Last week was our 3rd and final social media training where we had two new team members join us.
This is Christine’s account of the two days.
Tuesday 3rd November: Travelled to Southampton by train from Plymouth with Chris R. Taxi to Jury's Inn Hotel, checked in and met up with Yvonne. Unfortunately the flight Ina and Carole should have come down from Glasgow on was cancelled just as they were about to board so they had to make rapid re-arrangements and made their journey by rail missing the first session but they managed to arrive in time for dinner! We had a brisk walk through the park to MNWB office. Jury's Inn seems to be on a roundabout and crossing roads is a nightmare. Met by Louise and Alastair then introduced to Sally who would be guiding us through safeguarding procedures, how to handle and signpost enquiries. Discussed various charities, organisations and other places where MN personnel can access help. Then followed a group discussion in which two different scenarios were presented, it was most interesting.
We returned to the hotel for a quick tidy up and then walked to Coco Rio. Ann Brine collected Ina and Carole to bring them to the restaurant. We had a lovely meal, and got to know each other in a more relaxed atmosphere. A short toddle back to hotel for a chat and catch up with Ina in Chris R's room, I must be getting old – my nightcap was coffee and I very nearly had hot chocolate!
Wednesday Morning: Early breakfast, checkout and slightly easier/safer road crossing (well done Carole for finding a pedestrian crossing!!!) To MNWB where Ann Brine introduced us to many and varied social media sites and ways we might use them to promote Watch Ashore. I freely confess that I'd never even heard of quite a lot of them, however as a former Twitter phobic, I am now fully converted and see the massive outreach possibilities which it offers Watch Ashore.
Very many thanks to all involved with the last two days training and hospitality it's been brilliant.
Safe journey home everyone, hopefully no delays for any of us.
Ooooops hear from Ina that the return part of their flight had been cancelled! The good news was that they could re-book; the bad news was that the flight was delayed.
Yvonne’s summary of the two days – Social media course over, very enjoyable 2 days despite the hazards of getting there! Well done to Ina and Carole, intrepid pair from over the border, epic journey or what! and both ways! I was airborne when we were told might have to divert to Humberside instead of Leeds, but we're reassured the plane had loads of fuel! Comedians some of these pilots! Did land at Leeds thankfully! Word of warning Ladies, check with Ina if you decide to travel anywhere….just to make sure she is safely at home,..Bit of a Jonah on the travel front!!!!
(As you may gather from these two snippets Carole and I did have a bit of a hiccup with our travel arrangements but we will keep the full story for another time.)