Real Life Options’ Post

As I wrap up week 4 at Real Life Options, attending the recent My Voice conferences in Dunfermline and Newcastle has been an eye-opening experience. These events have given me a deeper understanding of what Real Life Options truly stands for, and I’m even more excited to help drive our marketing forward. One key takeaway from the conferences was the conversation around employability for the individuals we support. Listening to those who have found work and hearing how much it enriches their lives—giving them a sense of purpose—was incredibly inspiring. But equally moving were the stories from those who are struggling to find employment, despite their strong desire and passion to contribute. It’s disheartening to hear that so many feel ignored, but I’m proud to see Real Life Options exploring ways to help people with disabilities seek and secure meaningful work. I feel privileged to be part of an organisation so committed to giving people the support and opportunities they need to live fulfilling lives. My aim now is to help Real Life Options raise awareness of all the incredible work we do to empower individuals and champion their independence. I can't wait to get started! So, for my connections reading this: If you haven't already, please follow Real Life Options and give their posts a thumbs up. Help us make a difference by sharing the work we do and amplifying our message. Together, we can make a real impact! #followus #like #makeadifference #charity

INGEUS 4th the value of lived experience event! So, this week I was planning to start publicly advertising tickets for the next Ingeus Lived Experience Event. However, after sending initial invites out, we have had to open a waiting list already! With just under 4 weeks to go, there is still time for tickets to become available so please use the link to join the waiting list: https://lnkd.in/dNHtHJ4i Ingeus will once again be busting myths around employing those in our communities who have lived experience of the criminal justice system. Ingeus have booked Sunderland City Council, City Hall which has a capacity for 200 people. Guests will be able to hear from inspiring speakers, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with like-minded individuals. This in-person event is a unique opportunity to gain insights, share stories, and learn from others' experiences. We are delighted to have Helen Judge, HMPPS Area Executive Director for the North East, chairing one of two panel discussions. We will be sharing more details over the next few weeks as we lead up to the event. Here's what attendees at our three previous events said: "This was definitely a great event setting out to do what it said on the tin with the knowledge and experience of Timpsons, Greggs and Unlock." "Everyone makes mistakes. Allowing second chances promotes a diverse employment strategy for change and inclusion." "More diverse teams make the best teams." Employing someone with a criminal record can provide: "Inspiration. Hope. Empathy. Commitment. Loyalty!" "Thanks for inviting me. It was inspirational and eye-opening. A really valuable session." "It was memorable, moving, and inspiring, a real highlight. I loved the fact it was led by the service users themselves and very much focused on their stories. It felt authentic and real, and helped overcome my own misconceptions and dare I say it, judgements. In that sense, it had a profound impact on me". #weareingeus #enablingbetterlives #sunderland #employability

Our latest newsletter is here. Find out about our upcoming events, what our new clients are focused on, our new community of purpose-driven professionals, and more. https://lnkd.in/eezSfCTX #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerJourney

Can you believe tomorrow will be August! We are cruising through the year and are excited for the upcoming events we are attending this month. Our team is ready and excited to meet you so let us know what events you are attending this month in the comments below!! #theforgecompanies #ForgeConsulting #advocacytrust #forgeforbusiness #settlementplanning #structuredsettlements #AnnualConvention2024 #Summer2024

What’s the secret to our roundtables? 😎 Our Islington roundtable was a huge success! Find out for yourselves in our recap video below. 📹 What did we prioritise? 👇 🧑🤝🧑 People: from facilitators to our attendees and partners. We take a thoughtful, proactive and hands-on approach to make sure our programme is centred around who we’re here to serve. 📜 Content: without focus, you risk the session being scattered and lacking value. We’re clear with what outcomes we want to achieve from the start. ✨ Vibe: nobody likes events with too little food or in a room with no windows. This is why we’re intentional about the type of venue, structure, food and atmosphere we create, to ensure it doesn't feel like another boring work event. Shoutout to our dream partners for bringing this to life with us Islington Council 💙

Did you miss the "Where Your Next Generation of Volunteers?" event in June? No worries! We've got you covered with recorded presentations available on the #InformationBlog on the Support Cambridgeshire website until August. After that, they'll be accessible on our On-Demand pages. Article: https://lnkd.in/eX4kqUVN On-Demand: https://lnkd.in/e47aK4BR Here's why you should tune in: • "Each speaker inspired at least one clear action point that I can take to improve our engagement with young people." • "Hearing from different organisations was so useful—it’s essential to know what works and what doesn’t." • "The speakers’ lived experiences were incredibly engaging." • "It’s great to get updates on how young people think and work (I'm 84!)."

Expanding Your Network for Collective Impact Today, I had the privilege of attending the Focus St. Louis event, moderated by Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande PhD , with an inspiring panel featuring Arnold Donald (Past President & CEO, Carnival Corporation), Kathy Mazzarella (Chairman, President & CEO, Graybar), and Dr. Mark S. Wrighton, Ph.D (Chancellor Emeritus, Washington University in St. Louis). Each speaker shared profound insights on building ecosystems, fostering relationships, and retaining talent within our region. Key Takeaways: Building an Ecosystem: Arnold Donald: Be authentic and listen. People will guide you on how to help them if you genuinely engage. Kathy Mazzarella: Focus on relationships and trust. Helping others achieve their dreams will naturally grow your ecosystem. Dr. Mark S. Wrighton: Networking with the community is rewarding both personally and professionally. Building Courage to Connect: Arnold: Attend events, even those outside your comfort zone. Seek advice from people who challenge you. Kathy: Step into your fear and recognize your value in every conversation. Focus on collective talents over labels. Mark: Say "yes" to opportunities and actively engage when asked to contribute. Retaining Talent: Mark: Proactively identify and nurture local talent. Arnold: Don’t worry too much if people leave; many return with valuable experiences that benefit the community. One of the most powerful reminders from today’s discussion was that none of the panelists were originally from St. Louis, but all chose to stay and make a meaningful impact. Their experiences demonstrate that by embracing authenticity, trust, and collaboration, we can create ecosystems that not only support individual growth but also strengthen our communities. Thank you to FOCUS St. Louis and the incredible panelists for such a thought-provoking session! #LifeatLochmueller #buildyourecosystem #growyournetwork #StLouis

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📧 Check Your Email! 📧The latest issue of The Alumni Connection is out now! Dive into exciting updates, alumni stories, and upcoming events. Don’t miss out—check your inbox today! #AlumniConnection #StayConnected #AlumniNews

Did you miss the "Where Your Next Generation of Volunteers?" event in June? No worries! We've got you covered with recorded presentations available on the Information Blog on the Support Cambridgeshire website until August. After that, they'll be accessible on our On-Demand pages: https://lnkd.in/eX4kqUVN Here's why you should tune in: "Each speaker inspired at least one clear action point that I can take to improve our engagement with young people." "Hearing from different organisations was so useful—it’s essential to know what works and what doesn’t." "The speakers’ lived experiences were incredibly engaging." "It’s great to get updates on how young people think and work (I'm 84!)."