Monthly Archives: January 2022

Care

The Importance Of LOLER Service In Care Homes

Care homes are responsible for ensuring the physical and mental health of many vulnerable residents. In order to keep everyone safe, proper risk assessments need to be implemented on a regular basis. Because of the use of specialist equipment designed to care for residents more easily, accidents and injuries may occur. In order to increase health and safety, adequate training needs to be provided to all care home employees in line with LOLER. Here you will guidance on the importance of this service in care homes.

What Is LOLER Service?

LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. It relates to employers or equipment providers who may own, operate, or have control over lifting equipment. This involves lifting loads including people in the care sector. Some examples of specialist equipment in care homes are mobile hoists, stair lifts, bath hoists and standing/raising aids. These regulations require that all lifting equipment is strong and stable enough for the intended use. This needs to be maintained by a system of regular inspections ensuring all operators are well-trained. Moreover, it is important that the correct type of equipment is selected through a thorough risk assessment. Make sure you read the guidance on lifting persons for a detailed understanding of the process and what is involved.

Why Is LOLER Service Important?

Using equipment in any workplace poses certain risks. However, it can be especially dangerous in care homes. There have been accidents caused by poorly maintained low-profiling beds and improperly used bedrails. This has caused stress and pain to many residents who have needed urgent help. Because of this, it is vital that regulations are being met and equipment is serviced consistently. Proper planning and preparation will be key to protecting both staff and residents. NHC Group offers a dedicated asset management portal which can support you with your equipment needs and keep track of every LOLER service due. You will be reminded of every important event automatically eliminating the guesswork from the planning process.

What Does LOLER Testing Involve?

LOLER examinations and testing is crucial to ensuring your equipment is ready to use and safe for its intended task. All hoists and lifting equipment should be examined regularly by a competent person who is LOLER certified. They should have a comprehensive knowledge of the lifting equipment enabling them to assess the weaknesses and defects in relation to safety. These inspections should be performed prior to the initial use at each location, after assemblies as well as every six months while in service. For a more detailed explanation and better preparation, consider looking at this guidance on performing thorough examinations of lifting equipment.  This will ensure you are familiar with the specific obligations posed by the health and safety law.

Understanding the risks faced by care home staff and residents is vital to preventing fatal accidents from occurring.  It is important that all specialist equipment is compliant with LOLER and inspections are arranged on a regular basis. This will ensure the safety of both residents and care home staff.

Business, Education

Snip and tuck as students complete stunning centrepiece for Welsh barber

IT was snip and tuck but talented students managed to complete a stunning countertop in time for the opening of a popular Wrexham barbershop.

Learners from Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road site constructed the wooden piece for Matt and Kat Whitfield, owners of Holdfast Barbers in Ty Pawb, Market Street.

Owen Haycocks, Zoe Booth, Liam Jones, Sam Edwards-Jones, James Lee, and Arran Brearey from the college’s Joinery Level 1 course created the centrepiece, before the final touches were put to it by Painting and Decorating cohort Amber Stanhope and Morgan Sides, supported by tutor Mike Wade.

Lecturer Stuart Kennedy said: “The students did a fantastic job; what they’ve made is top quality and I’m sure will take pride of place in Holdfast’s new premises.

“It was a real team effort and took a lot of skill to complete given all of the intricacies and detail – it looks brilliant so well done again to everyone involved.”

Kat added: “The group from Coleg Cambria did an absolutely brilliant job with this, we are really, really pleased!

“We’ve progressed from a small barber shop into new bigger premises and the new desk gives it that finishing touch. Thank you again, it’s terrific.”

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for more news and information from Coleg Cambria.

For more on Holdfast Barbers, visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Holdfastbarber

Benefits, HR, News

2022 will bring a next generational shift in employee benefits and wellbeing for SMEs says Howden

A once in a generation shift in employee benefits and wellbeing is expected this year, as SMEs review their benefits and wellbeing programmes in response to the pandemic or look to invest in benefits for the first time, says Mark Fosh, Divisional Director, Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing.

Fosh says, “We will see a seismic shift in employee benefits and wellbeing. Businesses of all sizes are reviewing their benefits on a scale we have not seen for a long time. What worked pre-Covid may not be right for the new world of work where remote and flexible working are more common-place and workers are experiencing different health and wellbeing challenges as a result of the pandemic.’’

“SMEs need to ensure their benefits are fit for purpose, now and for the future, and provide value for money. And for organisations new to benefits, they need to consider the best approach to support their business and employees. In 2022, there will be more focus on recruiting and retaining talented employers so benefits will play a significant role in attracting and keeping staff.”

In December 2021, the Centre for Economic Performance[i] reported that half of businesses are struggling to recruit staff. Increasing numbers of people are leaving their jobs and one in five employers are raising the issue of how to retain staff.

According to new data from MetLife’s Re:me report, a focus on employee benefits could support retention, as they highlight that one in two workers would sacrifice more of their basic salary to get a personalised employee benefits package[ii].

One notable trend is greater numbers of SMEs providing access to private healthcare – against the backdrop of growing NHS waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.

Fosh commented: “A growing numbers of SMEs are considering offering access to some form of employer-funded healthcare to their people. Protection benefits such as life assurance, income protection and healthcare focused benefits such as private medical insurance (PMI) and virtual GPs are becoming popular features within revised benefit offerings.”

“Private medical insurance often costs less than SMEs think, and regularly tops the list of benefits employees value the most. It can be a cost-effective solution; giving both employers and employees peace of mind that they can access the support they need, when they need it most.”

Steve Herbert, Head of Benefits Strategy, Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing believes financial education and wellbeing will be another focus for SMEs.

Herbert says, “A big challenge in 2022 will be the growing financial pressures upon employees. Many will face a cost-of-living crisis, made worse by further interest rate increases and the rising retail price index. This will put additional demands on employees when some are already feeling the pinch. Equipping staff with workplace financial education could help them to better plan their financial futures and alleviate money worries.”

Herbert concludes, “We recommend that companies start the New Year with a review to ensure they are offering the most appropriate benefits for employees, as well as making the most of their existing investment into benefits.

“Many benefit policies such PMI and Group Income Protection often include value added features such as Employee Assistance Programmes or virtual GPs as standard, which may be under used. And following the pandemic, many insurers have reviewed their products to add digital solutions or new features to meet employees’ changing needs. As SMEs look beyond the pandemic, now is a real opportunity for employers to rethink their approach to benefits and wellbeing.”

For SMEs investing in benefits for the first time in 2022, there are a wide range of options available. Howden has created a useful guide to help set out the options. Click here to download the guide.

For more information, please visit www.howdengroup.co.uk

 

[i] https://news.sky.com/story/half-of-businesses-struggling-to-recruit-because-of-skills-gap-survey-finds-12495086

[ii] https://employeebenefits.co.uk/50-staff-would-give-up-more-salary-benefits/

Appointments, News

Leading timber group grow with high level appointment

One of the UK’s leading timber groups has made a high-level appointment to consolidate their position within the industry and drive the business forward to reach ambitious growth targets.

Andrew Francis has joined Premier Forest Group as their new UK Sales Director to lead the experienced sales team. As part of this exciting new role, he will help grow both the scale and profitability of the business, across all of the group brands, with both new and existing customers and suppliers.

With over 30 years of experience in the timber industry, Andrew brings a wealth of sales and management experience to Premier. He previously worked for Norbord Europe Ltd for over 20 years, progressing from Area Sales Manager to UK & Ireland Sales Director. Norbord has long been an important strategic supply partner for Premier Forest Products. Andrew’s appointment will ensure that relationship remains strong whilst being able to further develop opportunities for the benefit of all parties. His exceptional knowledge of both the panel products industry and Premier’s product range and capabilities mean Andrew is perfectly placed to help push Premier on to even greater growth.

In his new role, Andrew will be tasked with helping to develop the already strong sales team and leading Premier’s sales operations across the country.

Andrew said: “After working alongside Premier Forest Group for over 15 years, I’ve always admired their entrepreneurial attitude and positive, team focused culture, which have helped them reach the strong market position they enjoy today. I’m looking forward to helping develop the team whilst aiding the business in strengthening their market position across the UK.

“Even though I know some of them already, I’m keen to get to know the team better; it already feels like a great fit and I’m sure we’ll succeed together.”

On the new appointment, Joe Walker, Managing Director at Premier Forest Group, said: “Andrew knows the emphasis we place on product quality and has seen first-hand the excellent customer service that we offer. I am confident that he will be a huge asset to Premier Forest Group and I’m excited to see the success that he will bring to the business and our customers.”

Premier Forest Group is a vertically integrated timber operation engaged in the importation, sawmilling, processing, merchanting, and wholesale distribution of timber and timber products from its eight sites in the UK.

Business, News

How to facilitate home working as an employer

The fact is, these days it’s more common than ever for people to work remotely. They make this decision because of the extraordinary conditions we presently find ourselves in, as well as other advantages such as a more productive workday, a cheaper cost of living, a better work-life balance, and some of the unique benefits working at home offers.

Home working can be a positive development for both the employee and employer, but it does come with some difficulties. Many companies are concerned with the mental and physical health and safety of their work-from-home employees, and how they can best support them to ensure they are working productively and feel connected to the team.

Here are some tips for employers looking to provide support for their remote workforce:

  1. Create guidelines and policies that outline the expectations for their remote workers. This includes expectations for working hours, communication, and work-life balance. By setting clear guidelines, employers can help their remote employees feel more connected to the company and ensure they are productive and healthy. Whilst at home, it can be easy for employees to work past their standard work hours, taking away time from the personal life. Even though more work may be done in the short-term, this can have detrimental effects such as stress and burnout in the long-term. Setting clear objectives and delivering on these, rather than time worked, is a good approach to measure employee productivity when they work at home since it reduces feelings of guilt about time worked.
  2. Employers should using video conferencing tools like Slack, Skype for Business, or Zoom to stay in touch with their remote employees. It is important for employers to test these tools out before implementing them to ensure that they are suitable for their company and employees. Video conferencing tools can be used to keep remote teams accountable, giving managers the chance to monitor employees’ progress and offer feedback directly. Managers should check in with their team members at least once every two days, at the very least. When communicating with remote employees you may need to be more flexible than usual and keep in mind that they may have commitments, such as picking children up from school, that may make them unable to meet at certain times.
  3. You should also remember to create a safe and open environment for their employees by making it clear that they should feel comfortable voicing concerns and reaching out when they need help and support. Managers and leaders can ask their staff how they’re feeling or conduct unsolicited surveys to assess employee morale and concerns.This can help companies better understand how they can support their employees working from home.
  4. It’s important to remember that remote workers are not insulated from the dangers of working in an office and their health and safety is still the employer’s responsibility. Remote workers must also be considered in the risk assessment and employers must give extra training on health and safety courses to employees who work from home. The office has a safety net of coworkers who may have more first-hand experience, while isolated individuals are alone and need to know what to do when an incident occurs.

 

News

Search is on for ‘Bari-Star’ to lead wellbeing and business partnership at historic market

THE search is on for a talented ‘Bari-Star’ to lead an exciting new business partnership.

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) and Cadwyn Clwyd are stirring up interest in an exciting collaboration – focused on sustainable coffee, health and wellbeing – with a unique recruitment drive over the coming weeks.

The successful entrepreneur will receive six months start-up funding, a fully equipped space at Ruthin’s revamped Market Hall, a collaboration with a sustainable coffee roaster and marketing as part of the Community Innovation Denbighshire campaign, supported by Denbighshire County Council.

Advanced barista skills training is also featured in the offer, along with mentoring, guidance and advice and inclusion in Ruthin Market Hall’s new film series.

Ali Carter, Enterprise and Investment Manager for DVSC, said: “We’re looking for someone with barista, creative and entrepreneurial skills, experience working in coffee retail and with a passion for independent, speciality coffee retail.

“This is a fantastic project in one of the most exciting, boutique venues in the region, a space which brings together like-minded artisan traders and individuals with exciting and innovative ideas that support local industry and give back to the community.”

She added: “We look forward to hearing from those who meet the above criteria in the weeks ahead; it’s a brilliant way to start the year, so we hope people wake up and smell the opportunity!”

To apply, send a three-minute video pitch to Ali and the team explaining why you would make a great ‘coffee entrepreneur’.

Include ideas on how to reinforce DVSC’s vision to embrace, attract and encourage contemporary sustainable businesses to join the Market Hall.

The initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund. Follow the hashtag #UKCOMMUNITYRENEWALFUND.

For more information on the barista application process, email ali@dvsc.co.uk. Closing date is Saturday January 22. Visit https://www.ruthinmarkethall.com/bari-star-search

Visit www.dvsc.co.uk for more on the DVSC. Alternatively, follow them on Facebook at @DVSCDenbighshire, Instagram @DVSC_Denbighshire and Twitter @DVSC_Wales.

Construction, Construction News, Midlands News, News

Leading home lifestyle store reveals new management team

An iconic lifestyle store has a new look management team as it starts work on a range of exciting new developments.

Bell of Northampton has welcomed Jamie Bedford as its new Kitchen, Bathroom and Tiles Manager and has made several significant in-house promotions to draw on the decades of experience in its existing team.

Dave Richardson, who has worked for Bell for 24 years, has recently joined its board of directors. Responsible for Bell’s logistics and the contracts side of its business – which generates 25% of its annual income – Dave had previously been one of the firm’s associate directors.

Richard Kingston has also stepped up to become a departmental director for its popular fires, stoves and outdoor living ranges. In addition, Richard is responsible for Bell’s e-commerce stream which accounts for a further quarter of the firm’s revenue.

The management team is completed by managing director Lee Ferris, Calor Gas director Zen Hynda, who also oversees outdoor living with Richard, financial director Michael Barton and installation manager Mark Simmonds.

Managing director Lee Ferris said: “We’re thrilled to have promoted Dave and Richard who have both played huge roles in Bell’s success over the years.

“We were also delighted to have welcomed Jamie who had already built up an impressive career in retail management with a major national retailer before joining our team.”

All this comes at a time when Bell is working on several major projects which will further enhance its offering.

This month one of its concessions, CCE Landscaping, is starting to create an exciting new display area for customers next to Bell’s rear car park. It will feature items from CCE’s popular landscaping and outdoor ranges, including garden rooms and artificial grass.

Bell also plans to unveil a new Contract Specifications Suite for its commercial customers later this month. The suite will enable builders, property developers and architects to choose from Bell’s range of commercial fixtures and fittings for new developments across southern and central England.

The store is also halfway through a major project to renovate its iconic 100-year-old Northern Lights roof and is investing in a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to further improve the growing e-commerce side of its business.

Lee explained: “Our online offering has been incredibly successful in the past few years and this sophisticated system will help us to continue to grow this part of our business.

“This new system combined with our new Contracts Specification Suite, the new outdoor display area and our new management team means we’re embarking on another exciting year in Bell’s history.”

Bell of Northampton is located in Kingsthorpe Road, Northampton. To find out more, go to www.abell.co.uk.

Finance News, Midlands News, News

Financial planner earns profession’s highest qualification

A Northamptonshire-based financial planner has now achieved the highest global certification available to financial planners in the UK.

Conor O’Sullivan, of O’Sullivan Financial Planning, has achieved the Certified Financial Planner TM certification from The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI).

To be successful, individuals must meet rigorous competence, ethics and professional practice standards and have completed a challenging examination and case study.

According to Which, only 22 per cent of candidates pass the exam and only eight per cent are like Conor and pass the case study first time. The qualification is so challenging that fewer than 1,000 of the UK’s tens of thousands of financial advisers have qualified as Certified Financial Planner professionals.

Conor said: “It was the most detailed and challenging qualification I’ve ever completed, and I have a huge amount of respect for the small group of people in the UK who have achieved it.

“To be a Certified Financial Planner practitioner means I’m in the upper echelon of my profession in terms of my knowledge and experience.

“When people first become financial advisers, the qualifications are very heavily product focussed, ensuring you’re matching the right products with client needs.

“Lifestyle financial planning is very different. The product is almost irrelevant because you’re much more focused on the client and their ambitions and goals for the future. They may have half a dozen conflicting dreams and you need to use your expertise to work out how to use their resources to help them achieve their goals.

“The best analogy I can give is the difference between going to see a builder or an architect.  A builder will give you exactly what you ask for. An architect will take time to listen to you, understand what you’re trying to achieve and work with you to design an optimum solution prior to laying the first brick.”

Through the CISI’s only accredited training partner for the case study, Conor is also now training to run the Certified Financial Planner training courses to pass on his knowledge and experience to future candidates.

All this comes at a time when his business is growing dramatically.

Conor explained: “Much of the work I do now is with business owners. A lot of their wealth tends to be tied up in their organisations and I help them to ensure that their business generates wealth for them and their families, and they become independently wealthy. As a result, my services are in high demand.

“Our business has grown a lot during the past year and we’re busier now than we have ever been, so we’ll be looking to grow our team further during 2022.”

For further information about O’Sullivan Financial Planning visit www.osullivanfp.co.uk

News, South West

Wiltshire’s new £3.7m Business Cyber Centre works with creative agency ahead of April opening

A NEW £3.7million cyber centre set to open its doors in Wiltshire in April says it wants to work with as many companies in the county as possible.

The Business Cyber Centre, at Greenways Business Park in Chippenham, has launched a website, built by creative agency Milk & Tweed, to help establish its reputation and build local partnerships.

The centre will act as a base for Ministry of Defence supply chain at Corsham and throughout the region, host training to raise awareness of cyber security and deliver the skills to combat it, as well as provide work space and networking for cyber professionals.

The centre, which has been funded by the government’s Getting Building Fund and is being delivered by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, is the first of its kind in the country and commercial operations manager Tom Marshall said it is important to make people aware of what its mission is.

“The remit to Milk & Tweed was to build something so that people can communicate with us, but it will be an evolution as we grow and develop our services,” he said.

The Chippenham creative agency designed and built the website, which is so far limited to a landing page, to keep partners and potential clients informed about the centre’s progress as it works towards its opening. Contractors are still busy gutting and converting the former home of electronics firm General Dynamics.

Mr Marshall said: “We have a responsibility to tell people what we are doing with the £3.7 million of public money and also to support the partners that we’re working with to say ‘this is happening and this is where we’ve got to’.

“As we go on we’ll add more pages and information about the delivery team and what we’ll be doing.”

He said the Milk & Tweed team has been easy to work with. “They have been excellent, we wanted to make the site fit with our brand,” he said. “All credit to Milk and Tweed for digesting what we want and delivering it.”

Milk & Tweed creative director Jake Jeffries said the work has been an enjoyable test for his designers. “The security side of the project has been challenging and we are proud that we’ve built something resilient for Tom and his team,” he said.

“The centre already had its own brand and identity so we’ve worked hard to make sure the site reflects that. This landing page is just the start and we are really looking forward to seeing this project grow and the site grow with it.”

A key message from the centre’s site is that all businesses, no matter what their size, are at risk from hackers who could steal information for fraud purposes or hold them to ransom. More than a third of UK companies have suffered a security breach in the last 12 months.

Mr Marshall said: “There is a lack of understanding, certainly at the small and micro end of the SME world, of the requirement for some form of basic cyber security protection.

“You could be a sole trader running a finance platform for high-worth individuals, you are infinitely at higher risk than a building company that employs 50 people. Everybody is at risk, not just from a finance perspective but think about intellectual property or business continuity, they need to be considered.”

The training side of the project will be carried out by tenant companies who will provide opportunities for military personnel, students and people from other industries to develop the skills needed to work in the cyber industry.

Mr Marshall said: “We are aiding the development of a talent pool and aiding it by connecting skills and training organisations, people who are needed in the MoD, and giving them an easy journey to acquiring those roles without having to go to university or college. It is about recognising the skills they have got and putting them in the right place as quickly as possible.”

The ground floor of the three-storey-site, which will eventually create around 270 jobs and thousands of training places, will be home to a café and a co-working space where freelancers, start-ups and sole traders can hire desk space for a monthly fee.

Mr Marshall said: “It’s about the investment in the support and the sustainability of UK business as a whole. Because if we all do better, then we will do cyber security better and generally the businesses will improve.”

Find out more about the centre at bcc.co.uk and about the creative agency at milkandtweed.com.

Pictured: Business Cyber Centre commercial operations manager Tom Marshall, right, with Milk & Tweed creative director Jake Jeffries

News

100% of Virtual College is acquired by Netex

We are delighted to announce that Virtual College has reached an agreement with Netex, a Spanish technology company specialising in e-learning solutions and listed on the Spanish BME stock market, for them to acquire all the shares in Virtual College.

This is a strategic acquisition with the aim of:

  • expanding the Group’s product portfolio – particularly around LXP and LMS technology, cloud authoring tool technology, talent management technology, ready to go content and bespoke training solutions and consultancy expertise
  • broadening the Group’s customer base
  • addressing a wider geographic market and expanding global reach
  • increasing capacity to grow and dominate the corporate and EdTech markets

The combination of the two companies leads to new opportunities and synergies that will accelerate the company’s growth. With the integration of Virtual College, Netex will offer new technologies and solutions including hundreds of professional training courses made available to users, through different channels including Netex’s own marketplace.

The integration of Virtual College in the Netex Group will result in an expected annual turnover for FY22 of approx. £17m.

Rod Knox & Bob Gomersall, Co-founders of Virtual College said “The combination of the Virtual College and Netex businesses creates a huge opportunity to work together to build on the vast skills, knowledge and experience that both businesses have developed over the last 25 years. This combined provision creates a leading-edge e-learning solution that will enhance the offer within existing markets and opens significant new opportunities to expand internationally”

Carlos Ezquerro, CEO of Netex “The addition of Virtual College to the Netex structure is a very important step for the company in its plans for development, international expansion and the search for leadership in the e-learning sector at an international level. We welcome the entire Virtual College team, now part of Netex, who will be crucial in achieving our new collective vision and goals.”

As Alejandro Faginas, Netex’s CFO, points out, “The company’s management has been very involved in the search for interesting growth possibilities in the market. During the last few months, we have studied more than 30 deals, until we found the right one for Netex at this time. The integration of Virtual College is an immediate accelerator in our penetration of the English-speaking market, both in the UK and the US.

Hannah Brindle, MD, of Virtual College commented “The entire Virtual College Team are hugely excited about our collaboration with Netex. Working with new colleagues on a shared, ambitious vision for the future of learning is what drives us to be better than we were yesterday. We can’t wait to be part of this new Netex Virtual College partnership.”