Advice for individuals: we want you to grow!
A satisfied customer says:
“I had become tangled up in my work and was on the verge of leaving. Nick helped me to co-ordinate a contract with the Learning Team and Laraine supported me in managing my interpreters and workload better. I am now applying for the next step up!.”
Who
For all deaf and hearing people who want an hour’s One-to-One (121) time for discussion and troubleshooting. The preparation time and follow-up support by email for the next three months is included in the hourly fee.
What kind of One-to-One?
Career counselling:
Need to decide where you want to go next? Click here for more details.
“I was successful in a Civil Service job but knew I could offer more. After a lot of discussion, I decided to become a solicitor and am now half way through my training. My Civil Service background has actually helped me and thanks to Laraine for her sensible but encouraging advice”.
Mentoring:
Click here if you are looking for an opportunity to focus on your work. We recommend between three to six one-hour mentoring sessions over one year.
“I knew that I wanted to work with children but just couldn’t seem to get started and was hopelessly disorganised with my research. Laraine helped me clarify exactly what I was looking for – I couldn’t even decide between teaching and being a classroom assistant. Needless to say I am now in my second year of teaching!”
Coaching:
This is different to mentoring as we will be working on specific skills you need in your workplace. Contact Laraine with your shopping list!
“I turned up with a list my manager gave me of what I ‘needed to do to improve’. Laraine and I sat down and studied this list very carefully to try and discover what my manager was actually telling me. We then grouped the items into areas or skill sets. It then became clear what I should go back and talk to my manager about, and which skills I could work on in the meantime. We then brainstormed people who could help. Laraine coached me on handling office communications in a more skillful manner”.
One-to-One ‘English for the Workplace’ tuition:
We recommend you join a Business English course at your level – click onto our FAQs for some advice. We can offer an initial face-to-face coaching session to be followed by regular email tuition supporting you with your work-based English, including drafting of emails to colleagues, presentation of papers for meetings, etc. Email Laraine on lc@deafworks.co.uk describing what your needs are.
“I really wanted Laraine as I know she is a trained teacher of English but as I live in a different part of the country this wasn’t going to work. We discussed using OooVoo or Skype for tuition but then Laraine located a deaf teacher near me and I took it from there. I really appreciated being helped to sort out what exactly I was looking for”.
Wanting to progress at work?
Want to move up at your workplace, but not sure how to start? Click here for The Full Works.
“Due to a company wide reorganisation, I was moved sideways which I found very upsetting. My manager agreed I needed some time and attention to restablise myself so Laraine and I agreed (with my manager) a six month programme of aims and objectives with related tasks to get me back on my feet. A very worthwhile six months. I applied for my manager’s job last week and have just heard I’ve got it!”
Interview practice:
We can coach you for your interview, and we have a high success rate too. See here for more info.
“I booked three interview practice sessions but in fact only needed two once I quickly understood the main error in my interview technique was shooting myself in the foot! Once I learnt to ‘listen’ to the question more carefully and to only give an answer related to the question, I have started to have more successful interview experiences”.
Personal counselling:
Deafworks does not offer personal counselling, but click here to see where you can find personal counselling.
A listening and supporting service:
Laraine cannot offer personal counselling, but can offer an opportunity for you to discuss your work-related issues in a safe environment and for you to arrive at the next steps, which might include looking for personal counselling, or an action plan to take back to work.
“I asked Laraine if she would just be a good listener for me and to do a bit of hand holding through a big problem I was finding difficult to handle. It was just what I needed”.
Life coaching:
The service will become available next year (2012).
A problem with your manager?
Can you use one of the above services? Would your employer or union be willing to pay for a couple of hours to get your career back on track?
See the above case studies and see which one is closet to your own experience.
Mediation:
Is mediation more what you are looking for? If so, Laraine, a trained mediator would be glad to help. Click here for more information.
“I found my current work situation incredibly painful and my HR department suggested mediation. Deafworks provided an excellent but very discreet service as the Deaf world is so small. We all met in a hotel and there was plenty of time and space to discuss things and come to an agreed solution”.
If you cannot afford our services (most people find a way!), then why not contact:
- your union for professional and helpful advice
- your Access-to-Work officer and explain exactly what you need in the workplace
- the local CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) – they will often book an interpreter too
- a D/deaf employment agency or your JobCentre.
How it works
Book your one-hour session by emailing Nicholas on njc@Deafworks.co.uk to have a One-to-One with either Laraine Callow (in London) or Damian Barry (in Belfast). Do bring your CV, portfolio or any other papers which you think might help your One-to-One.
Fees
The One-to-One (121) is one hour which is often enough time for discussion and troubleshooting.
The preparation time and follow-up support by email for the next three months is included in the hourly fee.
If you are an individual paying for yourself then the fee is £70 (remember this includes the one hour face to face session plus unlimited email correspondence etc)
If your employer is paying, then contact Nick Callow on NJC@deafworks.co.uk to discuss your needs.
Further ideas:
If you aren’t ready for one or more One-to-One sessions, how about posting your problem on Laraine’s Agony Aunt page? Laraine and others will be happy to help.
Or, if you feel you need more assistance than the One-to-One sessions, how about signing up to The Full Works and really get to grips with your issues!
