Patients, staff, and families of the mental health campus at Stobhill Hospital in north Glasgow will soon benefit from hands-on 'Music Jams' thanks to the efforts of Music in Hospitals & Care. These fun, interactive sessions will offer an opportunity for self-expression and social interaction, building confidence and supporting patients’ mental health recovery. Music in Hospitals & Care (MIHC) is a charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of children and adults through the healing power of live music. Every year, their professional musicians share live music with people across the UK who may not otherwise get to experience it. This includes individuals living with dementia, mental health problems, and other serious illnesses. The charity believes that live music should be part of everyone’s health and social care regimen. Research has shown that music can soothe and relieve stress, isolation, frustration, and even reduce the perception of pain. The Music Jam sessions at Stobhill Hospital are designed to provide an emotional and creative outlet for people with mental health problems. Participants have reported that jam sessions help to restore a sense of identity and remind people of their passions and interests beyond their illness. There is never an expectation for people to just sit and listen; instead, the charity’s musicians actively encourage engagement with the live music in whatever way feels natural. The impact of this work has been phenomenal, with participants experiencing significant improvements in confidence and social interaction. One patient from the Orchard Clinic, a medium secure forensic unit, regularly attended Music Jams sessions at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and eventually asked if he could join in with the musicians. Staff knew he was an accomplished singer and guitarist but also knew the man to be quite anxious and lacking in confidence. MIHC musician Charlie Gorman gently supported the patient as they shared live music together and he returned each week, gradually starting to sing and play guitar by himself. After realising how much his confidence had grown, staff invited the patient to perform at Hivefest, a small festival held in the hospital grounds, where he successfully performed by himself to an audience of 150 staff, patients, and members of the public. To support these Music Jam sessions at Stobhill Hospital, the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust has donated £1,000. This funding will help the charity expand and develop their programme, which has already seen success at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Kirstyn Knowles, Live Music Manager Scotland and North of England for Music in Hospitals & Care, said: “These funds will allow Music in Hospitals & Care to bring participatory Music Jams to patients, staff, and families on the mental health campus at Stobhill Hospital. By encouraging participation and interaction, the live music experiences provide an opportunity for self-expression, social interaction and confidence building to support mental health recovery. Importantly, they also give patients a chance to have fun away from the clinical environment of the wards.” David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles Group, added: “The power of music as a force for recovery has been long-established, and the work of Music in Hospitals & Care has put that to tremendous use. We’re delighted to help this excellent charity strike a positive note in the lives of patients at Stobhill Hospital.” This funding will make a significant difference in the lives of those at Stobhill Hospital, helping to transform their mental health recovery journey through the power of live music.

A leading tax adviser and manager with more than 17 years’ professional experience has joined Hampshire accountancy and business advice firm HWB. Steven Martin’s appointment as Senior Tax Manager in HWB’s expanding team of tax specialists follows a series of senior roles in other accountancy practices. He spent 5 years at Dorset-based Ward Goodman Limited and over a decade at BDO, the fifth largest accounting firm globally. Among Steven’s specialisms are tax advice services for individuals, trusts, estates and partnerships. At HWB, he will focus on complex tax issues including aspects of Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, business succession planning, capital disposals, estate accounts and assisting clients with probate. Clients will include owner-managed businesses, families, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, SMEs and larger companies. Steven said: “HWB is well known for its tax, accountancy services and trusted advice to individuals and businesses. I look forward to contributing directly to its continued growth.” HWB Managing Director Tracy Jenkins said: “Steven is an expert tax manager with substantial knowledge and experience gained over 17 years in practice. His skills will complement those of our team and help strengthen our offering to individuals and business clients.” Steven will work alongside HWB colleagues already specialising in complex tax issues. They include Director Gemma Hedges, Senior Tax Manager Alan Rolfe, Tax Manager Joe Wilson and Tax Compliance Managers Martin Back and Susan Wooding. Steven has a first-class degree in law and taxation from Bournemouth University and is a full member of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Steven is married with a young son and lives at Canford Magna near Wimborne in Dorset. Away from work, he enjoys motor sport, travel and property maintenance and renovation. Chartered accountants HWB, based at Chandler’s Ford, near Southampton, provides business and tax advice.

A brand-new KitKat Chunky is hitting UK shelves this month. KitKat Chunky Funky features a crispy cocoa wafer wrapped up in a luscious swirl of milk chocolate and white coating. Starting from this week, shoppers will begin to find the limited-edition KitKat Chunky in stores nationwide. KitKat Assistant Brand Manager, Rida Ahmed, said: “This year we’ve introduced some amazing new products with our eye-catching, marbled swirls thanks to the brilliant minds at our research and development centre in York. KitKat Chunky has a fresh look while keeping the delicious crispy wafer and KitKat chocolate that our fans adore. It’s such a fun product, and we can’t wait to see how shoppers react!" KitKat Chunky Funky isn’t the only new arrival this month. The KitKat Chunky Duo Salted Caramel takes indulgent treats to the next level. The new duo bar features the classic crispy wafer topped with a rich layer of salted caramel filling; all wrapped in a smooth chocolate coating. Both the new KitKat products are crafted using cocoa from Nestlé’s income accelerator programme which aims to support cocoa farming families to earn more money, plant more trees and help kids into school. And that’s not all! Anyone looking for more delicious treats won’t want to miss the latest from Blue Riband. The brand has launched a new flavour: Blue Riband Vanilla, mixing a smooth vanilla filling with light wafer in a white coating and coming in at 83 calories per bar. Photo: KitKat Chunky Funky, KitKat Chunky Duo Salted Caramel and Blue Riband Vanilla on boxes in front of a red background

A show garden created by Surrey County Council has won a silver medal at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival for showing how parking spaces can be converted into vibrant green spaces. The honour was presented to the garden which showcases three parking space-sized areas, which will all be moved to Surrey’s streets after the festival. They are: The Walton parklet focuses on air quality, with plants and trees that filter pollutants while providing shade and shelter. The Cranleigh rain garden demonstrates sustainable drainage, using climate-resilient plants to manage stormwater and how to reduce flooding risks. The Guildford parklet celebrates biodiversity. It’s crafted from reclaimed materials and featuring pollinator-friendly plants, bird baths and play elements to bring people and wildlife together. In a comparison to the three gardens, a fourth zone has an electric car parked in it, demonstrating to visitors just how much can be achieved in the same amount of space. Electric vehicles do not produce the exhaust pipe emissions that contribute to climate change and poor air quality, so are a better way to travel when you need to use a car. Judges said it was ‘astonishingly clever’ to create a garden in such small public spaces. They said when you sit in the garden you feel cocooned in the street, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The garden was also highly commended with an RHS Environmental Innovation award for its commitment to sustainable garden design. The parklets and rain garden were funded through existing placemaking schemes in the three communities where the gardens will be relocated after the festival. Additional support to create the garden came from volunteers, including local young people and community groups, and from private sponsorship. Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Receiving the silver medal at one of the country’s best known garden festivals is a real honour. It reflects the ambition for our towns and villages that Surrey County Council is showcasing this week." “The show garden demonstrates how we can provide a better balance between roads and pedestrians in our town centres and provide attractive and functional areas which will encourage people to visit, stay longer and support our vital local economies." “But they also show how local government, volunteers and the private sector can work together to design and create community spaces, offering vital training to our young people along the way. I would like to thank every person and organisation which has helped create these gardens which will be on the streets of Surrey in the coming weeks for everyone to enjoy.” The sponsors and volunteers which have contributed time, materials and expertise to bring the vision to life are: Guildford County School, Surrey Hills, AtkinsRealis, Meristem Design, Ringway, Surrey Youth Offer Service, Littlethorpe, Kathy Plank, Milsetone, Surrey Hills National Landscape, Working in Charge, Youth Offer Development, Ash Youth Centre. Zoe Metcalfe, Client Director, Local and Central Government at AtkinsRéalis, said: “The opportunity to co-design this exhibit with Surrey County Council provides a real opportunity to demonstrate the importance of integrating green spaces in our streets and neighbourhoods." “Designing sustainable communities to integrate nature and climate resilient spaces is key to tackling equity of access to green space and future fit communities. The show garden demonstrates how it’s possible to take vehicle-dominated spaces transforming them into resilient and thriving places for people and nature." “The plants have been selected and integrated with a rain garden and sustainable urban drainage, to create climate-ready street-scapes to reduce impacts from intense rainfall and heat waves. Developing an enhanced public realm for community engagement in this way has a huge positive social impact as well as supporting wildlife and promoting health and wellness." “To be awarded in this way with a silver medal is really great testimony of the design and recognition of the importance of these values in developing thriving streets to connect people and communities for a climate-ready future by working with nature.” Lewis Bridgman, Service Director, Ringway, said: “Ringway is incredibly proud to have received this recognition at the RHS Garden Festival, made possible through our collaborative partnership with Surrey County Council. Transforming parking bays into pockets of green not only showcases the power of thoughtful design but also reminds us that even the smallest spaces can make a big difference. It’s been a joy to involve local NESCOT students in the creation of this garden, growing skills, growing communities, and growing a healthier future together.” For more information on the show garden, including full details of the planting, visit the council website here For details of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, which runs from Tuesday 1 July to Sunday 6 July, visit www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt

Ealing Trailfinders and Brunel University of London have signed a 10-year renewal agreement that will continue to enable students to combine top-level rugby with their academic studies – and build on the Trailfinders Rugby Academy’s many successes. The professional team has overseen the performance rugby programmes at Brunel since the partnership launched in 2018. Now more than 500 student players have benefited from the team’s coaches, strength and conditioning staff, their analysts and medical experts – plus access to the club’s two 4G pitches, two gyms and medical area – as part of the Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Scholarship Programme. Among them are more than 25 players who have represented Ealing Trailfinders, Championship Rugby’s back-to-back winning champions, and more than 20 who have played for Trailfinders Women in the Premiership, including: Josh Taylor (2024 graduate, Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences) played for Scotland’s back row in the Under-20s Six Nations Elliot Chilvers (2022 graduate, Marketing Management) was in the first-ever cohort of the Trailfinders Rugby Academy, and made his debut in 2021 for the Club Lefty Zigiriadis (2023 graduate, Economics and Accounting) made his debut at the end of the 2022/23 season and has since established himself as a regular starter within the Ealing Trailfinders team Maud Muir (2022 graduate, Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences) has not represented Trailfinders, but has won 40 caps as a prop for England, including back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations and playing in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Many of the players are enjoying continuing success at Ealing Trailfinders, with others going on to play for other clubs such as Saracens, Toulon, Scarlets, Glasgow and Edinburgh – or, in Muir’s case, Gloucester-Hartpury, with whom she has won two Premiership league titles. The seven years of the partnership so far have seen multiple promotions for Brunel’s teams, with the women’s side now in the top flight of university rugby, and the launch of the Brunel’s men’s side in the RFU league. This has been supercharged by the opening in 2021 of a £2 million high-performance training facility on Brunel’s Uxbridge-based campus. The extension of the scholarship programme in 2021 to include women was foundational to Ealing’s aims to build a world-class hub for female rugby players, and was the catalyst for the launch of the Trailfinders Women squad, who are already competing in the country’s top league. Ben Ward, Ealing Trailfinders’ Director of Rugby and Manager Director, said: “We’re thrilled to be working in close partnership with Brunel for the next 10 years. We view our partnership as a unique set-up for rugby in this country, by linking our academy with a university – and with Brunel’s sporting prowess. Our ongoing long-term partnership confirms Ealing Trailfinders’ and Brunel’s commitment to build the most comprehensive rugby university academy in Europe.” Gareth Rise, manager of the Ealing Trailfinders Academy, said: “This partnership is the centrepiece of our academy strategy for both men and women players at Ealing Trailfinders. The renewal means the academy, and the ever-growing talent pool that is developing at Brunel, will go from strength to strength." “It’s important to note that the programme doesn’t just produce great rugby players - it also produces academically minded individuals who have made waves off the pitch.” In addition to players who have secured places on sought-after graduate schemes, Simone Panella (2024 graduate, Business and Management) set up Dyamotech, a company specialising in wearable technology designed to monitor head impacts in sports, which led to his being crowned Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Hillingdon Business Awards. Many Brunel students have had internship opportunities at the club, such as in physiotherapy and coaching, and Callum Macaulay (2020 graduate, Sports, Health and Exercise Sciences) has risen to become the club’s Head of Performance Analysis. Professor Jonathan Wastling, Brunel’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, added: “Our partnership with Ealing Trailfinders has been transformational for Brunel’s rugby talent, with our university rugby teams thriving and many of our stars going on to play for Ealing’s men’s and women’s sides. It’s also been a huge boost for all the students who have immersed themselves in the academy’s ecosystem to develop their professional skills." “It’s a demonstration of a strong partnership that delivers benefits for the local community and beyond, and I’m delighted that we will have another decade of success.” The Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Scholarship Programme offers bursary and financial assistance with university accommodation and tuition fees for the most promising players from around the world who wish to develop their rugby career alongside studying for a degree. For more information, and to apply, visit www.brunel.ac.uk/ealing-trailfinders. Image: Signing the 10-year renewal agreement. Seated, left to right: Ben Ward (Director of Rugby and Managing Director, Ealing Trailfinders) and Professor Jonathan Wastling (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Brunel). Standing, left to right: Gareth Rise, Academy Manager, Ealing Trailfinders), Dr Manuel Alonso (Chief Operating Officer, Brunel), Kirsty Smith (Associate Director of Global Engagement, Brunel) and James Budkiewicz (Deputy Director of Commercial Services, Brunel).

Johnsons Nurseries Ltd proudly marks a significant milestone with the successful completion of its fourth in-house Plant Identification Training Program since the initiative began in 2023. The Spring 2025 session, which concluded on June 19th, continues the company’s strong commitment to employee development and horticultural excellence.   As one of the UK’s largest commercial nursery growers, Johnsons has been growing for over a century and supplies 5 to 6 million plants every year from its five sites across the Vale of York.   This seasonal training—now firmly established within Johnsons annual development calendar—forms part of a structured, year-round learning journey. Alongside previous autumn, winter, and summer sessions, this spring/early summer edition reinforces the company's dedication to building horticultural expertise across its workforce.   A total of 21 employees from a range of different departments completed the spring/early summer program, which focused on expanding plant knowledge across seasonal varieties. In a ceremony held to celebrate their achievement, certificates were awarded by Production Director Robert Richardson. Those completing the 9-week course included: Molly Buckle, Florence Marsden, Louise Roberts, Aaron Ferraioli, Henry Greaves, Jack Woodworth, Harry Helman, Tom Laws, Matt Falokun, Kayleigh Shaw, Jordan Riley, Levi Riley, Ben Gannon, Josh O'Brien, Mark Swallow, Simon Maddison, Moshtaq Miri, Kobe Williams, Chris Pitwood, Shelley Pawson, and Joel Constanza. Florence Marsden, Louise Roberts, and Ben Gannon achieved a perfect score of 10/10 in every session they attended, demonstrating outstanding consistency and dedication.   Graham Richardson, Johnsons Group Managing Director, commented: “With four successful plant ID programs completed since 2023, we’ve built a strong foundation for continuous learning at Johnsons. We’re proud of the progress our team has made and excited to continue this momentum. Our 2025 plans include further development of these training sessions, along with expanded Plant Health and bespoke horticulture training later in the year.”

Consumers are now able to buy Mama Dolce’s award-winning, luxurious free-from ice cream exclusively from Ocado.com Mama Dolce has created rich flavours that do not compromise on taste. All of our flavours are free from dairy, nuts, eggs, soya, wheat and gluten. Mama Dolce is the premium brand for everyone, transforming the face of free-from ice cream and bringing an offering to everyone that means free-from ice cream is no longer clinical, bland in packaging and lacking in taste. Charmaine Trotman, Free From Buying Manager at Ocado Retail says: “We are delighted to provide Mama Dolce with its first retail listing as part of our Free From range here at Ocado. With four flavours to choose from, it's breaking barriers in terms of offering our customers allergen-free luxury ice cream with no compromise on taste or quality. It firmly has a seat at the table with a host of awards already under its belt, including gold at the 2025 and 2024 Free From awards.” Jane, Founder of Mama Dolce, says: “We are so proud to announce this landmark partnership with Ocado and to be able to offer a taste of the Mama Dolce at home experience to food shoppers across the UK. Our listing on Ocado means that shoppers can sample some of the most of our flavours from the comfort of their own home." "Working with a business such as Ocado that has a commitment to high-quality products, sustainability and unbeatable service is a great match for us. We're excited for this step in our goal of being at the forefront of Free From ice cream in the UK."

A charitable organisation which supports vulnerable women in Leamington Spa is appealing for donations of cleaning products to help maintain their supported living accommodation, Esther House. Part of The Esther Project, this gender-specific initiative is dedicated to supporting vulnerable women dealing with mental health challenges, escaping domestic abuse, overcoming addiction, transitioning from prison, or facing homelessness. The project aims to create a nurturing and empowering community where every woman can heal, grow and reach their full potential through a range of services, including counselling, one-on-one support, creative activities, employability opportunities, and drop-in sessions. The seven-bed accommodation provides a safe and supportive space, for up to two years, for women to recover. Each resident has access to one-on-one counselling, guidance, and emotional care, allowing them to work through the trauma and challenges they face. The ambition is to open a hub, a safe space where women can meet, access key support services and develop new skills for employability alongside an alternative to custody, in a rural location for women with more complex needs. Cleaning items desperately needed include washing powder, fabric conditioner, dishwasher tablets, salt & rinse aid (e.g. Finish), washing up liquid, bathroom and kitchen spray, floor cleaner, bleach, air freshener, toilet blocks, toilet cleaner, polish, sponges and cloths. Food and toiletries items are also welcomed – and all donations can be dropped off at All Saints Church, Leamington (side entrance) on Mondays between 12.30-2.30pm. Among the first to donate was local entrepreneur Amanda Chalmers of Chalmers News PR. The charity was established in 2023 by Lianne Kirkman who headed up the Helping Hands Community project for 10 years prior. Lianne said: “We have a shared cleaning schedule at Esther House — an important part of how the women living there learn to work together, take pride in their space and build life skills with dignity and care so these products are essential in helping the ladies learn to live independent lives." “We really want to thank Chalmers News PR for the donation of essential cleaning products for Esther House. We recently reached out to the community for donations and Amanda was very quick to respond to our appeal." “Amanda's generous support will help us create a clean, welcoming environment where our residents can feel truly at home. Often when a lady moves into Esther House, she may not yet be in receipt of all the Government funding that is available to them, so we like to provide food items and cleaning products to help the ladies get by, until their payments start to come through.” Amanda Chalmers, who has been running her PR agency in Warwick for early seven years, said: “I first got to learn about Lianne and her work with the charity when I wrote all about her epic 10-night Sleepout Challenge in February to raise money and awareness. “From that moment on I knew I wanted to do something extra to help – and hopefully this donation will encourage plenty more as there’s a long list of items which are always needed.”

The Pantry took home the prestigious Supreme Champion Family Business Award at the National Family Business of the Year Awards 2025, awards organised by Family Business United to celebrate the incredible contribution of family businesses to the UK economy. Family firms are the engine room of the UK economy providing significant numbers of jobs, generating income, creating wealth and investing in our communities. As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United explains, "The Pantry is a family business that exudes enthusiasm and a belief in the good that a family business can do if it is motivated to do so. Right from the start this business set out to be different, to stand out from the crowd and make a stand for their industry, putting people before profit." "This is a business that cares at every level of their team, now employing nearly 1,000 staff, and who are positively influencing the lives and health of tomorrow’s generation." "The Pantry is a business that feeds 38,000 children daily, are passionate about serving quality meals to children and creating positive food memories, sharing food journeys and educating a generation about food and healthy eating, often on a very limited budget per meal." "They are not just focused on decision makers but the children who eat their food each and every day." "Numerous family members work in this business, along with plenty of other families, and their vision, passion and purpose is driven from the team, lead by an incredible leader who wants to make a difference," concludes Paul. Not only did they take home the Supreme Champion Award but they were also winners of the London & South East Family Business of the Year Award as well. The Pantry was founded by Luke Consiglio at the age of 21, 19 years ago, and has grown from a sandwich shop on the high street to a £20 million, and growing, turnover business with plans to continue to innovate, disrupt and influence a generation of children, creating positive food experiences and hopefully shaping their food journeys for life. As Martin Lindsey, Head of Advice at Brooks Macdonald, sponsors of the Supreme Champion Award adds, "This is a fantastic family business that is a stand out winner, clearly epitomising the purpose, ethos and values of an exemplary family business. What they do is incredible and they are already recognised as disruptors for good in their sector." "They are worthy winners of the Supreme Champion title and great ambassadors for the family business sector too." As Luke Consiglio, Founder and CEO of The Pantry continues, "Family and non-family members alike have endorsed and reinforced our central business message – People over Profit. Whether it’s through our philanthropic endeavours or just the day-to-day culture of care that we expect of our staff, being able to recreate our company ethos across 160 kitchens is something we reflect upon with huge pride." "It’s also been an extraordinarily challenging year of businesses in general, but especially family businesses, with the financial headwinds we’ve been facing having increased in strength and ferocity over the past 12 months." "In this environment, we’ve not only continued to nurture and develop a thriving family business, but become something more than that – a business that rallies for change for our wider community, that engages with charities and governments, that’s embarked upon our largest campaign of philanthropic and community-focused work, at a time it’s been needed most." "Family Businesses have faced challenges like never before this year, but the way we’ve all rallied together and shown our resilience, innovation and resourcefulness has made us very proud to be part of such a community. So to win an award this year is extra special, and it’s an honour to receive recognition from such a recognised family business authority too, that continues to create a space where the passion, resilience, and impact of family businesses can truly shine." "We are absolutely thrilled, honoured, and bursting with pride to share that The Pantry has been named the Supreme Champion Family Business of the Year at the Family Business Awards 2025," continues Luke. "This is the highest accolade of the evening, and to say we’re over the moon is an understatement. From humble beginnings to this unforgettable moment, this award is a powerful recognition of the passion, hard work, and love poured into our business by every single member of our incredible team – and of course, our wonderful community who continue to support us every step of the way." "This win is for our devoted team who go above and beyond every day, the families who’ve grown with us and the values that have guided us through thick and thin. Family is at the heart of everything we do, and this award feels like a celebration of that spirit." "Here’s to many more shared successes, memories, and meals."

Faversham-based brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has teamed up with fellow independent business Kent Crisps for a delicious new partnership. Kent Crisps will be available in selected Shepherd Neame pubs and hotels throughout Kent, London and across the South East from Monday, June 2. The award-winning range of hand-cooked, traditional British crisps showcase some of Kent’s finest food and drink, with flavours including Ashmore Cheese and Onion, in collaboration with Cheesemakers of Canterbury, and Sea Salt & Vinegar with Biddenden Cider. Some of the county’s most celebrated landscapes and landmarks are also promoted on the packets, including Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral. It isn’t the first time that the Kent-based companies have worked together, as more than a decade ago, they came up with a popular flavour combining Roast Beef with Shepherd Neame’s award-winning Spitfire Amber Ale. Executive Chef Ellina Smith said: “As a business, we are passionate about supporting local producers, which is why we are delighted to announce our new partnership with Kent Crisps. In addition to creating incredibly tasty crisps, which are also gluten free and free from artificial flavours and preservatives, it is a fellow independent Kent business that shares our commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. We are confident that its award-winning range of products will prove popular with our customers.” In addition to offering customers the full range of Kent Crisps, which currently consists of seven flavours, Shepherd Neame is also offering award-winning Cambrook Nuts and Alf Turner Pork Scratchings, which will be distributed by local wholesaler Curd & Cure. Kent Crisps’ Owner Laura Bounds said: “We are delighted that Kent Crisps are launching in Shepherd Neame’s pubs, it’s a testament to the quality of our crisps and dedication from the team. As two iconic, independently owned Kent brands, this is a true Kent partnership, demonstrating our shared commitment to the local food, drink and tourism industry in Kent whilst also keeping food miles to a minimum. We’re looking forward to working with them and the fantastic opportunity it offers us to bring our award-winning crisps to new audiences."

An in-depth analysis of new ONS data by employment law firm Clifton Ingram has revealed a sharp rise in sickness absence due to mental health conditions, with the number of mental health-related sick days increasing by 40% in just 12 months. Drawing on data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the firm’s researchers examined annual sickness absence trends across the UK labour market. The dataset details working days lost to sickness by region, sex, age group, employment type, and illness category, providing a broad view of how absence has affected workplaces nationwide and how those patterns have changed over time. The firm’s research shows that, in 2024, 1 in 5 sick days in the UK were taken for mental health reasons, marking a dramatic leap from the previous year. In fact, while minor illnesses still account for the highest number of absences overall, mental health now represents the fastest-growing category of reported sickness, overtaking musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions in year-on-year change. Alison Gair, Senior Associate and Head of Employment at Clifton Ingram, commented: “This steep rise in mental health-related absence may be a reflection of increasing pressure across many sectors, particularly in public-facing or emotionally demanding roles." “It may also indicate progress - a growing willingness among employees to speak up and report mental health struggles more honestly, rather than disguising them as physical complaints. That’s a societal step forward - but it also places new responsibilities on employers.” The figures show that women are more likely than men to take sick leave for mental health conditions, with reported cases increasing significantly over the past decade. At the same time, women’s reports of minor illness have declined - further supporting the theory that mental health is becoming less stigmatised and more accurately reported. Notably, the data paints a contrasting picture for men. While they were 18% more likely than women to take time off for minor illnesses, they were far less likely to report mental health-related absences. This disparity may reflect the ongoing stigma men face when it comes to acknowledging and reporting mental health challenges. Some regions appear to be more impacted than others. Wales, Scotland, and the North of England - where public sector employment is higher and socio-economic pressures are more acute - consistently reported higher sickness absence rates overall, with mental health likely playing a significant role. In addition, in the South East, women’s sickness absence has climbed to a decade high of 2.7% in 2024, up from 2.3% in 2014. Commenting on this, Gair said: “The rising cost of living in the area may be placing increased financial and emotional pressure on women, particularly those balancing work with caregiving responsibilities. Childcare in the South East is amongst the most expensive in the country, and with women more likely to take on primary caregiving roles, this added burden can lead to burnout and a greater likelihood of needing time off work." “Employers in every region and sector need to take a hard look at whether their current policies truly support mental wellbeing - not just on paper, but in everyday culture." “Training, flexible work, early intervention programmes, and open communication are no longer nice-to-haves - they’re essential for safeguarding productivity and protecting your team.”

One of Dorset’s top heritage tourism attractions has begun its 140th anniversary year with community support from a regional law firm. Ellis Jones Solicitors has announced a continued partnership with the Swanage Railway Trust, a volunteer-led charity the firm has supported since 2018. The Trust runs a ten-mile steam railway line that connects Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage and generates more than £15 million in annual tourism-related income for the Purbeck economy. Ellis Jones’ announcement comes after railway staff and volunteers held an event to celebrate the anniversary of the first passenger train to depart from Swanage station on the route in May 1885. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of hundreds of volunteers, the line was reopened a few years after it was shut by British Rail in 1972, emerging once again as a much-loved Purbeck amenity. Ellis Jones’ support for the railway includes a range of legal advice, business services and discounts for Trust team members. The firm’s High Street, Swanage, office is just a five-minute walk from Swanage station, ideally situated for keeping close ties with the charity. Solicitor Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones’ Managing Partner, said: “We believe in the importance of giving back to the community and therefore take an active role in supporting local charities and volunteer organisations. Swanage Railway is a cherished part of the Purbeck community and we are especially proud to be able to help preserve it so that people can enjoy it now and in the future. Full steam ahead!” The recent anniversary celebration was held at Swanage station and attended by dozens of dignitaries and other invited guests. It featured the blowing of a Victorian brass horn reputed to have been sounded at the departure of the first train on the line back in 1885. Swanage Railway Trust chair Frank Roberts said: “It was a wonderful occasion to herald the start of our anniversary year. And to complement that success, we are thrilled to continue having Ellis Jones on board as a sponsor, partner and community supporter.” Photo Images: Swanage Railway Trust chair Frank Roberts speaking at the 140th anniversary celebration at Swanage station. Image courtesy of Andrew P.M. Wright. Long-time Swanage Railway volunteer Peter Sills blows the Victorian horn at the 140th anniversary celebration. As a teenager, Peter travelled on the last British Rail passenger train from Swanage and Corfe Castle to the main line at Wareham on New Year’s Day, 1972. Image courtesy of Andrew P.M. Wright. Ellis Jones Managing Partner Nigel Smith at Swanage Railway with Dispute Resolution Partners Victoria Riddleston, left, and Lauren Day.