Member News

It’s not always easy to get an affordable, functional website, especially if you’re a charity. Funds are often limited and spending thousands of pounds on a new website is not always the top priority. At Spartan Panda we believe a great website can make all the difference.

We have decided to offer a FREE £10,000 website makeover package to one lucky charity, with the aim to launch it in time for Christmas.

If you would like to be eligible for this fantastic opportunity, please register your interest with us. We have asked anyone nominating to contact you for your permission prior to doing so.

All that remains is for you to promote this competition and encourage your supporters to vote for you! Charities interested in entering will need to get as many nominations as possible, as the charity with the highest number of nominations will have the best chance to be the winner. The winner will be drawn in the first week of October and the result will be posted on or around 6th October.

Nominations can be made here: https://spartanpanda.co.uk/competition/christmas-charity-giveaway Results will be posted here: https://www.facebook.com/SpartanPanda/

Hillington Square Football Club scores Norfolk FA Community Award The Hillington Square Football Club, based out of Freebridge’s Providence Street Placeshaping Community Centre in King’s Lynn, was awarded Best Inclusive Project at the Norfolk Football Association Community Volunteer Awards.

The awards were judged by a national panel of experts which included World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst. The ceremony was held at Sprowston Manor Hotel on Friday 25 August 2017 and winners received various prizes including match tickets, coaching bursaries, kit or equipment.

The sessions remain free of charge and the 15 to 20 children who regularly attend each session range between 8-14 years old, and come to the club from a variety of cultural backgrounds to take part in games and training drills.

The Norfolk FA put Freebridge employee Alice Henderson and one of the clubs members, Andris Vasilevskis, through their level 1 coaching qualification so that they could continue to develop the footballing skills of those involved.

Alice Henderson, team coach and Freebridge employee, said: “I am delighted that the volunteers and young people that attend these football sessions have been recognised for their commitment to the club.

“A lot of the young people are the same children I met when I first began coaching them, and seeing them develop their skills, both on the pitch and socially has been great.”

Through their close links to Freebridge and Providence Street the Football Club have also been able to get involved in a number other activities and community events in and around the area, including the Hillington Square Summer Fete.

Robert Clarke, Director of Housing at Freebridge, said: “It’s great to see that one of the groups that we are supporting through our Providence Street Placeshaping Community Centre has received such a clear endorsement.

“To receive recognition from a judging panel made up of such iconic names is testament to the hard work that all those involved have put in to make the club a success.”

KLM UK Engineering was delighted to host the Graduation Ceremony for 10 x Year 4 apprentices Tuesday 29th August at their Technical Training College, located within the newly opened International Avaition Academy Norwich. The now ex-apprentices completed a four year study programme which consisted of City & Guilds and EASA CAT A aircraft engineering qualifications as well as on-the-job training, both at the companies hangars in Norwich & at one of its line stations in Edinburgh. The apprentices have also spent time in all the support departments of the company so they have a full understanding of how everything works & is interlinked. 

We wish our new recruits a great career & future with us and in the industry. Congratulations!

The Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) has awarded Blue Sky Professional Development approval to deliver the Foundation Level 3 Certificate in Learning and Development (L&D). This qualification is ideal for trainers and line managers who are responsible for stages of the training cycle. The course covers identifying learning needs, designing and delivering training and evaluating the success of learning interventions. Also included are two further units that help students with their own personal development, as well as the business context. Alternatively, if individuals just want to study one or two topics they can undertake an Award.

‘This new qualification fits in with our current portfolio of CIPD and ILM courses’ according to Kate Woods, Director of Blue Sky, ‘We offer all levels of CIPD Human Resource qualifications and Learning and Development often goes hand in hand with this as it all forms part of an organisations people management strategy.’

Blue Sky’s first L&D students begin in September studying via blended learning. This combines monthly group workshops with an experienced tutor and distance learning materials. One of the benefits of this course is that it is modular which means that you can start at the beginning of any unit so there are start dates throughout the year.

The CIPD Certificate in Learning and Development can also be used by organisations to deliver in-house training programmes. Blue Sky have worked with local companies to tailor programmes in Leadership and Management and HR, and will be offering the same service with L&D.

For further information contact Kate Woods on kate.woods@blueskypd.co.uk

A team from Pure’s Ipswich office has spent a day volunteering with Anglia Care Trust, decorating a house in Ipswich ready for a family supported by the charity and in need of permanent roof over their heads to move in.

Anglia Care Trust, based in Ipswich, supports people in Suffolk through community safety and housing services, plus advice, guidance and advocacy. The Trust approached professional recruitment specialists Pure to see if they would be interested in volunteering, and providing some extra helping hands, and the team at the local Ipswich office in Princes Street was keen to help.  

On Thursday 17 August, twelve team members from Pure took on the challenge of helping to prepare the two-bedroom house ready for the family supported by the charity. A team of six took on the morning shift, with the second team taking over in the afternoon. Between them they managed to get the living room, kitchen and one of the bedrooms painted.

As a socially responsible business, Pure has always actively supported local charities through fundraising, volunteering and donations. Employees are also encouraged to take part in volunteering projects and are supported by the organisation to do so. 

Lucy Plumb, Executive Assistant at Pure and part of the volunteering team, said: “It’s extremely rewarding to be able to support charities through fundraising and donations, but there’s something extra special about actually getting to go out and do something hands-on. It gives you the chance to see how your hard work can really make a difference to people’s lives. We’ve all really enjoyed helping out and it really does help to reinforce our culture of teamwork and support.”

The house is expected to be completed and ready for the family in about six weeks’ time. 

Leathes Prior will be supporting Harfest by sponsoring the Farmers’ Market at the event this year, which is hosted by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA). The fantastic event, which celebrates Norfolk’s harvest, will take place on Saturday 7th October on the picturesque grounds of Norwich Cathedral. The autumn fayre is free to attend and is therefore an excellent option for all of the family.

Leathes Prior is delighted to be sponsoring the Harfest Farmers’ Market as the RNAA bring the farm to the city, right to the firm’s doorstep in the Cathedral Close. Leathes Prior regularly supports the Royal Norfolk Show and with an increasingly strong presence in agriculture and equine across Norfolk and Suffolk, the teams are delighted to be supporting such an excellent family event.

The Cathedral Cloisters will be transformed into a Farmer’s Market where you can sample from a variety of the very best food and drink Norfolk has to offer. There will also be plenty of fun for the family and activities to take part in, with live entertainment all day including local bands and performing arts groups.

You can also take part in the Great Norfolk Scarecrow Competition and take a tour of Mr Mawkin’s Farm to visit Jelly the Jersey and her calf, miniature donkeys, Norfolk Horn sheep and much more.

Harfest will be kicking off at 10.00am on Saturday 7th October, with things drawing to a close around 4.00pm, and there is a Harvest Thanksgiving Service at Norwich Cathedral on Sunday the 8th at 3.30pm.

You can find out more about Harfest on the RNAA website here.

Brown&Co Norwich have kick-started their September Residential Marketing campaign with a colouring competition in association with Norfolk based Langleys Toy Shop in The Royal Arcade, Norwich.

All UK Brown&Co offices will be launching their campaigns in September, with individual colouring competitions in local schools. But Norwich, being a City based office, decided that a collaboration with a local toy store would be more effective. Norwich Marketing Executive, Juliette Tompkins said “With the summer holidays in full swing, and Langleys being the popular store it is, it was a no-brainer to link up for our competition.”

The design of the September Residential Marketing Campaign is based around a doodle mind map theme with the slogan ‘Got Property on your Mind? This expanded to the idea of a colouring comptition to involve our local communities.

Since the competition launched at the beginning of the summer holidays, Langleys Manager Chris Goulding has been over the moon with the number of entry forms flying off the counter, hopefully leading to lots of completed entries to judge. The competition is for children of all ages, and the image to colour-in is a pretty town scene with detail suitable for older children too! Entry forms are available from Langleys Toy Store, Royal Arcade, Norwich or from the Brown&Co Office, The Atrium, St George’s Street, Norwich, NR3 1AB. Completed entries can be taken back to both locations too. The winner will recieve a Lego House Creator Set and the competion closes on 5th September 2017.  Winners will be notified on the week comencing 18th September 2017. Good Luck!

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): an employer’s guide  Despite Brexit, the UK will implement the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when it comes into force on 25 May 2018. Peter Lawrence from Human Capital Department discusses significant changes employers need to be aware of – including a new penalty regime – and next steps you need to take.

The GDPR harmonises data protection laws across the EU, including the UK, and updates the current legislation to take account of trends towards globalisation and the ever-changing technology landscape.

Who has to comply?  

It will apply to any company processing the personal data of individuals in relation to offering goods or services, or to monitoring their behaviour & includes employers use of personal data of employees. 

Significant penalties can be imposed on employers that breach the GDPR, including fines of up to €20 million or 4% of annual worldwide turnover, whichever is greater.

Employers should prepare for the following changes to avoid being subject to the new enforcement penalties.

More detailed privacy notices

Under the current law, employers are required to provide employees and job applicants with a privacy notice setting out certain information. Under the GDPR, employers will need to provide more detailed information, such as:

·       how long data will be stored for;

·       if data will be transferred to other countries;

·       information on the right to make a subject access request; and

·       information on the right to have personal data deleted or rectified in certain instances.

Restrictions to consent

Currently, many employers justify processing personal data on the basis of employee consent. This approach has been increasingly criticised because there is doubt as to whether or not consent is given freely in what is often a master- subordinate employer-employee relationship. Employees will now be able to withdraw their consent at any time.  

New breach notification requirement

The GDPR imposes a new mandatory breach reporting requirement. Where there has been a data breach (such as an accidental or unlawful loss, or disclosure of personal data), the employer will have to notify and provide certain information to the data protection authority within 72 hours. Where the breach poses a high risk to the rights and freedoms of the individuals, those individuals will also have to be notified.

Data protection Officers

All public authorities and those private companies involved in regular monitoring or large-scale processing of sensitive data will need to appoint a data protection officer to:

·       advise on GDPR obligations;

·       monitor compliance; and

·       liaise with the data protection authority.

What steps do I need to take now?   

Co-operation and understanding of the new GDPR obligations across the business is critical and organisations will need HR, legal, IT and compliance teams to take a combined approach.

The most important steps for HR to take now include:

1.     Carry out a data audit. Carefully assess current HR data and related processing activities and identify any gaps with the GDPR.

2.     Review current privacy notices and update them to comply with the more detailed information requirements. All information provided must be easy for employees and job applicants to understand.

3.     Assess the legal grounds for processing personal data. Where consent is currently relied on, check whether or not it meets GDPR requirements and remember that consent may be revoked at any time.  

4.     Develop a data breach response programme to ensure prompt notification. Allocate responsibility to certain people to investigate and contain a breach, and make a report. Train employees to recognise and address data breaches, and put appropriate policies and procedures in place.

5.     Determine whether or not a data protection officer must be appointed and, if so, think about how best to recruit, train and resource one.

To find out more:

Peter Lawrence from Human Capital Department will be doing a series of short [20 minute] talks about the forthcoming changes to the Data Protection Regulations [GDPR] which will come into force in May 2018.

These “4-Sight” 20 minute talks are part of the 4N Networking Meetings forum and visitors are welcome to attend, although do need booked in advance – there is a charge to attend of £15 to cover the cost of the Breakfast [or evening meal in the case of the Fakenham meeting].  

      i.         Short Talk & Networking Meetings: 

               “Preparing for the General Data Protection Regulations [GDPR]”

 Peter Lawrence from Human Capital Department talks through the 12 Steps to take now to prepare for the regulations, which come into force in May 2018.  

                At the following 4N meetings;

·       3rd Oct – Fakenham [Evening] / 6pm – 8pm 

·       6th Oct – Newmarket [Breakfast] / 8am-10am

·       24th Oct – North Walsham [Breakfast] / 8am – 10am

·       22nd Nov – Ely [Breakfast] / 8am – 10am

·       23rd Nov – Dereham [Breakfast] / 8am – 10am

Please email Peter if you’d come along to any of the above networking meetings and he will get you booked in:

Peter.lawrence@humancapitaldept.com or info@humancapitaldept.com

     ii.         Free Audit to ensure GDPR Data Compliance   

Human Capital Department can also help by carrying out a free GDPR data audit including a report and recommended changes to ensure compliance going forward to the first ten companies that contact them.  

The University of East Anglia (UEA) will be platinum sponsor for Venturefest East for a second year. Taking place on 21st September 2017 at Newmarket Racecourse, Venturefest East brings together innovators, successful entrepreneurs and investors to create new business opportunities and help innovative businesses to grow.

Working with alongside sponsors and partners, including UEA, Innovate UK and the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), the event will address issues specifically related to building a business in today’s fast moving market and highlight the type of support and funding currently available. 

The inaugural Venturefest East took place on May 24th 2016 and attracted over 650 delegates, with 96% saying they would return to the event again. This year the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP will be leading the delivery of Venturefest East 2017, with tickets on sale now.

Professor Fiona Lettice, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation and Professor of Innovation Management at UEA says: 

“UEA is thrilled to sponsor Venturefest East again after the great success of last year’s event. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the exciting innovation happening in our region, and bring pioneering entrepreneurs and investors together to make connections, share ideas and forge new collaborations.”

Larking Gowen has launched a snapshot survey for tourism and leisure businesses today.  Businesses across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are urged to take part and make their views counts.  The short, seven-question survey will provide some insight into how businesses are performing.

The survey is open for five days. Friday 18 August – Wednesday 23 August and will take less than five minutes to complete.  Results will be published on Friday 25 August. 

Please click here to take part.

Norwich Puppet Theatre is set to take “Three Colours” one of our shows to Shanghai this Autumn. 

We are really proud to be flying the flag for Norfolk in modern China!

Please read the article https://www.edp24.co.uk/going-out/norwich-puppet-theatre-set-to-take-one-of-its-shows-to-shanghai-1-5144820!

We would love to have your company associated with us in this venture, or any our other excting activities.

Look out for some of special programme features – especially the visit of the amaizing complex work of Japanese Masuda String Puppetry Company: https://www.puppettheatre.co.uk/whats-on/puppetry/masuda-puppets

For more information please look at our lovely video on-line and find out how to support us: https://www.puppettheatre.co.uk/support-us or call us on 01603 516564

Tudor Lodge Consultant’s design and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) are proud to announce that we are working closely with Peltours on their brand-new website. Peltours is a small but hugely experienced company working under the well-established Travelink UK umbrella and who provide tours for families, schools, educational groups and others to all nature of European destinations for historical and cultural tours.

Peltours have a large existing client base and many existing and potential clients who know them well enough to seek them out by name. However, over the last few years they had found themselves slipping down the rankings to the point that their site was no longer visible online to any one at all. We brought in the talented development team from Vaccoda Design to overhaul the website and provide a modern-day approach to their services.

We have been involved in the work of the website from its very inception and this has involved extensive planning to make sure that absolutely every factor of the website is up to date, responsive, mobile friendly and optimised to the fullest for SEO. Peltours remain keen for their brand to show up on Google results pages and this is what we are continuing to work towards.

We started the project by having in-depth meetings with the client themselves and undertook a rigorous planning phase whereby we mapped out all of the pages required for the website at its most basic and grew things from there. Pages from the outset included:

·       Homepage

·       Contact page

·       About Peltours page

·       Terms and conditions

·       Financial protection page

Being regulated and a member of various trade bodies and accreditors, Peltours has had to undergo a fair degree of compliance testing to ensure that everything is within the confines of what the necessary bodies will approve and accept on a member site.

Compliance was most evident throughout the phase of designing and implementing both the financial protection page and also how the content on the site is actually written. Once planned, we undertook extensive keyword research to identify the areas in which Peltours can try and make their mark on the online world in addition to reflecting and offering the top-notch levels of service they have provided for over 50 years.

Working with the client and Vaccoda we designed site page templates based on the theme of choice for the client and then went about populating the templates and landing pages with the relevant content and information. We have also undertaken a wide range of meta data cleaning up as well as other factors to ensure that Google and other search engines are able to crawl, rank and read the website.

Peltours now enjoys fully optimised meta data throughout the site and also enjoys the benefits of alt-texts for the images on site to allow Google Image Search to pick these up.

We are now in the process of undertaking a clean link building approach to the site and making sure that only genuine and the cleanest links are used for the Peltours website. Utilising our network of providers and PR experts we have already sourced a great deal of strong and influential links for Peltours.

In the space of just a few weeks, Peltours have seen themselves rise through Google for numerous brand terms (their primary target) such as ‘Peltours groups’ which has risen from page 5 to page 2 and ‘Peltours’ which has risen through from page 3 to page to and continuing to rise. We look forward to enjoying many more successes with Peltours, building on their already impressive successes.