Member News

Get on the road to net zero with free Clean Growth events 

A series of free events packed with ideas about how businesses can make savings and contribute to net zero takes places this month thanks to New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

Clean Growth for Business returns for a second series during November and will look at everything from how to finance green initiatives to accurately measuring your company’s carbon footprint.

The King’s Centre in Norwich will play host to a half-day, in-person event on 15 November which will feature speakers and finish with a networking lunch.

Speakers will explore the clean energy revolution, how to decarbonise agri-food and land management, challenges and solutions for the built environment, and the need to change the way we think about mobility.

Read more here Prestigious travel photography competition zooms in on future 

One of the world’s high-profile photo competitions, Travel Photographer of the Year based in Suffolk, had its eye on the future when it launched a membership website with insightful content and tailored advice.

Celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary this year is a major milestone as founder Chris Coe strengthened the business by creating this new resource ‘Eye for the Light’. It has stories for those who want to hone their travel photography skills, listen to engaging podcasts and connect with others.

With the support of £2,372 from New Anglia LEP’s Small Grant Scheme, Chris was able to realise this new venture which took perseverance and belief in the project.

Read more here Apply for a grant Innovative equine bedding developed by Norfolk company  

An animal bedding production company from Norfolk has developed special equine bedding out of wood fines with support from our Growth Through Innovation Fund.

Bed-Down specialises in the production of British premium animal bedding from locally-sourced wheat straw and softwood flakes for horses in all equestrian disciplines, retail outlets and wholesalers. During the bedding production, it creates a by-product from the wood and straw fines using a pellet machine which converts the fines into 6mm pellets. These pellets are highly absorbent and sold to the poultry market as litter. Ultimately, the pellet breaks down and it turns back to waste fines.

Making great use of the production process, the team decided to develop pelleted, absorbent, dustless animal bedding suitable for the equine market. The next step was to create additives as an option to hold the particles together while retaining the high absorbency and building a prototype to test the technique and theory. For this part of the project, it secured a £22,000 Growth Through Innovation Fund grant.

Read more here Apply for a grant How investing in digital skills will help grow your business 

Every business that wants to grow needs a website of some sort. Every business needs to know how to use digital marketing to reach customers. And every business can benefit from having employees with the skills needed to operate successfully online.

That’s why New Anglia LEP has appointed Netmatters in Wymondham to run digital Skills Bootcamps for micro businesses and SMEs in Suffolk and Norfolk. Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, helping everyone gains skills for life. They are heavily subsidised, so SMEs only pay 10% of the cost – and they are free to learners.

Netmatters is offering Skills Bootcamps in web development, software engineering and digital marketing. These remote learning courses are normally full-time, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and run for 16 weeks. However, there is some flexibility for reduced hours for micro and small businesses that can’t afford to lose employees for that amount of time.

Read more here

Free Road to Net Zero consultancy support available in Suffolk

Are you working on decarbonisation plans for your business? If so, there is a programme of free support available through which you have the opportunity to work with a consultancy on your net zero projects.

The Road to Net Zero Business Support Programme is an initiative designed to pro-actively pivot business support and grants on a net zero future, building business advice expertise, and developing a portfolio of tested interventions which can be rolled out further in future. This is a pilot project, funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund from HM Government.

There is still support available in Suffolk, although funds have been fully allocated in Norfolk. So get in touch and see if you are eligible.

Find out more here

New opportunities to join the New Anglia LEP team 

New Anglia LEP currently has opportunities to join its team, with applicants being sought for two roles.

We have a vacancy for an Innovation & Sectors Coordinator on a 12-month temporary contract providing maternity cover. The post-holder will work closely with sector groups, support the delivery of our Industry Councils (Clean Energy, ICT/Digital and Agri-Food) and play a key role in our Connected Innovation programme, steering the agenda and delivery plan for the Innovation Board.

Separately, we are looking for two Enterprise Coordinators to help improve careers education programmes by recruiting secondary schools and colleges across Norfolk and Suffolk into the New Anglia Careers Hub.

Find out more and apply here

Photo: Attleborough renewable heating firm Finn Geotherm receiving the National Energy Efficiency Award for its installation at Paragon House. Left – right; comedian Hugh Dennis, Paul Taylor – UK sales manager for Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions, David Alston – technical director at Finn Geotherm, Leanne Gill – operations manager at Finn Geotherm, Guy Ransom – commercial director at Finn Geotherm, and Nick Davies of Switchee who sponsored the award. Image: National Energy Efficiency Awards Copyright: National Energy Efficiency Awards – Finn Geotherm recognised for first installation of its kind in Europe – Attleborough-based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm, has won a national award for a landmark air source heat pump project, which is the first of its kind in Europe. The company has been awarded Renewable Energy Project of the Year at the recent National Energy Efficiency Awards for an air source heat pump project undertaken at Paragon House in London. The installation saw Finn Geotherm installing the first Panasonic 210kW air source heat pumps in Europe to provide heating and hot water for the 14-storey teaching block owned by the University of West London (UWL). Finn Geotherm designed and installed the heating system, which replaced an existing gas boiler and is expected to save around 1,058,000kWh of energy per year. Paragon House is one of three decarbonisation projects Finn Geotherm has completed for UWL. Across the three projects, an annual saving of more than 500 tonnes of CO² is expected to be made. David Alston, technical director at Finn Geotherm, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this national award. This was a highly significant project, which saw us installing the first of these colossal 210kW Panasonic air source units anywhere in Europe. The project demonstrates the vast opportunity for air source in commercial applications, particularly in areas where ground source heat pumps aren’t an option due to space limitations in city centre locations. I am immensely proud of the expertise of the team at Finn Geotherm who worked so hard to deliver this landmark installation, which is helping UWL to make huge reductions in its carbon emissions.” For more information on ground and air source heat pumps and details on Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.   Photo 2: Finn Geotherm has installed the first Panasonic large scale heat pumps in Europe at Paragon House, University of West London. The heat pumps were installed on the roof of the 14-story teaching block. Image: Finn Geotherm Copyright: Finn Geotherm

We’re thrilled to share the exciting news that MAD-HR has once again been shortlisted as an award finalist for delivering Customer Excellence. Our team are delighted to have been chosen as one of the final businesses in this year’s EDP Norfolk Business Awards, both for the category of Customer Excellence and for the category of Small Business. To receive news of our shortlisting, so soon after scooping the Customer Excellence accolade in the Suffolk Business Awards, is a huge honour for us all. We’re truly humbled by, and grateful for, the enormous support we’ve received across the Norfolk business community. Continuing to ‘Make a Difference’ to our client base in the county has been a clear priority over the last 12 months and we have been pleased to witness our skilled and enthusiastic team growing steadily throughout this time. We look forward to letting you know the results of the awards, following a ceremony on 24th November. Take a look at the Business Awards Supplement published in yesterday’s EDP. Thank you all once again for your continued support.

A children’s hospice has launched its new Virtual Gifts webpage – giving the public an opportunity to buy meaningful presents that keep on giving this Christmas. The initiative is now live on the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) website and features five options – Gift of Comfort, Gift of Play, Gift of Compassion, Gift of Memories and Gift of Creativity. They range from £15 to £40 and allow people to buy and personalise a gift, while directly helping children, young people and families being cared for and supported by EACH. “We’re very proud of our Virtual Gifts,” said EACH Director of Fundraising Kevin Clements. “It’s a simple way to donate, while at the same time treating someone special to a meaningful present that keeps on giving. “We all have family and friends who are difficult to buy for but this is a new way to get something special, while making a significant difference to our charity. “Every purchase will help support children and young people with life-threatening conditions, and their families, across East Anglia.” Gift of Comfort (£15) could pay for an hour with a care assistant, Gift of Play (£15) could put a smile on a child’s face as they discover inclusive and accessible play for their abilities and Gift of Creativity (£24) could pay for an hour of music or art therapy. Gift of Memories (£35) could pay for a memory-making kit full of activities for the whole family while Gift of Compassion (£40) could pay for two hours of bereavement support with a specialist EACH counsellor. A card acknowledging the gift can be sent to the recipient and there is an opportunity to add a personalised message. To find out more, click here or head to each.org.uk/virtual-gifts In addition to its Virtual Gifts webpage, EACH is again politely requesting that people consider giving a monetary donation, rather than buying a physical gift, this Christmas. Kind-hearted members of the public often donate toys and books for children at the hospices. However, many are unsuitable because of the children’s varied physical and cognitive abilities. Monetary donations can be put towards running activities and support groups, providing short breaks at one of the hospices or extra support in the family home. It could also help fund a visit by a specialist nurse or pay for family members to spend time with a counsellor or therapist. “Christmas is approaching and, as ever, we hope to make this festive season extra special for the children, young people and families receiving our care and support,” added Kevin. “We know the public are always keen to help us and appreciate the generosity continually shown to EACH. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without it. “This year, as before, we’re politely requesting monetary donations, rather than physical gifts. “Monetary donations help in so many ways, including being used to run activities and support groups for families, giving them the chance to create memories and have fun. “The money could also fund short breaks at our hospices, allowing parents and carers to rest and recharge their batteries, or a visit by one of our specialist nurses, to help a child who is experiencing difficult symptoms. “This ‘gift of care’ really does make the world of difference to the lives of the families we support and we thank you once again for your support, kindness and understanding this Christmas.” EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. It has three hospices – The Nook, in Framingham Earl, near Norwich, The Treehouse, in Ipswich, and at Milton, near Cambridge. Image credits – EACH

Hi and welcome to our weekly newsletter, which aims to share our knowledge at Bigfork in creating successful websites. If you haven’t already subscribed to the Web Insights newsletter then please click the ‘Join the Conversation’ button at the end.

Lead generation websites for manufacturers.

If you want your website to be a lead generation superstar, use these proven techniques to get started.

What does a website lead look like?

Your website could be sending leads in a variety of different ways. For example:

• An email
• A telephone call
• An enquiry or quote request from a form
• Data capture from downloads or email newsletter signups
• A registration for your distributor portal

To increase leads, start by identifying all the different ways people can contact your company. Think about your typical customers and how they prefer to engage with you. Some people prefer to call, but don’t forget about people who will want to contact you out of hours.

How are you going to track your website leads?

It’s important to track how many leads your website is generating, and Google Analytics can help you do it.

If you want to track which channels are the most effective for generating leads, set up “conversions” in Google Analytics. A conversion is a type of lead, such as an email link click or enquiry form submission. You can then measure how many leads you are generating, and what the best lead generation channels are.

To calculate your conversion rate, you just work out the percentage of website visitors who convert into a lead. For example, if you have 10,000 website visitors and 150 turn into leads, your conversion rate is (150 ÷ 10,000) x 100 = 1.5%.

What’s a good website conversion rate?

It depends on the products or services you offer, how competitive your industry is, and other factors. In a study of landing pages by Unbounce, they found a 12% conversion rate is considered good. On the other hand, if your website conversion rate is below 1%, that’s not good and you have work to do.

How to spot your best lead generation pages

Before you begin improving your website’s lead generation abilities, look at Google Analytics to find out which pages are currently generating leads. Typical lead generation pages for manufacturers are product pages but check other important pages too, like the home or contact pages.

Also check which pages are your most popular landing pages. Landing pages are the first page someone visits on your site, either directly from typing in your website address, from search, or from a link on another website or social media. It’s normal for the most popular landing page to be your home page, but you might find that product / service pages and contact page are popular too.

These pages are the ones you need to be optimising for lead generation, so with this knowledge you can get started on improving your website.

Review your user experience

If your customers can’t find the content they want, they will leave your site.

Focus on what your visitors want

Make sure your products and services (or whatever your customers are looking for) are the main focus on your home page and menu.

Make your site easy to navigate

Add breadcrumb trails, internal links, and easy-to-use menus.

Break up your content

Use headings, bullets, images, and videos to make your content easier to follow.

Keep it simple

People don’t like to learn new things, so keep navigation and page layouts conventional and straightforward.

Write better copy 

Website copy is as important as design. Make sure your content focuses on the key benefits of your products and services in a language that your customers will understand.

Copy is so important we’ve written a whole article on the matter – how to write effective website copy. Some good tips are:

Write for your customers

Use language, style and tone that appeal to them.

Don’t overcomplicate things

Avoid use big words or industry jargon when simpler alternatives will do.

Write for “scanners”

Most website visitors are searching for information and are scanning pages quickly. Headings, bullet points and images make it easier to read a page this way.

Use your keywords

Your keywords are what people will be typing into search engines to find your products and services. Make sure you include keywords in page titles and body copy to make your website search engine friendly. But always remember to write for people, not search engines.

Focus on benefits

Your website copy should communicate the benefits of your products and services. What do your customers really buy from you? What problems does your product solve?

Design with your audience in mind

If your website is meant to convert people into leads, it’s best to design for your target audience. Focus on what’s most important – getting quality leads, and not what people in your company think you should do. Design essentials include:

High-quality images and video

Present your company, products, services, and team members in the best light.

Stay on brand

Your website be consistent with your branding – for example it should follow the look and feel of your company logo, colours, visual style, and tone of voice.

Convey the right image

Be sure to position your website correctly. If you offer a premium service, your website should reflect this.

Clear and consistent messages

Your messaging should run throughout your website and remind people who you are, what you do, and what the benefits of your products and services are.

Make a great first impression

First impressions are everything. If your site has bad images or looks unprofessional, visitors are unlikely to give you their contact information or buy anything from your website.

Effective calls to action (CTAs)

A call to action (often shortened to CTA) is an instruction you give your website visitors.

Every website should have calls to action to guide people. To create good CTAs, think about what you want your customers to do, and what they might want to do.

Remember that everyone is different; some people like to pick up the phone, others prefer to send an email.

Example website calls to action: 

• Call us for a quote
• Book a demo
• Request a call with one of our experts
• Download a technical datasheet
• View a product tour

When creating CTAs, use links and buttons that stand out in size, colour, and style. These should be prominent to attract attention and increase conversions.

Use Google Analytics to track the performance of each CTA so you know which ones are working and which ones aren’t.

Build your mailing list

It may take a few visits before some of your website visitors become customers. To stay in touch with them, you can capture their details so you can remind them of your products or services through email marketing or direct mail.

To encourage visitors to give you their data, offer them something in return. This could be access to data sheet downloads, “registered users only” content, or exclusive updates for people who receive your email newsletters.

You can also collect email addresses when people fill out a form on your website. Remember GDPR requires you to obtain consent for ongoing marketing. You can do this by adding an “I agree to…” tick box and an explanation of how you will use their data.

Establish your credibility

When a potential customer lands on your website, they will ask themselves “Why should I use this company?” . They will be looking for signs that you are a professional company who will deliver on service and solve any problems.

What things make a website credible? 

• A professional design
• Client list and customer testimonials
• Case studies to demonstrate expertise
• Trade associations and membership logos
• Guarantees and warranties
• Relevant policies such as terms and conditions and customer charters
• Address and telephone number of your business

Does your website work properly?

If your website is slow or breaks, your visitors will get frustrated and leave.

How much of your website’s traffic comes from mobile devices? Chances are, it’s quite high. Use Google Analytics to find this information and check your website on smartphones and tablets to assess the customer experience.

Your website should be “responsive”, meaning it will automatically adjust to look good on any device. Many people will research companies out of hours or on the move, or at other times when they don’t have access to a PC. So, it’s essential your website is great on a smartphone as well as a desktop computer.

Do you know if your site works in the most popular browsers? Your customers are using Edge, Chrome, and Firefox. Make sure you don’t lose sales because your website doesn’t work in a specific browser.

And is your website accessible? A good website is easy to use for everyone.

Display your telephone number clearly

At the top of every page, make sure your telephone number is visible. If you have more than one number, show a “contact us” call to action instead and link it to a page with your phone numbers.

Many people still prefer calling, even in a digital age. Not showing a telephone number can reduce people’s trust in your company.

Keep your forms short and simple

Forms are a great way to capture data, but only if they work. Keep your forms short and only ask for the information you need to follow up the lead. Remember, the goal is to get leads at this stage, not to ask for every possible piece of information.

Short forms, with fields in a single column, are shown to have the best conversion rates.

Make the most of video and animation

If you use videos and animations correctly, they can be effective lead generation tactics. Use videos to answer potential customers’ questions or to enhance your case studies. You can show how your products or services work with “explainer” animations. Keep in mind that people may get bored if your videos are too long.

Engage with your customers

Adding live chat to your website is a great way to engage with potential customers. Many people like using live chat while they’re browsing other sites or doing other things like scheduling a Zoom meeting or having a tea break. It’s not just a lead generation tool: it’s helpful for existing customers too, who want more info or support from you.

You can get live chat services for free. If you don’t have the resources to run a live chat, then chatbots and managed chat services are also available.

A trade or distributor portal can be an effective way to engage with your customers too. A good portal should provide information and interactive features to make the most of your relationship with them.

Find out more about what makes a great distributor portal.

Never stop testing

Lead generation is a never-ending task, so don’t be afraid to try new tactics.

Use Analytics and heat maps to see how people are using your website. Try different calls to action, design and copy variations, button colours and wording, and see if they make a difference. If you’re unsure, you can run A/B tests to directly measure variations to see what works.

Lastly, take a look at your competitors’ websites. Are they using any good lead generation tactics that you can learn from?

Need a new website? Then please get in touch.

Mark Ellaway, Bigfork

PS – You can find more great successful website insights on the Bigfork website.

When you think of another Teams or video call, do you groan inwardly (or outwardly)?

In spite of the fact that they are now a common part of our working lives, that doesn’t mean that they are any more exciting.

Introducing mesh avatars for Teams, Microsoft’s version of Metaverse avatars.

You’ll be able to create and customize your own avatar, including its appearance, accessories, and even reaction gestures.

Microsoft reports that after spending a lot of time in front of the camera, we tend to feel stressed and tired. These new avatars can be used to reduce stress by giving you a virtual representation of yourself.

Even better, you won’t have to spend a lot on a virtual reality headset. Microsoft Teams has an app store that includes an avatar app called Avatars.

The Metaverse – a virtual world that mimics the real world – is being developed by big tech companies for billions of dollars. Shops, workplaces, and even social spaces are among the things you’ll find there.

Imagine a virtual world like this – 20 years ago it was hard to imagine having a video call with someone on the other side of the globe on a regular basis.

It’s exciting to see how times change.

We’ll get a general release date soon for the new avatar feature, which is currently available only in the Teams preview build.

Are you going to encourage your team members to use personalised avatars in Teams? Would you like some help? Get in touch to day.

Image and video provided by Uptech

Above: An assistance dog on a station platform. Credit: RDG Greater Anglia has joined an industry wide scheme that is providing thousands of people with physical disabilities or mental health problems with a handy laminated card that will help them educate fellow passengers. The card explains why the assistance dog needs to sit under an unoccupied seat. By raising awareness, this simple card should also improve the overall experience of passengers who want to travel by train with their assistance dog. The cards can be particularly useful on services where it’s not possible to book a seat in advance – customers can simply place the card on the seat next to them to make other customers aware that the seat and the space under it should be kept free for their assistance dog. The card is available on the Greater Anglia website for customers to download and print at home, or they can contact National Rail Enquiries to request one to be posted out to them. The Rail Delivery Group has unveiled the guidelines following feedback to improve the journey for customers with assistance dogs. Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We’ve all seen guide dogs when they are out and about supporting their visually-impaired owners. It’s less well-known that many of our other four-legged friends have their own skills and character quirks that help people with a range of support needs. These include people with physical disabilities and those with autism, epilepsy or other complex health conditions. “Many of these conditions are not visible so we want to make life easier for the people whose daily lives they affect. Being able to place the card on the seat next to them – together with the other ID the dogs carry – should achieve that on their train journeys. It will also help fellow passengers adjust to the sight of assistance dogs doing their job while apparently relaxing under a spare seat.” The cards, which were tested with charity Assistance Dogs UK, can also act as a red flag for customers who are allergic to dogs or afraid of them. Vicky Worthington, Development Manager with Assistance Dogs UK, said: “More than 7000 people rely on a highly trained assistance dog from one of our member charities alone. They enjoy the greater independence that such dogs bring, including when traveling. “We’re delighted to support this scheme and very pleased to see that rail companies are making it easier for disabled people and people with medical conditions to travel while educating the public about how these wonderful animals change – and even save – lives.” Greater Anglia’s Accessibility & Inclusion Manager, James Bonehill, said, “We are really pleased to be involved in this new initiative because we want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to use our services. “Our new trains offer a significant improvement in terms of accessibility and we are striving to improve accessibility in all other parts of the customer journey too, including customer service, station access, journey planning, information provision and making improvements in line with customer feedback.” Above: The assistance dog card on a Greater Anglia train seat. Credit: Greater Anglia Above: The card. Credit: RDG

We’re thrilled to share the exciting news that MAD-HR has once again been shortlisted as an award finalist for delivering Customer Excellence. Our team are delighted to have been chosen as one of the final businesses in this year’s EDP Norfolk Business Awards, both for the category of Customer Excellence and for the category of Small Business. To receive news of our shortlisting, so soon after scooping the Customer Excellence accolade in the Suffolk Business Awards, is a huge honour for us all. We’re truly humbled by, and grateful for, the enormous support we’ve received across the Norfolk business community. Continuing to ‘Make a Difference’ to our client base in the county has been a clear priority over the last 12 months and we have been pleased to witness our skilled and enthusiastic team growing steadily throughout this time. We look forward to letting you know the results of the awards, following a ceremony on 24th November. Take a look at the Business Awards Supplement published in yesterday’s EDP. Thank you all once again for your continued support. Find out how our award-winning products and services can MAKE A DIFFERENCE to your business by speaking to our team. This text was originally written by MAD-HR Ltd. Copyright © 2022 MAD-HR Ltd. All rights reserved: https://www.mad-hr.co.uk/blog/great-news-about-the-norfolk-business-awards

Jet and helicopter operator SaxonAir, based at Norwich Airport, get ready to support the future of aviation through the launch of an ‘Electrical Propulsion Innovation Zone’ as local MP Chloe Smith visits the International Aviation Academy at Norwich during the Department for Transport’s launch of their new campaign to boost aviation recruitment, Generation Aviation. SaxonAir, alongside NUNCATS, NEBOair, and Swift Aircraft have joined forces to put together a showcase of Electric Aircraft at the academy, following the recent Summer School success which saw students given the opportunity to take part in the build of an electric aircraft, trying their hand at basic engineering. The group have also collectively formed the NetZero General Aviation Training Group (NGAT) and will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during Chloe Smith’s visit on 4th November 2022. NGAT will look at the specific training requirements that net zero aviation development requires, recognising the cross-over with STEM opportunities as well as general engineering training opportunities – in particular, electric automotive engineering, with other transport sectors represented locally. The formation of NGAT reinforces SaxonAir’s commitment to the future of electric aviation, following their recent work with NEBOair to champion an aircraft charging network and take electric aviation to the next level. SaxonAir CEO Alex Durand said: “Norwich’s International Aviation Academy has significant potential. A unique space with workshops and classrooms spaces, the academy hosts a fully certified Boeing 737 allowing an exclusive opportunity to apply aircraft engineering theory to live aircraft – which we believe was a world first.” “The Academy is incredibly relevant to STEM pathways and raising local aspirations. To demonstrate our commitment to propelling the future of aviation, we have taken a lease in the building and are already delivering Flight Attendant training alongside other courses, which alternative engineering pathways in development which may have relevance to beyond the aviation sector,” he continued. “And in light of the government launching their new campaign to boost aviation recruitment, we believe now is the time to accelerate efforts to upskill young people and offer them basic engineering skills which can be delivered for school, Further Education and Apprenticeship levels with specialism into aviation, automotive and similar coming later,” he concluded. Norse Group CEO Justin Galliford said, “We are proud to host this initiative and look forward to seeing the project come to fruition. The work that NGAT will undertake will see high-value job opportunities for local young people and tackle the issue of skill shortages in the aviation industry.” Photo credit: SaxonAir

Walk to support veterans and their families this December

Sign up and we will send you a Santa hat and fundraising pack and we’ll provide you with a fundraising page to showcase your walk.

Raise money

Easily challenge friends and family to donate, do it with you or

do it at the same time in a different location.

Get Walking

Anytime 9-20th December. Enjoy the camaraderie, banter & pride in doing something to serve those who served us.

Walk to support ex-military in need of our support this Christmas

https://www.walkinghomeforchristmas.com/

Spooky new arrivals These mischievous kittens came into our care last month and were given suitably spooky names to celebrate Halloween season. They are Pumpkin, Cauldron and the ‘Hocus Pocus’ trio of Winifred, Billy Butcherson and Mary. They have cast a spell on us all and we think they’ll probably make you fall in love with them too! Countdown to Christmas  Christmas Events With Christmas getting ever closer there are plenty of opportunities for you to visit us at a Christmas event. You can do some gift shopping, bring your dog to see Santa or play our fundraising games. All the money raised at these events will go straight to caring for animals in our Branch area. Beccles Christmas Lights Switch On Date: Friday 25th November Time: 5.00pm – 9.00pm Beccles will be lighting up the town with Christmas spirit, hosting its annual light switch on. This is a free to attend event with varied stalls and Christmas entertainment. Hockwold Hall Christmas Fayre Date: Sunday 4^th December Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm With over 150 stalls there is something for everyone at this annual event. Please visit Hockwold Hall’s website for ticket information. Santa’s Grotto for Dogs Venue: The Forum, Norwich Date: Saturday 10^th December Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm We are back at the Forum for this annual event. Bring your dog along to visit Santa in his grotto, browse the stalls for some last-minute Christmas gifts for the people (and the dogs) in your life or play our fundraising games. Our Animal Welfare team will also be on hand to answer any questions. Canine Carol Concert Venue: Holkham Hall Date: Tuesday 20^th December Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm The concert takes place between 10.00am and 11.00am on the lawn outside the Hall, then there will be stalls to browse until 2.00pm in the Courtyard. Bring your pooch, enjoy the carols, browse the stalls then maybe enjoy a walk around the beautiful Holkham Estate. (Parking charge applies). Details on the Holkham Hall website. Christmas Cards Christmas cards are available to purchase in all our charity shops or online via our eBay shop. We have lots of lovely animal themed designs to choose from, all cards are recyclable and 100% of the proceeds go to our branch. Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity awards Nominations for The Petplan and Association of Dogs & Cats Homes Animal Charity Awards 2023 are open! Have you had a good experience with our Branch? Maybe you adopted one of our animals or had help from a member of our team. If so, please nominate us for the Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity awards. The awards celebrate the outstanding work of staff and volunteers in animal charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands. They are a great opportunity to recognise the hard work and dedication put in by teams and individuals who have gone that extra mile to help rescue and rehome animals in need. The three nomination categories are:

• Animal Charity Team of the Year
• Animal Charity Employee of the Year
• Animal Charity Volunteer of the Year

Head to the Petplan website to submit a nomination: Nominate | Animal Charity Awards 2023 | Petplan Nominations close in the New Year.   Super Mario! Meet Mario, a stunning seal point tabby who was adopted from the Branch in December 2021. As well as an adoption success story he is also a lifesaving superhero as a registered feline blood donor! A variety of conditions can cause severe anaemia in cats and sometimes this results in the need for a life-saving blood transfusion. Other blood products such as plasma (the fluid in blood without the blood cells) may also be required on occasions for management of some conditions. Unfortunately, cat blood cannot be stored in the same way that human and dog blood can, so ‘blood banks’ do not work for cats. More and more veterinary practices therefore have their own register of lifesaver cats that they can call on to donate blood in an emergency. If you have a healthy cat or dog aged between 1 and 10 years, then they too may be able to help save the lives of their four-legged friends. Speak to your local vet or visit Pet Blood Bank UK Fireworks and bonfires during the festive season      Bonfires If possible, build bonfires close to the time of lighting and check them thoroughly for animals before lighting. This can help save the lives of hedgehogs and other small animals. Fireworks Loud fireworks can be terrifying for animals, but there are things you can do to help them cope. 69% of UK adults with a pet take at least one measure to help relax or prepare their animal for firework season. Playing relaxing music is the most common. Classic FM, partnered with national RSPCA, will broadcast two special programmes from 5.00pm to 9.00pm on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th November of specially curated soothing music to help calm pets. How to calm dogs during fireworks Planning ahead can help dogs cope with the fireworks season. Before the fireworks season starts, provide your dog with a doggy safe haven. This should be a quiet area, so choose one of the quietest rooms in your home – a place where they feel in control. Don’t interfere with your dog when they’re in that area. Train your dog to associate the area with positive experiences, e.g. by leaving their favourite toys there, but not imposing yourself at any time. Use a variety of chew toys, such as stuffed Kongs and chews. Swap them regularly, putting them away when not in use so that your dog doesn’t become bored with them. With time, dogs can learn that this place is safe and enjoyable. When fireworks go off, they may choose to go there because they know, in that place, they are safe. It’s important that your dog has access to this doggy safe haven at all times – even when you’re not at home. When the fireworks start

• Walk your dog during daylight hours to avoid times when fireworks are likely to be set off.
• Move your dog to the safe haven each evening before the fireworks begin. Provide toys and other things that they enjoy in the safe haven.
• Make sure there are things for you to do too, so your dog isn’t left alone.
• Close windows and curtains to muffle the sound of fireworks. Blackout your doggy safe haven, so they can’t see any flashes outside.
• Put on some music or TV to mask the firework sounds.
• Ignore the firework noises yourself. Play with a toy to see if your dog wants to join in, but don’t force them to play.

You could also talk to your vet about pheromone diffusers. These disperse calming chemicals into the room and may be a good option for your dog. In some cases, your vet may even prescribe medication. How to help cats who are afraid of fireworks • Keep them indoors to avoid them becoming stressed. • Provide hiding places in your home e.g. under furniture or a quiet corner. • Don’t stress your cat by trying to tempt them out. Leave them until they’re ready. • Microchip your cats in case they’re startled and escape outside How to help small animals during fireworks

• Partly cover outside cages and pens with blankets so it’s soundproofed and hidden, leaving an area for animals to look out.
• Provide bedding for small animals to burrow in.
• Consider bringing them indoors – this will need to be done gradually, so plan ahead.

Keeping horses safe during fireworks It’s not just the animals in your home that can be scared of fireworks – horses can be too. If you’re a horse owner:

• Know in advance – check to see if there are going to be any firework displays in your area.
• Talk to the organisers – where possible, explain there are horses nearby and ask them to set off their fireworks in the opposite direction.

Get advice from the British Horse Society (BHS) – for top tips on keeping your horse safe and secure during the firework season. Calling all stitchers!  If you (or someone in your family) knows how to sew, then our Animal Welfare Team would love for you to make them some fabric cat carrier covers. Carrier covers keep our cats calm and prevent the spread of disease when they are being transported to veterinary visits or foster homes. The measurements and guidelines are shown below. All we ask is that the fabric used is breathable and washable; repurposed duvet and pillow covers are ideal! If you are able to make a cover for us it can be dropped off at one of our charity shops or our HQ in Ashwellthorpe (Monday to Friday between 10.00am and 4.00pm). Cat Carrier Cover Sewing Guidelines Fabric measurements

1. Using the measurements above, mark out the panels on the back of your fabric or draw the templates onto paper and pin them on.
2. Cut 3 panels measuring 13 x 20 inches and 2 panels measuring 13 x 13 inches (add a seam allowance of ½ inch on all panels).
3. Put one of the long panels aside (this will be the top of your carrier).
4. With the right sides facing together, fit and pin the side panels to the front and back sections. Sew the panels together along the short sides.
5. Take the top section and measure out the hole for the carrier handles as below (6″ x 2″).

6. Cut the fabric along the dotted lines, fold the four sections back and pin to the back of the fabric. Stitch around the opening to secure them in place. 7. Attach the top section to the other panels by sewing along all four edges. 8. Finally sew a hem of approximately a ¼ inch along the bottom edges Free Will Writing with Farewill  We have teamed up with Farewill, National Will Writing Firm of the Year 2021, to provide free wills to our supporters. We understand that you’ll want to think about your family and friends when writing your will, that’s why there is no obligation to leave a gift to us if you choose to write your will through Farewill. If you do choose to leave a us gift however, no matter how big or small the amount, you will be leaving behind a kinder future for animals in need. To claim your free will simply choose from one of the options below to get the process started. You can choose to write your will online or if you would prefer to speak to someone you can request a call from one of their helpful customer care team.  Every will is checked by one of their specialists so you can be confident that your wishes will be respected. Write your will online Get started online straight away and complete your free will in as little as 30 minutes. Simply complete the online form and enter the voucher code ‘RSPCAMN-WEB’ at check-out. Write your will over the phone You can also complete your will over the phone by requesting a callback. Remember to quote our charity name on the call. Sign up to their newsletter here

Fresh Start new beginnings hosted their second afternoon tea last Friday at the Mercure Norwich hotel. With over one hundred attendees, they also welcomed the Lord mayor, Sheriff and her consorts along with Deputy Lieutenant Alexandra Bartram and Karen Vincent Chairman of Norfolk County Council. Fresh Start new beginnings provides therapeutic support for children and young people in Norfolk and Suffolk who have been victims of sexual abuse. As they continue to see demand for its services rise events like this become increasingly important to raise awareness. The afternoon featured presentations from speakers Chris Sargisson and Jeremy Indika, about their lived experiences of child sexual abuse. Their bravery in sharing their stories, gave people an insight into how the trauma has impacted them throughout their lives, particularly when no support is available to them. They gave a voice to the 16000 children in Norfolk alone, that have been victims of sexual abuse. Highlighting the important work Fresh Start new beginnings do, that every child who has been affected by child sexual abuse should be able to access the support they need to recover and rebuild their futures. Sandra Lucas – Corporate and event fundraiser says “We were so pleased with the positive feedback following the event. Many attendees commented that they had no idea about the prevalence of child sexual abuse. Since Friday we have been overwhelmed with the offers of support for the charity. We hope to continue to grow our service so that every child can access the support they want and need.” With thanks to Larking Gowen for sponsoring the event, to all those that attended and to our speakers.