HELEN O'GRADY NATIONAL TALKING DAY! IN AID OF BBC CHILDREN IN NEED

Following the huge success last year, the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is proud to once again host NATIONAL TALKING DAY! on Wednesday 10th November 2010, followed by a whole week of talking for money in its after school classes.

Last year, children in drama classes around the country spent a few minutes talking to parents, to teachers and to each other to raise money for BBC Children In Need. The same will be happening again in a few weeks time.

The Academy has once again set a target of £50,000 which it hopes to present, on national television, to Sir Terry and Tess at the Big Night In on Friday 19th November.

Schools and businesses will also have the opportunity to be involved, check back here for more information very soon.

The Academy is in the business of developing communication skills and this will be happening big time in November. Once again we ask everyone to "Put your money where your mouth is!" and join the country in conversation on 10th November.

REMOTE EMPLOYMENT AWARDS 2010

In a lavish ceremony yesterday at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London, National Director, Nigel Le Page, was delighted to present the Helen O'Grady Special Award to Janine Van Den Berg.

Janine was the outright winner from a shortlist of six candidates andwill become Principal of the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Harrow, Middlesex. Janine's background in the arts and, in particular, acting and singing, made her an excellent candidate to operate an Academy. Her passions for children and the theatre, along with her business experience, provide her with all the necessary credentials to be a most successful Academy owner. Janine will bring energy, enthusiasm and a positive approach to running her own business.

Janine said: “I have been striving towards this goal for a long time and to have won the Helen O’Grady Special Award and to have been recognised in this way is absolutely wonderful. I am over the moon and very excited to be joining such a well renowned organisation and can’t wait to start teaching the children and look forward to a long and fruitful career. I am deeply thankful to the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy and to Remote Employment for making this possible.”

Earlier in the ceremony, last year's winners spoke about the effect of winning awards. Karen Reyburn, who won last year's Home Worker Award and Polly Marsh who won the Remote Employer Award joined Nigel Le Page to answer questions. Nigel was speaking on behalf of Exeter Principal, Abbe Martin, who won the Helen O'Grady Special Award in 2009 and who was yesterday, with the new term fast approaching, busy with setting up her new classes for 2010 after a successful first year in business.

Before closing the proceedings, Ken Sheridan, co-founder of Remote Employment with Paula Wynne, introduced entrepreneurs Karen Darby (Call Britannia) and Claire Young (former runner up on 'The Apprentice') who were happy to pass on some of their knowledge to the assembled business people.

Janine is now looking forward to training with other new Helen O'Grady Franchisees in Bristol and to starting her very own classes in the New Year. All at Helen O'Grady welcome her to the network and wish her the best of luck!