Pictured: Principal and Chief Executive Sam Wright and Chair of Governors Andrew McConnell OBE at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has been praised by Ofsted for its ‘Strong’ contribution to meeting regional and national skills needs, with the Group receiving a ‘Good’ grade for every aspect and overall. 16 Ofsted inspectors carried out a full inspection of the Group’s three Colleges – Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College – in early October, following Ofsted’s latest ‘enhanced inspection framework’, which was launched in September 2022. This includes the introduction of a new skills rating, with the Group receiving the highest grade of ‘Strong’ for its efforts in developing a responsive curriculum which addresses skills gaps in the local, regional and national economy. Following consultation with local employers and civic and education partners of the Group, Ofsted praised the Group for the highly effective relationships it has built with a variety of stakeholders - enabling it to have an excellent understanding of skills needs across a wide range of industries. The Group was rated ‘Good’ across all four provision types and all four key judgements, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes of students, effectiveness of leadership and management and personal development. Teachers across the Group were acknowledged for how they used their expertise to plan learning which enables learners and apprentices to continuously build on their knowledge and skills. The report also concluded that: Teachers use a range of effective assessment strategies in lessons to check learners’ and apprentices’ understanding and to identify gaps in their knowledge. Learners benefit from teachers who are well qualified and have expertise in the subjects that they teach, with many teachers continuing to practise in their specialist fields. The Group delivers effective specialist provision and vocational courses for learners with high needs, providing these learners with helpful opportunities to become more independent, develop work-related skills and follow routes into employment. Effective processes are in place at the Group to ensure that learners with high needs receive the right level of personal and medical care as outlined in their education, health and care plans. Learners feel safe at all three colleges and comfortable in voicing concerns to tutors as part of the safeguarding process. Leaders and managers are proactive participants in developing the skills strategy for the region and play an active role in collaborative research into innovative responses to skills needs. The Group supports staff well to ensure that their occupational and teaching skills are current, providing staff with a wide range of relevant training to develop their teaching expertise and industry knowledge. The Group promotes a culture that is supportive and inclusive and encourages collaborative working across the Group and the pooling of resources. There is a carefully structured and effective governance model, with Governors providing strong oversight, challenge and support to ensure that leaders make good progress. Andrew McConnell OBE, Chair of Governors at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “Our Board of Governors, Executive Team and colleagues across the Group are delighted with the result and are incredibly proud of our staff, students and the quality of provision delivered here at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group" "To receive a ‘Strong’ skills rating is a testament to the collaborative relationships our staff have built with a range of stakeholders, and how we embed this into everything that we do. The report confirms the vital role the Group plays in developing the skills strategy for the region and beyond, which is preparing our learners with the knowledge and behaviours to successfully progress into prosperous careers.” Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “After merging and aligning our colleges over the past two years, alongside dealing with the disruption of a global pandemic and the economic downturn, this is a fantastic result and is thanks to the hard work and resilience of our staff and students." "Creating an ambitious, skills-led curriculum is high on our agenda at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, so I’m thrilled that our intent and commitment to address regional and national skills gaps has been acknowledged." “It is also clear from the report that our students feel safe, supported and motivated as they carry out their learning journey with us, one which encourages them to continuously expand their knowledge, skillset and their horizons. I am truly grateful to all colleagues across the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group for their dedication and drive in making a difference to people’s lives across the communities we serve,” added Sam.

Entrepreneur and winner of The Apprentice, Tim Campbell MBE, has received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in recognition of his distinguished contribution to business and enterprise. Tim is one of a number of honorary graduates who embody the University’s values of inclusivity, social mobility and transforming lives and have been honoured during Sheffield Hallam’s graduation fortnight. Tim appeared as a contestant in series one of The Apprentice in February 2005 and was hired by Sir Alan Sugar. He is the founder of his own social enterprise, Bright Ideas Trust, and co-author of one of Amazon’s Top 10 business books for 2010, What’s Your Bright Idea? Tim was awarded the MBE for Enterprise Culture in the 2012 New Year’s Honours List. On receiving his award, Tim said: “It’s an honour to be recognised by Sheffield Hallam, a university that works hard to promote social mobility by improving access to higher education for people from all backgrounds." "I passionately believe that where you start in life should not determine your future and as one of the country’s most diverse universities, Sheffield Hallam is helping thousands of students each year to shape their futures. Congratulations to all this year’s graduates – don’t hold back, keep pushing forward and use your education as a platform to realise your full potential.” After his ceremony, Tim attended an event hosted at the Hallam iLab attended by enterprise placement students, iLab tenants and graduates and students who engage with the Enterprise team. The Hallam i-Lab is a dynamic co-working business incubation space located within Sheffield Hallam University, open to students, graduates and external businesses. During the event, Tim discussed the ‘transformational impact The Apprentice had on his life’, overcoming imposter syndrome and issues with confidence and how to start out in business with limited resources and knowledge. On imposter syndrome, Tim said: “You just have to remember, if you don’t do it, somebody else will. So why shouldn't it be you?” Tim joined Zishi Cornerstone as Marketing Director in 2021 and has supported the company’s link with Sheffield Business School since then. Zishi Cornerstone are an approved partner for the purposes of delivering financial markets teaching on two courses at Sheffield Business School. Professor Conor Moss, Dean of the College of Business, Technology and Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University said: “Tim's journey has been anything but simple and straightforward - he has navigated challenges and obstacles along the way. But Tim persevered and now stands as an inspirational role model for our graduates." “His life shows that you can find success if you take the knowledge and skills from your degree and go solve real problems. If you love what you do, spot issues you can fix, and seize opportunities when they come your way - you too can thrive just like Tim. He grasped every chance to grow and make a difference. And that drive and perseverance are what our graduates need to move forward in today's world.” Last week also saw Dr Sara Hornby receive an Honorary Doctor of Engineering award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to engineering and innovation through research and development. Sara undertook her degree and PhD at Sheffield Hallam and was the first female graduate in metallurgy. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the banking sector and his continued advocacy for Sheffield as a hub for finance in the North of England, Ian Stuart received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at a ceremony on 16 November. Ian said he was proud of the ‘innovative collaboration’ formed with Hallam and HSBC’s Global Tech Centre based here in Sheffield. Sathnam Sanghera also received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at a ceremony, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the social sciences through his writing on race, identity and shared British history. Sathnam said: “It's the stuff of dreams to be honoured like this, especially when you were a kid who couldn't speak English when you started at school, when you grew up in a home without books, and when no one in your family had ever attended university.” Honorary doctorates are awarded by universities to recognise outstanding achievement in a particular field or service to the broader community. Sheffield Hallam University has been awarding the accolades since gaining status as a university in 1993.

Family-owned and operated, Maldon-based Osea Leisure Park celebrates a Five Star rating from VisitEngland, making it the first park in Essex to receive this level of recognition for two on-site facilities, The Park and The Meadows. Osea Leisure Park has been scored by VisitEngland, as part of its quality assurance scheme, out of five levels of quality, exceeding each category, from cleanliness and services provided to physical facilities, by over 90%. Having successfully grown its offering, including its iconic pastel beach huts located on the Blackwater Estuary, quadrupling the number of staff, doubling the size of the Deckhouse bar and restaurant and building up the Meadows glamping site, Osea Leisure Park is at the forefront of tourism and hospitality. The park, which began its story pre-WW2 in 1933, was opened by Mabel Speakman to pea and fruit pickers for camping and to enjoy spending time with their families. Now, having recently celebrated its 90th birthday, it has been transformed into a leading, innovative, and community-focused business run by Mabel’s great-granddaughter Janie Robinson. The VisitEngland assessor commented: "Osea Leisure Park never stands still. A number of ideas and plans are in place for the future, and it is most encouraging to see the continual development and enhancement of the park and facilities with the management team and Owners being very much aware of the ever changing market and increasing guest expectations.” Janie Robinson, Managing Director of Osea Leisure Park says: "Since I took over Osea Leisure Park 20 years ago, it has been our mission to turn our resort into 'the best holiday park' using traditional values in a modern world." "Our team has always gone above and beyond to ensure every visitor who comes to our park makes memories that will last a lifetime. We are very proud of what we have achieved, and we can’t thank our team enough for the contribution each and every one of them has made in helping us achieve Five Star status.” Osea Leisure Park is an award-winning independent family park, built from traditional, community values and owned by four generations of the same family since inception. Its recent Five Star award highlights its efforts to push boundaries, having developed an additional 33 acres of the park to offer luxury camping facilities on the Meadows, including the Glass Houses, Emperor Pods, Royal Pods, Malvern Pods, Safari Tents, Stargazer Tents and luxury Shepherd’s Huts. The park enables holidaymakers to enjoy the perfect getaway, providing access to a range of outdoor activities including sea and freshwater fishing, the use of the beach, swimming, cycling, boating, kayaking and more. In addition, Osea Leisure Park also offers ownership opportunities for both new and used holiday homes, lodges, static caravans and beach huts, as well as Saltmarsh Point - an exclusive development of luxury lodges. Saltmarsh Point has 33 privately owned luxury holiday lodges within an exclusive enclave. A quiet and natural setting rich in wildlife, it is set alongside the unspoilt Essex coastline. A spokesperson for the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, the UK park industry’s representative body, said that Osea Leisure Park could take a real pride in its achievement: “Five stars is the highest possible grade awarded by Visit England and is a valuable indicator to guests and holiday caravan buyers of the high standards they can expect to enjoy." “Visit England assessors look not just at the quality of the park’s facilities and accommodation, but also at the friendliness, hospitality, and warmth of welcome extended to visitors." “In all these respects, Osea Leisure Park is clearly at the top of the game, and the five-star grading is a credit both to the business owners and their team." “The park’s participation in the David Bellamy Blooming Marvellous Pledge for Nature Scheme, organised by the Association, also suggests that nature and wildlife benefit from the same VIP treatment as their guests. Keep up the great work!” With plans to further extend its restaurant, develop new lodges and continue to update the menu at the Deckhouse Bar to reflect seasonal and local produce, Osea Leisure Park is proud to be at the forefront of the hospitality and tourism industry, creating an environment for holidaymakers where they can make lasting memories.

Insufficient support against a backdrop of rising levels of stress and mental health in the workplace is costing UK employers billions of pounds, according to a new study commissioned by a Blackpool businessman. It is estimated that around 15% of people experience mental health problems in the workplace while more than 15% have a neurodiverse condition such as ADHD or autism. The results of the report, which was recently conducted by Lancaster University for Joe Best of Perfect Support, come, he says, as no surprise. Perfect Support, based in the town, works to improve workplace wellbeing at companies across the UK. Changing corporate attitudes around awareness has become a personal mission for the 51-year-old, whose own story also continues to inspire those he helps. Despite leaving school with no qualifications and being diagnosed with dyslexia while at university, Joe went on to pass his Law degree at the age of 35 – followed by a Masters - and now plans to go on and do a PhD in Occupational Health and Wellbeing. “If you give me a chapter to read, I know it's going to take me three or four times longer than someone else. And my university tutors kept saying to me ‘have you bothered checking your spelling?’ and they eventually advised me to go and get tested. That’s when I got the diagnosis. All this time it seems I had just hidden it really well. I became good at just verbalising." “One of the best workplace comments I can remember, was when my manager said: ‘You don't look dyslexic!’ That sort of summed it up.” He added: “With any neurodiverse condition you can take two routes - You can wear it as a label and let it tie you down or you can adopt the attitude of ‘so what, I’m dyslexic.’ “I think, the reason I went in for my solicitor's exams and my Masters degree, is because of that. My mentality is such that no one tells me I can't do it. I like to prove them wrong. I feel really proud of what I’ve achieved." “I have real empathy. When people say to me ‘I can't do this because I'm dyslexic, I say ‘but look, I’ve got a Masters degree. I had to work my backside off to get it, but I did it!’ “If the managers take the time to figure out why a person is struggling in the workplace and give them the support, they can do their job. And it does frustrate me that managers sometimes just don't take that time and effort. I’m very passionate about that.” It's this passion that tempted Joe out of semi-retirement five years ago to establish Perfect Support, growing his network of 14 coaches. Each of them brings qualifications and experience across of wealth of specialisms including ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, autism, Bipolar Disorder, Tourette’s, stress, anxiety, depression and grief. He said: “The majority of people don't want the coach coming into their workplace and sitting next to them. Or them having to find a spare room somewhere or having to leave their desk. With virtual support no one has to know except them and their line manager. And they don’t even have to do it in work hours. We're really flexible with our clients.” With more than 15% of people in the UK neurodivergent, any organisation of a fair size is likely to have neurodiversity within their workforce. It is estimated that around 50% of those don’t even know they are neurodiverse. Lancaster University’s report states: “Ensuring neurodiversity among a workforce can bring significant benefits for organisations. Dyslexic individuals, for example, are inherently creative, think ‘outside the box’ and are great at seeing patterns in ‘big data’, all valuable skills for any workplace. For this reason, people with dyslexia are increasingly being sought by employers. Companies are having recruitment drives aimed specifically at people with dyslexia." “In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting an increase of 26% and 28% respectively in just one year. It is estimated that 15% of working-age adults live with a mental disorder." The report continues: “Without effective support, mental disorders and other mental health conditions can affect a person’s confidence and identity at work, capacity to work productively, absences and the ease to retain or gain work." “Workplace stress can result in demoralised workforces, low morale, more absence, and higher staff turnover.” After exploring career paths in Law and IT, Joe has never felt more rewarded than in his current role. “People are struggling in the workplace, and it's not their fault,” he said. “If they've got a neurodiverse condition, they can still do that job, they just need a bit of guidance. It’s the same with mental health." “Some companies embrace it, and other companies just don't want to know. There’s still that stigma and mentality among employers. Even if the company is really good at putting the support in place, sometimes the managers just don't understand it." “Everyone always dumbs you down - Oh, you're dyslexic, you can't read or you’re autistic so you won't talk to someone or socialise. Rather than looking at all the negatives, why aren’t they spinning that and saying what's the positives? What does it mean to our workforce?" “By turning the focus to mental wellbeing, employers can do their part to make the world a better place to work. The report showed that only 39% of UK employees said their workplace provided good mental wellbeing support, suggesting that, sadly, more work needs to be done.”

JCB is getting into the festive spirit with the launch of its annual toy appeal to bring Christmas cheer to children. The JCB Christmas Toy Appeal got under way with the setting up of 14 special collection points at the company’s factories in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham where employees can donate new and unused toys and gifts. The appeal culminates on Thursday, November 30th, when the gifts will be handed over to three charities: the NSPCC, the Stoke-on-Trent Hubb Foundation and Wrexham-based Yellow and Blue. At JCB’s World HQ in Rocester, a special JCB Christmas digger collection point has been set up in the reception area so employees - and members of the public - can drop off their festive donations. Employees at JCB’s other factories in Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Hixon, Foston and Wrexham are supporting the appeal and organisers are aiming to top last year’s donation of 1,000 gifts across the company. JCB Group HR Director Max Jeffery said: “The JCB Christmas Toy Appeal is a real team effort which will make a huge difference to children in the communities in which we live and work. Our appeal last year was a resounding success with more than 1,000 gifts donated by employees across all our UK sites.” JCB apprentices Abbie Graham, 22, of Uttoxeter, Ioan Evans, 21, of Rocester, Lisa Gamble, 22, of Stone, and Luke Zona, 21, of Ashbourne, are helping to co-ordinate the appeal. Ioan said: “It is a real privilege to help organise this event for such a great cause. The gifts are for children who may get nothing, or very little, at Christmas so every gift will truly make a difference.”

A farm shop in the Meon Valley has warned geese is off the menu for families across Hampshire this year because local farmers have not been able to source traditional British festive birds. Westlands Farm Shop near Wickham has expected turkeys orders to outstrip last year because of the shortage of geese and has urged customers to place their Christmas meat order in good time ahead of the Yuletide festivities. Local farmers have struggled to supply farm shops and supermarkets with traditional British geese this year because of the largest ever outbreak of avian flu, with more than 140 reported outbreaks in England alone. Suzi Howard, Head Butcher at Westlands Farm Shop, said they have already seen a high demand for turkeys this year because some of their customers can’t order their preferred festive bird. She added: “We’ve seen brisk trade in the shop, with turkeys being the most popular Christmas meat order this year. Because we have no geese available, it is more important than ever for customers to place their meat order early to secure their Christmas lunch centrepiece." “Despite there being a higher demand for turkeys, we’re confident we will be able to supply orders to all of our customers because we source our festive birds from a local farm on Portsdown Hill - as long as orders are placed as early as possible." “This year we’ve got a great range of meat to choose from including turkey, chicken, lamb, duck, ham, beef, pork and plenty more. But please remember to place your order sooner rather than later."

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt must do everything he can to unlock urgently needed business investment in the Autumn Statement, says Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. The county’s ‘voice of business’ believes targeted tax cuts for firms are the best way to stimulate investment and boost growth amid continuing economic stagnation and uncertainty. The call follows data from the Office for National Statistics that confirmed zero growth in gross domestic product in the third quarter of the year and a similarly constrained forecast for the coming three months. Among the factors to dent economic confidence and momentum are high interest rates, inflation, subdued consumer confidence and pressures around energy costs. Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive, said: “Across many industry sectors, our members are facing significant challenges to their immediate working capital and longer-term trading activities. After three years of economic shocks, they are now having to deal with the corrosive drag of inflation, interest rates and rising energy bills." “High borrowing costs create a double whammy. It means more expensive operating costs just at the time when demand is dampened from customers feeling the squeeze too. Coupled with this, recruitment challenges persist because of labour skills shortages, so adding further to the costs of trading." “While inflation must be tamed, the Chancellor should be bold and take targeted steps to ease the tax burden on business. We call on him to extend the capital allowance scheme that allows firms to deduct the full cost of investments in IT equipment, plant and machinery from their profits, the so called ‘full expensing’ regime. Mr Hunt could extend this by a year or longer, or make it permanent. Any move in that direction would be welcome as a way to incentivise business investment." “At the same time, he could announce more help on business rate relief, take steps to tackle delays in the planning system and provide more support measures for training and recruitment, and employees’ occupational health." “For those Hampshire businesses selling into overseas markets, the government needs to champion the prospects for a globalised UK through a long-term export drive." “The Chancellor must encourage more mid-size firms to aim for the opportunities that become available in global markets. That will require a major shift in support for exporting now and in the years to come." “Another key national and regional priority is infrastructure. Business does not operate in a vacuum so the more that government can do on critical infrastructure such as transport, housing, energy, waste management, utility services and broadband, the better the trading landscape is." “We need to see a clear, long-term growth strategy from the Chancellor that tackles weak economic performance, builds climate resilience, encourages global trade and improves the overall outlook for firms." “Encouraging investment and supporting the environment that businesses operate in, is central to achieving that.”

The Corporate Recruiters Survey provides annual insights on hiring trends and skill demands, and the latest report focuses on future workplace skills employers see as growing in demand, and how current global trends are affecting hiring decisions worldwide. The report surveys leading global firms, with over half of the sample of employers coming from Fortune 500 companies. Employers who were looking to hire tech-focused graduates stated AI and Machine learning were vital competencies to have. Surpassing the demand for AI, a remarkable 80 per cent of companies are actively searching for candidates with technical expertise in Web3, blockchain, and virtual reality skills. Additionally, 75 per cent of these companies emphasise the importance of proficiency in operating cloud-based technology. Other findings in the report highlight communication, data analysis, and strategy expertise as the most essential skills for graduates according to surveyed employers. Moreover, they anticipate that these proficiencies will gain even greater significance in the future, which is characterised by increased global connectivity through even more diverse mediums than at present. As a result, multilingualism, active listening, and cross-cultural competence are also underlined by surveyed employers to become increasingly indispensable over the next five years. "We are witnessing a significant transformation in the hiring landscape, with a clear shift towards the prioritisation of cutting-edge technologies in recruitment," says Nalisha Patel, Europe Regional Director at GMAC. "As technology continues to shape the future workplace, it not only changes how we work, what skills we need to be successful, but also it impacts with who we work with too.” Indeed, in both the technology and consulting sectors, employers highlighted the significance of cross-cultural competence and multilingualism for recent graduates; while just over 50% of tech employers believe candidates are well-prepared in multilingual skills, fewer than half felt the same about cross-cultural competence. Employers in the consulting industry, on the whole, consider graduates to be sufficiently prepared in most aspects. Nevertheless, specific concerns among employers in Western Europe and the Middle East, particularly regarding cross-cultural competence and nonverbal communication skills, were underlined. In contrast, employers in the United States express a more critical stance on graduates' preparedness, particularly in essential communication skills like active listening, negotiating, and conflict resolution. Similarly, US employers also expressed lower confidence with how equipped graduates were in technology, software, and programming skills, which 62% of the sample overall found to become even more important over the next 5 years. Founded in 1953, GMAC is a non-profit organisation that serves as a global association of leading graduate business schools. For over 20 years now, The Corporate Recruiters Survey has been providing data and insights to graduate business schools and employers. This year, the report came from over 1,000 surveys conducted between January and March 2023, with 34 nationalities represented.

Despite continued pressure on costs, leading Yorkshire-based temperature-controlled food storage and distribution business Reed Boardall has put in a strong performance, seeing profits before taxation rise to £1.4m for the year ending 31 March 2023. The group, which provides storage and logistics services from its single site in Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, to many of the UK’s leading food manufacturers and retailers, achieved a £5.5m uplift in profits year-on-year. In 2021-2022, a number of adverse conditions, including Covid lockdowns, a cyber-attack and spiralling fuel and energy costs, resulted in the company sustaining a £4.1m loss. Marcus Boardall, chief executive of Reed Boardall, said: “Given global uncertainty as the Ukraine conflict continues, together with ongoing inflation, pressure on our costs has been unrelenting. In such a challenging environment, the group has once again put in a strong performance, based on its longevity, outstanding reputation in the sector and the skills of our highly trained team." “We were pleased to see labour shortages having a smaller impact last year than previously, largely due to initiatives we have undertaken to ease the industry’s recruitment issues, including our ongoing investment in training and improving working practices. By the end of the financial year, we had succeeded in training over 50 new recruits via our in-house driver academy, enabling them to become qualified HGV drivers, as well as having set up a number of administration and technician apprenticeships.” Mr Boardall continues: “Having already weathered one of the toughest years in our 30-year history, we are pleased that our latest financial results show the strength of the business as we look forward to further growth. The year ahead looks positive as we continue to prove the success of our single site strategy which enables us to provide an efficient and reliable service to our customer.” Group finance director Sarah Roberts adds: “It is great news that despite market turmoil, the business is back on track with both turnover and profits increasing. Some of the positive trends we saw included higher average store utilisation than the previous year, and the recent extension to our 168,000 pallet cold store running at very high capacity." “The group prides itself for being at the forefront of the cold storage and distribution sector and we plan to continue to innovate, for example, by seeking to further reduce our carbon consumption, water usage and waste production; and by investing in new technology and practices to drive additional operating efficiencies." “Our can-do attitude, long heritage and financial strength, put us in a strong position to continue to support some of the leading names in the UK food industry.” Based on a dedicated 55-acre site operation in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, Reed Boardall has grown to become one of the largest temperature-controlled food distribution businesses in the UK. With a fleet of 200 vehicles operating 24 hours a day, year-round, it delivers 12,000 pallets of frozen food daily from manufacturers across Britain, Europe and further afield to all the UK’s best-known supermarkets. It also provides blast freezing, picking and packaging services.

In an era defined by unprecedented challenges, the spotlight on sustainability has never been more crucial. As the global community grapples with climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, the call for sustainable practices resonates louder than ever. Sustainability, at its core, is the conscious effort to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This multifaceted concept extends beyond environmental concerns, encompassing economic stability, social equity, and responsible governance. One of the pillars of sustainability is environmental conservation. The escalating threats of climate change and biodiversity loss necessitate urgent action. Companies and individuals alike are increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices, from embracing renewable energy sources to reducing waste and promoting circular economies. Economic sustainability is another dimension that demands attention. Businesses are recognising the long-term benefits of incorporating sustainable practices into their operations. Not only does this enhance efficiency and reduce costs, but it also caters to the growing consumer demand for ethically produced goods and services. Social sustainability involves fostering inclusive societies where everyone has access to opportunities and resources. Initiatives that prioritise fair labour practices, diversity, and community engagement contribute to the overall well-being of societies. Governments worldwide play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable policies and regulations. By incentivising environmentally friendly practices and penalising unsustainable ones, policymakers can steer societies toward a more sustainable future. Education is a key driver in fostering a culture of sustainability. As awareness grows, individuals become empowered to make informed choices that align with a sustainable lifestyle. From conscious consumption to advocating for policy changes, the collective impact of informed citizens is formidable. The urgency to address sustainability is not just a moral imperative but an economic and environmental necessity. Embracing sustainability is an investment in resilience—a commitment to building a world that can withstand the challenges of today and the uncertainties of tomorrow. As individuals, businesses, and governments unite in this endeavour, the promise of a sustainable future becomes not just a possibility but a shared responsibility.

Over 33,000 kids’ toothbrushes and 6,000 tubes of kids’ toothpaste will be donated to help combat hygiene poverty in the UK. Research by charity In Kind Direct found that 1 in 6 (17%) UK adults are living in hygiene poverty.1 Their research also found that 6% of adults say they, or someone in their household have gone without a toothbrush in the last six months because they could not afford it. In response, Tesco has been working with four of its suppliers – Unilever, Kimberley Clark, Essity and Haleon – and In Kind Direct to provide support to people who need it the most. From 23rd August to 3rd October, all four manufacturers have donated one product to In Kind Direct for every two products purchased, in-store or online by Tesco shoppers. This campaign has resulted in thousands of products being donated. In Kind Direct will distribute the donated products to their network of over 6,000 charitable organisations that are the frontline support for families within their local communities. To further support the campaign, Tesco is providing a donation of 33,000 toothbrushes and 6,000 tubes of kids’ toothpaste. Rosanne Gray, CEO at In Kind Direct, said: “Making tough choices every day between food, personal hygiene products and rent is the reality for far too many people. We are delighted to be working alongside Tesco and four brilliant manufacturers; Essity, Haleon, Kimberly Clark, and Unilever to help tackle hygiene poverty. We're looking forward to seeing the impact this partnership will have in communities across the UK.” Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “It’s really important to us that we are able to support even more people in our communities to get essential items. Our work with our suppliers and In Kind Direct helps get vital support to where it is needed the most.”

Sainsbury’s is donating one million fresh meals to support families in need this winter to mark the launch of a new partnership with FareShare, the UK's biggest charity tackling food waste to support social good. More than one million meals will be supplied by two of Sainsbury’s fresh food suppliers, Greencore and Cranswick, and distributed to families and those in need through FareShare over the winter period. The donation marks the start of FareShare’s Alliance Manufacturing programme which will see Sainsbury’s and the food industry working together to utilise surplus and donated resources of any kind - food, packaging, labour and capacity - to produce more nutritious food to help people in need. The partnership is part of the new Coronation Food Project launched by His Majesty King Charles which aims to address the growing issue of food insecurity in the UK. The one million meals donation builds on Sainsbury’s existing efforts to address food poverty this Christmas, including continuing to redistribute surplus food from its stores through Neighbourly. The retailer is also aiming to raise £3 million for Comic Relief as part of its Nourish the Nation programme, with fundraising activity including donations from the sale of festive sandwiches and selected Christmas decorations, cards and wrap. Simon Roberts, Chief Executive Officer at Sainsbury’s, said: “We believe good food should be for all, but we know the reality for many communities across the UK is they need support more now than ever with access to food." “We will support as many people and families as we can who are facing the anxiety of not knowing how, or when, they’ll next put food on the table. Working together with two of our key suppliers, Cranswick and Greencore, we will donate more than a million meals this winter." “We will be extending the work we already do with Fareshare and the Felix Project in redistributing surplus food from our stores.  Working in partnership with suppliers, we will find new ways to unlock more surplus food upstream in our supply chains and in manufacturing and production that can be repurposed for people who really need it. We’re fully committed to being part of the Coronation Food Project and this important industry-wide collaboration to make a real difference, increasing access to good food for everybody.” George Wright, CEO of FareShare, said: “We are thrilled to have the King’s support for FareShare and our work to tackle the environmental damage of food waste and turn it into a social good. I'm also delighted at the incredible support from the retailers and manufacturers who have adopted our new model to tackle waste of all kinds, and they are already generating significantly more food for our charities as a result."  “This will be shared through our national network of over 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society, such as after-school and breakfast clubs, homeless shelters, older people’s lunch clubs, and many more. " “At a time of so much need, we’re proud to be part of this initiative, joining forces with our partners right across the food industry, to get more good-to-eat food to people that need it.” Dalton Philips, Chief Executive Officer, Greencore, said: "Greencore has a longstanding relationship with FareShare, and this year alone, we have already donated over 1.8 million meals to people living in food poverty. We are delighted to partner with Sainsbury's, Cranswick and FareShare to provide one million additional meals over the winter, to ensure that even more people have access to healthy, nutritious food." Adam Couch, Chief Executive Officer, Cranswick, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sainsbury’s, Greencore and Fareshare to support the launch of the Coronation Food Project; collectively providing enough food to supply over one million nutritious meals this winter.  Cranswick have a long standing relationship with Fareshare, having already donated over three million servings of meat this year to those in need, and we are pleased to add further support to this important cause.” The Coronation Food Project is a visionary new initiative led by the Prince of Wales Charitable Fund and inspired by the leadership of King Charles III. It aims to unite the food industry in the pursuit of reducing all forms of waste in the food supply chain and increase the amount of surplus food that is redistributed to those in need, thereby increasing our collective environmental and social impact. Sainsbury’s is a founding member of FareShare and already works with them to redistribute depot food surplus, supporting nearly 8,500 frontline charities and community projects across the UK.