Contacts Youth rugby star makes NEWSLETTER FOR MANWEB PEOPLE February 2001 his debut Employees respond to challenge

Above, ballboys drawn from the Mold and areas, who have been through the Manweb-sponsored youth rugby development scheme, are pictured with Manweb Managing for Director Stewart Saunders before officiating at the Wales A versus England A rugby match at the Wrexham football ground. Below, Mark Jones (centre) shows his international cap and shirt to Brian Davies, Manweb Customer Relations Officer and Austin Thomas, North Wales District Director of Rugby. under-18s YOUNG rugby player from Caern­ arfon has become the first from North AWales to make his international debut, after benefiting from the Rugby Union's Youth Development Scheme sponsored by Manweb. Mark Jones, who plays second row for BRAINWAVE by six employees responding to a Caernarfon Rugby Club, made his debut for PowerPartners Team Challenge is set to make Wales Under 18s against Italy in Battipaglia. Alife easier for people who are visually impaired. He scored a try in the 32-14 victory and The staff from Credit Management at Pentre was also named man of the match. Bychan are being praised for their original approach The Youth Development Scheme, which to a challenge to focus on the services being offered to Manweb is backing for the third year, assists disabled customers. youth rugby in Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Their idea for a braille identity card, which has been , Flint, Wrexham and for the accepted for use by Manweb's customer liaison first time this year . officers, has been hailed as a breakthrough in The ballboys at the recent Wales A versus ensuring customers' peace of mind by the Royal England A match at Wrexham football National Institute for the Blind. ground had been through the Scheme. Self-adhesive labels devised by the team, following Manweb is also sponsoring the North a suggestion by team member Louise Young, will be Wales Rugby Union Cup. fitted on to existing identity cards with the Scottish­ Power name and a contact telephone number in braille. Ten pin The braille stickers will be used primarily by bowling customer service staff who are visiting visually Siobhan makes impaired customers in their homes, enabling the householders to make a phone call to the call centre nights if they want to check that the caller is genuine. Peace of mind a big splash SEVENTEEN teams from across the John Stan worth, north Wales area fundraising WATER polo star Siobhan Winter, pictured right, Manweb region manager of the RNIB, said: "These braille identity has been named Liverpool and District Player of the took part in two ten cards will help with customers' peace of mind when Year - and now she's off to France to compete in the pin bowling nights the ScottishPower representative calls. European Cup. organised at _ "Congratulations to the team for their inventive The agency worker at Manweb's Prenton office Chester Megabowl idea. Security and the knowledge that a call is genuine has played for Liverpool City since she was 16, and by Jacqui Hughes in is one of the greatest gifts you can present to a person shared their triumph in the latest national Personnel at Pentre who is visually impaired." championships. As a member of the Great Britain Bychan. An initial print-run of the braille stickers is under­ SINGING a couple of memorable numbers in the rain... Skillseeker Ted side, she is now competing against France, Belarus, Vouchers were up way with more to follow. The team also came up with Jones, front right, is the l ,OOOth unemployed person helped by for grabs by the Slovakia and Greece in the first round of the the idea for a Staff Information Handout which is ScottishPower Learning and Perrie Owen is their 500th Prince's Trust winners at the Volunteer. They are celebrating the milestone figures outside the Wrexham currently being distributed. European tournament. Chester Sports and Foyer with Kevin Hancox, back left, customer service team manager at "It's an exciting time," said Siobhan. "I'm just Social Club • See page three for a report on the open day at Warrington, and Guy Shapland, jointer from Warrington and current PTV back from going to South Africa with the national competitions which which the members of the winning team publicised team leader at Wrexham. SEE REPORT PAGE 2. team. It was a practice for the forthcoming were open to their innovations. Commonwealth Games, and we beat them 8-3. I members and non­ even scored myself." members. COMIC RELIEF NEEDS YOUR HELP - SEE CENTRE PAGES Contact 2 Contact 3 News from ScottishPower Learning Work takes Pat back to her old school Milestone recruits PAT LEWIS has been paying Raising profile of visits to her old school as part of ScottishPower Learning's delivery of the Young Man­ ager's Programme with Speke enter record book Garston Education Action Zone. Pat, SPL Educational Adviser special services based at Manweb House, was MAJOR milestone was reached when also boasts several areas of best practice. amazed to learn that New Heys HE winning PowerPartners Team Manweb and ScottishPower Learning "A total of 1,000 people have now been through Comprehensive in Challenge entrants at Pentre Bychan Ahelped its l,OOOth unemployed person. our programmes since 1996,'' said Neil Hunter, Speke, Merseyside, was taking Theld an open day to familiarise staff Ted Jones, 17, was the Millennium star when he ScottishPower Learning Regional Manager. "The part in the programme. "It was with their ideas and suggestions for raising joined the customer service programme in success rate of those who have been through our a total coincidence," she said. the profile of Manweb's services to Warrington as Skillseeker. hands has been very high. "It has been great to go back in customers with special needs. the role of co-ordinator." And it was a double celebration as Ferrie "We have received two awards for New Deal, On show was the Staff Information During the six-month pro­ Owen, 18, who is on placement under New Deal, and as an added benefit to the business 60 of Handout which they have devised to became the 500th Prince's Trust Volunteer to be these now work for ScottishPower. Skillseekers gramme, a group of 20 pupils has visited Manweb offices for a update everybody in customer sales and taken on by SPL since they started running the has also proved an effective scheme. series of one-day workshops, services about the facilities such as large Above, Team member Dawn Rogers shows "In addition we support unemployed people scheme in north Wales. learning key management skills print bills, audio cassettes, minicam Naomi McNay of customer sales and The landmark numbers are further proof of the through the PTV, in which the prime objective is such as communication and systems and typetalk which are available. services the Staff Information Handout. success of the programmes which are being offer­ to raise motivation and self-esteem." problem-solving. Two work­ The handout is already up-and-running, Left, Diane Thomas, team member who had ed under the aegis of ScottishPower Learning. •The latest award for New Deal has come from shops have already taken place with 200 copies of the laminated sheets the idea of responding to the Team SPL has been designated as being in the top the North Wales Coastal District of the with the support of Power printed and distributed. Challenge, holds a copy of the Staff one-third of all training providers in the North­ Employment Service, who presented SPL with a Systems at Lister Drive and Team members Donna Griffiths (team Information Handout. Energy Supply at Warrington. west by the Training Standards Council, and it glass bowl in recognition of their sterling work. leader,) Diane Thomas, Jean Higgin­ bottom, Dawn Rogers, Richard Jones and Louise Young were on hand throughout Multi-media poetry the day in the restaurant at Pentre Bychan to inform staff about the leaflet, and talk about their responses to the Team show in underpass Challenge including their idea for braille stickers (see Page 1). A CREATIVE initiative to project crime, environment, the Mersey etc .. primary school children's poems on More than 300 people turned out to Excellent to the walls of an underpass in Speke, witness the multi-media show in Also present was John Stanworth, Merseyside, was made possible by the which the lighting was supplied by North Wales area fund raising manager for support of ScottishPower Learning. nightclub Cream. the RNIB, who said: "The team's The youngsters worked with a The project is one of many inno­ sl,lggestions are excellent and they are community development group vative schemes developed to help doing a valuable job in raising awareness." called Arts in Regeneration to pro­ raise literacy standards within the Diane Thomas, whose idea it was to duce words and pictures expressing Speke Garston Education Action respond to the Challenge in the first place, Children from Speke and Garston watching the new said: "We made a number of proposals in their views about city life, education, Zone. multi-media show. our final submission. "The laminated Staff Information Handouts entitled Services for People Backing for classroom storyteller with Special Needs will be of special use setting out their ideas and costings of their Members of the PowerPartners Team to call centre staff who will be able to various suggestions. Their research Challenge team, at Pentre Bychan holding UNUSUAL tales about animals position them by the telephone for ready included approaching other organisations copies of the Staff information Handouts, on are captivating young pupils in reference." to gauge the extent of their disabled either side of John Stanworth, North Wales area fund raising manager of the RNIB. north Wales thanks to a theatre The team also produced a booklet facilities. MERSEYSIDE Jointers Ian project backed by Manweb. Blakemore and Paul Letts The education department at have been recommended Theatr Cymru is taking Staff lottery win £100 ride at Charity bonanza for a Living Values award. storyteller Michael Harvey into Connections Business schools with his stories. Hoylake Manager Bill McClymont He spends half a day in each buys a new bike . on expressway carried out a safety audit A HOYLAKE employee has school telling his spellbinding EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Nathan Bohana received a on the pair while on a raised £100 for Power­ AN appeal is going out for volunteers to take part Animal Tales under the scheme Manager's Tour, and was mountain bike for Christmas - thanks to his mum Partners by completing a in a PowerPartners charity event during March highly impressed by their which links in with Key Stage 1 Karen's win on the PowerPartners staff lottery. sponsored bike ride with his along the unopened section of the new ASS attitude to safe working. of the national curriculum. Karen, a customer services representative in the local club. expressway on Anglesey. "I was struck by their Manweb Managing Director Call Centre at Caernarfon who been entering the Meanwhile, a promotion­ The local authority has given permission for a attitude to getting the job Stewart Saunders said: "We are lottery since it started, won £172.26. She said: al campaign is underway at day-long charity "bonanza" on the road, and done and exceeding cus­ keen to support bi-lingual activ­ "Nathan was absolutely delighted by the bike, and ScottishPower to inform Melanie Jones, SuperCentre Manager for Wales tomer expectations which Manweb Corporate Communications Executive Jan Cahill revisits ities which help bring language totally surprised. staff about the schemes and Mid Cheshire, is keen to assemble a group. is vital for New Connect­ her old school Wood Memorial County Primary in Saltney to sit alive for children in such a vivid "If it hadn't been for my win he wouldn't have which have received money Those interested should contact her on 01978- ions." said Bill. from PowerPartners. in on a story telling session given by Michael Harvey. and entertaining way." received it. He hasn't been off it since." 832800 or 07880-502028. Contact4 Contact 5

• • ...... lowing at Manweb's call centres, with ingenious wall displays adding colour and ...... t puts a spotlight on the "secret" murals of Warrington and Pentre Bychan.

United Y-front for comic relief SAY 'Pants to Poverty' and join us at this year's Comic Relief for a night of fun and entertainment. Warrington call centre staff working on the ocean and This year's fundraising rainforest murals. Left, Customer Services Representatives efforts are set to be even Jonathan Astley and Lisa Dewhurst; above Team Manager wackier as the slogan is Shelly Batho; Right, Customer Services Representatives "Pants to Poverty" and Mark Conm>lly and Hayley Thomas. Manweb ScottishPower will be in the thick of things as we have volunteered the IFE'S a beach for people in the Gas services of our call call centre at Warrington - while centres. Lupstairs in Electricity and Dual Fuel • But now we need you! it's the law of the jungle. Artistic call centre staff We are looking for Tree planting at school Artistically gifted staff have themed the volunteers to staff the walls on both ground and first floors to telephones, take pledges, liven up their working atmosphere with and also to tally the forms with help from Manweb murals of ocean and rainforest scenes. on a running basis The idea came after various animal brighten up office walls throughout the night. CHILDREN at the primary school in are transforming pictures were posted up with motiva­ • Don't worry if you are their surroundings with the help of Manweb's RuralCare team. action photographs for the walls of their The team, which has been taking down trees near the picturesque tional messages such as "see the tusk not a trained call centre call centre. village as part of their multi-million pound project to improve the through to the end" and "don't take com­ member of staff. No security of supplies, donated trees which the youngsters have planted plaints lion down", based on a successful A photographer tracked them round training is necessary, as in their school grounds. themed advertising campaign run by the offices and immediate surroundings call centre staff will be on For every tree which RuralCare removes, at least two are replaced marketing in the north west recently. of the Wrexham site, taking a series of hand to help and run away from lines, and Wrexham Borough Council suggested donating Customer Services Representative shots which could be used to illustrate through things on the night. We want volunteers from all some to the school. Charlotte Reynolds on the first floor customer service Best Practice. the businesses to take Dave Grady, Permissions Manager for RuralCare, said: "We are thought the nature theme should be taken The 10 photographs .have been on the always on the look out for interesting community projects to be part. further, and with the help of Sally Burgess walls of the call centre for four months, involved in. This one is especially nice as we have been able to and the evening operations team an inspiring - and amusin~.ir- the employees • If you or any of your contribute so much to improve the children's environment." friends or family fancy overhead projector was used to provide with their catchy sloga . • Pictured above is Glyn Ceiriog pupil Alex helping to stake out helping out on Friday, newly-planted trees. an outline for a sketch of a jungle vine Boxing g ves March 16, then let us which was then painted in. They also Melanie Owen is pie red in the back know. used paints to convert the drinks area of a car reading an A to Z, with the words: into a "native hut." "When it comes to complaints don't be a • The phones are open Raising awareness of from 6.30pm to 3am but Downstairs two walls were given a back seat driver." don't worry you don't have creative makeover, one as a beach and the Sharon Jones was photographed in the to spend the whole night, safety issues for elderly other as an ocean scene featuring an gym wearing boxing gloves to illustrate though you might be the slogan: "When it c.omes complaints A SERIES of conferences across north Wales aimed at raising aware­ underwater treasure chest. to tempted as there will "The painted walls really brighten it's all about boxing them off." competitions, raffles, food ness of safety issues for older people and their carers is being Admiring the in-house photography decorating the walls of the Pentre Bychan call and fun throughout the sponsored by Manweb. things up," said Electricity and Dual Fuel Marcus Lewis languishes in the boot of centre are Customer Services Representatives Sharon Jones, left, and Kim James. The days, held in conjunction with the Police and Community Trust, Operation Manager Sue Reece. "They a car while Heather Wicking threatens evening. are geared towards raising awareness of personal safety, home help to improve morale and they're part him with a shovel and Jarad Tillyer holds agreed to pose for a controversial phrase: on their computers. One slogan reads: • If you want to volunteer security and safety in the community. of an ongoing process of livening up the a gun to his head. The slogan reads: "When it comes to complaints don't be a "Swan and Done" - a reference to the aim or know more, then contact Steve Gauller, of ScottishPower Learning, will talk on electrical environment." "Doing Away with the Cause of Com­ dumb blonde." of dealing fully with each complaint so your Team Manager or safety and personal security. PC Alan Bevan will be talking on home Pentre Bychan staff turned "movie plaints." Staff have also recently posted up that it can be designated "One and your PowerPartners co­ security. One-to-one consultations will also be available during the stars" for the day to produce a series of Flaxen-haired Katherine Roberts pictures of birds and animals originated Done." ordinator before February lunch hour with Manweb staff, to discuss consumer issues. 20th and join in the fun. Contact6

Manweb sponsors innovative teaching resource pack for schools Grahame Cooke in action filming at the ferry terminal at Birkenhead. OCAL schoolchildren are benefiting from a new teaching aid for maths and Lsocial skills lessons, researched and Blooming provided by Age Concern and sponsored Learning to cope by Manweb. success Schools working with the charity are GREENFINGERED John Parrott has scooped the receiving free copies of the innovative top prize at his local resource pack containing lesson plans and Gardening Society in materials based on the weekly challenge on basic pension Llanbadarn for the sixth faced by their retired relatives to make ends year running. meet on the basic state pension. Well known in the village The pupils are set a weekly budget and for his skills in growing also work out how to cope with emer­ vegetables and fruit, 78- gencies added randomly during the lesson year-old John is already by the use of colourful "crisis cards." planning his 2001 Manweb gave £4,000 towards the campaign while his wife Muriel is still using runner printing and publication of the teaching beans, peas, raspberries pack, which promotes understanding and tayberries stored in across the generations and gives youngsters the freezer from last year's an insight into the realities of life for their crop. older relatives and neighbours. John, a linesman and "The pack has been extremely well foreman at Manweb for 32 received," said John Kennedy, Manweb years and a member of Customer Relations Manager. "The teach­ the Aberystwyth retirees ing materials fit well with the National association, believes in good preparation to get Curriculum and educate pupils to under­ the best out of his one­ stand and care about the costs facing third acre plot. "Plants are elderly people." like humans - they need a • Manweb has donated the £1,000 first good start in life," he said. prize for an Age Concern regional draw in John Kennedy, Manweb's Customer Relations Manager, and Alex Major, Advice and the North West which will raise £38,000 for Information Manager of Age Concern, Cheshire, with pupils of St Wilfred's RC Primary the charity. School in Weaverham, at the official launch of the teaching pack in Cheshire. Tributes to Grahame's filming Keith Jones We're all going Survey shows TRIBUTES are being paid to Keith Jones, Secretary of the to the zoo ... network is the Gwynedd retirees associa­ across the Mersey tion, who died after a short A FAMILY day at Chester Zoo illness aged 69. is being organised by the most reliable RAHAME Cooke once dreamed about Grahame said: "I was on holiday in the New Keith, who was a Manager Chester Sports and Social Club MERSEYSIDE has one of the spending his life at sea - but he has settled Forest and I bought a video about the ships at at Caernarfon for Manweb for Sunday June 24. The event and gave 30 years' service, most reliable networks among for making videos about the time when the Southampton. I thought it was amateurish and I will be open to all Contact G lived for many years at regional electricity distribution big ships came into the Mersey. felt sure I could do better. readers and entry will be at Hoylake before moving to systems, according to a recently The former Manweb employee who worked at "I had a good job with Manweb but I hadn't substantially reduced prices. Caernarfon 20 years ago. published industry survey. Prenton has found his vocation after taking been anywhere and I hadn't known anything. My Look out for more details and a He was a keen local The annual report summaris­ voluntary severance in 1995 after 17 years as an bitter, bitter regret was thaJ I hadn't been away to historian and spent many coupon in forthcoming editions ing the performance of the electrician, fitter and tariff surveyor. sea. It was an ambition which I formed when my hours researching the history of Contact. distribution and transmissions Grahame, aged 38, of Prenton, whose wife Lynn dad took me on a ferry trip as a youngster, and I of Wales in the archives. systems of the electricity com­ works in Manweb Wayleaves, produces his videos was seized by the magnificence of a big ocean Prize draw panies in England, Wales and as a hi-tech cottage industry in the garage of his liner. Happy hols Name on Kenyan clinic Scotland, published by industry semi-detached house, supported by Business Link "I now feel as if I am making up for lost time. winners regulator OFGEM, shows that Wirral. Using the latest digital equipment he has The video business has made the ships a big part guaranteed THE following are the winners A CLINIC in Kenya, to be built with funds raised by a during 1999-2000 the region compiled a series entitled Maritime Britain of my life again." Cheshire-based charitable trust, will feature Manweb's name THE MEMBERS of the Mid of the EEIBA prize Draw for had the lowest number of which began with Liners Past and Present on the Anyone interested in more information on the November 2000: on a plaque when it is opened. The promise was made by interruptions to its supply in the Cheshire retirees associa­ Mersey and of which the latest is The Liners hour-long videos, which include a commentary tion are guaranteed a £300 E.Nelson, retd; £200 fundraiser Shirley Johnson on receiving a donation from country. Return to the Mersey. Each of the 2,500 copies about the port and ships, and interviews with ex­ good holiday in Tenby - B.Dawson, retd; £100 J.H. Power Systems staff at Prenton out of their reward for safe Phil Currie, Network Man­ working. She is determined to improve the lot of the inhabit­ retails at £12.99. seafarers, should phone 0151 -609 0751. their chairman and secre­ Leach, retd; £75 B.Haigh, retd; ager, Mersey Region, said: £50 J.McLauchlan, retd, L. ants in an area of Africa which she first visited on holiday. tary have already "recc­ Ridgway, retd; £30 S.Airey, retd, A former Cheshire Woman of the Year in the Manweb/ "Manweb's fundamental role is ied" the hotel and given it AR.Hughes, retd, J.M. Davies, Chronicle Your Champions awards, the 60-year-old from to provide businesses and dom­ their seal of approval. retd, B.Roberts, Caernarfon, Runcorn has set up the Paperchase Trust charity with her estic customers with power. Winter campaign on the airwaves "My wife Thelma and I A.J.Favager, retd, A. Spencer, husband Eddy. The Trust has already built two schools and is The number of interruptions is "THE "Keep Warm Keep Well" to older people and dieticians This is one of four themed went on a fact-finding tour retd, E.M. Brent, retd, L.Ellis, collecting thousands of bandages and equipment to dis­ a key measure of our perf­ week ran on Marcher Coast, and gym instructors gave advice weeks run throughout the year and were shown round the retd; £25 P.S. Webster, Manweb tribute to hospitals in the vicinity of Mombasa. ormance and these survey Gold and Champion radio on looking after yourself. on the Marcher radio stations Park Hotel," said Walter House, W.G.Hughes, Porth­ Walker, chairman. "We Another ambition is to build a £25,000 clinic - and the staff results show that we are per­ stations during February. Two cold alarms were given providing a valuable platform to madog, M.Kane, First Hydro, were impressed and I am at Prenton donated a cheque for £200. forming strongly, with Mersey­ Staff from Manweb were away each day in competitions keep people informed about the H.M.Cartwright, retd, T.J. sure our members will • Pictured above is Phil Currie, Manweb Network Manager side Region again one of the interviewed about the services and people were also able to get many services the company Pritchard, First Hydro, J.P. Mersey Region, presenting a cheque to Shirley. enjoy their stay." Morland, retd. clear industry leaders." and advice the company offers free thermometers. offers.