Member News

Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford & District is excited to announce its annual Charity Summer Ball on the 14th September 2024 at the picturesque Caistor Hall Hotel.

The highly anticipated premium event is set to deliver an evening of unparalleled entertainment, extraordinary food, and plenty of exciting things to steal the summer spotlight. Whilst offering you an unforgettable and magical experience this glittering event gives you the opportunity to raise funds going directly towards supporting our communities now and for the long term.

Tickets for the Summer Ball are available on Eventbrite. Visit cadat.org.uk/summer-ball/

In addition to attending the Summer Ball, interested individuals and businesses can get involved in multiple ways. Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford & District is looking for generous sponsors to contribute to the cause. You can become a sponsor for this highly anticipated event by donating prizes for the event’s charity auction and balloon pop, sponsoring the event’s wine and beverages, and offering time as volunteers to help ensure the evening runs smoothly. Sponsors can benefit from free tickets, social media promotion through the charity’s various platforms, brand awareness during the ceremony, and exclusive brand visibility on-site with their own marketing materials.

These sponsorship packages not only provide a way to give back to the community but are also an opportunity for businesses to enhance their visibility in a significant community event. Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford & District highly appreciates any support provided towards making this grand event a fabulous success.

On behalf of Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford & District, we cordially invite everyone to join hands in supporting this noble cause. Your contributions are destined to create an impact and impressively aid the successful and efficient delivery of this inspiring and fun-filled event.

For more information about the Summer Ball, obtaining tickets, and details regarding sponsorship packages, please visit cadat.org.uk/summer-ball/.

Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford & District is a dedicated charitable organisation committed to offering guidance and support on a variety of issues via various modes of communication, including face-to-face, telephone, and email. In 2023, they took part in ‘The Big C Project’ which supported over 900 people facing a cancer diagnosis with specialist welfare and benefits and gained £2.7 million worth of income back into people’s pockets who accessed their specialist support via their partnership with Big C. During the very challenging time, people said they were relieved and reassured to be offered this support. This was thanks to their no barriers approach to support, advice and guidance.

As part of the Citizens Advice Network, collectively, the network serves around 2,500 locations across England and Wales. The network supports communities thanks to the generous support of over 21,500 volunteers and 7,000 paid staff. Their areas of expertise cover a range of issues, like money, benefits, housing, employment problems, and more. Committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination, their robust campaigns leverage clients’ experiences and stories to research and bring about positive local and national change.

As a charity, the Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford & District face a constant need for support. Without the generous backing of compassionate individuals and corporate supporters, the organisation’s impact on society could not be achieved.

With Microsoft Edge Features Enhancing productivity is crucial for businesses, especially for those relying on managed service providers like Uptech. Every tool that aids in speeding up tasks or improving communication is invaluable. Surprisingly, your web browser, particularly Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, can play a significant role in optimizing productivity. Let’s explore five key features tailored to elevate productivity for Uptech’s managed service clients: 1. Split Screen for Enhanced Multitasking: Efficient multitasking is paramount for managing tasks across various systems. Microsoft Edge’s split-screen feature allows you to compare information, research topics, or monitor systems seamlessly within a single tab. 2. Vertical Tabs for Streamlined Navigation: Managing numerous tabs for different tasks can be challenging. With Microsoft Edge’s vertical tabs, you can organize and navigate between open tabs effortlessly, ensuring quick access to essential information. 3. Workspaces for Collaborative Projects: Collaboration is key in managed services. Microsoft Edge’s Workspaces feature streamlines collaboration by creating dedicated workspaces with relevant tabs for each project. Sharing these workspaces via links simplifies collaborative efforts. 4. Collections for Organized Research: Gathering information for projects is a routine task. Microsoft Edge’s Collections feature allows you to save and organize critical information from web pages into custom collections, ensuring organized and focused research. 5. Immersive Reader for Distraction-Free Work: Clear communication and focused reading are vital for productivity. Microsoft Edge’s Immersive Reader feature provides a distraction-free reading experience, ensuring focused communication and understanding. If your business isn’t already leveraging Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, now is the ideal time to consider the switch. These features can transform how you manage tasks, collaborate, and stay organized. Reach out for assistance in optimizing your productivity tools and workflows.

First introduced in 2000 Research & Development tax reliefs (R&D) are designed to encourage businesses to invest in developing ‘new’ or ‘improved’ products. Many companies are put off by the words ‘Research and Development’. They often interpret the phrase as meaning that they have to be a research company, work from a laboratory, wear white coats or maintain a large team. In reality, if you innovate and improve the way something works in your business and the outcome lacked a degree of ‘certainty’ from the start, you may qualify. Fiscale is a specialist tax advisory company, formed in 2014. The world of R & D is ‘specialist’ and the current direction of travel from HMRC, is that businesses should engage with specialist tax advisory firms rather than ‘generalists’, after all, you wouldn’t expect your GP to undertake open-heart surgery, would you?! A recent survey showed that 71% of businesses that are claiming R&D, are using a specialist advisor. For R&D tax relief purposes, the deadline that applies is that an R&D claim needs to be submitted no later than 2 years following the financial year end of the business. In addition, from August 2023 there were new filing requirements, including making it mandatory for all businesses that put in an R&D claim to include an Additional Information Form, which is essentially a report to track all R&D activity and provides HMRC with specific information that they require to determine eligibility. Fiscale works with companies to identify qualifying projects and then help guide them through the submission process of both the financial and report elements of the claim. We have helped businesses from a broad range of sectors claim R&D tax reliefs from software developers to fudge manufacturers, and from construction businesses to sign manufacturers. Might your business be missing out on this opportunity and if so, maybe it’s worth a call to explore the possibilities? Please contact Joe Webster-Davids on 01440 708333 or email at info@fiscale.com

After much anticipation, the brand new website for CTS Shop is now live! From Compliance Stationery and Digital Tachographs to First Aid Kits, Workwear, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), we’ve got you covered with top-notch supplies that meet industry standards. Offering an extensive catalogue tailored to cater for every aspect of your operations, CTS Shop is part of the CTS Group; your one solution for transport training, consultancy and compliance. Based in East Anglia, CTS brings a wealth of hands-on experience in the transport and training industry. At the core of our business lies our comprehensive range of services, meticulously designed to address the diverse needs of the transport industry. Whether you’re in need of forklift training, driver CPC and ADR, or DGSA services, compliance audits and tachograph analysis, we’ve got you covered. Explore CTS Shop online, where we offer a selection of high-quality products and materials specifically for the transport industry. We stand by every item we sell, offering only products that we personally use and recommend. With competitive pricing and prompt delivery, CTS Shop ensures you have access to the best resources with the convenience your business requires. With nationwide shipping, local delivery options, and convenient pick-up facilities, getting your hands on the essentials has never been easier. Plus, enjoy the added benefit of free delivery on orders over £150. Shop now at www.ctservicesltd.shop

Highbury Recruitment is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Bronze Employers Recognition award. We believe in supporting those who have served our country and are honoured to be recognised for our efforts. The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) is a government-led initiative that recognises employers who assist veterans and their families in returning to civilian employment.

For more information on recruiting within the ex-forces community, please get in touch. The ex-forces community brings with it a wealth of talent, expertise, and skills that are incredibly valuable to many of our current clients.

East Coast Gelato will be opening at Chantry Place Norwich, on Friday 26th April 2024, selling its delicious range of homemade gelato, sorbets and treats.

Made locally in Hunstanton, East Coast Gelato will be open daily at Chantry Place in Centre opening hours and will be located on the dining terrace. It will serve a range of gelato, in flavours such as Biscoff, salted caramel and mint choc chip; as well as raspberry and strawberry sorbets. Plus, homemade fruit lollies, gelato lollies dipped in chocolate and ‘conies’ in a range of flavours, and vegan options.

Elliot Hibell, manager at East Coast Gelato at Chantry Place, said: “We can’t wait to bring our delicious, locally-made Italian range of gelato and cold treats to Norwich. We already have stores in Hunstanton and Thornham, and we’re confident that our new store at Chantry Place will be just as popular. Our owner, Joel, was trained in Italy by the very best and has brought his skills and knowledge about making the best Italian gelato to Norfolk – and he is the one who still makes it now in our kitchen in Hunstanton!”

Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “East Coast Gelato will be bringing its delicious, award-winning gelato and sorbets to Chantry Place. Located on the dining terrace, visitors can enjoy treats from this local business, who use freshly made ingredients. This follows other good news for the Centre, with Flannels recently opening and more news on new openings coming soon.”

East Coast Gelato has been serving incredible gelato and handmade desserts since 2016.

For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk or follow @chantryplacenorwich on social media.

At Zip Water, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our water solutions help our global customers meet their sustainability and ESG targets by: Inspiring a refill culture We aim to make bottled water a thing of the past with drinking water solutions, such as HydroTap, that pour filtered boiling, chilled, and sparkling drinking water on tap. HydroMe takes this one step further, allowing access to flavour-enhanced water with just a few clicks. Reducing energy demands Energy-saving modes, that consume less energy in times of low usage, and patented technology make our water systems exceptionally efficient. Our unique PowerPulse technology maintains stored boiling water to within 0.2 degrees of set temperature, meaning our products pour the perfect boiling drinking water every time whilst minimising power consumption. Eliminating water waste Using water to chill water? Not cool. Our innovative air-cooling process eliminates the need for water in the cooling process. This means the only water used by our taps is what ends up coming out of them. As an EcoVadis Silver awardee (placed in the top 8% of companies ranked), we are also dedicated to internal sustainable practices, from our fully recyclable packaging to our growing electric fleet of HydroCare vehicles. We’ve also partnered with GivePower.org to support communities around the world with access to clean, purified water. Every time a HydroMe user pours a drink, they collect points. Earn enough to level up, and we’ll donate money on your behalf. See our website to find out more about our commitment: https://specify.zipwater.co.uk/sustainability/our-commitment/our-commitment

Ensors Norwich – now open! Ensors Chartered Accountants are pleased to announce that their new Norwich office is now open and fully operational with their team of experts on hand to deliver comprehensive advice and support to you from their new home at 3 St James Place, Whitefriars, Norwich, NR3 1RJ. As accountancy specialists for over 130 years, Ensors possess a deep understanding of the issues, opportunities, and regulations relevant to local businesses and individuals across East Anglia.  The new office location allows members of their Corporate Finance, Corporate Services, Business Recovery, and Corporate Tax team to support a diverse portfolio of clients across a number of sectors in the area.  Experts from the Private Client team are also available to deliver their professional yet personalised approach to individuals in Norfolk and the surrounding area. In the development of the new regional office, the firm have established an experienced senior team to lead the office offering and provides a number of opportunities to students and qualified accountants. As the latest premise to open in support of the firm’s expansion into northern East Anglia, Ensors’ office in the heart of Norwich City Centre will boast modern facilities and an open plan working environment to encourage collaboration and growth. Ensors are looking forward to the exciting opportunities that the new Norwich branch will bring, alongside building on their growing networks in the Norwich area. To keep up to date on our latest company news please see link here https://www.ensors.co.uk/insights/category/company-news/

A new chair is being sought to lead the King’s Lynn Town Deal Board and play a pivotal role in overseeing the delivery of multi-million pound transformational investment in the town.

The opportunity for an individual to lead the board comes at an exciting time for King’s Lynn, with an additional £20M announced for the town in the Spring budget. This funding is further to the £25M Town Deal funding announced in 2020, which is now being delivered across a range of aspirational projects, overseen by the board. King’s Lynn Town Deal Board brings together a diverse range of individuals representing the community, businesses, and statutory agencies such as local authorities. Membership includes representatives from all tiers of local authority, Members of Parliament, local businesses, Chamber of Commerce , Business Improvement District, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the College of West Anglia. Interim Chair Vicky Etheridge commented: “This is a great time to be joining the board. Not only are we seeing the impact of the Town Deal projects which are gathering pace in their delivery, we also now have the fantastic opportunity to play a crucial role in creating a long term plan for King’s Lynn and accessing £20M in further funding. “Whoever is appointed chair will be able to use their skills and expertise from their role in the community or private sector, to guide and lead the board through the next exciting stage, and help to shape the future for King’s Lynn. “We are looking for someone who is forward thinking, open-minded, collegiate, constructive and has an entrepreneurial spirit. “Whilst the role is voluntary, the rewards are enormous, as I know myself from my experience on the board. If you are our next chair, then you will be able to make a significant difference for our town, benefitting people today, and long into the future. “I would encourage anyone who is interested in becoming the chair to please do apply. You will get to be part of a strong team, and you will be fully supported by officers. “I look forward to meeting and working with our new chair soon.” The requirements of the role include 12 meetings each year, plus meeting preparation and other work. Officer support is available to help the chair deliver the role, and champions on the board lead on specific projects. The closing date for applications is Friday 3 May with interviews taking place on Friday 17 May. Content for the role is here: Meet the Board – Vision King’s Lynn (visionkingslynn.co.uk)

First Intuition, a leading accountancy training provider, is delighted to announce the return of its highly anticipated Accountancy Academy. Aimed at 15 – 19-year-olds interested in knowing more about a career in accountancy and finance, the free academy offers the opportunity to learn what it is like to work in an accountancy role and what is needed to get to a job in it. Every year, First Intuition centres extend a warm invitation to local students to participate in their free Accountancy Academies. These academies serve as a valuable platform for aspiring individuals to gain a deeper understanding of the accountancy sector and the diverse job roles it offers, to help them identify if it is the right career path for them. Attendees will also learn about the different paths they can take into a career in accounting, how to put together a winning CV, and hear directly from accountancy employers. “Our Accountancy Academies are back, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome students eager to learn more about careers in finance and accounting,” said Gareth John, Director at First Intuition. “Whether students are already set on pursuing a career in accountancy or simply curious about the industry, our academies are designed to provide valuable insights and guidance.” The Accountancy Academy, spanning two days, is facilitated by First Intuition’s experienced tutors, each with expertise and experience working in accountancy roles. The academies have helped thousands of students learn more about the types of roles in the industry and determine whether a career in accountancy aligns with their skills and aspirations. Key topics covered during the academy include:

• Careers in accountancy
• Getting started in the field
• Study pathways
• CV writing and interview tips
• Employer Q&A forum

The upcoming Accountancy Academies will be hosted both in-person at First Intuition centres and online, to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of students and ensure everyone has access to the sessions. Find a list of the locations, dates, times and recommended age of attendees for the upcoming academies here. First Intuition encourages all school and college students interested in exploring careers in accountancy and finance to attend these informative sessions. Feedback from students who have attended previous academies include: “Thanks for providing the opportunity with the Accountancy Academy it really has helped me gain wider knowledge into the profession.” “I would like to say thank you to everyone from FI for this opportunity, it has been an immense help.” “All the sessions were amazing and have really helped me with my decision to become an accountant!” “This opportunity has inspired me to apply for an accountancy apprenticeship.” For further information and to register your interest for an Accountancy Academy, please visit https://www.firstintuition.co.uk/fihub/first-intuition-accountancy-academy/.

Norwich Theatre is partnering with the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce through their Co.next programme on a brand new event Mastering Public Speaking (9 May) in Norwich Theatre’s newest studio space. Hosted in Studio 4 at Norwich Theatre Playhouse, this event is open to young professionals aged 18 – 35 and Norwich Theatre’s Young Cultural Leaders. Run by Joesph Arkley from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), the session will provide young people with an opportunity to get to grips with the art of public speaking. They will learn about voice, body language and listening, throughout the 3 hour session which will conclude with the opportunity to put their learning into practise with a chance to speak on the Playhouse stage. Caroline Ellis, Account Manager at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are extremely excited to partner up with Norwich Theatre to bring young professionals across Norfolk the opportunity to hear first-hand from Joseph Arkley from the Royal Shakespeare Company to help encourage and empower our Co.next audience. “This event will help break through the stigma around public speaking while building confidence by focusing on voice, body language and listening, which are all fundamental parts of public speaking. I personally believe these are all important skills to support them to grow in confidence and further their careers, which is what Co.next is all about.” Jack Weaver, Chief Operating Officer at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, also comments: “Co.Next is fast becoming THE network for young people in business in Norfolk, and I’m delighted to see more collaborations like this with Norwich Theatre to engage and empower those starting out on their career path. Public speaking, whether it’s to a handful of people in a presentation or an entire conference doesn’t come naturally to many people (myself included). Yet it’s a really important skill to hone if you want to pitch for new business, sell an idea to an investor or set out your business case to decision makers. 2024 is going to be an exciting year for Co.Next and I’d encourage anyone interested in finding out more to reach out to the Norfolk Chambers team.” This is the start of the growing partnership between the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and the Co.next programme, which will provide more opportunities for young professionals and Norwich Theatre’s Young Cultural Leaders. Norwich Theatre’s Young Cultural Leaders is a free programme that is designed to give young people between 18 and 30 the chance to gain practical skills and learn how to help shape and define leadership. Recruiting for the 24/25 cohort will start in summer 2024. Hayley Murrow, Creative Learning Partnerships Manager at Norwich Theatre, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Co.next; they share similar core values to inspire and empower young people to make change; this is what we aim to do with our Young Cultural Leaders programme. This new partnership should provide further opportunities to connect and have our Young Cultural Leaders meet and network with Norfolk businesses. “Public speaking is an essential skill for anyone, and this session is sure to be an exciting and interesting opportunity to learn from a practitioner from the RSC.” The Young Cultural Leaders is one of the five groups that make up the Creative Assembly, a collaborative approach to creative leadership that involves audiences, participants, artists, stakeholders, communities and partners that represent the make-up of the theatre’s region to co-deliver Norwich Theatre’s Creative Experiences Strategy. To book your place visit: CLICK HERE   Listing Mastering Public Speaking Date: 9 May Time: 8.30am – 12noon Venue: Norwich Theatre Playhouse – Studio 4 Member: £9.50 Non-members: £13 The event is open to young professionals aged 18 – 30 and Norwich Theatre’s Young Cultural Leaders. Contact information Rebecca Lyon, Head of Media & Communications at Norwich Theatre Rebecca.lyon@norwichtheatre.org 01603 598 521 Charlotte Nelson, Communications Manager at Norwich Theatre charlotte.nelson@norwichtheatre.org 07769262331 or 01603 598 527

Between 10am and 4pm on the lower ground floor by Frasers and HMV, visitors can enjoy appearances, interactions and photos with Darth Vader, Chewbacca and droids. Visitors will also be able to make a voluntary donation to Break, making life better for young people in and around care.

Embracing the iconic tagline, “May the Force be With You”, Star Wars Day has become a tradition for many fans worldwide on 4th May.

Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, comments: “We’re excited to welcome NORCON, Norwich Droids and many iconic characters from Star Wars to Chantry Place to raise funds for Break. Visitors are also welcome to dress up and we know how popular this event will be. Visitors will be able to take their own photos with characters and enjoy watching the droids entertain visitors.”

Ron Auker, a crew supervisor at NORCON, said: “We’re really excited about coming to Chantry Place to help raise money for such a fantastic cause and celebrate Star Wars Day with everyone. May the force be with you.”

NORCON is a Norfolk TV, film and comic convention which will return to the Norfolk Showground Arena on 28th and 29th September 2024. Tickets are on sale now at www.nor-con.co.uk

For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk or follow chantryplacenorwich on social media.