A club that supports children and families from some of Glasgow’s poorest households is celebrating after a five-figure donation from one of Scotland’s leading family firms. In their first month of doubling charity donations to £240,000 per year, Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust gave £10,000 to The Jeely Piece Club in Castlemilk. Jeely, as they are known, started 47 years ago in the heart of the community in a purpose-built play area for youngsters aged five to 12 years. They say the children who use their services are generally living in poverty, which means they do not get the same opportunities as others of a similar age. “Life is harder for children from poorer households, and this has an overall effect on their health, well-being, and mental health,” said Jeely. “Our play development workers work closely with the children, and they can recognise the signs of a child struggling. Currently, we are witnessing children who are hungry, not dressed for the climate, showing different behaviour traits, generally unhealthy, and who are missing out on other opportunities.” The charity said many children in Castlemilk do not get the opportunity to visit the cinema, go bowling, or even have a birthday party – all of which adds to their frustration, low confidence, feelings of anger, isolation and embarrassment. There were also the effects of financial pressures at home, as well as the continuing consequences of the Covid pandemic, domestic violence, addiction issues and more. Jeely identified a need for a programme specifically for young people aged between nine and 12 years and started it in August 2021, since when 60 young people have been attending weekly two-hour sessions. When that was in danger of ending because of a lack of funding, the charity approached AVCT, who have now awarded them £10,000. “The Jeely Piece Club is absolutely elated that you have awarded the organisation £10,000,” said CEO Elaine McKenna. “The difference this makes in our current climate is phenomenal. “We plan to keep up our initiatives and plan for more for the future dependent on funding. “Once again thank you for your support to enable us to continue our vital work within our community.” David Facenna, Allied Vehicles Corporate Culture Director, who visited the charity to tell them about the award, added: “Young people have been growing up against the backdrop of the cost-of-living and other crises over recent years, and it must have been exceptionally difficult for them." “The Jeely Piece Club does some brilliant work within this sector, and I’m pleased that they are among the first recipients of our increased monthly charity funding.”

Edinburgh Rugby will launch a brand new and special season ticket package for grassroots rugby players when season ticket memberships go on sale as part of the club’s ongoing commitment to grassroots rugby. The latest feature of the club’s ‘Our Burgh’ initiative, means all active registered rugby players (for season 2023/24) on Scottish Rugby’s ‘SCRUMS’ database will have access to a £99 Season Ticket membership ‘ER Player Pass’, that secures their place at the home of Edinburgh Rugby for 12 unmissable domestic and European Cup pool matches in 2023/24. The Player Pass ensures all registered players in Scotland for the coming season can get behind the club at a reduced cost, while the capital side will continue to embrace the sport at a local level through the wider Our Burgh activations and host a dedicated ‘Club Appreciation Night’ in-season once more. While this offer is also available to active youth players registered on SCRUMS, junior supporters can take advantage of U16 prices with both a £95 (Cat 3) and £50 (Cat 4) season ticket available for 2023/24. All Season Ticket Memberships are subject to availability and a £5 order processing fee. Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director, Douglas Struth, said: “Players pulling on their boots up and down the country is what makes our great game tick, so we’re delighted to unveil a new season ticket product that is truly ‘for the players’. “We want Edinburgh Rugby to be one of the most inclusive and welcoming clubs in the BKT URC, and to foster a culture of mutual support between the pro team and club rugby in our supporting regions." “This ticketing initiative allows every registered club rugby player to watch Edinburgh Rugby at a reduced cost, with a season ticket reasonably priced at £99 – which works at just £8.25 per home game." “Whether you’re playing for Southern Knights, Dunfermline, Dundee or Corstorphine Cougars, we want to welcome you in your numbers for what is set to be another massive season in the capital.” With anticipation already building for the new campaign, and a large share of members already signed up during the renewal period, club players are encouraged to buy early to secure their ER Player Pass season ticket membership while spaces are still available. To purchase your ER Player Pass Season Ticket, players can select the Category 4 £99 Season Ticket option in the dropdown menu. All purchasers will be cross-referenced against the SCRUMS Rugby Management System. Get ready to secure your Season Ticket on Monday 12 June with the public sale live from 10am!

A bird loving resident at a care home in Leeds, was recently given the opportunity to care for two of her very own budgies – a species of bird renowned for being a safe and friendly companion. 84-year-old Faith who lives with dementia moved into Seacroft Grange, Leeds, a 95-bed care home in September 2022. Whilst Faith enjoys her own company, staff at the care home noticed she was spending more time in her bedroom using her binoculars to spot red kites which often fly over the home. Staff at Seacroft Grange wanted to support Faith and asked her whether she would like to have two of her very own budgies in her room to take care of. Faith said, “They are great company, and they chatter, I love watching them. My daughter and I named them Archie and Daisy.” Faith’s daughter said, “Mum is fascinated by the budgies, she looks happier than ever and we can’t believe the care home has done this for her – she’s so happy.” Whilst the budgies reside in Faith’s bedroom, they are often seen in the communal areas of the home interacting and chirping away to the residents. Warwick, a resident at Seacroft Grange said, “I kept budgies in an aviary when I was a young man. They were very noisy - tweeting and flying around – I remember it well. “When I joined the forces, I was unable to keep them, so being able to spend time with Daisy and Archie here is wonderful.” Care home manager, Eve Moran, said, “We are very in tune with our residents’ needs and we’ve always known about Faith and many of the other residents’ love of birds. “Faith loves to talk to us about the red kites she has spotted, and we know her daughter had a budgie called Stanley that lived to be 15." “We wanted to do something that we knew would have a positive impact on Faith and the other residents’ wellbeing in the home and a set of budgies was suggested by a staff member.” Once the team had discussed the idea with Faith and her family, the budgies were bought from Paws for Thought, a local pet shop on York Road. The shop also donated toys for the birds when they found out where the budgies were going. Wellbeing team leader at Seacroft Grange, Linda Shaw, added, “The residents love seeing the budgies and the first thing they do is smile. The budgies have been a very welcome addition - the bright colours and chirping provide stimulation and brings a lot of happiness to the home." “Birds are great companions as they chatter back to the residents which helps to relieve stress and feelings of loneliness.” The budgies have quickly become a part of the residents’ daily routine, providing them with companionship and a source of joy and purpose. They spend hours each day watching them fly around their cage and interact with each other and Faith has even been asking for a hoover to clean up the seeds in her bedroom. Eve added, “It is so important to support our residents and provide them with opportunities to pursue their interests and hobbies." “It’s really lovely seeing the other residents congregate with the budgies in the communal lounges at the home – it’s really helped with their overall wellbeing. We’re delighted we’ve been able to improve the quality of life for many of our residents.”

Bradford College is celebrating after being declared the top apprenticeship training provider in West Yorkshire together with Bradford Teaching Hospitals. The partnership won the Training Provider/Programme of the Year category at the annual West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2023 – the second consecutive time this has been given to the Bradford College Apprenticeship team. The two organisations were recognised for widening participation across the district, increasing employment via the apprenticeship levy, and seeing individuals progress within the trust as qualified practitioners. Bradford College apprentice Elise Sherry from Low Moor Primary School was also a finalist in the Advanced Apprentice of the Year category, sponsored by FDM Group. Elise was selected for her grit and determination, overcoming barriers, and being a role model for the children she works with every day, showing them hard work pays off. Held at the brand new Tileyard North in Wakefield, the gala dinner and awards ceremony celebrated apprentices, businesses, and mentors in the region who have excelled in their chosen fields and inspired others to consider embarking on an apprenticeship scheme. Finalists across 11 categories were invited to attend the awards, presented by former ITV Calendar presenter and journalist Gaynor Barnes. Four industry experts whittled down the many entries to the final “stunning” shortlist. Kelly McAllister, Head of Apprenticeships and Business Development at Bradford College, said: “We were over the moon to get both our nominations shortlisted for the finals of this year’s West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards. To then be selected as the top apprenticeship provider in the region for the second year running is a fantastic achievement for the team and Bradford College. " “A huge congratulations and thank you to our partners at Bradford Teaching Hospitals. Together we make a difference; we widen participation into a meaningful apprenticeship that creates long-lasting employment. To our apprentices who work tirelessly in the NHS helping those most in need….this is your award!!!" “Congratulations also go to our Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprentice, Elise, for being shortlisted for Advanced Apprentice of the Year and an outstanding ambassador for apprenticeships. It was fantastic to see her hard work recognised, alongside that of her exceptional lecturers, assessors, and employers.” Katie Hopkins, Head of Community and Marketing at Tileyard North, said: "We were thrilled to host the second West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards in our event space, the Carding Shed, at Tileyard North. As a creative hub, we take pride in providing a platform to showcase talent and facilitate events for the community. It's an honour to host events like this and come together to celebrate our region’s achievements.” With close to a million active Apprenticeships across England alone, apprenticeship schemes have fast become a route to future employment for thousands of school leavers. Bradford College has 30 years’ experience in delivering apprenticeships and working closely with over 700 employers within Bradford and the wider Leeds City Region. The College benefits from high-quality training facilities and highly qualified industry-specialist staff. Apprenticeship programmes at various levels are offered across in-demand sectors, including healthcare, professional services, construction, engineering, dental, motor vehicle, early years, and teaching. For more details about becoming an apprentice, vacancies, funding, or employing apprentices, visit the Bradford College website here

Staff from Rudding Park, The White Hart and The Yorkshire Hotel joined volunteers at non-for-profit care provider, Harrogate Neighbours to lend a helping hand on their daily “meals on wheels” run. Non-for-profit care provider, Harrogate Neighbours is celebrating its army of 75 selfless volunteers during National Volunteers’ Week and calling out for more volunteers in the community. The organisation, which supports older and vulnerable people living in the Harrogate district runs a number of vital services, including “meals on wheels”, known as Food Angels. Food Angels prepares over 150 hot and nutritious meals every day which are delivered by a team of volunteers. Harrogate Neighbours’ team of volunteers delivers on average 33,000 meals a year and has been running the service for over 10 years, with over 250,000 hot meals delivered to date. Like so many areas of the social care sector, meals on wheels requires greater government funding to support older and vulnerable people living within the community, who without the dedicated volunteers who run the service would not receive a nutritionally balanced, hot daily meal. Simon Cotton, Managing Director of the HRH Group, said, “We try to do what we can when we can to support local charities. Harrogate Neighbours is a wonderful charity which does so much for people locally. " “Working in hospitality, we know the stresses of a busy kitchen, so for the Food Angels chefs and volunteers to cook daily hot meals from scratch and deliver the meals in time for a lunch is truly admirable and we are delighted to be part of it during National Volunteers’ Week.” Jessica Mackaness, Rudding Park ‘Giving Something Back’ Co-ordinator said, “Today has been a real eye opener for us and fits perfectly with our ethos and mission as an organisation to give something back to the local community." “We encourage all our staff to support local charities through various initiatives; including a match giving scheme for taking part in fundraising events and a volunteering scheme where all employees receive a paid days’ leave each year to volunteer with a charity of their choice.” Marie Baker has volunteered with the Food Angels for 8 years, she said, “I am blessed to have the time to volunteer and over the years i have forged such wonderful friendships." “Being part of Food Angels is so much more than just delivering a hot meal – some of the people I deliver to won’t see a single other person that day, so to be able to provide that extra care solidified by decision to volunteer.” Speaking on behalf of Harrogate Neighbours, CEO, Sue Cawthray said, “We’re incredibly grateful to the wonderful, long-standing volunteers who so selflessly give their time to the Food Angels every day." “We’d also like to thank Simon, Jessica and their teams for joining our volunteers out on the road. We really value the support from local businesses and hearing their thoughts on our service is wonderful." “We would love to spread our wings into other areas where we know our service is needed, but without the volunteers this isn’t possible. Supporting Food Angels by joining the team for just one hour a day, could make such a difference to so many older and vulnerable people in the region.”

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced plans for a new state-of-the-art home for its archives. Archive House, an existing building in the Sherwood Industrial Estate in Bonnyrigg, will be converted to a world-class facility to house the organisation’s extensive records and archives, which give a unique insight in to over 5,000 years of Scotland’s history. The project, which is expected to be completed by 2026, will meet recognised standards for archive buildings and be an exemplar of reuse and retrofit. With overall project management by Gleeds, design by Oberlanders and with specialist engineering input from Buro Happold, the project aims to be the first public building to be designed implementing the new Scottish Government Net Zero Public Sector Building Standard. This takes into account not only the carbon emissions of the building while in use, but also the carbon emissions associated with the building materials and maintenance. Currently housed at John Sinclair House in Edinburgh and other locations across central Scotland, the HES Archive is home to the national archaeological and architectural archive. It holds over 3,500 different collections, comprising drawings, photographs, documents, prints and tomes stretching across 15km of shelving. The new archive facility will enable these collections to be protected to the highest standards. In 2026, the existing Archive Search Room and Library, which are open to the public, will also be move out of John Sinclair House and into nearby Longmore House, HES’ headquarters. This will ensure that this national collection remains easily accessible for researchers and members of the public. The archive handles around 12,000 direct enquiries annually, while approximately 3 million users access the archive online each year. It is expected that with better accessibility both online and in-person, user numbers across Scotland’s communities and beyond will increase. Work is already well underway to prepare the archive for its move, as archivists carry out the exhaustive task of listing, documenting, location-coding and repackaging every single one of the approximately 6 million items held within the collections. Lesley Ferguson, Head of Archives at HES, said: “This project is the greatest opportunity our generation has had to discover, catalogue, conserve and secure the knowledge that underpins the understanding and conservation of Scotland’s history." “Our archives offer an unparalleled view of the nation’s past, and this project will ensure they can be protected for future generations. This new purpose-built space will help us enhance and increase our conservation and cataloguing work, while advanced environmental protections and controls will help prevent damage to our priceless collections." “As well as safeguarding our archive, we are excited about the opportunity this project offers to inspire new audiences to engage with our unique collections and to make them more accessible than ever before." “We understand how important it is for current users of our archive to be aware of the project and how it might impact them, and we will be providing regular updates as our plans develop.”

Clarion is continuing to recognise and reward legal talent within the firm with the promotion to legal director for Andrew Curtis, Sarah Manning, Daniel Carlton and Stephanie Douthwaite Working within the banking and finance team, Andrew joined Clarion in 2019 as an associate, rising to senior associate a year later. With 12 years’ legal experience, he previously worked for an international law firm where he advised UK clearing banks, international debt funds, pension funds, and national and international borrowers on bilateral and club transactions. He has worked with both lenders and borrowers on various finance deals, such as real estate finance, leverage finance and general corporate finance, including advising the private equity market and advising lenders on the listing of borrower clients. Over the last two years since joining Clarion, Sarah Manning has become a valued member of Clarion’s family practice in her role as a senior associate.. With A 15-year specialism in family law, she qualified as a mediator in 2012, and specialises in high-net-worth, complex children and financial mediation cases – she is a trained hybrid mediator and also a child inclusive trained mediator. Sarah is passionate about dispute resolution methods and works with clients individually in a solicitor capacity or as a mediator to a couple to help them reach a resolution without the need of the court’s intervention. As well as being a member of Resolution, Sarah is also the chair of Family Mediation Week through the Family Mediation Council. Daniel Carlton, who leads Clarion’s debt recovery team, has more than 25 years’ experience advising and developing debt collection and credit control services for a variety of clients. Having joined Clarion in 2010 as a manager, he has driven the growth of the firm’s debt recovery services, assisting blue-chip companies throughout the UK to maximise their cash flow. His areas of expertise include working with clients to streamline credit control processes, reduce DSO and find answers to aged debt issues. He has worked extensively in the building products/manufacturing, commercial landlord, leisure, retail, recruitment and utilities sectors. Daniel has established the debt recovery team as a Tier 1 firm in Yorkshire and the Humber in Legal 500, and he has been listed as the only ‘leading individual’ in this area. Stephanie Douthwaite joined Clarion in 2016 as an associate and was promoted to senior associate in 2020, she and has over nine years of experience in family law. Stephanie has also gained valuable experience on business matters, enabling her to stand out for her ability to deal with family matters involving business assets. Stephanie is a Resolution Accredited Specialist, her areas of specialism being complex higher income financial remedies and private children law. Stephanie deals mostly in complex and high net worth finance cases, experienced in utilising the full range of court or out-of-court dispute resolution methods to best suit the client’s needs, and is also regularly instructed to assist with wealth planning through advising on and preparing nuptial agreements. “Andrew, Sarah, Daniel and Stephanie have all made a significant contribution to the firm’s success and, as legal directors, they will play a strategic role in our continued growth,” explains Roger Hutton, joint managing partner of Clarion. “With his extensive knowledge of the banking sector, Andrew has consistently supported the partners in developing client relationships and building his own client base; he is also working towards excellence in transaction management, business development and people management. “Sarah has impressed us with her enthusiasm and commitment to her vision of growing our mediation practice with her ability to ‘stand in her client’s shoes’ helping her to achieve the best, most amicable resolution for clients and their families. An adept networker, she has built contacts in both Yorkshire and London" "As head of the debt recovery team, Daniel’s commercial acumen has enabled him to establish an impressive roster of clients and create a successful practice with a market-leading offering. Stephanie is a well-regarded member of the Clarion family team and she is an integral part its success, embodying Clarion values. These promotions are well-deserved, and we look forward to continuing to support the career aspirations of these hard-working and talented lawyers.” Recently recognised at the third fastest growing law firm in Europe, Clarion last year had a turnover of almost £27m and works both nationally and internationally. It has a 300-strong team, including 31 partners.

Oran Homecare, a locally owned and operated care provider from Fife, has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Scottish Care Provider of the Year award. Nominated alongside UK national care giants 'Bluebird Homecare' and 'The Good Care Group,' the Fife care organisation emerged as the winner, receiving recognition for exceptional commitment to delivering outstanding care services to its clients. The prestigious award was presented by Dr. Donald Macaskill and Michelle McManus at the ‘Scottish Care Care at Home and Housing Support Awards’ ceremony held on 19th May 2023. The Scottish Care Provider of the Year award is given to a service that can prove they are at the forefront of excellent care provision in Scotland. With the goal of ‘Raising The Standards of Care in Scotland’, Oran Homecare has established a reputation for providing exceptional care services that meet the unique needs of each individual. Audrey Mcfarlane, company director said: “People are at the heart of everything we do. Feeling valued, respected, and encouraged to contribute brings out the best in everyone and these principles provide a framework for our policies, procedures, and most importantly our care practices." "We’d like to say a massive congratulations to all of our care team and management staff. This award is recognition of their incredible professionalism, hard work and dedication over the last few years." Oran Homecare's well-deserved victory at the 2023 Scottish Care Provider of the Year award reflects their ongoing pursuit of excellence, their dedication to their clients, and their steadfast commitment to raising the bar for care provision in Scotland. This achievement will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration to other smaller providers in the care community, and Oran Homecare's success will continue to inspire others to deliver exceptional care services.

Despite advances in office technology and hybrid working, the role of the traditional receptionist is still alive and well, according to a new survey by global communications leader, Moneypenny , in which 82% of the facilities managers surveyed in the UK confirmed they still have a receptionist at their office, and 82% also believe they will still have one in five years’ time. However, those without a dedicated receptionist said that they now use either their security team (55%), tech-based check-in for visitors (48%), anyone who is available (31%), a junior member of staff (24%), or a combination of several of these methods, which could be damaging for first impressions of a business if there is a lack of consistency. In those businesses that do still have a receptionist, the survey suggests the role has changed significantly, as 52% said the reception role has expanded over the last five years and 42% said the role is less paper-based, using more technology instead. The survey shows that receptionists are being called on to perform a multitude of tasks rather than just answering calls, with their top responsibilities being: Answering calls (52%) Welcoming guests (45%) Diary management (36%) Supporting other departments (33%) Managing post (33%) Room booking (24%) Arranging lunches (22%) PA duties (21%) The survey suggests that a benefit of the broadening of tasks a receptionist performs is that, far from the role being a job with no prospects for advancement, it is increasingly leading to lateral moves to other areas of a business such as: Administrative assistant (44%) Office manager (37%) HR assistant (35%) Customer service representative (31%) Broader facilities/concierge (31%) Sales and marketing (28%)Project manager (27%) Comments from the survey respondents back up this finding, showing respect and belief in the role: "People probably don't think receptionists are as important as they used to be, but personally, I still like to see one when I get into an office.’’ "Make a positive and lasting impression on the receptionist and it just might help your chances of success with the company; create a negative impression and there's a good chance your future with them has reached its end." Joanna Swash Group CEO of Moneypenny commented: “We were pleased to see that the importance of the receptionist role is still acknowledged by the vast majority of our survey respondents, as first impressions are so important for a business. Let your receptionist be brilliant and give their role the attention and respect that it deserves. They are the critical first impression of your business, after all. We’d advise any business to recognise the true value it adds, and if they don’t have the resource available, to consider outsourcing to companies that can provide a dedicated service from specially trained professionals to support their in-house receptionist.”

Academy hooker Harri Morris, 21, will join English Championship side Doncaster Knights this summer on a season-long loan. A product of the city’s George Watson’s College, former back-row Morris represented Edinburgh throughout the age-grade ranks while featuring for FOSROC Super Series side Southern Knights as part of his academy deal. A key member of the Edinburgh U20 team that lifted the Junior 1872 Cup in 2019 – a game in which he was named Player of the Match – the young hooker went on to be a part of the Scotland U20 squad for the 2021 U20 Six Nations. Morris made his Edinburgh Rugby debut in a Rainbow Cup clash against Ulster in June 2021 – becoming Edinburgh player #1296 – while the hooker spent time on loan at London Scottish last season. On joining Doncaster Knights, Morris said: “I’m really excited to make the move to Doncaster this summer and test myself in a new environment. I’ve heard really positive things about the club and I’ve got no doubt increased playing time at senior level will really help elevate my game." “I want to keep progressing as a hooker so I’m really grateful of this opportunity with Doncaster. If I perform well, I can hopefully kick on and return to Edinburgh as a much more rounded player at the position.” Academy Coach Rob Chrystie added: “Harri is an exciting young player who has recently converted from backrow to hooker. This season long loan is an important part of his long-term development plan." “He will continue to receive our full support and we are really looking forward to seeing him play week in and week out in the Championship before returning to Edinburgh Rugby to compete for a first team spot.”

As London Tech Week kicks off, specialist recruitment firm, Robert Half, has highlighted the need for skills development to be prioritised if the UK’s position as the third leading tech economy is to be maintained or improved. In the expert’s own analysis of trends and data across the tech landscape, it highlighted the powerful position the UK is already in, with the country home to more high-growth tech companies than any other European destination. With the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport also publishing information that suggests the UK retained its top spot as a tech leader in Europe and came third globally, it’s clear that the country has cemented its position as a leading tech nation. However, as Craig Freedberg, Regional Director at Robert Half highlighted, skills development and talent attraction are becoming increasingly tough: “The UK – and in particular, London – is a stronghold for technological innovation and is home to a vast number of specialist businesses that have gone from strength-to-strength in recent times. I think it’s all too easy to underestimate just how prolific the UK tech scene is at the moment, particularly in a post-Brexit landscape where the country’s overall strength as a destination of choice for many tech professionals has, according to some commentators, been impacted." “Our analysis shows that the UK is still thriving, but we also know that skills shortages are increasingly putting this at risk. We may have seen plans outlined in the Chancellor’s Budget earlier this year to boost skills development in the technology sector, but if we are to maintain the position we have worked so hard to secure, everyone needs to play their part." “As London Tech Week approaches, I implore everyone in the sector to consider what tactics they can implement to help boost the UK’s tech skills, whether that’s supporting training and development for those looking for a sideways step into tech, making a commitment to boosting diverse hiring in their tech teams or, as individuals, taking time out to help mentor others in the remit." "Perhaps one perfect example of initiatives that firms can get involved in is the Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start programme, which aims to upskill underrepresented or underemployed groups with the necessary skills for them to succeed in entry-level tech roles. An inclusive part of the AWS re/Start’s mission has been to address the gender imbalance we currently see within the technology space; the initiative has supported female-only cohorts and continues to empower these communities to help women progress faster. Across 2022 Robert Half built an inclusive and diverse pipeline of AWS re/Start talent by connecting over eighty businesses and candidates, forty-six per cent of whom were women.”

Two thirds of small business owners have adopted more cost saving working practices over the last 12 months to reduce their energy usage. The study of 500 adults who are either small business owners or decision-makers, found they have made an average of six tweaks to save energy. Exactly a third have encouraged staff to adopt more energy-friendly behaviours, 20 per cent have gone ‘paper free’ and 29 per cent have turned down the temperature on their boiler. A quarter (26 per cent) have turned off radiators in some rooms, while 24 per cent have lowered their thermostat. Banning printing, encouraging working from home, where possible, and only running the dishwasher when it was full were also popular ways of reducing energy costs. Energy-efficient lightbulbs are now the norm for 32 per cent, as is not overboiling the kettle (24 per cent). Furthermore, 19 per cent are reducing their opening hours and 33 per cent are ‘very likely’ to consider actively moving premises. The research was commissioned by Smart Energy GB , whose director Victoria Bacon said: “As business owners continue to reduce their energy usage wherever possible, actions such as changing to LED lightbulbs and turning off the lights when rooms are not being used are now increasingly commonplace. As is encouraging staff to adopt more energy saving behaviours.” Managing Cashflow And Budgets The research went on to find how new tech has helped firms with their day-to-day administrative tasks, with 89 per cent of respondents agreeing that investing in new technology has been an effective way of reducing daily costs in the long run. This includes email marketing and social media promotion, as well as using more software for accounting and procurement purposes. Nearly a third (32 per cent) now consider energy efficiency credentials more than ever when upgrading equipment, with 51 per cent also buying more ‘smart’ appliances. Almost three in ten (29 per cent) check their energy usage at least once a day, with just under a third (32 per cent) checking several times each week. Of those surveyed, 58 per cent admit they’re still not sure of the most efficient ways to cut costs in their business, with 35 per cent saying there isn’t enough information available. Nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) use so much equipment that it’s hard to keep track of energy use, while 34 per cent can’t afford to upgrade their gear. Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) fear that if they were to cut back on costs much further, their business simply wouldn’t function as usual. And for 73 per cent, 2022 was the only year so far they had to really consider cutting costs at their workplace. Yet 78 per cent say it is a bonus that a lot of their energy saving measures are having a positive effect on the environment. With 65 per cent saying that reducing their company’s carbon footprint is either more important, or at least equally important, as reducing costs, according to the research by OnePoll. Victoria Bacon from Smart Energy GB added: “We know from our research how hard small businesses are working to keep their finances under control. A smart meter measures energy usage in near-real time, providing accurate bills. This means businesses only pay for the energy they actually use, which can help business owners to manage their cashflow and budgets.”