Patience Ali: Field Engineer, Mum, Talented

An integral lead in TalkTalk’s Women in Tech employee network, Denise Maskew tells her own career story and how she’s navigated an industry largely dominated by males.We spoke to Denise for International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is ‘inspire inclusion’ and Denise perfectly embodies both of these terms. She tells us how the power of networks and mentoring have shaped her path, and why everybody’s welcome in the community - regardless of job title and gender. There’s an abundance of opportunities to learn, grow and thrive in the North West tech sector and Denise tells us how to explore some of these to empower each other and build a better future for us and our peers.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and this year’s theme is anxiety. The annual campaign is an opportunity for us to open up and start conversations, while increasing awareness and understanding of anxiety. But not just for one week…TalkTalk’s Talent Acquisition Business Partner, Chris Pope is somebody who stands by this – working to support others all year round. He is a facilitator at one of the Andy’s Man Club groups, which meet every Monday evening, across the UK, at 7pm. Andy’s Man Club is a nationally recognised, free-to-attend peer-to-peer support group with a view to end the stigma around men’s mental health.In this week’s podcast, we speak to Chris about the power of open conversation, the importance of connection and the benefits of attending one of the Andy’s Man Club sessions.#ITSOKAYTOTALK  >> Who We Are | Andy's Man Club | Andy's Man Club (andysmanclub.co.uk)

This Autism Acceptance Month, we spoke to Ian Kenworthy. Ian is a People Operations Administrator who joined TalkTalk via the Employ Autism programme, which was created alongside TalkTalk’s long-standing charity partner Ambitious About Autism. He tells guest presenter Kacee how the role was recommended to him and the reasons why he chose TalkTalk - due to the inclusive culture.Employ Autism is programme providing a 6-month placement within the business, which includes various other layers of support including workshops and regular check ins. There are currently five interns working at TalkTalk on the programme and employees managing the interns received training prior to the onboarding to ensure the right support and opportunities were in place for every individual.For more info, visit: https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/what-we-do/employment/employ-autism-network/join

Do you really know your colleagues? Today we learned that Dean, our Enterprise New Business Sales Executive, can read minds… so naturally we’re slightly nervous when he’s around now. Fresh from the annual Magic Convention in Blackpool’s famous Winter Gardens, we spoke to Dean on the latest episode of Walking the Walk to find out exactly what it means to be in the ‘Magic Circle’ and how he juggles life between a full-time career and magic. Something that he describes in great detail, with passion. Dean tells us how everything changed ‘overnight’ during the pandemic, thrusting shows into the online world and tricks into a new format. Dean co-founded The Factory of Magic - www.factoryofmagic.com – a platform for magicians to find work.

#BeMoreSam – it may have just been a mid-podcast joke, but TalkTalk’s Equality & Future Talent Manager Sam Davys returned from maternity leave to find out she’s been awarded an MBE. In the King’s first ever honours list. And as one of the youngest recipients, what an achievement!In the latest episode of Walking the Walk, Sam explains how all her hard work, goal setting and goal getting had led to her position as (what some may describe) ‘office royalty’. The driving force of the Government Kickstart Scheme at TalkTalk, Sam has – simply put – changed lives. Recruiting, mentoring and coaching 100 young people into the business for 6-month placements in the middle of a global pandemic was no easy job. But Sam enjoys a challenge and we’re all wondering what she’s wearing for her meeting at The Palace…Sam shares her story with guest presenter Kacee Fennelly - we’re proud of you, Sam.

It’s Dyslexic Awareness Month and in the latest episode of Walking the Walk we speak to TalkTalk’s Service Improvement Manager Ashling Middleditch. As a child, Ashling faced challenges such a concentration and presentation – but performed highly academically and with interpersonal skills, being curious and problem solving. In her late 20s, she was diagnosed with Dyslexia, something she refers to as a ‘difference’. She tells guest presenter Kacee Fennelly how this is common particularly for females who often mask their behaviours and symptoms more effectively. In this episode, Ashling shares her experience of growing up and how having Dyslexia means she thinks differently. And thanks to the TalkNeurodiversity employee network at TalkTalk, Ashling has a strong support community around her to share and receive advice.

In this week’s episode of Walking the Walk, guest presenter Kacee Fennelly talks to Drew Cockton, founder of the North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards, and Todd Bennett, chair of TalkTalk’s LGBTQ+ network TalkPride. Together, they discuss challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in business and explore how opportunities like these awards are important to continue supporting and shining a light on the achievements and resilience of its members following the pandemic. Small business owner Drew explains the story behind creating the awards and challenges he’s faced as a small business owner - and what TalkTalk’s sponsorship means to them. From TalkTalk’s employee network TalkPride, Todd describes why he was so keen to be a part of the story. The North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards is taking place on 21 October at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel, shining a light on the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community in business and commerce. Sponsored by TalkTalk and TalkTalkBusiness. www.lgbtqbusinessawards.com.

In the latest episode of Walking the Walk, guest presenter Kacee Fennelly speaks to Hannah Nunn from Kickstart Coffee. TalkTalk’s Salford HQ has updated its Quayside restaurant offering for employees, and part of this sees the introduction of Kickstart Coffee – a not-for-profit coffee which funds children’s education in Uganda. The sale of coffee at TalkTalk is currently paying for two teachers as well as food for the community children. Hannah explains how she changed her life from working as a full-time paediatric nurse to selflessly and wholeheartedly raising funds for children in Uganda – through importing and selling coffee to organisations like TalkTalk, and via an ecommerce business. How a work trip changed her whole perspective in life. And how lucky she feels to be in the position to help those less fortunate across the world. An inspiring listen and a chance for us all to support.

“…in this digital world… being a jack of all trades is the best because you’re bringing in a pool of skills and that’s exciting in any organisation…”. In this week’s podcast, presenter Dominic Laurie interviews TalkTalk’s first female Field Engineer Patience Ali. As a child, Patience was introduced to the world of telephone lines and engineering with her father in Zimbabwe – and after a wealth of different jobs, experiences and careers, she’s doing a role that her father would be most proud of. A former Chef in the Army, Palliative Care Nurse, Banker - and now Field Engineer. In this role, Patience has a big responsibility – connecting a customer to our services via the exchange. The work which she calls a ‘plug up’. She says, ‘when you genuinely love something, there is no such thing as a man’s job’ and would encourage other women to pursue the work that they love.

Throughout Volunteering Week 2022, we spoke to Vicki Jones – Programme Manager at TalkTalk. Vicki has been at St John Ambulance volunteer for over eight years – something she’s very passionate about. Before embarking on her career in tech, Vicki had a strong interest in becoming a paramedic so volunteering alongside her day job allows her to succeed in both her career and her dream. Vicki says most of her ‘free’ time is spent volunteering – not just for St John Ambulance. Vicki was also integral in her local covid vaccine rollout programme in the early days – part of the volunteering team for administering the first jabs. Her work with St John meant she already had many of the skills to fulfil the role. As well as this, Vicki is part of the organising committee for her local village rose fete. Our company values, we care, we challenge and we commit, encourage employees to give something back to the local community and TalkTalk colleagues have up to 3 paid working days per year to do so via volunteering for a charity or community organisation.