Category Archives: Regional News

London News, Storage

Attic Self Storage Bolsters London Expansion with Acquisition of New Site in South West London

London-based Attic Self Storage is pleased to announce the acquisition of a prominent site situated off Junction 1 of the M3 in Sunbury.  The 3.7-acre site will be converted to provide 50,000 sq feet of self-storage to help satisfy growing demand across the capital.  The facility, which will open in the first half of 2024, will include a range of self-storage units to cater for both domestic and business users alike in a well-lit and welcoming environment.

This latest acquisition builds on the success of Attic’s five existing established locations across London, the most recent of which to open was the Beckton facility in 2022.  Attic’s Harrow store was awarded SSA Independent Store of the Year in 2022 and the team is now focused on delivering the same high standard with the development of the Sunbury site.

Attic is majority owned by Metric Capital Partners and has access to a strategic debt facility, provided by Nuveen Real Estate. They are on course to continue their expansion across London throughout 2024 with the launch of new facilities in Barking, Enfield and New Southgate.  Attic is focused on securing 10 further locations across London in the coming months to deliver its ambition of being the largest independent storage provider in the capital.

CEO Richard Hodsden comments, “We are extremely pleased to be able to build on our successful portfolio of stores with this latest addition in Sunbury.  This new location, along with our pipeline stores and future acquisitions, will help us in our mission to deliver an increasing network of best in class, customer-focused self-storage locations across the London area.”

Attic provides modern, state-of-the art self-storage facilities with a strong customer focus.  The company’s digital-led approach with electronic, app-controlled locks, 24-hour access ensures that the customer experience and simplifying the self-storage process are always a priority of everything we do.  Attic aim to build all new sites to a BREEAM Excellent standard or above with a focus on sustainability, incorporating elements such as EV charging and solar panels with the aim of being operationally carbon neutral.

With a strong ethos of supporting and engaging with the local communities in which they operate, being a core value of the business, Attic has donated more than £8,000 so far this year to local London foodbanks to help with the cost-of-living crisis.

About Attic Self Storage:

Attic Self Storage is an independent London based self-storage business established in 2006. The first facility launched in Bow in 2008, and second one in late 2016 near King’s Cross.

Attic presents state of the art facilities and develops new services and digital tools to ensure customer service is at the forefront of the business. It was the first operator to offer a full online quotation, check-in and account management system in 2016 and the world-first to offer virtual reality in self-storage. Customer are given complimentary 24-hour access to their unit within a safe and welcoming environment and since the opening of the Marylebone store, Attic has introduced electronic, keyless locks to its storage units. Additionally, Attic’s Harrow site is carbon negative and all new sites will also be carbon negative. Now with 5 stores across London, Attic is working to reduce its environmental impact by aiming to be operationally carbon negative across new stores.

As well as storage, Attic offers work pod hire, packaging products and mailbox rental. Attic actively engages with the local communities served by the business, supporting local charities and good causes wherever it can.

To find out more about Attic Self Storage please visit: www.atticstorage.co.uk

Driving, News, North of England

North East Drivers Most Likely to Have Personalised Number Plates, Say Researchers

NORTHERNERS are the likeliest group to be driving around with a personalised number plate.

New data reveals people in Cleveland are splashing more cash than any other motorists on private plates.

It was one of five northern locations including Darlington, Crewe, Wakefield and Blackburn, to appear in a top ten hotspots for sales.

Walsall, Chelmsford and Telford, along with Tweedale and Harris in Scotland, completed the top-ten which has been compiled by analysts at National Numbers.

The UK’s personalised number plate market is now worth an estimated £260m a year, and the Treasury has cashed in on billions from private plate sales since their inception.

Now, after crunching data* from over 32,000 sales, experts at National Numbers are revealing who’s in the driving seat when it comes to the highest number of purchases.

Commenting, Paul Hill, from National Numbers, said: “The top areas for sales were actually found to be towns and rural areas – with the north of England and Scotland coming out on top.

“Big cities, like Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Bristol came lower down the list – possibly due to having lower car ownership per head of population as well as better public transport links.

“In England, there is still a strong presence in what might be called the ”Bollinger Belt” surrounding the capital. In particular, areas like Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, Sawbridgeworth and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire together with Ingatestone, Chigwell and Ongar in Essex.”

Explaining why private plate sales appears to be bucking the cost of living crisis he continued: “They are a great way of expressing their character out on the roads – whether that be with a name, their favourite hobby, or a joke.’

“Personalised plates are also a great gift, and a lot of our customers purchase them on behalf of a loved one. Ages, years of birth and nicknames are really popular for this purpose.

“We also see personalised number plates being bought for various other reasons. Lots of people buy a private plate in order to hide the age of their car, or to show prestige. We also see number plates that relate to the make of the vehicle, with combinations like BMW being fairly popular.”

Mr Hill said plates to indicate a driver’s favourite football team were also still hugely popular.

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*About the data: The number plate experts have consulted their extensive database and based the research on a sample size of 32,000 purchases made across the United Kingdom. The results are based on sales per head of population, and from this National Numbers have created this interactive map to showcase the data.

 

Hospitality, News, Scotland

Scheme Sees Highland Business End Hospitality Staffing Crisis

Novel work-to-live scheme secures 100% recruitment

A hospitality business on the NC500 has ended a post-Brexit staffing shortage which reduced trading hours by 29% by introducing an innovative ‘work to live’ programme for staff.

The Seaforth restaurant and bar in Ullapool was forced to cease trading 2 days a week during the pandemic when a chronic lack of workers and rental accommodation forced them to slash business hours.

Left with no choice, they purchased a local motel in order to attract and accommodate workers.

Now they have gone a step further, introducing a programme of benefits including online skills training, personal mental health courses, free leisure access and optional half days – a switch which has seen them rewarded with 100% staffing levels.

Attracting and keeping talent in the West Highlands

The change represents stability for the business but also highlights the creativity involved in attracting – and keeping- hospitality staff in the west highlands.

During the turbulent Covid period, and with Brexit labour shortages biting, a local ‘staff-sharing’ scheme had to be put in place in Ullapool by local resident, Mamta Patel, which enabled businesses to train and pool casual employees within the community.

Thanks to the success of their recruitment innovations, The Seaforth have not required to use the community scheme this year, although they have provided online training for locals and accommodation for staff who could not find rentals.

Following The Seaforth’s diverse interventions in the labour market, all 35 positions required to run the business, 7 days per week, were occupied during the summer tourist season.

Training for workforce and unique benefits to promote positive work-life balance

Workers received online hospitality training programmes, complementary leisure access and half-day breaks to promote positive work-life balance, as well as an affordable place to live.

Mental wellbeing courses proved hugely popular, with staff also being alerted to opportunities to volunteer and participate in events and classes within the community.

The positive recruitment news represents a glimmer of hope, with the tourism and hospitality sector in Scotland continuing to battle serious staffing shrinkages.

A summer survey by the The Scottish Tourism Alliance said 52% of businesses were still in survival mode, with 31% citing lack of suitable candidates for jobs as a principal factor.

“We experienced both periods of operation and closure during the really difficult time during the pandemic. Local businesses faced constraints, with limited operating hours and days available,” said Delia Keating, Recruitment Manager.

“At one juncture, we could only operate five days a week due to staffing challenges, despite having the necessary jobs and resources. This presented significant challenges.

This situation underscored the importance of our commitment to promoting a healthier work-life balance for our employees. We consider our team to be an integral part of our extended family, and this year, we’ve witnessed positive outcomes from this approach in our recruitment efforts. We implemented a comprehensive plan to ensure our staff feel well-supported, rested, and welcomed, which is a core value for us.”

Exploring permanent low-rent accommodation for workers

On top of the package of incentives, plans are underway to extend the amount of permanent, low-rent accommodation the business can provide its staff.

Such a move is critical, with so few affordable homes available in the area.

Employee Michael Miller said:”The Seaforth has been an incredibly supportive haven for me, where every detail has been carefully considered to make our working environment valuable. It’s more than just a job; it’s a home away from home.”

International News, Recruitment, Recruitment News

SmartRecruiters Expands its Reach in APAC with the Launch of a New Australia Data Center Hosted by AWS

SmartRecruiters, the industry’s leading All-in-One Hiring Platform, is excited to announce a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy.  The company is proud to unveil its latest endeavor – the launch of a state-of-the-art data center in Australia, hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This expansion marks a strategic move to better serve clients in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, ensuring greater reliability, scalability, and security for their data needs.

The new Australia data center represents SmartRecruiters commitment to meeting the growing demand for data services in the APAC market. This facility leverages AWS’s cutting-edge infrastructure, offering businesses in the region the opportunity to access advanced cloud computing and data storage solutions while adhering to the highest industry standards for security and compliance.

Key benefits of the new Australia data center include:

 

  • Enhanced Data Accessibility:
Clients in the APAC region will experience reduced latency and improved data accessibility, resulting in faster response times and a better overall user experience.
  • Scalability:
The new data center allows SmartRecruiters to scale its services seamlessly, accommodating the evolving needs of businesses across various industries.
  • High-Level Security:
Security is a top priority at SmartRecruiters.  The Australia data center is equipped with robust security measures to protect clients’ data, including advanced firewalls, encryption, and continuous monitoring.
  • Compliance:
SmartRecruiters ensures that all data center operations are fully compliant with relevant data protection and privacy regulations, providing clients with peace of mind.

Reliability: 
With redundancy and failover mechanisms in place, our growing customer base in the region can trust that their critical data and applications will remain accessible even in the event of unforeseen disruptions.

 

“This expansion is a testament to our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our clients in the APAC region. By providing them with a world-class data center that leverages AWS’s expertise, we are empowering businesses to innovate and grow while ensuring their data remains secure and accessible.  I’m beyond proud to see how far we have come in the region after only a short few years,” said Rich Lewis-Jones, VP of APAC.

 

SmartRecruiters is confident that this strategic expansion will further solidify its position as a global leader in the talent acquisition space.  With the new Australia data center, the company aims to foster innovation, enable digital transformation, and support the growth of businesses throughout the APAC region.

To learn more about SmartRecruiters and the company’s commitment to the APAC region, join us at HS APAC 2023 in Sydney.

 

About SmartRecruiters

SmartRecruiters enables Hiring Without Boundaries™ by freeing talent acquisition teams from legacy applicant tracking software. SmartRecruiters’ next-generation platform serves as the hiring operating system for 4,000 customers like Bosch, LinkedIn, Skechers, and Visa. Companies with business-critical hiring needs turn to SmartRecruiters for best-of-breed functionality, world-class support, and a robust ecosystem of third-party applications and service providers.

For more information visit www.smartrecruiters.com or www.linkedin.com/company/smartrecruiters

 

News, Wales News

Unlocking Opportunities: Celebrating Adult Learner’s Week 2023

Every year, thousands of learners and training providers join the celebration of Adult Learners’ Week, Wales’ biggest festival of adult learning. The campaign aims to promote Welsh Government’s vision to establish Wales as a “Second Chance Nation” for lifelong learning.

Educ8 Training Group, an award-winning further education provider, invited three learners to share their success stories as adult learners during Adult Learners’ Week which is taking place between 18th – 24th September in 2023.

 

Apprenticeship helped me make a bold career move

Sophie Evans, a Level 3 Hairdressing apprentice, tells us why she decided to take a leap of faith and dive into a career she truly loves.

“It was very weird going from being a manager in my previous role, to starting again as an apprentice. I didn’t mind it because I felt excited to do something that I was passionate about. I was interested in hair; I wasn’t interested in anything else.

“Doing an apprenticeship later on in life can be scary. You’ve got rent and bills to think about. But with the support I’ve had from my manager, my partner, and Liz my trainer coach, I know I made the right decision.” says Sophie.

 

ILM apprenticeship provided a boost in my career progression

Nathan Doe, a Senior Timetable Production Manager for Transport for Wales, shares how the ILM apprenticeship helped him build a career without a university degree.

“I came straight out of school and into a job. A lot of people went to university to get a degree, so not having one myself was a worry. The ILM Level 5 is equivalent to a foundation degree, which would be two years at university, and I’ve done it without spending a penny – earning more than I would’ve paid for.

“The course is orientated around your job. Each person who does an apprenticeship will get something different out of it. The beauty of it is funding. I was able to buy my first house at the age of 20. I made a career for myself.”

 

Learning new skills gave me the confidence to go back to work

Level 2 Beauty Therapy apprentice, Alice Evans, shares how her learning enabled her to return to the job market  after becoming a new mother.

“My new employer was really encouraging. She gave me the boost I needed to study Level 2 Beauty Therapy and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. My job is part-time and my employer is flexible; working around me and looking after my 16-month-old baby girl, Amelia.  The course is not intense, and you know what to do – it’s really well organised. You have an online module on Moodle and everything else takes place in the salon. All practical and done during work hours.

Adult Learner’s Week highlights the remarkable journeys of our adult learners and the life-changing opportunities education can provide. Educ8 Training Group is committed to supporting these learners in their pursuit of new careers and enhanced skills. This week reaffirms that age is no barrier to achieving professional and personal goals.

To find out more about Adult Learners’ Week and Educ8 Training Group, visit: https://www.educ8training.co.uk/

Hospitality, News, Scotland

Scots Hospitality Tech Firm’s Caribbean Deal Boosts Exports

A Scottish hospitality tech firm has finalised a major Caribbean contract, with owners claiming it demonstrates Scotland’s continuing competitiveness in global markets.

Hop- a hospitality property management software company – has expanded its customer base across three continents with a deal with the prestigious Kings Beach Village in Barbados.

The contract sees Hop provide single-point software to enable the company to operate all aspects of its luxury tropical villa complex on the Caribbean island’s West Coast. 

The deal represents further global growth for Hop, with advanced discussions also underway with potential new clients in Nigeria – where it already has customers – and in Portuguese markets.

Hop evolved from the experience of two highland hoteliers desperate for more cost-effective technology to operate all aspects of hospitality, from bookings to check-ins to multi-system payments in one place.

Founded in 2017 by directors Jon Erasmus, Richard Drummond and Ronald Tweedie, the company surpassed its 250th customer milestone this year and is about to embark on a UK roadshow, with its first stop in Inverness on 11th October.

News of the Caribbean contract going ‘live’ comes just days after official figures revealed Scotland’s exports are growing faster than the rest of the UK.

And Hop Directors believe, despite challenges, it demonstrates that Scottish innovations remain highly prized in the international marketplace.

“Hop only came about through the experience of the directors operating in the hospitality and tourism sector in Scotland and building on that lived knowledge by understanding what hospitality needs, wherever in the world that may be,” said Director Jon Erasmus, who co-owns the Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness, the venue for the first networking roadshow event.

“This contract, on top of securing new business in the UK, Europe, Florida and Nigeria shows what a Scottish start-up can do and should encourage others to think internationally. The fact that two of our directors remain hoteliers in Scotland means we can develop our product to meet the new economic circumstances all hospitality businesses are having to operate within, whether in Scotland or overseas, and we will continue to work with and bring in more partners, globally.”

As well as international deals like the recent integration partnership with Australian events booking firm, iVyy, Hop, which has offices in Edinburgh and Chester, has targeted further UK market share.

Last year, the firm secured a contract with Duncan Bannatyne’s leisure group and boasts a significant presence within Scottish hospitality with around 70 hotels being managed by their bespoke system.

By embarking on a ‘homecoming’ Scottish demonstration tour, Hop officials hope to cement their base further.

And the founders feel the company is well placed to offer value at the right time, with hospitality businesses facing significant operational cost pressures.

“At the moment, in the hospitality industry, everyone is looking to reduce overheads. Borrowing has effectively tripled, energy and things like food inflation are up and businesses are still finding their feet after re-opening following the pandemic. 

“In a tough marketplace, we are offering cost effectiveness and functionality, when we benchmark against our competitors,” said Director Richard Drummond, who also co-owns McKays Hotel Bar and Restaurant in Pitlochry.

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For more information on Hop, visit: https://www.hopsoftware.com/

 

Hop’s Scottish clients include: Cobbs Hotels, Isles Hotel Group, Loch Rannoch Hotel, Costley and Costley Hoteliers Ltd. 

 

UK clients include: Trivelles group, Futurelets, Bannatyne leisure group, Petite Hotels, The Bingham, Windsor House Hotel.

 

Global clients include: Kings Beach Village (Barbados), Skyborne Aviation (USA), CheckInn group and Charleston Luxury Hotel (Nigeria).

 

Image Caption: Hop co-founder Jon Erasmus believes innovative Scottish start-ups can excel in global markets.

Accountancy & Accounts, E-Learning, News, Scotland

Scottish-based bookkeeping home study experts and family firm Ideal Schools celebrates 40 years in business and looks to the future

At an event to mark the 40th anniversary of Ideal Schools, a family business which specialises in online and distance-learning bookkeeping and accounting tuition, founder Elias van den Akker has reflected on his experiences starting and developing the firm, as well as looking to the future, announcing changes in the management of the company going forward.

The 79-year-old Dutch entrepreneur, who established the multiple award-winning Scottish-based firm in 1983, announced that he was retiring from his active role in the company. He also indicated that the position of Managing Director would be taken by his long-term colleague and Director Brian McVean.,

 

Mr van den Akker, known as Al, also announced that his son, Scot would become Chairman of the training provider. The changes at the top of the company became effective from September 1.

The event, at voco Hotels Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, was attended by directors, business associates and tutors and students past and present, and accolades were given to Al, whose firm earlier this year was named the Large Training Provider of the Year at the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) Luca Awards.

He said: “It has been a long journey, but over the years we have had some triumphs in not only guiding students to exam success, but also to improving their skills and job prospects. We have also taken on the challenge of facilitating accreditation, which is now a requirement for bookkeepers under money-laundering regulations.”

 

Scot talked about Al’s lifetime of achievement, from Friesland in Holland to New Jersey and Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the US, including an honours degree in Economics and a return to his late wife’s home in Scotland to establish Ideal Schools and an MBA.

He said: “When Al started out, there was no internet, no Facebook, X or Instagram, no electric cars. Nowadays there is so much chatter that it is hard to make an impression, but I think the interpersonal relationships between staff and students have helped immeasurably.

“Ideal Schools has always been student-centred. From the early days we have taken our lead from Al, who takes a genuine interest in every individual and encourages communication. This allows us to get to know our students and to achieve not only exam passes but also to attain our shared goals.”

 

Brian McVean said: “Like Scot, I started out helping in the office on weekends and in the holidays and the 40 years have gone by very quickly. I have always had a good working relationship with Al, who gave me an insight into what a good business should be like.

“When I was getting qualifications in management and accountancy, I did distance learning courses and that is just what they were – distant and uncommunicative. In contrast, Ideal Schools has always tried to ensure that students are treated properly and given the support they deserve.

“We now have a very good management system for students and our social media helps keep them engaged with each other as well as teaching them to work as a team. I have been very privileged to work with our amazing teachers in this fantastic community.”

 

The Glasgow-based firm specialises in delivering home study bookkeeping, payroll and taxation courses.

It works closely with the ICB – the largest bookkeeping institute in the world – and the Association of Accounting Technicians, the UK’s leading qualification and membership body for accounting staff, with around 125,000 members in more than 90 countries.

 

News, Wales News

Rising university tuition costs drive up apprenticeship demand

Rising university tuition fees and living costs have made more school leavers consider apprenticeships. In 2023, a remarkable 430,000 students expressed their interest in apprenticeship opportunities via UCAS—a staggering 180% increase since 2021.

 

Susan Billington, National Account Manager at Educ8 Training Group, shares insights on the changing landscape of further education for school leavers.

 

“An average student debt for tuition fees alone is £27,750 for a three-year degree. Cost consideration is a big part of decision-making for school leavers and their parents and the shift is more apparent with rising inflation and living costs.”

 

She continues, “Apprenticeships offer fantastic career opportunities allowing learners to earn while they learn. Learners can avoid accumulating massive debt while at the same time equipping themselves with practical skills and industry connections.”

 

An impressive 91% of apprentices go on to secure employment or further their studies after completing their training.

 

“There is not enough awareness about apprenticeships to young people leaving school. My apprenticeship has helped my confidence so much already. My advice to young people would be – if you want to earn a wage while learning, an apprenticeship may be what you need. I would recommend more young people leaving school to consider an apprenticeship.” Says Eleri Page who is a Social Media for Business Apprentice with Educ8 Training Group.

 

As salary growth lags behind inflation and the cost of living rises, many employees are opting to enhance their skills via apprenticeships, which paves the way for improved career prospects.

 

“I joined Educ8 Training Group as an Account Manager almost seven years ago. Since then, I’ve successfully completed three apprenticeships. These qualifications not only equipped me with the essential skills for advancing in my career, but also provided a significant boost to my confidence.” Susan commented.

 

And Mitchell Hughes, an Advice and Guidance apprentice notes: “When I started the apprenticeship, I already worked for Mind as a Homelessness Intervention Project Worker. I’d only been in post for a short time with little experience in the housing sector. The apprenticeship was offered to me to gain an understanding of dealing with clients and increase my skills. As the modules were linked to my work, I soon started to use my new skills in my job. Straight away I noticed how much my skills had improved. I felt more comfortable with clients when using the structured approaches I’d learnt from the apprenticeship.”

 

The surge in demand for apprenticeships in specific fields, including digital marketing and leadership management, such as the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), is evidence that both employers and employees are capitalising on apprenticeships to improve performance, retain staff and reduce recruitment costs.

Disability, Disability at work, Events, News, Scotland

Calls for business leaders to “awaken Scotland’s forgotten workforce”

  • Glasgow Kelvin College to host Scots business leaders to learn about training and hiring people with additional support needs  
  • Scottish Autism, Down’s Syndrome Scotland and Lemon Tree Hotels to share best practice at inaugural conference
  • “Employing people with additional support needs shouldn’t be a CSR activity – it’s so much more than that”, says Glasgow Kelvin College’s Alastair McGhee
  • 20% of Lemon Tree’s employees come from marginalised segments of Indian society, including people with intellectual or physical disabilities, widows ostracised by their communities, and survivors of acid attacks

BUSINESSES across Scotland have been challenged to change their approach to training and hiring people with conditions such as Down’s Syndrome and Autism.

Next week, Glasgow Kelvin College will host its inaugural “Fostering Inclusive Employment Opportunities” conference, where Scottish companies will discuss best practice with global leaders in training and employment of people with additional support needs: Indian hotel chain Lemon Tree Hotels and its training partner, Muskaan PAEPID.

Scottish Autism and Down’s Syndrome Scotland will also share their insight and experience with the more than 45 delegates already signed-up for the conference, including representatives from major employers in Glasgow from a range of sectors.

Funded by The Scottish Government, this conference and visit is the next phase of a long-standing partnership between Lemon Tree Hotels and Glasgow Kelvin College, which was initially funded as part of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).

 

The partnership supports businesses in Scotland to learn how to break barriers to employment. Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray met employees at Lemon Tree Hotels in Delhi last year to discuss their pioneering approach to supporting people with additional support needs.

 

Alastair McGhee, Director of Business Development at Glasgow Kelvin College, said: “When it comes to closing the disability employment gap, our colleagues in India have much they can teach us. There’s so much our country can learn and they are showing us what’s possible.

“Employing people with additional support needs shouldn’t be a CSR activity – it’s so much more than that. They need to be included as part of the workforce, in supervisory, important, visible roles, not confined to the back office.

“By embracing new approaches to inclusive training and employment, businesses will not only change perceptions, but awaken Scotland’s forgotten workforce.

“We’re excited to welcome individuals, businesses, organisations and community groups who are committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, helping to make sure that everybody who wants to work can find fulfilling jobs.”

 

Among the keynote speakers will be Aradhana Lal, Senior Vice President for Sustainability and ESG, at Lemon Tree Hotels, and Neera Chawla, Director, Muskaan PAEPID will speak on this successful working model for sustainable employment.

 

Aradhana Lal commented “We have driven this inclusion initiative since 2007 and have built a successful, sustainable diversity model that fits in with the Lemon Tree business model. We are very happy to share our best practices with potential inclusive employers in Scotland at the conference in Glasgow next week.”

 

At present, more than 15% of Lemon Tree’s employees come from marginalised segments of Indian society, including people with intellectual or physical disabilities, widows ostracised by their communities, orphans and abandoned girls, and survivors of acid attacks.

These employees work across all departments – from Front Office and Food and Beverage to Engineering and Finance — of the chain’s 92 hotels in 58 cities.

 

Neera Chawla added: “Training in work-related vocational skills must culminate in employment opportunities, which are extremely meagre for adults with intellectual disabilities. We recognise the critical role that such opportunities can play in enhancing their quality of life. With endless efforts, Muskaan has been able to develop sustainable models of employment for adults with varied levels of Intellectual and developmental disabilities across various industries.”

 

The conference takes place next Monday (September 18) from 9.30am to 2pm at Glasgow Kelvin College’s Springburn Campus. Businesses can RSVP here.

 

Mental Health, News, Scotland, Sport

Perthshire Hotel Backing Rugby Charity after Teen Suicide Loss

– Rugby youth internationalist was set to work at hotel-

A Perthshire hotel will use the untimely loss of an inspirational rugby-mad teenager to raise money for youth mental health charity BraveMind during the duration of the Rugby World Cup.

Issy Phipps, who planned to work a summer at McKays in Perthshire, sadly took her own life earlier this year

Issy Phipps was a 17 year old with the world literally at her feet (and in her hands) when she tragically took her own life in April this year.

An England touch rugby internationalist and European gold medal winner, Issy was popular with peers, a talented musician and student and planned to embark on an elite rugby programme.

The news of her passing in Spring came as a shock to everyone who knew her, including McKays Hotel Bar and Restaurant owner Richard Drummond, who had known her personally since early childhood.

A shared love of fun meant Richard and Issy enjoyed a connection and Issy had discussed working a season at McKays in Highland Perthshire; something which, sadly, never came to pass.

Now, after learning about the work of mental health charity BraveMind, which works with rugby clubs and schools to promote young peoples’ wellbeing, Richard and the McKays staff are to undertake a range of initiatives to support the charity’s mission during the World Cup in France.

BraveMind, founded by ex rugby player Simon Trower, is also supported by Issy’s parents, who want to help teenagers like Issy to navigate mental health challenges and reach their potential.

Issy’s mother Sarah recently met the Princess of Wales at Maidenhead Rugby Club, gifting her a pair of earrings in Issy’s memory, which Kate promised to wear.

“I first met Issy when she was 7. She was full of life and very talented,” said Richard, who attended the funeral celebration of her life, fulfilling the request to wear a rugby top by adorning a Scotland shirt.

“Issy had talked about doing a summer season at McKays because she also had relatives in Scotland. We actually met for breakfast about 2 years ago and she talked about her plans for the future.

“When I got the message of her passing, I struggled to believe it. It is only when you know someone, personally, that you wonder why. It leaves you numb.

“You see a beautiful young girl, a talented rugby player and musician with her life ahead of her.”

Issy Phipps, seen here in her Maidenhead RFC top, played youth level rugby for England, winning a European trophy in France.

The decision to raise money and awareness came to Richard, himself a father of three daughters, after he learned about the work of BraveMind.

Spurred by the memory of Issy, and in recognition of the stresses young people can face in the hospitality trade, he is delighted McKays will support the charity, with staff already raising £500 before the World Cup has even kicked off at Stade de France.

“Obviously there is a personal connection but it is such a good cause. BraveMind is geared around rugby but it is about young people and I know, in our sector, the pressures young people feel are sometimes underestimated.”

Staff will wear BraveMind t-shirts during all televised Scotland matches in McKays and are set to donate taking from Quiz nights, a race night and charity Dinner.

They also intend to reach out to rugby clubs in Perthshire to spread awareness of BraveMind which counts ex-Scotland internationalists, Graeme Morrison and Rory Lawson, as ambassadors.

The charity’s founder Simon Trower said: “We are about educating, supporting and working with grass-roots clubs and organisations to change the culture in order to prevent tragedies from happening. By using rugby as a vehicle, we can start conversations and it is great to work with McKays, who we will also be doing some training with, in mental health first aid.”

 

Image credits: Heartland Media and PR, all rights reserved

Header image caption: McKays owner Richard Drummond and staff will raise money for BraveMind, in Issy’s memory, during the Rugby World Cup.