Search Results

St Austell Brewery is launching its latest impact report in a bold and practical way, rolling out biodegradable, plantable beer mats across its South West pub estate. Following the launch of its first sustainability strategy - Crafting a Brighter Future - last year, the company has introduced seed embedded beer mats that can be planted after use. Each mat features a QR code, allowing pub goers to explore St Austell Brewery’s sustainability initiatives across its breweries, pubs and drinks wholesale operation - all with a pint in hand. Emily Coon, Sustainability Manager at St Austell Brewery, said: “We’re proud of the progress we’re making across our business, but for us this has always been about bringing people with us on the journey. Our pubs are where we connect with more people than anywhere else, so we wanted to create a simple and accessible way for guests to access our impact report and share the progress happening behind the scenes as well as our future ambitions." “The plantable beer mats are a small idea, but they represent a bigger mindset - thinking differently about waste, creating moments for conversation, and making sustainability feel part of everyday experiences rather than something distant or abstract. We know meaningful change comes from much bigger actions than a beer mat alone, but if it encourages more people to engage with sustainability - and better understand the role businesses like ours can play in driving momentum - that feels like a positive step.” The past year has marked a standout period of progress for St Austell Brewery, with its sustainability work receiving national recognition alongside significant operational improvements, across waste, energy and water efficiency. Last month, the business was named Best Sustainable Pub Company in the UK at the Publican Awards, while its pub waste reduction programme also won Excellence in Waste Management at the Green Awards UK. Across its 45 managed pubs, St Austell Brewery now operates on 100% renewable electricity, while total waste has fallen by 49% since 2023. General waste has been reduced by up to 40% year on year, recycling rates have doubled, and all food waste is now diverted from general waste streams. Water usage remains a key priority, with action taken both in pubs and at the companies two breweries, in Cornwall and Warmley. Waterless urinals, installed as part of recent pub refurbishments, are saving up to 100,000 litres of water per pub each year, while engineering improvements in brewing have also significantly reduced water use in the production of award winning beers including Proper Job, Tribute and korev. Supporting the regional economy is central to the company’s strategy, with local suppliers playing a key role. Food delivery miles have been cut by 33%, while the use of locally landed fish on pub menus has increased by 20%. Alongside environmental progress, St Austell Brewery raised more than £93,000 for charities and South West causes in 2025, with Children’s Hospice South West named as its Charity of the Year. Pub teams and colleagues have continued to volunteer and fundraise locally, supporting initiatives ranging from beach cleans to a community defibrillator campaign. Looking ahead, the business has committed to reaching net zero ahead of the UK’s 2050 target and will host its first Sustainability Week in 2026. Plantable beer mats will land on pub tables across the South West from next week. To read the full impact report, visit here. About St Austell Brewery St Austell Brewery was founded as a family-owned company in 1851 and has been fuelled by Cornish spirit and independent thinking ever since. Celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, it is the South West’s leading brewing, hospitality and drinks wholesale business.

Marks & Spencer (M&S) announced plans to further reduce transport emissions by further deploying biomethane-powered trucks. These will have up to 85% lower CO2 emissions than traditional diesel engine vehicles, serving both M&S Food and M&S Fashion, Home & Beauty logistics operations. Today M&S have over 210 bio-CNG trucks in operation, including c.150 Scania 4x2 and 26 Scania 6x2 trucks, with plans to further expand this over the next year. This expansion would increase the size of M&S’ lower-emission fleet to include over 300 bio-CNG vehicles by the end of March 2027. Utilising Bio-CNG is a key enabler in M&S’ commitment to move to a lower-emission vehicle fleet as part of its ambition to become a net zero business across its value chain by 2040. To enable the rollout, M&S has signed a long-term agreement with CNG Fuels to deliver Mobile Refuelling Stations (MRS) located at distribution centres, providing daily capacity to refuel more than 300 CNG trucks. This complements CNG Fuels’ national network of 16 public-access stations, which is expanding to support up to 20,000 trucks per day by the end of 2028. Bio-CNG is a sustainable and renewable fuel produced from waste feedstocks, including food waste and agricultural by-products such as manure. Julian Bailey, Transport Director at M&S, said: “Moving to lower-carbon logistics with reduced dependency on diesel and the increased use of new technologies and lower carbon fuels is key to achieving our Plan A Net Zero ambitions. We trialled a range of technologies and have chosen Bio-CNG as a key solution for decarbonising our logistics fleet as it is a proven, flexible and cost-efficient fuel supported by mature infrastructure.” Philip Fjeld, CEO and co-founder of ReFuels, said: “We are proud to support M&S as they shift towards more sustainable logistics. Biomethane is a cost-efficient here-and-now solution to decarbonise road transport, and our Mobile Refuelling Stations help large fleets decarbonise quickly. This agreement underscores the rapid growth in demand from major UK retailers and distributors.” Simon Gray, Specialist Sales Manager at Scania UK, said: “We are pleased to be working in collaboration with Marks & Spencer, and to be playing an active role in helping them reach their Plan A Net Zero ambitions." “At Scania, we are driving the shift towards sustainable transport systems that are better for business, society and the environment. By working together with our partners, we can develop transport solutions that reduce our carbon footprints, while making sure that we continue to meet the demands of a growing population – profitably and sustainably". “It is testament to the vision and the shared values between the three companies that we can work side-by-side. And this is just the beginning, we are very excited to be in partnership with Marks & Spencer and CNG Fuels, and we can’t wait to see how this partnership grows and evolves in the future.” In addition to biomethane-powered trucks, M&S has 13 zero tailpipe-emission battery electric HGVs and five battery electric Rigids operating across M&S’ M&S Fashion, Home & Beauty and Foods distribution networks.

Solar shading specialist Caribbean Blinds has unveiled a new brand identity, signalling a bold step in its growth strategy and a renewed focus on its people. Following a review with Purplex Marketing CEO Andrew Scott, the company recognised that while its name was familiar to the trade, it did not fully capture the scope of its work across the various sectors it works within. The refreshed identity removes “Blinds” from the name and introduces the strapline “Outdoor • Shade • Shelter,” reflecting the company’s full range of external shading solutions. The updated logo now features a device representing Caribbean Blinds’ turnkey approach and all shading types, including vertical, horizontal and sloping. Font and spacing changes improve clarity and approachability, creating a modern, durable look built for growth. The rebrand goes further. Employees are now known as Shading Heroes, with benefits designed to reward loyalty and commitment. Packages include tiered health cash plans covering dental, optician, physio and specialist scans, enhanced holiday entitlement of up to five extra days, service life bonuses and refreshed birthday and team incentives. “We’ve gone way beyond a standard facelift,” said MD Stuart Dantzic. “In fact, we’re positioning the company for the next era and our Shading Heroes are at the heart of everything we do. They transform spaces, create comfort and help people enjoy their surroundings." “The new identity reflects the work we do, the sectors we serve and the growth we are building for tomorrow. We wanted a brand that works as hard as our people do.” With its new identity, Caribbean positions itself for expansion, reinforcing its role as a leader in innovative external shading while underlining its commitment to the team driving its success. For more information about Caribbean visit here.

Castleford College celebrated a major milestone in its commitment to skills, education and regional growth, as Rt Hon Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, officially opened the College’s new state-of-the-art construction facility. The opening of the Lagentium Building marks a significant investment in construction education, providing learners across Castleford and the wider district with industry-standard facilities designed to reflect real workplace standards and prepare students for careers in a rapidly evolving industry. Speaking at the launch, Yvette Cooper officially unveiled the Lagentium Building in front of employers, local authorities, education partners, governors and colleagues of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, recognising the importance of high quality apprenticeships, training and skills provision for the future of the construction workforce in the region. Principal and Chief Executive of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, Sam Wright, also delivered a moving opening speech, saying: “The development of our brand-new construction facility has been an ambitious project, and I’m incredibly proud to mark the opening of the building alongside colleagues, governors and key stakeholders of the Group. It is also a great honour to welcome Castleford’s MP, Yvette Cooper, to officiate at this momentous occasion." "From the outset, our vision for this facility has been about far more than bricks and mortar. We set out to create a space dedicated to high-quality teaching, apprenticeships and hands-on skills development - one that supports both academic learning and advanced vocational training. Most importantly, it is a space designed to serve our learners and staff for many years to come, helping our region play its part in bridging the construction skills gap and building a stronger, more sustainable future.” Following the official opening, guests were also invited to tour the new facilities and see the learning spaces in action. Named after the Roman fort Lagentium, historically located in Castleford, the building provides over 1,580 square metres of modern learning space and has been designed as a hub for teaching, apprenticeships and hands on skills development. The new building supports construction learners across a wide range of disciplines, including Brickwork, Carpentry & Joinery, Design, Surveying and Planning, Electrical Installation, Plastering and Plumbing. Learners are already reaping the benefits of the new facility, with Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery student Jake, saying: “We’ve started working in the new building now and I’m really impressed with the facilities. Everything feels modern and well-equipped, and it’s exciting to learn in such a fresh, professional environment. We’re all looking forward to spending more time working here.” The ground floor features an open, contemporary workshop space which enables learners to develop practical skills across all wood occupations, supporting hands on learning in a setting designed to reflect modern industry standards. The first floor features three modern classrooms, including a professional digital suite, ensuring students have access to the digital technologies used in today’s construction sector. The learning environments have been built to a high specification to support a professional culture and mirror real workplace expectations. A strong focus has also been placed on sustainability and green skills, with facilities supporting training in next generation construction practices, including retrofitting, helping learners prepare for the transition to a more sustainable built environment. The project was delivered with funding support from the Department for Education, alongside the work of key project partners, including Moss Architecture Interiors Ltd, Meldrum, MDA Consulting and more. The Lagentium Building This comes after the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group ranked first in Yorkshire & the Humber for 16-18 student achievement amongst General Further Education Colleges in the latest Department for Education National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) for 2024/2025. In addition to the Group placing as the region’s highest-performing FE college for learners aged under 19, it also achieved fourth place regionally for its Apprenticeship achievement rates – showcasing its strength across further education and skills training. Photo: Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group (left) with Rt Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley and Chair of Governors at the Group, Andrew McConnell (right)

Solent Freeport is looking for small businesses in the maritime technology industry to support in attending the world's leading maritime industry event. The businesses, which must be in the Solent region and looking to start (or have recently started) exporting, can access professional backing and grants of up to £1,000 to help cover some of the costs associated with attending the event. Solent Freeport has partnered with Maritime Solent to assist four businesses to attend SMM Hamburg in September. Held biennially, Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology (SMM) Hamburg has more than 2,200 exhibitors and around 49,000 total attendees from 100 nations in 90,000 sq m of exhibition space across 12 halls. SMM provides a dynamic platform for showcasing innovation, driving collaboration, and shaping the future of the sector, covering the full spectrum of the maritime value chain, attracting shipowners, operators, shipyards, technology suppliers, classification societies and ports. Solent Freeport has secured a shared exhibition pod within the UK Pavilion, delivered through the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), which will be staffed by Maritime Solent. Brian Johnson, chair of Solent Freeport, said: “This event provides direct access for Solent-based maritime technology businesses to international shipyards, suppliers and emerging technologies. It creates opportunities for export growth, collaboration and visibility in key global markets." “The role of Solent Freeport is very much to facilitate growth and boost regional economic prosperity – hence why we are looking to get some of our maritime businesses in front of worldwide high-level decision-makers." “This incredible opportunity is aimed at small maritime technology companies that are relatively new to exporting but have a clear export strategy and ambition to grow internationally.” To be eligible businesses must be based in the Solent region, operate in the maritime technology sector and have fewer than 50 employees, be relatively new to exporting but have a clear export strategy and export readiness and be able to attend SMM Hamburg in person from 1-3 September. The successful applicants will benefit from access to a shared Solent Freeport and Maritime Solent pod within the UK Pavilion, on-the-ground support from Maritime Solent, pre-mission briefing and coordination and grant support of up to £1000 contributing towards eligible costs. Applications will be assessed against a robust selection criteria including the mandatory ‘strength and clarity of export strategy’, plus the fit with the maritime tech market, the potential to generate measurable outcomes, readiness to export and commitment to mission activities and post-mission reporting. The SMI – the trade association for the UK’s maritime engineering, science and technology community – is hosting the SMI Showcase Stand to give budget-constrained companies the opportunity to be part of a smart, visible, and supported presence within the UK Pavilion. Maritime Solent is the industry-led representative body for the Solent's maritime sector and one of a small number of regional maritime bodies, recognised by Government. The deadline for applications for the Maritime Trade Mission is Friday 29 May. Please email info@solentfreeport.com for the application form. Photo: Major event - SMM Hamburg in September is the world's leading maritime industry event with 2,200 exhibitors and around 49,000 total attendees from 100 nations Picture: @ Hamburg Messe und Congress / Rene Zieger

Property consultancy Vail Williams has successfully acquired premises in Birmingham and Sheffield for leading intellectual property law firm Withers & Rogers. The firm is relocating from Warwick to brand new Grade A space in landmark 103 Colmore Row, the 26-storey tallest office building in Birmingham city core. Withers & Rogers is also relocating within Sheffield to prime city centre grade A office space on the second floor of centrally located 1 St Paul’s Place. Withers & Rogers is one of Europe’s largest dedicated intellectual property law firms, with offices across the UK and in Paris and Munich. Josh Laurence, Vail Williams Surveyor based in Birmingham, was tasked by long-term client Withers & Rogers to source premises best suited to their modern-day needs and commensurate with the firm’s standing in the business world. After a comprehensive search he sourced and secured the offices off-market and worked closely with his client to negotiate a deal for the fifth floor space at 103 Colmore Row on an eight-year lease with terms undisclosed. The state-of-the-art building with top ‘green’ credentials in Birmingham’s central business district, also occupied by the likes of Shoosmiths, Grant Thornton ,Arcadis, Knight Frank and Colliers includes an 18th floor terrace with exceptional views. Josh said: “We looked at all potential avenues and arrived at 103 Colmore Row, which is purpose-built, hugely efficient, has plenty of collaboration space and is currently being fitted out to their specifications." “The move into Birmingham showcases how the city’s legal sector continues to thrive and expand as more businesses see the benefit of relocating into such a bustling hub to take advantage of extensive regeneration projects and good employment opportunities.” In Sheffield, Vail Williams had to overcome a very tight supply situation in searching for suitable premises before 1 St Paul’s Place, which has been completely refurbished became the favoured location. At the heart of Sheffield city centre’s thriving business hub that has attracted esteemed occupants like Freeths, TES Global, ARUP and Handelsbanken, St Paul’s Place has become one of Sheffield’s most coveted office addresses. Vail Williams’ conducted a pre-acquisition survey through its Building Consultancy team, advised over business rates and is offering ongoing occupier advisory guidance during the office fit outs. Will Lawther, Vail Williams Partner acted for Withers & Rogers, advising them on their corporate real estate strategy. He said: “They wanted to align the two relocations with the best of their new look offices – in good locations and very good buildings – especially Bristol and London. It was key that we took the firm, and particularly the regional partners, on an extensive journey to see all possible outcomes." “They are a delightful client, loyal, detail orientated, welcoming of partner contact, happy to take on board professional advice and keen to work collaboratively.” Diego Black, Withers & Rogers Partner, said: “We are indebted to Vail Williams, not only for locating and acquiring properties for us in Birmingham and Sheffield, but also the ongoing specialist advice which enables us to make important property decisions with confidence.” Vail Williams also acted for Withers & Rogers to provide strategic property advice ahead of a rent review and lease break clause at their offices at 2 London Bridge, central London, enabling lease terms to be regeared beneficially Vail Williams’ full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy Photo: High Rise - Landmark Grade A 103 Colmore Row, the 26-storey tallest office building in Birmingham City Core where property consultancy Vail Williams has secured office space for intellectual property law firm Withers & Rogers

Flexible workplace rules have made it easier for employees to work anywhere, any time. This has created a “ghost shift” of workers on the job outside of the traditional 9-to-5. But new data from Freshworks shows that IT support isn’t keeping up. A new analysis of anonymised Freshservice customer data, including millions of IT service interactions between September 2025 and March 2026, found that nearly half of all IT tickets (47%) are submitted outside standard business hours. Weekend volume runs at about one-third (35%) of weekday daily levels with the same consistency. And though a response almost always comes, it typically takes at least an hour longer than during business hours. What was once considered late-night exceptions have become the norm, and this “ghost shift” is often at times when IT has moved to evening hours or on-call rotations. Even as workers are empowered with tools to work anywhere at any time, companies are setting up an employee experience showdown, leaving "ghost shift" workers to hunt their own Slack channels for faster answers. As workers wait for IT to respond to their after-hours requests, IT teams feel set up to fail, since they’re not in the office when the requests come in. This schedule disconnect isn't just a mutual annoyance, it reduces productivity and effectiveness, and increases security risks. When a critical security patch or login failure occurs at 8 p.m., an extra hour of delay isn't just a lag, it's actually a vulnerability window. After-hours tickets aren’t taking longer to resolve because they're harder. Mostly, they are password resets, MFA unlocks, and access requests, according to patterns in the Freshservice data. Even after hours, only 6–8% of these tickets are escalated, matching business-hours rates across every month in the dataset. The problems employees encounter at 9 p.m. are no more complex than the ones they encounter at 9 a.m., but they do need addressing. The data showed that resolution rates lagged, with SLA rates falling 2–5 percentage points after hours throughout the period, peaking at a 5-point gap in October. The disconnect shows up most clearly during certain business cycles, such as end of quarter, when many non-IT employees are often working extra hours to close deals. Freshservice trends showed a roughly 20% spike in daily ticket volume in the final days of March 2026 as more demand hit IT systems already running slower. December moved in the opposite direction, likely depressed by holiday patterns. When IT support lags, the effects rarely stay inside the IT department. At Carrefour Belgium, where 700,000 customers shop daily across hundreds of stores, CTO Stijn Stabel says an IT glitch doesn't just create a help desk ticket, it can cascade into empty shelves and disrupted store operations. Stijn Stabel, CTO at Carrefour Belgium, says: “An IT glitch can lead to certain shelves being empty." What companies are doing Some companies have begun tackling after-hours support with new tools and processes. At Katz Media Group, CTO Robert Lyons has approached after-hours IT support with expanded AI-powered self-service. "We're not promoting it as, 'we're never going to be here for you again.' It's just another way to provide another channel to get you assistance faster. We're also not a 24/7 shop, so we're able to market it as giving you options after business hours." The official workday isn’t expanding. But for employees who opt to work longer, automation gives companies a way to support them without asking IT to clock in.

A young Warwickshire entrepreneur has gone from replacing his mom’s dishwasher with a homemade 3D printer to becoming arguably the youngest ever recipient of two King’s Award for Enterprise. Mitchell Barnes, who is about to turn 30-years-old, founded RYSE 3D in 2017 after proving out the importance of additive manufacturing (AM) in future production techniques for university friends. Since then, he has created one of the UK’s biggest disruptors in AM, supplying high performance production parts to 23 of the world’s hypercar projects and delivering complex components to exciting new contracts in aerospace, defence and energy. These orders have taken the Shipston-on-Stour firm to nearly £5m in annual turnover, with nearly half of that emanating from international orders to the US, Denmark and Latvia. Global success has led to the business securing the King’s Award for International Trade, following its earlier success in the ‘Innovation’ category in 2024. Mitch, who runs the company with his brother Cameron. explains: “To win one King’s Award is special, to win a second for our efforts in growing the business overseas is mind-blowing, I still can’t quite believe it." “When I first started in additive manufacturing, I wanted to prove that we could go from prototyping into series production and that’s exactly what we’ve done…supplying the most complex automotive, aerospace and renewables components in batches of a few thousand and, in some cases, tens of thousands.” He continued: “Importantly, we wanted to demonstrate that we could take UK technology and export it as something international firms want. The last three years have proved this was the right approach, with global sales up 2,322% since 2023." “We have also expanded our reach. The US used to be our only destination and, whilst this will always be a primary market, we are now supplying clients in Denmark, France and Latvia.” The growth in exports for RYSE 3D has given it the confidence to reinvest more than £1m into new printers, R&D, lighter materials and the launch of its own UK-engineered 3D ‘LANDR’ printer. Its team has also expanded to 18, some of whom were coffee baristas transformed into 3D printing engineers. The combination of its own large format printers and industry-leading technology has boosted its capacity to confidently print four million components every year. Mitchell continued: “This is what makes all the hard work worthwhile. There is no greater sense of achievement, for our workforce and senior management team, than seeing a part carefully engineered in Shipston-on-Stour entering production overseas for a high-profile global brand." “To have two concurrent King’s Awards is the stuff of dreams and every member of our team needs to take time out to appreciate what they have helped us achieve. We’ve already won work in the US based on winning one award, I can’t wait to get back overseas and tell people we are a double winning King’s Award business!” RYSE 3D’s production process is highly scalable, requires no tooling investment and uses widely available engineering polymers. This makes it easy to adopt internationally and attractive to companies looking to derisk supply chains, reduce capital expenditure and lower environmental impact – three features that are increasingly important to meet ‘Net Zero’ challenges and address recent global supply chain uncertainty. Whilst automotive and motorsport offered it the initial market opportunity, the company is fast proving that 3D printing can also deliver production parts to aerospace, construction, energy generation, medical and defence. Adam Archer, who switched from making coffees in the market town to leading a team of 3D printing engineers, concluded: “The pace of evolution at RYSE is incredible and I still have to pinch myself when I think we’re making performance parts that are changing the way some of the most ambitious hypercars and technology are built." “Our second King’s Award is the icing on the cake, and we look forward to using the prestigious accolade to help us secure more work and orders that see additive manufacturing expertise in Shipston-on-Stour exported all over the world.” For further information, please visit here.

One of England’s top clay pigeon shooters is set to embark on his second summer of competitions with the backing of a property finance firm. Lender MSP Capital has renewed its partnership with Andover-based Chris Morgan after he described last season as his best in eleven years of participation in the sport. Under their sponsorship deal, ‘Team MSP’ supports Chris with contributions to the costs of competing. As part of the agreement, he runs coaching sessions and shoots at events in the autumn that the firm hosts with clients, suppliers and team members. Last year these included sessions at the Barbury Shooting School at Wroughton near Swindon and the Spitfire Shoot at Stockbridge in Hampshire. One event was held specifically for JP Morgan, the world’s largest bank and a major MSP Capital funding partner. Asked for the highlights of his first season with MSP Capital backing, Chris cited his performance at the sport’s World Championships and various wins across seven county and regional championships. “On the second day at the World Championships I was under tremendous pressure,” he said. “It was pouring, we’d been driven to the wrong first peg and I had to walk a quarter of a mile in heavy rain carrying kit. I thought, ‘I’m going to get soaking wet, just focus and give it everything I’ve got." "I made a fantastic score, finishing very high in the class and beating many professionals from across the world. You have to combine mindset and technique. That’s what makes the difference. Again, at the county and south east regionals, I won in my classes against fierce competition.” Chris competes in three shooting disciplines: Compak, English sporting and Sportrap. His first major event in the new season is the European Compak Championships in France at the end of May. The summer of competitions, including at county and regional levels, will culminate with the World Compak Championships in Italy in August. “It’s very fast-paced in France and Italy,” said Chris. “You have to elevate your game and be in the running from the very first shot if you want to compete at the highest possible level.” On his partnership with Poole-based MSP Capital, Chris said: “Any financial assistance in sport is welcomed but beyond that you know you are representing a professional business and brand. You always have to be switched on and get past the nerves when you are competing. It’s great to know you have a team behind you and who you can show your results to afterwards." "We’re building a community of interest in the sport. I’ve had extremely positive feedback from the corporate events hosted with MSP Capital. They went down so well.” Adam Tovey, MSP Capital’s Commercial Director, said: “Our partnership with Chris builds on our long-standing commitment to support competitors who begin as grassroots athletes and strive for the highest levels possible in their sport. Chris is not only a successful sportsman but his coaching and tuition at our events for customers and partners in the property sector are always fun and engaging. He gets participants to shoot well far quicker than they would otherwise.” Leigh Bartlett, Chief Executive of MSP Capital, said: “Congratulations to Chris on his amazing first season with our backing. We thank him for kindly sharing his expertise and advice at the coaching sessions we organise and we wish him every success for the coming summer of sport.” Top photo: Competitive shooter Chris Morgan with MSP Capital’s Commercial Director Adam Tovey at the property finance specialist’s Poole office.

Therapeutic classrooms in a Dorset school have radically improved attendance, engagement and behaviour, its headteacher has said. John Bagwell introduced the concept in January to two Year 3 classrooms and a ‘break-out space’ at Parley First School. It is based on work by childhood trauma specialist and founder of the ‘Therapeutic Classrooms’, Shahana Knight. The plastic tables and chairs have been replaced by solid wooden desks of varying shapes and comfortable leather seats. Sofas, heavy blankets and greenery have also been included in a bid to ‘bring the home into school’. John said: “The therapeutic approach to learning meets the needs of all children but additional benefit is to those children with more complex needs. We have been working towards this for two years - there has been an initial investment but the tables and chairs will last for generations." “On the walls are photos of the children and staff to give a sense of belonging and to see them as individuals. I have been working with Shahana Knight and she designed the classrooms and break-out space." “Since Christmas attendance and engagement have improved and behavioural incidents have dropped significantly with no incidents to report." “The change of environment has significantly improved the children’s engagement and focus. Each morning the children do mindfulness exercises and during the day they eat fresh fruit and are encouraged to keep hydrated." “The old plastic chairs that most people will remember sitting on when they were at school we hope to send to Africa through an education charity.”

With many new parents in Scotland experiencing a drop in contact with others just a few months after having a baby, a leading psychologist has shared her advice to help parents feel more connected during early parenthood. To mark Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (4th–10th May), Dr Caroline Boyd, clinical psychologist, author and ambassador for perinatal mental health charity PANDAS Foundation, has teamed up with Aldi to highlight the very real loneliness many parents can experience in the months after bringing their baby home, and to raise awareness of the help available. New research from Aldi found that 53% of parents in Scotland have experienced loneliness since having a baby, peaking at five months, when visits slow down and partners return to work. Many said loneliness was driven by the reality of life with a newborn setting in (34%), as well as a growing sense that their priorities no longer aligned with those of their friends (35%). More than half of mums (56%) and nearly a third (31%) of dads said they felt lonely even when they were with their baby. Worryingly, more than three quarters (76%) admitted they hid how they were feeling from others. The study also highlights how meaningful even small interactions can be, with nearly half of parents (47%) saying they feel relieved when a stranger speaks to them. To support, Aldi, Britain’s biggest discounter, is donating £20,000 from proceeds of Mamia baby wipe sales to PANDAS Foundation during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, helping to fund vital, free and confidential support for parents and caregivers across the UK. Support is also signposted directly on-pack across Aldi’s Mamia baby wipes, helping parents access mental health guidance when they need it most. Dr Caroline Boyd, clinical psychologist, author and PANDAS Ambassador, said: “These findings reflect a common but often hidden experience of early parenthood - a period where loneliness can intensify as support drops away and parents are still adjusting to their new identity." “In the context of this profound transition, feeling connected to trusted others is not a luxury but essential, particularly in a culture that places pressure on parents to cope alone." Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “Support is often strongest in those early weeks of parenthood – but it’s the months that follow where many parents can feel most alone. That’s why it’s so important we keep checking in, long after the initial excitement has passed." “Through our partnership with PANDAS Foundation, we want to help break the silence around perinatal mental health and ensure parents know support is there when they need it most.” Dr Caroline Boyd shares five simple ways to feel more connected during early parenthood: 1. Start small with connection Even a brief interaction when you’re out and about – at the coffee shop, in the supermarket, on the bus. Make eye contact, smile, exchange a few words. Even a short, positive interaction - just 30 seconds – can lift your mood. 2. Find one space that feels safe enough A group, a class, a walk, a local stay-and-play - spaces offering music, singing, yoga, art or nature-based activities can help you feel more connected to others. Try shifting the focus from supporting your baby’s development to enhancing your own sense of connection, even if you only stay a short while. 3. Give it 7 minutes Connecting with someone new can feel awkward at first. The “7-minute rule” suggests it can take a little time before a conversation starts to flow. Give it a chance. 4. Be intentional with your online time If doomscrolling is leaving you feeling worse, try shifting towards online spaces that feel more real and reciprocal - like a book club, writing group, or a forum for parents with shared experiences - where you can share, reflect, and feel part of something. 5. Share how you’re (really) feeling In a culture shaped by the myth of ‘Supermum’ it can feel risky to speak honestly about how we feel. But talking helps us make sense, even when the words don’t come easily. If you can, share a little of what’s going on with someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, partner or a support service like PANDAS. For more information or to access support, visit here. *Research carried out in April 2026 by OnePoll on a sample of 1,000 parents with children aged under five

50 per cent say money feels like a taboo subject in the UK, and an estimated 2.8 million adults would rather “do anything” than talk about it The impact is heightened during times of volatility as 29 per cent avoid conversations about finances even if it would help their situation These perceptions form at an early age – 59 per cent say how they learned about money as children shaped their financial behaviours today Achieving financial milestones in adulthood can overcome these barriers – paying off debt or starting to invest are shown to significantly boost long-term financial confidence To support consumers navigate the current geopolitical climate, Barclays is sharing practical ways to strengthen financial confidence during uncertain times New Barclays research shows that a long‑standing reluctance to talk about money continues to affect how confidently UK adults manage their household finances. While many avoid financial conversations – often reflecting attitudes shaped in childhood – there is growing recognition that being more open can make a real difference. With six in 10 UK adults (59 per cent) are concerned about the potential impact of the conflict in the Middle East on their household finances, greater confidence and openness around financial challenges could help people feel better supported and more able to navigate periods of volatility. Three in 10 (29 per cent) say they avoid talking about money even if they know it would help their situation, including four in 10 Gen Zs (39 per cent). Half of all adults (50 per cent) say it feels rude to discuss money, one in three (33 per cent) say talking about their finances makes them feel uncomfortable, and 5 per cent would rather “do anything” than talk about it, which equates to 2.8 million people. Money norms form in childhood Early experiences play a powerful role in shaping how comfortable we feel with money as adults. Analysis from Barclays’ and National Numeracy’s recent Nurturing number confidence report3 estimates that 2.1 million children in the UK have at least one parent with low number confidence, which shapes their relationship with numbers. Nearly six in 10 (59 per cent) say the way they learned about money as children has shaped their financial behaviours today. Almost a third of adults (31 per cent) say the children they know are already thinking about the lifestyle they want in the future and what they will need to do to financially achieve it – underlining the necessity of early education and support. The confidence to talk grows after positive financial moments The research also shows that achieving positive milestones or life events, such as buying a house or career changes, consistently strengthen financial confidence and encourage people to open up. Half (53 per cent) of those who experienced a positive event say it made them more willing to talk about money. Paying off a major debt boosted confidence for 70 per cent of people, while 56 per cent reported the same after starting to invest. Conversely, financial shocks, such as an unwanted reduction in working hours (44 per cent), a long-term illness or injury (43 per cent) and job loss or redundancy (41 per cent) are most frequently cited as having had a negative impact on financial confidence. Fraud concerns also persist, with 68 per cent saying that being scammed would significantly damage their confidence. Vim Maru, Chief Executive of Barclays UK, said: “Everyday conversations with friends and family can play an important role in shaping how we feel about our finances. Yet for many, a fear of judgement – or the sense that money is simply ‘not talked about’ – still holds them back." “During periods of volatility, household finances can come under real pressure, but clear and accessible support can help people feel more confident navigating these challenges. Our research shows that when people feel able to talk about their money and seek support, they are likely to make more informed choices. Over time, these benefits are felt not just by individuals, but, by the wider economy too.”