Member News

In this episode ‘IT’s ONLY HAIR’, we are talking about BODY IMAGE & ALOPECIA. Alopecia is an umbrella term for conditions characterised by hair loss. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease, is one of the more common types of alopecia. Not all of them are related to an unusual immune system response, though. Some types of alopecia are related to genetic, lifestyle, or environmental factors, as well as psychological conditions that lead to hair pulling.

Treatments for many types of alopecia are the same and may involve oral medications and topical therapies. For some alopecia types, behavioural changes are needed to reverse hair loss.

Stigmatising attitudes of laypersons toward patients with alopecia exist across a multitude of social and professional scenarios. The prevalence and magnitude of this stigma varies by alopecia severity. Characteristics of the affected individuals appear to be associated with whether alopecia is recognised as a medical condition, and when it is, alopecia-related stigma may decrease.

Stigma is associated with impaired quality of life and research shows that as perceived severity of alopecia increased, as did the stigma towards those that have it with elements such as social distancing, stereotyping as “sick … unattractive” and whether alopecia is believed to be a medical condition thus reducing stigma, or one of cosmetic.

In this powerful podcast. Sam Knight shares her story of having alopecia from a young age, in the hope to dispel some of the myths and acknowledge the negative impact individuals can and have had on her due to her alopecia.

Providing written terms and conditions – including to seasonal staff – is not just a legal obligation, but hugely beneficial, says Kelly Hanley of Lovewell Blake. With the summer holiday season upon us, many businesses in the tourism, leisure and hospitality sector will be boosting their workforce to cope with the increased demand from customers, with seasonal and temporary workers taking much of the extra strain. For employers, this is an excellent and flexible way of dealing with the seasonal fluctuation in business.  But because these workers will only be working for a finite period of time, there can be a temptation to treat them differently from more permanent staff, right down to omitting to give them a written statement of particulars detailing key terms and conditions. This is especially true in smaller businesses (which tend to make up the bulk of employers in this sector), which do not enjoy the luxury of an in-house HR department. But not giving every individual – even temporary and seasonal workers – a written statement of terms and conditions of employment is a big mistake, and one which could land employers in a whole lot of trouble. First of all, it is a legal requirement to provide every worker/employee with a written statement of employment particulars, of which the ‘principal statement’ detailing the main terms and conditions of employment must be provided from the first day of their employment.  This is a legally binding agreement that contains prescribed information and outlines the main terms and conditions between employer and worker/employee. An employment contract is a much wider document, which contains enhanced terms and conditions of employment, and offers businesses greater flexibility and protection.  It is important for this document to be carefully drafted so that the employment status (worker vs employee) and relationship with the individual is clearly defined and reflects what happens in practice. Certain aspects of employment contracts are governed by UK law, such as minimum wage, working time regulations, and discrimination rules.  Other legislation provides a framework for legal rights and obligations, such as the Employment Rights Act 1996, which covers areas such as unfair dismissal, redundancy pay and maternity rights, and the Equality Act 2010, which protects against discrimination in the workplace. Understanding these legal requirements is essential to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal consequences. But it’s not just about meeting your legal obligations: a well-drafted employment contract can help protect your business by setting clear boundaries and expectations for your employees.  It can deter potential conflicts and disputes by ensuring that both parties are on the same page about the terms of employment. For employers, the contract can help protect their business interests, with provisions to protect confidential business information, intellectual property rights and client relationships, as well as providing a mechanism for addressing performance issues, enforcing disciplinary procedures, and if necessary terminating the employment in a way that complies with UK law. For employees, it ensures that they are treated fairly and in accordance with the law, safeguarding their rights to fair pay, safe working conditions, and protection from discrimination or harassment.  It also provides a clear outline of their job responsibilities and expectations, reducing the risk of disputes over job performance. To ensure legal clarity and comprehensive protection, an employment contract should include several key components such as:

• Job information: job title, job description, location of work
• Remuneration: salary or wages, bonuses and other benefits
• Working hours: standard hours, overtime policies, break allowances
• Termination terms: details about notice periods and grounds for dismissal
• Confidentiality and non-disclosure: provisions to protect sensitive business information
• Grievance and disciplinary: the process for raising issues or complaints, and how disciplinary matters will be handled
• Leave entitlement: annual leave, sick leave, maternity and paternity leave

Even for seasonal and temporary workers, providing a clear, well-written contract on day one is an absolute must.  By ensuring all the relevant components are included, both employers and employees/workers can foster a transparent, respectful and legally compliant working relationship – and that is the best way to ensure the maximum benefit to your business form all staff.

Alpha 7 showcased its racing prowess at the 4th round of the Caterham Graduates Racing Series held at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire. Fielding five cars, three in the 150 class and two in the 135 class, the team navigated the weekend’s unpredictable weather conditions with skill and determination.

Arriving on Thursday afternoon, the team faced persistent drizzle and the ever-present threat of rain. These challenging circumstances provided valuable opportunities to fine-tune wet setups and master slippery driving lines during Friday’s testing. The mixed weather conditions proved to be a formidable test of driver adaptability and strategy.

Qualifying was particularly demanding due to the triple-header format, requiring drivers to post three fastest laps to determine their starting positions for each race. The cloudy, damp, and drizzling conditions made this task even more challenging. Choosing between a wet or a dry car set up was a constant gamble! In the 150 class, Jamie Ellwood emerged as the top qualifier for Alpha 7, securing P3, P3, and P9 for the weekend’s races.

The weekend’s three races in the 150 class were marked by thrilling battles and changing weather. In Race 1, Jamie Ellwood engaged in an epic duel with Harry Senior, ultimately emerging victorious. Thomas Horton narrowly missed the podium, finishing in 4th place. Race 2 saw another intense battle at the front, with Thomas Horton improving to finish 3rd, while Jamie Ellwood secured 5th place. Race 3 brought further excitement as Jamie Ellwood surged from P9 to P5 in mixed weather conditions. Unfortunately, Thomas Horton had to retire after his A-frame broke, despite a strong start. Ellwood’s fastest lap of the weekend set a new club record, underscoring his impressive performance. After many races, Thomas Horton finally won best-presented car in the 150 class, sponsored by ‘Luxbox’, based in Fakenham.

In the highly competitive 135 class, Amanda Anderson and Mark Barrett represented Alpha 7 among a field of 28 cars. Mark Barrett consistently demonstrated his skill with remarkable starts, gaining an average of seven places on the first lap and finishing P21, P17, and P17 across the three races. Amanda Anderson, starting from P12 for each race, faced her own set of challenges. After a spin at Hall Bends relegated her to P20 in Race 1, she recovered to achieve P14 in Race 2 and capped off the weekend with a top-10 finish after a dramatic last-lap battle.

Alpha 7’s success at Cadwell Park highlights not only their competitive spirit but also their commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a passion for motorsport. If you’re inspired by the excitement of competitive racing, Alpha 7 offers comprehensive driver development programmes tailored to transform novices into skilled racers. Whether you need professional car management or wish to hire a top-performing Caterham, Alpha 7 is dedicated to helping you achieve your racing dreams.

Ready to take the first step toward your racing ambitions? Contact Alpha 7 today to learn how we can support you in hitting the track with confidence and skill.

“Spending time in the pool can help reduce pain, increase flexibility and mobility, stimulate senses and improve balance” – shop customers are being asked to donate 25p to help fund hydrotherapy sessions for the next 12 months Customers at leading charity shops across the region have the chance to club together and help fund hydrotherapy sessions for families receiving care from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). The new Help Hydrotherapy Happen campaign is being rolled out in EACH’s 48 shops across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. When paying at the till, customers will have the option to donate an extra 25p and the target is to raise £9,000 – enough to fund a hydrotherapy session every week for the next 12 months. Ian Nicolson, EACH’s Director of Retail, said: “We’re calling on all our customers to help raise just £23 a week in every shop from 5th August to 29th September. “If just one in four customers donates 25p we’ll raise over £9,000 during the campaign and that would help pay for a hydro session every week for the next year! “Of course, there’s no obligation to donate and customers certainly don’t have to give anything extra when they pay for their items. “However, just 25p would help us greatly, when added together with money raised across the region. “It’s an exciting campaign that will undoubtedly make a tangible difference to the children and families receiving our care and support.” EACH has hydrotherapy pools at each of its hospices – at Milton, near Cambridge, The Nook, near Norwich, and The Treehouse, in Ipswich. They are warmer than recreational pools and allow families to take a dip together in a private, safe and supportive environment. “From a child’s perspective, spending time in the pool can help reduce pain, increase flexibility and mobility, stimulate senses and improve balance,” added Ian. “It’s a wonderful way to enable special memories for families.” EACH Physical Therapies Technician Lauren Wright hopes customers give generously and says hydrotherapy has become a real passion. “It’s incredible and has such benefits for the children, for so many different reasons,” she said. “We’ve got a young girl who lost the ability to walk on land. However, when she gets in the pool, she’s able to take steps in the water, which is huge for her. “Then we’ve got slightly older children who aren’t able to have much physical contact with their parents, because they’re in wheelchairs and their movement is so restrictive. “When we’re able to get them in the pool, they’re able to hug their parents, which is very emotional and so important for families. “It’s an amazing thing to witness and experience and I consider myself very lucky to come in and do this as my job. It’s a real passion of mine.”

Although most of our work involves visiting workplaces, where we set up in a small quiet area or meeting room, some requests are just a little different. Hands On At Work was asked recently to provide some seated massage sessions for a client but it was slightly different to the usual request. Barclays were holding a Gen AI Hackathon event. What’s one of those? We must admit to having to check what that means! Basically, they hosted a 24 hour event across nine locations globally, which saw employees working through the night to brainstorm ideas of how AI would affect the world of banking. We were on hand at their Radbrook Centre from 8am the following morning to soothe tired and aching bodies and minds with our back neck and shoulders and head massages. We were placed right in the middle of the event balloon arch, next to the huge count down screen, what a great atmosphere! Our seated massage is ideally placed to bring fun and relaxation to events. We have another one in the next couple of weeks where it is essentially a two-day corporate event but as most of the staff are very young, the client wants to create a festival vibe. We will be in a marquee, playing chill out music, offering massage and yoga over the two days. Versatility is our middle name! If you are thinking about organising an event or would like to have some massage or other wellbeing services at your workplace, get in touch. We don’t mind how wacky the ideas are, in fact we relish the challenge! Contact Kathy Scott on 07989 367669 or at [email protected]

They’ve done it again! We’ve been awarded Highly Rated by Autotrader for the 4th year in a row! ?2024 ?2023 ?2022 ?2021 Thank you for the incredible level of customer service and unrivalled professionalism you provide to all our customers – you really are the dream team!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

We are pleased to announce Uptech has been honoured with a prestigious award from SME for Best Managed IT Services Firm 2024- East Anglia!  We sat down for an insightful interview with SME to explore Uptech’s journey;  the challenges we’ve overcome, the milestones we’ve reached, and the driving force behind our continued innovation.  Established in 1994, Uptech is a premier Managed Service Provider that holds a commitment to delivering comprehensive IT solutions designed to empower businesses to achieve their strategic goals. The leading IT support provider in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Uptech has been named in the UK Enterprise Awards 2024. Below, we catch up with Business Development Manager James Fowler. Read more here

This is a rare opportunity to become the leader of a well-respected and much-loved local charity. The role requires a strong leader of people, someone with a wide corporate and commercial skill set, able to develop and implement robust strategic plans whilst also remaining in touch with the needs of local people affected by cancer. If you feel up to the challenge, able to deliver on our vision and values and are confident in your ability to strengthen Big C with sound organisational and business principles, then the team would love to hear from you. Find out more and apply: https://www.big-c.co.uk/about-us/vacancies/ Deadline: Sunday 1 September

In any business, document retention can be a challenge. Knowing which documents to keep and for how long can be particularly difficult as there are various time frames for different types of record. As there are legal requirements for document retention in the UK, overcoming these challenges and staying on top of the amount of data and number of documents being produced is a must. A document retention policy can help you to do this. But what should it include? Read more here

Are you aged 16 to 25 and want to have your say on what happens at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn? The hospital is setting up a Youth Council which will ensure the voice of young people is heard by decision-makers at the hospital and members can also update their friends and communities about what is happening there. The group will set their own priorities, work closely with departments in the hospital, and be a crucial new way of boosting the links between the QEH and the local community. Anyone interested in finding out more and signing up for regular updates can log onto www.teamqehyouth.co.uk During the early autumn, the first fifteen youth council members will be selected. They will then meet every six weeks and decide on the first areas to focus on. Youth council members will not get paid as this is a voluntary independent role, but they will be reimbursed for their travel and other expenses relating to their role. Alice Webster, Chief Executive of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said: “It is important that we make sure we are hearing from the under-25s in the communities that we look after. Their ideas, suggestions and connections are so important to us both in terms of continuously improving the care we give and helping us shape our new hospital. Antonia Hardcastle, the hospital’s Lead Governor, added: “We are only as good as the information we hear about when we are meeting our communities. The Youth Council will be vital in helping us understand the issues, concerns, ideas, and views of the younger members of the communities we care for. “Being part of the Youth Council is a useful springboard into further education, apprenticeships, or work for some. We are also really keen to hear from those already in work and looking to develop and enhance their skills, as well as bring their own life experience, empathy and personality to the council.”

Alpha 7 Track Club recently enjoyed a fantastic day at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire, embracing the unique charm and challenge of this iconic circuit. Designed for drivers of all abilities, the club is perfect for enthusiasts who love the thrill of the track but prefer to avoid the stress of competitive racing. The track day, hosted by Javelin Trackdays, saw Alpha 7 running five cars, three owner-driver vehicles and two available for hire, making it an inclusive and exhilarating experience for all participants. The day began with damp conditions, offering a prime opportunity for drivers to hone their skills in varying weather. By the afternoon, the sun broke through, creating ideal track conditions and a perfect backdrop for a social gathering. The event was not just about driving; it was a celebration of shared passion, as members exchanged on-track stories and deepened their connections.

Are you passionate about the adrenaline rush of track day driving? Do you enjoy the camaraderie that comes with participating in driving events? If so, the Alpha 7 Track Club is your ultimate destination. We unite like-minded enthusiasts who share a love for high-performance driving and the vibrant social atmosphere of our events. If you have your own Caterham we can help with technical support and transport logistics. If you don’t have your own Caterham, why not hire one of ours?

Alpha 7 Track Club is dedicated to ensuring everyone has a great time, whether you aspire to become a racing driver or simply want to enjoy driving on a circuit without competitive pressure. We welcome drivers of all skill levels and can’t wait for you to join our community!

Interested in taking the first step toward your track day dreams? Contact Alpha 7 today for more information on how we can help you hit the track with confidence and skill.

Norfolk Chamber member Anglian Waste Recycling is offering free waste audits to help businesses reduce costs and increase recycling.

The free, no obligation waste audits are available for businesses and organisations of all size and industry types. Carried out by the expert team at Anglian, the audit takes around 15 – 30 minutes and includes an assessment of the waste being produced and any recycling currently taking place. The audit is followed up by a report which highlights any opportunities within the waste streams to increase the amount of waste being recycled. Kelsey Cram, sales executive at Anglian, said: “We’re committed to doing our bit to help businesses across the region to improve their sustainability credentials. By offering free, no obligation waste audits, we can identify opportunities to reduce the amount of materials going into general waste. By increasing recycling rates, businesses may also be able cut the cost of their general waste collections, so it’s a win-win for them and the environment too.” Anyone interested in booking a free waste audit can do so on Anglian’s website: Waste Audit | Waste Recycling (anglianrecycling.co.uk)https://www.anglianrecycling.co.uk/waste-audit Anglian Waste Recycling is the region’s fastest growing waste management company and part of the Group which also includes demolition, asbestos services, scaffolding and earthworks and remediation. To find out more, see www.angliandemo.co.ukhttp://www.angliandemo.co.uk / www.anglianreycling.co.ukhttp://www.anglianreycling.co.uk