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Free Workplace Health Training Course

Build your CPD with this Royal Society for Public Health Level 2 qualification in Understanding Health Improvement, with the help of Active Norfolk’s Fit4Work.

This one day qualification course will give you the basic health advice, knowledge and understanding to effectively help people who need support and encouragement to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles.

Two training sessions are available, and spaces are limited.

  • NORWICH February 26 – UEA Sportspark, Norwich
  • SOUTH NORFOLK March 26 – South Norfolk House, Long Stratton

Available for South Norfolk businesses only

This free training course is funded by Fit4Work, the workplace health programme delivered in the county by Active Norfolk.

For more information and to book the free training course through Fit4Work, please contact

Metalfrog Presents New Social Website with Former Dragon at ICC Arena

Norwich‐based Metalfrog Studios Limited Presents New Social Media Website to Business Entrepreneurs at ICC Arena in Birmingham

Last Friday, Chris Wheeler, Managing Director of Award WinningDigital Marketing Agency, Metalfrog Studios Limited, presented a new interactive, responsive website, live on stage at the ICC Arena in Birmingham, with Serial Entrepreneur and Head of the newly formed Theo Paphitis Retail Group, Theo Paphitis.

Chris and Theo delivered a live demonstration of the site and showed its instant positive search engine impact upon winners of Theo’s Small Business Sunday Twitter initiative, to over 1000 business entrepreneurs.

The Metalfrog team has created a fantastic, bespoke web centre for the Winners to enable them to privately blog, add offers for general viewing, receive business tips, advice from Theo himself, and much more besides. The designers and developers, alongside the social media management and marketing team, at Metalfrog Studios have been working on this project for six months. This is the second version of the site Chris has delivered with Mr Paphitis.

Chris said ” It is an honour, a privilege, and also slightly nerve-racking, to be standing and presenting with such a prolific and influential person as Theo. The Ryman team and my company have become a great partnership, which has extended from simply being #SBS Winners, into creating the brand, the official badges, and the website. We have worked with (what was) Ryman Group for over three years now, and I am delighted that I can call Theo and his senior management team ‘friends’.

Theo said ” Chris and his team have done an amazing job on this website, working well with my team at Ryman. Chris has always had my admiration as someone who always delivers, for me and for other clients he has, and I would not hesitate in recommending him and Metalfrog to anyone. I am impressed.”

If you would like to visit the website you can find it here:https://www.theopaphitissbs.com #SBS is an initiative created by serial entrepreneur and head of the new Theo Paphitis retail group. Every Sunday he gives six lucky winners the opportunity to be showcased by re-tweeting their tweet, a powerful benefit endorsing your company to his 460,000 followers. To date there are now over 1100 winners, reaping the re-tweet rewards. Want to become a #SBS winner? www.theopaphitissbs.com

Metalfrog Studios Limited is a leading digital marketing web design company based in Norwich. Working with businesses large and small, to increase on-line presence through creative marketing techniques, intelligent investment, and understanding brand culture. If you would like to see how Metalfrog could shape your future online, whether with website design and development, digital marketing and search engine optimisation, or any other on-line services Metalfrog offers, please contact 01603 861830 or view the website :https://www.metalfrog.co.uk

JMS Group help Affinty Water customers save water

JMS were approached by Campaign Works to produce a public information video about water-conservation for their client Affinity Water.

Armed with a storyboard involving slapping someone with a fish and the knowledge that they liked the cinematic style of “Sean Of The Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” director Edgar Wright, we set our production team on the hunt like blood hounds to sniff out suitable actors, locations and most importantly – props.

For the actors we knew we needed someone with a stereotypical Fisherman appearance to deliver the slap, and the iconic white beard and weathered red cheeks were found with Chris. More renowned for playing Father Christmas than Captain Birdseye, we were lucky to be shooting late summer, and the elves at The North Pole agreed that we could have him for the day. We also found Ian, our sleepy water-waster who was happy with the prospect of being slapped around the face for as many takes as required to get the shot. A rare breed indeed.

Finally we came to sourcing the perfect fish. One of our team enquired at a local supermarket “What fish would you recommend to slap someone round the face with?” The friendly but surprised Fishmonger selected a large fish from the icy display and demonstrated how the fish slap would play out on his rather shocked passing colleague. Our now excited researcher asked “Do you think it would lend itself to being covered in Vaseline, or makeup to bring out its natural features?” On receiving blank, confused stares from the Fishmonger and his colleague our intrepid researcher retreated rather quickly to the safety of the biscuit isle.

Anyway after test shots were complete we decided it best to proceed with a rubber fish afterall, and found a suitable one which was actually a dog toy… who knew! So on the day of the shoot, the crew, actors and rubber fish all performed well, Chris rose to the challenge and delivered the slap with stony faced precision, furrowed brow, and perfect comedic timing that matched Ian’s shocked performance. The star of the show though was obviously the fish.

Are you looking for a venue for your meeting/training course?

Our recently refurbished offices and meeting rooms are the ideal venue for your meetings, seminars, conferences, training sessions, interviews, a place to grow your business or as a location to give your business a local presence.  Set in the centre of Thetford our flexible rooms can be configured to accommodate most needs.  Wireless internet access is available in all rooms.  Audio visual equipment is also available. 

Choose from our range of meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 14 people. 

Rooms can be booked for a whole or half day, and are fully equipped with:

  • Tea, coffee and water
  • Flip charts and pens
  • Wireless internet access is available in all rooms
  • Audio visual equipment is also available
  • Ample free parking close by

We also provide hot desking facilities where desks can be hired by the week

Call 07799 465044 or email enquiries@angliahousebusinesscentre.co.uk to book your meeting room, arrange a viewing of for more information.

Anglia House Business Centre Bridge Street, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3AG www.angliahousebusinesscentre.co.uk

Five Tips to Create a Buzz Amongst Your Teams

We all love great customer experiences. Let us be honest, these days it is expected as the absolute ‘norm’. How do you get your most important customer to be as passionate as you are about this hot topic. We at www.shopperanonymous.co.uk specialise in helping you with this. In the meantime, read on and find some great yet simple tips and advice in our monthly newlsetter.

https://createsend.com/t/j-521909C203C88DB3

Hamlet Centre Trust ‘Our Story’ Film

Norfolk charity The Hamlet Centre Trust gives unstinting support to families facing challenges most of us would find unbearable. So JMS has been excited and energised by the commission of a charity video to ‘tell the Hamlet Centre story’ as part of the Trust’s major awareness and fund-raising initiative for 2015.

Far from the traditional tugging-at-the-heartstrings appeal, everything in the film emphasises the personal, purposeful and positive, work of the Trust. So the programme opens with hand-drawn animation produced by our Motion Graphics designer Hugh South, taking the viewer from rural Norfolk right into the city centre with The Hamlet Centre at its heart, but ensuring that en route we pass animations of real-life staff and Norfolk landmarks, making a colourful and descriptive introduction to the main film shot on location at the centre.

For this, JMS crew filmed across two days in the Summer, following the staff, children and young adults, capturing unrehearsed and insightful snapshots of life in the Centre, and interviews with parents and key staff about the great work taking place there every day.

In December the programme premiered at a special awards ceremony hosted at The Forum in Norwich, where it met with praise from all the families and staff involved. And from Pauline Morgan Chief Executive Officer, we received the simple but immensely gratifying note: “The feedback is fantastic – everyone loves it!”

Update – Learn about why technology is so important for your business at NorDevCon February 27th 2015

With less than 4 weeks to go to NorDevCon ticket sales have already exceeded 200.Early Bird ticketsare still available until 13th February at £95 + fees – less than half the standard ticket price! Conference Dinner tickets, which are only available until Friday 6th February, have sold well and there are now only 13 left. The Conference Dinner provides an exceptional opportunity to network with speakers and delegates and is excellent value at only £35.00 for a 3 course meal. You can purchase a tickethere

This year, not only will the conference be a gathering of some of the brightest minds from the tech community, but over 100 business representatives from businesses in and around the county.

With somebusiness based sessionsand the opportunity to network with investors, designers and everything in between, the conference is the perfect chance to mingle with like minded folk and attend interactive sessions demonstrating how technological advances can add efficiency and value to a company’s business model.

Neil Garnerof Proxama may be a speaker of particular interest to members.

E-cigarettes in the Workplace: An Employer’s Guide

E-cigarettes (also known as personal vaporizers or electronic nicotine delivery systems) are becoming increasingly more prominent in society. Whilst met with odd looks only a few years ago, they are now widely accepted as ‘the norm’ for those who are trying to give up smoking. The fundamental distinction between e-cigarettes and the traditional tobacco cigarette is that the former contains nicotine, without the tobacco. As it stands, e-cigarettes fall outside the scope of domestic smoking legislation – meaning that it is legal to smoke them indoors.

Employers are often uncertain to what extent they can prevent their employees from smoking e-cigarettes in the workplace. The fact that it is legal to smoke e-cigarettes indoors is often cited by employees for reasoning as to why they should be allowed to use them at work. In fact, it is useful to remember that just because e-cigarettes can legally be used indoors, employers can lawfully prevent employees from using them in the workplace if they so choose to.

Employees are under a duty to obey the reasonable and lawful instructions of their employer. For example, if an employer wished to prohibit employees eating at their desks, for health and safety reasons or otherwise, an employee would be under a duty to abide by that instruction to the extent that it was reasonable and lawful. Failure to do so would be a breach of that duty, and could be treated as a disciplinary matter.

There is therefore nothing to stop employers (if they so wish) from preventing employees from using e-cigarettes in the workplace. It would be a reasonable management instruction that employees must obey. If an employer has a concern that the vapour from the e-cigarette may irritate other employees, or the employer’s clients, is unsure about the health implications of such use, takes the view that it looks unprofessional or has any other sensible reason, it is absolutely justified in prohibiting use during working time.

Conversely, it may be that in an effort to help or encourage its workforce in stopping smoking tobacco cigarettes, the employer decides to allow the use of e-cigarettes at work.

Either way, it is important that an employer is clear about its rules on smoking e-cigarettes in the workplace. We recommend that employers communicate their position on the issue to employees, and some may wish to put a policy in place to govern smoking at work (including the use of e-cigarettes). It is important that employers set out the consequences of use of e-cigarettes at work (if that use is prohibited), which may well include disciplinary action for failure to follow instructions.

If you would like more information on any of the above, please contact a member of our Employment Team on 01603 281139.

Note: The content of this article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be taken in any specific circumstance.

8 easy ideas to make your office a fantastic place for staff

Pure is the very proud sponsor of the ‘Employer of the Year’ award at the Cambridge Evening News Business Excellence Awards. And as the big night approaches on Thursday March 19th we think now is a good time to look at tips on how to be a great employer!

We often talk to our clients about engaging employees, supporting their careers, providing flexible working options and other positive practices. But how much attention do employers give to the physical working environment? The places we work affect our ability to work, so it’s just as important.

Here’s some advice on how you can use your office space to help people do good work and to boost their wellbeing.

Improve air flow It’s official! A well ventilated office can boost business. Research claims that a flow of air and reducing pollutants benefit employees’ health, and reduces sick leave. All of this can result in better productivity and concentration levels among everyone in the office.

Go green Introducing more plants into the environment will improve air quality, and they’re also lovely to look at! They’re a fabulous way of bringing more life to the office (literally!) without costing the earth. Carefully placing potted plants around the office so everyone has one in eye shot can make a big difference to people’s moods. But if you want to be more ambitious, and impress staff and clients, why not opt for a swanky living wall?

Let there be light! Letting plenty of good quality light into your office is one of the keys to keeping people’s energy at optimum levels. Employees tend to be happier (and therefore better workers) if lighting is designed with their wellbeing in mind. Natural light coming in through big windows is ideal – especially if there are also lovely views. Whatever you do, avoid ‘glary’, flickering or dim bulbs – they’re a health risk, potentially causing migraines and eye strain.

Inspiration from feng shui If convincing your boss to hire a feng shui (pronounced ‘fung shway’) expert is going to be a long shot, you can still draw a few tips from this ancient Chinese practice. By simply clearing clutter and encouraging people to organise files so they have their most important documents at their fingertips, the office should feel less chaotic and easier to work in.

Tidy cables A simple task such as tidying cables can spruce up an office no end! Ask your IT team to hide wires and make sure they’re not posing a health and safety hazard.

Space to relax Not every office is suited to having a ‘chill out zone’, but the concept of a space where people can go to take a break from the buzz is great. Over the years, workplaces have become less formal environments as wellbeing influences office design. Whether you create an area where people can go to read, enjoy lunch or just to get away from office activity, there’s no doubt that dedicating a space to calmness can only help employees maintain positive mental health.

Essential ergonomics Back pain, sore necks, aching muscles, eyesight problems, headaches and repetitive strain injury can all be minimised or prevented by good ergonomics. It’s not just another HR buzzword – it’s actually critical to workers’ health. Although it’s a legal requirement to set up employees’ desks correctly, ensuring people maintain a comfortable working environment between assessments is just as important.

Colours create moods Choose the colour for your office very carefully. You might want to include some of your brand colours in the décor, but think about the impact of those shades may have on employees. Some colours are more calming and more grounding, while others are more inspiring. Red tends to bring out the more cautious side to people, while blue seems to make people more creative!

Of course there’s a lot more to it when it comes to being a good employer! But creating an excellent quality working environment can help your business succeed and increase the chances of people staying longer. After all, the days of dull, grey office blocks are long gone!

Linksair confirms flights to Cardiff from Norwich

UK regional airline, LinksAir, operator of the North-South Wales air-link between Cardiff and Anglesey has today announced a new Daily Weekday Norwich service from Cardiff Airport, commencing in April.

With effect from Monday 20th April, LinksAir will commence the new daily service on weekdays, with competitive air fares from just £59.00 one-way including all taxes and charges.

The Cardiff-Norwich service will depart Cardiff Airport, South Wales at 10:20 AM each morning, arriving at Norwich Airport a little over an hour later at 11:25 AM, saving over 4-hours on existing rail or road journey times.

With a well-timed 2:20 PM return service (1.20 PM on a Friday), this new air-link will allow significant time and cost savings on the current difficult cross-country journey so many have to endure.

Spencer Birns, Aviation and Business Development Director, Cardiff Airport said “It is great to see LinksAir adding new routes from Cardiff and taking advantage of the opportunity to connect Wales even further. Norfolk and the East Anglian region will appeal to both business and leisure customers as well as bring visitors in to Wales.”

Norwich Airport Chief Executive Andrew Bell commented “The introduction of the Cardiff route and the new onward connection to Anglesey is another positive step in the airport’s strategy to deliver regional connectivity to both leisure and business travelers as it will not only benefit those working within the energy sector but other industries and those wishing to travel to visit friends and relatives in Wales.”

This service continues LinksAir’s expansion in Wales adding to their recent Welsh Government award of the 4-Year Anglesey-Cardiff service which operates twice daily in each direction in both the morning and evening.

The new Norwich link will also be bookable from and to Anglesey via Cardiff connecting the Energy Island of Anglesey and North-Wales to the East Anglian region which is one of the UK’s busiest regions in the energy sector, especially with gas and offshore renewable developments.

LinksAir Commercial Manager, Roger Hage, added “We are committed at LinksAir to growing the accessibility to both North and South Wales and the UK regions so are delighted to add this new link to our growing network for Wales. With the combination of affordable fares, flexibility in booking and quality service we expect this route to be popular for business and leisure alike to compliment our new twice-daily weekday Cardiff-Anglesey service alongside our other charter and contract flying commitments as a growing regional airline.”

Councillor Ieuan Williams, Leader of Isle of Anglesey County Council, said, “I warmly welcomed the introduction of the new additional flight option from Anglesey, which extends the Cardiff service, through to Norwich. Both locations play an important part in the energy sector, therefore, having efficient transport links between these areas with a common interest can only be of benefit to Anglesey and Norfolk.”

Flights are available to book from today at www.linksair.com or via 0844 8002411 or via your local travel agent on all GDS systems as Flexflight. A special “launch” fare of £99 return including a free bag each-way is bookable via our reservations line only until February 13th, for travel between 20th April and 31st October 2015.

Parental Responsibility: What does it mean and who has it?

What is parental responsibility?

All mothers and most fathers have legal rights and responsibilities as a parent, known as parental responsibility. Parental responsibility gives parents rights to make important decisions in their child’s life. For example, naming the child and agreeing to any change of name; choosing and providing the child’s education; agreeing to a child’s medical treatment; the child’s religion; and disciplining the child.

If a parent has parental responsibility for a child they do not have contact with, the parent with whom the child lives has a duty to keep the other parent up to date about the child’s wellbeing and progress.

Who has parental responsibility?

A mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from birth (unless surrendered through adoption).

Married parents

A father has parental responsibility if he is married to the child’s mother at the time of birth, or later becomes married to child’s mother. Both will retain parental responsibility if they later divorce.

Unmarried parents

In respect of unmarried parents, if the child was born on or after 1 December 2003 and the father is listed on the birth certificate, he will have parental responsibility.

If the child was born before 1 December 2003, only the mother will automatically have parental responsibility. An unmarried father can, however, acquire parental responsibility through one of the following:

  • Subsequently marrying the mother of the child;
  • Entering into a parental responsibility agreement with the mother’s consent;
  • Obtaining a parental responsibility order from the Court;
  • Applying to the Court for a Child Arrangements Order;
  • Being appointed the child’s guardian.

Emma Alfieri, Chartered Legal Executive in Steeles Law’sfamilylaw team and specialist indivorce, separation andchildren matters, commented: “Whilst it can be difficult, making arrangements for the children following separation or divorce should be done in an amicable way, if possible. Family mediation must always be considered if matters in relation to children cannot be agreed between the parties. Court intervention should always be a last resort.”

For further advice in respect of parental responsibility or advice relating to children, pleasecontact us.

Learn about why technology is so important for your business at NorDevCon February 27th 2015

We’re now less than 5 weeks away fromNorDevCon 2015and the Early Bird tickets are available until the 13th February at £95 + fees – less than half the standard ticket price!

This year, not only will the conference be a gathering of some of the brightest minds from the tech community, but over 100 business representatives from businesses in and around the county.

With some business based sessions and the opportunity to network with investors, designers and everything in between, the conference is the perfect chance to mingle with like minded folk and attend interactive sessions demonstrating how technological advances can add efficiency and value to a company’s business model.

Ali Clabburn, of Norwich based Liftshare, will be speaking on “How to get the best from developers when you haven’t got a clue.” which promises to be an insightful session and may be of particular interest to members.