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Today marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week. To celebrate, we interviewed our Qualified Mental Health First Aider, Josie Charles, who offers mental health support to our colleagues. 

What are your qualities as a mental health first aider? 

• Caring, friendly, approachable 
• Non-judgemental and understanding nature
• Active listening 

What does your role entail?

As an MHFA I support our colleagues with advice of professional services, resources on how to stay healthy, self-help techniques and information on promoting good mental health. I am here for completely private and confidential conversations regarding individual’s mental health, in which I can determine what support would be best suited to that individual.

What impact does your role have and why is it rewarding?

Just the impact of allowing our colleagues access to a “safe space” where they can tell me about their mental health has been extremely positive. Colleagues have shown me nothing but gratitude and thanks throughout my time as a MHFA. Several colleagues are now seeking professional advice regarding their mental health, after speaking with me and deciding on the best solution together. In my meetings, I can support someone to talk about their mental health and make positive steps to improve it. Positive steps to improving our mental health are proven to make us live happier and healthier lives. This for me is why the role is very rewarding. 

What is the importance of being a mental health first aider?

1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England. Mental health (unlike physical health) is invisible, which means that it is difficult to know what your friends, family or colleagues are living with. It is incredibly important that we do not shy away from opening conversations about mental health. We believe that allowing our colleagues access to our MHFA support and resources is crucial to supporting the wellbeing of the workforce! We will constantly work on how we can further improve and encourage these conversations.  

As we plan for business returning to Pre-Covid levels, we see our clients’ needs and expectations changing dramatically, which in turn is shaping how we operate and structure both our teams and our processes. We are therefore in a position to announce some very exciting additions to our team over the last few months. 

Chris Cain, H&S and Sustainability Manager – Chris comes to us with wealth of H&S and Sustainability experience. His appointment is further demonstration of our commitment to provide industry leading Health & Safety training. He is integral to our drive towards becoming an even more sustainable business and will bring his ideas and knowledge to create new innovative ways to be sustainable and to measure and celebrate our successes. 

Darrell Taylor, Client Support and Operations Manager – Darrell came to us from a senior regional management role and has extensive knowledge in bettering processes and driving objectives. We believe he is a great asset to help us to further improve our use of technology to enhance the experience we provide to our clients, whilst also assisting us as we move towards our goal of being paperless. 

Cristian Salinas, Mobile Supervisor – Cristian has worked for us as a site based cleaning colleague since 2016. He has always delivered exceptional standards and demonstrates excellent customer skills. He has proven himself to be reliable, ambitious and hardworking, and is very deserving of his promotion to Mobile Supervisor. He is another successful example of our desire to identify and develop talent from within. 

Alex Grijalba, Mobile Supervisor – Alex brings with him lots of experience from both the cleaning industry and customer facing roles as a former concierge in hotels. His excellent customer service skills and management experience make him a valuable team member, working on one of the most prestigious portfolios. 

Welcome to the Regular Cleaning Team! #MakingWorkplacesBetterPlaces

Kaydian Mills, from our Payroll and Accounts Team, has shared her inspiration of Harriet Tubman in light of Black History Month. 

Who is my inspiration?

Harriet Tubman.

She was an escaped enslaved women who became a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, leading enslaved people to freedom before the Civil War, all while carrying a bounty on her head. But she was also a nurse, a Union Spy and a women’s suffrage supporter. Tubman is one of the most recognised icons in American history and her legacy has inspired countless people from every race and background including myself. 

Harriet Tubman was born around 1820 on a plantation in Dorchester County, Maryland. She had eight brothers and sisters, but the realities of slavery eventually forced many of them apart, despite her mother’s attempts to keep the family together. When Harriet was five years old, she was rented out as a nursemaid where she was whipped when they baby cried, leaving her with permanent emotional and physical scars. Around age seven Harriet was rented out to a planter to set muskrat traps and was later rented out as a field hand.

Harriet’s desire for justice became apparent at age 12 when she spotted an overseer about to throw a heavy weight at a fugitive. Harriet stepped between the enslaved person and the overseer – the weight struck her head. Her good dead left her with headaches and narcolepsy the rest of her life, causing her to fall into a deep sleep at random.

In 1840, Harriet’s parents owners died and in their will it was written that they be set free but their new owners refused and kept them in bondage. In 1849, Harriet planned her escape with her 2 brothers who were about to be sold to new owners. The brothers got scared and changed their minds but Harriet travelled 90 miles to Pennsylvania and freedom.

Harriet gained her freedom but wasn’t happy knowing that so many of her friends and family were still slaves. So she returned to the south to lead her niece and her niece’s children to Philadelphia via the Underground Railroad. Over the next ten years, Harriet befriended other abolitionists such as Frederick Douglas and Martha Coffin Wright, and established her own Underground Railroad network. 

It is believed that Harriet personally led at least 70 enslaved people to freedom, including her elderly parents, and instructed dozens of others on how to escape on their own. She claimed, “I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.”

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Harriet found new ways to fight slavery. She was recruited to assist fugitive enslaved people at Fort Monroe and worked as a nurse, cook and laundress. Harriet used her knowledge of herbal medicines to help treat sick soldiers and fugitive enslaved people. Though just over five feet tall, Harriet was a force to be reckoned with. 

How did they inspire me?

Throughout school we were taught about this woman who escaped slavery but went back. It just did not make sense to me when I was younger but as I grew older I started to understand. She was a selfless person who didn’t just think about herself and her happiness, she wanted the same for others around her. We often believe that as one person we can never make a difference but Harriet Tubman taught me that just wasn’t true. One person can make a difference to many others the difference you choose to make is up to you. Life sometimes throws hardships and obstacles in your way but if you have that drive and determination to succeed you will. It may be that bit harder and take that much longer but you will. Harriet didn’t let slavery or narcolepsy stop her from bein g a great human being so what excuse do we have. 

Harriet has inspired me to be the best I can be no matter the circumstance. To always look out for other people, never be selfish and that even though I am just one person it doesn’t mean that I can’t change a 100 lives no matter how small. 

Our Business Development Manager, Bami Ojomo, has shared his inspiration of Mary Jackson in light of Black History Month. 

Who is my inspiration? 

Mary Jackson

How did they inspire me?

Mary was born an intelligent child, but her challenges in life showed her that intelligence alone was not enough to make a great person and have a lasting impact on other’s lives.

Mary excelled academically in a time of racial segregation and rose above the overwhelming discrimination to become NASA’s first African American female top ranking engineer in 1958, which at the time was a male dominated role. By 1979, Mary had achieved the most senior title within the engineering department.

She later decided to take a demotion in order to serve as an administrator in the Equal Opportunities Specialist field. She worked to make changes and highlight women and other minorities who were accomplished in the field to influence the career paths of women in science, engineering and mathematic positions within NASA. She continued to work with NASA until her retirement in 1985.

On 24th June 2020, NASA announced that the agency’s headquarters building in Washington D.C would be named after Mary Jackson.

“Mary Jackson was part of a group of very important women who helped NASA succeed in getting American astronauts into space. Mary never accepted the status quo, she helped break barriers and open opportunities for African Americans and women in a field of engineering and technology” – Jim Bridenstine 

What did they inspire me to achieve?

Mary’s story inspires me to know that even in the face of discrimination and suppression, excellence, diligence and compassion for others will always prevail. She has showed everyone that you must treat the discrimination of gender and colour as a distraction to others and only focus on demonstrating excellence at all times.

I draw inspiration from her story to conclude that there is no reward for discrimination whereas, in the long run, there is always going to be a reward for excellence, diligence and compassion for others. She deserves to be celebrated.

This month is Black History Month. We are continuing to celebrate the influences that Black History and culture has brought to our colleagues and community. Join us as we continue to educate ourselves; celebrate black talent, culture & history, and the ongoing fight for racial equality. 

Our Engagement Officer, Josie Charles, has shared her story of her inspiration, Mary Seacole:

Who is my inspiration?

Mary Seacole

How did they inspire me?

Mary grew up in Jamaica and travelled to England in 1854. She was passionate about helping those in need all of her life. During the Crimean War, she asked the War Office is she could go to help wounded soldiers who were fighting. She was told because of the colour of her skin, she wasn’t allowed. 

Her determination to help meant that she did not let this stop her. She raised money herself to travel to Ukraine and looked after hundreds of injured British soldiers. We all know about Florence Nightingale and the people she helped, but very rarely do we learn about Mary despite her incredible dedication to saving lives. 

What did they inspire me to Achieve?

I have always been a very caring person, so I relate to Mary in that I always strive to help improve people’s lives who are in need. She has inspired me to make sure that in everything I do I put my caring foot forward. She inspires me to fight for more black history within the education system, which I have been an advocate and campaigning for since I was in school. Her dedication and sheer determination reminds me that you can achieve anything you put our mind to, even if the odds are stacked against you.” 

Today marks the start of Black History Month. We’re celebrating the influences that Black History and culture has brought to our colleagues and community. Join us as we continue to educate ourselves; celebrate black talent, culture & history, and the ongoing fight for racial equality.

Our Operations Manager, Michael Chinakwe has shared his story of his inspiration, Guion Bluford:

“Who is my inspiration?

Guion Bluford

How did they inspire me?

I have always had a huge interest in Aerospace & Astrology since I was young. I remember getting my first telescope for my 6th birthday and staying up all night trying to spot different stars through the clear skies at night. That is when my parents taught me about Guy Bluford who was the first African American and the second person of African descent to go to space. Bluford was one of the 35 individuals selected in 1978 from 10,000 applicants in NASA’s first competition to become space shuttle astronauts. As I grew older and began to read more into his achievements, I realised how resilient, motivated, tenacious, inquisitive and more this man was. To be able to achieve such things in the midst of racial tension and inequality in the 70s and beyond, truly inspired me.

I remember listening to an interview where he stated he laughed and giggled all the way into space during lift off! This reminded me of myself, always happy, smiling and laughing. It inspired me to continue to find happiness in all that I do.

Guion Bluford paved the way for other black Astronauts such as Mae Jemison who was the first black female to enter space. This inspired me to work hard in all that I do, no matter the odds. 

What did they inspire me to Achieve?

Over the years this has inspired me to achieve various things such as:

– Travelling across Europe playing sports at a competitive level in my teenage years

– Got me through my studies at university where I achieved a First Class Degree

– Achieving my 1st graduate job and being part of the 80 graduates taken onto the scheme out of thousands of applicants

As I strive to be a leader in the industry I’m currently in, I can only hope to replicate some of the amazing characteristics Guion Bluford showed when paving the way for others.”