In Your Shoes - Paul Barrett

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Paul Barrett is a Director and Partner at I.E.D Training Solutions Limited. Through a teach, coach and mentor philosophy, I.E.D aims to inspire at all levels the safety of today. As an I.O.S.H and nationally accredited training provider, the focus is on delivering a first class, bespoke package for all clients. Consultancy is thorough and training is expertly delivered in a welcoming, inclusive and friendly environment. In his free time Paul enjoys spending time with his family relaxing, conversely also enjoys expending his energy cycling, swimming and the odd Para-triathlon or Munro to raise money for various charities. Having spoken with D.A.C.C, Paul would like to suggest that for 1 week only the diary should be renamed to the ‘In your shoe diary’.

Angus Business Week today

Like most days, reveille is around 06:00am. The first job is the feeding of our numerous hungry animals before heading out for a bike ride to get the body and brain functioning simultaneously. It is the start of Angus Business Week today so the focus is to try to get started with productivity as soon as possible. Following cycle, time to wake up the rest of the house and freshen up. My fiancé attends to the feeding of our kids and we get them out to their respective schools. Team work is key in this busy life, when everyone pulls together the end goal is reached much quicker.  It’s time to head out to the office for a quick catch-up on emails before heading out to Forbes of Kingennie for the Leadership workshop headed up by Graham Sleep; a chance to network and expand knowledge. The afternoon was spent back at I.E.D’s HQ for a business meeting and preparation for the following day’s First Aid at Work course with an existing client.

Trip to Aberdeen

An extra early start today; 05:30a.m rise and shine as its Day 1 of the First Aid at Work course with a valued client.  

An initial briefing with Ruth (an I.E.D training consultant) was followed by travel to the client's offices in Aberdeen to set up for the day’s course. A challenging day lay ahead with Ruth presenting the course to the group whilst silently being assessed by me. I.E.D undertakes regular assessment of its consultant’s to ensure that the high standards and best service to clients is maintained, as well as compliance with quality standard mark ISO9001. 

Teaching Today

Another early start today, what seems to be part of life these days!  

Accompanying my better half for a hospital appointment, before heading north again to Aberdeen for Day 2 of the First Aid at Work course.

A little more hands on today, using the equipment and resus dolls with I.E.D's preferred E.D.I. P (Explain, Demonstrate, Imitate and Practice) teaching method. I.E.D prefers this method as it ensures that all of the information is disseminated and everyone gets chance to put into practice the lessons taught. 

Experience has taught I.E.D that one of the main fears from clients is 'what if i get it wrong?' It is said that knowledge dispels fear and practice makes perfect. The first essential ingredient is training and the key to getting it right is in how it is delivered, to ensure people remember what they have been taught. 

On a personal level what I really enjoy is the interaction when delivering the training. Learning what is involved is people's day-to-day job roles is a really useful tool to I.E.D when discussing and undertaking further health and safety consultancy work and risk assessments.

Workshop with Dundee and Angus College

Today was a chance to get back into a lecture hall at the Dundee and Angus college in Arbroath to learn more about 'winning contracts with the public sector'. A great workshop, every day is a school day and today provided that extra knowledge and confidence to be able to push forwards with the tendering of a couple of potentially fantastic contracts. A little more networking also produced some interesting and useful new connections-- who knows? Maybe these new contacts will transpire to be future clients?! 

The afternoon was spent catching up on emails in the office and completing a tender form. 

The evening led to some quality family time with a cycle ride around the local area and a dog walk around the loch. I’m hoping to build up to another charity event and the support from family is a real boost.

Innovation, Architecture & Design Business Breakfast

The morning started as ever, with an early departure, arriving at the Northern Hotel in Brechin, for the Innovation, Architecture & Design Business Breakfast. A great morning listening about different examples and how they have innovated within their sectors. I particularly found the Jack Ellis body armour story both surprising (realising it was based in Angus) and humorous in the fact that mine probably saved my life when I was blown up in Afghanistan some several years before.

A chance to meet up for lunch with an old friend and colleague (from my previous career) Regimental Sergeant Major, Ross Wilson, from 45 Commando Royal Marines. A meeting to talk about the upcoming IOSH Managing Safely course and to inform the men on how important H&S relates to every aspect of our lives. The afternoon sees me back in the office for our weekly meeting and finalising the plan for the up-coming new and unique IOSH Trauma Stress Management for Practitioner course in London.

Up to the Glens for a Wee Mountain Walk

All in all, this has been a week full of learning and training both physically and mentally. It has been a steep learning curve ever since being injured and leaving my previous employment but can say it’s truly a pleasure every day. I have always tried to maintain a lifestyle of work hard and play harder! So today I’m off up to the glens for a wee mountain walk with one of my close friends that used his training to save my life! Every cloud has a silver lining, at least I can say; ‘I can go out legless and come back legless!’ Thank you and I wish you all the very best for the future!