Age UK Norwich is excited to announce the launch of the Older and Bolder Pod, a new podcast dedicated to living well in later life.
Hosted by recently retired broadcasters Louise Priest and Mike Talbot, the podcast will delve into the world after work, offering insightful discussions, expert guests, and plenty of light-hearted moments.
In each fortnightly episode, Louise and Mike will share their personal experiences, compare notes, and explore the challenges and joys of life after retirement. The duo will be joined by a variety of expert guests to discuss important issues affecting people in later life, from managing identity changes to finding new social connections and purpose.
Episode One and Two Now Live
The first episodes are now available to listen. In their inaugural episode, Mike and Louise open up about the transition into retirement, including the emotional aspects of losing work identity, finding time for new hobbies, and navigating the changes in relationships with colleagues and friends. Plus, listeners will get Mike’s first cash-saving tip on “Mike On The Money” and some sage words of wisdom from “The Priest in the Pulpit.”
The podcast is a fresh, engaging resource for those in retirement or approaching it, offering practical advice, relatable stories, and much-needed support for this life stage.
Sponsorship by Age UK Norwich
As part of its 80th birthday celebrations, Age UK Norwich is proudly sponsoring the Older and Bolder Pod. This partnership reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting older people in the region, providing them with the resources and platforms they need to thrive in later life.
Age UK Norwich is calling on the community to lace up their walking shoes and make a difference this May by participating in their “Run or Walk 80k for Dementia Awareness” challenge. In celebration of their 80th anniversary, the charity aims to raise vital funds and awareness for dementia support services in Norwich.
Throughout May, participants are encouraged to walk or run a total of 80 kilometres, either individually or as part of a group. This can be achieved through daily walks, brisk park strolls, leisurely countryside hikes, or any combination that suits their fitness level. This challenge offers a perfect opportunity to step away from screens, breathe in the fresh air, and improve both physical and mental health while making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by dementia.
The 80k target holds significant meaning, symbolising Age UK Norwich’s 80 years of dedicated support for adults over 50 in the region. The challenge directly addresses the critical issue of dementia, which affects thousands of individuals and families in Norwich.
“Having recently had a loved one diagnosed with dementia, I have seen first-hand the incredible work Age UK Norwich does to support those affected, both for the individual and their families.” says Age UK Norwich employee. “Since I joined the charity last April, I’ve seen the real difference our clubs and information services make. That’s why I’ll be running 80k in May – to ensure my grandma, and others like her, receive the vital support they deserve.”
Funds raised through the challenge will directly support Age UK Norwich’s crucial initiatives, such as:
Dementia Support Clubs: Providing safe and supportive spaces for individuals living with dementia and their carers.
Information and Advice: Offering guidance and resources on all aspects of dementia, from diagnosis to care options.
How to Participate:
Sign Up Today! Register for the Walk/Run 80k for Dementia challenge.
Begin Fundraising: Download the sponsorship form and create a JustGiving page at [Link to Sponsorship Form/JustGiving page]. Additional fundraising materials are available at [Link to Fundraising Materials].
Get Walking/Running! Track progress using a fitness app or the provided tracker.
Share Your Journey: Inspire others by sharing progress on social media using the hashtags #Walk80kForDementia and #TeamAUKN.
Celebrate Your Success! Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of achievement.
“Every step you take makes a difference,” adds Dan Skipper, Chief Executive Officer at Age UK Norwich. “Join us in this important challenge and help us support those living with dementia in Norwich.”
Age UK Norwich encourages everyone to sign up today and contribute to this vital cause. Let’s walk 80k for dementia.
HM Revenue & Customs are introducing Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from 6 April 2026. This will change the way sole-traders and landlords keep their records and report their income and expenses.
What is Making Tax Digital for income tax?
Digital records must be provided on a quarterly basis plus the usual year-end tax return.
Wingfield Consultants have obtained two finalist positions at East of England StartUp Awards:- Business, Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year and a StartUp for Good Award.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, Founder, UK StartUp Awards:
‘I’m delighted to let you know that you have been selected as a regional finalist for the UK StartUp Awards. The ten regional StartUp Awards Finals will take place throughout June, starting in Belfast and ending in London and the UK StartUp Awards team cannot wait to celebrate your achievements.
All the winners will go through to the UK national final which will be held at Ideas Fest – the Glastonbury for Business – in September’.
Simon, Founder of Wingfield Consultants, commented:
‘We are very proud to be a finalists in two awards categories. The two category shortlists are a combination of our consultancy credentials and the work we do in our local community.
This is the TWENTY FOURTH and TWENTY FIFTH award win, finalist, shortlist or nominee recognition for Wingfield Consultants and Simon Wingfield in 2024 and early 2025. It follows:
1.CorporateLiveWire Global Awards 2023-24 for Business Consultancy of the Year – UK win.
2.National Mentoring Awards – Excellence in Mentoring Award win (for Simon Wingfield).
3.SME News Business Elite Awards win for Best Business Growth Solutions Consultancy (East of England).
4.StartUp Awards finalist for Business Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year (East of England).
5.British Business Awards finalist for Small Business of the Year.
6.Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards finalist for Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year (East of England)
7.Previous shortlist position for the Business Awards UK Awards.
8.Business Awards UK Newcomer Business Consultancy of the Year win (Norfolk).
9.Business Awards UK CEO/Director of the Year win (Norfolk – Simon Wingfield).
10.South Norfolk Community Awards nominee for Business in the Community.
11.‘Stevies’ Silver at The International Business Awards. An Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Award.
12.Scale-Up Awards finalist for the ESG & Social Impact category.
13.BQF Patron’s Award 2025: Excellent Organisations Doing Excellent Things category shortlist.
14.UK Business Awards 2024 – Finalist for Leader of the Year.
15.Top 100 Influential People- Winner (for Simon Wingfield).
16.Business Brilliance Awards 2025 –Finalist in the Brand Brilliance category.
17.Enterprise Nation Adviser Awards 2024 – Finalist in the Social Impact and Sustainability category.
18.Global Leaders and Business Awards 2025 – Winner in the Management Consulting category.
19.Business Awards UK 2025 – Winner in the Best International Consultancy category.
20.E2 Media Award of Excellence 2025 – Winner.
21.International Elite 100 Awards 2025 – Winnerfor Business Growth Solutions Specialist of the Year – Norfolk – UK.
22.The National Mentoring Matters Awards 2025 – Finalist in the Innovation Award category (SimonWingfield).
23.The National Mentoring Matters Awards 2025 – Finalist in the Most Inspirational Mentor Award category (Simon Wingfield).
Simon Wingfield, Founder of Wingfield Consultants, has obtained two finalist positions at The National Mentoring Matters Awards to be held in London on Thursday 13th March 2025.
Help to Grow: ‘As part of the Help to Grow: Management Course, the awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of mentors who have actively contributed to the growth of small businesses across the UK. There are nine award categories to recognise mentors who have excelled in 2024.’
Simon commented:
‘I am both surprised and delighted to be a finalist in two awards categories. I have thoroughly enjoyed mentoring individuals, and will continue to do so. I’m looking forward to attending the awards ceremony and my fingers crossed for a win (or two)!’.
This is the TWENTY SECOND and TWENTY THIRD award win, finalist, shortlist or nominee recognition for Wingfield Consultants and Simon Wingfield in 2024 and early 2025. It follows:
1.CorporateLiveWire Global Awards 2023-24 for Business Consultancy of the Year – UK win.
2.National Mentoring Awards – Excellence in Mentoring Award win (for Simon Wingfield).
3.SME News Business Elite Awards win for Best Business Growth Solutions Consultancy (East of England).
4.StartUp Awards finalist for Business Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year (East of England).
5.British Business Awards finalist for Small Business of the Year.
6.Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards finalist for Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year (East of England)
7.Previous shortlist position for the Business Awards UK Awards.
8.Business Awards UK Newcomer Business Consultancy of the Year win (Norfolk).
9.Business Awards UK CEO/Director of the Year win (Norfolk – Simon Wingfield).
10.South Norfolk Community Awards nominee for Business in the Community.
11.‘Stevies’ Silver at The International Business Awards. An Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Award.
12.Scale-Up Awards finalist for the ESG & Social Impact category.
13.BQF Patron’s Award 2025: Excellent Organisations Doing Excellent Things category shortlist.
14.UK Business Awards 2024 – Finalist for Leader of the Year.
15.Top 100 Influential People- Winner (for Simon Wingfield).
16.Business Brilliance Awards 2025 –Finalist in the Brand Brilliance category.
17.Enterprise Nation Adviser Awards 2024 – Finalist in the Social Impact and Sustainability category.
18.Global Leaders and Business Awards 2025 – Winner in the Management Consulting category.
19.Business Awards UK 2025 – Winner in the Best International Consultancy category.
20.E2 Media Award of Excellence 2025 – Winner.
21.International Elite 100 Awards 2025 – Winnerfor Business Growth Solutions Specialist of the Year – Norfolk – UK.
Wingfield Consultants have won the ‘Business Growth Solutions Specialist of the Year – Norfolk – UK’ for 2025.
International Elite 100: ‘We are delighted to inform you that after being identified by our awards as a finalist on merit and achievement in the IE100 2025 global awards, the results have been finalised for the first quarter and congratulations are in order as you have won the International Elite 100 global award’.
Simon Wingfield, Founder of Wingfield Consultants commented:
‘To win another prestigious global award is truly humbling. It is testament to the hard work we have put in since we started in June 2022’.
This is the TWENTY FIRST award win, finalist, shortlist or nominee recognition for Wingfield Consultants in 2024 and early 2025. It follows:
1.CorporateLiveWire Global Awards 2023-24 for Business Consultancy of the Year – UK win.
2.National Mentoring Awards – Excellence in Mentoring Award win (for Simon Wingfield).
3.SME News Business Elite Awards win for Best Business Growth Solutions Consultancy (East of England).
4.StartUp Awards finalist for Business Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year (East of England).
5.British Business Awards finalist for Small Business of the Year.
6.Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards finalist for Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year (East of England)
7.Previous shortlist position for the Business Awards UK Awards.
8.Business Awards UK Newcomer Business Consultancy of the Year win (Norfolk).
9.Business Awards UK CEO/Director of the Year win (Norfolk – Simon Wingfield).
10.South Norfolk Community Awards nominee for Business in the Community.
11.‘Stevies’ Silver at The International Business Awards. An Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Award.
12.Scale-Up Awards finalist for the ESG & Social Impact category.
13.BQF Patron’s Award 2025: Excellent Organisations Doing Excellent Things category shortlist.
14.UK Business Awards 2024 – Finalist for Leader of the Year.
15.Top 100 Influential People- Winner (for Simon Wingfield).
16.Business Brilliance Awards 2025 –Finalist in the Brand Brilliance category.
17.Enterprise Nation Adviser Awards 2024 – Finalist in the Social Impact and Sustainability category.
18.Global Leaders and Business Awards 2025 – Winner in the Management Consulting category.
19.Business Awards UK 2025 – Winner in the Best International Consultancy category.
Wingfield Consultants have received the coveted ‘E2 Media Award of Excellence’.
E2 Media: ‘Our award winners stand out from their competitors due to various reasons, such as unique products, investment in upgrading services, or involvement in the local community. However, they all share an exceptional level of service, which is crucial to any business’.
Simon Wingfield, Founder of Wingfield Consultants commented:
‘This award is in recognition of the work our consultancy does in our local community. We love helping local organisations, businesses, charities, and social enterprises to flourish’.
This is the TWENTIETH award win, finalist, shortlist or nominee recognition for Wingfield Consultants in 2024 and early 2025. It follows:
1.CorporateLiveWire Global Awards 2023-24 for Business Consultancy of the Year – UK win.
2.National Mentoring Awards – Excellence in Mentoring Award win (for Simon Wingfield).
3.SME News Business Elite Awards win for Best Business Growth Solutions Consultancy (East of England).
4.StartUp Awards finalist for Business Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year (East of England).
5.British Business Awards finalist for Small Business of the Year.
6.Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards finalist for Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year (East of England)
7.Previous shortlist position for the Business Awards UK Awards.
8.Business Awards UK Newcomer Business Consultancy of the Year win (Norfolk).
9.Business Awards UK CEO/Director of the Year win (Norfolk – Simon Wingfield).
10.South Norfolk Community Awards nominee for Business in the Community.
11.‘Stevies’ Silver at The International Business Awards. An Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Award.
12.Scale-Up Awards finalist for the ESG & Social Impact category.
13.BQF Patron’s Award 2025: Excellent Organisations Doing Excellent Things category shortlist.
14.UK Business Awards 2024 – Finalist for Leader of the Year.
15.Top 100 Influential People- Winner (for Simon Wingfield).
16.Business Brilliance Awards 2025 –Finalist in the Brand Brilliance category.
17.Enterprise Nation Adviser Awards 2024 – Finalist in the Social Impact and Sustainability category.
18.Global Leaders and Business Awards 2025 – Winner in the Management Consulting category.
19.Business Awards UK 2025 – Winner in the Best International Consultancy category.
To celebrate this and to support our Charity of The Year Thrive Autism our Pastry Chef Rebecca has created a Butterfly Afternoon Tea.
£2 of every Butterfly Afternoon Tea during April will be donated to Thrive Autism. If you are looking for a special treat this month please come and support this Autism awareness month with us, we’d love to see you!
Back in 2021, the team behind Connected Innovation secured the Create Growth Programme from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport supporting potentially high-growth creative industries businesses across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
This programme is made up of two parts: locked-off Innovate UK funding calls for all creative industries sub-sectors and funding to local areas (extended for 2025/26) for investment readiness cohorts delivered across our geography by the Creative East delivery team at UEA (so far, cohorts have been delivered in Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge and Peterborough with 2025/26 cohorts in planning phase).
The latest locked-off Innovate UK funding competitions for all creative industries sub-sectors (listed at the bottom) have now opened (from 31st March), closing on 29th May 2025. These are made up of:
A live briefing session for Creative Industries businesses will be held on Thursday 3rd April at 10:00 AM. Register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom (this will be recorded).
For Creative Industries businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk, we encourage them to sign up to the Innovation Grant Mentoring Project which can provide them with free bid writing and grant mentoring support – so please do send them to laura.hill@norfolk.gov.uk.
DCMS have listed following sub-sectors for Creative Industries:
– Advertising and Marketing
– Architecture
– Crafts
– Design and designer fashion
– Film, TV, radio and photography
– Museums, galleries and libraries
– Music, performing and visual arts
– Publishing.
– IT, software and computer services (includes video games)
We’re absolutely delighted to announce our latest competition, and it’s perfect for all the theatre lovers out there! To celebrate our continued sponsorship of the wonderful Norwich Theatre for another year, we’ve teamed up to offer a fantastic prize bundle that brings together mystery, family history, and the magic of live performance.
Here’s what you could win:
🌳 £250 Family Tree Research Voucher from Taylor Investigations
🎭 £50 Norwich Theatre Royal Voucher
It’s our way of saying a heartfelt thank you for your support and for sharing in the magic of live theatre with us.
How to enter:
1.Take a selfie with our Taylor Investigations logo on the safety curtain at Norwich Theatre.
2.Tag us on social media.
3.Use the hashtag #selfiewiththesafetycurtain
Once you’ve posted your selfie and tagged us, you’ll be entered into the prize draw.
🗓️ Competition Dates:
Opens: 1st April 2025 (and no, it’s not an April Fools!)
Closes: 9pm on Sunday 26th October 2025
The winner will be chosen at random after the closing date – so don’t miss your chance to get involved.
At Taylor Investigations, we’re passionate about storytelling, curiosity, and uncovering the truth. Partnering with Norwich Theatre allows us to celebrate those values in a creative new way. Whether you’re delving into your roots or enjoying a night at the theatre, we believe everyone deserves a little intrigue and inspiration.
So next time you’re at Norwich Theatre, keep an eye out for our logo on the safety curtain. Your selfie could be your ticket to a brilliant prize!
By entering this giveaway, you are accepting the following terms and conditions. Entries are counted if all listed conditions are met before the closing date stated, no purchase is necessary. Entrants must be 18 years or older. One winner will receive a £250 Family Tree Research Voucher and a £50 Norwich Theatre Voucher, valid for 12 months only. Travel not included. All additional expenses incurred are the responsibility of the winner. Messages from any account other than Taylor Investigations regarding this giveaway are NOT affiliated with us. Norwich Theatre gift vouchers are non-transferable and non-refundable. Employees of Norwich Theatre and Taylor Investigations are not permitted to enter this giveaway. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, we reserve the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the giveaway or these terms and conditions, either in whole or in part, with or without notice. We will not be held liable if delivery of the prize to the selected winner cannot be fulfilled. Meta is not affiliated with this giveaway.
We are so pleased to be able to finally announce the results of our Ofsted inspection in February.
Our leaders and staff of Swarm Training CIC have been working hard to develop a very strong provision for our clients and learners during their time with us on their apprenticeships. We were able to demonstrate to Ofsted the quality of our courses, our support and care for learners and employers, our additional personal development provision and our team.It was a very busy week of inspection but everyone pulled together to showcase the very best of Swarm.
We won’t spoil the surprise too quickly as to what our final result was but we are so excited to share with you the full story and incredible feedback we received.