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Business Ideas That Are Still Possible to Achieve from Home

Thought Leaders

Sam Allcock

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07/11/2022

Business Ideas That Are Still Possible to Achieve from Home

Many business ideas are still possible to achieve from home. People want to work from home because they want more flexibility and control over their time, but they need to figure out what business to start. Here are some ideas:

1. Virtual assistant

This is an excellent option if you’re good with computers, have strong organizational skills and enjoy helping people out. You can be hired as an assistant for freelance writers who need more time or expertise to complete their work or for individuals who need help with tasks such as scanning receipts and invoices or scheduling appointments on their calendars. You can also offer essential bookkeeping services such as reconciling bank statements, preparing expense reports, and creating financial statements.

2. Online tutoring

Online tutoring is a very profitable business that can be done from home. This may be the right business if you have the patience and dedication to teach others. You can start by teaching one or two students in your spare time or go all out and create an online course to teach hundreds of students at once. Tutoring is a great way to earn extra cash if you’re good at math or science. The key is finding students willing to pay for the help they need and then negotiating with them. If you want to tutor online, there are dozens of websites that will match you up with students who need help.

3. T shirt printing

Custom t shirt printing is one of the most popular home business ideas because it’s easy to get started and requires little startup capital. T-shirts are not just for the gym anymore, they are a piece of art, and you can make them yourself. There are plenty of options for customizing t-shirts with logos, slogans and graphics, but you can also find vendors who will print plain shirts with your design. You can even sell blank shirts and let customers design their own. Many websites offer t-shirt templates where you can design your t-shirt and print it in small quantities. You can also sell custom t-shirts as gifts for birthdays or anniversaries or as fund-raising items for schools or organizations.

4. Affiliate marketing

You can sell products yourself if you’re comfortable with that; instead, promote other people’s products through your blog or website and earn commission when someone buys something through your links. You don’t have to be an expert at anything to make money online as an affiliate marketer. You simply need a website that sells something, such as an ebook or a membership site, and then promote it using various methods such as social media, email blasts and blog posts. You’ll get paid when someone buys something through one of your links — just like Google AdSense does!

5. Cake decorating business

If you are passionate about baking and decorating cakes, you could run a cake-decorating business from home. You’ll need to invest in supplies and equipment, but once you’re up and running, it’s easy to scale up your business and increase profits by making more cakes daily. You don’t need fancy equipment, just basic tools and a few simple recipes to get started. Most important, however, is passion – something that will keep you going through those long hours spent in front of the oven!

6. Consulting

Consulting is a great business idea that allows you to have your schedule and be your boss. If you have the right skills, there’s no telling how much money you could make in consulting.

It can be done on a part-time basis or full-time. Some consultants do it full-time and travel around the world, while others do it as needed for extra income or for clients too far away to travel to their location. You don’t need much more than your computer and an internet connection to start consulting. All you’ll need is basic knowledge of what you’ll provide services for and how much those services will cost.

Truth Creative has rebranded an ambitious multidisciplinary tech group formed through acquisition

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07/11/2022

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Truth Creative has rebranded an ambitious multidisciplinary tech group formed through acquisition

Cybit’s new brand profile and name unite the expertise and established legacy of Berkshire-based IT support provider, Technique; Newcastle-headquartered IT solutions cloud migration and data and analytics specialist, Perfect Image; and cyber security specialist, Cyphra in Belfast. The companies previously functioned under the holding company, Pixel Group.

The rebrand will enable Cybit to incorporate its three legacy businesses within a unified branding structure, supporting it in becoming a UK-wide security, cloud and data-focused Managed Services Provider.

By combining specialisms, the group of like-minded, partnership-driven businesses will offer customers direct access to a suite of complementary managed services to help drive their digital journey forward at a pace that suits them.

Cybit provides IT solutions across cloud migration, IT infrastructure, managed services, data analytics and cybersecurity. As a strategic partner, it does this with a consultation-first approach to deliver the best products and services for its customers.

With a team of highly skilled and talented individuals, Cybit works with customers to help them meet their growth plans, supported by the best IT solutions to facilitate ambition.

Based in Manchester, Truth Creative’s work will help Cybit communicate with customers, employees and potential recruits and vendor partners, and includes:

Brand Audit: stakeholder interviews, customer research and output to a value proposition
Brand Lab and Proposition
New name
New brand identity
Brand Guidelines
Messaging playbook
Launch campaign including eMarketing, social and motion plus internal comms.

Emma Markey, Group Marketing Director at Cybit, said: “We required a rebrand which reflected our three founding businesses’ rich history and bold future ambitions. Thanks to Truth Creative, Cybit is now ready for its next exciting chapter.”

Jo Scott, co-founder of Truth Creative, said: “Supporting Cybit in building on its success to date has been a real privilege for the team at Truth. They are now well equipped to continue their growth journey in a way which will be clear to multiple stakeholders.”

7 Investment Opportunities in the Construction Materials Industry

Blog

Danielle Trigg

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07/11/2022

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7 Investment Opportunities in the Construction Materials Industry

Investing is an excellent thing to do in the construction industry because it is a lucrative business. As long as you know the right niche and high-demand construction materials, you can excel in the business. You can get involved in various fields, such as manufacturing and distributing cement or iron sheets. Whichever decision you make should be thought through and properly researched to give you the best chance to succeed. There are plenty of alternatives in the construction industry; let’s look at the seven investment opportunities available that could give you a good investment return.

Roof Installation

Roof installation is a lucrative business in the construction industry where you can make huge profits. First, you need to start a company specializing in roof installation and repair. Have all the professionals required for the available jobs and source the materials from Materials Market construction supplies. You also need roofing installation skills and knowledge to excel in this business. Design a well-planned business plan and venture into the business and get huge returns.

Venture into the cement manufacturing industry

Venturing into the cement manufacturing business is a solid investment. You need to have lots of capital to invest in the company. You must buy the best equipment and set up a factory to manufacture your cement. Once you have all that set up, the business will gain a good profit when you start selling cement at a competitive price. You can manufacture cement blocks because their demand continues to increase daily. Your money is safe with this investment, and with the cement plant, you can diversify into other cement-oriented businesses.

Paint Manufacturing or retailing

Once construction is done, the next part is decoration. You need to see past the construction bit and look at the end product of the building. You could start a paint manufacturing plant requiring huge capital but guaranteed profits. Another good investment opportunity is getting yourself a paint shop. It requires some considerable money, provided you know how to source your paint from a paint manufacturing company. Retailing at competitive prices will get you the profit you need. Besides painting, you can look at the exterior and interior paint, wall putty, white cement, and oil paints.

Mirror fitting

Mirror fitting is a wonderful niche where you can begin from anywhere, provided you have the right tools. It doesn’t require much capital to begin and having the required skill set, and personnel in your team will go a long way in securing the right contracts. Mirrors are used in interior design; if you have the right expertise, you can give clients what they need in their homes. Establish a market in the interior design domain with a clear pricing structure. Have a good marketing and accounting team to take care of the growth and stability of the business.

Plumbing Business

Hard work often gets overlooked in the building industry. Plumbing is one of the most important aspects of construction, and you need to get the certification to qualify as a plumber. You can do fuel gas piping, surface water drainage, drainage venting, and waste management systems in plumbing. A building cannot do without water distribution and waste management so get that certification and start your own plumbing company.

Sand Making

Of all building materials, sand is one of the most important. It is a primary component in construction; without it, you may not complete your building properly. The demand for sand is high and you can capitalize on the demand by providing natural sand. You need to seek the necessary permits to get natural sand and you can usually find them near a river or in deserted hills. You could also use artificial sand to quench your demand and increase your supply. Investing in sand-making is a guaranteed business, so don’t wait too long before you decide.

Rental of construction equipment

The construction business is in high demand and acquiring the equipment is quite expensive. That’s why construction companies usually charge exorbitant prices for their services. This niche can be lucrative because people are looking for low-cost building methods. You need lots of capital to invest in this niche and once you get the equipment, you need ironclad contracts to ensure your equipment is kept safe by those handling them. You also need to ensure your equipment to keep your investment safe.

Final Thoughts

Taking advantage of a business opportunity can bring you profit and good fortune. To excel in business, you need to do lots of research on the markets you want to infiltrate. Once you finish your research, you need to do consultations, budget, and look at the relevant laws that encompass your business. Once you begin focusing on providing quality services, it will ensure your new venture’s growth.

Study shows three-quarters of Northern motor trade businesses expect to make employee redundancies by the end of year

Sam Allcock

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07/11/2022

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Study shows three-quarters of Northern motor trade businesses expect to make employee redundancies by the end of year

The cost of living crisis is an unwanted reality that the entire population is facing, and the motor trade industry is no exception here in the North of England. Of those surveyed, increased petrol prices alone have led to a 22% increase in business costs since January 2022. And it doesn’t stop there: 40% of motor trade employers have already let staff go, with a further 35% considering making cuts to their staff before the end of the year.

In the North East, 81% of motor trade businesses have or will experience redundancies before the end of the year, compared to 70% in the North West. Both show a bleak picture for motor trade professionals in these regions. There are many factors which could be impacting this, both directly in the form of supply costs increasing to indirectly through the cost of living’s impact on the population. A recent RAC report stated that young people are increasingly putting off car checks and repays due to their own squeezed finances.

(Graphic displays UK wide data)

In order to establish the facts and learn about the severity of inflation-based challenges affecting the nation, a specialist motor trade insurance provider, ChoiceQuote, commissioned an independent survey of 303 motor trade professionals in the UK. The picture it paints is a pessimistic one.

80% of the professionals in the North surveyed said that their business is facing serious or very serious issues linked to inflation. In fact, only 1.5% of motor trade businesses in the North say that they currently aren’t facing challenges to their business.

(Graphic displays UK wide data)

How is this affecting the industry’s business decisions? 48% expect their company to struggle, and 28% expect trading to remain stagnant.

Whilst businesses may not cease operating completely, 40% of motor trade employers have already let staff go as a consequence of rising costs, with 35% planning to lay workers off before the end of this year. Similarly, 81% of motor trade professionals in the North East are expected to have reduced working hours within their business before the start of 2023, in addition to 70% of those in the North West, leading to further unemployment in the region.

Businesses in the North East were are little quicker off the mark, with 69% already having increased customer prices this year, whereas in the North West 30% have done so. However, this looks to balance itself as the year concludes, with 25% of motor trade businesses looking to increase prices before the year is out. Compared to 52% in the North West.

Decision makers are making the tough decision as to whether they persevere through these difficult times or switch to a different kind of work due to the strain that the inflation crisis has had on their professional and personal life. More than 2 in 3 (71%) of motor trade professionals across the North feel more stressed due to the impact of inflation on their personal finances (69% in NE and 73% in NW).

Derek Henry, Managing Director of ChoiceQuote comments: “It’s definitely a worrying outlook. In recent months, rising new and used cars, as well as fuel prices have meant that many businesses and traders have had to rethink their strategy or make some incredibly tough decisions on their future.”

For more information, visit https://https://www.choicequote.co.uk/the-motor-trade-industry-inflation-impact-report/

Manchester to remember the fallen with Remembrance Sunday ceremony and parade to take place on 13 November 2022

Blog

Sam Allcock

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07/11/2022

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Manchester to remember the fallen with Remembrance Sunday ceremony and parade to take place on 13 November 2022

Manchester will fall silent on Sunday 13 November 2022 as the city remembers the fallen during the annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

The Remembrance Sunday Parade will set off at 10:25am from John Dalton Street. The Parade will march from John Dalton Street to the Cenotaph in St. Peter’s Square.

Civic dignitaries, servicemen and women, service and ex-service organisations, faith leaders, emergency services and other uniformed organisations will be invited to pay their respects at the Cenotaph in St. Peter’s Square along with members of the public

At 11am there will be a two-minute silence. The start and finish of the traditional silence will be marked by the firing of a 105mm gun.

Wreaths will then be laid on the Cenotaph by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Reserve Forces represented by the 103rd (Lancashire Artillery Volunteers) Regiment Royal Artillery, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, 207 (Manchester) Field Hospital (Volunteers), Royal British Legion on behalf of ex-service men and women, Manchester Consular Association on behalf of Commonwealth Allies, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and young faith representatives.

At the end of the service, the Parade will proceed to Central Library for the March Past. The National Anthem will be played at the end of the March Past.

The event will be live streamed on Facebook.

After the Parade has left the Cenotaph, the crowd control barriers will be removed, and members of the public will have an opportunity to place their tributes around the memorial.

We would like to invite veterans who would wish to take part to email Manchester City Council: civicevents@manchester.gov.uk

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Donna Ludford, said:

“ Remembrance Sunday gives us an opportunity to reflect on past and present conflicts. It also gives us all a chance to express our respects and think of those who have fought for our country.

“It will be an honour to meet with members of the armed services, faith leaders and the people of Manchester on Sunday and, together, we can mark this solemn day.”

Business struggles loom as confidence and output growth fall

Sam Allcock

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07/11/2022

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Business struggles loom as confidence and output growth fall

October saw BDO’s Output and Optimism Indices fall to their lowest levels since the third national lockdown in February 2021, as record-high inflation continues to dampen the economy and prompt fears of a recession, according to the latest Business Trends report from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO.

The latest figures indicate that inflationary pressures are to blame for the decline across three of BDO’s four indices, as Optimism, Output and Employment all recorded their weakest readings for at least six months. BDO’s Inflation Index reached an all-time high in October forcing businesses to re-evaluate production in line with demand and supply-side headwinds and exercise caution in their outlook and hiring intentions.

October saw BDO’s Output and Optimism Indices plummet to 93.10 and 94.63, respectively, their lowest levels since the third national lockdown in February 2021. Both indices now sit in contractionary territory, below the 95-point mark – regarded as the watershed between growth and decline, an indicator of a recession.

The dip in productivity was driven by a fall across both the Services and Manufacturing Indices for the second month in a row. Continued disruption to global logistics networks and increased input prices have pushed manufacturing activity into negative territory, whilst the cost-of-living crisis has impacted consumer demand, driving down services output.

Confidence amongst businesses followed a similar downward trajectory as the weaker macroeconomic environment drove a seventh consecutive month of decline for BDO’s Optimism Index.

BDO’s Inflation Index rose by 1.67 points in October to a record high of 120.67 following an increase in the energy price cap which caused consumer price inflation to climb. At the same time, diminished spending power due to a weaker currency put considerable upwards pressure on input inflation leading to a record high of 121.26, as businesses importing goods paid higher prices.

Driven by inflationary fears, the Employment Index mirrored waning confidence among businesses with a fall of 1.14 points to 113.05 last month. However, the index has remained resilient, and the unemployment rate stood at a historic low of 3.5% on the most recent reading in the three months to August.

Despite the index remaining firmly in positive territory, hiring intentions are set to decline in the longer-term as businesses continue to tackle mounting inflation and a recession, resulting in further falls in the index over the coming months.

Ed Dwan, Partner and Head of BDO in the North West, said: “A contraction in both optimism and output is a concerning bellwether for firms, as inflation is expected to continue climbing in the run-up to Christmas. A weaker currency and drop in consumer spending power will have real and tangible consequences for firms relying on imports or customers in the retail and services sector, alongside the knock-on effects of managing political and economic uncertainty.

“We already know that rising energy costs are a top concern for nearly half of mid-sized businesses this winter as we’re only just beginning to see the impacts of the energy price cap rise. Now, on the back of the biggest interest rate rise in decades, businesses also face a hike in the cost of borrowing, which could significantly impact their ability to invest. Firms will be looking to the Autumn Statement for the support they need as they navigate a tough period ahead.”

Manchester is the second most tech obsessed city in the UK, according to new study

technology

Sam Allcock

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07/11/2022

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Manchester is the second most tech obsessed city in the UK, according to new study

Preston, Manchester, and Birmingham are the top three most tech obsessed cities in the UK.
Search volumes for a variety of tech gadgets were analysed to determine the ranking.
The PS5 received the most searches compared to other products in the study.

New research has found the top 10 most tech obsessed cities and towns in the UK, with Preston taking the crown.

Experts at New Casinos analysed the number of average monthly searches on Google in each UK city and town for a range of tech products, including tablets, smartphones, consoles and other smart devices. The search volume of every term in each area was added together and then divided by the population to determine the number of searches for every 10,000 people.

Rank	City/Town	Population	Combined average monthly search volume	Searches per 10,000 people
1	Preston	114,300	20,020	1751.54
2	Manchester	552,000	92,450	1674.82
3	Birmingham	1,074,300	171,740	1598.63
4	Liverpool	465,700	74,120	1591.59
5	Glasgow	598,830	90,460	1510.62
6	Newcastle upon Tyne	280,177	42,080	1501.91
7	Bristol	465,866	68,390	1468.02
8	Reading	174,200	25,290	1451.78
9	Leicester	329,839	47,020	1425.55
10	Blackburn	105,085	14,610	1390.31

Taking the top spot for the most tech obsessed city in the UK is Preston, with 1751.54 searches per 10,000 people. The city in Lancashire has a particular interest in the PS5, with this being the gadget that was most searched for across the area.

Manchester is runner up, boasting a tech search volume of 1674.82 for every 10,000 people. This Northwest city has demonstrated its demand for a Nintendo Switch with the second highest searches per 10,000 people for the tech product, with the first spot being Preston.

Standing third on the podium is Birmingham, which sees a total of 1598.63 searches per 10,000 people. Like Preston, this major city has a keen interest in the PS5 with this also being the most searched for tech product in the area among all 18 of the terms.

Liverpool may not be taking home a medal, but it has placed fourth for the most tech obsessed cities in the UK and is another Northwest city to make the list. Liverpool gained a total of 1591.59 searches for every product per 10,000 people.

In fifth place is Glasgow. The city in Scotland has made a total of 1510.62 searches for every 10,000^th person – but not only that, citizens of Glasgow also have a keen interest in bagging an iPad, with the second highest total of searches for the gadget per 10,000 people.

In the sixth position is Newcastle upon Tyne with a total average monthly search volume of 1501.91 per 10,000 people. Geordies are eager to get their hands on an iPhone 13, with this product being the second most in demand item across the city, after the PS5.

Bristol places seventh on the list of the most tech obsessed cities in the UK. The Southwest city sees a total monthly search volume of 1468.02 per 10,000 people for all 18 terms.

Closely following Bristol in eighth place is another Southern location, Reading, which makes a total of 1451.78 Google searches per 100,000 people.

Leicester ranks in ninth, with a total of 1425.55 average monthly searches for every 10,000 people. In fact, the East Midlands city has the fourth highest number of searches for the iPhone 14 for every 10.000^th person.

Blackburn is in tenth place, receiving 1390.31 average monthly searches in total for every 10,000 people. Despite being last of the top 10, Blackburn’s demand for the Samsung S21 is high – generating the second highest number of searches for the smartphone for every 10,000^th person.

Of all the terms, ‘ps5’ proved most popular, taking a search volume of 331,940 in total across all the UK cities and towns that were measured.

A spokesperson at New Casinos has commended on the findings: “With the top 10 consisting of cities from multiple regions, we can see just how widespread the interest for tech gadgets is – but what’s really fascinating is how the PS5 is the most searched for product in so many cities. With Black Friday on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how the demand for these gadgets, from iPhones to Macbooks, translates into sales.”

AO bolsters Manchester Thunder in new 5 year sports sponsorship deal

Sam Allcock

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07/11/2022

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Manchester Thunder, the reigning and four times Netball Super League (NSL) champions, have today announced that they have entered into a new 5-year strategic partnership with AO, the UK’s household electricals retailer, that will see them become the club’s principal sponsor for the 2023 season and beyond.

The partnership will see the AO brand embedded across Manchester Thunder’s broad range of assets from the front of NSL dresses and training kit to the match day court and associated courtside assets.

This long-term strategic partnership provides a firm foundation for the journey towards the full professionalism of the Manchester Thunder franchise and Netball as a whole, as well as providing financial security to allow Manchester Thunder to invest in long term initiatives.

Debbie Hallas, Managing Director of Manchester Thunder, said: “We’re delighted to have secured sponsorship from such a high-profile brand as AO. This partnership cements our vision to ‘be the best elite netball club in the UK, on and off court’ and we’re excited to be associated with AO.

“I passionately believe that if we want to realise our potential as a sport, we need to bring the biggest brands into our support and this agreement represents a major step towards achieving this goal.”

Vicky Monk, Director of Brand and Marketing at AO, added: “We’re continuing to invest heavily in our brand and our new partnership with Manchester Thunder marks an important part of that strategy.

“With our roots firmly in the North West, we’re thrilled to support a Manchester team to raise the profile of netball on their journey to professionalism and are excited at the prospect of inspiring and encouraging young people to take part in sport.

“We’re delighted to be continuing to support our local neighbours, as Manchester Thunder joins our roster of regional sponsorships including; the AO Arena, Sale Sharks, Lancashire County Cricket Club and Bolton Lads and Girls Club.”

Plant based chef scoops third place and Highly Commended Main at Care Chef of the Year 2022 competition

Sam Allcock

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04/11/2022

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Plant based chef scoops third place and Highly Commended Main at Care Chef of the Year 2022 competition

Manchester based Charity Vegetarian for Life (VfL) is delighted that their Plant Based Roving Chef Justina scooped 3rd place at the recent National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Care Chef of the Year 2022 competition. Roving Chef Justina was also awarded Highly Commended Main for her satay tofu served with coconut rice and pickled vegetables, rounded off with a vegan Fraisier cake (French style strawberry cake).

Justina was one of just 11 chefs to qualify for the national final, which unfolded on recently at West Nottingham College. In just 90 minutes, the line-up of talented finalists showcased their culinary skills and specialist knowledge to impress the panel of expert judges, led by Head Judge, Steve Munkley.

Focusing on the importance of food, nutrition and positive mealtime experiences as part of quality care, entrants are challenged to create an appealing and delicious two-course menu (main and dessert) appropriate for people in a care setting.

Throughout June and July 2022, regional heats took place across the NACC regions – Scotland, North, Midlands, Wales, South West and South East – with care chefs showcasing their skills and specialist knowledge in a bid to secure their spot in the final of the prestigious event.

The brief was that the combined food cost for both courses should be no more than £3.00 per head based on three portions and it must be nutritionally balanced. Both dishes came in under budget, at just £2.96 per person for a two-course meal. Only half a point separated second and third place.

The judges were looking for clear nutritional understanding of the foods being used and how they support the needs of their clientele, plus culinary flair through flavours, menu balance, execution, presentation, and hygiene and waste management best practice.

Head judge, Steve Munkley said: “As a newcomer to the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition, I was astounded by the incredibly high standard of cooking from all the chefs. The ten finalists performed really well and exceeded all expectations.

“It was a closely fought final, which is evident in the fact that out of 500 marks, only 40 marks separated first and tenth place.”

Justina told us:

I was delighted to be one of the finalists of NACC Care Chef of the Year 2022. It was a great pleasure to cook in the same kitchen as other talented chefs. Getting to the finals is its own prize itself. Not only is it confidence boosting, but also a great learning experience, which brings inspiration to create even better and tastier meals.

I was amazed when my dish was announced as a winner of the ‘Highly Commended Main’ prize, and even more so when my plant-based menu took third place. I am proud to showcase that the future for great vegan food in care homes is in everyone’s hands – and anyone can futureproof their menus by being inclusive.

Justina is also the host of the charities free online Lunch Club for the over 65s. This is open to vegans, vegetarians, and meat reducers and offers attendees the chance to learn new dishes, get tips from an experienced vegan chef, and meet like-minded people from across the UK. The club takes places through Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of every month.

People can email ellie@vegetarianforlife.org.uk to find out more, or to book your place and get the Zoom link and password. Or call the VfL office on 0161 257 0887.

Since there are only two fully vegetarian care homes in the UK, one of VfL’s major goals is improve the standard of vegan and vegetarian catering in existing homes. We seek to do this through our UK List, which is a geographical listing of organisations and care homes that make a special effort to cater for vegetarians and vegans.

“We are striving towards a vision where at least 1 in every 6 UK care homes are members of our UK List – and 1 in every 100 will be VfL accredited.”

Asda invests into Greater Manchester Veterans’ charity to train ex-military as HGV Drivers

Sam Allcock

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04/11/2022

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Asda invests into Greater Manchester Veterans’ charity to train ex-military as HGV Drivers

Greater Manchester based charity, Veterans into Logistics have received a welcomed funding boost of £40,000 from Asda, that will enable the charity to train 10 armed forces veterans into new careers as HGV Drivers.

The charity has a two year established partnership with Asda Logistic Services who support their mission of preventing homelessness and unemployment in the veteran community.

This significant donation from Asda will help to provide training and mentoring for the veterans to pass their HGV licences, resulting in new driving careers.

Veterans into Logistics COO (Chief Operations Officer) and Chair of the Trustees, Major Ian Battersby is passionate about supporting ex-military personnel. Alongside the charity’s dedicated driver training scheme, the team also provide personal mentoring as they understand the skills, discipline, and hard-working ethos that ex-military personnel have from their careers in the armed forces.

Major Battersby and the team make it their mission to support those who have fallen on hard times after leaving the military as some can slip through the net, ending up unemployed, homeless, suffering with addiction issues or even ending up in prison.

Major Battersby said: “We are extremely grateful for this donation from Asda which will enable us to train 10 veterans into new careers as HGV drivers.

“We are so pleased that Asda continue to partner with us and see the benefits of employing veterans with the dedication and skills they bring. We have already upskilled and supported veterans who are working for Asda Logistic Services who say they are enjoying their new careers and feel respected and appreciated by Asda.

“This donation will be life-changing for the veterans it supports, bringing structure, stability and financial security.”

Now an Asda Colleague, sixty-year-old Carl Smith left the Armed Forces in September this year after 43 years’ service. He joined as a junior soldier in 1979 and served as a regular in the 3rd Royal Horse Artillery for 22 years before becoming a full-term reservist with the Royal Artillery Regiment. He left with a rank of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant.

Liverpool-born Carl served in Northern Ireland, Germany, Kosovo and Bosnia and saw action in the first Gulf War in 1991. He’s been married to Paula for 40 years and has five children and seven grandchildren.

He got in touch with Veterans into Logistics as soon as he left the Armed Forces and he’s now a trainee HGV driver at Asda’s Skelmersdale depot.

Carl said: “Getting this job means a lot. I envisioned having to get my CV done for all kinds of jobs and sending them off to people and take a gamble like everyone else but Veterans into Logistics opened those doors and closed them at the same time if that makes sense and they got me a direct link into Asda. I really appreciate the fact that Asda have taken me on.

“I think it’s amazing what Asda and Veterans into Logistics are doing. I did not expect it to be honest. What they have done for myself is great but what they are doing for other people who are probably less fortunate than me is amazing. It’s a really good thing and I hope more companies will look at doing it.

“Some people may think that because you’ve been in the military all your life you are boxed off and sorted, but you’re not. There are lots of people with lots of problems still who need gainful employment.”

Carl has been working in the transport office at Skelmersdale while he does his HGV training.

He said: “The plan is that when I pass my HGV test then I will be buddied up for six to eight weeks with an experienced driver and they will teach me the ropes until I’m deemed ready to take to the roads on my own. The whole set up is really good and I’m so happy to be employed by Asda.”

Melanie Richmond, Training Manager at Asda Logistic Services said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Veterans into Logistics with this investment that will help to support 10 armed forces veterans with the opportunity to be upskilled to hold an HGV licence.

“We have been working with Veterans into Logistics for the last two years, helping them with their vision of supporting and rehabilitating ex armed forces back into work and civilian life and the next step of their life journey.”

Veterans into Logistics has had an exceptional first two years by either successfully training or supporting hundreds of ex-military personnel into new HGV driving careers, featuring in a BBC 1 documentary, receiving high profile ministerial visits from the Cabinet Office and being awarded the prestigious Gold Armed Forces Covenant for their support to reservists, service leavers and the veteran community.

1. Virtual assistant

2. Online tutoring

3. T shirt printing

4. Affiliate marketing

5. Cake decorating business

6. Consulting

Roof Installation

Venture into the cement manufacturing industry

Paint Manufacturing or retailing

Mirror fitting

Plumbing Business

Sand Making

Rental of construction equipment

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