Getting to know you the Growing Talent Way….

What an overwhelming event Growing Talent‘s Getting to Know You event for applicants and employers turned out to be yesterday.

In the heart of #MoreLondon close to London Bridge station our sponsor’s hosted this four hour event.

We don’t allow cvs nor formal job interviews on Growing Talent making it challenging for unemployed applicants and employers who are used to, even if they don’t like, both tools.

We do things differently which has given us different results over our 11 year collaboration with employers, the unemployed, #JobCentrePlus and community groups including #SouthwarkCareLeavers.

Over 100 people joined the first stage – our virtual information session held on 23 September with 66 choosing to go forward to the event yesterday.

In reality 49 enthused unemployed applicants took a leap of faith to do something different and joined us.

Our awesome employers including:

#Gina from CIS Security Limited
Lauren – #NGBailey
#Michael and #Fabio from ISS A/S

All were inspired by the 11 ideas to improve London including:

💥 The Hub

💥 Growing Skills – delivered by Leah delivering ad hoc skills on JobCentres

💥 Team Green – with their unique idea on the environment

💥 Community Grocery Store – delivered solely by Georgina a food membership initiative

💥 The Recyclables – name gives it away!

💥 Seven Smarts Art – bringing arts and creativity in multiple ways to the people

💥 The Hive – youth clubs aimed at young people to give them role models, mentoring and a belief in themselves

💥 Adult Community Centres – addressing inclusion and loneliness amongst adults

💥 Home from Home – a safe space for up to 13 year olds to share their issues, concerns, get help on anything – a safe space – which home isn’t always.

💥 Homes 4 All a unique solution addressing lack of housing in London. Convert lofts within home owners property for those in housing need to secure.

💥 High Rise Hello – our third and final solo delivery by Sylvie using her experience of the isolation felt within a high rise block of flats amongst the residents.


Considering they had 45 minutes to brain storm ideas together, get into teams, hash out the detail, write scripts, support each other before delivering their 3 minute presentations – they absolutely smashed it!

These are the hidden gems employers can miss when they recruit the traditional route.

We have 46 people who have chosen to go forward to the next stage on Monday 6 October – our Employer Slow Dating event!

Check back to see what happens next.

A massive thank you to everyone behind the scenes including Adrienne Simpson, Adam Bushell, hashtag#DavidSteeds, Rob Matthews (Anna), Bal Virdee MBE, hashtag#ShellyCryan, and all their respective teams across London.