The Talent Network
Will help identify talents, skills and interests and find pathways to employment and training opportunities – including self-employment or enterprise creation.
What is the Talent Network?
It’s focus is addressing the barriers keeping Deaf and Disabled People furthest from the labour market or from reaching their potential once in work.
This is not your traditional employment project – oh no! Where people are frequently told what they cannot do, The Talent Network will help identify talents, skills and interests and find pathways to employment and training opportunities – including self-employment or enterprise creation.
As with all OPE’s work, peer support and connecting Deaf and Disabled People to their community to achieve their ambitions is a core aim of The Talent Network.
Thanks to funding from CABWI, we are able to develop a network of Deaf and Disabled People, employers, education and training providers, employment support agencies, role models, inventors, entrepreneurs and those who are just fun to have around.
The Talent Network is not just for Deaf and Disabled People aged 18 – 65 who currently are not working. It is also for people in work but feel they could further develop or change their career, if only they were supported to achieve their potential. Employers may also want to be involved, getting support in making their business more inclusive.
Talent Network Programme 2025/2026
Below is the current programme of events for the Talent Network. Courses/workshops will be added to the programme once dates are confirmed. There will be additional courses, workshops, podcasts and employer visits scheduled during the year and added to this schedule.
Info sharing and catch-up meetings
Wednesday 9th & 16th 4.00pm-5.00pm (2-days)
Talking about other agencies/workshops and events that are ongoing locally and in London and the southeast.
Basic Counselling skills with Mike Phillips
Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th – 10.00am – 4.00pm (2-days)
All those who may be required to use counseling skills as part of their job/volunteer role and supporting others as part of their work/life (whether this be clients or colleagues), including: § Health and Social Care Professionals § Team Leaders and Managers § Volunteers § Mentors Aim To develop basic counselling skills and consider ethical issues when providing emotional support to others. You will practise basic communication and counselling skills for enhanced support to clients.
Helping Hand: Managing Feelings, Behaviours, Self-esteem, Confidence and Developing Resilience with Mike Phillips
Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd – 10.00am-4.00pm (2-days)
All those who wish increase their confidence and self-esteem and take greater control of their life and career, release their potential and become the best they can be. Aim To provide practical strategies for developing self-esteem and confidence in life. You will learn how to overcome self-doubts and develop the self- belief to further your goals and performance, increase confidence and self-esteem levels and strategies for developing them further.
Communication skills with Mike Philips
Tuesday 30th – 10.00am-4.00pm
However, effective communication and active listening require effort and we need to adapt our style to those we are hoping to reach and influence. This can ensure our communication is less of a gamble and more targeted and appropriate to their needs.
Assertiveness and Me
Tuesday 7th – 10.00am-4.00pm.
To introduce a toolkit of assertive communication techniques to enable more effective and positive performance in the day to day life. You will build upon existing skills and identify opportunities for greater confidence and assertiveness.
Managing Stress and Wellbeing
Tuesday 14th – 10.00am-4.00pm
To provide an overview of the signs and symptoms of stress. You will distinguish between pressure and stress and how you can choose to take greater control of your work-life balance.
To attend any of the courses/workshops, please contact Andy Murphy.