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SMEs and micros in the North West offered free support on workplace wellbeing

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British Safety Council is offering organisations employing up to 500 staff in Manchester and the North West, as well as across the UK, the chance to get free support to improve the wellbeing of their workplace, with pressures following Covid and growing economic challenges facing businesses in the region.

Through its campaign on workplace wellbeing, Keep Thriving, the health, safety and wellbeing charity is inviting SMEs and micro-sized employers to apply to attend one of a series of free 3-hour workshops to help them develop a wellbeing strategy. Applications are currently open until 30 November.

The sessions, delivered by experts from British Safety Council’s Being Well Together programme, will help employers explore why wellbeing matters to them, their people and their business, and ways they can improve their wellbeing. The session will help small, medium and micro-sized employers to develop a strategy which works and to track and evaluate their progress.

On launching the offer, Peter McGettrick, Chairman of British Safety Council, said:

“We’ve been seeing more and more pressures piling onto businesses, especially smaller ones, both following the Covid pandemic and with the rising cost of energy, and as a charity we want to do something to help. That’s why we are offering SMEs and micro-sized employers the chance to improve the wellbeing of their staff, completely free of charge.

“Employers will be able to meet other like-minded organisations to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and best ways of developing a wellbeing strategy and find out how improving wellbeing boosts their organisational performance and reduces the likelihood of accidents and ill-health among their staff. This is a great chance to take a fresh look at how you, your staff and your business can succeed and thrive together.”

Any employer with to up to 500 staff can apply here.

As well as the free workshops, British Safety Council is offering all employers who attend the opportunity to apply for a cash award to fund activity they decide to do as a result. The charity wants to make up to £10,000 available to one or more organisations.

Concerts for Carers celebrates 1st birthday by awarding £2,000 grant to the Healthcare Workers’ Foundation and hits £1.85m of free tickets given away

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  • To celebrate their first birthday Concerts for Carers (a not-for-profit registered charity) is delighted to have awarded its first grant, furthering its mission to promote the mental health and wellbeing of NHS and Paid Care workers across the UK
  • It has awarded a £2,000 grant to Healthcare Workers’ Foundation
  • In its first year, Concerts for Carers has given away over 35,000 tickets worth more than £1.85 million to events at 70 venues in over 30 cities across the UK
  • With 85,000 members, NHS staff and paid carers can apply for tickets to live events including Elton John, Justin Bieber, Westlife and Panic! at The Disco
  • Concerts for Carers provides tickets to events at over 70 venues across the UK including O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester, O2 Ritz Manchester, O2 Apollo Manchester, The Blues Kitchen, and AO Arena Manchester.
  • Concerts for Carers has provided tickets to recent shows in Manchester including Alice Cooper + The Cult, Swedish House Mafia, and Cirque du Soleil.
  • More information is available at concertsforcarers.org.uk

To celebrate their first birthday, Concerts for Carers together with O2 has awarded its first ever grant of £2,000 to Healthcare Workers’ Foundation, a charity that provides targeted support to people working in healthcare, enabling them to continue caring for us.

Founded by former music venue executives, Concerts for Carers together with O2 is a registered charity created to promote the mental health and wellbeing of NHS staff and Paid Care workers which it does by providing access to free music tickets all year round.

Statistics from gov.uk show that 50% of NHS staff are more likely to experience high levels of work-related stress compared to the general working population, it is vitally important that healthcare workers have a suitable place to eat and rest in order to remain healthy and manage their wellbeing.

Working with Healthcare Workers Foundation, the charity will use the funds to refurbish a staffroom in Scarborough Hospital to provide essential space away from the wards.

Since its launch in 2021, Concerts for Carers has given over 35,000 free tickets to NHS and paid carers for top live music performances from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Little Mix, Michael Buble, Billie Eilish, Haim, The Script, Elbow and many others.

Steve Gotkine Co-Founder of Concerts for Carers, said “We are delighted to have been able to make our first grant within our first year as well as hitting the amazing milestone of over £1.85m worth of free tickets given away to our beneficiaries. This is just the start of our journey, with further grants planned in 2023 we are excited to go into our second year bringing more content than ever before to our NHS and Paid Carers.”

Jayd Williams, Head of Music Partnerships & Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, said “O2’s partnership with Concerts for Carers is our way to thank NHS and Paid Carers for their dedication to their profession with access to some of the best live events and concerts in the UK. The first year of our partnership has seen incredible growth and we are proud to see the continuation of our giving back with the first grant being made to a brilliant charity.”

Julie Child, CEO at the Healthcare Workers’ Foundation, said: “It is vitally important that healthcare workers have a place to eat and rest in order to manage their wellbeing. This grant by Concerts for Carers together with O2 is an incredible way to give back and support the mental health and wellbeing of staff by improving their staff rooms and rest spaces which are so important to them.”

How does the scheme work?

  • NHS and paid Care workers can sign-up via concertsforcarers.org.uk
  • Once registered on the website, NHS staff and Paid Care workers can apply for shows that they would like to attend.
  • All requests will be entered into a ballot.
  • Recipients will then be notified if they have won tickets to their preferred events.

Having now secured agreement from some of the UK’s leading live music destinations, including The O2, the organisation is looking for funds to achieve its goal. Eligible beneficiaries can register now at www.concertsforcarers.org.uk.  Those that wish to contribute towards this fantastic initiative and be part of creating something that truly honours NHS workers and paid carers, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/concertsforcarers

Will Investment in Manchester Fall in 2023?

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Whisper it quietly, but the sacking of Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and announcement of new plans outlined by incoming Jeremy Hunt appear to have created much calmer economic and financial market waters in the UK.

More specifically, both the pound (GBP) and government bond yields have recovered from their recent nadir, following news that the 45p tax rate for higher earners was to be maintained and Hunt’s recent announcement that corporation tax would increase to 25% next April (rather than being kept at 19%).

But will this lead to a more stable economy and increased investment in cities like Manchester, or could the economic climate worsen before it improves?

Exploring the Effects of Rising Inflation and Interest Rates

The UK has certainly found itself in the midst of a perfect macroeconomic storm of late, with inflation having increased markedly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (and the subsequent changes to the supply and price of oil) and ongoing supply chain complexities caused by Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic.

With inflation having peaked at 10.1% in July and likely to reach 11% in the winter, the Bank of England (BoE) has sought to counter this by continually hiking the base interest rate. This is based on the notion that inflation and interest rates enjoy an inverse relationship, with a higher base rate encouraging households to save and reducing spending naturally.

While this may well prove to be effective over time, there are a couple of points to keep in mind. Firstly, it’s most effective when the rate of inflation is at least to the 2% target set by the BoE, as minimal increases are required to have the desired effect.

Secondly, the decision to hike rates is compounding the cost-of-living crisis for many households and businesses, making it harder and more expensive to borrow while diminishing reinvestment even into prosperous urban areas.

What are the Effects of a Weak Pound?

As inflation mounts and the cost of borrowing soars, the purchasing power of currencies (in this instance, the pound) declines accordingly.

This makes the GBP considerably less appealing in the eyes of investors, particularly those from overseas. This also impacts on British businesses over time, making it harder to source investment in an increasingly uncertain and volatile climate.

Once again, such uncertainty is being exacerbated by Brexit and ongoing supply chain issues, creating a scenario where some investors may seek flight and explore more prosperous, emerging markets.

The good news is that a weakened pound also makes UK stocks and assets much cheaper, so working closely with an expert investment manager can help you to make sound choices.

What’s the Outlook for 2023 and Beyond?

Currently, the intervention of new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt appears to have steadied the ship, although this also undermines the PM’s position and could create more geopolitical volatility going forward.

Certainly, the decline of the pound has been partially reversed, while the BoE may be able to hike the base rate at a steadier pace in the near and medium term.

Still, the central bank has warned that inflation could stay at double digits for much of 2023 at least, ensuring that the short-term investment outlook in Manchester and nationwide is relatively bleak.

An economic recovery could be on the cards in 2024, but careful management and informed decision-making will need to be taken for this to take shape.

Manchester-Based Companies Launch International Campaign with Fred Sirieix

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Manchester-based drinks distributor Paragon Brands, with the support of video production agency Dead Pixel, has launched an international gin marketing campaign with TV star Fred Sirieix.

The campaign follows the announcement that Paragon Brands has secured Fred Sirieix as the first ever UK ambassador one of the globally renowned spirits within their portfolio, G’Vine gin, the premium French gin made with grapes.

Manchester-born Chris Jones, Managing Director of Paragon, says “Dead Pixel were the natural partner for us to take care of the video production of the campaign. Manchester is an incredible pool of talent and we are proud to be able to showcase this in such a wide-reaching campaign bringing a premium and unique gin to an International audience with such a recognisable ambassador as Fred”.

The digital advertising campaign created by Paragon Brands and executed by Dead Pixel follows the UK’s favourite Frenchman as he returns to his home region of southwest France to indulge in the home comforts. While catching up with his friend and creator of G’Vine, Jean-Sébastien Robicquet, Fred falls in love with the history, taste and ethos of this unique French gin made with grapes.

“While we have worked with many well-known brands there is the added joy of representing our home town of Manchester working side by side with Paragon Brands to showcase the expertise of our city” says Kieran Edwards, Creative Director of Dead Pixel. “This campaign really shines a light on Manchester’s capabilities within the international food and beverage market” he adds.

The partnership forms part of the wider ‘Gin Your Way’ UK marketing campaign launching this month to inspire consumers to explore new ways to enjoy gin.

Fred will use his expertise to create inspiring drinking experiences with G’Vine complemented by a series of ‘Gin Your Way’ consumer events taking place in December.

“I am very proud to be the first ambassador for G’Vine, an exceptional French gin, and I look forward to it being welcomed into homes here in the UK, like I have been. We also share the same roots from the inspiring southwest region of France,” says Sirieix. “G’Vine is different to traditional gins because it is made with grapes not grain and this makes it very smooth, also like me. G’Vine is me in a bottle!”

G’Vine is offered at 40% ABV and priced at £35 per 70cl bottle, available online at Drink Supermarket and The Bottle Club and distributed in the UK by Paragon Brands.

Farleys Solicitors Join Forces with Lawfront to Accelerate Growth Plans

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Leading North West law firm Farleys Solicitors have announced the next stage in the firm’s success, joining forces with Lawfront to accelerate their growth plans.

The news follows ten years of consistent growth for Farleys as they become a key partner in accelerating Lawfront’s rapid growth in the sector. This innovative partnership will support Farleys to grow and strengthen the firm’s offering and footprint through service development and targeted acquisitions across the North West region and beyond.

Farleys employ 150 people, including 15 partners.  All remain with the firm, along with Farleys’ well-recognised brand and strong values.   Lawfront’s backing ensures the firm’s continued success, providing additional resource and investment to support ambitious growth plans.

Lawfront are building a leading national law firm through partnering with high quality, likeminded firms concentrating on private clients and services to small and medium-sized businesses. They support firms to develop their business through investing capital and resources in central services, systems and, most importantly, people and culture.

Farleys’ managing partner Ian Liddle commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Farleys and will unlock many opportunities for our already successful team to grow and develop.

“Our ethos remains the same – legal expertise with a down to earth approach, and we have already invested in a number of key appointments and practice areas over recent months which is indicative of our commitment to increasing and strengthening our existing teams.

“With the support of Lawfront we will continue to build upon and enhance the service that we offer to our clients, whilst also looking at opportunities to grow by way of acquisition.”

Neil Lloyd, Lawfront CEO said: “We are delighted that Farleys have joined Lawfront.

“Farleys are an excellent fit for Lawfront in our strategy of backing high quality law firms; regional leaders with strong local brands who invest in developing great places to work for colleagues.

“It is another important step in delivering our vision to be a leading national law firm.

“We are deeply impressed with the positive, down-to-earth culture and commitment to client service in Farleys and are very excited about working with the team to drive further growth in the region.”

£100m Development in record time by Sourced Development Group

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As everyone in the construction sector is currently facing challenging economic markers, one local property business is celebrating significant success. Sourced Development Group, based in Widnes, are pleased to announce that Phase One of its exciting Westminster Park development in Liverpool is due to be completed in January 2023, three months ahead of schedule.

This £100m development is close to many key locations, including Cannon Place and its University buildings. Westminster Park is within minutes’ walking distance of Liverpool One and the city’s creative hubs and leisure facilities. Featuring stylish one and two-bedroom apartments finished to the highest specifications, Westminster Park makes luxury living a more affordable goal. The development forms a stunning gateway to Liverpool City Centre in the city’s key regeneration zone, allowing homeowners to live in a prestigious area surrounded by everything they need and desire.

This development has seen Sourced Development Group use its ingenuity to repurpose previously derelict land to create a fully sold-out project. The scheme is set to hand over keys to buyers in less than 12 months after purchasing the site. The first phase has completely sold out, and from ground breaking to handover in less than 12 months is a record-breaking achievement in the current economic climate. Sourced Development Group is a business which retains its focus on building much-needed local homes, ploughing its own funds into the investment, Westminster Phase 1 completely changes the A59 arterial route into Liverpool.

Joanne Karen Waller, Managing Director of SDG, explains: ‘As an independent business, we are proud of our team and our combined achievements. We have safely navigated through a global pandemic which stopped projects in their tracks for every firm within our industry. Like every other business, we are still feeling the after-effects however, we remain wholly committed to our ongoing developments and feel transparency is vital when communicating with all our purchasers.

We remain committed to providing the finest, affordable homes in the North West. As a private development Company, we concentrate all of our resources back into the region, allowing us to be proactive instead of just reactive – as well as working on our current portfolio of sites, we have several exciting future projects in the pipeline.

Watching our developments go from planning stages to completed sites, providing employment during development and aiding the overall economic regeneration of local communities are some of our most important goals.

It is a legacy we will continue to honour, and we are particularly pleased that Westminster Park Liverpool Phase One is due to complete three months ahead of schedule. In the current economic uncertainty, completing developments ahead of the stated programme, enabling people to settle into their beautiful new homes as soon as practicable, is fantastic for us and the homeowners alike.

We remain committed to providing the very best value for our buyers. We continue to pride ourselves on our level of commitment as an independent business, we are proud to play our part in the continued regeneration of Liverpool and the city region.’

Manchester’s new cargo-partner office

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Following the completion of cargo-partner’s acquisition of Aztek International Freight Ltd earlier this year, the company continues to grow in the UK, with the Manchester team now relocating to a new office, to support further development of the team, services and products.

After embarking on a joint venture with Aztek International Freight Ltd in 2021, cargo-partner acquired the remaining shares of the UK-based company earlier this year. Over the last few months, the team has grown to 70 UK employees in three locations across the UK.

cargo-partner’s UK Managing Director Neil Murray, said of the announcement: “We’re pleased to have delivered on such an ambitious growth strategy so far this year, with new service offerings and multiple new team members highlighting our current positive momentum – but we’re not stopping there.

“With existing offices in Manchester, Bradford and East London, we are pleased to announce that we have opened the doors to a new office by Manchester Airport as we continue to deliver on our expansive strategy for the UK and beyond.”

Following the acquisition of Aztek International, the two teams have collaborated fantastically over the last 12 months, having previously worked together as separate businesses for many years. The full UK cargo-partner team is now able to provide air, sea, road and comprehensive customs services.

Neil Murray, added: “We’ve got an incredibly exciting future ahead of us. This is no ‘ordinary’ office and represents all the individuals working at cargo-partner. A place where our personalities can shine through, and we can be our true authentic selves whilst continuing to deliver exceptional service to our clients and partners.

“We look forward to welcoming more customers and clients to our offices, so please get in touch with our UK teams for a full-service solution and see how cargo-partner can benefit your logistical needs”.

Since opening the UK branch, cargo-partner has handled a variety of freight shipments for customers from the automotive, aerospace, healthcare, retail and consumer industries.

The Austrian-based logistics provider has had a very strong presence in Central and Eastern Europe but has recently substantially invested in expanding its footprint in Western Europe. The company has long established branch offices in Germany, Benelux, Sweden and Ireland, but has more recently expanded its network into the UK, Italy and Spain, ensuring cargo-partner is now represented in the most important markets in the region.

Morrisons to sell “nightmarish” cheese for Hallloween

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The UK’s number one blended and snacking cheese supplier has launched a new seasonal cheese for Halloween that could give foodies a bit of a “nightmare” and is available in Morrisons stores across Manchester and the northwest

Ilchester®, which has ranges of both dairy and plant-based cheeses, has teamed up with Morrisons to introduce Nightmare on Market Street, a cheddar cheese blended with smoky chipotle and chilli jam. It is a taste sensation for food lovers who appreciate a Smokey Chipotle and Chilli flavour profile.

The smoky chipotle and chilli ingredients give a nice smoky and spicy flavour to complement the mild and mellow flavour of the Ilchester cheddar, which makes it the perfect cheese with “heat” for Halloween. Best used to make Halloween party food, such as Smoky Chipotle Chilli Witches Fingers Cheese Straws and Smoky Chipotle Chilli Stuffed Spooky Peppers. Add some smoky flavour and heat and crumble on top of jacket potatoes, mac ‘n’ cheese and fries. Or simply slice onto hot dogs or burgers and give the whole family a Halloween (trick or) treat. 

Talking about Ilchester’s new Halloween launch, Lisa Harrison, Marketing Manager for Ilchester, says: “We know how popular cheddar cheese with a little bit of mild spicy, smoky flavour is, which is why we have chosen the smoky chipotle with chilli jam, which is the perfect “ghoulish” complementary ingredients to our Ilchester cheddar this Halloween.

“Previous cheeses that we have launched in the autumn and winter that have a bit of “heat” have proved really popular and we are hoping that Nightmare on Market Street will be a great new seasonal cheese for foodies who are hosting their very own Halloween parties this October.”

Ilchester’s Nightmare on Market is available at Morrisons deli counters across Manchester and the northwest and costs £1.30 for 100g.

Pandemic and no-fault divorce law has caused rise in ‘grey divorces’

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The rise in older people divorcing is due to pressures in relationships created by the pandemic and the 2022 no-fault-divorce legislation, says Northwest family lawyer, Claire Porter.

Claire Porter, a partner in the family team at SAS Daniels LLP – which has offices located in Chester, Congleton, Macclesfield and Stockport, believes the increase in people over this age is down to a number of reasons, including high-pressured environments created by the pandemic, as well as the new no-fault divorce law making the process of divorce easier.

She comments:

“With the average life expectancy in the UK now 81.65 years and many expected to live into their 100s, it is no surprise that older people are considering their life plans with many imagining a future alone or with a new partner who can meet their needs.

“Whilst the reason for divorce could be due to a couple simply growing apart, having unmet emotional or physical needs, and having different lifestyles or dreams for the future, the COVID-19 pandemic likely made many realise the reality of their relationships – with marital problems intensified by the ‘pressure cooker’ environment social distancing produced.

“In addition to this, the no-fault divorce legislation that was introduced earlier this year has made it a simpler process for couples to part ways.

“Under the new procedure, it is easy enough for one or both spouses to file a statement with the family court confirming that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.”

No-fault divorce laws allow for a divorce without either party attributing fault or requiring lengthy separation periods.

Under the previous divorce law, couples had to allege their partner was to blame for the breakdown of the marriage, which could be established in court via adultery, separation, desertion, or unreasonable behaviour.

Despite the increase in divorces for those in later life, Claire believes those going through it should view the process in a positive light.

“There is a stigma around divorce as a whole. Whilst divorces can come as a huge shock to an unsuspecting spouse or children, with the right advice and guidance, it can and should be empowering at whatever stage in life.

Claire shares some advice for those considering divorce in later life:

“Divorcing in later life means that it may be easier to negotiate a financial settlement amicably as capital assets, income and pension pots are likely to be of a higher value. Prepare a list of all your assets and any liabilities as this will give you an idea of how much money there is available to be shared.

“Of course, a good divorce lawyer is essential, so ensure you’ve found one that understands your needs and seeks the best outcome for you.

“As with any divorce, it is imperative that you get good legal, financial and emotional support during the transitional period so that life after divorce can be as fulfilling as you would like it to be.”

Local businessman creates free videos to help people protect themselves from cybercrime.

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To celebrate cybersecurity awareness month, local businessman and owner of a cybersecurity training company Ian Murphy has created a series of free videos to help people to protect themselves against cybercrime.

Ian Murphy, who runs cybersecurity training company Cyberoff wants to, in his own words, make cybersecurity ‘less boring’ by injecting humour into his short training videos, which he is offering to people for free.

Ian uses a unique blend of comedy and animation to make traditionally uninspiring cybersecurity issues more engaging. He hopes that this will encourage more people to look after their safety online.

“I started doing these videos because I worked in cybersecurity a long time and I found that most people were just baffled with science,” says Ian.

“It doesn’t have to be complicated or boring and most people can protect themselves in a few basic steps. My videos try to engage people through animation and humour, so that they retain the information and enjoy the process- as much as you can with cybersecurity!”

Ian, who trains businesses within banking and logistics on the importance of cybersecurity decided to release a full suite of videos through Youtube in time for cybersecurity awareness month. His short videos, which titles include ‘The Scaminator’, ‘The Datatrix’ and ‘Phishing with Ian’ are a light way to cover topics such as scam awareness, keeping images safe on your mobile, identifying fake antivirus scams and staying safe over public networks.

“It’s a fun way for me to get my point across but these are really key issues that a lot of people are unfortunately still falling foul to. There are lots of vulnerable groups of people out there, as well as people who have a momentary lapse in judgement. Hackers and scammers are getting so sophisticated now that its important to make people aware of what they will and won’t be asked for via phone or email.”

CyberOff’s YouTube channel has over 25 videos that are grouped into playlists covering scams, family awareness and workplace awareness- all available for free now.

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