Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast, in today’s episode Haze Carver is chatting with Neil Foley, Founder of the Business Growth Club.
Neil helps small business owners in Norfolk to stop competing on price, increase sales and grow.
“I’ve run my own business for over twenty-six years, so completely understand the trials and tribulations we small business owners go through.
My first business started from scratch and I have never forgotten how hard it was to gain traction. So many different hats to wear, all at the same time!”
Small Businesses have been under intense pressure over the past two years, and with energy costs rising – growth of the small business is going to be challenged even further.
Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast, in today’s episode Haze Carver is chatting with Lauren Farley, Business Development & Events Coordinator at Norwich Theatre Royal.
Lauren discusses her jam-packed year at the Theatre – with some of the most incredible performances from Carlos Acosta to Waitress and Les Miserables as well as Jack and the Beanstalk our 2022 pantomime!
“We have re-launched our corporate scheme, enhancing the offering for businesses and employees alike, offering more benefits as well as unique opportunities through the corporate scheme. Our Creative Engagement team are about to launch an unbelievable Autumn programme of events, which kicks off with our Open Day and Family Festival in July, where we are opening our doors once again and giving people an opportunity to see behind the magic and stand on our very own stage.”
International Men’s Day is approaching, and we spoke to Jason Carlton, Director of Uptech on the importance of raising awareness of mental health in organisations.
“International Men’s Day is a good talking point to embrace the people around us and take the opportunity to check in with loved ones, family members, friends and work colleagues on how there are….is anything troubling them that they may be willing to share and open up with.
A high percentage of men are very good at masking their true thoughts and feelings and not sharing with others with their real problems. We have the tendency to allow our thoughts to build up challenges and problems that confront us which in turn can trigger our vulnerabilities that leads to an unclear state of mind into what we think is the way out.
Our mental state and wellbeing is clearly not just down to gender or age its a massive problem across for board and is wrapped around different layers in what is perceived to fit in culturally and accepted in our environments and communities which can isolate us and single us out and have a huge impact on our mental wellbeing feeling alone.
If there is a takeaway in awareness of mental health issues – I would encourage business owners – leaders to roll out mental health champion training within their organisations.
For family members and friends to get involved in your local organisations within your community in learning skills be part of how you can help.
It’s so important with many of us losing someone because we couldn’t see the symptoms …. So to be able to try and recognise when someone is screaming for help but no one hears them!
From personal experience first-hand what I know now has helped me understand more about having the tools and the ability to help others and point them to seek the right help before it’s too late.
Being a mental health champion is not about being the fixer or giving professional advice, for me it’s being the beacon and being able to act when there are obvious signs, when talking to someone who may well be suffering on the inside but doesn’t know how or won’t cry for help!”
Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast, in this episode Haze Carver is chatting to Lorraine Bliss, MBE and CEO of St Edmunds Society.
Lorraine is heading up a dedicated, passionate team at St Edmunds Society. St Ed’s are the Leading provider of employability skills for young people, providing support for young people living in poverty and struggling with mainstream school.
Lorraine talks about the difficulties, challenges, and wonderful successes that every student at St Ed’s faces and goes through. From the challenges of funding, and donated kitchens for the students to fit, to their recent awards ceremony earlier this year at The Halls in Norwich, Loraine’s determination and passion for her resilient students shines – she remembers every student and each and every story.
Since recording the podcast we are thrilled that St Ed’s won at the recent CSJ Awards! Enormous Co.ngratulations to Lorraine and everyone at the St Ed’s family!
You can listen to the full podcast below
Short on time? Listen to the bitesize Co.next version here
St Edmunds Society are a Norwich-based charity, offering vocational training and employability skills training to young people aged 16-18 (or up to 25 if you have an EHCP). We work with tutors and in partnership with industry experts, to give young people the skills and experience to build their future.
Jordan talks to Haze about Curlyworm’s beginnings in 2019, keeping it going through covid when she lost all her income overnight, up to building her agency from a 5 figure turnover in 2 years to the point where she is bringing in someone else to join the team.
If you missed Jordan’s workshop at our recent flagship B2B event, then listen in to this brilliant podcast to find out more about female empowerment, job titles with a twist, and working your socks off as a family-run business.
We’re proud anti-hustlers
You won’t find us bragging about being part of the “5am club” in fact, we love a good lie-in. Curlyworm Creative was founded to give us the freedom to live life on our terms. And that’s exactly what we do for our clients. Hell, we’ve even helped people give up their 9-5s, all through our awesome content.
Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast, in this episode Haze Carver is talking to Thomas Panton, CEO & sustainability expert at Canopey.com (formerly Greenr).
“Your home for better buying. Quantified impact data, ethical brands, better impact products. Fight back against the big-boy polluters, it’s time to Bin B*zos and Buy Better.”
Thomas is CEO and resident sustainability veteran at Canopey, having worked in the industry for a decade with organisations like Greenpeace UK and Surfers Against Sewage. As a previous startup founder, Climate Change MSc student, and LinkedIn Top Green Voice, Thomas is Canopey’s lucky volunteer when it comes to speaking at events, and talks to Haze on all things sustainable – from crowdfunding, angel investors, hot summers to how perfectionism often hinders the progress we need to make in the climate change movement.
Thomas Panton is an experienced speaker for the London Speaker Bureau in the environment sector, spending his time educating, inspiring, and engaging different audiences to begin their journey to become more sustainable. He also talks about mental health in high pressure roles, and advises other founders on wellbeing and making tough decisions.
We’re proud to have Thomas as a Business Climate Leader for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, Thomas is Co-creator of The Topic, with Nadiah Arif. A podcast that talks about everything from climate change to human rights, raising awareness on these important issues and educating people on how to get more involved in challenging the status quo.
He is also Founder of Festovers, upcycling leftover consumer waste. One of IQ Mag’s Green Guardians. BBC Oxford’s expert on festival tent waste and sustainability.
We’re not just building a shopping platform, we’re building a community of people and brands that want to create a greener future.
We want to make it easier for everyone to shop more ethically and become a platform that educates people on sustainability issues so they can learn how to create the change they want to see. Our vision is to make sustainable living, living.
Good value, better values
We’re not just about making shopping more ethical: better values are at the core of everything we do. From creating a diverse and talented team, to ensuring our marketing is accessible.
Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast, in this episode Haze Carver is with Izzy Lerpiniere | East Norfolk Sixth Form College.
This week’s podcast is with Izzy Lerpiniere, High Schools and Alumni Coordinator at East Norfolk Sixth Form in Gorleston, a top performing sixth form for Great Yarmouth & Waveney.
Izzy coordinated the Eco-Schools campaign for the college, completing the project and application work, and achieved their Green Flag accreditation with a distinction!
“We are an education provider, so funding and regulations are governed by external organisations, however we have the power of lots of young people who hold sustainability a priority – and we are able to harness this and use it in our sustainability strive.”
With her new role as High Schools Coordinator, Izzy talks about her hope to run sustainability workshops with high school students, and is also keen to do more sustainability engagement with primary schools, through working with our Schools & Community Champion.
Izzy is also working with the UKSSN (UK Schools for Sustainability Network) and is involved with our Business Climate Leaders programme – You can view Izzy’s profile here
Listen to the full podcast below
Short on time? Why not listen to Izzy’s advice for under 35s below
“The challenges facing businesses in the UK labour market remain very much the same. We have a critical shortage of skills and labour that is damaging firms and holding back growth.
“Once again, the data shows the number of job vacancies remains at record highs, adding to inflationary pressures.
“With confidence waning as we enter recession, and the expectation of even tougher economic times ahead, we may see more recruitment freezes, job losses and business closures.
“But the underlying problem is unaltered – unless we address the ongoing mismatch of skills available and business needs, this drag anchor on the economy will persist and hinder recovery.
“Concerns are growing about the numbers of people who are leaving the labour market through long-term illness – as well as those choosing early retirement. This will damage opportunities for individuals and the economy.
“The government and employers must work together to solve the labour market conundrum. We must look at ways to help people experiencing ill-health stay in work and to encourage skilled and experienced retirees to return to the workplace.
“We need to remove barriers to work, by offering flexible workplaces, rapid re-training opportunities and better access to childcare and public transport.
“And, crucially, we need to invest more in the training and upskilling of everyone in the workplace so that we are ready to grasp new opportunities for growth.
The Chancellor has an opportunity on Thursday to start fixing the labour supply problem in our economy. If he misses it, growth will remain hard to come by.”
Stress Awareness Month falls on April every year since 1992. This month is to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern-day stress epidemic. Find out more about Stress Awareness Month here
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF STRESS?
Stress is a body’s reaction to a negative change in a person’s life. Our bodies react to life situations very differently and when negative, unexpected situation arises we all respond very differently. Some can cope whereas others may feel completely lost, under pressure and having very little control over the dilemma. The impact of stress may result into temporary (or long term) mental health problems and emotional turmoil. Examples of stress symptoms include unable to concentrate, panic attacks, breathing problems, crying and lack of sleep.
The cause of stress could be due to a number of things such as a breakdown in relationship, money problems, bereavement, exams, being bullied and being over worked.
Stress can impact work, friends and family.
HOW TO MANAGE STRESS
All employers have come across the issue of a stressed employees due to work place or personal issues at home. So what can an employer do to help?
Talk to your employees. Get your employees to open up and talk. If the employee does not want to talk – encourage them to seek GP advise. Some organisations offer an employee assistance program (telephone support). Such program assists employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems.
There are a few reputable organisations who offer employers and employees support with stress (telephone and website) such as www.mind.org.uk and www.samaritans.org .
Talk through stress busters such as exercise. Exercising can help reduce tension and stress whilst releasing positive mental endorphins. Exercise can also help with self esteem and may help employee to sleep better.
Healthy eating is also another good option to explore with your employee. Healthy Eating is key. A well balance diet and getting the right nutrients to stay healthy is fundamental.
If the employee is stressed with work, encourage the employee to take regular breaks. Set smaller and more achievable targets so that they are in control of their work. Put a performance plan in place so the employee can focus on key tasks.
Encourage the employee to take a break away from work – perhaps focus on a short holiday, a couple of days away from the office, a change of scenery.
This year, the charity ‘Mind’ is encouraging employers to create a ‘stress awareness space’ at work so staff can share their thoughts and feelings about what makes them stressed. Trial this and see if staff can open up. The aim is by sharing information employees maybe able to get some great support and tips.
If you have any questions in regards to stress in the workplace please call us on 0333 240 7208 or contact us today.
Hitachi Energy has been appointed by Ørsted, the world’s most sustainable energy company, to deliver the construction of two HVDC Converter stations Link 1 & 2 for the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce worked closely with Hitachi Energy to deliver an event which gave Local Businesses the opportunity to showcase their skills and expertise to Hitachi Energy.
Businesses from different sectors joined us on Tuesday 25th April to meet and discuss the opportunities to work on the Hornsea 3 project with Hitachi Energy.
Meet the Buyer was an opportunity for local businesses to sit down and have a 15 minute meeting with a representative from Hitachi Energy to learn more about the project and showcase how their business can support them.
Several attendees joined us at Hitachi Energy’s Meet the Buyer after attending our previous Meet the Buyer in November 2022, including Wensum Print. Oli Smith from Wensum print said “This is the second meet the buyer we have attended, we provided the signage for the Hornsea 3 Onshore Cable Works project after attending Meet the Buyer at the end of last year and we have come back today to represent our business again and showcase what we can offer and hopefully build some new business relationships.”
Office Water Supplies also attended the event after being subcontracted after last year’s Meet the Buyer. When asked how important do you think it is that the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce are apart of an event like this they said: “It is massively important that the Chambers are a part of an event like this, it’s a huge opportunity for us and many other local businesses.”
After the event, Michael Chappell from Hitachi Energy said:
“The one-to-one meetings provided meaningful new potential suppliers for which we will be looking to explore more in the coming months.
In addition to which, Simon Knapper, who welcomed visitors to the Hitachi Stand, received significant interest and thoroughly enjoyed discussing how Hitachi’s HVDC technology is bringing power from the Hornsea Offshore Windfarm into the UK transmission network at Necton.
Initial feedback from the Hitachi team was all extremely positive.”
Amy Wright, Events Manager, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce:
“I would like to thank all the businesses who attended the event, it was fantastic to hear the buzz of the networking area and to meet some of our members. Norwich City Football Club’s hospitality was outstanding and it was a very engaging environment to be in.”
Thank you to Sizewell C Supply Chain and Hitachi Energy for exhibiting at Meet the Buyer and thank you to Norwich City Football Club for their venue space in the Top of the Terrace.
On Thursday 20th April we were joined by Paul Dennington, Mortgage and Financial Market Leader from Barclays along with local branch mortgage advisor Melanie Jones.
During the discussion Paul outlined what to consider when buying a property. This included the basics for first time buyers, the different types of mortgages available, fixed and tracker mortgages and the current trends in the market.
The importance of savings
When setting up a savings account, you need to look at the Terms and Conditions along with its interest rates. Some accounts may have certain Ts and Cs where you may not be able to withdraw a large sum in one go.
Government schemes that can help you
There are several Government schemes that can assist you when buying a house, including a LISA and the Help to Buy Scheme.
A LISA, also known as a Lifetime ISA can only be used to buy your first house or for use later in life (pension). You can put up to four thousand pounds a month in each year and the government will add 25% to your savings, up to a maximum of one thousand pounds a year. Please note the account must be open for over 1 year before any money can be withdrawn.
Help to Buy ISA, unfortunately, you can no longer open a help to buy isa, however if you already have one, you may be able to claim financial help from the government to buy your first home. Find out more about the Help to Buy ISA here.
Things to consider when purchasing your first house
Joint Mortgages | This is when you apply to borrow money to buy a home with someone else, like your partner, friend or a relative.
Shared Ownership | This is when you buy a proportion of the house and rent the other, with the option to buy more shares in the future.
Location vs Affordability |Way up the pros and cons for location e.g where are your friends, family, and work as you can spend more on a house classed as desirable.
Always consider eventualities | Did you purchase your house at a reduced cost, you may need to consider this when selling in the future.
Rent vs Buying | Generally in the long term, owning a property works out cheaper. However, look at what works better for you
Mortgage Calculators | These give you an idea of what you could receive and what your monthly payments will look like.
Credit Score | Lenders will look at your credit score when you apply for a mortgage. You can build your credit score by using credit cards (make sure you pay off any debt monthly), and phone contracts. A failed payment can affect your mortgage.
If you are buying with friends, speak to a legal advisor
When applying for a mortgage be aware you will need:
Proof of income (3 months worth of pay checks)
ID (either driving license or Passport)
Proof that you can pay your deposit
Proof of address (if you are not on voters roll)
Find out more by reading Barclays First-time buyer guide here.
If you would like to discuss mortgages with an advisor, please head to your local Barclays bank to find out more.
Thank you Paul Dennington, Melanie Jones and Barclays for joining us for this Co.next event. Find out more about our Co.next programme here.
Reacting to the PM’s resignation, Nova Fairbank, CEO of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Following weeks of chaos and uncertainty, the Prime Minister has resigned. Her resignation means the UK now faces even greater uncertainty, just as it stands on the cusp of a recession.
“It is now vital the Conservative Party speedily comes to a decision on a new leader who can return both political and economic stability.
“The new administration must immediately set out how they plan to deal with soaring energy bills, labour shortages, spiralling inflation and interest rates.
“Flip-flopping on policies has led to low consumer and business confidence, with four in 10 firms expecting falling profits, as companies have seen little sign of a coherent strategy nor stability in Government decision making.
“The challenges that lay ahead of us are building by the day. Two thirds of firms expect to raise their prices and inflation is the top concern. Interest rates are set to climb further in November and energy bills will now rocket again for many in April.
“This is unsustainable. Government must work with business to address three main issues, to show it recognises the challenges firms face.
“Firstly, they must look again at the energy support package for businesses and communicate quickly how the system will work from April.
“Secondly, they must fix the labour market, without the skilled people to do the jobs businesses need, the economy cannot thrive.
“Thirdly, to grow the economy they must set out a strategy to boost our exports.
“People run businesses and businesses rely on people. The new administration must grasp that the cost of living and cost of doing business crises are two sides of the same coin.
“We still need a clear long-term vision on how it will support firms, and the communities that rely on them, to thrive.”
