Warblings 2010 winter

www.rbli.co.uk Supporting the Armed Forces community

RBLI NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the new look WarblingsSee page 2

Employee of the month nominationsSee page 3

WINTER 2010

Winter 2010

2 RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter

It is finally here! Welcome to the new Warblings newsletter. This is your RBLI newsletter full of your stories, stories from people you’ve helped and a mixture of events and news from around our village in the recent months. I compiled it to show a selection of the fantastic things we do at RBLI.

Let me explain a little about myself. I graduated from Swansea Metropolitan University in July 2010 with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in 3D Computer Animation. I then moved in with my long term girlfriend, Rebecca, in Maidstone. Here I heard about a vacancy for RBLI on a Future Jobs Fund scheme. This was a reception and post room vacancy where I was first introduced to the warm hospitality of RBLI.

As you may know, I have recently been appointed Marketing and Business Development Assistant at RBLI. I am very grateful and have been very fortunate acquiring this position as well as meeting you all.

I hope you enjoy this issue, if you have any comments on it, please do drop me a line on 01622 795968, or if you’re at a computer send me an email on [email protected].

Please do keep in mind the Warblings newsletter when you get back from your Christmas breaks.

Will Gowin Warblings Editor

Page 3 – Chief Executive’s message Employee of the month

Page 4 – Stranger Danger competition

Page 5 – Jonathan Shaw

Page 6 – Staff Strategy Briefing Welfare to Work presentation

Page 7 – Road Works Harry McAllister

Page 8 – Health & Wellbeing Property Services

Page 9 – ARC update Balance Blue Peter

Page 10 – March for Honour Meet an Employee

Page 11 – Matt Baker Royal Engineers

Page 12 – Nicola Carter

RBLI WARBLINGS Newsletter 3

Well Done! To Lisa Lewis Healthcare Assistant on the Night Team at Gavin Astor House for achieving such an award; she certainly deserves this after 17 years of dedicated service in the Home. I don’t think that I have ever seen her become so humble and quiet. This particular nomination was made by Mr. Colin Wills and approved by me. Linda Alder

If you have a colleague who has done something special and deserves the honour of employee of the month, please ask a member of the HR or Marketing team for a nomination form. The nomination form can also be found on the HR section of SharePoint.

Great to see Warblings back in print and in its new format – congratulations to the Editorial team. This is our newsletter for everyone in RBLI so please do contribute with articles and do keep the Editor on his toes with your feedback.

As we fast approach the Christmas holiday period may I take this opportunity to thank all staff for the exceptional work and support in 2010. It has been a tough year and yet RBLI has risen to the challenge – we are now well positioned to launch our new strategy early in 2011. This strategy “RBLI 2016” will see us taking up many new opportunities whilst still delivering high quality care, support and services to our residents, clients and customers.

I wish you all, and your families, a wonderful Christmas and every success in 2011. Steve Sherry

Angela S Braybrook for quitting smoking. She has now been smoke free for 7 months. Joanne Sas-Blinska for being smoke-free for an entire year. Angela and Joanne would like to thank all the East Kent Team for their encouragement and support.

We are putting on a pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, in the Capel Morris Centre on Saturday, 18th December at 7.30pm for all members of the community.

Friends of Gavin Astor House

Christmas FayreSaturday 4th

December 2010 2pm to 5pm

BBQ Mulled Wine, Face Painting, Bric-a-Brac Book

Stalls, Raffle, Tombola, Xmas Gifts, Father Christmas

Gavin Astor House, British Legion Village,

Aylesford, Kent ME20 7NF

01622 791056

Winter 2010


Congratulations to Nicole Williams from Burham Primary School, Mia Fazzani from Wouldham Primary School and Emily Wilkinson from Eccles Primary School, on winning our RBLI stranger danger sign competition!

The three winning designs were selected by RBLI Sign Manufacturing Department. The signs will be displayed in play parks, local to each school.

The girls were invited to attend our Village site on 23rd November. On the tour of our site, they particularly liked the steaming Thomas the Tank Engine in the factory. Nicole, Mia and Emily were later presented certificates as well as a copy of their own sign each.

The competition was the brain child of Kent Police with the help of our own Zak Davidson. Also attending was Carl Fitter, Head Teacher of Wouldham School, Inspector Adrian Allan of Kent Police, Alison Finch of Community Safety Partnership and PCSO Caroline Honeysett and Julie Stoner of Kent Police.

Congratulations again to Nicole, Mia and Emily for creating fantastic designs, keep up the great work. We are sure that the signs will go a long way to helping children understand the potential dangers of talking to strangers. Our three young visitors should be proud of the contribution they will make to helping keep our children safe as we are to help this great initiative.

I was born in Aylesford and have lived in Kent all my life. My first job was as a fruit picker and I then became a care assistant, a social worker, an MP and a Government Minister working at DEFRA and lastly as Minister for Disabled People. I am married to Sue with two school age children, Sam 16 and Ellen 11 and we live in Snodland. I joined RBLI as a part- time consultant in September.

I am working with Steve Sherry and the Senior Team to help win new markets and develop greater partnerships for RBLI – particularly across the South East.

One of the areas I have been working on has been to assist Manufacturing develop new relationships with the defence industry so that we can secure more orders and build on the high quality work we already do.

For example, working alongside Steve Osborne, we have arranged visits for Rolls Royce and BAE Systems. If we get a chance to show these big players what we can do I am sure that we will get some new orders through their supply chains. Also in Manufacturing I am helping us to speak to lots of local councils so that we might increase the work for our sign making. The more we can show people what we can do the more we increase the chances of success.

In the New Year I will start looking at how RBLI might secure European Funding for a project involving Ex Services Personnel. One of the possibilities for this project would be to assist men and women who have left the Military by bringing together housing and employment opportunities. I think a project like this would allow RBLI to demonstrate to a wide and influential audience the unique approach we can offer.

It is this uniqueness that has always placed RBLI apart. I have known RBLI for many years and since coming to work here I have had a chance to meet a lot more of the people who do such a great job for the organisation which in turn does so much good for our beneficiaries. I know that these are tough times and we have got to find new ways to deliver our services, it is a challenge for the whole organisation and one that I am really pleased to be able to assist with.

I am very pleased to advise that Friday the 24th of December 2010 will be granted as an extra day of annual leave for all employees.

The business will close at 5.30pm on Thursday 23rd December, however, due to the nature of our business, there will be areas that require cover,

and local arrangements will be in force. Should you be required to work on the 24th, your annual leave allocation will be credited with lieu time, which can be taken over the next 12 months.

If you have already booked this day as a holiday, it will be credited to your 2011 annual leave allocation and must be taken before 31st March 2011.

The Executive Team and I send you all early wishes for a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Steve Sherry


Winter 2010

Our Chief Executive Steve Sherry delivered staff briefing sessions at both Aylesford and the Employment Solutions Conference regarding strategy and current plans for reshaping investment in the future.

The sessions at Aylesford were well attended with over 120 staff coming along. Steve was asked many questions at these sessions and the questions, along with Steve’s responses, can be viewed on SharePoint and on all notice boards.

In line with our aim to keep on improving staff communications, these briefing sessions are set to become a regular feature at key points in the strategy implementation.

Thanks to all of you who attended for your contribution in making these sessions so successful.

Our Director of ES, Andy Milton, gave two presentations at the annual Welfare to Work exhibition on Thursday 4th November. The conference, held at the QEII Conference Centre, London, was a great success for RBLI.

Andy was joined by David Winning, an EAGA consultant who introduced the

presentation. His presentation, titled Welfare to Work Programme: Rhetoric or Reality, provoked the question “will the new work programme live up to the hype and prove to be a reality or just another empty rhetoric promise?” His presentation also incorporated the series of videos featuring real people’s experiences

filmed at our offices in Brighton and Chatham. The presentation was warmly received. One attendee commented that we had the only presentation that day to address issues raised by the people who really matter, the public. As well as Andy’s presentation, we had a hugely popular stand manned by our Business Development team. It was a really positive day for RBLI as we let everyone know what an energetic and forward thinking company we are.


I am pleased to advise all staff that the road widening project is a week ahead of schedule, the foot path is almost complete with the installation of the hand rails. The final road surface was laid on Monday 29th followed by the line marking towards the end of that week.

We do have a slight stumbling block at the end of the Poppy Factory wall where we came across a 4” water main that was not recorded and needs to be laid deeper so as not to be proud of the road surface, we are still waiting for the Water Board to carry out this work but it will not impact on either the footpath or new road.

This project has or will come in on time and more importantly under budget which is an excellent achievement. Geoff Humphreys

Members of Aylesford Parish Council visited RBLI and the Royal British Legion Village on Wednesday 3rd November. The purpose of the visit was to provide members with an insight into RBLI’s many activities, its history and future ambitions, especially with regard to community development. The visitors received a welcome and presentation from David Jessop before moving onto a tour of our manufacturing activities and village, which provided a real snapshot into the great work being done by all our staff across the organisation.

From Left-Right: David Jessop; Andrew Flindell (clerk); Cllr Balcombe; Cllr Tiller; Cllr Gledhill; Geoff Humphreys; Janet Collier (Deputy Clerk); Cllr Gadd (Chair)


‘I don’t think anyone could do more for people than they do for them here – they bend over backwards to make life as nice as they can. That’s what I like about them.’

After 14 years dedicated service, Mr Harry McAllister, 94 years young, hung up his white coat for the last time on Friday 29 October 2010.

Harry first came to the Home in 1996 when his wife, Connie was admitted for Nursing Care. Unfortunately, very soon after Connie passed away. Harry continued to visit and support the home every single day, serving the morning drinks to all the residents and laying up the dining rooms for lunch. Harry also became involved with the Friends of Gavin Astor House and supported our fundraising events.

We wish him well in his retirement.

Winter 2010


Thanks to Business Development, we have secured a grant for just under £4,000 to purchase more computer equipment for Mountbatten Pavilion for the use of the residents and hopefully residents of the RBLV in the longer term.

Again, thanks to Business Development, we are looking at securing funding from Groundworks to extend and improve the garden area at the back of Mountbatten Pavilion. Groundworks are having a meeting with the residents of Mountbatten soon to get their ideas on what they would like.

A selection of works that we may help you with!

Flat pack Collection and Assembly, Removal and Disposal of Old Units

Gardening Grass Cutting, Fence Repairs/Replacement, Sheds Collected and Installed and Garden Cleaning

Decorating Wallpaper and Painting

Carpentry Locks/Bolts, Letter Plates, Blinds, Curtain Poles, Shelves, Easing/Adjusting Swollen Doors

Small Electrical Wire a Plug, Change a Bulb, Smoke Alarms, Light Fittings, Replace Sockets and Switches

Plumbing Plumbing in Dishwashers/Washing Machines, Dripping Taps, New Taps, WC’s

General Repairs To the Fabric of Property, Guttering, Rainwater Downpipes, Facia and Soffit Replacement, Brickwork Repairs

Phone: 01622 795910 Email: [email protected]

Following a great deal of planning, the Property Services team has recently launched a new service to the local community in Aylesford, to provide help in getting various DIY jobs completed. Flyers promoting the service have been delivered to houses in the area and within less than a week we secured four new jobs.


Some of you may have heard about the new centres that are being set up by the Army to provide rehabilitation and training to wounded soldiers. We are really excited about this initiative, particularly as RBLI has been selected to run one of the pilot projects whilst the permanent centres are being prepared. Our pilot course will start in February and we’ll be providing accommodation, assessment and training to about 12 soldiers who are likely to be leaving the Army on medical grounds. The soldiers and Army support staff will be on site for around 3 weeks and if the course is a success, it could be the first of many to be run here! Capel Morris will be used as the training centre so we’ll be starting work to refurbish this shortly. There will be a lot of work to do to prepare for the course, but even more required whilst the course is being delivered and we will be looking for people who are interested in supporting this in a number of ways. Look out for more details early in the New Year! There will be plenty of opportunities for people to support the ARC project through volunteering. If you would like more information please contact Andy in the Business Development team on 01622 795968.

One of the many things that RBLI have is a strong and proven track record in working with employers in supporting their staff back into work after an extended period of absence though health related issues. We have now developed a commercial absence solutions service, Balance, which is designed to reduce absence and related costs whilst improving staff performance, morale and well-being.

We provide a range of services from mediation and training through to one-to-one support, occupational therapy, confidence building and condition management support. Using this experience we have established pilots in two ASDA stores in Brighton and Gravesend to enable us to fine-tune the product and to collate invaluable statistics and data. Although less than half way though the initial 4 month pilot period, ASDA are already reporting very positive feedback with 8 members of staff supported back to work with the first few week.

The Business Development Team are now packaging and promoting Balance to South East businesses and are very confident that we will have a number of new commercial customers in the months to come.

If you would like any further information on Balance please contact Paul Costello on 01622 795966.

The Veterans and Residents at Gavin Astor House received a very special visit from 10 year old George Taylor, the Royal British Legion’s youngest campaigner.

George is ten years old has done a lot of fundraising for the Legion and can be seen meeting the Queen at the opening of Haig House on their website. In addition, he is the face of their postcard project launched to encourage school pupils to write to veterans and to bereaved families. The BBC filmed George on Saturday 30 October in the Home and he met with war veterans Mr Christopher Goodall and Mr Derek ‘Chalky’ White and delivered postcards to them.

This Blue Peter televised interview was shown on 9 November 2010 on BBC1.

Winter 2010


Andrea Cornock, part of the North Kent Employment Solutions team, took part in the March for Honour on Sunday the 7th November. Her son Rhys is a member of the 27th RAF Regiment in Suffolk and has just returned from Afghanistan. Andrea left at 7am for the start of the march, which stretched 40 miles between Oxford and Wootton Bassett. She marched through the rain and cold, finally finishing the march at 9pm. Andrea raised a fantastic £500 for the Royal British Legion. We would like to say a big Well Done! to Andrea and we hope you’re recovering well.

For our first edition of Warblings, our Chief Executive Mr Steve Sherry will attempt to answer the probing set of questions! Please send me your nominations for the ‘Meet an RBLI Employee’ hot seat, [email protected]. Next edition it could be you!

What was the last book you read? Tony Blair’s Biography – A Journey

What’s your favourite food? Cod and chips

Which sports do you like? I enjoy football, running and hill walking although I enjoy watching most competitive sports.

How do you spend your free time? Travel, family and family – with some sport squeezed in between

Tell me about a favourite event of your childhood. Swindon beating Arsenal 3-1 in extra time in the League Cup Final at Wembley (a long time ago!)

What are your hobbies? Keeping fit and travel.

What countries have you visited? This might be a longer answer than you want! USA, Canada, Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, Greece, Turkey, Pakistan, Falkland Islands, India, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Kazakhstan, all of old Europe, Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Norway, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and probably some others…

What do you do on Sundays? At this time of year it is very much a family day, normally cooking breakfast with Matti, then a trip to Kent Life, Leeds Castle or similar to include lunch out and then Sunday papers at home in the evening.

What is your motto in life? Nil desperandum (No problem)

Who do you respect the most? My father.

Who has had the most influence in your life? My father – by setting a clear moral compass.

Are you a ‘morning’ or ‘night’ person? I have always been more of a ‘morning’ person; as I get older I am finding both rather challenging so I am not so sure now.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be? A year is a long time but South America or South Africa are unexplored territories for me. I will opt for South America.

If you knew you could you try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Sub 2 hour marathon in London. Preferably dressed as a rhino.

What super-power would you most like to have, and why? The USA! They have a large Army for me to give orders to!


Is the hallmark of Matt Baker, our Welfare Officer who recently left RBLI after 9 outstanding years of serving the interests of our residents here in Aylesford. Matt has served in the Regular Army, is now a member of the Territorial Army and departs RBLI to join Kent Fire and Rescue Service as an Emergency Life Support Instructor. A life of service to others.

We wish Matt every success in his new role and thank him for providing quality support to all in RBLI!

RBLI very kindly made up a special safety sign for Mrs. Lorraine Mercer. Lorraine is involved in testing and developing many new things such as the remotely controlled toilet and the new Hush-Alarm reverser warning (now adopted by both LT and Network Rail).

It is vital that the capabilities of those of us with challenges are recognized in that we are not lost causes but can contribute significantly. I am keen for the world to realize that despite her challenges Lorraine has undertaken an exclusive one mile charity swimathon.

I have learnt in the 16 years that I have known Lorraine and after my own exposure to “the services”, that super-heroes do not always wear a uniform - or a cape! Robert Hurst

This is a picture of Lorraine’s delight when trying the sign out on her new wagon with some friends. Above is a mouth-made painting by Lorraine Mercer


Winter 2010

Nicola Carter is an amazing lady who is extremely grateful for the services that have provided at Employment Solutions in Eastbourne. She has, with our help and a lot of self help, got through a very tough time after having a breakdown.

Nicola would like to volunteer to share her experience, to show others in similar positions that it is possible to get through the difficulties and get into work, by being open and honest about her condition

She has agreed to be an ‘Ambassador’ for RBLI Employment Solutions. This is her story:My name is Nicola I am 47 years young and this is my story.

In the last 10 years I suffered domestic abuse, became a single parent, and suffered a very harrowing personal bereavement. I thought I was invincible and was a bit wild and reckless in my personal life as I did not care very much about myself.

However signs started to show of a problem as I became very forgetful and would often have slurred speech or say things back to front.

One day in my job I had to make 12 members of staff redundant. I had to re-interview them for their jobs and it upset me greatly. On the day the redundancies were announced, I found myself destructing. I started crying uncontrollably, and became very hysterical and was taken home. The doctors who came to see me immediately announced I was suffering severe anxiety and depression.

The events that followed over the next few weeks proved how mentally ill I was. I would go to the shop and come outside and forget where I was and panic. I would panic in the supermarket if I forgot what I wanted, I started counting to 8 over and over again and also started scratching my head violently and playing with my hands. I didn’t know who I was anymore. I was lost and full of despair. I had suffered a breakdown.

My GP signposted me to counselling and my first two sessions were awful because I was still slightly in denial. However I finally decided to try the coping skills my counsellor gave me and slowly things started to improve. After 3 months I finally found the courage to start bereavement counselling and that was an enormous comfort and help too. As I was now recovering slowly

I decided to look what other help was available to me as I had to leave my job. Through the Job Centre I was sent to RBLI. I cancelled my first appointment because I got scared, but I went on the second appointment and I was so glad I did.

I expected to be judged but was amazed to find that they were understanding, caring and after each session with them, I always came away feeling positive.

I started to apply for a few part time jobs. I then got an interview for a job. My RBLI adviser helped me with interview techniques, an updated CV and encouragement.

I was very honest at my interview and spoke very frankly and openly about my breakdown. I was pleased by how I handled myself at the interview but felt that I had chatted far too much and rambled!!

I never got the job and I was not surprised, just pleased I had the courage to have gone.

However two weeks later the people at the job I applied for rung me to say they were so impressed by my honesty that they had created a fifteen hour a week job for me.

I started my job on the 2nd November and am managing fine. I am finally returning to being Nicola again, not the uncaring old Nicola but a new caring and hopeful Nicola. I still have the off day and panic attacks but I have learnt how to use coping mechanisms to get through them.

My advice to you would be, accept help, you will get through it, life can become normal again.

Nicola has said she would love to talk to people about this and has therefore agreed to come and talk to some of our clients on day 1 of our next Chrysalis Course in Eastbourne to be held on 13th December.

This is a photo of Leanne Scotcher with the beautiful bouquet of flowers which Nicola sent to her in appreciation of the help she received. The note on the card says “Leanne, thank you for inspiring me - Nicola”.

‘I can’t tell you how proud I felt to receive these and to be part of Nicola’s journey; I have found her to be truly inspirational and an amazing lady. ’ Leanne Scotcher.

Warblings 2010 winter

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