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IAL & GCSE Ramp-up and Using AI

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It’s always nice when a customer returns to do more with me.  One such customer is working on his IAL French exams and wants to get a higher grade than predicted which will then allow him to go to the university of his choice.  I had to give him some very clear feedback that his current application needs to increase if he wants to get the pass mark he is targeting and so we’re increasing the lessons and homework to immerse him into the language.
I’m delighted that my customer in Dubai has extended their time with me too.  We’re mindful of world events and so will have to remain flexible and adapt if necessary.
Stress is starting to show with my GCSE students with exams fast approaching so I take time to reassure them of their strengths as well as focusing efforts on where they can improve to pick-up extra marks.
I really felt the need to congratulate one of my customers this week.  She started her French language journey from having absolutely no grasp of the subject but can now pretty much understand everything.  It’s so rewarding to people progress with the language and testament to her commitment to learning. 
My conversational students continue to use world events as the centrepiece for discussions in their lessons.  Having familiarity and an opinion with the subject matter can make lessons a little more interesting than focusing entirely on shopping or going to the cinema.
Since my bootcamp training I’m making more use of AI to help me create lessons.  Chat GPT and Copilot aren’t always accurate though and I’ve found a few mistakes here and there which is a good reminder that whilst AI is an incredible technology, it’s not infallible and so checking the output is absolutely essential.  That said, what it does provide me with is a good foundation for lesson content.
Whatever your motivation, whether you are starting from new and always wanted to learn the language, whether you are more experienced and want to develop your conversation, you might be looking for guidance in-country with healthcare or house buying or perhaps you are looking for support for your business, give me a call with no obligation on 07930 444 078 or email me on [email protected] anytime.

City Greens Golf

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We are a premium golf simulator bar based in Norwich, offering a unique blend of cutting-edge technology, relaxed luxury, and social atmosphere. With three state-of-the-art simulator bays and an exclusive lounge and bar, we provide a private members-style experience where guests can play, unwind, and connect. Whether for casual rounds, events, or corporate gatherings, we deliver high-quality service in a refined yet welcoming setting.

Skills for Norfolk: Turning Community Solutions into Action

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Youth skills in Norfolk are at a turning point. Community groups have practical solutions ready to go. What they need now is the funding to act at pace.

Youth skills are at crisis point across the UK. National leaders warn of a “lost generation” of young people not earning or learning. And here in Norfolk, we are already seeing this pressure every day.

But unlike elsewhere, Norfolk is not waiting. Community groups across the county have the solutions: practical, proven, rooted in local insight, and ready to deliver right now. 

Here is our unique advantage: We know what works. We already have oven‑ready community projects ready to fund. We’re some of the way there to funding already, but demand is huge

With your support, we can act at pace and prevent a “lost generation” in our county.

 

Norfolk is ready to take action now

Our recent Building Skills for Better Futures fund was oversubscribed threefold. Grassroots groups came forward with strong, locally shaped ideas that help young people build confidence, gain skills, and move towards work.

Young people want:

·      Real‑world skills and hands‑on training

·      Confidence‑building spaces

·      Support from trusted local adults

·      Routes to volunteering, accreditation, and employment

·      Communities are stepping up. What they need now from us is the ability to deliver.

With partners committed to our Skills for Norfolk mission, we have secured £110,000 to build on this momentum, but without additional support, many of these projects cannot go ahead, despite being ready to go.

 

Help us close the gap

We are launching an urgent appeal to close the gap. Together, we can help community‑led, high‑impact projects start immediately.

We have set ourselves the ambitious goal of raising £100k, doubling the number of projects we can support. Every £1,000 raised will help an average of 6 young people find the skills, confidence and pathways to training or work.

Your support will help us:

·      Back local groups trusted by young people who often feel shut out

·      Fund practical activities that build skills, confidence, and momentum

·      Act now, before barriers grow and opportunities shrink

Every pound stays in Norfolk, supports real action in real communities, and helps prevent a lost generation here at home.

With your help, we can turn solutions into action today, ensuring young people have the opportunity, support, and confidence they deserve. 

A unique opportunity to build shared learning

We will also bring together organisations working with young people furthest from employment. This will help share learning, build insight, and strengthen long-term support across the county. With additional backing, we will gain more insights and make a greater impact on youth unemployment.

Together, we are aiming to raise a further £100,000 by 10th April for youth skills in Norfolk. Your gift today adds to this total in real time and helps unlock community‑led projects that are ready to start.

Read more and donate here: https://www.norfolkfoundation.com/lost-generation/

Contact:

01603 623 958

[email protected]

Egg-citing Easter Enrichment Brings Spring to Banham Zoo!

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Things are getting egg-stra exciting ahead of Easter this year at Banham Zoo, where keepers have been busy preparing a basketful of seasonal surprises for animals across the zoo.

In the run-up to the big day, a whole host of residents from mighty Mishka the Amur tiger to cheeky Kobi the black-footed penguin, energetic lemurs, and even the delightful donkeys Vinny and Violet have been treated to specially crafted, animal-safe “Easter eggs”.

The handcrafted Easter Eggs are filled with tasty treats, intriguing scents, and hidden goodies. These enrichments are designed to encourage animals to sniff, search, pounce, and play. Mishka, the Amur tiger, made light work of her Easter egg, gleefully smashing it apart to uncover the treats inside, while the ever-quick meerkats, Grub, Goose and Gollum, proved just how speedy they are, darting in to snatch their rewards in record time.

Shen, the snow leopard, showed off his incredible agility, leaping high into the air to snatch his Easter egg in one swift move. While Belle, the cotton-top tamarin, took a more relaxed approach, carefully investigating her treat at her own pace.

Kobi, the black-footed penguin, was all over the snacks (fish, his favourite), wasting no time tucking into the tasty treats, though the egg itself proved far less interesting.

Enrichment is a vital part of animal care, supporting both the physical and psychological well-being of species. By introducing stimulating elements such as novel scents, hidden food, or puzzle-based activities, enrichment encourages animals to express natural behaviours, including foraging, hunting, problem-solving, and play.

Sophie Imhof, Bird Team Leader at Banham Zoo, said, “Our black-footed penguins, along with our Chilean flamingos, have absolutely loved getting stuck into the Easter egg enrichment; it’s been brilliant to watch them all tackle it in their own ways. Anything with fish is an instant win for the penguins, so they were straight in and didn’t hang about! As a critically endangered species, it’s important for us to shine a light on them and the challenges they face in the wild. We’re really looking forward to encouraging guests to get to know them better with the bird animal talks over Easter, and can’t wait to welcome everyone to our Easter Gone Wild event.”

Hurry! The Kids Go Free offer for the Easter Holidays ends this week!

Visitors can join in on all the Easter fun this Easter holiday at our Easter Gone Wild event and take full advantage of Banham Zoo’s Kids Go Free Easter offer when booking online before 22 March.

Just use the code KIDSGOFREE when booking online. Book here: https://www.banhamzoo.co.uk/easter

We look forward to welcoming families this Easter holiday to join in on all the fun and get egg-stra close to conservation!

https://www.banhamzoo.co.uk/

Tastebuds NOURISH Food & Drink Conference and Artisan Market

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The event brings together a wide range of local food and drink producers alongside industry partners, offering a full day of opportunities to explore new products, connect with businesses across the region and learn more about the sector.

As a founder sponsor of the Tastebuds Collective, 101 Websites, Apps & Email Marketing is pleased to be supporting the event by attending as an exhibitor. The team will be available throughout the day to speak with visitors about how businesses can make better use of their website and email marketing to reach and engage more customers.

Event details

Date: Wednesday 1 April 2026

Market: 09:00 – 18:00 (free entry, open to all)

Conference: 09:00 – 17:00 (ticketed)

Location: The Forum, Norwich

Find Out More

Egg-citing Easter Enrichment Brings Spring to Banham Zoo!

Written by on .

Things are getting egg-stra exciting ahead of Easter this year at Banham Zoo, where keepers have been busy preparing a basketful of seasonal surprises for animals across the zoo.

In the run-up to the big day, a whole host of residents from mighty Mishka the Amur tiger to cheeky Kobi the black-footed penguin, energetic lemurs, and even the delightful donkeys Vinny and Violet have been treated to specially crafted, animal-safe “Easter eggs”.

The handcrafted Easter Eggs are filled with tasty treats, intriguing scents, and hidden goodies. These enrichments are designed to encourage animals to sniff, search, pounce, and play. Mishka, the Amur tiger, made light work of her Easter egg, gleefully smashing it apart to uncover the treats inside, while the ever-quick meerkats, Grub, Goose and Gollum, proved just how speedy they are, darting in to snatch their rewards in record time.

Shen, the snow leopard, showed off his incredible agility, leaping high into the air to snatch his Easter egg in one swift move. While Belle, the cotton-top tamarin, took a more relaxed approach, carefully investigating her treat at her own pace.

Kobi, the black-footed penguin, was all over the snacks (fish, his favourite), wasting no time tucking into the tasty treats, though the egg itself proved far less interesting.

Enrichment is a vital part of animal care, supporting both the physical and psychological well-being of species. By introducing stimulating elements such as novel scents, hidden food, or puzzle-based activities, enrichment encourages animals to express natural behaviours, including foraging, hunting, problem-solving, and play.

Sophie Imhof, Bird Team Leader at Banham Zoo, said, “Our black-footed penguins, along with our Chilean flamingos, have absolutely loved getting stuck into the Easter egg enrichment; it’s been brilliant to watch them all tackle it in their own ways. Anything with fish is an instant win for the penguins, so they were straight in and didn’t hang about! As a critically endangered species, it’s important for us to shine a light on them and the challenges they face in the wild. We’re really looking forward to encouraging guests to get to know them better with the bird animal talks over Easter, and can’t wait to welcome everyone to our Easter Gone Wild event.”

Hurry! The Kids Go Free offer for the Easter Holidays ends this week!

Visitors can join in on all the Easter fun this Easter holiday at our Easter Gone Wild event and take full advantage of Banham Zoo’s Kids Go Free Easter offer when booking online before 22 March.

Just use the code KIDSGOFREE when booking online. Book here: https://www.banhamzoo.co.uk/easter

We look forward to welcoming families this Easter holiday to join in on all the fun and get egg-stra close to conservation!

https://www.banhamzoo.co.uk/

Keeping Abreast

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Keeping Abreast is a UK charity dedicated to supporting people considering or recovering from breast reconstruction following breast cancer or risk-reducing surgery. The charity provides emotional, practical, and informational support to help individuals make informed decisions about their bodies and feel confident throughout their reconstruction journey.

Through peer support sessions, a Helpline, and a Buddy Service, Keeping Abreast connects people with trained volunteers who have lived experience of reconstruction, offering reassurance and understanding at a vulnerable time. The charity also provides Pink Information Packs and post-surgery Comfort and Care Bags, giving patients accessible information and practical items to support recovery.

 

Founded nearly 20 years ago by breast cancer nurses, Keeping Abreast works closely with hospitals, healthcare professionals, and cancer support organisations. Its services complement clinical care by offering a compassionate, community-based network of support, ensuring no one faces breast reconstruction alone.

HelloHorizon

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HelloHorizon is a Norwich-based web and software development studio
working with small and medium-sized businesses across the UK. We design
and build websites, internal systems, and AI automations that reduce manual
work and help businesses generate more consistent enquiries.

Our work focuses on practical outcomes and solutions rather than just pretty design. That includes custom website builds, internal software systems, CRM and data integrations, and AI-driven automation where it
genuinely adds value. We often work with businesses that have outgrown
off-the-shelf tools and need systems and websites tailored to how they actually
operate.

Clients choose HelloHorizon for clear communication,
straightforward advice, and solutions built to scale without unnecessary
complexity.

Why Traditional Job Boards Still Matter in Modern Recruitment

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Are traditional job boards becoming obsolete?

Despite the rise of social media recruiting and AI tools,
traditional job boards are still playing a key role in connecting employers
with active job seekers.

The challenge isn’t reach – it’s managing application
quality. Clear, optimised job adverts, targeted placement, and multi-board
strategies can make a big difference in attracting the right candidates.

In our latest blog, we explore why traditional job boards
still matter and how to use them more strategically.

📖 Read more here:  

https://spiderrecruit.co.uk/news/traditional-job-boards-recruitment/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=norfolk&utm_campaign=trad_job_boards&utm_content=norfolkchamber 

Statutory Sick Pay reforms: what employers need to know ahead of April 2026

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The Government has confirmed that, from April 2026, two
significant reforms to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) are expected to come into
force.

If you’re
an employer, it’s important to understand what these changes mean in practice
not only for your employees, but also for your policies, budgets, and
compliance obligations. In this article, we’ll walk you through the key
changes, what they mean for your business, and how Stallard Kane’s HR team will
support you every step of the way.



What are the two key changes?

1. SSP
will be payable from Day 1 of sickness absence

Currently, employees are only
eligible to receive SSP from the fourth qualifying day of sickness absence; the
first three days are unpaid, unless the employee qualifies for enhanced sick
pay.

Under the new legislation, the
three-day waiting period will be removed, and SSP will become a ‘Day 1’
entitlement. This means it will be paid from the first qualifying day of
sickness absence (provided eligibility criteria are met).

2. The
Lower Earnings Limit will be removed

At present, an employee must earn
at least the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL), currently £123 per week (2025/26
rate), to qualify for SSP.

From
April 2026 this minimum earnings threshold will be abolished. This means that
all employees, regardless of how much they earn, will be eligible for SSP if
they meet the other qualifying conditions (such as being classed as an employee
and being off work due to illness for at least four consecutive calendar
days). 



What do these changes mean for me as an employer?

These reforms represent a shift
in both cost and administration for employers. Here’s what to consider:

  • Increased sick pay liability: employers
    will potentially pay more in SSP, as it will begin from Day 1 of absence
    rather than Day 4
  • More employees will qualify: with the LEL
    removed, even those working limited hours or on very low incomes who were
    previously ineligible will now be entitled to SSP
  • Greater emphasis on absence management:
    employers will need to ensure that absence reporting procedures are
    robust, as accurate records will be crucial for compliance and payroll.
    Prompt and clear recording of the start date of absence is essential to ensure
    SSP is paid correctly from Day 1.
  • Possible impact on Enhanced Sick Pay
    schemes: if you offer contractual sick pay, the interaction between
    enhanced policies and the new SSP rules should be reviewed; policies may
    need to be realigned to ensure they are not inadvertently overpaying or
    duplicating entitlement

What should I do to prepare?

Although these changes aren’t due
until April 2026, early preparation is key. Here are the practical steps
employers should begin taking now:

  • Equip managers with the knowledge and
    tools to handle SSP queries, report absences correctly, and understand the
    updated entitlement criteria
  • Include absence management in your ongoing
    compliance training

How will Stallard Kane support me? 

At Stallard Kane, we know that
employment law updates can quickly become a burden for busy businesses. That’s
why our HR team is already preparing the tools, templates, and support you’ll
need to navigate the 2026 SSP reforms with confidence.

We’ll ensure your absence, sick
pay, and employee conduct policies are fully compliant with the new SSP rules
and tailored to your business context, leaving you free to focus on running
your business.

 Click here to learn more about Everywhen’s
range of risk solutions

Pet First Aid Level 2

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We are proud to offer Pet First Aid training open for pet owners and those working with pets.

This course is ideal for:
🐶 Dog walkers
🐕 Pet sitters
✂️ Groomers
🏡 Kennel and cattery staff
🐾 Animal daycare staff
🎓 Students studying animal care
👩‍⚕️ Veterinary assistants
🐕‍🦺 Rescue and rehoming volunteers
❤️ Pet owners who want to be prepared
What you’ll learn:
• How to assess a pet in an emergency
• CPR for dogs and cats
• How to deal with choking, bleeding, burns and shock
• Recognising signs of illness or injury
• Safe handling and transportation of injured animals
✔ Certified Level 2 course
✔ Practical, easy-to-follow training
✔ Gain confidence to act quickly in an emergency