Member News

The Norse Group has been working with HMP Norwich over the last 18 months to help establish employment opportunities for prison leavers. This important work stems from an initiative started by James Timpson before he became Minister of State for Prisons, Parole, and Probation.

As part of this ongoing work, Future Horizons will be officially launched through two free events in Norwich and Ipswich this autumn.

Launch events:

• Holywells Orangery, Ipswich – Thursday 19 September 2025

• Cinema City, Norwich – Friday 3 October 2025

Future Horizons is a pioneering initiative dedicated to creating meaningful pathways for prison leavers, by connecting them with employers and support services.

The project aims to improve access to work, highlight real-life success stories, and showcase the proven value of second-chance employment.

Both events will run from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and include light refreshments. Attendees will have the chance to hear from guest speakers, discover more about the initiative, and explore how employers can get involved.

Register your interest in attending: FutureHorizons

Clarity Menu is seeking a strategic and driven B2B Sales Expert or Consultant to help us onboard another 10 restaurant partners in Norwich, leading to paying customers. We have already onboarded 2. We are a self-funded startup with a live MVP, and we’re looking for a key individual to help us establish a strong local presence.

The Role:

• You will be responsible for sales and client acquisition, leveraging your existing network of restaurant owners.

• This is a strategic role with the potential for equity-based compensation, as we are currently pre-revenue.

• The ideal candidate has a proven track record in B2B sales within the hospitality industry and is passionate about helping local businesses grow.

If you have a strong network in the Norwich restaurant scene and are interested in a unique, high-impact opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

Let’s be honest; every business has something they’ve been putting up with for far too long.

Maybe it’s the spreadsheet that crashes if you breathe near it.

The inbox full of “meant to reply” emails.

The quoting process that involves 14 tabs and a mild panic attack.

Most of the time, it doesn’t even feel like a big deal – it’s just the way it’s always been. But those little tolerations? They add up. They cost time, energy, consistency… and often, revenue.

That’s exactly the kind of thing I love fixing at Budease.

I work with founders and small business owners to find the bottlenecks, the chaos, and the things that have slowly crept out of control. Then sort them. Clean, clear, simple systems that make your business feel lighter & more effective.

You don’t need to overhaul everything. Sometimes it’s just a few smart tweaks behind the scenes that make the day feel 10x more manageable.

So if there’s something in your business that makes you mutter “there’s got to be a better way,” you’re probably right! I’d love to help you find it.

Let’s fix the bits you’ve been tolerating!

Norwich-based training provider Blue Heron Training is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with Norwich City Women’s Football Club, continuing as the club’s official sleeve sponsor for a second consecutive season.

After first joining forces with the Canaries ahead of the 2023/24 season, Blue Heron Training has not only supported the women’s team on the pitch but also worked with the wider club to deliver staff training, including specialist workshops on presentation skills.

Alex Sellers, founder and managing director of Blue Heron Training, said: “We are thrilled to continue our sponsorship of Norwich City Women for a second consecutive year. Our ongoing partnership is a reflection of our passion for supporting women’s sport and being part of a vibrant and inspiring community. Being involved with the team has been a brilliant experience, and we are proud to champion the incredible talent, determination and camaraderie that the players bring to each and every match.”

For Blue Heron Training, the partnership represents more than just a logo on a shirt. As a company dedicated to developing people and strengthening communities, supporting Norwich City Women reflects its mission to empower individuals, build confidence, and create opportunities for growth, whether in business or sport.

Ed Turnham, head of commercial at Norwich City, added: “We’re delighted to renew our partnership with Blue Heron Training for another season. Their continued support as our official sleeve partner is a testament to the strong values we share around community, development and ambition. Blue Heron Training’s commitment to empowering people through impactful learning mirrors the ethos we instil across our women’s team – growth, resilience and striving for excellence. It’s fantastic to collaborate with a local company that is so invested in the success and progression of women’s football.”

Blue Heron Training delivers leadership, management, and people skills training nationwide, but remains firmly rooted in Norwich. With a people-first approach, the company helps businesses of all sizes unlock their potential, equipping leaders with the confidence and skills to drive meaningful development and lasting change.

Sellers added, “As we look ahead to another fantastic season, we remain committed to empowering the team and celebrating the achievements of these exceptional athletes. Here’s to another year of growth, teamwork and unforgettable moments on and off the pitch.”

Find out more about Blue Heron Training: www.blueherontraining.com

After more than two decades of running their business, one of our recent clients was facing a perfect storm: the lingering impact of Brexit, the financial fallout from Covid, and a growing mountain of debt nearing £200,000. The weight of it all had become overwhelming – until they picked up the phone and spoke to us.

That first call made all the difference.

From the outset, our adviser Daria offered calm, supportive guidance. For this client, whose first language isn’t English, speaking to someone who could communicate clearly and compassionately in Polish helped break down the fear and uncertainty they were feeling.

“From the first call till now, all staff have been helpful in explaining each step. Everything was done online to save time and speed up the process.”

— Client Testimonial

With Daria’s help, the client began the process of closing their company through liquidation. They were guided through every step — from understanding their responsibilities to completing documentation — with clear, jargon-free advice, full support, and genuine empathy.

For many directors, making the decision to close a company is emotional. But the right support can transform fear into relief.

“I feel free.”

Three simple words that capture what many business owners feel when they realise they’re no longer stuck and can finally move forward.

We’re Here When You’re Ready

At Leading, an experienced insolvency and business restructuring firm, we believe in having early, honest conversations, because the sooner we talk, the more options we can explore together.

If your business is experiencing financial stress, or you’re supporting a client who is, we’re here to help. We offer confidential, no-obligation guidance tailored to each situation.

We’re happy to speak directly with business owners, or work in partnership with accountants, HR professionals, or other advisers.

Let’s take the first step together while there are still options on the table.

You can contact our friendly and experienced team on 01603 552028 or email us at [email protected].

How do you communicate your value in a sector that’s notoriously hard to shout about? And, how do you get people to pay attention in the first place? 

That was the core strategic challenge that informed our work with Age UK Norwich. 

Marking their 80th birthday and on a mission to fundraise £80k this year, Age UK Norwich initially approached us about some simple event support.  

But it didn’t take long to uncover a bigger story. An incredible legacy that deserved to be shared properly; in a way that demanded attention, cut through the noise, and made a lasting impact. 

Cue: experiential marketing. 

With brand experiences increasing emotional connection by an average of 60%, and purchase intention by 20% (ref: The Drum), we knew that a full-scale installation positioned right in the centre of Norwich, could deliver exactly that. 

Bringing together our expertise across marketing consultancy, design, graphic production and carpentry, we got to work.   

From Concept to Connection

We set about designing a bold, stand-out space. Something that couldn’t be ignored. 

And with real-life connection in mind, we made sure it didn’t just tell the story, it actively invited people in. Each interactive ‘zone’ worked at a different speed, balancing a careful narrative between hope and the harsher realities faced in our community.   

The result? A space that made people stop and pay attention. Conversations sparked. Donations were made. People walked away with new knowledge and Age UK top of mind.  

The reach of the exhibition was extended further through a full multi-channel marketing campaign. From social media to email, PR and partnerships, to TV and radio coverage,  these combined efforts meant Age UK could shout louder, reach new audiences, and amplify their important message. 

But with any brand activation, the biggest benefits are long-term. In this case, more eyes and ears on Age UK Norwich means they’ll be more likely to come to mind when potential sponsors, donors, or service users are deciding where to turn, long into the future. 

Dan Skipper, CEO of Age UK Norwich, summarised the event simply as ‘legendary’. 

Power in Presence

We’ve seen brands of all sectors benefit from the ‘experiential edge’, from haircare to finance, to manufacturing.  

Looking ahead, we expect to see the potential of brand activations continue growing alongside the rising ‘experience economy’. This reflects a shift in consumer behaviour as people seek meaningful experiences, which savvy brands can leverage as part of their marketing strategy. 

It’s a shift we’ve been leaning into at Image Experiential. Pushing our creativity and capabilities, we’re crafting more immersive and memorable experiences for our clients. 

And while you’ll find an activation on every corner in London, that’s not the case in Norwich… yet. 

The Age UK space is just a glimpse of what’s possible when strategy, creativity, and purpose align in our city. 

After all, Norwich is vibrant with creativity and home to some fantastic businesses. And in our growing ‘experience economy’, opportunity awaits. The ambitious brands who step into it will be the ones who stand out more, are hard to ignore, and impossible to forget. 

Leeway is delighted to announce the appointment of Jools Ramsey-Palmer as the charity’s new permanent Chief Executive, following an extensive recruitment process.

Jools brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously held leadership roles, most recently as Chief Executive of Ipswich Housing Action Group and in roles at Solace Women’s Aid.

Leeway’s new Chief Executive will officially start her new role on Monday 10^th November, with a phased start and induction process through October.

Brenda Horner, Chair of Leeway’s Board of Trustees, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jools to Leeway as our new permanent Chief Executive.

“It was a tough recruitment process, with lots of excellent candidates, but we were impressed with Jools’ experience and vision, which we believe will help to guide Leeway into an exciting new chapter.

“Having recently celebrated our 50^th anniversary, Leeway is looking ahead and looking at ways in which we can continue to futureproof and diversify the important services that we provide.” 

Jools Ramsey-Palmer, Chief Executive of Leeway, said: “I’m excited to be joining the Leeway team as Chief Executive. Leeway is a fantastic organisation with a rich history of delivering high-quality services to those experiencing domestic abuse in Norfolk and Suffolk.

“I’m looking forward to building on the excellent work already being done across the organisation, as well as looking at ways in which the charity can continue to grow and meet the ever-changing needs of service users.” 

The appointment of a new CEO marks a new chapter for the specialist domestic abuse charity, which supports over 17,000 people across Norfolk and Suffolk every year.

The charity delivers advice and support, safe accommodation services, support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse, as well as support for high-risk victims in Norfolk and Suffolk. 

To find out more about Leeway and the services that the charity provides, visit www.leewaysupport.org. 

Inside Netmatters: Driving Productivity Through AI

Managing a business today means juggling countless tasks – from client communications to internal reporting. Off-the-shelf software can help, but it often comes with limits: updates stop, workflows get blocked, and your team ends up adapting to the software rather than the other way around. 

AI workflow automation changes this. By designing a system that understands and adapts to your processes, you can save time, reduce errors, and make smarter decisions. In this article, we’ll show how our AI assistant, Sofia, transformed our daily operations and how the same approach can benefit your business. 

What is AI Workflow Automation? 

AI workflow automation uses intelligent software to handle recurring business tasks automatically. Unlike basic automation, AI adds adaptability: it prioritises tasks, predicts bottlenecks, and responds to changing circumstances in real time. 

Key benefits include: 

• Time saved: Routine tasks completed automatically. 
• Reduced errors: Critical processes executed consistently. 
• Proactive alerts: Problems flagged before they escalate. 
• Scalable operations: Processes grow with your business without extra headcount. 

Who is Sofia? 

Sofia is our bespoke AI workflow assistant, who we built specifically for our business needs in 2017. As of this year, she manages over 350 recurring checks and background tasks each month, including IT audits, KPI monitoring, and email management. 

Sofia doesn’t replace people; she frees the team from repetitive work so they can focus on high-value tasks. Giving her a name also helps integrate AI naturally into the workplace – and we love her! 

How Sofia Transformed Daily Operations Smarter Task Management 

Sofia has transformed the working day at Netmatters by organising task lists dynamically, prioritising based on urgency, resources, and dependencies. If a project slips due to staff unavailability, Sofia reshuffles priorities, updates deadlines, and notifies relevant team members automatically. This means that no deadlines get missed and our team can stay ahead of the curve!

Automated Reporting & System Health 

Sofia automates all sorts of daily tasks for us so we can keep focused on delivering great results. For example, in our IT department, Sofia runs daily Automated System Health (ASH) reports and helps resolves minor software issues. However, she also helps cut manual processes like invoicing, by ensuring invoices are exported to payroll systems without the need for human intervention. These are just a couple of ways that Sofia helps free up the team from repetitive tasks and improve productivity for the business.  

Real-Time KPI Tracking 

At the heart of most teams are KPIs. They keep us on track and make sure we’re hitting targets. By integrating Sofia with our system, she’s able to monitor KPIs in real time. When a metric slips, she identifies the cause and alerts the relevant manager. Problems are resolved in hours rather than weeks, giving leadership actionable insights instantly. 

Admin & Compliance Management 

From email archiving to holiday scheduling, Sofia handles routine administrative tasks efficiently. She also completes recurring audits, onboarding steps, and compliance checks automatically, reducing risk and keeping workflows smooth. 

Results Achieved 

Since introducing Sofia: 

1. Routine admin time dropped dramatically 
2. Decision-making accelerated thanks to real-time updates 
3. Team satisfaction increased as repetitive tasks were removed 
4. Operational risks decreased through proactive detection 

By adopting AI like Netmatters, businesses can focus on strategic priorities, boost productivity, and reduce human error. Read more about how you can achieve your business objectives through AI. 

Ready to Transform Your Workflow? 

AI workflow automation isn’t about replacing people—it’s about enabling your team to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently. Sofia has transformed our operations and delivered measurable gains in efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness. And if you still need to read more, discover how AI can benefit your business. 

Book a consultation with our AI consultancy team today and start your journey to smarter workflow automation. 

Please join us in giving a suitably raucous Beacon welcome to Nathan McGeary, who’s joined the team as our newest Support Engineer! ?

Nathan comes armed with an impressive toolkit: 3CX, Horizon, NEC phone systems (SV8100/9100, for the aficionados), and enough M365, Intune, and Azure know-how to make a lesser mortal weep gently into their Group Policies. From on-prem servers to cloud environments, Macs to iPhones, switches to firewalls — the man knows his way around both the virtual and the very-much-plugged-in.

In short: if it connects, pings, rings, or syncs, Nathan can tame it.

We threw him into the Beacon fire pit (politely, of course) and asked a few critical questions:

? What’s your go-to productivity hack or tech tip?
? A mouse with a side scroll and programmable shortcuts (yes I am a geek), the productivity increase was incredible.

? If you weren’t in IT, what job would you be doing instead?
? I’d likely be in a kitchen, I trained as a chef in my younger years and love to make food that makes people smile

? If you were a biscuit, what would you be and why?
? Triple Chocolate Shortbread – because who doesn’t want to be an over sweet Scottish treat

So far, no one’s cried, nothing’s caught fire, and Nathan’s even smiled at a Monday morning — we’re calling that a win.

Need a whole marketing team, without the overheads?

Imagine plugging in a dedicated department that handles strategy, execution, and results, all without hiring a dozen new staff. That’s the power of outsourced marketing services from Smash Marketing.

Whether you’re stretched thin or simply don’t want the hassle of building an in-house team, we’ve got you covered. You’ll get:

• Strategic campaigns aligned to your growth goals

• Expert execution of SEO, social ads, content, PPC, you name it

• Regular updates and clear reporting, so you always know how it’s performing

Ready to scale smarter, not harder?

Contact @SmashMarketingltd and discover how we can become your dedicated marketing department.

#OutsourcedMarketing #NoOverheads #MarketingExperts #ScaleWithSmash

If you or a loved one prefers to remain in their home despite the care and support needs they face and going into a care home is NOT an option, Please call us 01553 766806 

We will attend to carry out a free care assessment to assist you decide which type of home care best suits your needs. This is a No Obligation assessment and available across Norfolk

Age UK Norwich is celebrating the resounding success of its Over 50s Night, held on Wednesday 14th August, which sold out well in advance and kept the dance floor buzzing from start to finish. Guests enjoyed a vibrant mix of music, laughter, and community spirit, proving once again that great nights out aren’t just for the young – they’re for the young-at-heart.

The atmosphere was electric, with fantastic vibes carrying through the entire evening. Attendees mingled, danced, and connected in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Many guests commented that it was “the best night out they’ve had in years,” and staff were thrilled to see the event bring so much joy.

A special shout-out goes to DJ Lee, whose brilliant music choices kept the dance floor full and the energy high all night. From classic floor-fillers to singalong favourites, the soundtrack was the heartbeat of the event and a huge part of its success.

One attendee said: “I’ve only recently found out about Age UK Norwich events. Very impressed about the range of activities and thoroughly enjoyed the disco at Mr Postles”

Another Attendee added: “It’s the first time I’ve gone out and not felt lonely”

Social isolation is a real challenge for many older people in Norwich, with loneliness affecting physical and mental wellbeing. Events like the Over 50s Night provide a vital opportunity for people to come together, make new connections, and feel part of an active, supportive community. By creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, Age UK Norwich is helping to tackle isolation one dance, conversation, and shared laugh at a time.

The night also saw a heartwarming return for Mark and Toni, who first met at the Over 50s Night in 2024. The couple came back to celebrate on the eve of their wedding, telling organisers that the event had changed their lives. “We couldn’t think of a better place to spend the night before our big day,” they said. “This is where it all began for us.”

The Over 50s Night continues to be one of Age UK Norwich’s most popular social events, offering a safe, fun, and friendly way for people to enjoy live music, meet new friends, and feel part of a thriving community.

We Hear You – and We Want to Do More!
We’ve listened, and we know you want more organised nights like these. Events like this need support to keep them going – and we’d love to make it happen again. Do you know a business, organisation, or individual who could sponsor the next Over 50s Night? If so, get in touch at [email protected] and help us keep the music playing and the dance floor full.