Why not make a splash for mental health with Norfolk and Waveney Mind at Gorleston Beach?
On the 2nd February, join us in our new fundraising challenge and brave the sea at Gorleston Beach. By taking on this short dip challenge, you’ll be supporting other people’s mental health by raising vital funds for mental health services in Norfolk and Waveney, whilst boosting your own wellbeing. It’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.
Get involved
Join us for a splash in the sea on the 2nd February to join in the fight for better mental health.
This is a short dip challenge – a few minutes will be enough! It’s recommended that you are not in the water for longer than 10 minutes.
Date and time:2nd February 2025, check-in from 11am, make a splash at midday.
Cost: £5+ a booking fee to take part.
We’d love participants to help us raise as much money as possible and set up a fundraising page. If you fundraise £50 or more you will receive a Norfolk and Waveney Mind beanie hat.
All you have to do is…
Sign up and create your fundraising page below
This will give you the link to join our Facebook group
Take on the challenge!
Take your challenge to the next level with fancy-dress (not compulsory) – whoever has the best fancy-dress outfit on the day will win a prize!
The minimum age is 16 years oldand anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
If you have an underlying medical condition including, but not limited to, any heart condition, low / high/ erratic blood pressure, any respiratory condition or if you are pregnant you should seek medical advice before registering for this challenge.
Please read the full terms and conditions for taking part in this event.
Julia and Hans Rausing donate £8.7 million to 27 UK hospices under financial pressure
The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House benefits from £300,000 grant over the next 3 years
November 23, 2023: Philanthropists, Julia and Hans Rausing, have today announced grants of £8.7 million to 27 hospices across the UK to help them meet the significant increase in their day-to-day costs, brought about by inflation and high energy prices.
Hospices in particular need of support were identified by the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, working with the charity Hospice UK. The Trust analysed data to identify hospices with less than 12 months of funds in reserve, with support focused on regions with the highest proportion of hospices in need, which included East Midlands, East of England, the North East and Scotland, as well as the Trust’s geographical areas of focus, East Cheshire, Gloucestershire and London.
Research published at the beginning of this year by Hospice UK shows that 96% of hospices had budgeted for a deficit in 2022/23, meaning that many were at risk of depleting their reserves and collectively were facing a deficit of £186m in 2023/24. Just over a quarter (27%) had less than six months reserves available. At the same time, the cost of running hospices has increased dramatically, with an expected 500% increase in energy bills on top of an increase in wages.
In response to these needs, the Trust determined to give funding over the next three years to provide the identified hospices with a level of financial stability for the future.
Julia and Hans Rausing commented: “The rising cost of living has left hospices in a perilous financial position. We know many are receiving fewer or smaller donations than in previous years, so we hope that these grants can be a lifeline, enabling these wonderful hospices to continue providing care and support in their communities across the UK.”
Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Hospice UK commented: “Julia and Hans Rausing have once again shown themselves to be the most remarkable supporters of essential children’s and adult hospice care services across the UK.
“Their philanthropy will make a huge difference at a critical time to local communities served by the individual hospices who their Trust will be supporting. This could not be more timely or more welcome. Their philanthropy comes as a time when hospices across the UK are facing immense challenges, as costs soar and the current economic climate creates a tough fundraising environment. Adult hospices rely on charitable donations for on average of two thirds of their income, for children’s hospices, this rises to four fifths. At a time when local communities are finding it increasingly hard to give as generously as they have before, we are immensely grateful to Julia and Hans Rausing for helping hospices, providing funding which will help them continue to support dying people and their families.
“At Hospice UK we are also proud and grateful to have been awarded a grant by Julia and Hans Rausing to support hospices with their workforce challenges over the next few years. Hospice care obviously relies both on there being enough funding and on the incredible people who work and volunteer at their local hospice. We are proud to be a grantee of this incredible family foundation.”
One of the 27 hospices to benefit from a share of the £8.7 million grant is The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House, based near King’s Lynn. The Hospice provides free care, comfort and compassion to people in the local community who are living with a life limiting illness, whilst also providing support for their families and friends.
Niki Ellis, Chief Executive of The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House, said “My heartfelt thanks to Julia and Hans Rausing for their generous three year pledge. Their financial gift will go towards the day to day running costs of our incredible services that support people living with a life-limiting condition and those important to them. The last two years have been tough, both for us locally and for hospices across the country, as our costs have escalated at pace across the board. The incredible support we receive from our supporters continues to help bridge the gap between the 30% funding we receive from the NHS and the remaining £2.5 million that we need to fundraise annually. The compassionate care we offer to patients at the end of life and the support offered to families through their bereavement is vitally important. Julia and Hans Rausing’s gift to the sector has helped raise the profile of our increased need for financial support during these challenging times.”
For more information, and to find out how you can support your local hospice, please visit: www.norfolkhospice.org.uk
“We consider our shop an important part of the community and being involved, and sharing the experience, was a great pleasure” – EACH staff, volunteers and customers have a night of festive fun in Holt.
Charity shop staff and volunteers got in the Christmas spirit by being part of the official lights switch-on in Holt.
The town’s East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) store stayed open late, welcoming the community for a bumper night of festive fun.
Highlights of the town’s celebrations included live music, street food, market traders and a spectacular firework display.
Mark Buller, an EACH Relief and Support Manager, said: “We had such a lovely and fun evening with our customers.
“Footfall was high and there was a brilliant festive atmosphere throughout the town.
“We consider our shop an important part of the community and being involved, and sharing the experience, was a great pleasure.
“We hope our fantastic customers enjoyed it as much as we did.”
Meanwhile, Mark and shop manager Sarah Hipkin are keen to hear from more volunteers interested in joining the Holt team.
“We’re blessed to have some amazing volunteers and it was lovely to see them for the Christmas lights switch-on,” said Mark.
“However, we badly need extra help and can always do with more pairs of hands.
“The great thing about volunteering is that there are many different roles, to suit people’s skills and interests.
“We can also be entirely flexible, to fit around busy lives. Just doing a morning or afternoon a week makes such a difference.
“Those that already volunteer say how much they enjoy it.
“They love being part of something that raises funds for such a worthwhile cause and find it fun, sociable and rewarding.”
Anyone interested in joining the team is welcoming to pop in for a chat. The EACH shop is in Station Road.
Alternatively, email Sarah via sarah.hipkin@each.org.uk or call 01263 713864. The Holt Christmas lights switch-on took place on Friday, 17th November.
Do you know the difference between the types of agent and distributor and their roles? Knowing the differences and where each one may be appropriate is essential for avoiding potential costs of getting it wrong.
This half day course covers the vital area of agency and distribution. It examines the differences, EU legislation, and finding, appointing and motivating you partners and highlights the pitfalls and costs.
Aims • To have an understanding of the difference between agents and distributors and their roles • Know what EU laws have to be considered when appointing agents • Know what to consider when appointing an agent or distributor • Understand the advantages and disadvantages of each • Understand the legal implications of appointing agents and distributors
This course also covers: how to find agents or distributors, sources of help, changing an agent or distributor, sample agreements, memorandum of understanding and how to minimise legal costs.
Who Should Attend? This course is suitable for anyone involved in the export or import process such as; accounts, purchasing / buyers, freight forwarders, shipping, goods inward staff and many more.
Testimonials “This course has given me a greater understanding on how agents and distributors work and the contracts and stages involved with finding one suitable.”
“A greater understanding and more confidence when dealing with agents and distributors.”
Cancellation Policy 15% of fee payable if delegates cancel more than 7 days in advance. If less than 7 days the full fee is payable.
One of the ‘core 10’ courses accredited by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Candidates achieving Pass or Merit in the course will receive a certificate. Those who pass 6 individual courses will achieve a nationally recognised Foundation Award in International Trade.
Mindfulness at Work Course: Exclusive Mindfulness Course with Oxford Mindfulness Foundation teacher, Per Norrgren
Are you a professional wrestling with the relentless demands of work and life? Caught in a cycle of stress that saps your energy and dims your creativity?
Imagine ending your day feeling just as vibrant as you started. What if you could tackle stress head-on and transform it into a source of strength?
For too many professionals, the dream of a balanced, focused, and resilient life feels out of reach. The burden of stress can lead to chronic irritability, anxiety, and a decline in cognitive functions, such as memory and attention span.
Join Per Norrgren, teaching partner, supervisor and mentor at the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, for a life-altering 9-week mindfulness journey. Starting from the 9th of January, every Tuesday at 6 pm, and from the 17th of February, every Saturday, you can unlock the secrets to mental and physical well-being.
The programme, grounded in published scientific research, promises to bolster your mood, enhance creativity, improve memory and stress resilience. Beyond the psychological benefits, mindfulness is a proven ally against physical pain and exhaustion, paving the way for increased attention span and better coping with stressors of life.
Details
Duration: 9 weeks, commencing Tuesday 9th January (fortnightly) and Saturday 17th February (weekly, excluding Easter Saturday).
Time: Tuesdays at 6.00 pm to 8.15 pm | Saturdays at 9.00 am to 11.15 am and 11.30 to 1.45 pm
Venue: Anglia House Business Centre, 24 Bridge Street, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3AG.
Investment: £250 per participant.
Requirement: A minimum of 10 attendees to commence the course.
For those who prefer the flexibility of digital attendance, online mindfulness courses and individual coaching sessions are also available.
Take the First Step:
Secure your spot in this transformative experience by contacting Per atper.norrgren@outlook.com.
Embrace the mindfulness path and let stress be the catalyst for your greatest well-being.
Are you aware of the advantages of claiming inward and outward processing relief? Inward processing and outward processing are methods of claiming relief from Customs duties and VAT in some cases.
This half day course helps companies work through the process of applying for authorisation and informs you of the information required internally to ensure a good audit trail so that returns are completed on time.
Aims • Have an understanding of the advantages of claiming IPR and OPR • Understand the customs regimes and the ‘Tariff’ • Know what documentation is required to claim IPR and OPR • Learn what commodity and procedure codes are and where to find them • Know how to work out customs duties
Who Should Attend? This course is suitable for anyone involved in the export or import process such as; accounts, purchasing / buyers, freight forwarders, shipping, goods inward staff and many more.
Testimonials “I have a much better understanding of inward and outward processing.”
“I now know how to apply for authorisation and have a better understanding of the procedures involved with inward and outward processing.”
Cancellation Policy 15% of fee payable if delegates cancel more than 7 days in advance. If less than 7 days the full fee is payable.
One of the ‘core 10’ courses accredited by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Candidates achieving Pass or Merit in the course will receive a certificate. Those who pass 6 individual courses will achieve a nationally recognised Foundation Award in International Trade.
AI is slowly taking the world by storm. This week Mark and Becky discuss their fears around AI use, the reliance that could stem from it and how we must always question AI’s answers.
The world of business is changing again and, where once we were encouraged to be proactive in our businesses, now, thanks to the advancement in AI, we might have to start being predictive – but how easy is this for humans, and will the world look like Minority Report!
Mark and Becky reflect on their special roundtable chat this summer with AI experts, Alison Alexander and Alix Rübsaam, and discuss their fears around AI and the reliance that we might put on it, going forwards. They discuss the bias that will exist in the algorithms, how we must always be questioning AI’s answers, the potential stunt in creativity, and the possible dangers around predicting human behaviour, especially in business.
GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We’d also love it if you could rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; this really helps people find us!
Do you know what an Incoterm is and what one you should use for your export? Used in sales contracts worldwide, Incoterms define the risks and responsibilities of a buyer and seller in an international sales contract.
This full day course looks at the Incoterms rules from a practical point of view and explains all the costs, delivery and risk implications and where you can go for further information.
Aims: • Understand what an Incoterm is and why you should use them • To be able to explain the risk and responsibility for both buyer and seller • Understand the different Incoterms and the pros and cons of each • Know the correct terms for the relevant mode of transport • Know where you can go for further information
Who Should Attend? This course is suitable for anyone involved in the export or import process such as; accounts, purchasing / buyers, freight forwarders, shipping, goods inward staff and many more.
Testimonials “Very good course. The speaker was well informed and helpful.”
“Well explained course. All my questions were answered. “
“Very informative. I even purchased a copy of the Incoterms book from the Chamber!”
Cancellation Policy 15% of fee payable if delegates cancel more than 7 days in advance. If less than 7 days the full fee is payable.
One of the ‘core 10’ courses accredited by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Candidates achieving Pass or Merit in the course will receive a certificate. Those who pass 6 individual courses will achieve a nationally recognised Foundation Award in International Trade.
Over 100 people received expert mentoring and coaching at the annual “Sync the City” event, which took place from 23 Nov to 25 Nov 2023 at the King’s Centre, Norwich
A record number of 47 people pitched initial business ideas. Ten were chosen and developed by teams over the 54-hour event
A software engineer and a teacher took home the £4,000 cash prizes for their ideas
A record number of people – over 100 – developed their skills at “Sync the City 2023” – the ninth annual 54-hour challenge to form a start-up company; since it started the event has transformed lives and led to successful spin-out companies and innovations.
On Thursday evening (23 Nov), 47 people delivered one-minute pitches for business ideas – again, a record number for the event. Ten ideas were chosen following an audience vote, and teams were formed to develop these ideas – with mentoring provided by leaders from Norwich’s business community. Each team then delivered final, five-minute pitches on Saturday evening for their business ideas:
The team led by Matt Brookson (who is a Software Engineer for Artlist) was awarded £3,000 by the expert judges (see notes to editors) for their pitch for a new app for family-focused interactive adventures, called “Trailblazers”.
The team led by Nicky Turner (who is a teacher at the Workers Educational Association) won the £1,000 “People’s Choice” award – chosen by popular vote – for their pitch to develop “HubL”, a digital platform to assess and aid refugees and immigrants in learning English for work.
This was Matt’s sixth Sync the City, and he told us that the event has led to him meeting “amazing people”. Speaking on Saturday evening (click here to see Matt’s interview), he paid tribute to everyone on his team and said:
“My idea was for a quest app for children and their parents/guardians to encourage them to get outdoors, explore cities, and basically get off their screens and do something fun. I think it’s a good cause and am so glad we won. We have actually had some commitment from businesses in Norwich already, so people seem engaged with the idea and I think that we could potentially take it somewhere and do something with it.”
English teacher Nicky Turner also thanked her team for their expertise and support in putting together her final pitch to develop ‘HubL’. Speaking on Saturday evening (click here to see the interview), she added:
“I’ve spent years in the sector trying to help people from other countries to get jobs and integrate into Norwich, which is a wonderful and welcoming city. The problem we have is that students cannot manage to find the right class because they don’t have anywhere to go to know where the classes are. So, we have created HubL, which we hope will be able to continue thanks to the vote of the people. Students will be able to find the correct course and then become part of society in this country.”
Since it was launched in 2023, Sync the City has helped a number of people to forge successful careers and develop innovative new products – including UEA graduate Callum Coombes, who told us how winning the event in 2017 led to the formation of his successful business (click here to see our interview with Callum).
In a moving keynote speech on Saturday evening, Peter Abbott, Product Design Lead at Fresha, spoke about the huge benefits of taking part in Sync the City, regardless of who wins the event. Peter told us that taking part in Sync the City led to him getting his first job, meeting his wife and developing his career – while the skills he learned at the event helped him when he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in 2019 (click here to see our interview with Peter).
John Fagan, chief executive of technology company Scribe, worked in partnership with the University of East Anglia (UEA) to start Sync the City in 2014. Commenting on the annual event, he said: “It’s been incredible to see so many people develop new skills, make new connections and gain confidence – all while having a fantastic time. I’d like to thank our amazing sponsors and the mentors and judges who give up their time to make this event possible. Following the great event this year, I’m delighted to announce that we’re going to be holding next year’s event at the King’s Centre in Norwich between 28 and 30 November 2024.”
Fiona Lettice, Emeritus Professor, of Norwich Business School, helped to co-found Sync the City nine years ago, and told us: “This is a flagship event for University of East Anglia and for the tech community. What’s really good about it is the way that it brings together our students, the business community, mentors, judges, and we all have really good fun – but also, really great ideas get discussed and developed. People develop their skills and networks, and the icing on the cake is that we get some great start-ups and business being founded at the end of the event.”
The primary sponsors for the Sync the City 2023 were: University of East Anglia, Aviva and Leathes Prior Solicitors and Greater Anglia).
Supporting sponsors were: Brew Digital and Langham Recruitment.
Other sponsors were: Norfolk County Council, Breakwater IT, Naked Tech and Artlist.
The Festival of Knowledge enables local businesses to inspire the next generation of talent to explore innovative and diverse career pathways in Norfolk.
Taking place on 5th and 6th March 2025 at the Royal Norfolk Showground, the two-day event is an opportunity to showcase your business, engage with young people aged 14-17 and spark their curiosity about potential careers in your sector.
Exhibition Zones
For 2025, we’re transforming this year’s experience with dedicated career zones. These zones offer a more interactive and engaging experience for students, highlight key growth sectors in Norfolk and provide targeted visibility for businesses. This layout also encourages networking between all businesses.
These zones are:
Agri-Tech & Food
Apprenticeships and Colleges
Charity Sector
Creative, Marketing & Media
Hospitality & Tourism
Engineering & Manufacturing
Financial, Business & Professional Services
Public Sector
Technology & Digital
Transport & Aerospace
How to Book Your Stand
This year, we are implementing a standard flat rate of £400 for all exhibitors. To book your stand, you will need to select the sector zone that best aligns with your business. This is done by clicking on the ‘BOOK NOW’ button below. The standard size for exhibition space is a 3m x 3m stand or combine spaces for a larger 6m x 3m presence. Please ensure that the company details and contact information are correct before you submit your stand booking. We will be in touch at the end of January with the event layout, helping you visualise your location.
For Schools attending
Attendance at the Festival of Knowledge is completely free for schools. Please note that the costs mentioned above are applicable only to exhibitors, not to attendees.
Invitations for schools are coordinated by the Norfolk and Suffolk Careers Hub. Schools will receive detailed guidance on how to participate
What’s New for students?
Each student will receive a Festival of Knowledge showguide. This guide will include a listing of all exhibitors, as well as a QR code which can be used for further engagement and follow-up after the event. With over 7,000 students participating, this guide will reach thousands of households, extending your business exposure beyond the event.
Administrators for the Magnus Group, Larking Gowen, have secured a local buyer for its warehousing and forwarding operation, saving 25 jobs.
A deal has been agreed after administrators for the Magnus Group secured a local buyer for its warehousing and forwarding operation, saving 25 jobs.
Ipswich-based logistics firm Hemisphere Freight Services agreed the sale today following Magnus’s decision to file a Notice of Intention to appoint an administrator. The firm went into administration on November 23.
As part of the deal, HFS will also take over about 200,000 sq ft of warehousing space at Magnus Group’s Great Blakenham facility. The team will remain at the Great Blakenham site for six months before moving to the nearby Suffolk Port One Logistics Park.
Andrew Kelsall, joint administrator with Lee Green, both of Larking Gowen, said he was pleased that a local buyer had been found, and that Magnus’ warehousing staff were able to continue working with the new owners.
While part of the business has been sold on, the haulage side has been wound down, with 52 drivers losing their jobs on November 17. A further 23 staff members were dismissed last week. All staff who have been made redundant have received a letter with details about how to access the redundancy service, and a number to call in case of queries.
Mr Kelsall said, “This is a time when voluntary liquidations across the UK are at an all-time high.
“Logistics is a highly competitive sector and, unfortunately, Magnus had got into difficulties, including some debt which it has been unable to refinance. They had little option but to seek administration.”
“We are currently working to achieve the best possible outcome for all stakeholders involved, and we are maintaining a dialogue with staff, customers and suppliers across the board,” he said.
Hemisphere Managing Director Andy Perrin said, “It’s always hard to see a fellow family-run business go into administration, especially after decades of successful trading and becoming so well-respected within the local community. Our sincere condolences go out to everyone affected at what must be an incredibly difficult time.
“Our offer to acquire the warehousing and forwarding elements of the business was, above all else, an attempt to safeguard the employment and ensure the wellbeing of as many of Magnus Group’s team members as possible. The priority for us is to minimise disruption on both sides and ensure that Magnus Group’s current client base is well informed and well taken care of throughout this process.”
Magnus Group was founded in 1973 and became a well-established freight service in East Anglia and beyond. It is also known for its support of local causes including sponsorship of Ipswich Town Football Club and Suffolk Cricket.
A banner promoting partnership working to tackle Modern Slavery stood proudly at an event organised by Business in the Community (BiTC), sponsored by Aviva. Speakers included BiTC CEO and former MP Mary MacLeod, Anglia Water CEO Peter Simpson and Andrew Dernie representing Aviva. The event was focused on the mutual benefits of partnership working and the cost-of-living crisis. Businesses and charities present were able to share experiences and ideas for future collaboration to strengthen Norfolk communities.
Many people think that Modern Slavery is something that happens elsewhere, but recent figures from Norfolk Constabulary show that it is not so far from home (see table below). In fact, it is on our doorstep and something we can all tackle to protect our businesses from Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.
Table 1:
269 victims of Modern Slavery were identified in Norfolk between July 2022 to June 2023.
The most common form of Modern Slavery found in Norfolk was labour exploitation, where 96% of victims identified were male.
Half of the victims in forced criminality in Norfolk were young people with one of the most common nationalities being British.
Large businesses have a mandatory obligation to show accountability for assessing their operations and supply chain for evidence of Modern Slavery and labour exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 Section 54, with new measures to monitor and penalties for non-compliance being introduced by UK Parliament soon[1].
At present, these only include businesses with a turnover of more than £36 million[2]. However, developments globally (EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive[3] notwithstanding) indicate that the net for who needs to demonstrate due diligence for human rights is to widen, meaning Norfolk businesses that wish to grow and trade freely will need to prepare themselves. In addition to mandatory requirements, evidence shows the benefits of going beyond technical compliance, demonstrated by industry leaders such as Marks and Spencer and the negative impacts on wealth from where Modern Slavery is discovered within an organisation.
The Norfolk Anti-Slavery Network (NASN) business sub-group offers an opportunity to work together to increase operational resilience and supply chain protection to the very real and ever-present risk of Modern Slavery. Businesses can keep their fingers on the pulse of current trends and developments, working with statutory and non-statutory agencies to find proactive solutions. This is an initiative echoed by UN guidance calling for partnership formation among business, civil society, government, NGOs, foundations, academia and others[4][5].
To support our business community and the Norfolk community at large, the NASN business sub-group plans to recruit more businesses, representing all sectors, offering up to date training and links to practical business solutions, creating a stable and unbeatable platform on which commerce can thrive safely and successfully. So watch this space for opportunities available and attendance at local business networking events near you.
The NASN business sub-group chair, Gary Dack, Head of Safeguarding for Norwich City Football Club states:
“Modern Slavery can affect any business and it is important that our sector remains vigilant to the risks. NASN provides an excellent forum for private business to work in partnership with statutory agencies and ensure they understand local threats. By joining NASN as a business partner, you will benefit from access to mentoring services and resources which will help reduce organisational threat from slavery. This will ensure your business achieves mandatory compliance. Follow the lead of Norwich City and get involved.”
[4] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. (2010). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Available from: https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda