InTouch Triage Newsletter v5

ISSUE 1 APRIL 2022

InTouch

A word from Paul

Welcome to the first edition of ‘InTouch’ - our new
quarterly employee newsletter. As some of you will
know we introduced a newsletter during the first lock
down period which was well received across our
teams therefore, we have decided to expand the remit
and to make the newsletter a permanent feature.

In addition to keeping you up to date We are pleased with the result will be People
with news across our teams in Scotland sharing more information on OFSTED and
and England, InTouch will feature things other accreditations/recognitions soon. A day in the life 03
like new business updates, good news
stories, employee achievements and values Contract News New business 04
shoutouts (helping to further embed our
company values – something you told On the contracts front I’m pleased to tell you New starters 05
us was important to you in the employee that we have recently been informed of two
survey). Kai, our Learning and Development important contract extensions. Promotions 05
Specialist, is leading the way with our first The Women Returners Programme which
‘day in the life’ article too – the idea of operates in Scotland will continue to Achievements 06
this feature is to allow us a little insight into operate through to March 2023. You
different roles in the organisation. We will can find out more about how the Women Shout Outs! 08
also have a LoveLearning (our new learning Returners Programme is positively impacting
and development platform) article each on the lives of women across Scotland on People & fundraising 11
quarter, as I know from our survey that page 7.
learning and development is an area where We will also continue delivering the Work & 2022 holidays 13
we could do better. Health Programme across Tees Valley for a
further two years into 2025. Work & Health Participants
OFSTED Programme has supported 3,310 people
with health conditions and disabilities into Every little helps 10
As some of you might be aware, our lasting work since we started delivering the
education and skills contracts were subject programme in 2018. Digital development 10
to an OFSTED inspection in the middle of We have also just found out we have been for Kyle
last month. OFSTED (Office for Standards successful in bidding for two more No
in Education, Children’s Services and One Left Behind contracts in Falkirk and Fresh start for Susan 11
Skills) is a non ministerial department of the Clackmannanshire council areas, in addition
UK Government reporting to Parliament, to the contract in Aberdeen we are currently Projects
and among other things is responsible preparing to deliver. This will see us continue
for inspecting a range of educational to support young people and adults in two LoveLearning 04
establishments to critical evaluate the quality areas which Triage have been working in
of education. continuously since 1999. Women Returners 07
While the final report will not be published
until the end of April 2022, we are able to Dynamic Community 12
share that we achieved an overall grade Fusion website
of Good.

cont... “Ann Marie was an absolute delight to work with, always smiling and
willing to help with anything. Immaculately dressed and stylish with
A word from Paul everything colour matched each day. She even managed to make
masks stylish, having one in every colour to go with her outfits. She
Finally, given the untimely passing of really did light up a room.”
our colleague and friend Ann Marie
Austin, I would like to dedicate this Claire McKay-Wallace
newsletter to her, and leave you with
some stories and quotes from those “I have known Ann Marie since she first transferred to us. Since
colleagues who knew her best. then, a more diligent member of staff you would not find. Always
Ann Marie joined Triage in 2007 caring and supportive looking out for her colleagues and a real
when we started delivering the character to boot. A fan of a cider, Ann Marie had to create a
Pathways to Work programme specific area in the house for her bulk supplies that John, Brenda or
across Forth Valley, Fife and Tayside, I would deliver!”
and worked in a variety of roles
latterly as a stalwart in the head Sarah Sanderson
office admin team. Ann Marie leaves
a huge void and will be much missed “Ann Marie was always well turned out but on this one occasion
by many colleagues across Triage. when we were going to Dundee to inspect two flats, she was even
smarter than usual. Her hair was done, nails were newly painted,
Paul and she even had a pair of heels to go with this new bag. On our
way to Dundee, she kept talking about the young footballers who
AwnoSnrodmsMeaforrie were staying in the flats – turned out the flats were let to Dundee FC!
I was winding her up about being so dressed up and she responded
2 by saying “that’s not true John McBride” (she always used my full
name when she was embarrassed). When we arrived at the flat, I did
my usual duties and Ann Marie very quickly did hers. While we were
saying our goodbyes to the footballers Ann Marie was staring at me,
I asked “what?” and her stare bore into my soul. I asked her “do you
want your picture taken with the footballers?” - a big smile covered
her face and before I could even ask the boys, her camera was out.
It turned out Ann Marie’s husband was a big Dundee supporter, and
this was a surprise for him. She was high as a kite on the way back!
Her husband Bill still has this photo to this day. Ann Marie always
put others in front of herself and she would do things to make others
happy. We all miss her.”

John McBride

“Something we had in the office with Ann Marie which always
made us laugh was her version of a cup of tea. It was literally
warm water and milk, which the tea bag hardly touched before
she pulled it out again and we used to say she was having ‘a cup
of tea essence’. It always looked so disgusting, but she loved it
and always gave us a laugh in the office because no one wanted
a cup of tea from her, which she knew and found funny. Another
funny story was when Paul Scott in IT left last year, Ann Marie
always though her asset tag number for her IT equipment was
911. It was only on Paul’s last day she found out this was actually
the nickname code IT gave her due to the amount of IT issues she
seemed to have!”

Rebecca Marr

“Ann Marie was always laughing when I saw her. Sometimes so much
so that I used to say to her - ‘I haven’t said anything yet!’, because she
had already started laughing and she would just laugh more. She was
a really friendly, happy person and would always do anything for
anyone (and always loved a little blackmail).”

Sharon Hewetson

KAI MANNION OUR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

A dayin the life...

What’s the first thing you do when you This or that
wake up?
Coffee or tea?
I’m terrible at waking up - I snooze at least three times most
mornings. When I do manage to drag myself up it’s straight to Coffee - every time.
the kettle for coffee.
Early bird or night owl?
What’s a typical working day look like?
Neither, does that mean I’m getting old?
I sometimes think I have two versions of a typical day. If I’m
running a company induction, a typical day would be delivering Night out or night in?
training, welcoming new colleagues, making sure they settle
in with us. Outside of inductions I do a lot of work behind the Night in usually however, throwing some shapes on a
scenes on new development opportunities for our people. night out is also very appealing!
Currently my days are filled with Love Learning preparation;
our brand new learning and development platform. Staycation or vacation?

What do you enjoy most about your job? I think we have all ‘staycationed’ enough over the last
couple of years.
There are so many things! I honestly believe I have the best job
ever. I get to support others to develop and I get to meet new Text message or phone call?
people (and those that know me know how much I like meeting
people). Getting to focus on ‘our people’ is really exciting as I love to text and secretly hate the phone.
that’s what makes a company.

How would you describe your job
to a friend?

I deal with all things training and development for
my colleagues.

What do you do once you finish work?

I come straight home - I’m not very exciting in that respect.
Typically, it’s food, Netflix and bed most nights.

What would you be doing if you weren’t
in your current role?

I originally wanted to be a teacher but then I became one, so I
think I am doing the exact job I am meant to be.

“I honestly believe I
have the best job ever”

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RACHAEL KELLY-JEFFERSON HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Kneeewpbinugsiunpesws ith

Scotland North East

Triage are currently preparing to deliver their first piece of No Opportunities to develop our North East skills division is our main
One Left Behind funded training in Aberdeen. This will focus on focus. We are submitting tenders for:
supporting participants with employability skills. No One Left
Behind is a key part of the Scottish Government’s approach to • North of the Tyne Adult Education Budget
employment support, with the key features being funding being • South Tyneside Adult Education Budget expansion
devolved to local authorities and with a continued focus on
engaging with the most disadvantaged groups. Following the release of the Levelling Up report last month, it was
The first quarter of the year has been busy for Scottish tendering announced that the North of Tyne is proposed to be replaced by
and business opportunities. a larger North East combined authority (including South Tyneside
We are focussing on maintaining our base across the 12 LEP (Local and Sunderland - County Durham is developing an independent
Enterprise Partnerships) areas where we deliver Skills Development devolution plan). Securing delivery in these areas would put Triage
Scotland Employability Fund, by completing multiple frameworks in a great position to replicate our Tees Valley success.
and tenders for local competitive grants, as well as No One Left
Behind funding. Next year, there will be the opportunity for direct delivery of the
Currently we have three successful framework positions with the Skills Support for the Unemployed contract, commissioned by
outcome of three more expected imminently - this gives us the ability the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA). Our current Adult
to directly compete for funds that are available within these areas. Education Budget delivery will be vital in developing a strategically
This level of activity is set to continue until after April with the main and economically sound tender therefore, plans are underway to
Scottish Excel Employability Service Dynamic Purchase System link our qualification delivery with employers and areas of growth
being published in February. that respond to the TVCA plan.
Department for Work & Pensions Dynamic Purchase tenders
continue to be submitted alongside smaller tenders for specialist If you’d like more information on what we are doing to
training provision throughout Scotland. develop new business and to support more people
and communities please contact Taylor Robertson -
[email protected].

Last week we launched LeCaLorornvneinerg

LoveLearning – a one-stop shop

for all things learning and

development. Whether you like to learn

in a group setting, a virtual meeting or

like to get stuck in to some independent

learning, LoveLearning has it covered.

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Joanne tonkin Gareth Callaghan

Welcome Promotions

to the team • L aura Cartwright

Since January 2022 we have had lots of new faces Now a Performance Manager
join the Triage team. on Restart

• J oanne Tonkin • Mia-Rae Bright • Taylor Robertson • Jodie Malham
Employment Advisor Employment Advisor Engagement and
Partnership Coordinator Now a Performance Manager on
• A lan Sutheran • Andrea Thompson Work and Health Programme
Employment Advisor Employment Advisor • Josef Reilly
Engagement Consultant • N atalie Durrant
• A shley Simpson • A ndrea Walker
Employment Advisor Employment Advisor • James Goodings Now a Performance Manager
Skills Administrator on Skills
• D aniel Abbott • Shantelle Thornhill
Employment Advisor Employment Advisor • Rachel Marley • Ella Keely
Interim Head of
• G areth Callaghan • Steven Lucas Communications Offered full time permanent
Employment Advisor Employment Advisor and Marketing role as Administrator after her
Kickstart placement finished
• Joanne Patrick
Employment Advisor • T aylor Robertson

Now a Business Development
Executive

Laura Cartwright

With a catalogue of training options, you can take ownership, Jodie Malham
choosing what you want to learn at a time that suits you. Courses
range from coaching and interviewing, to conflict resolution.

No matter what time you have, there will be a course to suit you, and you can
even filter based on the time you have available – anywhere from 30 minutes
to two hours. And, if you prefer a face-to-face approach you can take part in
courses such as ‘Working with ex-offenders’, ‘Progressing participants’ and
‘Suicide awareness’.

Click the LoveLearning icon on your desktop to access.

Think development, think LoveLearning.

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Achievements

This is where we can recognise our colleagues for their achievements outside
work, the things we know mean a lot to our people. Do you have a colleague who
deserves to be recognised for their achievements? Send us an email and a photo
if you have one!

Well done to Joanne Tonkin Well done to Gillian Mason

for winning a GOLD medal at the Budapest Kettlebell Sport World who completed 50 miles for the third year in a row to raise money
Championships! Joanne won gold in her weight category with for Maggie’s cancer charity.
2 x 16kg bells! From Sharon Hewetson
From Jasmin Ayre

Congratulations to Jan Anderson

who has been invited to the Royal
Garden Party! Jan’s success in a
previous role where she worked as a
Work Coordinator earned her an
invite to the prestigious gathering.
Nominated by her mentor for
‘Services to Young People’, Jan
spent 13 years helping young people
succeed in training, employment
and further education.
From Lisa Morrison

You are Royally
Invited...

Congratulations to Michael Flannigan

on becoming a father for the first time. Michael’s one of our newer
team members, and being a father of two naughty kids myself,
I wanted to recognise Michael for juggling his new job and
his new family!
From Andrew Donaghy

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Did you know...

Recently we created a ‘key facts’ document to provide a high-level overview of our
business as well as detailing some contract specific achievements. Here are some of
Triage’s key facts that you might find interesting…

Since 1999, we have Since 2011, we have helped We deliver 18 contracts
helped a HUGE 38,350 2,848 learners gain nearly across employability and skills,
people into employment – 4,500 qualifications from 10 offices throughout
for context, the University Scotland and the North East
of Glasgow has around of England
35,000 undergraduate and
postgraduate students Since 1998, we have
delivered 24 contracts
including the Work As of March 2022,
Programme we had 173 employees

Women Returners Programme

We deliver this programme under the “Anne Marie immediately
brand name – Review, Refresh, Return. put me at ease, and
This programme supports women to reassured me that she
return to work, training or education, was going to be with
following a career break. The aim of the me through the whole
programme is to contribute to reducing process. We arranged
the gender pay gap in Scotland, weekly Zoom calls, we
improve women’s economic position in the labour market and worked on my confidence
deliver fair and inclusive economic growth. and interview skills.
Anne Marie then put me
Since we started in April 2021, we have helped 73 women. Here in contact with Penny
are some positive quotes from those women we have supported: to help me find a job
that was perfect for me
“I feel I am progressing on the programme and moving and my situation. Penny
closer towards achieving my goals. Every time I meet with was fabulous and her
my advisor, I feel more and more confident!” Gillian determination gave me an
extra boost. Sometimes you just need to be reminded that
“I think the programme is excellent and just what I needed everything is going to be ok and that you are not alone,
to point me in the right direction. It is a really big help. I and that’s what the programme did for me.” Julie Gezer
am so glad that my DWP work coach pointed me in the
direction of my Triage progression advisor.” Rebecca With a contract extension being confirmed, we look forward to
helping more women over the coming years.

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L .O.V.E. Shout Outs!

L.O.V.E. stands for Living Our Values Everyday. These shout outs recognise
some of the nice things colleagues do for each other and link to our
company values.

Shout out to Kai Mannion for ‘Inspiring’ the title of Excel

this article and coming up with the L.O.V.E idea!
From Rachel Marley

Well done to Nigel Marshall for ‘Inspiring’ his Inspiring
Integrity
group of learners. Alison, a participant on Nigel’s
course shared this feedback:

“Thank you for being a great tutor,
helping us all feel at ease and
comfortable. My confidence once
had been eroded and I’m just
hanging in there by threads, so just
being treated kindly and respectfully
makes all the difference in helping
me. Others also expressed that
you helped them too. We all felt
supported and respected - you
went above and beyond”.
Thyaounk
Many thanks, Alison.

Shout out to Anne-Marie Robb for demonstrating

‘Integrity’. Operating across a vast geography

spanning from Highlands down to Dundee, Anne-
Marie has been the driver for building relationships
and creating success. From Sarah Sanderson
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Shout out to the Skills team and everyone else GJroeba!t

in the business who showcased our ‘Excellence’

value when it came to our OFSTED visit. Everyone
spoke so passionately about what they do, and I was
so proud to be part of it! From Jasmin Ayre

llence Shout out to Louise Sikora for embodying our

‘Respect’ value. Louise works in a supportive function

and her commitment and support has gained respect
across 100% of the team. Louise is always highly
appreciated by each and every person.
From Sharon Hewetson

Respect

Shout out to the Middlesbrough team for their
‘jar of success’ idea. When we see colleagues live
our values we add a handwritten note to our jar of
success, then ‘winenroevaatdivteh’ easpeporouat dchurfirnogma team
catch-up. An
Middlesbrough! From Mat Holt
Innovative

Shout out to Tina Henderson for her ‘Innovative’

approach to supporting learner engagement and
recruitment. Tina went above and beyond, from
standing outside supermarkets and handing out
leaflets to completing lateral flow tests to gain entry
into care homes for employer meetings. Tina’s
determination and innovation has led to some great
results – well done! From Jasmin Ayre

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Every Little Digital development
helps… for Kyle

Liam would “Participating in the course has not only upgraded my
“recommend Triage to skills but has given me lots of ideas and inspiration as
anyone who is in need to where I can look for work moving forward.”
of work” after finding said Kyle.
success with Tesco.
Kyle had previously worked in the digital sector however, had to leave due to caring
When Liam was first referred to responsibilities. Fast forward a few years, he felt it was time to get back into the sector he
Triage, he had never worked, had knows best but, with the technology world moving so fast he felt out of the loop and needed
never attended an interview and some help.
didn’t have a CV. Liam was shy but Kyle caught up with his JCP Work Coach, who suggested he join a Triage Essential Digital
it was clear from his enthusiasm Skills course. This course gave Kyle the opportunity to upskill, as well as improve his CV
that he had real potential, he just content. Kyle has now completed two courses and passed both tests on his first attempt! He
needed a little help. has also been allocated an electronic tablet to further enhance his new digital skills helping
him with his job search opportunities and accessibility of application forms. Kyle’s confidence
The first step was to get Liam onto a has grown significantly and he is feeling positive about finding work.
few courses which covered personal
appearance, interview style, CV sNkilewls!
introduction, as well as a recognised
customer service qualification.

Will Purvis, Liam’s Employment
Advisor, helped Liam with his job
search and together they applied
for the role at Tesco. Liam and Will
completed interview prep and even
did a mock interview ahead of the
real thing. Although he was nervous,
Liam applied everything he had
learnt during his time with Triage,
and was offered the job.

‘It was great to see how in such a
short space of time Liam’s personal
development and confidence has
grown. His parents also mentioned
how over the moon and proud they
were of him securing his first job.
Following our in-work support calls,
it seems like Liam is enjoying his job
and has even picked up some extra
shifts”, said Will.

Triage team members Tina Henderson (Partnership Manager),
Kyle, and Dave White (Tutor).

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Our raffle winner Andy Reynolds and Rachael Bareham - A fresh start
Community and Events Fundraiser at Zoë’s Place. for Fair Start

Fundraising for Spaurtsicaipnant,

Zoë’s Place “I never thought at my
age that I would be
Team Triage raised £1500 beginning a new career
for Zoë’s Place. and it’s all thanks
to Triage”
Zoë’s Place provides palliative, respite and end-of-life care to babies and infants aged from
0-5 years, living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. Susan, 64, Fair Start Scotland
This money was raised by holding a company-wide Christmas raffle with prizes being participant, now working in the
donated by managers, funders, and partners.There were some amazing prizes up for grabs healthcare sector.
including an overnight hotel stay, tickets to see Craig David, afternoon tea for the whole
team and loads more! “My advisor kept me on course,
Andy Reynolds (the final lucky winner) got to decide which of our four chosen charities to pointing out jobs, advising me
donate the money to. Andy chose Zoë’s place as it is a charity close to everyone’s heart about jobs I came across myself and
and the work they do is really special. checking over my application forms.

The biggest help was providing
interview prep on Teams and Zoom
to help get me through the online
interview. From my first contact with
Triage, I have received nothing but
support, friendly, professional, wise
advice and encouragement. I would
urge anyone out there struggling
to get back to work, to get in touch
with Triage.”

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New Dynamic Community

Fusion website

Dynamic Community Fusion (DCF) is a Community Interest Company (CIC)
established in 2019. It operates throughout the Scottish Borders.

A CIC is a special type of limited company which exists to As part of our support, we recently helped DCF create a
benefit the community rather than private shareholders. new website. If you’d like to learn more about DCF and the
programmes it offers, or want to check out their new site visit:
To help achieve its goals DCF collaborates with Triage.
We provide access to resources and know how. DCF and www.dynamiccommunityfusion.co.uk
Triage are associated companies, sharing the same
non-executive directors.

New!

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2022 Holidays England

Here are the official 2022 holidays for England and Scotland.

Friday 15 April Friday 03 June
(Good Friday) (Platinum Jubilee)
Monday 18 April
(Easter Monday) Monday 29 August
Monday 02 May (Summer Bank Holiday)
(Early May Bank Holiday)
Thursday 02 June Monday 26 December
(Spring Bank Holiday) – Monday 02 January*
(includes Christmas and
Scotland New Year Bank Holidays)

*Inclusive

Friday 15 April Friday 03 June
(Good Friday) (Platinum Jubilee)
Monday 18 April
(Easter Monday) Monday 26 December
– Tuesday 03 January*
(includes Christmas and
New Year Bank Holidays)

*Inclusive
NB: For the period between Christmas and New Year you are required to take three days annual leave. Some
contracts require support during the holiday period. Where this is the case your manager can provide more information.

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