The Matthew Good Foundation, which was founded by the Hull-based, family-run company, John Good Group has increased it’s giving by 83% on the previous year and supported over 150 causes in 2022, an achievement made possible thanks to a significantly increased funding commitment from the John Good Group. The Matthew Good Foundation runs an employee giving programme that helps employees of the John Good Group to direct funding to the causes that matter to them. They also have a mission to amplify small or local charitable causes whose work is often unseen and underfunded, yet delivers high social value and impact. Their 'Amplify Fund' includes a range of grassroots project funding, plus the 'Grants for Good' programme which invites small charities to apply for funding, and most recently 'Films for Good' which sees the Foundation and its network of partners offer pro-bono support, promoting charities and projects through the power of film. The charities supported by the Foundation and its members – who are all employees of the John Good Group – are incredibly diverse, ranging from very small community groups local to the John Good Group’s head office in Hull, to charities working internationally towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Locally, Hull charities CatZero and Downright Special have both received a £50,000 commitment over five years, and North Cave organisation Mires Beck Nursery has received a £25,000 commitment over two years. Globally, Reef World Foundation were granted £20,000 over two years towards a launch of their Green Fins Hub – a world first platform facilitating green marine tourism globally, and a film was funded for the Inga foundation – promoting their tried and tested ways of saving rainforests whilst alleviating poverty through an innovative new farming method. The Foundation’s “Grants for Good” programme also saw a diverse range of winners, from The Bank – a community hub local to West Hull, to Nurdle – an innovative new organisation based in Cornwall that has invented a range of machinery used to clear beaches of microplastics across the UK and beyond. Another major way that charities come to the attention of the Foundation is through employees of the John Good Group – who are given exclusive access to apply for grants for organisations that are close to their hearts. This year’s beneficiaries of double-matched employee fundraising include Dove House Hospice and Hull Homeless Community Project, whilst employees that have seen organisations struggle through Covid have received Champion Grants of up to £1000, the beneficiaries ranging from local foodbanks to a maternity hospital in Pakistan. Michelle Taft, Executive Director of the Matthew Good Foundation said, “Despite the challenging environment of the last two years, we are delighted that 2022 was another successful year. With an incredibly generous commitment from the John Good Group, we have been able to set a clear vision for the future, and we are excited for what’s to come. The Foundation has become a vital resource in linking local people and businesses to the high-impact charities that they really want to support but can be difficult to find and administrate. We would love to help others learn from our unique philanthropy model and invite other local business leaders to come and talk to us about how we can support them in achieving this too.” The increase in activity from the Matthew Good Foundation is set to continue, as the John Good Group, who recently won an award for Best Social Impact at the Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards, has committed a record level of funding over the next three years to the Foundation, as well as continuing to cover all operational costs. The extra funding means that, as well as increasing the amount the Foundation is able to commit to their mission to amplify small charities, they have also been able to expand their team, hiring a second employee, and improve their impact by investing in impact measurement, including the use of The Social Value Engine, an impact measurement platform developed in a scheme involving East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Adam Walsh, CEO of John Good Group describes his passion to be part of an initiatives that delivers positive impact, “I am thrilled to support the Matthew Good Foundation in their mission. Our funding covers all operating costs, as well as funding many of the Foundation’s initiatives. This means that 100% of any additional donations received go to charities in need." "At John Good Group, we strive to be a Force for Good in everything we do, and supporting initiatives that prioritise people and the planet aligns perfectly with our values. We are proud to have the opportunity to make a positive impact through the work of the Matthew Good Foundation.” The Matthew Good Foundation has given over £820,000 to charities and good causes since it was founded in 2011 in memory of Matthew Good.

Visitors to Hull city centre will soon be able to enjoy a new rooftop bar thanks to Levelling Up Funding. Added Value Portal Limited has been awarded £75,000 from the government-funded scheme towards creating the facility at 55 Whitefriargate. The project will include a multi-functional bar, food and leisure area on top of an extension at the back of the original building, creating six full-time equivalent jobs and adding to the area’s evening economy. Once completed, it will accommodate up to 60 customers and will be accessed by a new staircase and chairlift. Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “This project complements what is already a vibrant place for people to work and socialise. This new rooftop bar will enhance the appeal of the city centre as a destination to help drive footfall and boost the hospitality and evening economies.” 55 Whitefriargate, on the corner of Parliament Street, has undergone significant regeneration in recent years. Built in 1879, the former bank is now home to Bar55, situated in the old bank vaults. Gerard Toplass, The 55 Group chief executive, said: “Whitefriargate was the heart of the city for so long and it’s fantastic to be part of the regeneration that will bring life back into this fantastic part of Hull.” “We have built our business in Whitefriargate and we are looking forward to continuing our investment with help from the Levelling Up Fund. We are excited about building an urban landscape and rooftop experience to rival what is available in cities like Manchester and London.” In 2021, Hull City Council was awarded £19.5million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to support infrastructure and deliver a package of city centre regeneration works. £7.5million of this being used for the Levelling Up Fund grant scheme, which aims to bring unused floorspace of any vacant or partially occupied property back into use and creating new jobs. Similar to previous grant schemes in the Old Town, the Levelling Up Grant scheme will allow various diverse businesses to open and operate, breathing new life into the area.

Wakefield Council’s decision makers will be asked to give the green light to £3.5million of transport improvements when they meet next week. Following successful recent bids, the district is set to benefit from £2.8million of funding from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund and £720,000 of funding from Network Rail. The Active Travel Fund will support the completion of two schemes which will make it easier and safer for residents to walk and cycle around the district. This includes £2.55million to extend the existing Dando Way to provide a link between Ackworth and Fitzwilliam for cycling and walking and to upgrade part of the existing route in Ackworth. The route will be widened to provide more space for cycling and walking. The upgrading of existing paths around the southside of Fitzwilliam Country Park will allow walking and cycling access to the railway station at Fitzwilliam all year round. The funding from Network Rail will allow for improvements to be made in and around Castleford Train Station. Cllr Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways, commented on the Active Travel funding: “Active travel creates healthier lifestyles and a healthier environment, and that’s why we want to make it easier for our residents to choose alternatives to using a car, by improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and access to employment and train stations.” Cllr Michael Graham, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said of the Network Rail funding: “It is important that as part of our regeneration plans for Castleford we re-connect key parts of the town. Making it easier, safer, and more pleasant to walk from the train station to the town centre is central to us doing that.” “This will give our local businesses a real boost and bring more money into the town centre, as well as contributing to a greener district. The station improvements in 2022 have already had a significant impact and received positive feedback. It’s great to continue the positivity around the station and the surrounding area.” The other £224,171 scheme which will be completed from the Active Travel Fund is to upgrade part of Grandstand Road at Outwood by resurfacing and widening a 500m section of path that connects Outwood railway station to the Junction 41 Industrial Park and a new pedestrian crossing on Lingwell Gate Lane. For Castleford train station, improvements to the town’s transport hubs are an important part of the Council’s ambitious regeneration plans for the town centre. Currently the routes from the train station to the shops, bars and cafes are disconnected. The funding will allow for further lighting and CCTV to ensure that residents and visitors feel and are safer when walking through town, as well as increasing its visual appeal through the installation of new and vibrant artwork, signage, green areas and new seating. The decision will be taken at the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 13 June.

Karl and Cathy could never have imagined the incredible journey they were embarking on when they launched Masons of Yorkshire on World Gin Day back in June 2013. The distillery was the first to open in Yorkshire, right at the start of the gin boom that has swept across the UK and beyond. Ten years ago, the Masons set up a facebook page about one of their favourite topics: gin. Posting reviews of their favourite finds, followers followed, and soon 10k people were on the page. It started to take up a lot of time and they had the lightbulb moment: what if we did this all the time? And Masons of Yorkshire was born. And in June 2023 the company, now employing 24 people, celebrates ten years in the business, operates from a state-of-the-art distillery in beautiful Bedale, and exports all over the world. The original distillery was destroyed by a fire in 2019, and the brand has grown back bigger and stronger, with the support of a gin-loving community. Since then, they have experienced the highs and lows of running a business being totally absorbed in the brands growth and guiding their company through fire, the pandemic, as well as receiving over 180 awards, hosting prime minister visits, and even receiving invitations to Buckingham Palace. Masons of Yorkshire has not only produced exceptional gin, but has also played a significant role in the growth of the gin industry in Yorkshire, setting a standard for quality and authenticity. Mason's dedication to their craft has been recognised with numerous awards and as the gin boom continues, we can look back at the incredible journey of Masons of Yorkshire and raise a glass to our continued success. Masons of Yorkshire was part of a small group of brands that pioneered the gin boom, giving confidence to others and helping more than 60 other distilleries to open in the county. Karl Mason, Co-Founder of Masons of Yorkshire says, “A lot of the gins on the market today are not really gin, they are just flavoured alcohol, claiming to be gin to cash in on the gin boom. We take a different approach, we never went pink. We distil our gins with the juniper and other botanicals for a pure, authentic taste: we never add any flavour that hasn't been distilled. We call this the Masons way, with no gimmicks, no shortcuts and absolutely no compromises. Simply the purest and most delicious gin, made properly.” To mark the 10 year anniversary, Masons of Yorkshire are releasing a special edition gin, with the star of the show being juniper, to celebrate the plant that started it all. The gin has been crafted to be juniper rich, to share with the gin aficionados and gin lovers out there that have supported the brand. In addition to the juniper, the gin also features other key botanicals such as coriander, fresh lime, bay leaf, and Szechuan pepper. These botanicals add complexity to the gin, making it a well-rounded and delicious spirit. The gin features two different varieties of juniper, distilled three ways: pot still, vapor basket, and vacuum distillation. It's bottled at 52% ABV, 10% higher in ABV than the Masons of Yorkshire Original Edition, a punchy flavour fitting for a 10th anniversary celebration and the perfect strength to deliver a juniper hit. The gin will be presented in a beautiful presentation box, made from fine linen with foiled copper detailing.

According to a recent Deloitte study, doctors and nurses want more flexible work arrangements to carry on working in healthcare. Deloitte’s study reveals a sense of fulfilment/making a difference and work-life balance are key to job satisfaction in healthcare – in stark contrast to 2017 study when work-life balance was the lowest driver. 87% of healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, have experienced increased workloads in the last three years, with serious implications for their physical and mental health. Crucially, 50% of nurses and midwives, 35% of doctors and 31% of Allied Health Professions, have considered leaving their profession and changing their career in the last year. Findings come from research of 1,286 healthcare workers across the UK. Poor work-life balance is a key driver of job dissatisfaction for healthcare workers, and improvements are within the power of employers, according to new research from Deloitte’s Centre for Health Solutions. The findings come from the report, Time to Change: Sustaining the UK’s clinical workforce, which looked at the experience and resilience of front-line clinicians, based on a survey of 1,286 UK public healthcare workers. The study examines how attitudes within the profession have changed since 2017, when a similar piece of research was conducted, and includes input from doctors, nurses and other clinical staff working in primary, community and secondary care. Having a ‘sense of fulfilment/making a difference’ (42%) and a good ‘work-life balance’ (41%) are the top two drivers of job satisfaction for healthcare workers. By contrast, pay (60%) and having a poor work-life balance (42%) are the two main drivers of job dissatisfaction within the professions. The high ranking of work-life balance for job satisfaction and dissatisfaction is in stark contrast to five years ago, when work-life balance was the fifth-biggest driver of job satisfaction, according to Deloitte’s 2017 study. When asked how their feelings on job satisfaction and dissatisfaction has affected career intentions, the most common response, among 53% of all respondents and 59% of doctors, was to reduce hours and move to part-time working in healthcare. In addition, 40% of clinicians overall, including 35% of doctors and half of nurses and midwives had considered leaving the profession and changing career. Karen Taylor, director and head of research at Deloitte Centre for Health Solutions, said: “The problem has worsened over the past few years and our findings mirror recent staff surveys from the industry. There is a clear need to address the physical and mental health needs of staff if employers are to build a resilient workforce." “Many solutions are in the hands of local health organisations to address and several have implemented effective solutions, just not at the scale needed.” Sara Siegel, partner and UK and Global head of health at Deloitte, said: “The most vital asset in healthcare is its workforce. Our study shows that the availability, accessibility and quality of care available to patients depend on having the right professionals, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time." “Healthcare leaders have a real opportunity to make a long-lasting impact in this crucial area. Those that have adopted new ways of working and technologies, have already realised the benefits to empower their workers. Not only will this help patients, but it will have a positive impact on job satisfaction that supports individuals to build rewarding, long-term careers in healthcare.” Implications For Physical And Mental Health The study also revealed that 87% of clinicians had experienced an increase in their workloads since March 2020, including 90% of nurses and midwives and 84% of doctors. The increase in workload has had serious implications for the physical and mental health and wellbeing of healthcare staff, with 46% of clinical staff experiencing a negative impact on their physical health, including 50% of hospital doctors and 45% of hospital nurses. The study also found 57% disclose a negative impact on their mental health, including 58% of hospital doctors and 59% of hospital nurses. This is in stark contrast to the 2017 study, in which 30% of hospital doctors and 32% of hospital nurses said that their workload had a negative effect on their physical health; and 23% of hospital doctors and 33% of hospital nurses said that it affected their mental health. Digitalisation Can Support Staff To Work Smarter But Adoption Remains Slow Numerous policy documents and reports, including the NHS Long Term plan, have identified the importance of adopting technology across healthcare. Deloitte’s study therefore asked healthcare workers which technologies they think are helping to improve the quality of patient care. The top five technologies included Electronic Health Records (EHR) (87%), e-prescribing (78%), patient apps (73%), at-home diagnostics (70%) and remote consultations (70%). Adoption remains low, however, and only 64% of clinicians said they are using EHRs, while fewer than half of respondents have adopted e-prescribing (46%), patient apps (33%), at-home diagnostics (22%) and remote consultations (39%). Likewise, automation of human resource and occupational development services is lagging behind other industries and the study points out the crucial need to modernise these areas. Dr Karen Kirkham, partner and Chief Medical Officer at Deloitte added: “While healthcare workers know that technology-enabled care models, systems and processes can improve outcomes and safety for patients, simplify tasks and reduce the significant administrative burden for clinicians, adoption remains fragmented." “Healthcare leaders need to modernise and unlock better ways of working that improve the employee – and employer – experience. More efficient HR and people policies that focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, investing in leadership and professional development, and accelerating the digitalisation of healthcare infrastructure, will go a long way towards developing new ways of working that release time to care.”

The importance of investing in Dundee’s Life Sciences Innovation District was highlighted as leaders of the city’s key institutions welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government’s Innovation Strategy. The Strategy, launched on Friday, includes a pledge to work closely with universities to design and develop a £100 million Scottish Innovation Fund to invest in early-stage companies focused on science and technology. Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, called on the Scottish Government to recognise the University’s biomedical science base as a unique competitive advantage underpinning a fantastic economic opportunity. The strengths of local partners such as Abertay University and James Hutton Institute mean the city is the only Scottish location with the combined expertise in life sciences, digital and AI technology to develop the infrastructure to make the sector a bedrock of the Scottish economy for the next century. Dundee is the top university in the UK for biological sciences and has been named the world's most influential pharmaceuticals research institution, above the likes of MIT, Berkeley, Oxford and Cambridge. Professor Gillespie said, “We’re delighted to have a Scottish Government with ambition for innovation. The key to realising that ambition is recognising the overall strength of Scotland’s research and industrial base in health, biomedical and life sciences. Here, in Dundee, we have the UK’s top University for biological sciences, combined with industry investment, and spin-out success." “In 2021 alone, our spinout Exscientia floated on the US NASDAQ exchange with a valuation that exceeded $3 billion, while Amphista Therapeutics has raised investment of more than £40 million and concluded major contracts with global pharmaceutical companies worth up to $2.3 billion. However, both these companies have now re-located completely or substantially to the South-East of England. This is a phenomenon that we need to change." “Getting Scotland’s innovation infrastructure right is a vital plank of the Scottish Government’s Innovation Strategy, and we’re clear that needs to start here if we’re serious about wanting to position Scotland as a world-leading, biomedical powerhouse.” Council leader Councillor John Alexander said, “Dundee could not be better placed to play a key role in the delivery of the Scottish Government’s new Innovation Strategy. We need to build on areas where we already have a competitive advantage, and that is certainly true of biomedical science." “Our city's academic research and development is world-leading, and we have had great success in attracting significant venture capital into new companies. The new Innovation District will offer greater opportunities for collaboration and economies of scale to turn research into business, secure investment and create jobs. To respond to this period of significant economic challenge, exacerbated by global events, we must invest in success and growth." “In Dundee, additional investment will allow us to make even greater inroads towards achieving our shared vision for strong, creative, smart and sustainable city economy with jobs and opportunities for all.” The Life Sciences Innovation District aims to: Drive sustainable growth in the regional life sciences economy Grow our life sciences company base Deliver new attractive fit-for-purpose physical infrastructure to anchor and nurture companies at scale Provide an integrated approach to talent and skills development, risk-taking and business leadership Importantly, it will be embedded in the heart of the city and provide an environment that unlocks training opportunities, participation of local supply chains and extends equality of opportunity from under-represented groups. The project includes development of an Innovation Hub, being built at the Technopole site adjacent to the School of Life Sciences. Key to the city’s offering is close partnership working between anchor institutions that draws on diverse strengths required to harness innovation. Professor Colin Campbell, CEO of The James Hutton institute said, “Innovation in life sciences and new emerging digital technologies are also fuelling plant science discovery which is incredibly strong in the region." “The right kind of investment can drive nature-based approaches to improve and invent new ways of using plants for food, feed, energy and raw materials that are better for people and the planet. There are also exciting opportunities to develop natural plant-based medicines and health promoting compounds.“

An iconic East Yorkshire ice cream manufacturer has added a celebration sorbet to its range of real dairy ice creams and has entered a new category with the launch of another. Market Weighton-based Burgess Ice Cream has developed a new Pink Sparkling Wine flavoured sorbet using a rosé sparkling wine from Little Wold Vineyard in South Cave and has entered the frozen dog treat market with the launch of Burgess Barks. Burgess's general manager, Richard Wilson outlines the rationale for Burgess Barks: "We have had many requests from customers asking if we could produce a frozen treat for dogs. The regulations for making pet desserts are different to making ice cream, so it has taken a while, but we're delighted with the result and Burgess Barks is going down a storm in the canine community." Burgess Barks is a vanilla-flavoured frozen dog treat made from sugar-free sorbet and vegetable fibres and is a complementary pet food intended for adult dogs. The packaging is modelled on the Wilson family pet, a tri-coloured collie called Huey. Of the sorbet launch, Mr Wilson said: "We have had a fantastic reputation for producing delicious real dairy ice cream for almost a century and wanted to complement our range with a special sorbet. "Given our heritage, we wanted to create something different and indulgent with a link to Yorkshire, so we researched the region's sparkling wines, and Alice's Cuvée proved to have the perfect flavour profile for our celebration sorbet." Burgess Ice Cream was first produced in a small grocery shop in Beverley in the early 1920s and grew to become the iconic ice cream that generations associated with its super creamy flavour and van on Beverley Westwood. Mr Wilson has also grown with the business, having started with a holiday job aged 16 that led to a 17-year career that ended when the original factory was sold for development. He was delighted to return to Burgess Ice Cream after a 13-year absence to oversee the two-year development of a new state-of-the-art factory in Shiptonthorpe and to plan for the business's centenary celebrations. "We pride ourselves on producing delicious real dairy ice cream that is matched by a personal, flexible service that includes our own deliveries. It's very rewarding to see our customer numbers growing week by week as they like this level of personal involvement and the range of sizes, from best-selling 125ml pots to 2 litre tubs," Mr Wilson concludes. Burgess Ice Cream's best-selling vanilla and range of flavoured ice creams are available to buy at over 250 places in Yorkshire, including independent retailers, farm shops, service stations, holiday and adventure parks and theatres. Favoured by discerning local chefs, they are also on the menu at a growing number of pubs and hotels, including Cave Castle, The Mill House Restaurant in Skidby, The Wolds Inn at Huggate and the St Vincent's Arms in Sutton on Derwent. Burgess Barks is available from pet shops, garden centres, pubs, restaurants and attractions throughout Yorkshire, including the iconic dog-walking area of Beverley Westwood.

Working with GAP Hire Solutions, Kier Highways Solutions (KHS), a national surface treatments provider, has electrified its entire forklift fleet. This forms part of KHS’ efforts to embed sustainable practices throughout its operations, following an audit of Wymondham Plant, its bituminous materials manufacturing arm. Located on a 7-acre site in Wymondham, Norfolk, and producing thousands of tonnes of bituminous materials each year, forklifts play an important part in KHS inventory management. KHS also sells roofing felts, sealants, solutions, tools, and PPE. It approached GAP to learn more about the potential carbon savings associated with transitioning its forklift fleet. By switching from diesel to electric, KHS has removed fumes and carbon emissions from its forklift fleet. KHS chose the Baoli KBE52N 2.5tonne model, which is powered by a 48x 625 AH battery. This is also fitted with automatic electric braking when the accelerator is released. This enhances driver safety, and the recovery of part of the braking energy is also converted into electricity and made available again. The new models will create annual carbon savings of up to 71,270 kgCO2e (based on an 8 hr shift) across Kier Highways Solutions’ forklift fleet. Neil Faulkes, Major Account Director at GAP, commented: “Both Kier and GAP have been delighted with the build quality and operational longevity of the Battery powered Baoli forklifts. Coupled with the support from DAB Handling, the UK Baoli stockist, the hand-over familiarisation given as part of the overall supply and support package GAP offered to Kier, the experience has been seamless and has enabled GAP to support Kier in reducing their environmental impact.” Lee Draper, general manager at KHS, said: “At Kier Highways, our sustainability strategy sets out how we plan to reach net-zero on our scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030. A key part of this is transitioning to alternative, non-fossil fuels across our fleet." “This empowers all of us to look at how we do business, and make the necessary steps to reduce our environmental impact, while ensuring the same quality product. We’re pleased that GAP could support us to find a solution with considerable long-term carbon savings.” GAP continues to work closely with Kier Highways Solutions to support its decarbonisation efforts across the business.

Huddersfield Town are proud to unveil their 2023/24 Umbro home kit, with the latest take on their famous blue and white stripes designed in tribute to their first of three consecutive league title victories in the 1920s! Available for purchase ahead of Father’s Day from Friday 16 June 2023 both online and in store, the Utilita and SportsBroker sponsored kit was unveiled by First Team stars Jack Rudoni, David Kasumu and Rarmani Edmonds-Green in front of their new 1920s inspired mural outside the Millers Oils High Performance Complex. Several design features across the kit also tip their hat to the centenary of the Club’s first ever league win, with ‘Huddersfield Town AFC 1923/24 Champions of England’ proudly featuring inside the neckline. With gold detailing around the neck, collar and Umbro’s double diamond, the woven embroidered Club crest is also enveloped in gold. Two subtle changes are a thin pinstripe alongside their blue and white stripes, with the stripes themselves housing a prominent pattern of stars within them. On the rear of the kit, the three stars now sees the first detailed in gold, with the remaining two silver to represent the first of their three league titles. Names and numbers will also feature in gold on the rear of the kit, matching seamlessly with the SportsBroker branding across the shoulders. Playing shorts will remain predominantly white with gold trim and blue down each side, with white socks featuring a blue ring across the top with gold HTAFC and Umbro detailing on the calf and shin. Head of Retail Luke Cowan commented: “It’s always a brilliant occasion to launch the new home shirt, and we can really start to look forward to the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship season now we know what we’re wearing!” “As always, we have worked extremely closely with Umbro in the development of our kit design to focus on the intricate details across the shirt, and are proud that this bespoke kit allows us to tell the story of that first league title win.” “I’m also delighted that Umbro have got the home kit to us early this summer so that fans can buy theirs ahead of Father’s Day and the summer holidays.” “Kit releases are always popular thanks to our amazing supporters, so to give everyone a great chance of making one their own as soon as possible the home shirt will be available both in store and to purchase online at shop.htafc.com from the morning of Friday 16 June, with no pre-order or click-and-collect service available on release.”

As the summer arrives and the temperatures start to rise many of us find the weather causes us feelings of fatigue and tiredness leading to an increased struggle when it comes to staying focused and motivated with work. Here, Abbas Kanani, Pharmacist and health adviser for Chemist Click offers his advice for staying motivated when the weather is hot. 1. Wear Light Clothing You may think that when working from home you can wear what you want, however many people will have to take zoom meetings throughout the day and have to wear suitable clothing, this can increase chances of overheating and becoming increasingly hot and sweaty. If you can, try and wear light breathable clothing, so loose cotton shirts, preferably in a light colour, avoiding black clothes. If you only need to have your face on screen then you can always swap trousers for shorts on your bottom half. If you are heading into the office, wear light cotton shirts and loose, cotton trousers, a full suit will not only leave you sweating but could mean you overheat which could promote feelings of fatigue and exhaustion. 2. Limit Sunlight Allowing sunlight into your home is a sure-fire way for making your place incredibly hot when it needn’t be. Keeping blinds and curtains closed should help to keep your home cool, if you struggle to work in limited light you can always keep curtains open in the morning and evening hours and closed in the heat of the day hours. If you are in the office, ask if your colleagues are happy to keep blinds down or limit sunlight, as direct sunlight could leave you feeling fatigued. 3. Take Some Time Away From Your Desk For the most part the reason many people lose motivation with their job is because they’re simply tied to they’re desk and don’t have any time to think outside the box or reassess, this is especially true in summer when many people want to be outside in the sunshine. This is quite apparent when working from home because when you’re in the office you are making coffee for people, chatting to colleagues, attending real time meetings and generally having a lot of mini breaks throughout the day which are actually important for keeping you feeling on top of your game. When working from home this is all taken away and you may end up at your desk with little or no breaks, so ensuring you take regular trips away from your desk is imperative, whether that be a daytime walk, workout, lunch break or regular tea breaks taking yourself away from your screen which should increase productivity. 4. Invest In A Fan Buying a decent fan is a great way to keep you cool whilst working as the air blowing directly on you will keep your overall body temperature down and will make working much easier. 5. Drink Plenty Of Liquids Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help keep you hydrated, this is especially important if you find you are sweating much more than usual due to the heat. Keeping your body and mind hydrated should help you to stay focused on your work. 6. Keep Your Laptop Cool Laptops don’t do well with heat, and you may find after a few hours it starts to heat up and blow out hot air. Try to work from a desk if you can, as keeping your laptop on a hard surface should prevent it from overheating. It’s tempting to work from your sofa when working from home, but your laptop will most likely overheat, and this will make you even hotter as the hot air will be hitting your lap directly. 7. Change Your Working Hours This may not be doable for some people, but if you can change your working hours to suit the weather this may help you to be more productive. For example, working earlier in the day and in the evening as opposed to in the middle of the day should help you to stay cool and work more effectively.

Photo credit: Susie Allnutt ITVX and Snowed-In Productions have announced that production is underway for the new six-part drama, Joan, starring Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Staircase) in the title role. The series will be produced with The CW Network, USA in association with All3Media International. The series takes inspiration from the fascinating life of Joan Hannington, a notorious jewel thief, and is written by the acclaimed screenwriter Anna Symon (The Essex Serpent and Mrs Wilson) with Helen Black writing episode four. BAFTA award-winning director Richard Laxton (Rain Dogs, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, Mrs Wilson) brings to life this exhilarating yet emotional story set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1980s - an era known for its bold fashion trends, iconic music and cultural shifts. The series opens with Joan, a fiery and uncompromising woman in her twenties who is deeply scarred and vulnerable. She is a devoted mother to her six-year-old daughter, Kelly, but is trapped in a disastrous marriage with a violent criminal named Gary. When Gary goes on the run, Joan seizes the opportunity to create a new life for herself and her daughter. Adopting new identities and making new acquaintances along the way, Joan becomes a masterful jewel thief. She embarks on a thrilling, high-stakes journey that challenges her every limit, driven by her desire to care for her daughter and create a secure home for them both. Through her sharp intelligence, charm, and talent for impersonation and performance, we follow the twists and turns in Joan’s life, the ups and downs, the heartache and the joy that makes this story so compelling to follow. Sophie Turner stars alongside Frank Dillane (The Essex Serpent, Fear the Walking Dead, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince), as Boisie, a London antique dealer. Kirsty J. Curtis (Match Not Found, Harlots), plays Nancy, Joan's older sister and a salon worker while Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (I May Destroy You, Top Boy) portrays Albie, an old acquaintance of Boisie who’s made a new life in Spain with his wife Val, played by Laura Aikman (The Split, Gavin & Stacey). Other actors joining the series include Nick Blood (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Safe), Jack Greenlees (Strike, Harlots), Alex Blake (The Crown, Chernobyl), Caroline Faber (Grantchester, Berlin Station) and Dorothy Atkinson(The Gold, Stonehouse). Joan is an exciting new series, executive produced by Ruth Kenley-Letts (Stonehouse, The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike), CEO of Snowed-In Productions, Jenny Van Der Lande (Strike, You Don’t Know Me, Too Close) Creative Director of Snowed-In, Neil Blair (The Midwich Cuckoos, Strike, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) Chairman of Snowed-In, Richard Laxton and Anna Symon. Paul Frift (Anansi Boys, Deep State, Good Omens) is the producer. Joan has been commissioned for ITVX by Head of Drama Polly Hill. All3Media International will be responsible for the international distribution of the drama. The series is produced in association with All3Media International and The CW Network, USA.

Photo credit: Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves Photography Five winners of the Hickstead Derby are among the entrants for this year’s class, which takes place on Sunday 25 June at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, West Sussex. Reigning champion Shane Breen returns with his 2022 winner Can Ya Makan, in the hope of securing a back-to-back victory. He also brings rising star Scarteen, who impressed in Hamburg when finishing second in one of their Derby qualifiers. His brother Trevor Breen is another who knows exactly what it takes to win Hickstead’s most iconic class, having been victorious in 2014 (Adventure De Kannan) and 2015 (Loughnatousa WB). He brings Gonzalo, who finished fourth in last year’s Longines King George V Gold Cup. William Funnell is in with a shout of making history if he can secure a fifth Derby win. Five riders share the record with four wins apiece, and Funnell has an excellent chance of bettering this, having already won in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2018. His ride Equine America Billy Diamo made his Hickstead Derby debut last summer, winning Friday’s Derby Trial before going on to finish in 11th place in the Al Shira’aa Derby. Guy Williams last won the Derby in 2010, but he’s consistently been in the placings in the years since. His Puissance specialist Mr Blue Sky UK would certainly be a popular winner with the Derby crowd, and he’s another who has jumped well round the challenging track on a number of occasions. In 2016 William Whitaker became the third member of his famous family to lift the Boomerang Trophy, following in the footsteps of his uncles John and Michael. He finished sixth with Flamboyant III in 2022, in what was the horse’s first attempt at the class, so they could well be ones to watch in this year’s renewal. Plenty of other riders on the entries list have come close to winning the Al Shira’aa Derby. Dermott Lennon has been placed many times, and last year he finished joint second with Gelvins Touch following a great round for four faults. Brazil’s Carlos Mota Ribas had a great show at last year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, finishing runner up in both the Speed Derby and the Derby itself. His rides Trix and Night Secret Z were both on good form in Hamburg, and it would be no surprise to see Carlos feature in the prizemoney again at Hickstead. Olympic rider Holly Smith has had a number of good rounds in the Al Shira’aa Derby, including finishing runner-up to William Funnell in 2018, and sixth equal in both 2019 and 2022. Alongside Holly in joint-sixth last summer were Irish talents Michael Duffy and Jordan Coyle, and both could be in the reckoning once more in this year’s class. Other names to look out for include Ireland’s David Simpson, and British riders Robert Whitaker and Graham Gillespie, all of whom have been placed in the Derby. Riders have to qualify for the Al Shira’aa Derby in Friday’s Agria Derby Trial. A world ranking class in its own right, it often highlights some new contenders each year for Sunday’s showcase class. Tickets are on sale now from www.hickstead.co.uk. The action from the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (22-25 June) will be livestreamed on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV.