One of the things we look for when we choose people to work closely with (our Associates), is their commitment to 'give something back' as a volunteer to the community that they work in.
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This week is Volunteers Week, an annual celebration of the work that volunteers do, everywhere. Now in its 35th year, the annual campaign takes place 1-7 June every year and sees charities and voluntary groups get together to recognise the contribution volunteers make to our communities every day. You can find out what's happening at the Volunteers Week website. You can support the celebration by getting involved and by using the hashtag #volunteersweek on social media.

So, thank you to all our Associates who volunteer, and volunteers everywhere!

We have been awarded a contract to provide Mindfulness training to Blaenau Gwent & Caerphilly County Borough Councils' Social Care teams.
Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better. When we become more aware of the present moment, we begin to experience afresh things that we have been taking for granted. There is a growing body of research that indicates that techniques that allow us to be aware of the present moment can reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing.
​Our mindfulness training provides an insight into mindfulness principles, as well as practical techniques that can be applied every day.

John Baker, our Managing Partner, will be giving a short talk on the state of leadership and management in the UK at a business breakfast in Bristol next week.
​The talk will cover recent research by the Chartered Management Institute on how managers and leaders are trained and low-cost ways that your managers and leaders can develop their knowledge and skills.
​The event is run by SevernNet, ​a not-for-profit enterprise, run by, and working for the benefit of, the businesses, organisations and the community extending from Royal Portbury Dock through Avonmouth, Severnside to Western Approach Industrial Park.

We're delighted to have been awarded a contract to deliver a series of short training programmes for Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly Councils' Social Care Workforce Development Team.
The training covers four areas:

• Creating a vision
• Becoming an inspiring leader
• Leadership and team dynamics
• Coaching and mentoring
• Managing people performance

Delivery takes place during February and March - we're very much looking forward to it!