“Constant elevation causes expansion”

A few words inspire and motivate when taken in the correct context. I have understood this phrase in greater detail with growing life experiences and have made it my personal mission to create an environment the allows the next generation to elevate and expand beyond any environmental or self-imposed restrictions”

Greg Tello is an experienced operational manager with 20 years of welfare to work experience, working with a range of people which include vulnerable adults, those with physical and mental challenges, those furthest from the labour market, those wanting to start businesses and young people.

His personal journey begun like many young people from urban environments, harbouring dreams of becoming a professional footballer, spending most of his teenage life attached to Arsenal Football Club he later achieved his dream of playing professional football and winning a national championship in The Republic Of Ireland. It wasn’t until returning from a 2 year stay away from his familiar London environment did he realise that his personal journey which included travel across the UK, engaging with people from different backgrounds and generally gaining a different life experience to those friends whom had remained in London. This perspective newly realised perspective drove him to begin working with people to achieve goals regardless of how big or small. His first role after this realisation was to become the first employee in JobcentrePlus sourced from the newly formed New Deal 18-24 pilot scheme, designed to intensify job search activity for a specific age group. Being part of the target group allowed Greg to identify and implement strategies that were engaging and effective for those 18 -24 year olds from urban environments and before long Greg found himself promoted into advisory roles where he would mentor his own age group not only about finding work but looking at goal setting, milestones and positive approaches towards life.

Fast forward a few years and after a short break Greg identified that he could possibly make a greater impact by joining the fairly new welfare to work industry working with private subcontractors of the DWP. Within 6 months he was promoted into a management role and used the opportunity to implement his theories around engagement, delivery and workforce recruitment which led to his sites becoming number 1 delivery partners for the West London New Deal DWP delivery for the final 2 years of delivery.

Greg has continued his journey rising through the ranks but always maintained his desire to support and guide those from similar environments. Although time has passed sadly the very same challenges exist for young people from urban environments, socio-economic challenges lead to many issues that mainstream providers are not equipped to deal with so now is the time to make the leap and take full responsibility, create some real actions and join the growing community of organisations making real change within the communities they serve.