The BUILD Wednesday Club is for adults with disabilities and meets on South Park Avenue in Norwich. Due to expansion of our programmes to meet demand we are looking to boost the team of volunteers who support art and craft activities. You’ll need to be available between 7pm and 9pm on a Wednesday evening (not all, but at least once a fortnight) and be prepared to go through some induction, safeguarding and disability awareness training to keep you safe, and our members safe, but also to help you share your skills and interests. If you are interested find out more through https://www.getinvolvednorfolk.org.uk/o/The-BUILD-Charity/opportunities/Art-programme-support-volunteer-Weds-evenings/63919.
Our social, leisure and learning community activity programme for September includes Sunday lunch club visits to The Black Boys PH in Aylsham, and Supper Clubs visits to Cuba Revolution in Norwich. Two sessions of physical exercise take place at the Norwich Fitness Academy, whilst our regular ten pin Tuesday sessions happen at Hollywood Bowl (Norwich) and Strikes (Dereham). 69 separate activities over the 30 days of September are on offer to anyone, with any disability aged 18 or over in Norfolk, through our affordable membership scheme. Full details at https://www.buildcharity.co.uk/joining-in.
In the absence of a full Norwich Beer Festival this autumn, BUILD Charity Volunteer, and local Beer Sommelier, Cheryl Cade, is organising the World Pop-up Beer Bar at the end of October in the Castle Social area of Castle Quarter shopping centre. The BUILD Charity and Headway Norfolk & Waveney are two Norfolk charities set to benefit from any profits made at the 4-day event, but ahead of its full launch volunteers are being recruited to serve behind bars, wash glasses, load fridges or assist with other aspects of the event. In return they will get to sample the alcoholic and alcohol-free goods and attend a staff party on the Saturday night. Full details of how to get involved at Bar server volunteers | The BUILD Charity.
The BUILD Charity has hosted a camping weekend for 12 of its members at the Kearns Foundation’s Log Cabin and Campsite at Trimingham in North Norfolk. Many of the BUILD members live in residential care or supported living, or with family carers, so the chance to be outside and learn open fire cooking skills, teamwork, self-management, as well as tent pitching takes them very much out of their usual comfort zone but according to CEO and event organiser James Kearns the benefits are wider. “These weekends build self-confidence, time management, budgeting and social skills in a fast, but fun environment showing our members that they are often capable of being more independent than they, or sometimes their carers, might think”. To find out more about BUILD’s GetAways programme visit GetAways and the BUILD Travel Service.
On Thursday 3rd October 2024, Chantry Place will host a student night event from 4pm until 8pm.
Brands confirmed as taking part include Lush, JD, Rosa’s Thai, GBK, The Real Greek, Levi’s, Lisa Angel and many more with discounts of up to 50 per cent on the night exclusively for students. Join the Chantry Place team on the dining terrace for spin the wheel and be in the chance to win hundreds of prizes, including vouchers, prizes and a £200 Urban Outfitters voucher. Other highlights include a DJ at JD, a spin the wheel at Schuh, buy one get one free at Bubble CiTea, the first 100 purchasing anything at Lush get a free goody bag, plus (at a cost) face mask making and bubble bar making, free goody bag at Lisa Angel with purchase for the first 100 students and Lisa Angel have a Edmunds Cocktail pop up to attend for tasters while they shop (over age of 18), plus free prawn crackers at Rosa’s Thai and 50% off. Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “All students are welcome to join us for our student event and enjoy late night shopping and exclusive discounts and offers. Chantry Place offers so much for students and we can’t wait to welcome new and current students to see what we have to offer and enjoy browsing the discounts and offers available.” For more information about Chantry Place and to see the list of who is taking part, please visit www.chantryplace.co.uk or follow their social media @chantryplacenorwich. Chantry Place is home to stores including Apple, Flannels, Frasers, H&M and Zara, and restaurants including Ask Italian, Wagamamas, YO! and more. All offers and discounts are correct at time of writing but may be changed or withdrawn by the retailer. For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/news
Age UK Norwich and Panacea Pause are thrilled by the success of their Navigating Menopause programme. Designed to empower women with the knowledge and tools to navigate the challenges of menopause, the programme has transformed the lives of countless participants. Read more here
Greater Anglia has launched a brand-new video and blog series that will give passengers a peek behind the curtain of one of the largest train operators in the country. Read more here
Ed’s journey from a Caterham road car enthusiast to a competitive racer took a thrilling turn during his first official race weekend. With a novice cross sticker proudly displayed on his car, signalling his entry into the world of motorsport, Ed embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and determination.
The race weekend at Snetterton was packed with new experiences for Ed, from the initial briefing with the Clerk of the Course to meeting the Caterham Graduates Racing Club’s Drivers Standards teams. The process of acclimating to competitive practice sessions, qualifying, and two races was a steep learning curve, but Ed handled it with impressive composure.
By his second race, Ed was fully in his element. His performance reached new heights as he clocked his fastest ever lap around Snetterton. The pinnacle of his debut weekend came when he won the ‘Millisecond Award’ for the closest finish, edging out Rob Appleton by just 0.054 seconds!
It’s remarkable to think that just six months ago, Ed had never been on track. Thanks to Alpha 7’s tailored driver development programme, he has rapidly advanced from a passionate enthusiast to a competitive driver. The focus now shifts to the next challenge: the Anglesey round in Wales. Ed is eager to tackle this new circuit and plans to maximise his simulator training to prepare.
Congratulations to Ed on a stellar start to his racing career! For anyone inspired by Ed’s success and looking to dive into motorsport, Alpha 7 offers personalised training programmes to help you achieve your driving and racing dreams. Get in touch to learn more about how we can support your journey.
We wanted to share this new case study because it’s a great story that shows how positive results can come out the darkest times. Our client Happy Hot Tubs are one of Britain’s biggest hot tub dealers, their success has been built over three decades importing high end hot tubs from the US. Responsibility for import procedures belongs to Vicky Tudor, the company’s Office and Projects Manager and the story starts when Covid hit the UK in 2021 The problem The Covid pandemic created a problem for Happy Hots Tubs (HHT) that many other businesses would have been delighted to share. Lockdown meant people were stuck at home and HHT’s order book quickly filled to bursting. Many readers will remember the problems of obtaining product from abroad during COVID, pressures that brought home to Vicky the importance of smooth, efficient import processes, and a recognition that HHT’s procedures needed looking at. Just at this point HMRC asked some difficult questions about commodity codes used on import documentation for the company’s growing range of accessories and parts. As most import professionals know, commodity codes can be a grey area so Vicky decided HHT needed to bring in an expert and contacted Tracey Renshaw at Import Export Support. The solution Discussions between Vicky and Tracey showed that it was time to relook at HHT’s import procedures from the ground up. A root and branch review was carried out to map the company’s activities, processes and responsibilities. Then Vicky and Tracey developed a new series of step by step procedures, designed to give Vicky and her team complete control over the import system. Alongside this work, detailed discussions started with HMRC over commodity code allocation and applications went in for Advance Tariff Rulings (ATFs) on the most important codes. The results HHT now has detailed written plans for the entire import process which outline who, why, what and when for each step. Vicky says: “We now have full written documented processes, systems for allocating commodity codes and a much better understanding of HMRC’s requirements” Along with this, HMRC approval on ATFs gives Vicky confidence when applying commodity codes, and continuity across all the Clearing Agencies handling their imports. Systematic checks on all Clearing Agency declarations mean issues can be raised immediately, avoiding financial surprises further down the line and improving cost-control. The new import procedure also includes processes to apply for Preferential Duty (PD) on goods from countries with UK trade agreements, potentially saving considerable sums every year. Vicky sums up by saying: “Now we have the confidence we’re operating correctly and, when HMRC come back to us to check shipments, we’re in a much more positive place. Thankfully we found Tracey. I don’t think we could have gone through the process with HMRC without her.”
As peak season draws closer, leading operational logistics and fulfilment supplier, King’s Lynn based Southgate Global, has – once again – seen a spike in demand for its servicing offer as organisations recognise the importance of equipment readiness in order to stay ahead. October through to January is the busiest time of the year in the logistics industry. The period marks a prime opportunity for those in e-commerce as well as retail, as sales skyrocket, with a total of £13.3 billion spent by UK consumers in 2023 on Black Friday alone[1]. As organisations look to capitalise on increased capacity and avoid downtime during this key period for the supply chain, Southgate has seen an increasing number of customers turn to them for specialist repairing, servicing and maintenance support. On why preparation for peak is key, John Maher, Head of Technical Services at Southgate Global, said: “All it takes is for a single cart, trolley or strapping, wrapping or taping machine to break down and the entire process is disrupted. “This is why a planned maintenance programme that ensures the reliability and availability of material handling and packing equipment is so important. This acts as a preventative action, to capture any malfunctions early, anticipate equipment failure, spot components that are beginning to fail and avoid any potential major disruptions to the operation and packing and delivery process.” With over 40 technicians across the UK and Europe, servicing and repairing over 3000 machines per week, Southgate’s Technical Services offer is a major player in its repair and maintenance solutions and prides itself on its ability to keep customers fully operational. With the specific tools and knowledge to take care of a customer’s entire inventory of packing and material handling equipment, regardless of manufacturer, Maher explained how Southgate’s servicing team are in even greater in demand in the run-up to, and during, peak season. He said: “With every service visit we give our customers peace of mind, and that reassurance is ever more vital before entering a period of increased demand. Our specialist technicians work closely with our customers well in advance of predicted peaks to ensure they won’t be faced with equipment downtime. “And while this preventative action is essential, unexpected equipment breakdowns can’t always be avoided. For when those moments do inevitably occur, having to hand an ‘on demand’ trusted and skilled service and maintenance team can make all the difference in getting a business rapidly moving again.” Maher explained that many customers come to them for the first time with an acute need, whilst some others who have anticipated the peak, call them in advance of equipment failure but still on an ad hoc basis. Most of those organisations that use Southgate’s ‘on demand’ service then go on to capitalise on the benefits of a planned regular maintenance programme. Either way, a lot of customers don’t even realise that certain equipment can be repaired, most notably with carts and trolleys. By working closely with customers, in 2023 alone, Southgate repaired over 175,000 carts and trolleys, reducing capital expenditure and total cost of ownership, extending product life and, at the same time, contributing to those organisations ESG goals by repairing rather than replacing product. While most peak planning happens months in advance, Southgate is reminding organisations that it’s not too late to get peak support and prepare for the increased capacity by ensuring vital equipment is in fully operational condition. Maher said: “It doesn’t matter how big, or small, the equipment or machinery is, ensuring it is maintained, serviced and repaired is crucial as time is of the essence during peak. Making the investment to stay on top of this is a must and without it, you’re leaving it to chance, which also puts your customer promise at risk.” For more support, download Southgate’s checklist on how to prepare for peak here.
Guests will be able to book a day at the famous Hethel facility to include factory tours and use of our business space; or to go further, a track day experience in the brand-new Lotus Emira.
To enquire about this new offering to our business partners, please contact:
Health and wellbeing is an important part of working life and overall most businesses are prioritising staff care which is great to see but what do you class as important and what is just ‘nice to have’? Too often when businesses are having to look closely at finances and budgets, areas such as training and workplace wellbeing are often the first to feel the force of ‘cutting back’. But is this really cost effective in the long run? Read more here