The Voluntary Norfolk Communities Team are running a series of Cost-of-Living themed workshops for our Network of voluntary, community & social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, to address some of the varied issues they are struggling with in the wake of rising costs. One of our events is a virtual “marketplace” of offers for VCSEs- these could be cost-saving offers, or perhaps wellbeing-focused offers with a financial saving attached.
Some examples of organisations we have attending so far:
In Kind Direct, who offer discounts on products like hygiene or food items for charities to distribute
Beryl Bikes, who run the bike/scooter hire scheme in Norwich, who give away vouchers for free bike rides to voluntary orgs
The National Trust, who have a new scheme for community groups to access Felbrigg & Sheringham Park at reduced rates
We would love to hear from Norfolk businesses who have something to offer local VCSEs, to help them through these challenging times. We are particularly looking for offers or schemes that can be extended to staff or volunteers of these groups, although offers that will help their beneficiaries too are of course very welcome.
Please contact Tasha and Amelia: [email protected] if you would like to be involved. Thank you for your help!
Norwich Science Festival is back 11–18 February 2023! Expect intriguing discoveries, inspiring talks, engaging exhibitions, deep dives and debates, cutting-edge research, and lots of hands-on family fun!
Visit The Explorium at The Forum – a free drop-in family friendly, hands-on science zone with activities for all, with themed days from bugs, birds and beasts through to health and wellbeing, and much more.
Learn more about the science that shapes our world with our talks, debates and workshops from inspiring speakers, on a range of topics from artificial intelligence to ageing, and climate change to cancer research.
Presented by The Forum, Norwich, in partnership with many organisations across the region, including University of East Anglia and Norwich Research Park, there’s something for everyone – all ages can explore the wonders of the universe, meet the scientists whose research has changed the world and discover how science influences everything around us.
We can’t wait for @NorwichSciFest! The 8-day festival returns 11-18 February with intriguing discoveries, inspiring talks, engaging exhibitions, deep dives and debates, cutting-edge research, and lots of hands-on family fun! Take a look at norwichsciencefestival.co.uk
Children put their ‘spare’ time to good use after enjoying a fun-filled day of tenpin bowling.
The trip to Superbowl UK, in Castle Quarter, Norwich, was organised for siblings who are either bereaved or have a brother or sister receiving care from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) at The Nook.
The group featured a range of ages. They played games either side of lunch and also took part in other activities, using paper squares to make towers and completing crosswords based around Valentine’s Day.
EACH Play Specialist Clare Oakley said: “Everyone had such a fun day and our thanks go to Superbowl.
“They gave us their party room for free so we had a base and somewhere to rest in between getting all those strikes!
“There were lots of laughs, smiling faces and ‘ohs and ahs’ as the games were played.
“Two lucky staff members had a great day supporting the trip, in addition to some of our wonderful volunteers. There was lots of fun and friendly competition.”
The trip took place on Monday, 13th February.
EACH runs sibling days during the school holidays, for children aged five upwards.
“They allow siblings to come together, have fun and make friends in a safe environment,” added Clare.
“It’s a time for them to get together and meet others in similar situations to themselves.”
EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.
In addition to The Nook, it also has hospices in Milton, near Cambridge, and The Treehouse, in Ipswich.
Go East Anglia’s Chatty Bus Partners with The Chatty Café Scheme
Konectbus and Hedingham C Chambers proudly support Norfolk and Waveney Mind’s “Do Blue” initiative.
Social media campaign encourages employees, students, and residents to become Chatty Bus Champions.
In recognition of World Mental Health Day, Go East Anglia turned its social media channels blue, and encouraged its employees to wear their brightest blue outfits to show solidarity with those living with mental health conditions, in support of Norfolk and Waveney Mind’s “Do Blue” campaign.
It is estimated that over 15% of the UK workforce has a mental health condition, and while mental health-related absences were the fifth most common reason for time off work in 2022, many still feel it is a taboo subject. Leveraging its regional bus network, Go East Anglia continues to support its local communities in the fight against loneliness and social isolation. By fostering conversations among bus passengers through community initiatives, they aim to improve mental health and well-being with the communities their buses serve.
Looking beyond World Mental Health Day, the company is expanding its Chatty Bus initiative through corporate partnerships, a call for community involvement, and colleague engagement events. Go East Anglia has partnered with The Chatty Café Scheme, which encourages passengers to take the bus to a Chatty Café located on one of their routes. There, they can sit at a “Chatter and Natter” table and engage in meaningful conversations with volunteers from their local communities.
“The Chatty Café Scheme is delighted to partner with Go East Anglia’s Chatty Bus initiative to raise awareness of our Chatter & Natter tables,” said Abi Murray, Operations Manager of The Chatty Café Scheme CIC.
“Our tables create a space in coffee shops or community hubs for people to talk, whether it’s for five minutes over a cup of tea or an hour of good conversation. We’re not aiming to build friendships—just simple interactions that can combat loneliness and potentially have a significant impact on someone’s day.”
Through its travelling Chatty Buses and regional events, Go East Anglia is encouraging conversations, while also urging local employers, colleges, and universities to support employees and students in using their corporate volunteering hours to become Chatty Bus Champions.
Chatty Bus events are held throughout the year on designated routes. Employees and students can get involved by registering on the Konectbus and Hedingham C Chambers websites.
Volunteers will receive free online mental health awareness training from regional partner Suffolk Mind, along with a Chatty Bus Champion kit for each event.
Davina Langley, Head of Commercial and Marketing at Go East Anglia, said, “This latest partnership is a fantastic expansion of our Chatty Bus initiative. Since the pandemic, more people feel isolated than ever before, and for some, the bus journey may be the only time they speak to another person. We want to make that experience as meaningful and supportive as possible, and collaborating with other organisations helps us extend that reach.”
Internally, Go East Anglia remains committed to supporting its employees through its employee assistance program, offering access to counselling and mental health support services when employees need support.
The workplace expert also won the Pay Gap award and a highly recommended award in the Disability Confident sector at the event hosted by the Law Society on 2 July.
This year the judges reviewed entries across 22 categories, with Acas competing against organisations such as the Home Office, The Telegraph and the NHS.
The awards are enei’s opportunity to recognise organisations achieving diverse and inclusive workplaces and celebrate the teams and individuals who are making a difference.
Acas Head of Diversity, Julie Dennis, said: “We are truly delighted to be recognised by the industry experts in diversity and inclusion. To have won not one but three awards puts paid to all of the hard work that our hugely talented teams and individuals have done to make Acas the inviting and inclusive place to work that it is.
“Diversity and inclusion is integral to every part of Acas and informs all the work that we do. We will continue to strive to be the exemplar of workplace diversity and inclusion and we look forward to helping workplaces across the country benefit from the value that a diverse and inclusive workforce brings.”
Acas has produced guidance and advice for workplaces on equality that is available here: www.acas.org.uk/equality
Acas will be having a stand at Norwich Pride this year, it takes place on Saturday 27 July with Norfolk Day, and welcome businesses and members of the public to come and visit the team on the day.
Recently, Aston Shaw’s in-house tax team has expanded in size and capabilities, largely due to the recent acquisition of Burrells, an accountancy firm that specialised in tax planning.
As such, Aston Shaw’s tax team has been bolstered considerably, meaning that they can now provide an even better service.
As a result of this expansion, Aston Shaw is inviting clients and non-clients alike to contact them with any tax question or issues they may have, including but not limited to, the following areas:
VAT
Income planning
Property planning
Capital gains tax
Capital allowances
Non-resident tax planning
Trusts and estate planning
Inheritance tax planning
If you would like Aston Shaw’s Tax Specialists to take a close look at your tax affairs and ensure that you and your business are as tax efficient as possible, then you can contact them on 01603 616300 or by emailing [email protected].
East Anglia businesses have set out their top ‘levelling up’ priorities, ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Budget.
Businesses in the region have placed tax cuts and government subsidies for regional businesses, ahead of other key business policy areas such as infrastructure investment and job creation.
According to BDO LLP’s bi-monthly Rethinking the Economy survey of 500 mid-market businesses, a quarter (25%) of mid-sized businesses in East Anglia want to see the Government offer tax cuts and subsidies to regional businesses, as part of the so-called ‘levelling-up’ agenda. Nationally, 22% want to see this as a Government priority.
The survey by the accountancy and advisory firm, also showed that improving digital connectivity and investing in skills were other areas businesses believe the Government should focus on in delivering its pledge to level up the regions.
Peter Harrup, Partner and Head of East Anglia at BDO LLP, commented: “It’s unsurprising to see that tax cuts and efficiency measures, alongside important economic issues, feature strongly in the list of key levelling up priorities – something that regional businesses are calling for ahead of the Spring Budget later this month.”
Last week, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill reached Committee stage in the House of Lords, as it makes its passage through Parliament. The Government has proposed to speed up the process and deliver on its commitment to offer all of England the opportunity to benefit to from a devolution deal by 2030.
Harrup added: “It’s clear from our latest Rethinking the Economy survey that levelling up remains an important part of the narrative for East Anglia businesses and one that the Government must maintain momentum on if it’s to meaningfully engage with regional businesses, communities and local leaders and even the playing field in terms of delivering on its promise of a de-centralised democracy.”
A fun-loving family that has raised more than £30,000 for worthy causes has signed up a charity Bubble Rush.
Lee Howlett and four-year-old son Arthur will be among those representing Team Hector at the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) event in July.
They are supporting EACH because of the care it provided for little Hector, before his death at the age of just 15 months in February 2022.
He had Alpers syndrome – a rare mitochondrial disease caused by a double mutation of the POLG gene.
Hector’s family have been tireless fundraisers since his diagnosis, raising more than £30,000 which helped build the play park behind their home in Great Witchingham.
The rest was split between EACH, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital and mitochondrial disease charity The Lily Foundation.
Mum Tara, 36, said: “When Hector first got sick we set up a GoFundMe page to finish our local play park in Great Witchingham.
“We hoped to raise £8,000 and, incredibly, that target was hit within 24 hours.
“The page ended up raising £25,000, which was then divided between other charities, including EACH.
“Since then, some friends have run, or are running, the London Marathon for the Lily Foundation and, this year, we wanted to take part in the Bubble Rush.
“We thought it would be a fun thing to do, especially for Arthur.
“He’ll by five by then and talks about his brother every day. We thought it would be nice for him to get some sponsorship for EACH.
“Lee and myself have both had bereavement counselling and we’ve been invited to lots of events.
“However, we haven’t felt able to attend any yet so the Bubble Rush will be the first for us.”
Arthur and dad Lee will be joined by Lee’s brother and sister-in-law, Damien Le-May and Victoria Pask, Tommy Le-May, 15, Henry Muskett, 14, and George Muskett, 15.
However, they hope others may join them in flying the flag for Team Hector.
EACH’s foam-filled Norwich Bubble Rush will take place at the Norfolk Showground on 16th July and the course once again features four bubble stations along a 2.5km route.
Participants can do one lap or double their enjoyment by completing the circuit twice.
Each bubble station has a cannon which pumps out coloured foam to create a four-foot deep bubble bath.
To sign up or find out more, click here. To sponsor Team Hector, click here.
Community-minded residents from an aptly-named street have handed over a bumper cheque to charity.
Kind-hearted people living in Christmas Lane, Lowestoft, decorated and illuminated their houses during the festive season and raised nearly £1,500 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Visitors came from far and wide to see the eye-catching extravaganza and were asked to pop donations in collection buckets.
A cheque for £1,412 was recently handed over by residents Denise Bretton and Paul Gray to EACH Community Fundraiser Megan Kemp.
The presentation took place at The Nook – EACH’s hospice in Framingham Earl, near Norwich.
“It’s been so rewarding for Christmas Lane residents to raise money for EACH – a charity we immediately agreed upon,” said Richard Louis Ainslie, who hatched the original plan for the fundraiser with Denise.
“As we bring light to the people of Lowestoft and further afield, we hope the money raised will bring light into the lives of those that need support, medically and emotionally, at the most difficult time of their lives.
“It’s been amazing to create such a strong bond with EACH – one that will keep becoming stronger.”
The magical displays, featuring every house in the lane, some in nearby Prospect Road and one in Noel Road, contain thousands of twinkling lights and everything from stars and bells to snowmen and Santas.
Megan said: “It’s an extremely kind gesture from the people of Christmas Lane.
“The displays sound truly stunning and every penny donated will help us provide care and support for children and young people with life-threatening conditions, and their families, right across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.”
CyberScale, a specialist Cyber Security Consultancy, based in Norwich is has appointed Professor Cameron ‘Buck’ Rogers as the first member its newly established advisory board.
Having enjoyed an accomplished career in Cyber Security with roles that have included CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) at the Bank of England, Global Head of Resilience Risk at HSBC and latterly, Head of Cyber and Information Security at BAE Systems Buck will bring a wealth of skills and knowledge to CyberScale at a crucial time in the next chapter of the company’s growth and development.
Darren Chapman, founder, and Principal Consultant at CyberScale said: “This is a key appointment at CyberScale, and comes at a pivotal time for us as we expand our footprint, particularly across the SMB (small and medium business) space. The focus of Buck’s role will be to help us ensure that we continue to provide both the most relevant, and highest impact security services to our current and future clients. His knowledge, experience and contacts in the industry will be invaluable as he helps us optimise our portfolio of Cyber & Information Security Services as well as mentoring our already skilled and experienced team”.
Professor Rogers said that joining the CyberScale Advisory Board was a very simple decision to make, commenting; “Having experienced first-hand the quality of CyberScale’s work and their commitment to making vital cyber security services accessible to any type of business, I was delighted to accept the opportunity to help. I was excited by the company’s new initiatives in helping small and medium businesses to face up to the challenge of cyber security when they don’t have access to the same resources as larger enterprises.”
Buck’s Professorship is in Cyber Security and Digital Innovation at Gloucestershire University. Outside of his Professorship, Buck is a Fellow of CREST (Council for Ethical Security Testers).
Buck also provides cyber expertise to the International Monetary Fund, an agency of the UN, where Buck helps Countries to understand and regulate Cyber risk. He sits on the expert panel for Regulation Technology Associates and is cyber security advisor to Cyb3r Operations, a cyber intelligence company. Buck has also worked with the G7/G20 via the Carnegie Endowment for Peace on Cyber Security, and the global financial system.
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.
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!