Photo credits Mary Doggett The Feed has a large, bright function room for hire at its Waterloo Park venue. Located on the first floor above their café, the room has a roof terrace included and there is free parking on site. It’s an ideal space for an offsite team meeting, training session or away day. Bookings for corporate events need to include catering. The Feed has a wide choice covering breakfast and lunch with all the food made fresh by them. Vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs can be provided for. Full details are here: https://thefeed.org.uk/our-projects/swroom Images provided by The Feed
Chocolate-lovers have the chance to feast on a supersized sweet treat while also raising vital funds for charity. Diss and District Rotary Club is hosting its Easter egg raffle with proceeds being split between East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and End Polio Now. Thirty-two 1kg eggs are being placed in pubs and shops across the town and surrounding villages. Participants pay £1 and pick one of 100 squares on a grid – one of which is now being kept at each location. Draws take place and the ‘owners’ of the winning squares secure the eggs. Rotary Club member Richard Pither said: “We’ve been running this competition for more than ten years now. “It’s great fun, while at the same time raising lots of money for worthy causes, and I’d expect both EACH and End Polio Now to gain the best part of £1,000 apiece. “We always support a popular local charity and most members of the public will be aware of at least one person who has benefitted from EACH’s services. “We consider it an important and very special cause.” The giant eggs and grids can be found at Angel Café, Fair Green, Diss, The Olive Tree hairdressers, Shelfanger Hall, The Fighting Cocks, Winfarthing, The Angel Inn, Larling, The Queen’s Head, Long Stratton, The Fox and Hounds, Great Moulton, The Saracens Head, Diss, The Gamekeeper, Old Buckenham, Albright of Diss, Diss Bowls Club, Cannells Butchers, Diss, The Cretingham Bell, The Old Mill House, Saxtead, The Queen’s Head, Dennington, The Ivy House, Stradbroke, The Black Horse, Thorndon, The Beaconsfield Arms, Occold, The Crown Inn, Gissing, The Railway Tavern, Mellis, The Scole Inn, The Garden House, Banham, Diss Town Football Club and NBR Mobility, Victoria Road, Diss. Additional venues are welcome to join in the fun. Contact Richard via rpither9@gmail.com Diss and District Rotary Club President Peter Sorrell is pictured with the eggs before they were distributed. Image credits EACH
Singers from far and wide have the chance to lend their voices to a popular event being organised to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). Fakenham Choral Society’s Come and Sing Day is being held at Fakenham Academy on Saturday, 15th April. Although the bulk of the singers come from North Norfolk, others are travelling from as far as Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, Cheshire and Northumberland. Anyone can sign up and the theme of the day is a musical celebration of Norfolk’s most famous son, Horatio Nelson. Donations and the proceeds of a raffle will be sent to EACH, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions. It has three hospices, including The Nook, near Norwich. “We’re very excited about this year’s Come and Sing Day and look forward to welcoming people from far and wide, from across East Anglia and beyond,” said Rosemary Dear, Vice-Chairman of Fakenham Choral Society (FCS). “Some travel a long way for these days and anyone and everyone is welcome, if they like singing. “People from far and wide have already registered and all have been to our Come and Sing Days before. “They’re mainly the friends or family of local people, but anyone can come – either to participate or just to support us by listening. It’s a very fun day. “The day will be led in his usual exuberant style by our musical director, Mark Jones, accompanied by James Mooney Dutton. “Singers will take part in morning and afternoon workshops and they will be working on Joseph Haydn’s ‘Nelson Mass’, which was written around the time Nelson defeated Napoleon and was hailed the saviour of Europe. “The day will culminate in an informal, free performance at 5pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the music.” The Come and Sing Day costs £15 (£3 for under-21s), which includes score hire. Singers are asked to register by 10th April, either through the FCS website – www.fakenhamchoralsociety.org (follow the Come and Sing 2023 link for more information and registration forms) or by contacting Rosemary Dear via rosemary_dear@hotmail.com or 01328 851776. “If you’re not a singer, please come and listen to the culmination of the day’s work,” added Rosemary. “FCS would be delighted to welcome an audience for an informal performance at 5pm. “Admission is free but there will be donation buckets for the audience to give any donations to EACH.” The pictures were taken during last year’s Come and Sing Day. Image credits EACH
Business leaders in East Anglia were asked an important question this week. Are you ready for Web3 and the metaverse? Guest speaker at the Larking Gowen Spring Business Breakfast, at Milsoms in Kesgrave was Alison Alexander from Metacampus.ai, a Web3 education and investment start-up. Alison told the audience that, by 2030, many businesses will be fully or partly engaged with Web3. In all aspects of life, from shopping to leisure to business, websites could be superseded by metaverses; transactions could take place in crypto currencies, using crypto wallets; and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) could become commonplace for storing assets and investments. Web3 has been called the fourth industrial revolution, where virtual spaces are powered by blockchain technology, linking computers in a peer-to-peer network which guarantees security and gives users power over the use of their data. “The metaverse is where we’re going to play, work, and entertain, and has grown by 64% in the last two years. It’s estimated that it will be a $5 trillion-dollar business by 2030. It means we’re going to live differently, and businesses are going to engage differently,” said Alison. “Why are we adopting this technology? Basically, people like it. You only have to see what your kids are doing to understand where things are going. For businesses, blockchain technology gives security, and allows you to track your services and supplies,” she continued. Crypto currency, of which Bitcoin and Ether (from Ethereum) are two of the most popular, is being accepted by some airlines and fast-food outlets. The metaverse has been embraced by companies including Sotherby’s auction house, McDonalds, Zara and Adidas. Alison said, “The first step is for businesses to think in terms of short, medium and long-term business plans. How have they factored in growth? Will customers be able to pay in crypto, and what sort of presence you might want in the metaverse. “Have they looked at how their customers are going to pay them differently? They won’t all want to, but what are you going to do if they do?” Alison explained that, although some businesses may not want to embrace Web3, they should be aware of what their competitors are doing in this space. They must also act quickly if they want to secure domain names for their brands. Larking Gowen Partner, Ian Fitch, said, “This was a fascinating talk by Alison, and also something of a wake-up call for businesses to future proof against all these changes that are rapidly coming upon us.” While the terminology and concepts behind Web3 may seem complicated, there are many learning aids available, including podcasts and films. Metacampus offers training and advice for getting your business ready for Web3.
Regional accountancy and advisory firm Larking Gowen has announced that Martin Bugg is to become a Partner with the firm from 1 April 2023. Martin is currently a senior manager in the Business & Private team, and well known for his digital and cloud accounting expertise. His appointment as a Partner comes in his twentieth year at Larking Gowen. He joined the firm straight from college in 2003 after studying for an HND in Business and Finance, completed his AAT in 2005 and became ACCA qualified in 2007. Commenting on the appointment, Martin said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as Partner at Larking Gowen. I joined the firm at the outset of my career, and it’s great to be able to realise a long-held ambition to reach this position. I’m excited to be part of the leadership team driving the business forwards, providing an efficient and proactive service to clients.” “It’s an exciting time in our profession, as we adjust to new ways of working,” said Martin. “My message to the teams and our clients is that technology buys you time. We should aim to work smarter not harder, using the technology and embracing change. We understand the products well, we can demonstrate the value to our clients, and use the live data to help them grow their business and achieve their goals.” Business & Private Lead Partner Becky Ames said: ” I am very pleased to welcome Martin to the partnership. His knowledge of how digital solutions can be applied to the benefit of both our clients and Larking Gowen is invaluable in our fast-changing profession and will ensure that we continue to be proactive in our approach. Having trained with the firm, he is a great example of how a career at Larking Gowen can take you as far as you want to go.” Image provided by Larking Gowen
Thirsty fundraisers are being encouraged to put the kettle on and raise vital funds for charity. East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is organising its very first Big Tea Break – a chance for the public to brew-up, relax and spend quality time together. They idea is that they make a donation and all funds go to EACH, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Community Fundraising Manager Tina Burdett said: “We’re asking our supporters to pop the kettle on, share a cuppa with family, friends and colleagues and join us for our very first Big Tea Break. “It’s a chance for people to take a well-earned breather, while helping EACH, and we’re encouraging people to host their own get-togethers between Saturday, 25th March and Friday, 31st March. “Please spread the word and for more information, including how to register an event and download a fundraising pack, check our website.” The idea for the fundraiser ties in with the wellbeing and support services offered by EACH, which has three hospices – The Nook, near Norwich, The Treehouse, in Ipswich, and at Milton, near Cambridge. “One of our key messages is that we help families create memories together,” added Tina. “Now we want to encourage our supporters to take a break and make memories with family, friends and colleagues. “By sharing a cuppa, they can enjoy some time together while helping the families we support make their own special memories.” Supporters are being encouraged to snap, tag and share their photos using the hashtag #BigTeaBreak and they can donate £3 by texting BIGTEABREAK to 70085. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one message at your standard network message rate. Image credits EACH
This week, I was privileged to attend the Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards with some of my valued team members, as Big C had been named as a finalist in the Employer of the Year category. As I sat there listening to stories of local success and endeavour, in such challenging times for many, I was struck by a sense of our Norfolk community and how together we are stronger. It’s not often I feel the need to quote a philosopher, but an expression attributed to Aristotle seemed apt “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” I would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists at this year’s Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards and applaud the organisers for staging an event which demonstrated such diversity, energy, commitment and determination to establish a sustainable economy for our county. We didn’t win our category, but we were in esteemed company, alongside a world-famous organisation in the winner, Lotus, still firmly based in Norfolk and trade technology distributor and loyal Big C supporter, Midwich. Such resolve made me reflect on our purpose at Big C to provide continuous and sustainable, ‘support for all’ whether that is meeting face to face with families facing the toughest of times, developing new cancer support services, or investing in world-class cancer research on our doorstep. I’m very mindful of the need to always reinforce that anyone affected by cancer can access Big C’s tailored, holistic support to achieve best outcomes and enhance wellbeing. Our services are free to everyone, whether that is someone with a cancer diagnosis, their family or loved ones. Or their employer. Managing cancer in the workplace can be sensitive and challenging. We are here to help. Our portfolio of services includes emotional and practical support, professional counselling, complementary treatments, nutrition programmes, bereavement support and welfare advice in partnership with Citizens’ Advice to help with the financial cost of cancer. We can also provide help for business owners or directors. Big C’s free support can be accessed in several ways. Visit one of our Cancer Support Centres in Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn, Wells or Thetford, or call our free telephone support line on 0800 092 7640 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm). Alternatively email our friendly team on support@big-c.co.uk. A smile and warm welcome are guaranteed at Big C. With kindest regards, Dr Chris Bushby, Chief Executive at Big C.
Photo: Alex Durand, CEO at Saxon Air, Kerry Wilmot, Director of Project and Infrastructure Management at NEBOair, and Ray Parsons from Premier Flight Training Photo credit: Saxon Air Three East Anglian businesses are picking up the pace in sustainable aviation with the unveiling of the region’s greenest flight training programme. The companies – Saxon Air, NEBOair, and Premier Flight Training – all have one thing in common: a passion for sustainable aviation. And the VELIS Electro is at the heart of it all. In 2021, Saxon Air CEO Alex Durand met with the founders of NEBOair who were flying the flag for the world’s first EASA and UK CAA certified light electric aircraft, the Pipistrel’s VELIS Electro, in the UK. Since then, the companies have worked together to bring the aircraft front and centre, from joint-hosting sustainability events at Saxon’s hangarage facility at Norwich Airport through to Saxon Air supporting NEBOair with showcasing the aircraft on a global stage at the Farnborough International Air Show, and the London Climate Technology Show 2022 at Olympia, Kensington. Saxon Air, who rent a VELIS Electro from NEBOair, will now engage with Premier Flight Training to position the company as the most sustainable flying school in East Anglia. Premier Flight Training, based at Norwich Airport, are the latest to rent the Pipistrel VSW121, which is the low emission fossil fuel sistership aircraft to the Pipistrel Velis Electro. The Pipistrel VSW121 uses less than 9.5 litres of fuel per hour during flight compared to Premier’s previous training aircraft, the PA28, using 28 litres per hour. Operated in conjunction with the Velis, they will provide what is thought to be the greenest route to a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) in the UK. This is the latest in a string of businesses in the Norwich community that Saxon Air are supporting in their journey to sustainability, positioning the company as leaders in the green revolution. Alex Durand, CEO at Saxon Air, said: “Electric aviation is instrumental in the future of our industry, and flight schools like Premier Flight Training embracing the Pipistrel solutions to low and zero free emission flight training is exactly the approach we need to see more of.” Kerry Wilmot of NEBOair explains the journey towards sustainability does not stop at electric aircraft: “To truly achieve sustainable flight, it is important to consider the sustainability of airfields as well. We have been working closely with Octopus Energy to design a vision for cleaner, greener community airfields.” “Airfields will play a critical role in reducing the aviation industry’s environmental impact, and there are several ways to achieve a tangible shift in operational emissions through sustainable practices, to generate green energy from poorly utilised land that can be found on many airfields,” she finished. NEBOair invite airfield operators to engage on the following topics: • Buying Green Energy from a Reliable Source • Generating Green Energy On-Site: giving consideration to producing renewable energy on-site through the installation of solar panels on rooftops or in open spaces between runways, or by installing standalone solar charging ports like the NUNCATS built port at Old Buckenham Airfield • Exporting Excess Power: excess energy generated on-site can be exported to nearby communities. This can provide local residents with access to cheap renewable energy during times when it is generated. Long term lease agreements for poorly utilised land can generate revenues for the site of up to 30 years Together, we can create a more sustainable future for aviation!
We recently shared with you in a blog, some ideas our clients have created to incorporate some corporate wellness into the working day. How can these ideas fit in with your teams? How about Motivational Massage Mondays? Imagine walking into your office to feel an exciting buzz in the air and everyone feeling relaxed, refreshed, smiling, and happy? It is so easy to create this! What better way to start the week than with a seated back neck and shoulder massage? We’ll give your muscles a good pummelling, we’ll stretch you out, you’ll feel fantastic, and then we send you back to work feeling refreshed and energised. These are just a couple of testimonials recently received: “It is really relaxing and just what is needed when you are busy keeping your head down working – a lovely way to relieve stress in the work environment” “Just to say that it is fantastic that we get this opportunity to have a little bit of downtime during a working week when often it is just non-stop. The massage is invigorating as well as relaxing” And these are questions we are often asked: “Who is it for?” It is for all types of business. We visit: Office-based, Manufacturing, NHS sites, Schools and colleges, Local authorities, and many more. It is for everyone and all sizes of business. We can be there for just a few hours or a few days depending on how many staff you have. “We don’t have a budget for that” It is not expensive. We will work with you on your budget, just give us a call or drop us an email, and together we will devise sessions that suit you. “Where are you based?” Location is not a problem. We have a wonderful team of therapists dotted across the UK so it doesn’t matter where you are, we will come to you! All we need to know initially is your location and how many staff you wish to cater for to provide you with options and a quote. “What do we need to do?” All we need from you is either a small quiet area away from the main working space or a small meeting room which can be well ventilated (we will agree with you a Covid-19 workplace risk assessment but ventilation is key). We set up the massage chair, which takes up very little room, and we are ready to go – simple as that. Looking after employee health and wellbeing is vitally important particularly following the massive upheaval and unprecedented circumstances that have been thrown our way over the past 18 months or so. Show your employees that you appreciate their resilience, their hard work and reward them with well-earned downtime during the working day. (p.s. It doesn’t have to be on a Monday – it works well on any day of the week!) For further information or to obtain a quotation email Kathy Scott at info@handsonatwork.co.uk or call 07989 367669 Tags: Employee Engagement, Employee Happiness, Health and Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, onsite workplace massages, Wellbeing, Wellbeing At Work, Wellness, wellness At Work, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Workplace Massage, Workplace Wellbeing, workplace wellness
I was asked to present a webinar to a business client about how to deal with stress in the workplace but without having the word stress in the title as apparently that puts people off attending. We concentrated on ways to improve health and wellbeing and discussed what is and isn’t in your control, looking out for colleagues and what employers have in place to support both physical and mental health. We then finished the session with some simple stretches you can do at the desk to encourage movement during the day. As usual, we sent a link to an anonymous online survey to receive feedback on the session and for the most part, the responses were positive saying the session was helpful and they particularly liked the stretches at the end. However, there was one person who was not impressed, who felt it was delivered in such a way that put responsibility for stress management entirely on the employee. I dispute that, but putting that aside, and putting aside my huge over-sensitivity that somebody did not agree with my presentation (I took it so personally) I realised this was someone who has grievances with their employer but who also made some valid points in their criticism. What this person was saying was factors causing stress were out of employees control, such as excessive workloads, unrealistic targets, unworkable deadlines and salaries well below sector average. They felt the session would have been more effective if it had been had with managers and those responsible for allocating workloads, highlighting to them the impact it has on staff and to work through some strategies that they could put in place in their management to reduce stress among staff. I could tell just from those comments in the survey just how passionate this person felt about it. Unfortunately, I believe it is a fact that many good people leave their jobs because of these kinds of frustrations and it is such a shame. We need to take on board what the pandemic has shown us and that is burnout and stress due to factors such as unrealistic workloads or little mental health support has led to employees seeking employment opportunities elsewhere, where the link between mental health and physical health are dealt with as one. It’s all very well, thinking up new ideas of what you can implement to improve staff wellbeing but the fundamentals have to be in place. It’s no use offering different activities, and I include those that we offer as a company, if staff don’t feel comfortable taking part and they won’t be comfortable taking part if they are under so much pressure with their workload or time restraints. What would it cost to implement regular one to one meetings with staff to talk through these issues? A once a year appraisal is not enough. Have regular forums between management and employees for open discussions without fear of reprisals. Give everyone an opportunity to say how they feel and encourage participation in discussions to increase feelings of engagement and control over their workload. Employers taking on board effective management methods to reduce the stress and to have communication on a regular basis with employees ensures no-one feels under immense pressure, and will increase positive feelings of wellbeing and less health issues. Get the fundamentals right with employee health and wellbeing, then build on top of that other wellbeing strategies employees will want to take part in and you will have the beginnings of a great health and wellbeing programme. Image provided by Hands on at work
Stress in the workplace is becoming a huge factor for employers. Did you know in 2012, 10 million working days were lost to stress (in the UK alone!) The key to success in any organisation begins with a happy, healthy and motivated workforce. It’s time to enjoy yoga in your workplace and give your team a boost! Would you like to have regular yoga sessions at your workplace? Now you can with Hands On At Work. Why have regular yoga classes in your workplace? ???? Relieves work-related aches and pains by bringing movement, strength and stretching into tense and underused muscles, sore backs and shoulders ???? Improves productivity, memory and concentration by bringing awareness to the body and breath, giving the mind a rest from work-related thoughts ???? Reduces stress-related illnesses and absenteeism and develops loyalty towards the organisation ????Develops a sense of team between employees, improving workplace relationships. Duration of the Classes can be either 45 or 60 minutes depending on the preference of the company. A one-hour class is ideal to fit in a well-rounded practice Your classes can take place to suit your company requirements: At the beginning or end of the day or during the lunch hour on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. You’ll be practicing yoga in the workplace in no time – getting ready to return to work chilled and energised for the rest of the day! If Yoga is something you and your colleagues would like to explore, please email us on info@handsonatwork.co.uk with your location and number of employees so we can put together a bespoke quotation. Tags: Birmingham, Business, Employee Engagement, Health, Health and Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, HR, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Wellbeing At Work, Wellbeing Programme, Wellbeing Strategy, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Workplace Wellbeing, WorkplaceYoga, Yoga, Yogaintheworkplace Image provided by Hands on at work