One of the UK’s leading property experts, Redmayne Smith is launching its renowned Property Wealth Network (PWN) event in Manchester, with keynote speakers Managing Director, Abi Hookway, and CEO, Gordon Dutfield.
The first networking event takes place 1st February 2023 at The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
After success in London, Redmayne Smith has announced the launch of its Property Wealth Network (PWN) events in the North of England. PWN launches in Manchester on 1st February 2023, featuring keynote speakers Abi Hookway and Gordon Dutfield.
The first PWN North event will take place at the Midland Hotel, Manchester between 5 and 9pm, giving property investors the opportunity to network, share advice and expand clientele.
PWN events offer the perfect opportunities for new property investors and seasoned investors looking to expand their portfolio, alike. It is a chance to meet likeminded investors, as well as learn from experienced individuals.
Keynote speakers Abi Hookway, Managing Director of Redmayne Smith, and CEO Gordon Dutfield, both have experience building their own impressive property portfolios and will share their words of wisdom with the attendees at PWN North.
The team at Redmayne Smith have been hosting monthly networking events in London and online for the past five years, but due to the high-turnout and demand across the country, PWN is launching in the North.
Gordon Dutfield, CEO at Redmayne Smith says, “After great success with our in-person events in London, and our online webinars, we are excited to expand our PWN events North, to Manchester. The Midland Hotel is a fantastic venue to host our first event and we are excited to see property investors and developers from the North of England and further afield come together for an evening of insight and learning.”
Speaking of their experience at the PWN events, a previous attendee commented: “It was great to meet and see so many enthusiastic faces exchanging contact details and property experiences and knowledge”, whilst another added how great it was to “meet people that are on the same journey, some beginners and some further ahead on their property journey who are happy to share their knowledge.”
Each event has a limited number of seats, so for more information or to secure your ticket now, visit: https://redmaynesmith.co.uk/pwn-north/
Takeaways, nights out, takeaway coffees, TV subscriptions, and more will be sacrificed by cash-strapped Brits in 2023, according to a new survey.
A new survey by Unbiased has revealed that Brits are determined to tackle the Cost of Living Crisis head on and plan to make financial New Year’s resolutions this year that could enable them to retire almost a decade early, save a nest egg, put a deposit on a home or achieve other financial goals.
The survey reveals that:
47% of Brits plan to give up takeaways
40% will stop eating out and going to the pub
30% intend to use their car less (an average saving of £103 per tank of petrol)
A quarter of Brits vow to give up subscription boxes (saving £15 each on average)
32% say they will give up buying takeaway coffee (saving an average of £25 per month)
22% plan to give up drinking at home (saving an average of £36 per month)
Only 27% of Brits are debt free
Unbiased is a financial services platform that has helped more than 10 million people make confident financial decisions. Their survey shows that Brits could save up to £500 per month by making money-saving lifestyle choices and with expert financial advice, the savings could grow to a considerable pot.
If a 30-year-old put £500 per month into a pension for 30 years, assuming government tax top-up and 5% compound returns, they would amass a fund of £511,787 – enough to retire at 60, or earlier.
23% of the UK plan to cancel their gym membership, saving an average of £40 per month, whilst 22% say they won’t buy tickets to sports matches. With the average Premiership match ticket costing £125, that’s a considerable saving.
Unbiased has this advice, “Financial New Year’s resolutions are a priority this year, but rather than seeing it as a series of sacrifices, look at it as a way of making positive changes to lay the foundations for a more secure future. Taking control of your budget and seeking good financial advice can be life-changing.”
Almost a quarter of the population says that they plan to save by not going to festivals. With a 2023 Glastonbury ticket costing £325 + booking fee and the long weekend at the festival adding a few hundred pounds to that amount, experts at Unbiased suggest that this lump sum could be directed towards financial goals.
The Unbiased research also shows that 66% of Brits spend money on subscription services we don’t use, and this is as much of a problem for pensioners as it is for 18-29-year-olds.
Unbiased says “Even a small saving can make a big difference if you make it habitual. Do you need all those subscription services? Set up a transfer to a savings account of a small amount (try for £20 or £30) from the account your salary goes into. Set it for the same day your salary goes in so that you are putting something away before you get a chance to spend it. Small but regular amounts will soon build up.
“Grandparents might consider cancelling unwanted subscriptions and paying those regular amounts into a grandchild’s ISA – those contributions will grow, and the grandchildren won’t pay inheritance tax on them. For example, a grandparent who gifts £1,000 per year to a ten-year-old child into a 5% savings account would be accumulating £34,719 for them for their 30th birthday. For a full financial health check to see how much more you could save each month, talk to an independent financial adviser. With more than 27,000 trusted and regulated financial advisers, a platform like unbiased.co.uk is a great place to start.”
The survey shows Brits are acutely aware of their finances at the moment, with 72% saying they know what their bank balance, incomings, and outgoings look like on a daily basis. “This is really encouraging,” say Unbiased. “You have to know and understand your finances in order to make a positive change.”
Unbiased recently entered into a two-year partnership with Samaritans to help reduce the negative impact of money worries on the nation’s mental health. Samaritans are accessible at all times over the holiday period and 2023, for everyone in need.
Entrepreneur and athlete Marcus Charles Spencer has announced the launch ofhis new online fitness program The Mastery Club, which seeks to help men and women achieve their ultimate body transformations.
Marcus gained a strong foundation in finance through his studies at Durham University and The University of Cambridge Judge Business School. Prior to returning to academia, he founded a successful personal fitness training company in Chelsea and worked as a male model affiliated with Select Model Management in London.
In addition to his background in finance and cryptocurrency, Marcus is highly skilled in martial arts. He has a solid background in boxing and mixed martial arts and has competed at a national level in both disciplines. Marcus has also spent nearly a decade traveling to Thailand to participate in professional full-time Muay Thai training camps, working alongside world champions during full contact training sessions.
“I’m passionate about helping people reach their fitness goals and live their best lives,” says Marcus. “The Mastery Club combines my expertise in fitness and my commitment to ongoing learning and personal development to provide a comprehensive and supportive program for people looking to transform their bodies and their lives.”
In addition to his work withThe Mastery Club, Marcus is also an investor in several cryptocurrency start-ups and a co-founder of a London-based charity that offers free martial arts classes for children and food banks for the homeless.
“I believe in giving back and using my skills and resources to make a positive impact in the world,” says Marcus. “I’m excited to use The Mastery Club as a platform to not only help individuals achieve their fitness goals, but also to support charitable causes and make a difference in the lives of those in need.”
As we approach the New Year, many of us will be reflecting on the positive changes we wish to make in our lives.
Business owners are no different. Now is a great opportunity to consider how 2023 can be a year of growth and improvement for your organisation.
Kate Palmer, HR Advice & Consultancy Director at Peninsula, has five resolutions for businesses to make to help them succeed in the new year.
1. Stay updated with developments within employment law and update your contracts accordingly.
There are several bills that could progress through parliament next year : the Carer’s Leave Bill, the Fertility Treatment: Employment Rights Bill, the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill, the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill, and the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill, to name a few.
Should these become law, it’s likely some of your policies, procedures, and contracts will need updating to reflect the new legal obligation.
In addition, the Retained EU Law Bill, which is expected to repeal all EU-derived law by the end of 2023 unless new legislation is introduced to keep or change it, will have major impacts on employment law as we currently know it. With key employment rights like annual leave and TUPE rules being governed by the EU, this could shake up entitlements considerably.
2. Introduce a financial wellbeing policy.
As the cost-of-living rises, staff are wanting more support. That’s why having a financial wellbeing policy is necessary to reassure your workforce that you can provide that support.
A financial wellbeing policy can help staff manage debt and financial problems by outlining the support you offer. This support may be financial, like offering bonuses or travel loans, and also might include emotional support through anemployee assistance programme. This can help staff learn how to manage their finances better and work through their issues with an expert. A policy helps open discussions about financial wellbeing in the workplace, so you can learn how best to help your staff when they really need it.
3. Support women in the workplace.
Women are disproportionately affected by several issues that, if the right support is not given, can have a detrimental impact at work. These include, but are not limited to, menopause, fertility treatments, and childcare commitments.
Employers should take positive steps to understand these issues thoroughly, and these efforts should be underpinned by adequate support measures, including reasonable adjustments, a sensitive, understanding approach to any related conversations, and a fair approach to requests for time off for related issues. This is fundamental to ensuring the continual employment and success of all employees.
4. Prioritise training and upskilling to aid staff retention.
Investing in your employees’ professional development with a clearly defined career pathway can make employees feel more valued. Where they can see that there is a plan for their long-term professional success, they may be less likely to jump ship for short-term financial gain. Each department should have clearly defined pathways based on skills and knowledge. Use 1-2-1’s as an chance to find out individual employee’s goals and signpost them towards training and opportunities to help them achieve these goals.
5. Review your hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
In general, employees’ needs, and expectations have changed over the last two years because of the pandemic. Flexible working, including remote/hybrid working and flexi-hours arrangements, has become a priority for many looking create a more effective work-life balance. Employers who fail to recognise this will suffer from reduced productivity and high turnover.
It’s the HR team’s job to fully understand their workforce’s wants and needs, and work with the senior management team to see if a compromise can be reached which benefits all.
As construction on the UK’s new high speed rail line reaches its peak, the project’s boss celebrates the past twelve months of progress.
Mark Thurston says: “From the depositing of the Bill to take HS2 to Manchester, the first breakthrough and then complete end-to-end of an HS2 tunnel, and fantastic progress at all four phase one station sites; 2022 has been a year of immense progress on Britain’s landmark infrastructure project”
As 2022 ends, HS2 Ltd – the company building Britain’s new high speed railway – is celebrating a momentous list of milestone achievements over the past twelve months, including the launch of three more Tunnel Boring Machines, ten of our construction sites going completely diesel-free, and a first tunnel breakthrough.
Major civil engineering works are now well underway, with £23 billion contracted into the supply chain and over 350 active sites between Crewe, the West Midlands and London, supporting over 29,000 jobs. There are five Tunnel Boring Machines currently digging underground; and two giant outdoor mega-factories, 1.7 miles of conveyer belts and a total of 17.6 km of tunnels have already been built as part of the delivery of HS2.
Rail Minister Huw Merriman said:
“HS2 has made extraordinary progress in the two months since I was appointed rail minister – smashing targets and achieving a number of world-beating construction milestones, which both myself and the Transport Secretary have had the pleasure of seeing first hand.
“This pioneering project is already transforming lives well before the trains hit the tracks, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and boosting local communities by funding hundreds of transformational projects.”
“Here’s to a year of success and many more milestones in 2023.”
Reflecting on the past year, CEO of HS2 Ltd Mark Thurston said:
“What a year it’s been: from the depositing of the Bill to take HS2 to Manchester, establishing initial sites on phase 2A in Staffordshire, the first breakthrough and then complete end-to-end of an HS2 tunnel, and fantastic progress at all four phase one station sites. 2022 has been a year of immense progress on Britain’s landmark infrastructure project and I’d like to thank everyone involved.
“Right now, HS2 is delivering jobs for almost 30,000 people, with tens of thousands more supported throughout our wider supply chain. Over 2,800 companies have contracts with HS2, ensuring the project is helping grow the UK economy long before a single train starts running.”
PROJECT MILESTONES IN 2022:
Starting the year, HS2 published a bill setting out legislation for the next phase of HS2 including a 52-mile extension of the high speed network to Manchester.
HS2’s civils partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), opened the doors to its giant construction compound in Kingsbury, Warwickshire and revealed the scale of works underway ready to build one of the most complex sections of the HS2 route – the Delta Junction – a triangular section of line where the new railway curves west towards Birmingham and runs north towards Crewe. It is expected that 2,742 segments will be produced at the on-site batching plant.
In May, a giant bridge-building machine began work on the high speed railway’s first and longest viaduct on the outskirts of London. The enormous 700 tonne bridge-building launching girder will build a viaduct stretching for more than two miles (3.4km) across a series of lakes and waterways between Hillingdon and the M25, the Colne Valley Viaduct will also be the longest railway bridge in the UK.
In the summer, HS2 Ltd also confirmed that its first construction site had become completely diesel-free through the implementation of multiple innovations, including the UK’s first 160 tonne emissions-free fully electric crawler crane and the use of biofuels to power plant and machinery on site.
In June, HS2 hit an important milestone by funding over 200 projects through the Community & Environment Fund (CEF) and Business & Local Economy Fund (BLEF). Initially set up in 2017, the programmes have provided over £12 million in funding to community groups and organisations impacted by the construction of HS2.
Also in June, HS2 announced the start of construction at the site of its first innovative ‘green tunnel’, designed to blend the high speed railway into the landscape and reduce disruption for communities. Unlike a normal underground tunnel, the one-and-a-half mile (2.5km) Chipping Warden green tunnel in Northamptonshire is being built on the surface using a pioneering off-site manufacturing approach to speed up construction and improve efficiency.
Ending the summer on a high, HS2 Ltd celebrated the very first tunnelling breakthrough on the project. The 2,000-tonne TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), ‘Dorothy’ completed her one-mile dig under Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire. The tunnel preserves the ancient woodland above, which is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has complex ecosystems that have taken hundreds of years to establish.
Following close behind ‘Dorothy’, the first of two 2,000 tonne TBMs in London started their 5-mile journey from West Ruislip towards Euston beneath one of the busiest cities in the world. The first machine is named ‘Sushila’, after pupils nominated local teacher Sushila Hirani. The second machine is named after the first professional female astronomer Caroline Herschel.
In November a 1.7-mile-long interconnected network of conveyors sprung to life in West London, which will move over five million tonnes of spoil excavated for the construction of HS2. The use of the conveyor will remove the need for one million lorry movements from roads in West London, reducing traffic congestion and emissions in the local area.
Last month HS2 Ltd celebrated reaching five years of tree planting and habitat creation. Since the completion of the HS2 Phase One Bill, HS2’s ecologists have established 119 new habitat sites and planted around 845,000 trees, covering an area equal to 650 football pitches.
In December, Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper went 33 metres below ground for an exclusive end-to-end tour of the first completed tunnel on the HS2 project.
Leading property company JLL has recently completed a c. 31,000 sq ft warehouse refurbishment at Unit B Orion Business Park in Cheadle, Stockport, with a tenant already lined up to take the unit, on behalf of Mayfair Capital Investment Management.
Richard Johnson, Director in Industrial & Logistics Leading at JLL North West, said: “We’ve seen huge demand for good quality industrial and logistics units in the North West in recent years and sustainability is now high up on the agenda for many businesses.”
JLL led the comprehensive refurbishment project which prioritised sustainability and ESG improvements throughout, and includes a modern detached warehouse with its own yard and extensive two-storey offices.
The project raised the building to an EPC ‘A’ rating, and included the installation of electrical vehicle charging points, photovoltaic solar panels, high efficiency mechanical and electrical equipment and showers, a bike store and changing rooms to encourage active travel. JLL ensured a high proportion of the former tenant fit out that was removed was recycled.
Located on Oakhurst Drive, just off Bird Hall Lane, the site is a five-minute walk from Adswood Turning Circle bus stop, with strong links to regional motorways via the M60 Orbital.
The unit also boasts two level access loading doors and a separate car park with 28 spaces.
Keiran Melfi, Director in building consultancy at JLL North West, said: “Businesses are looking at how they can make the most out of their warehousing space, and this modern unit in Stockport was designed with sustainability as the key factor and the wellbeing of workers in mind, including shower facilities to make low carbon commuting more attractive. It’s a great example of a mixed-use space where a company can thrive.”
Since launching in 2012, Start Up Loans has delivered over 29,000 loans worth more than £266 million, to businesses in the North West, West Midlands and South West with the average loan being £9,440
Counties in the North West receiving the most funding since 2012 include Greater Manchester and Lancashire
8,495 loans drawn down by recipients in the West of England since 1 April 2020 totalling £100m
37% of the total value of loans in the North West delivered since the pandemic began
Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, announces that the programme has delivered over 29,088 loans worth more than £266 million to businesses across the West of England. The figures point to the spirit of entrepreneurship across the West of the country.
The North West has received the most funding since 2012, at over £112 million (12,314 loans), while the South West and West Midlands have received over £78 million (8,543 loans) and £76 million (8,231 loans) respectively.
Of these loans, 3,460 amounting to more than £41m were drawn down in the region since the pandemic began; this equates to 37% of the total value of loans delivered over the lifetime of the programme.
Impressive figures for entrepreneurship during the pandemic show how people have been helped by Start Up Loans to launch their own businesses when conditions in the job market were difficult.
UK Region
Loans Made
Amount Lent (£)
Average Loan Amount (£)
North West
12,314
112,100,733
9,350
South West
8,543
78,441,686
9,112
West Midlands
8,231
76,125,191
9,897
TOTAL
29,088
266,667,610
9,440
Listed in the below table are the counties throughout the West to receive the most loans since 2012. Top counties in the North West include Greater Manchester, which received more than £46 million in funding, and Lancashire which received over £23 million in funding.
Of the total 29,088 loans in Western regions, 39% have been to women and 14% to people from Black, Asian and Other Ethnic Minority backgrounds (not including White Minorities). Young people between 18-24 years old have received 14% of loans in Western England since 2012, and 30% of the total loans made to people in the same age bracket nationally since the scheme began in 2012.
Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:“If we are to unlock economic growth, we need to remove the barriers faced by the UK’s most innovative entrepreneurs when it comes to accessing funding and growing their business.
“Backed by more than 12,314 loans worth more than £112m, our most dynamic small businesses across the North West have been able to tap into government support to flourish and fast-track their business ideas and innovations to market.”
Sophie Dale-Black, Director, UK Network – Midlands and North of England said: “It’s a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of the North West that we’re celebrating such a significant milestone, well over a quarter of a billion pounds, invested across the Western regions since 2012.
“I am particularly proud of the fact that we have been able to support such a huge volume of young aspiring business people and their start-up ventures in the West, which represents 30% of the total across the entire of the UK.”
Selina Ellis-Gray, founder of Hellion Toys, Clitheroe, North West said: “The business community in the North West is vibrant. Supporting other business has been one of the pleasures of being in business myself, especially seeing the positive impact working together can have on small family run companies and independents.”
Research suggests that landlords in Manchester could collectively be missing out on almost £16m in student rental income, as 60% of students reconsider their tenancy and contemplate moving out of their student accommodation due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Students need landlords to act, with 76% of those believing that rent should be lowered to ensure they are able to extend their tenancy agreements. And there are other actions tenants think landlords can do to ensure they renew their tenancy:
Chelsea Shakespeare, a manager within the household team at Adrian Flux says: “Landlords can reassure tenants amidst the financial uncertainty by making sure their tenants know where the financial responsibility lies, and that they (landlords) have adequate insurance, as well as inform students what happens if there is an emergency. This will alleviate any concerns around related unexpected costs that might arise during a tenancy so students can budget accordingly.
And in case of the worst, we recommend landlords review their policies and consider cover for all eventualities including rent guarantee, unoccupied periods (such as during change of tenancy and half terms), and legal expenses should disputes arise.”
Living with friends, freshers’ week and surviving without parents are all part of the university experience, with 72% citing this as the reason they moved to university in the first place – but are students today getting this traditional experience? Rising costs mean that they are growing increasingly concerned over bills and other expenses.
In fact, specialist insurer Adrian Flux found that students are more concerned with affording utility bills than they are food. In a new study of 1,000 UK students, 66% said that paying for water, gas and electric were their biggest cost consideration compared to 40% who claimed it was paying for the weekly food shop.
Furthermore, Netflix or Amazon Prime are low priority for students as costs such as commuting, and internet are ranked higher in financial consideration. And bills are clearly a growing concern for young people keen on further education as additional costs for tenants’ insurance (13%), parking permits (17%) and the TV license (18%) are factored, with these also polling above entertainment subscription services.
North West courier brand Speedy Freight has announced another impressive year of growth in 2022, up 17% on the previous year.
Following another year of change for the freight and logistics industry, due to industrial action and changes to international import/export rules, the Knutsford-based freight specialist has flourished thanks largely to its ability to deliver bespoke logistics solutions to brands both in the north, and on a national level.
Formerly part of Eddie Stobart Logistics, Speedy Freight went independent in July 2021, now backed by private equity investors BGF. As of this month, the courier brand is now reporting 38.8% compound growth since 2007 and is investing heavily in both its infrastructure and senior leadership team ahead of more planned expansion in 2023.
The first of several new hires is Shellea Crosby, who joins Speedy Freight as Commercial Director. Formerly Commercial Director at Tuffnells delivery service, Shellea’s new role sees her look after the national sales team, working to provide customers with cost effective, scalable solutions.
Tom Denton joins the team as Ecommerce Director after working with several industry giants such as Jersey Post, DX, DPD, Yodel and Collect+. As Ecommerce Director, his team continues to roll out a suite of services for SME retailers and large retailers alike, building solutions that utilise the brand’s strengths to service the modern pureplay and omnichannel retailers.
Dave Garratt, Speedy Freight’s new IT Director is overseeing a massive £2.1million investment in the brand’s IT systems. Ahead of more expansion in 2023 and beyond, Speedy Freight is aiming to future proof its IT platforms, owning the intellectual property in our own operational software.
As well as new hires, several current team members have been promoted into new and exciting roles within Speedy Freight. Adrian Irving is now in the role of Operations Director and Aimee Spilsbury has been promoted to Marketing Director.
Mike Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Speedy Freight said: “Speedy Freight has seen incredible growth since 2007, however the last year has been one of the biggest in terms of changes to our structure.
“Following our backing by BGF, we’ve invested heavily in our own infrastructure to prepare ourselves for more fantastic growth, offering customers a wider range of bespoke services – providing scalable solutions to improve efficiency and keep costs down.
“Looking to 2023 and beyond, our plan is to continue to invest in performance, technology, and people – expanding our offering both in the UK and in new and exciting markets.”
A new purpose-led independent bookshop, cafe and events space has opened its doors for the first time in Manchester City Centre.
Based in the Manchester Club building on King Street, House of Books & Friends aims to combat loneliness by providing a space for local people to establish connections.
The Community Interest Company, which will reinvest all profits back into running the bookshop and projects which directly address social isolation and loneliness, is the brainchild of Darryl Cooke, founder of Manchester-headquartered international law firm gunnercooke.
House of Books & Friends will have a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books suitable for adults and children.
It will run a variety of events throughout the year including ‘meet the author’, book clubs, music evenings, children’s story time and talks hosted by charity partners.
The bookshop will also support Manchester-based independent businesses and authors and offer a space for local community groups.
Businesses are also invited to show support by joining the ‘House of Business Friends Club’ or by using the space for events.
Naomi Self, Bookshop Manager at House of Books & Friends, said: “We’re excited to open our doors and begin establishing connections between members of the community and making a difference through the power of reading.
“Our employees are extremely knowledgeable, provide excellent customer service with a smile and are approachable people who have mental health first aid training.
“We’re looking to establish a real community hub and welcome approaches from groups who would like to host regular meetings or events which align with our values.
“We’ll also be providing online services such as virtual book clubs and subscriptions for those who can’t reach us in person or live far away.”
Darryl Cooke, Co-Founder of gunnercooke added: “It’s well documented that loneliness is a pernicious issue in society, and we’re pleased to be opening ahead of the festive period at a time when many people can struggle.
“One hundred per cent of our profits go back into the organisation, so every purchase someone makes and every amazing event they attend means we can make a difference to those experiencing loneliness.
“We’re very much in a contract with the local community where we only exist because of them. It means there’s a real focus on quality, community service and being as supportive as possible if people are having a difficult time.”
Local family-owned property company Bruntwood is a Founding Partner of House of Books & Friends which is situated in its not-for-profit retail space in the redeveloped Grade II listed Manchester Club building.
Charlotte Wild, Head of Retail & Leisure at Bruntwood, commented: “House of Books & Friends is a very welcome addition to Bruntwood’s historic Manchester Club building on King Street.
“It’s set to provide a fantastic new independent bookshop for adults and children and will be an important space to help people combat loneliness in the community. We are so pleased to see it come to life and look forward to it establishing itself as a successful new concept for the North West.”
House of Books and Friends has partnered with charity Independent Age which offer regular and friendly contact and free impartial advice to those in society who are getting older and want to remain independent and live life on their own terms.
The bookshop will be home to their ‘Change Maker’ who will use it as a base to reach out to the local community and work alongside other organisations to help those who may be experiencing loneliness.
