Move the Masses ’s Post

A couple of weeks ago I had the honour of being invested as an Officer of the Order of St John. I was recognised for this honour for my volunteer work at Hato Hone St John locally with the Nelson-Tasman Bays Area Committee, and regionally with the South Island Region Trust Board. The Order of St John is an Order of Chivalry and is an independent part of the New Zealand Royal Honours system.  Honours are conferred by the Order with the sanction of King Charles III as Sovereign Head of the Order.  To be admitted or promoted within the Order members must show a remarkable dedication to St John and the work of the Order. It has been quite overwhelming, and I’ve had a range of emotions to process as I’ve taken it all in.  I have moved through embarrassment, an ‘imposter’ feeling and eventually pride.  Through all this stuff swimming around in my head, I keep coming back to focussing on the ‘why’ I volunteer and contribute to such an amazing organisation – here are some of the reasons: PEOPLE - I get to interact with like-minded, passionate and community focused individuals. Genuine people, many of whom have become lifelong friends. Amazing people from a variety of backgrounds, who ordinarily I wouldn’t cross paths with. WELLBEING – Sharing my skills, knowledge and time is a real boost for my confidence, resilience and sometimes pushes me outside my comfort zone. I feel connected and have a strong sense of purpose in the work we do. UNDERSTANDING – I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by our communities and a far more empathetic view of the world around me.  My perceptions are challenged, and I’ve realised some unconscious bias, I never knew I had sitting there! So, why am I sharing this? To encourage you to volunteer your time, knowledge, and experience to the vast number of organisations and community groups out there – plenty are looking for help and support, from ordinary everyday people like you.  I know time is precious, but maybe consider sharing it with an organisation like Hato Hone St John – you never know where it might take you.  My experience volunteering has genuinely been one of getting equally, if not more back than I put in. Get out there and do it! #stjohn #volunteer #community

🦸🏼♂️ COMMUNITY HERO! I can’t even begin to describe the incredible work that this guy does for his community. It comes as no surprise that Jon Radford is a finalist for the ‘Community Focus’ category at the BFA awards, as he makes such an incredible impact across his local area. Jon came on board with the FFF with a mission to make football fun for the city of Exeter and to give back to his local community. His emotional ties to where he lives has resulted in a community-led approach which has inadvertently supersized his business. It’s so true that when you give more than you receive, you tend to win. Jon and his wife Becky give their community so much value through community-based initiative and here’s a few examples: 👉🏻 Decreasing anti-social behaviour through free football sessions in a local park. 👉🏻 Organising for participants to be mascots at Exeter City football matches. 👉🏻 Sponsoring Exeter City women’s team. 👉🏻 Growing female participation by running girls only sessions. 👉🏻 Delivering HAF funded activities and hot meals for children eligible free school meals, in the school holidays. I could go on and list loads more, but there’s a character limit! Jon’s values and love for his community has driven his business success. This isn’t a business development strategy though, it’s pure passion for giving children and families opportunities. Congratulations and well done Jon! #CommunityFocus #Finalist #BFAHSBCUKAwards2024 #CommunityBusiness

Disclaimer : Image shown of Richard Parker (Mayor of the West Midlands) and James Norris (Assistant Principal - Walsall College). Credit to Walsall College for the image. Last night I attended a Q&A with the Mayor of the West Midlands. Why? Because I had (up until a few months ago) a very successful business based in Walsall which had been my life for 7 years💇♀️ 💅 In this time I learnt a lot about the people of Walsall and some of the history that come with it. However, last night was even more insightful. I saw and heard how passionate the people of Walsall are about making a real difference in their community. Whether that be through improving transport equality, helping those with disabilities get better access to work and skills or aiding volunteer organisations with access to funding so they can add even more value to those hardest to reach in our society. What was even more joyous was how responsive our new Mayor was to these comments and concerns. I believe people left The Link - Walsall with more hope in their hearts than when they entered. For me - I left feeling very much aligned with the work of Pathway Group and how we are feeding into the needs of Walsall on a daily basis. Bit by bit, we are contributing to the future growth of our local communities by reaching the unreachable and super charging them with skills to enrich their lives. We might not be able to change the world. But we might just touch the person who does. 👥 If you or your business would like to discuss how we can help you access funded learning in the West Midlands please feel free to reach out. 👩💼 If you are an individual looking for your next step into work, we have a wonderful office on Lichfield Street. Walsall - where we offer small group sessions on a weekly basis, aimed at building practical and work related skills to make you 'work ready'. So if you or someone you know would benefit from this - please reach out. #skills #skillswestmids #levelup #skillsagenda #agendaforchange #walsall #westmidlands #funding #learnandearn

🌟 🏏 Calling all changemakers 🌟 🏑 Together, we have the power to pay it forward. 🌟 🎾 If you know me, you'll know I have that fatal combination; I have 'ideas' and a hard time saying 'No'. So, when the opportunity arose to do a bit of local fundraising by running a half-marathon, I couldn't resist. What was I thinking, right? Now, I'm not much of a runner, aside from the occasional Saturday 5k #Parkrun. But this isn't just about pounding the pavement. It's about investing in the future of sports participation for young people in our local area. This endeavor marks my biggest physical and mental challenge to date. #GreatBirminghamRun. Your donation will be the fuel that keeps me going during those grueling training sessions. You know the ones—when you'd rather do anything but run (what feels like endlessly) around the local park. But your donation isn't just a financial contribution. It's an investment in the dreams and aspirations of our young people. It's about nurturing a lifelong love for sports and physical activity. And in today's world, where the well-being of our young people is more crucial than ever, your support will make a tangible impact. Think about the teenagers and young adults in your life. You understand firsthand how essential it is for them to have access to opportunities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Together, we have the power to pay it forward. Your generosity will provide the facilities, opportunities, and inspiration the next generation need to thrive and excel. So, I'm lacing up my trainers and hitting the pavement alongside a dedicated group of staff, parents, alumni, pupils and former staff. Together, we're showing our unwavering support for our sports community. Let's cross the finish line stronger, united, and proud of the difference we've made. Donate today 👇 and join me in becoming an ambitious FutureSports champion for young people. Together, we can make a lasting tangible impact. 💪 https://lnkd.in/eXG6ji8q https://lnkd.in/eEGf7da4 https://lnkd.in/etrQwVzR https://lnkd.in/e7fCQA83 #QMGS #Champions #Hockey #Fundraising #cricket #mentalhealth #Passion #Resilience #Leadership #TeamWork #Dedication  #Running #MassParticipation #GreatBirminghamRun #RunningEvent #Birmingham #parkrun https://lnkd.in/e7KBC7Am

@Rania Zervalaki Patrona : Panda Millionaires Playing in the Snow Ever wondered what it takes to bring a giant panda to a zoo outside of China? It’s more than just logistics, it's a significant financial, diplomatic, and conservation commitment. Here’s what it involves: 1. Loan Fees: Pandas are leased from China, typically for $500,000 to $1 million annually. The fees often fund panda conservation in China. 2. Breeding Costs: If a cub is born, zoos pay an additional $400,000 to $600,000 per cub. 3. Care Costs: Specialized diets (primarily bamboo) and expert care can cost $500,000 to $1 million per panda annually. 4. Facilities: Custom-built enclosures can cost millions to construct, ensuring pandas are comfortable and healthy. Diplomatic Ties: Pandas are more than adorable, they’re a cornerstone of China's "panda diplomacy," requiring strong international relations. Hosting a panda is not just about the expense, it’s a commitment to global conservation, education, and strengthening diplomatic ties. For zoos, it’s an investment in a species that captures the hearts of millions while raising awareness about wildlife conservation. Would you pay to see a panda in your local zoo? #Pandas #Conservation #Diplomacy #Wildlife #ZooManagement

Do you know someone struggling to find their path back to education, employment, or training? We're here to guide young people towards enhancing their employability and life skills! Receive Support Through: 🔹 Accredited Training and Qualifications 🔹 Personalised 1-2-1 Mentoring 🔹 Mock Interviews with Corporate Partners 🔹 Employability Workshops 🔹 Structured Sports Sessions Head to https://lnkd.in/ekG3Xv2w to learn more. #Empowerment #YouthDevelopment #OpportunityKnocks

Wonderful article focusing on support to young carers with investment from AHSCP too

Did you see it? 🤩 Thank you Look East for spending some time with us last week to help celebrate our 70th year and find out about our new branding and the special people involved in what we do. If you missed it you can watch the full feature on iPlayer👇 https://lnkd.in/efv6Td3C If you want to scroll forward we are at 4:59 minutes. #embracecharity #embracebedford #familieswithdisabilities #disabilityinclusion #disabilityawareness

For those in my network in the Charity sector...Volunteero is a really effective volunteer management system and here is a case study from RSPCA explaining why https://lnkd.in/eRiJ3K6U

👋Hey 2024 - it’s halftime! From a professional perspective, the past six months boil down to 3 Cs (maybe inspired by Ylva M Andersson’s 3 Bs 😉) 1️⃣C#1 - #Community: I had the privilege of leading the work on Teach for Sweden’s alumni conference “Creating Hope”. I’m deeply grateful to Olena Pavliuk, Mahamed Yasin, Naeef Almezel and Sophie Lonyay for kicking us off with a much needed, heartfelt discussion about how we can create hope in times of crisis. It’s a question that guides my work with the alumni network - what might catalyse the enormous potential for #collectiveleadership that lies within us? 2️⃣C#2: #Coaching: I have completed the second part of my training to become a professional coach with Gothia Akademi. It has challenged and pushed me, and it enriches all other aspects of my professional and private life on a daily basis. Coaching is all about helping people access answers that they have within them, it’s based on a deep conviction in everybody’s ability and competence. Imagine shaping education systems as if we truly believed in every child’s potential? Imagine what would be possible then? 3️⃣C#3: #Charity: I volunteer as a trustee to Amala - and I get at least as much as I give - if not more. I’m so inspired by the work the team - and the students - do every day. During the last six months, Amala has become officially accredited by CIS and NEASC. That means truly transformative education developed by and for refugees has been recognised to be of equal (or possibly higher!) quality than other accredited high-school education. That is huge! 💫 6 months, 3 Cs and one thing left to say: ☀️Happy summer everyone! ☀️ I’m signing out now for some much anticipated annual leave and will be back in August. 👋 When I’m back, I look forward to sharing some news that also start with C… but that’s another post. Stay tuned. 📻