my doorstep I'm truly blessed. The great outdoors is one of lives simple pleasures.
In my spare time I love riding my Triumph Tiger (there's a growing number of female motorcyclists out there!). I love cooking, lockdown has given me the opportunity and time to try many new recipes, curries seem to have become a special favourite.
Author: Claire Arthur
Visit Claire on LinkedIn
Our super administrator Sheryl wanted to share her experience of lupus and fibromyalgia, which are both hidden disabilities
She shares how employers and work colleagues can help people in a similar situation to hers.
If an employee has either of these conditions you need to be aware of the symptoms and how the condition affects your employee. You will need to be flexible, I find that working at home suits me better as I can pace myself through the day.
If working at home is not possible, regular breaks to stretch and flex are important, being able to stand up and walk around is very beneficial.
If your employee works in an office, a comfortable work area is essential, I am sensitive to light, smells, noise and temperatures so you need to think about these issues. A comfortable workstation and suitable DSE is a must. Although this will not stop the pain, it can help me not to seize up too quickly and be able to work a little longer.
Memory issues or "brain fog" is a major issue that you should be aware of. I find it very helpful to have tasks written down with deadlines and priorities so that I am aware of what exactly I need to do and then I can pace myself. Colleagues need to be patient when brain fog takes over as I know what I want to say and do but my body doesn't seem to get the message. It is very frustrating and an understanding colleague is essential.
Flexible hours are also very helpful as I do not have specific times when I feel better than others. Just be aware that every day can be totally different in terms of energy and pain. As long as you have an open and honest dialogue with your employee and are aware of their limitations, you should be able to help your employee to do their job.
With lupus the immune system produces too many antibodies (specific blood proteins). Instead of defending the body from infection, these antibodies attack the patient’s own healthy tissue and organs. This can directly or indirectly cause problems in almost any part of the body by inflaming and occasionally damaging the tissue. Lupus mainly affects females and can affect any part of the body.
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body, accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. People with fibromyalgia may look okay on the outside, but are definitely hurting on the inside.
Symptoms can be mild to incapacitating, it is important to remember that no two people are the same.
Fibromyalgia
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta aka Lady Gaga (Singer, actor)
Morgan Freeman (Actor)
Janeane Garofalo (Comedian)
Sinead O'Conner (Singer/Activist)
If you would like any further information regarding Lupus or Fibromyalgia, you can click on the buttons.
We hear a lot about ADHD these days via social media, with more adults becoming aware of the condition and some recognising traits in themselves. Whilst not all of these individuals will have ADHD many of them will and they just have not had a formal diagnosis.
There are two subtypes (Inattentive and hyperactive). Many people will associate ADHD with the hyperactive subtype. In fact, many of those undiagnosed will have the inattentive subtype, symptoms include distractibility, overlooks details, forgetfulness, difficulty regulating focus, listening difficulties.
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but the condition has been shown to run in families. Research has also identified a number of possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD when compared with those without the condition.
Other factors suggested as potentially having a role in ADHD include:
* being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)
* having a low birthweight
* smoking or alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy
ADHD can occur in people of any intellectual ability, although it's more common in people with learning difficulties.
Having a non-linear way of thinking provides a great way of thinking when it comes to problem solving. Here is one person’s experience.
My brain jumps around, it is like a ping pong ball bouncing from one side of the room to another, but at super speed!
What helps me focus? For me I love silence, I hate background noise, I find it distracting. But I know others where headphones and music help them. We may all have ADHD, but we all have our own individual mechanisms to succeed in a neurotypical world. Caffeine also helps. Many people would think coffee and ADHD are a bad mix, but it has a weird calming effect on me, providing me with a dopamine fix and calming my brain down, weird or what?
What helps me to be more organised? I am so unorganized I look at others and wonder how they do it, it’s just not in my skill set.Planning my time is something I struggle with. I know I must be in the right‘mood’ to deliver top quality work. If I’m not my mind will wonder, and I will end up doing something completely unrelated. So having lists with varied tasks helps, that way I can pick something that does interest me (this changes hourly/daily). Highlighting them in assorted colours so I can see what the most urgent and important tasks are also helps me to prioritize, but skill gives me choice.
I’m forgetful! I must have a diary with birthdays, meetings,social events, anniversaries, deadlines, etc. Post-its are useful as I have lots of great ideas but if I do not write them down, I’ll forget them easily.If I have got a deadline for 10am on a Monday morning, chances are I’ll be working flat out on Sunday evening, the pressure seems to stimulate me, and I’ll go into hyperfocus more and work through the night if needed.
I’m not a good listener, sorry. Long meetings are painful! Not as in physical pain but I will zone out. I find it difficult when people don’t get to the point and my mind will drift off. Standing meetings which are short and to the point are great for me. It is not that I am not interested in what’s being said, just say it quick and get to the point.
These are just a few things I struggle with, but there are lots of things I am good at too. I am good in high stress situations when quick decisions need to be made. I am creative and always coming up with new ideas. I have an ability to look at something complex and break it down, simplifying the process. Hyperfocus is a real asset. If something piques my interest, it’s game on. I can tune everything else out and be completely absorbed in the task, everything else fades into the background. I can research for hours, devour information, and do this incredibly quickly, but if I lose interest, it will sit on a back burner for days, weeks, months…
About the Author
Author would like to remain anonymous
Every time I have a clear out, I get overwhelmed with a feeling of satisfaction, like I have achieved something great! I get a feeling of calm and I instantly feel better. So many people who I have spoken to feel the same when they de-clutter so I think it is something we can all benefit from.
You instantly feel better.
De-cluttering makes you feel more present. It removes blocks and imbalances from your space. When you have space that you can move through more easily, inspiration often strikes as you have a clear place to think.
You get the gift of time.
Not having to spend time looking for things, choosing something to wear from wardrobes full of clothes or not feeling overwhelmed about the mess in your home, saves incredible amounts of time. That time can then be used to do something that really gives you pleasure; it is a win-win situation.
Sleep becomes deeper.
Humans are energetic beings by nature. When clearing out clutter, especially in the bedroom or storage under the bed, it can become easier to fall asleep. Sounds simple doesn’t it!
Problems get solved.
Clear spaces can often open up new perspectives. This makes it a lot easier to think clearly, relax and focus on solving problems more ingeniously.
It is important for self-care.
Too much clutter can cause unnecessary stress. Everything takes more effort in a cluttered home from cleaning and tidying up to losing track of what you own so spending time looking for things or even rebuying them. Not only that, but clutter can also change the way you feel about your home and in turn how you feel about yourself.
Most people’s home is a safe space. It is our sanctuary, a place where we should feel comfortable and a place where we can relax, retreat to and rest. Without these simple things, we are not looking after ourselves. Self-care is more than just bubble baths and pamper night once a month.
With this in mind we spent some time in lockdown decluttering our office space. We found an old iPad and desktop computer that we no longer used.
We knew that some children did not have these gadgets at home, so we donated them. They were used to ensure children communicated with others during lockdown, and are still used today!
When does clutter become a hoarding issue? If you want to know more about hoarding and ways to support people, we have a great course on this topic.
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
Jim has been working in the field of Community Safety and ASB for over 25 years. He started his career in 1995 working for West Midlands Police where he reached the rank of sergeant and specialised in Neighbourhood Policing. During this period, he made very good use of the civil injunction to tackle criminality and improve communities.
Jim has experience tackling ASB in the housing sector and more recently as the ASB Operational Lead for a Midlands based local authority. During his tenure, ASB has reduced by over 50% in some of the more challenging areas.
Jim also has extensive practical experience using the tools and powers from the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Jim provides a wide range of services but particularly provides support with regards to intermediate and advanced level ASB training courses, as well as case reviews and reviewing ASB policy and procedure.
Jim is the Founder of The Community Safety Podcast. The Podcast aims to bring about change in communities in the 21st Century. www.thecommunitysafetypodcast.co.uk
What Jim can offer:
* Civil Injunction training and consultancy
* ASB support and intermediate and advanced training and consultancy
* Case review training
* ASB policy and procedure training and consultancy
* Bespoke training and consultancy around community safety.
With a career spanning over 23-years in training, development and family practice Maxine has always been passionate about training and development.
As a highly experienced family practitioner and trainer, her skills have helped to develop the workforce of numerous local authorities in family intervention methodology and safeguarding.
She is passionate about embedding the right skills and techniques for frontline workers to be able to relate theory into practice.
Maxine's extensive safeguarding experience has lead to her supporting numerous local authorities and housing associations to write and embed robust polices and procedures. From there she has trained thousands of staff members to understand and deliver their safeguarding responsibilities.
Her work has led to 2 National Awards for Learning and Development, national recognition from the Family and Parenting Institute and she was the Subject Matter Expert for the National ATREMIS One Children’s Workforce Induction Programme in parenting.
More recently she has successfully supported organisations to build resilience and mental well-being in their staff during this pandemic.
In addition she is a respected trainer in the field of conflict resolution, for both staff and management.
Maxine is the Chair of Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny for Stoke on Trent City Council. Her role is to influence the policies and decisions made by the council and other organisations involved in delivering public services. The Scrutiny Committee gather evidence on issues affecting local people and makes recommendations based on its findings.
Using this valuable experience Maxine is able to offer scrutiny services underpinned by sound methodology that works in practice.
Services that Maxine can offer:
* Training and development for managers and staff.
* Service evaluations.
* Strength based service scrutiny.
* Writing and developing policies and procedures.
* Bespoke consultancy services.
Psychometric testing said that Andrew will aim to do the best job possible rather than the minimum necessary to achieve the objective, being keen to look beyond immediate barriers and spend time on striving to get things right.
As a highly experienced board-level executive and coach Andrew can draw upon a range of experiences and skills in his coaching practice with individuals and teams. He is passionate about creating the right environment and using the most appropriate techniques that suit individual clients to enable them to take action to move forward.
He uses a person-centred coaching model to generate movement that focuses on client well-being as the centre of good practice. He believes in aspiring to be the best version of ourselves – in the moment, every moment.
He believes that leading and managing others is a privilege and that belief forms the basis of the way he will work with you. Believing in your skills, impact and authenticity is something that is key to progress and often areas people need support in. Challenging ourselves to step up to what we know we are capable of needs focus and clarity to avoid losses in resources and time. Reaching out for the right support is the first step to achieving this and through an individual approach we will work together to realise a better future.
With extensive experience in business, coaching and NLP working with Andrew will benefit both individuals’ and team performance through reaching new awareness, achieving greater levels of trust, openness, clarity, mutual challenge, motivation and resilience.
Andrew believes that to succeed in business and grow it is vital to focus on the processes and systems within an organisation first and foremost. He believes that for massive success what is needed is a series of small improvements that together can bring the greatest achievement.
He has an extensive background in analysing systems and identifying key components for effectiveness using established good practice as a basis. Andrew has worked with Educational Establishments, UK Local Authorities and Business for many years on implementing cost-effective systems and quality assurance processes including projects to Thailand and China with the British Council.
It is stress awareness day!!
International Stress Awareness Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about stress, its impact on mental and physical health, and the importance of stress management. International Stress Awareness Week also encourages open conversations about stress and mental well-being to reduce the stigma surrounding these topics.
To highlight Stress Awareness day, I have written a blog about how I help myself. I read an amazing newsletter by a gentleman named Marc; his advice which I have taken below, has helped my enormously, hopefully it may help you too!
Often, when you think it can’t get any worse, it does! But sometimes however hard we try, life just doesn’t give us what we WANT. This is because we often NEED something different to what we want.
You won’t always understand why life works the way it does, and that’s OK. The key is detachment; letting go of your expectations and making the best of what is happening in your life right now. You can never relive a day once it has passed and if you do not take the time to enjoy it and appreciate the good, you will end up looking back with regret. That is a stressful thought in itself!
We all have an idea in our heads about how things are, or how they’re supposed to be, and sadly this is what often messes us up and stresses us out the most.
Here are six strategies that I learnt from mark for making life less stressful:
Sometimes I am just too close to the puzzle to see the big picture. When I feel like this, I take a few steps back to gain clarity on the situation. The best way I have found to do this is to simply take a short break and explore something else for a little while. Why? So I can return to where I started and see things with a new set of eyes. Returning to where I started is entirely different than never leaving and I often find it gives me a fresh perspective with a lot less stress.
To be grateful for the experiences that my life has bought me has made me see what a rich life I have led. It doesn’t matter if those experiences have made me laugh, made me cry, or helped me learn and grow. It’s the acceptance of everything that I have now, everything I once had, and the possibilities that lie ahead. I have found the strength to embrace life’s challenges and changes (good or bad), to trust my intuition, to learn as I go, and realise that every experience has value. My life is my truth and all I can do is accept that and continue taking positive steps forward.
Do this every day. Your mind is your own weapon and to fight your daily battles you need your weapon to be sharp.
This was probably the hardest thing for me. It has taken a long time to lean that forgiveness is a constant attitude of choosing happiness over hurt. Holding on to resentment is stressful for no-one else but me. It doesn’t change what has happened, it just affects my present and my future. I have acknowledged that as human beings we are not perfect, none of us, we all make mistakes sometimes, and even the best of us do stupid things and sometimes these things that have severe consequences. I accept that stupid mistakes do not mean that we are evil and unforgiveable, or that we can’t be trusted ever afterward. It just makes us human. It might take time, and that is because it takes strength to forgive.
I concentrate only on what can be changed
I never waste time or energy worrying about the things that I can’t change. I focus exclusively on what I can. And if I can’t change something that’s upsetting me, I change the way I think about it. I review my options and then re-frame what I don’t like into a starting point for achieving something different in my life.
I make the now the primary focus of my life
Now is the moment that I try my best to live in. The past is just a memory and the future is a mental projection of what I would like. I’m not saying that I don’t sometimes get nostalgic and think of the past, I do, what I no longer do is think about the past in a negative way and wish I could change it. I can’t so what is the point? I am also not saying that I don’t think about the future, I do, but I visualise what I want and use that visualisation for practical planning. Any time I think about the past or future in a negative way, I recognise that I am suffocating my ability to thrive in the only moment I ever have. The NOW. The past and future literally do not exist in the now, so I live in the now every day, and I treasure it.
Life is always going to have ups and down. Things change, people change and situations change, but you will always be YOU. Accept everything that you are, stay true to yourself and never sacrifice who you are for anyone or anything. You have to dare to be yourself, quirks and all, however frightening or strange that may prove to be. It’s about realising that even on your weakest days, you get a little bit stronger, if you’re willing to learn. Which is why, sometimes the greatest thing to come out of all your trouble and hard work isn't what you get, but what you become.
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
So often in my life I have felt drained, anxious, negative, stressed and down. I have tortured myself with negative self-talk and have let fear dictate my actions and decisions. Sound familiar? I bet everyone reading this has felt at least one of those things in their life. Sometimes life brings even the best of us down to our knees.
Now, looking back over these dark times I completely understand how powerful the mind is. While it can be your best friend if you look after it, it can also be your worst enemy.
We spend so much time in life looking after our physical body; healthy eating, going to the gym, stopping smoking, the list goes on. Can you honestly say you send as much time and dedication on the thing that needs it most, your mind?
The key is to understand that no matter what happens, you can choose your attitude and actions. Truly, the greatest weapon against stress, upset, anxiety and depression is our ability to choose our response. We can learn to train our minds to make the best of what we’ve got, even when it’s less than we expected.
It is not easy and it takes time, but let’s take a look at a few strategies that do work and you can use to take your first steps:
STOP EVERYTHING! Breathe deeply, feel every breath. In through the nose, hold for six seconds, out through the mouth, repeat until you feel your heart beat slow down.
Free your mind from everything around you, if you feel your mind wandering back to everything you need to do, think of a train going over your left shoulder, throw these thoughts onto that train to create a clear head space. Doing so creates space for a change of state – for something new and positive to enter.
Don’t say you don’t have time to pause. Yes, you have battles to fight, insecurities to overcome, loved ones to contend with, and goals to achieve, but a momentary break from it all is necessary. It’s perfectly healthy to pause and let the world spin without you while you compose yourself.
Do this every day. Your mind is your own weapon and to fight your daily battles you need your weapon to be sharp.
When a close friend of mine died, the pain was so intense it hot me like a ton of bricks, I felt like I could not breathe. Once I was over the initial shock I took a step back and realised that while she was gone, I was not. The pain I felt helped me to appreciate life more, to appreciate the lives of those I’ve lost, and to appreciate the priceless time we have with our loved ones. When my Brother died in 2022 it took everything I had to keep going, but I applied everything I learned and whilst I will never be the same, I am moving forward.
As human beings, we see death as an ending, which is a necessary part of living. And endings are necessary for beauty too, otherwise it’s impossible to appreciate someone or something, because they are unlimited. Death is also an opportunity to celebrate a person’s life, and to be grateful for the priceless beauty they showed you.
I now choose to find beauty even when it’s buried beneath problems and pain. You can do the same.
Like my Dad always says – “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’
Everything in life has to come to an end eventually. It’s important to appreciate and accept the end of an era and to walk away sensibly when something has reached its inevitable conclusion, however painful that may seem at the time. What matters is that you leave the past where it belongs so you can make the best of the life that’s presently available to be lived. This ending is not THE END, it’s just your life beginning again in a new way. It’s a point in your story where one chapter fades into the next.
You can have a fresh start whenever you choose. The world is always bigger than your viewpoint of it. Right now there’s plenty of room for a new idea, a new step and a new beginning!
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
This famous quote from Leonardo Da Vinci could not be closer to the truth.
Now I am not saying that I live my life by this quote, sometimes I am my own worst enemy! That does not mean though that I do not agree with it. 75% of the time I apply it and feel so much better for it, however I am only human and old habits die hard!
I am living more simply and have gotten so much better at bringing simplicity to my complex life, I just need to continue it.
• I always learn from the past, and don’t carry those mistakes around with me! Past mistakes should teach you to create a better future; not cause you to be afraid of it. I don’t carry my mistakes around with me anymore, instead, I place them under my feet and use them as stepping stones. Success is not about where you are standing at any given point in time; it’s about how much you’ve learned and how far you’ve come to get there.
I try and focus on being productive, not being busy. I don’t just get things done anymore, I get them done right. My results are always more important than the time it takes to achieve them. I stop and ask myself if what I’m working on is worth the effort. Identify what’s most important to you. Eliminate as much as you possibly can of everything else. No wasted time, no regrets.
• I organise my space. – I have always been tidy but I now work in a clutter free environment. If you have a cluttered space, it can be distracting and stressful. A clear space is like a blank canvas, available to be used to create something great.
• I try my best to be efficient. Stop being inefficient simply because you’ve always done it that way. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. I streamline my life by finding better ways of handling common tasks. I focus on one thing at a time and try to make it simplified, efficient, and logical, even if it is just doing my cleaning!
• I let things be less than perfect. This is hard! I try and smile at every chance I get; not because life has been easy, perfect, or exactly as I had anticipated, but because I choose to be happy and grateful for all the good things I do have. I accept that my life is not perfect, that people are not perfect, and that I am not perfect. And that’s okay, because the real world doesn’t reward perfection. It rewards people who get GOOD things done. And the only way to get GOOD things done is to be imperfect 99% of the time.
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
You can choose to let go and endure the sudden pain of leaving behind the familiar to make way for a new chapter in your life, or you can stay and suffer a constant, aching pain that gradually eats away at your heart and mind.
It can be difficult to leave a long-term life situation behind, even when your inner-voice tells you that things aren’t right and it’s time to let go. At this point, you can choose to let go and endure the sudden pain of leaving behind the familiar to make way for a new chapter in your life, or you can stay and suffer a constant, aching pain that gradually eats away at your heart and mind.
Don’t do this you yourself!
Things will happen that are unexpected, undesirable, and uncontrollable. But you can always choose to take the next step, however big or small. Be brave, your happiness is important.
Be willing to make mistakes, learn from them, let go of them, and move along.
Truth be told, it’s always necessary to accept when some part of your life has reached its inevitable end. Closing the door, completing the chapter, turning the page, etc. – it doesn’t matter what you title it; what matters is that you find the strength to leave in the past those parts of your life that are over.
It’s all about embracing the truth: What has happened is uncontrollable; what you do now changes everything!
Of course, knowing this and actually living a lifestyle that reinforces this truth are two very different things. Letting go is NOT easy – it’s a journey that is traveled one day at a time. If you stick with it, here’s what your journey will ultimately teach you:
The most powerful changes happen in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over, instead of craving control over everything you don’t.
Most people make themselves unhappy simply by finding it impossible to accept life just as it is presenting itself right now.
The secret to getting ahead is to focus all of your energy not on fixing and fighting the old, but on building and growing something new.
Stepping onto a brand new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation that no longer fits, or no longer exists.
Letting go doesn’t mean you don’t care about something or someone anymore. It’s just realizing that the only thing you really have control over is yourself in this moment.
When you are lost in worry, it is easy to mistake your worries for reality, instead of recognizing that they are just thoughts.
You can always control the way you respond to what happens, and in your response is your power.
Often letting go is simply changing the labels you place on a situation; it’s looking at the same situation with fresh eyes and an open mind.
There is absolutely nothing about your present circumstances that prevents you from making progress, one tiny step at a time.
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
Learning how to respond to life’s surprises and challenges more effectively is one of the best skills you can have. When you stop thinking the world owes you a favour (it doesn’t) and stop feeling sorry for yourself, you own your life (good and bad) and start to respond to life’s difficult situations more effectively. That is what changes everything.
This doesn’t just apply to the catastrophes that life throws at us, it can be used in every situation, however big or small. My niece went through a stage of throwing her food on the floor, every time she did it my brother would scream and shout (with no effect) yet she continued to do it. When she did it at my house I did not scream or react to her behaviour. I calmly took her out of the chair, explained to her that now she had to help me clean it up. I showed her that with every action there is a consequence. I sat with her, and would not let her go until it was all cleaned up, she didn’t do it again! I ACTED rather than REACTED and got an effective result.
Emotions
Regardless of the situation, when we respond with emotion and let someone else’s actions determine our behaviour, we only compound our problems. Taking a deep breath (or ten!) and responding calmly means we’re going to be able to better handle any difficult situation, whether it’s an emergency or just a young child throwing food!
Of course, all of this is easier said than done. It takes time and practice, however there are a few things you can do right now, today:
If you have a situation you are struggling with try to find a positive in it, it could be something simple like – ‘this is not a life or death situation.
Assess how stressful the situation is on a scale of 1-10 and evaluate the tension in your body. I tend to clench my fists when I am stressed, other people have tense necks and shoulders, we are all different
Relax the tense area of your body – 3 deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth, (a quick stretch often helps too)
Face the same situation or person, but with a relaxed body and mind.
Repeat this practice as often as needed. Face the day with less tension and more presence. Change your mode of response from one of struggle and resistance to one of peace and acceptance.
If you want more advice on managing stress why not try our stress awareness course.
My passion is for learning, any age, anywhere, anytime. That is why I offer Interactive E-learning, Face to Face training, Microsoft Teams/Zoom training and consultancy services. Learning should be easy to organise, and more importantly fun!
The world is moving so fast these days, especially where technology is concerned, everything is mobile, what would we do without our mobile phones and tablets? Learning takes place every day, whether it’s from an article we read, an app we download or a conversation we have going about our everyday lives. We are always learning and developing.
Author: Maxine Clark
Visit Maxine on LinkedIn
The pandemic effected people in different ways. Stress levels rose for most and as a result sleep was, and for some, still is impacted. Now that it is over, what can you do to help yourself if you are still affected?
A good nights sleep has many benefits, just like regular exercise and a healthy diet. This blog looks at how to improve your sleep pattern and tips for a good nights sleep.
On average most adults need between 6 -9 hours' sleep a night, but this can vary. Margaret Thatcher famously said she only needed 4 hours sleep a night. Margaret Thatcher famously said she only needed 4 hours sleep a night.
A good nights sleep can:
• Help to keep your heart healthy.
• Keep your immune system strong.
• Assists with your emotional wellbeing.
• Benefit your mental health.
• Reduces your stress levels.
• Improve concentration and levels of attention..
Do you have a routine before you go to sleep?
Few people manage to stick to bedtime routines (especially at the weekends), although during lockdown those late nights out seemed like a distant memory.
There are many benefits to following the same routine. Your brain learns that this is time to relax and you start to wind down naturally, which in turn, hopefully means you drift off into a deep slumber. If possible, try to:
Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time.
Make sure your bedtime allows for an adequate amount of sleep. If you have to be up at 7, you need to be asleep by midnight at the latest.
Write down a ‘to do’ list for the next day as this will help you feel organised, reduce distraction (your mind racing with things you need to do) and reduce any anxious feelings.
Turn down the lights half an hour before bed and turn off any devices (Facebook can wait until the morning).
Have a warm shower or bed, put on your PJs and get comfy.
Not eat late, if you are peckish have a light snack, but try to have this an hour before you go to bed.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol before your bedtime, may seem obvious but that cup of tea of G&T may be stopping you from nodding off.
Do some yoga or stretching exercises before hitting the sack.
Read a book, listen to a calming CD, or a relaxing podcast.
Ensure your bedroom is quiet and relaxing, this includes lighting (consider backout blinds if you have a streetlight outside your window or a sleep mask), make sure the temperature isn’t too hot or cold.
If stress is the cause of you not sleeping, why not try our stress awareness course? This looks at various aspects of life and may help you to identify what is keeping you awake at night.
Sleepstation has lots of information on sleep and insomnia.
Our lives run at such a fast pace these days and everything is mobile – banking, bookings, our social lives! What about learning? Learning takes place in so many ways, every day of your life you learn new things. That's why I love working at The National Training Academy, we can make a real difference.
A bit about me...
A couple of years ago I took the plunge and moved to the coast in North Wales, not knowing anyone, not knowing the area it was a real leap of faith, but it was the best move ever! Through lockdown it has been great, having beaches and mountains on my doorstep I'm truly blessed. The great outdoors is one of lives simple pleasures.
In my spare time I love riding my Triumph Tiger (there's a growing number of female motorcyclists out there!). I love cooking, lockdown has given me the opportunity and time to try many new recipes, curries seem to have become a special favourite.
Author: Claire Arthur
Visit Claire on LinkedIn
With 46.6% or people doing some form of work at home during the pandemic, back, neck and shoulder pain will no doubt be causing people problems. Sitting at a desk, dining table or couch (please don’t do this one) puts stress on the body.
March is DVT awareness month, sitting for hours working away with little activity could predispose people to venous problems. With dark days, cold weather and lack of motivation to exercise it is easy to have a sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyles can be a risk factor associated with DVT.
What is deep vein thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. DVT can be dangerous. Get medical help as soon as possible if you think you have DVT.
Throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh.
Swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs).
Warm skin around the painful area.
Red or darkened skin around the painful area.
Swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them.
A DVT is more likely to happen if you:
Are over 60.
Are overweight.
Smoke.
Have had DVT before.
Take the contraceptive pill or HRT.
Have cancer or heart failure.
Have varicose veins.
There are also some temporary situations when you're at more risk of DVT. These include if you:
• Are staying in or recently left hospital – especially if you cannot move around much (like after an operation).
• Are confined to bed.
• Go on a long journey (more than 3 hours) by plane, car or train.
• Are pregnant, or if you've had a baby in the previous 6 weeks.
• Are dehydrated.
Move your body! Don’t stay sitting in the same position for prolonged periods.
Stretch throughout the day. Hold the stretch for 15 – 30 seconds.
• If you chair is too low it can cause back, shoulder and neck pain, use a cushion to boost seat height.
• Raise your screen so your eyes are positioned at the top of the screen, use books or a shoe box to lift your screen.
• Use the 20:20:20 rule - Every 20 minutes look away from the screen at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Walk and talk for phone calls, get your body moving.
Our lives run at such a fast pace these days and everything is mobile – banking, bookings, our social lives! What about learning? Learning takes place in so many ways, every day of your life you learn new things. That's why I love working at The National Training Academy, we can make a real difference.
A bit about me...
A couple of years ago I took the plunge and moved to the coast in North Wales, not knowing anyone, not knowing the area it was a real leap of faith, but it was the best move ever! Through lockdown it has been great, having beaches and mountains on my doorstep I'm truly blessed. The great outdoors is one of lives simple pleasures.
In my spare time I love riding my Triumph Tiger (there's a growing number of female motorcyclists out there!). I love cooking, lockdown has given me the opportunity and time to try many new recipes, curries seem to have become a special favourite.
Author: Claire Arthur
Visit Claire on LinkedIn