Comense Ltd
development of innovative seed varieties of horticultural crop species for distribution and marketing.
member
Citizens Advice Norfolk | AGM
We are excited to invite you to our charity’s Annual General Meeting which will be held on October 31st at 4pm at the Auditorium on the lower level of the Forum, Norwich!
Our AGM is a chance for us to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, discuss our future plans and hear feedback from our supporters. The AGM is open to everyone who has an interest in our charity and its mission. It is a great opportunity to meet our team, learn more about our work and get involved in shaping our future.
Your presence and participation at the AGM is important to us. It is a chance for us to thank you for your support and for you to help us make important decisions moving forward. We hope to see you there!
If you have any questions about the meeting, contact our Fundraising Manager Rosie at [email protected].
RSVP via Eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/norfolk-citizens-advice-agm-2023-tickets-694080412197?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you at the AGM!
Factory tour of Proeon Systems – Greater Norwich Manufacturing Group
The next Greater Norwich Manufacturing Group meeting will be kindly hosted by Proeon Systems, specialist systems integrator supplying control and safety solutions for complex and critical applications in a variety of industry sectors.
The theme of the meeting will be focused around SCADA: remote monitoring solutions and predictive maintenance.
Join like-minded business leaders in manufacturing to tour the factory, hear from a keynote speaker and dedicate time to sharing best practices and understanding the latest challenges facing the sector.
Agenda:
- 15:30 – Arrival and networking
- Chair introductions and welcome
- NAAME update
- Introduction to Proeon Systems
- Planned & Predictive Maintenance
- Factory Tour
- Roundtable challenge discussion
- 17:30 – Close
About Proeon Systems
Proeon Systems is a specialist systems integrator supplying control and safety solutions for complex and critical applications in a variety of industry sectors that principally include: renewable, hydrogen, transitional oil & gas, nuclear and utility industries. Proudly celebrating our 20th anniversary during 2024, the company provides industrial grade control and safety solutions with specialist knowledge in the following areas:
- Automation Control & Safety systems
- Wind Farm Control Systems
- Fire & Gas systems
- Gas & Turbine Control systems
- Hazardous Area systems
- Subsea Control systems
Proeon provides complete turnkey systems that are a combination of hardware, software, control and functional safety engineering coupled with service and support services.
The company draws on world leading engineering expertise to manage projects from concept design, development and manufacture of complete packages, through to providing support, installation and commissioning.
About NAAME’s Manufacturing Groups
NAAME’s Manufacturing Group are dedicated to supporting regional manufacturing and engineering leaders/managers to come together to connect, collaborate and grow. If you are interested in sharing best practices, overcoming challenges, connecting regional supply chains and supporting the next generation of engineers then get involved!
Event attendance is prioritised for manufacturers, we have the right to remove tickets to third parties.
Interested in finding out more about NAAME? visit our website here, register for your free membership here and sign-up to our newsletter here.
Garth Delikan
My mission is to motivate individuals to be their true selves and to live the life they want.
The Beginning
I came from a working-class, council house background with very little money — but I had something special that money could never buy: a very loving and supportive family. I developed an entrepreneurial and business mindset at the age of 13 when I wanted a lime green racing bike. My parents told me that if I saved half the money, they’d give me the rest. They didn’t need to. I got a job doing an early morning paper round and worked on a market stall three times a week — and bought it myself. This taught me some very important things: life is what you make it, and you can get whatever you want with the right mindset — if you believe you can do it.
The Start of My Fitness Journey
Major life milestone: I turned 21 and had my first ever gym workout — which became the solid foundation on which I built my entire life and business. 150 dive bomber press-ups, then stand on one leg and deliver 100 roundhouse kicks without dropping your leg… Easy — when you decide you want to do it! This is where I developed and built my mental resilience — my kick-ass mindset — which carried over into every aspect of my life.
What I Did Wrong!
Professional Life and My First Big Mistake
I became a freelance graphic designer at 21 and bought my first Ferrari at 23. After becoming a studio manager at a large, well-known advertising agency in London, I excelled in business — learning quickly that my natural empathy and rapport-building skills made me a great leader. This was my first BIG mistake: I believed they cared.
I believed they had my best interests at heart. I bought into the corporate world — the pressure, the egos, the overwhelm — being underappreciated, underpaid, and unrewarded for my efforts, all for the so-called greater good of the company. But thanks to the tools, techniques, and strategies I had developed through my daily workouts, I also learned how powerful the mind truly is. I realised the value of pushing through daily physical challenges and going beyond what I thought I was capable of. This made a huge difference to my mindset and stress levels in the business world. After building up other people’s businesses and working for 20 years, I learned — at the early age of 40 — how cutthroat the business world can be.
I was horribly betrayed by the people I trusted most in my professional life.
I believed their lies for a full year before realising the terrible psychological and emotional damage they were causing me. Eventually, I realised I was fighting a bitter battle I could never win.
My Second Big Mistake
I let others take away my power — something I will NEVER do again. I licked my wounds for six months and set up my own business in Carnaby Street.
But it was not to be. My business partner (and supposed financial director) turned out to be a crook — and my wife of 20 years also decided, in her infinite wisdom, that she no longer wanted to be married. Life had gone horribly wrong — and I’m not ashamed to admit that I crashed and burned, big time. I suffered terribly from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and clinical depression.
It was time to take charge of my own life — and my own destiny. This is when my daily workouts and healthy eating habits really came into play and served me well.
Reinventing Myself
After a period of recovery — because you cannot allow life to beat you — I reinvented myself as a Kickboxing Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Nutritionist. Before I knew it, I had gained an exclusive client base around Kensington, Chelsea, Mayfair, Knightsbridge, and Holland Park. This is where my life experience, values, and beliefs came into their own — and I was in my element. My true power. I found myself being asked for advice on everything — from exercise, nutrition, mindset, self-confidence, and self-esteem to emotional wellbeing.
And I loved every minute of it. As word spread, I began running corporate workshops for companies such as AstraZeneca, Diageo, BP, BAE Systems, Anglo American, and many London advertising agencies — helping me develop and hone my skill set even further. I’ve appeared on BBC TV, Sky News, The Chrissy B Show, had my own radio show with Shoreditch Radio, appeared in the London Evening Standard, and was a Wellbeing Ambassador for Sopexa International.
What Is the Garth Delikan Academy?
Courses You’ll Unlock Immediately
- Mindset Makeover – Rewire your thinking for clarity, confidence, and calm
- Healthy Body Hacks – Learn how to eat well, move smart, and ditch the diet mentality
- Stress-Free Living – Tools to manage pressure and stay balanced in everyday life
- Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life – Take control of your thoughts and beliefs
- Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life – Take control of your thoughts and beliefs
- Confident Life Skills – Build self-worth, master communication, and take charge
- Healthy Mind, Healthy Body – Use the psychology of eating to feel your best
And many more—all included with your membership.
And many more—all included with your membership.
Swarm Corporation
The Swarm Group are Gold Patrons of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce
Who we are
At Swarm, we are a group of companies who work together with shared values and an absolute passion for training to help both businesses and individuals get the vital knowledge and understanding they need to thrive in their arena. We know what a tangible, and sometimes dramatic, difference embracing best practice in both management and technical skills makes to a business and its working environment and this is what drives us on a daily basis!
Swarm is proud to be a Community Interest Company, with a mission to help develop more enterprising, compassionate and purposeful business practices across the UK and beyond having an impact on not only the business community but also the social community around our places of work.
All companies under the Swarm brand are Norfolk based but we have evolved over our 10 years of trading to become now a National and International training provider and consultancy.
What we do
The Swarm Group is made up of:
| Swarm Training
– deliver high quality Business and Engineering apprenticeships. Our business subjects cover 5 key areas of Marketing & Market Research, Business Management, Administration & Accounts, HR & Recruitment and Supply Chain & Logistics. As part of Swarm Training, the Engineering apprenticeships fall under the Swarm Reagit brand whose roots have been well known in Norfolk for over 30 years. Keen to keep the name, we deliver Swarm Reagit Engineering courses covering Operations & Maintenance, General Welding, Metal Fabrication and Electrical Installation & Maintenance.
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| Swarm Bluewater
– deliver bespoke Leadership & Management training to all levels of an organisation from Supervisory through to Senior Level and any people development requirements in between. The training can be bespoke or for specific Professional Certificates such as the ILM Level 3 and 5 in Leadership and Management. We also now deliver the MRS Advanced Certificate! View information about the MRS Advanced Certificate, testimonials and Request a Brochure: |
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| Swarm Recruitment
– as part of resourcing your business with well trained staff, crucial for a stable and fruitful future, recruiting the right people in the first place is a huge part of the technique! The Swarm Recruitment team are experienced professionals delivering a personal service with specialisms in sourcing talent for Marketing, Market Research, Financial Services and Business Support teams. |
Courses we run
BUSINESS APPRENTICESHIPS:
Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant
Level 3 Assistant Accountant
Level 4 Professional Accounting or Tax Technician
Level 3 Business Administrator
Level 3 Payroll Administrator
Level 3 Improvement Technician
Level 4 Improvement Practitioner
Level 4 Associate Project Manager
Level 4 Business Analyst
Level 3 Team Leaders/Supervisor
Level 5 Operations/Department Manager
Level 5 Improvement Specialist
Level 3 Content Creator
Level 3 Events Assistant
Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer
Level 4 Marketing Executive
Level 4 Market Research Executive
Level 4 Sales Executive
Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner
Level 3 Customer Service Specialist
Level 2 Recruitment Resourcer
Level 3 Recruitment Consultant
Level 3 HR Support
Level 2 Supply Chain Operator
Level 3 Supply Chain Practitioner
ENGINEERING APPRENTICESHIPS:
Level 2 Engineering Operative Standard
Level 2 General Welder Standard
Level 3 Pipe Welder Standard
Level 3 Metal Fabricator Standard
Level 3 Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician Standard
Level 3 Installation & Maintenance Electrician Standard
Level 2 Carpentry
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT TRAINING:
Professional Certificates:
ILM level 3 in Leadership and Management Skills
ILM level 5 in Leadership Skills
MRS Advanced Certificate
General Management Training:
Influencing & Negotiating
Leadership & Followship
Conflict Management
Time Management
Building A Winning Team
Delegation Skills
Dealing With Difficult People
Effective Communication Skills
Presenting With Impact
Customer Service Excellence
Wellness And Self Care
Cross Cultural Working
Senior Leadership Development:
Effective Strategic Thinking
Advanced Decision Making
Effective Strategic Planning
Boardroom Negotiation & Pitches
Change Management
Culture Change
Commercial Awareness
What makes us different
Compassion and Community play a huge part in the life of every human being. Without those, there is all too often a deep rooted sense of missing inner peace affecting our concentration, enthusiasm, social connections and our very personalities – even without realising it. Yet, as we function in our daily lives, we often rush around and forget to make the time and space we need to recharge and to enjoy the social interactions with our families and friends which keep us grounded and healthy. In the UK, productivity is at an all-time low as the workforce struggle with their mental health, juggling to earn around family commitments, long and stressful commutes or, at the opposite end of the scale, social isolation and draining digital lifestyles. Swarm’s goal is to equip every staff member and learner with the knowledge and skills they need for their role, the self-management techniques needed for their social, physical and spiritual wellbeing to navigate their mental health and energy, as well as the appropriate working disciplines and conduct. In turn we have been privileged to see the impact that has on businesses and staff in elevating productivity, profitability, happiness at work and long term employer/employee relationships reducing business costs, disruption and loss of earnings.
Our firm values of Compassion, Family and Impact is what makes us different!
Age UK Norwich Impact Report 2024/25 Marking 80 Years of Service
Age UK Norwich has today published its Impact Report 2024–2025, showcasing a year of growth, resilience and significant community impact as the charity approached its 80th anniversary.
The report reveals that during 2024–25, Age UK Norwich supported nearly 8,000 older people across its services (a 38% increase on the previous year), delivered 10,486 advice sessions, and secured £1.5 million for residents facing financial hardship. The CEO and Chair of Trustees foreword underscores the proven value of the charity’s preventative services. Independent findings estimate that £19 million is returned to society through reduced loneliness, improved health, financial stability and decreased pressure on statutory services.
The publication highlights how the charity’s services are making a difference in the city and county. Their Health Coaching service reducing frailty and fear of falling; Complex Community Support and Befriending services tackling isolation in one of England’s loneliest cities; and its Accredited Advice team responding to rising pensioner poverty and fuel hardship.
The year also marked significant progress in making Norwich an Age Friendly City. In partnership with Norwich City Council, Age UK Norwich secured official Age Friendly status from the Centre for Ageing Better and launched the State of Ageing in Norwich report, setting out priorities for housing, transport and tackling inequalities.
The charity, founded in 1945, celebrated their 80th year in 2025, with a week-long exhibition in the forum in August, but are clear about the challenges facing the city and county.
Dan Skipper, Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Norwich, said:
“Norfolk has one of the oldest populations in the country – our response must match the scale of that challenge if we want to Norwich and Norfolk to be a place where our later life is filled with opportunity and independence. Unless we invest at scale in community and preventative services, we will continue to see the current trends of increasing frailty and disability, people leaving work due to their health and caring responsibilities, and shorter life expectancy.”
The Charity has set out clear recommendations to commissioners and policymakers:
- Plan to Scale preventative services that are proven to work.
- Invest in Prevention, shifting away from purely clinical responses.
- Fund the Intervention, directing resources to frontline community support.
- Empower Older Workers through Age Friendly employment practices.
- Bridge the Gap between services so people do not fall through departmental silos.
Alastair Roy, Chair of Trustees, said:
“The evidence of our charity impact is clear – from how we improve the lives of our clients, getting people get back to work or enjoying their later life, to the social and economic value we generate. Investing in community-based preventative services improves lives and reduces pressure on NHS and care services. We’ve been recognised nationally for our services – we now need to see that locally.”
The charity is inviting residents, partners and businesses to read the report, get involved and help shape the next chapter of the charity’s future.
Read the full report
The full Our Impact 2024–2025 report is available to download
Valentine’s Day 2026
Valentine’s Day is blooming and just over 3 weeks away!
As the calender edges closer to the most romantic day of the year. Love is in the air and so is the excitement for fresh, romantic flowers. Whether it’s a grand gesture or a simple “I Adore You” nothing captures the moment quite like a beautiful bouquet.
We at Arcade Florist are preparing for all your floral gifts and romantic jesters to your loved ones.
Add something a little extra like Chocolates, Teddies, Balloons, Petals, Valentine decorations and much more!!
Call 01493 843958 to arrange delivery and collection.
Still Got It: Breaking the Taboo on Sex After 50
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Age UK Norwich has announced that it is supporting an important national initiative called Still Got It to promote the release of Age UK’s first ever guide focused on sex, relationships and intimacy.
This comes as the Charity recognises a current lack of information and resources around the subject tailored to this age group, with Age UK’s latest research revealing one quarter of over 50s wish more information about sex in later life was available.
Age UK Norwich also hopes this new publication will help transform attitudes to ageing in Norwich and Norfolk and challenge the stigma that exists around this subject, by getting people to talk more about sex, relationships and intimacy as we get older.
Sex & intimacy:
Age UK’s research highlights that, despite three in five (59%) over 50s believing that a healthy sex life is important for a relationship at this age, 10 million (39%) feel uncomfortable discussing this.
Nearly half (47%) of over 50s feel that advertisers and brands ignore the sexual needs of people in their age bracket. This societal stigma has serious knock-on effects on how people in mid and later life are understood and accommodated for, even in healthcare settings. The research reveals that:
- 5 million (19%) over 50s think their sexual health needs are overlooked by their doctor or other medical professionals
- 1 million (15%) over 50s would be too embarrassed to go for an STI (sexually transmitted infection) test
- 9 million (15%) over 50s worry about their sexual health and wellbeing
Dan Skipper, Chief Executive Officer at Age UK Norwich, says: “This national initiative is so important because we’ve seen first-hand in Norwich how relationships formed later in life can flourish into something truly special, including marriage. That’s why we’re so pleased to be part of it, helping to spread this important message and signpost people to the new Age UK guide.”
The Still Got It initiative is supported by a range of credible experts, including TV presenter and dating expert, Anna Williamson, sex and relationship author and columnist, Tracey Cox, behavioural psychologist, Jo Hemmings, and doctor and author, Dr Miriam Stoppard*.
Relationships and connections:
As Valentine’s Day draws closer, dating, relationships, love and self-love become hot topics and while, for some over 50s, the day passes like any other, for others, it’s action-packed.
Age UK’s research reveals that for 3.3 million (12%) over 50s, their ideal Valentine’s Day consist of getting intimate with their partner, and for 1.2 million (4%), it includes trying something new in the bedroom like a new sex position, toy or lingerie. The day is due to be equally busy for 940,000 over 50s, whose ideal Valentine’s Day includes getting back out there to look for a new connection, believing it’s never too late.
When asked how they would look for a relationship, sex or intimacy for themselves or a friend, 11 million (42%) over 50s would hope to do this the traditional way – by meeting someone while out and about. Furthermore:
- 7 million (37%) over 50s said they would join groups or clubs. This could include our most popular Over 50s Night held at Mr Postles Apothecary or one of our coffee clubs.
- 1 million (15%) over 50s would go on a singles holiday
- 7 million (10%) over 50s would reconnect with an old flame
Michelle Collins, acclaimed actress and TV soap star, says: “As we get older, the world becomes more obsessed with our age than who we really are. But we’re exactly the same person on the inside as we’ve always been – maybe we even know ourselves better now.
“That’s why I’m so proud to support Age UK’s Still Got It initiative. As someone who found love in her 50s, I’m keen to raise awareness of the stigma that’s out there around older people and sex and relationships and promote the need for more information and advice on this subject like the Charity’s new guide. It’s so important to continue embracing every part of ourselves in later life, including our sexual and romantic needs and desires – and that starts by talking about it.”
Of course, the landscape of finding love has changed a lot in recent years, with two-thirds (64%) of over 50s saying the new world of dating and apps would leave them feeling overwhelmed. Many also admit to not feeling confident in their knowledge of certain topics like erectile dysfunction (36%), STIs (31%), the menopause (28%) and the link between sex and intimacy and mental health (38%).
The new Age UK Guide is all about empowerment through information, helping those over 50 feel as though they can discuss sex, relationships, love, dating and intimacy openly and without fear of judgement or shame. Age UK Norwich believes this will, in turn, help ensure people in this age group don’t feel forced to shut down this part of themselves if that’s not what they want, but instead are well-informed enough and encouraged to lead the mid and later life they want to live.
Guide on sex, relationships and intimacy available now
After more advice on this subject, either for yourself or someone else? Call Age UK’s Advice Line on 0800 169 6565. All calls are confidential.
New Director appointed to Larking Gowen’s medical team
Jan McLean has joined Larking Gowen as a Director in the specialist medical team.
She will be working from the Ipswich and Norwich offices, supporting the teams in both locations and further strengthening the firm’s offering across East Anglia.
Jan has more than 30 years’ accountancy experience. She qualified as a chartered accountant in 1997, and 2010, she started specialising in the healthcare and medical sector. During this time, her clients were GP practices, hospital consultants, locums, pharmacies, limited companies and other healthcare related clients. Within the medical sector, she has a specialisation in NHS pensions.
Jan said: “I joined Larking Gowen because I wanted to stay in medical specialisation and use the skills I’ve acquired to continue supporting NHS staff and those in private practice. Apart from understanding the intricacies of GP finance, I particularly have a wealth of knowledge in the NHS pension scheme and the associated tax implications, which is a complicated area.
“I knew many of the Larking Gowen healthcare partners from the AISMA annual conferences. Their business is highly respected in the medical sector which was a huge positive for me. The whole team have been friendly and supportive in welcoming me to the firm.”
Andrew Burwood, Partner and head of the medical team at Larking Gowen, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jan to our team. She brings a wealth of experience having looked after many clients within the NHS and private healthcare sectors over several years, and we look forward to her sharing her knowledge and expert guidance with both our clients and our team.
“Jan is a perfect fit for Larking Gowen and our clients, and she strengthens our commitment to remaining an independent firm with a real focus on the community we are so proud to be a part of.”
Great Gatsby Christmas Party Nights
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This December, Fancy dress What’s included: • A drink on • Two-course • Entertainment Timings: • 7pm – Arrival • 7.45pm – Buffet • 1am – Evening to Venue: Gunn Club, Barclay You can reserve your Please note bookings Dates available for Tickets are priced at Over 18s only |