PRCA SW Webinar - Supporting Our People: Life is Change

Insight and rationale 

The changing workplace and what that means for employers in the communications industry is an ongoing discussion. This event seeks to build on those conversations by shining a light on the challenges of different life stages and the opportunities for employers to nurture their people, not only creating a positive workplace but also improving retention in the longer term – vital in an industry with skills that are in high demand. 

Event outline 

Our workplace is home to many people from many backgrounds, and at different stages of their lives. Some experiences will bring people together, while others can lead to isolation and fear. What can we do to support our communications colleagues through some of these challenges and lead to a sense of inclusion and belonging through tough times? This online panel discussion seeks the expertise of those in the know to help us ask – and answer – some challenging questions such as how we can better support our staff through loss and navigating old age and supporting carers in the workplace. 

Speakers 

Your Host is Sara Turner who is a member of the PRCA SW committee and Deputy Head of Corporate Communications Thames Valley Police 

Olenka McMahon, Senior Business Partner, the MISSION Group 

I have over 15 years of experience in HR working for a variety of businesses from Cox & Cox  (e-commerce); Portals Paper (security paper producers); L&F Jones (Wholesaler, Hospitality & Leisure) and Zenith International (Food & Drink Consultancy). I have worked as a strategic partner to senior leaders for nearly eight years and over the past 18 months worked closely with MDs and CEOs in the Advertising, Marketing, and PR industries as a Senior People Partner within the MISSION Group (collection of 19 agencies, employing 1,000+ people across 24 locations). As a trusted advisor, I provide leaders with internal and external data-driven insights to address complex and topical people challenges. Together, we have aligned people strategies with organisational goals to drive success while fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. I am passionate about empowering those I coach, focusing on solution-driven priorities that support growth and resilience. 

Leanne Turner, Founder / CEO, Aching Arms 

Leanne is the Founder of Aching Arms. In June 2010, a year after her son James died, she set out to support the mental health and emotional well-being of parents who experience the loss of their much-loved baby. When the charity gained its registration with the Charity Commission in 2013 the trustees appointed Leanne as part time Charity Coordinator.In January 2019 she was appointed full time CEO. Leanne’s role is to provide effective leadership and management of the charity’s strategic and operational aims. James remains at the heart of all the work she does for Aching Arms. Prior to founding Aching Arms, Leanne was an Education Consultant for an Inner London Education Authority for 8 years and teacher of secondary English, Drama and History for 11 years. 

Ed Bliss, Director of Dementia Services. Optima Care Group 

I have worked within the healthcare industry for over 22 years and have gained a wealth of experience working across varying sectors in the Dementia care field. I started as a carer in 2010 at the Optima Care Group (OCG), I then qualified in 2017 as a Mental Health Nurse. Due to my expertise in family support and dementia care approach I was appointed to Specialist Dementia Nurse, and shortly after as Director for Dementia Services which entails overlooking all aspects of the Group’s Dementia care and training. I guided our care workforce into being a well-established leader in Dementia care, utilising my Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management from the University of the West of England. Keen to impart my experience and knowledge of effective Dementia care, I launched a project with the University of Stirling to improve information for those at early diagnosis within dementia, which will soon be ready to go to commissioning within our local constituents. Currently I am studying towards my Masters in Social Science – Dementia Research and am due to start my PhD in 2026.