about ganymede
Ganymede specialise in recruiting the best technical and engineering talent and providing complete workforce solutions to help build and maintain infrastructure and transportation for a wide range of UK clients.
As part of the RTC Group, an AIM-listed recruitment group, Ganymede is a market leader in providing a diverse range of people solutions to the rail, energy, construction, highways and transportation sectors.
With offices strategically located across the country, we provide our clients with the benefit of a national network of skilled personnel combined with local expertise. We currently have over 1,500 skilled staff currently deployed across the country on a daily basis.
We tailor our solutions to suit our client needs. Whether it’s recruiting permanent and temporary technical, engineering and safety-critical roles or providing fully managed workforce solutions of recruitment, training, account management, contingent labour and fleet provision, we work closely with our clients to understand their requirements, keeping their goals in mind every step of the way.
OUR SERVICES
Labour Supply
Our contingent labour services include the recruitment, training and workforce management of safety-critical personnel from our strategically located offices across the UK.
Contract Recruitment
As well as compliant contract recruitment, we provide payroll solutions and a unique IR35 assessment service designed to protect our clients and contractors.
Permanent Recruitment
Ganymede's permanent recruitment processes help you find the best talent for your business and is backed up by our market-leading two year guarantee.
Executive Search
Our executive search service is completely tailored to the needs of your business. Added extras include advanced screening processes and psychometric testing.
OUR VALUES
Ganymede’s core values define what we stand for and how we do things, helping us to provide the best possible service to our clients and candidates and maintain a healthy working environment for our employees.
Socially Responsible
We care about local communities and are committed to attracting and retaining diverse talent. We strive to support charities and good causes and take care of the environment by operating ethically and sustainably.
People Are Our Passion
People are at the heart of everything we do. Through our in-depth recruitment processes, we attract, develop and retain the best people, supporting our clients to deliver projects safely and efficiently.
Taking Pride
Every action taken by the organisation is done with skill, care and pride in mind. This ensures that every level of the organisation is accountable and provides the best possible service.
Delivering Excellence
By continually building upon our vast industry knowledge and working collaboratively with our clients, we always deliver first-class, innovative and tailored solutions with our client goals in mind.
Safety First, Safety Always
Safety is at the forefront of our business operations. Awareness and continuous improvement eliminates complacency and ensures we keep our workforce, industry colleagues and communities safe.
OUR sectors
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Transportation
We pride ourselves in not just supplying to, but also fully immersing ourselves in the transportation sector, and have done so for over 50 years. Ganymede work hard to identify transferable skills ...
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Rail
Supporting original equipment manufacturers, train and freight operators and national main contractors, Ganymede recruit across all stages of rail projects, including design and development, build...
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Construction
Ganymede has worked closely with clients on some of the most impressive commercial and residential construction projects throughout the UK, hiring for every stage of the process from design to buil...
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Energy
Our energy division is a leading provider of skilled engineers in safety-critical and customer-facing environments for energy suppliers, utilities and maintenance companies.From supplying individua...
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Highways
Ganymede play an important part in highways, ensuring our clients have the best engineers capable of delivering projects on time and to budget. We support highways projects from planning and design...
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Ganymede Projects
Our turnkey solution to packages of works includes the full planning, management, engineering and delivery of a wide range of Civil Engineering and Permanent Way works.We work collaboratively with ...
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2 YEAR GUARANTEE
Like many other recruiters, our rebate scheme promises to provide you with a completely free replacement
within 8 weeks. However, nothing we do at Ganymede is standard, and that includes our extended recruitment
guarantee. The Ganymede guarantee enables you to hire with confidence in the knowledge that your recruitment
partner has a vested interest in your success.
BUSINESSES WE WORK WITH
Case Studies
How to Effectively Work from Home
The Government has recently announced that people should work from home where possible during the current Coronavirus outbreak. Working from home has become popular over the years but for many, it will be a new way of working. What if you have never worked from home, what if you don't have a home office set up? Don’t worry, we have compiled a list of 7 top tips to make sure you are working as effectively as possible from the comfort of your own home. 1. Try to replicate your morning routineOne of the most important things to do is to create the right mindset to work from home, and this should start as soon as you wake up. That’s right, you need to continue setting your morning alarm, getting showered and dressed, eating breakfast and anything else you would normally do before work. Use the time you would normally spend commuting to do something productive like walking the dogs, making breakfast or just catching up with the news.It may seem strange putting your work clothes on just to stay in but, it will help tell your brain that it is work time and not relaxation time. 2. Create a suitable workspace Now you’re up and ready for work it’s time to make sure your workspace is ready. Here are some dos and don'ts for creating a suitable office space whilst you work from home: DO Make sure you have a clean large enough surface. - Similar to your office, you need enough space for your cups of coffee, documents, mouse and anything else you normally have on your desk. Make sure you have a comfortable chair - the last thing you want to do is spend all day sat on an uncomfortable chair.Try and set up a second screen if you use one in the office - this could even be your TV if you don’t have anything smaller. Simply connect your laptop to a TV (usually with an HDMI) then you will have your second screen ready to go. DON’T Work in bed - this may seem like a great idea but it’s not, your brain has learnt to associate the bedroom with being relaxed. Trying to work whilst your brain wants to relax is never going to work well for your productivity. Work in front of the TV - again this sounds like a great idea but realistically you are not going to be as productive whilst trying to watch your favourite series - why not stick the radio on instead? Work on any free surface you can find – If you are not comfortable you will not be able to produce your best work and even worse it may lead to health issues. 3. Try to replicate your working routine as much as possible In order to keep yourself in the right frame of mind, it is important to try and replicate your working routine. That includes your working hours, your tea and coffee breaks and your lunch schedule. Make sure you plan regular breaks and make sure you follow the governments advice about working safely with display screen equipment. 4. Plan your time and exactly what you want to achieve each day One great way to keep productivity at a high is to plan your workflow. At the start of the day, you need to know what your priorities are, what you need to get done first and what you want to work on if you have extra time. Check out our blog about effectively managing your time here. If you are part of a team it may be worth holding daily catch ups to ensure you are all on task and achieving what you need to achieve. 5. Keep work time and personal time separate So, you have your schedule and you’re burning through tasks but it’s already the end of the day, you might be tempted to carry on working as you no longer have to commute and you’re in a good flow. Which is great, however, it is just as important to give yourself some time off when you’ve promised it. Try not to extend your workday too far over what you planned, as this might lead to burning yourself out and starting to see your home environment as a stressful place. By doing this and keeping work time and personal time separate should make you more productive at work and less stressed when you aren’t working. 6. Use the correct software and tools We are fortunate that we live in an innovative world where the likes of Microsoft Teams and Skype have made it easier than ever to keep in contact with work colleagues, whether that's instant messaging, video calls or conference calls. Choose the correct tool that works for you and your team to make sure you stay in touch with what’s going on. 7. Stay connectedMake sure you’re still picking up the phone or getting on skype and teams and having conversations where you can. There are number of benefits of having conversations out of email, firstly you get to bounce off one another and keep those creative juices flowing, secondly it’s important to stay social when you’re removed from those people at work, don’t be afraid to just have a general quick chat.Want to read more tips and advice like this? Make sure you sign up to our blog to receive them directly in your inbox.
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How to Choose the Best Engineering Recruitment Agency
If you’re a Hiring Manager that is nervous of using a recruiter, or perhaps just don’t know where to start when choosing one, this blog is for you. We address your concerns and the common misconceptions of recruitment agencies, and equip you with the tools needed to separate the good, the bad and the ugly.The recruitment industry can be a minefield. There are nearly 40,000 recruitment agencies of all sizes to choose from and you have probably been contacted by what feels like half of them. Recruiters recently appeared in a list of the 10 least trusted professions, alongside car salespeople and bailiffs. But why?We firmly believe the misconception of recruiters is down to us naturally remembering the bad experiences, more than the good. The ‘once bitten, twice shy’ approach is understandable, but it may be hampering your chances of finding a recruitment agency that could genuinely add value to you and your business.There are reputable and trustworthy engineering recruitment agencies, but you need to know how to identify them. This blog will help you to do that, so keep reading to find out the tell-tale sales of a good and trustworthy recruiter that can help your business.Do your researchWe learn not to judge a book by it’s cover, but in this case, it’s important to take a look at the recruiters’ website and social media streams. It goes beyond whether the recruitment agency look good, you should also be looking out for case studies and testimonials as well as blog posts and content that demonstrates they have a real understanding of your sector and the issues your business faces.Choose a specialistThere are a number of recruitment agencies that operate across every sector. They work in high-volumes with no particular specialism and will often use their colossal database as a selling point, but this is not always a success factor. You’re an engineering business, engage with an engineering recruitment agency – they operate in your space and they spend their days talking to engineers, developing large networks relevant to your business. As well as an understanding of the skills you’ll be looking for in candidates, technical recruiters will also know a lot about the marketplace, including average salaries and where your competition is. This will save you a lot of time during the briefing and recruitment process as you’re much more likely to receive the right match.Ask questionsWe all know to ask questions, but there are particular things to ask that will very quickly expose the quality of a recruitment agency. You will want to know their efficiencies, which essentially translates to ‘how many CVs are you going to send before there’s a candidate I’ll want to interview?’. Multiple CVs and poor matches are a waste of your time, and a high-quality recruitment business will measure themselves on these numbers and have them to hand when you ask. Other, more obvious things worth probing into are accreditation, memberships and examples of previous work.These basic steps will leave you able to make a much more confident decision on which engineering recruitment agency to work with. Whenever looking for a recruitment service, keep these three things in mind and you’re much more likely to have a better and more efficient experience.Engineering RecruitmentATA is an engineering recruitment agency with a difference – we’ve been operating within the sector for over 50 years and have a large database of relevant and engaged engineers that could be perfect for your business.We’re so confident in our recruitment services that our market-leading guarantee covers all full fee permanent placements for 2 years, substantially longer than any of our competitors. Contact us to discuss your requirements and how ATA Recruitment can help using the button below.CONTACT US
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5 Reasons to Hire Engineering Contractors
You’re a Hiring Manager who wants to minimise disruption to business and projects during the recruitment process, but how? This blog outlines several ways in which hiring a contractor could solve your problems, even if it’s just while you’re looking for a permanent employee.It’s estimated that there’s an annual shortfall of 59,000 engineers needed to fill technical roles across the UK. For employers, this means that competition for the best talent is at an all-time high – resulting in a longer time to hire, delayed projects and slower production.So where do contract engineers come in to this? How much do contractors cost? We work with several businesses that need a temporary solution to accommodate for an increase in workload or to plug the gap during their permanent recruitment drive. There are a number of benefits to doing this, read them below:1. They can hit the ground runningEngineering and civil engineering contractors are typically very skilled and experienced, with several years working as a permanent employee before changing to freelance. Hiring a contractor means you’re getting an expert that can make an instant impact to your business, with no training required. This is incredibly valuable if you’re working on a time-sensitive project or need to avoid any impact on production.2. There is no commitmentContractors can work with your business for as long, or as little, as required. Whether you need an engineer for 3 months to finish a project, or for 2 weeks to cover holiday or sickness, hiring a contract engineer is a great solution. Once the initial contract finishes, or you find the permanent employee you’ve been looking for, there’s no obligation to provide the contractor with more work. This is something seasoned contractors are comfortable with, and it provides great flexibility to your business.3. It isn’t as expensive as you may thinkIt’s impossible to determine the cost of hiring an engineering contractor – this will completely depend on the experience they have, the work required, and the sector they’ll be operating in. You may panic when you see a daily contract rate, but keep in mind that there are no other costs involved, such as holiday pay or sick pay. The contractor is only paid for the time they work, which is great value for money, considering sickness pay alone can cost up to 16% of your annual salary bill.4. They have their own insuranceContractors are required to have their own insurance in order to carry out their services. Professional Indemnity insurance covers them if they make any mistakes or result in you losing money. Public Liability covers contractors if somebody is injured or property is damaged whilst supplying services. This is a benefit to you and your business as it means that you’re not liable in the same way you would be if these mistakes were made by a permanent member of staff. The cost of insurance and cost of the claim would fall on the contractor, not your business.5. They’re a great answer to a permanent skills gapThe engineering skills gap is making it more difficult to recruit permanent engineers, but business can’t wait. When you recruit contract engineers, you’re giving your business the breathing space to take the time you need to fill a permanent position, while having somebody doing the job in the interim. It’s very likely that the amount spent on contractors would be less than the amount lost in not having somebody at least temporarily fill the role – delayed projects, low production and reduced output are avoidable.Each of these points combined should paint a great picture of the benefits of recruiting engineering or civil engineering contractors. Some businesses prefer to hire contractors, others use them as means to an end – either way, they’re a resource that your business should be considering during increased workloads and recruitment gaps.Engineering RecruitmentOur extensive contract division includes recruitment, compliance, payroll and ongoing contractor management, making the process as easy as possible for our clients. Not only can we help you to recruit engineering contractors and civil engineering contractors, we can also conduct all right to work checks, pay them, and provide you with a full end-to-end contract recruitment service.If you want to find out more about Ganymede our contract services or how we can help your business, contact us using the button below.CONTACT US
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WHAT OUR Clients SAY
Thank you for the help we received from Ganymede for the core renewals works at Wembley, where we renewed S&C and plain track and handed back to line speed. All the Ganymede staff worked to a high standard on difficult works with no accidents or incidents.
Workforce Manager
Colas Rail
It was great to work with a team who were interested with the task in hand and worked extremely hard, even in the high temperatures. I look forward to working with Ganymede again.
Engineering Supervisor
Amey
The Ganymede team went over and above to ensure we met our workloads, this type of commitment and pro-activeness goes a long way.
Business Manager
Volker Rail
Ganymede has worked collaboratively with us to provide a contingent labour service to fulfil our requirements to enhance the infrastructure on the Western Route. Ganymede continuously evolves to meet business needs and train their people to provide a high skilled workforce.
Programme Manager
Network Rail
Ganymede are an important partner within the Works Delivery organisation in Wales. They integrate closely with the local teams to ensure our delivery needs are met.
Works Delivery Director
Network Rail
Thank you once again Ganymede for providing such a high calibre of resource, the productivity noticed on site is above and beyond what we expected given our experiences with other contingent labour providers.
Works Delivery Manager
Network Rail
Contact us
To discuss our effective processes, or to find out more about what we do and how we can help your business, contact us below.
Engineering News & Insights
A.D.V.I.C.E - Topic 6 - Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse, or domestic violence, is defined across Government as any incident of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of their gender or sexuality. The Government’s definition of abuse is published in the Domestic Abuse Bill 2020.What are the types of abuse?‘Domestic abuse’ covers a range of types of abuse, including, but not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse. ‘Domestic abuse’ can be prosecuted under a range of offences and the term is used to describe a range of controlling and coercive behaviours, used by one person to maintain control over another. It is usually perpetrated by the person’s partner but can also be committed by a family member or carer. It can happen at any time during a relationship, even after a couple is split.Domestic abuse is rarely a one-off incident and is the cumulative and interlinked types of abuse that have a particularly damaging effect on the victim. The ‘domestic’ nature of the offending behaviour is an aggravating factor because of the abuse of trust involved. Anyone forced to change their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner or ex-partner’s reaction is experiencing abuse.Who faces abuse?Men, women and children can all be victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse occurs amongst people of all ethnicities, sexualities, ages, disabilities, immigration status, religions or beliefs and socio-economic backgrounds. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recognises domestic abuse differs in severity between incidents, and more often than not, will increase in frequency and seriousness, having a cumulative impact on the victim/complainant. The definition includes so-called 'honour' based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group.Spotting the signs?If you believe that you or someone else could be a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for including:Is the partner jealous and possessive?Is the partner charming one minute and abusive the next?Do they tell the individual what to wear, where to go, who to see?Do they play mind games and make the person doubt their judgment?Do they control the money?Do they apply pressure the person to have sex when they don’t want to?Do they use anger and intimidation to frighten and control the person?Do they monitor technology use such as social media platforms?Does the individual appear withdrawn?Do they have bruises?Are their movements or activities restricted, i.e. not being allowed to leave the house, meet with friends?For anyone who feels they are at risk of abuse, it is important to remember that there is help and support available to you, including police response, online support, helplines, refuges and other services. You or they are not alone. If you’re worried a friend is being abused, let them know you’ve noticed something is wrong. They might not be ready to talk, but try to find quiet times when they can talk if they choose to.Helplineswww.cps.gov.uk/domestic-abusewww.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/ Women’s Aid also host a directory of local domestic abuse services: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-abuse-directory/ www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/domesticabuseprevalenceandtrendsenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2019www.hse.gov.uk/search/search-results.htm?gsc.q=domestic%20absue#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=domestic%20abusewww.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help?gclid=CLrlnej02-oCFczOGwodvmEMkg&gclsrc=dswww.nationaldahelpline.org.ukhttp://www.fgmnationalgroup.org/within_the_uk.htmRape Crisis National Helpline (12-12.30pm and 7-9.30pm each day) – 08088 029 999 https://rapecrisis.org.uk/ (England and Wales)Rape Crisis Scotland - (6pm to midnight) – 08088 010302 https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/Men’s Advice Line – 0808801 0327https://mensadviceline.org.uk/About A.D.V.I.C.EA Dedicated Voice for Inclusive Collaboration by Everyone (A.D.V.I.C.E) is an official health and wellbeing scheme, comprised of contractors, principal contractors and clients within the rail and construction industries. Companies include: Barhale, Bovis Homes, Ciras, Colas Rail, Ganymede, McGinley Support Services, Midland Metro Alliance, Network Rail, RSS Infrastructure, Transport for Wales, Van-Elle Limited and Vital Human Resources.Ganymede is proud to part of this initiative and bring positive change to health, safety and wellbeing throughout the industries by providing guidance and advice to all those that work in the rail and construction industries.
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Safety First Newsletter - Summer 2020
The Summer edition of Safety First, Ganymede’s quarterly safety newsletter is now available to read.In this edition we focus on:Coronavirus updates and our code of conduct Spotlight on safety SpeakUpSummer driving tipsAnd more...We hope you find the newsletter useful and we welcome any feedback you might have.Read the Summer Safety First Newsletter
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Keep Hiring with Ganymede Connect
In the current climate many businesses are facing challenges, however, some are needing to carry on as normal or even looking at growth. Face-to-face interviews are no longer taking place (or at least not without with considerable challenge), and more and more people are turning to video technology to maintain momentum with their hiring plans.Don’t let the current situation hold you back from achieving your goals. Positions still need to be filled, and you can still secure great candidates and get them up and running remotely. The companies that will be least affected by the unforeseen challenges Covid-19 has thrown at us will be the ones that manage to maintain operations as close to business as usual as possible. Don’t let social distancing stop you from securing your dream hire. Ganymede Connect, our new instant video interviewing software is the answer to business continuity and here’s why…FlexibilityFirst off, there’s no travel involved, and this means you’ll have access to candidates from further afield as they can interview from wherever, whenever giving you a much wider pool of talent to choose from. There’s also no time off required which is perfect for candidates who are considering their options but who might struggle to get time off from their current roles. With self-isolation and social distancing on everyone’s mind, the flexibility video offers is essential for combatting the impact of Covid-19.TimeAdding video interviewing to your hiring process increases the interview to hire ratio by 70%. No longer are candidates judged solely by words on a CV (the usual ‘first sift’ process). Instead, they can talk through their skillset in detail using our solo interview screening functionality.We’ll conduct your first stage interviews for you. Then we’ll send these back to you in a candidate shortlist for review. So, you’ve immediately skipped a whole stage in the process. Plus you’ve avoided needless diary coordination and saved time sitting through interviews (even virtual ones) with people you know aren’t the right fit.TalentThe fact is people are still hiring. Agile businesses are determined to keep going and are not taking this lying down. We know not every business is in a position to hire, but for those that are, they will need to adapt their processes to capture the best talent. Introducing video to your hiring process instead of putting a stop to it until it’s all blown over ensures you’re not missing out.Get In touchFind out how Ganymede Connect can save time and get the best talent to keep your business moving forward by completing the contact form below.
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All multi-seat vehicles to be fitted with protective screens
Ganymede have been working with Phormular on the design and manufacture of protective screens to be fitted in all multi-seat vehicles. The screens are made from 16mm thick hexagon card and coated with an easy-clean plastic coating. While still offering the durability and ease of cleaning they have tested to be stronger than an acrylic sheet and from an environmental point of view, they are 99.9% recyclable at the end of their useful life. Benefits Along with the obvious benefit of preventing the transmission of Covid-19, with the screens being printable, they also provide an excellent way of reminding all staff of the social distancing and hygiene requirements. In the unlikely event that the vehicle breaks down, it is also incredibly simple for the driver to remove and re-fit the screens into any replacement vehicle provided, meaning the team can be back up and running with minimal impact to their working day.The screens are an additional measure to enhance our robust procedure of protecting our workforce and help prevent the spread of the coronavirus while travelling in our vehicles to and from site. The screens not only ensure social distancing but give the added benefit to individuals peace of mind ensuring they feel safe and are COVID-19 secure - Gary Lobue, Head of HSEQ. Get in Touch For more information about our new protective screens fill out the contact form below.
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Ganymede Sign Up to Prompt Payment Code (PPC)
We are delighted to announce that Ganymede have signed up to the Prompt Payment Code (PPC).The PPC is a voluntary code of practice for businesses, administered by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC) on behalf of BEIS. It was established in December 2008 and sets standards for payment practices between organisations of any size and their suppliers.As a signatory Ganymede have undertaken to:1) Pay suppliers on timewithin the terms agreed at the outset of the contractwithout attempting to change payment terms retrospectivelywithout changing practice on length of payment for smaller companies on unreasonable grounds2) Give clear guidance to suppliersproviding suppliers with clear and easily accessible guidance on payment proceduresensuring there is a system for dealing with complaints and disputes which is communicated to suppliersadvising them promptly if there is any reason why an invoice will not be paid to the agreed terms3) Encourage good practiceby requesting that lead suppliers encourage adoption of the code throughout their own supply chainsGet In TouchFor more information about how we can support your business, please get in touch today by filling out the contact form below.
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A.D.V.I.C.E - Topic 5 - Isolation & Loneliness (COVID -19 and beyond)
Feelings of loneliness or isolation can affect anyone at any time and at any stage of our lives. It is difficult at any age and none of us are immune. In January 2018, in response to the Jo Cox Commission report on loneliness, the government set out its first steps to tackle loneliness.Since then loneliness has become a focus of conversation and a survey conducted by the charity Campaign to End Loneliness found that a fifth of the UK population, over nine million people, say they are always or often lonely. Two thirds of the population said they wouldn’t feel comfortable admitting it if they were, which is over 40 million people in the UK. Like mental health, it is a taboo subject for many who fear opening up about their feelings.There are many people trying to cope with isolation or loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic but loneliness is not always the same as being alone. Even people that have lots of social contact, are in a relationship or part of a family may still feel lonely especially if they don’t feel understood or cared for by the people around them. Likewise you can be alone and feel peaceful and content.Feelings of Isolation and loneliness can happen because of many factors, however in this current period where COVID-19 is causing social isolation, it frequently arises because of the forced separation from those we love, bereavement or due to the lack of social connections with other people.How loneliness can affect your healthAccording to the Mental Health Foundation, long-term loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and increased stress. In addition it is also linked to physical health issues such as cardiovascular impairment, chronic pain, and fatigue with a study showing that loneliness increases the likelihood of mortality by 26%. You can find more helpful information on mental health at https://safety.networkrail.co.uk/healthandwellbeing/a-d-v-i-c-e/Loneliness and genderThe Office of National Statistics (ONS) carried out an analysis of characteristics and circumstances associated with loneliness in England using the Community Life Survey 2016 to 2017 and found that women reported feeling lonely more frequently than men. They concluded that it was possible this could be reflected in differences in how men and women reflect on their personal experiences of loneliness and some research suggests that men may be more reluctant than women to report undesirable feelings such as loneliness.Tips on how to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness.Stay ConnectedStay in touch via video calls, Whatsapp, Zoom or just regular phone calls.Keep to your routines where possible.Try out one of the online quizzes hosted on Facebook or YoutubeDon’t keep it to yourselfTalk to someone you trust about your feelings of lonelinessA recent study by the University of Oxford found that men bond better through face-to-face contact whereas women find it easier through phone conversations. With social distancing easing to allow contact outside of your household those face to face connections can be reignited.Consider using talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which may help and is often available through company Employee Assistance Programmes or your local NHSAvoid negative thoughts and comparing yourself to othersAccept the situation we/you are inControl the controllable. Learn to understand what you can change and what you cantTry to switch off from social media stories where people are sharing their ‘perfect’ lives. Remind yourself that you do not know what their lives are like away from the screen.Giving to othersConsider ways to volunteer - being furloughed will not stop you from being able to volunteer and if you are at work with evenings free you may still be able to fit some time in.Maybe you could offer to volunteer for the NHS as a ‘check in and chat’ volunteer or support your local school by helping to deliver school mealsTry to remain physically activePhysical exercise helps release endorphins in the brain, with unlimited exercise time being agreed last week, aim to get some physical activity into your every dayThere are many online resources available to help you exercise safely at home or digs, whatever your fitness level. https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/If you prefer to manage aloneThe charity Mind suggests planning your week ahead and aiming to do something you enjoyLook at things you could do which you wouldn’t normally have time for. The time you are saving by not commuting to work could be spent spring cleaning, meditating, preparing and cooking new recipes. If you are in digs and unable to socialise as normal after work you could still look at all of the suggestions above to keep yourself connected in other ways.SupportWhether you are concerned about a young person, elderly relative or just want to find different social circle, these sources of information may help.www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/feeling-lonely - Provides a mood assessment and advice on what you can do if you are feeling lonely.www.letstalkloneliness.co.uk - Provides practical advice, organisations and support helplines(0800 1111) www.childline.org.uk - Childline is a counselling service for children and young people(0800 4 70 80 90) www.thesilverline.org.uk - The Silverline is a free helpline for older people across the UK offering information, friendship and advice, link callers to local groups and services, offer regular befriending calls and protect and support those who are suffering abuse and neglectmeetup.com - Find or organise a local group. More than 9,000 groups in local communities, each one with the goal of improving themselves or their communities and make friends.nextdoor.com - Nextdoor is the free private social network for you and your neighbours to talk onlinedo-it.org - Volunteer in your local community and give your time to help others.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/coping-with-loneliness – support for mental health concernsAbout A.D.V.I.C.EA Dedicated Voice for Inclusive Collaboration by Everyone (A.D.V.I.C.E) is an official health and wellbeing scheme, comprised of contractors, principal contractors and clients within the rail and construction industries. Companies include: Barhale, Bovis Homes, Ciras, Colas Rail, Ganymede, McGinley Support Services, Midland Metro Alliance, Network Rail, RSS Infrastructure, Transport for Wales, Van-Elle Limited and Vital Human Resources.Ganymede is proud to part of this initiative and bring positive change to health, safety and wellbeing throughout the industries by providing guidance and advice to all those that work in the rail and construction industries.
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