Unsupported Screen Size: The viewport size is too small for the theme to render properly.

News

Cheshire & Warrington Pledge – Employment Readiness Programme

Cheshire & Warrington Pledge – Employment Readiness Programme

From September – January The Pledge runs its Employment Readiness Programme followed by Mock Assessment Centres.

The Employment Readiness Programme is aimed at Year 13 students (last year of A Level) who do not want to go to University, undecided and are looking at alternative pathways, mostly apprenticeships or straight into employment. The aim of the programme is to help students understand what employers are looking for and be more employment ready and understand what apprenticeships are.

The Pledge will be running many workshops within several sixth forms and colleges around the North Cheshire East area, highlighting all the opportunities that are available after leaving college and are looking for employers that would like to take part who are actively looking for new talent.

——————————————————————-

The following opportunities are available:-

What is an Apprenticeship and Apprentice Q&A

We talk about what apprenticeships there are, the different levels, where you can apply etc. We then look to have current apprentices at the event to do a Q&A session with them about what they do as an apprentice, why they chose to be an apprentice and what advice they would give to budding apprentices. We ask the students if they have any questions they would like to ask. Ideal if you have apprentices that are alumni from any of the schools that we deliver in.

The dates for these are as follows:-

11/09/2024 Fallibroome 09:10-10:00
08/10/2024 Wilmslow 09:05-10:05
08/10/2024 Knutsford 11:30-12:30
10/10/2024 Eaton Bank 11:20-12:20
09/10/2024 Tytherington 09:05-10:05

CV Masterclass Workshop with Employer Input

This is a 1 hour session, to get the young people starting to think about the right things to have on their CV, how to set it up, and what employers look for in the CV.  The Pledge team will lead the session but will bring in employers to give their input and advice. This is delivered within the school however if you would prefer, we can beam you in virtually through Microsoft Teams.

The dates for these are as follows:-

09/10/2024 Tytherington 10:05-11:05
09/10/2024 Fallibroome 11:30-12:30
22/10/2024 Wilmslow 09:05-10:05
05/11/2024 Knutsford 11:30-12:30
14/11/2024 Eaton Bank 11:20-12:20
18/11/2024 Macclesfield College All Day – 6×1 hour sessions to 6 different cohorts

CV One to One Sessions with Employers – Virtual

The CV “One to One” session is where young people will be able to have a more personal approach with one employer and a chance for the young person to get feedback on their CV and have the practice of sitting in front of an employer and talk about their experience. This is also a great chance for an employer to meet future talent and to help young people become more employment ready. This is virtual and generally takes 1 hour. We would arrange each employer to have 3 – 4 appointments with young people so they would log into a Teams call at a designated time for their 15 minute CV chat. You would be sent CVs in advance.

The dates for these are as follows:- (Where the session runs over multiple hours or all day, choose a 1 hour slot that works for you)

05/11/2024 Fallibroome 09:00-12:00
06/11/2024 Tytherington All Day
12/11/2024 Wilmslow 09:05-10:05
26/11/2024 Wilmslow 09:05-10:05
26/11/2024 Knutsford All Day
28/11/2024 Eaton Bank All Day

  Preparing for an Interview & Assessment Centre

This session is led by the Pledge team and asks for employer input in terms of what they are looking for within candidates and any tips and advice. This is delivered within the school however if you would prefer, we can beam you in virtually through Microsoft Teams.

The dates and times are as follow :-

25/11/2024 Macclesfield College All Day – 6×1 hour sessions to 6 different cohorts
26/11/2024 Poynton 10:00-11:00
06/12/2024 Fallibroome 09:10-10:10
10/12/2024 Wilmslow 09:05-10:05
10/12/2024 Knutsford 11:30-12:30
12/12/2024 Eaton Bank 11:20-12:20
09/01/2025 Tytherington 09:05-10:05

We will also be delivering the above sessions in All Hallows Catholic College and Congleton High School (dates will be sent out early September) 

Mock Assessment Centre  – Shrigley Hall – Friday 14th January – 09:00-17:00

In January we had around 170 students attend this event who are actively seeking apprenticeships. So, if you are a business who is looking to recruit then this is a great opportunity to cherry pick future talent for your business being part of the employer assessor team to give students the practice of going through an assessment centre and giving feedback. The Assessment centre will be made up of  sessions such as group tasks, interviews and presentations. We are looking for employers and apprentices to help support the event and provide feedback for those attending.

If you’d like to get involved please contact:

James Buckley | Pledge Facilitator
The Pledge

e | james.buckley@youthfed.org
m | 07837 111095

cheshireandwarringtonpledge.com
+44(0)151 357 1971

Beyond Law Group forms strategic partnership with Waterland Private Equity to further disrupt UK legal market

Beyond Law Group forms strategic partnership with Waterland Private Equity to further disrupt UK legal market

Beyond Law Group has secured investment from Waterland Private Equity to build yet further momentum in delivering its long-term vision to become the UK’s leading law firm for corporate and consumer legal services.

The partnership between Beyond Law Group and Waterland Private Equity will support the Group’s strategic growth ambitions, which will be achieved through both organic growth and a precise and strategic approach to acquisitions.

Widely regarded as a disrupter to the traditional legal industry, Beyond Law Group creates, builds and grows specialist legal practices each with individual client propositions.  Through its entrepreneurial management team, strategy and distinctive brand, the Group offers a more disruptive, innovative, culture centric approach to legal services; a very real alternative option to lawyers and clients who are looking for something different to “big firm” law.

Established in 2017, Beyond Law Group has seen rapid growth through all its specialist practices which include Beyond Corporate, McAlister Family Law and the recently established Home Property Law. With “beyond traditional” offices in Manchester, Cheshire and London, the Group now employs over 100 people, has grown organically by 20% year on year and has been recognised by The Financial Times as one of the fastest growing companies in Europe.

The Group’s strategy is to expand its niche practice portfolio and further develop its existing practices in primary locations across the UK having an identified a pipeline of new partner hires, team lifts and strategic acquisitions which will not only strengthen existing services but will add new specialist capabilities.

As part of its strategy, the Group is focusing on high-quality acquisitions as well as organic growth opportunities and to support that vision, the management team have appointed Steve Smith, former Daisy Group CFO, to join the board as a non-executive Director, enabling the Group to bring acquisition capabilities in house.

The investment from Waterland further underpins Beyond Law Group’s strategy and vision, as well as ensuring the continued recruitment and retention of top talent across all locations. Matt Fleetwood, Beyond Law Group’s Founder and Chief Executive, will continue to lead the business supported by McAlister Family Law Managing Partner, Amanda McAlister, and Beyond Corporate Managing Partner, James Corlett.

James Fitzgibbon of Squire Patton Boggs acted for the Company whilst Kieran Toal led the corporate team at Pinsent Masons acting for Waterland.

Other professional services businesses recently backed by Waterland include Cooper Parry, AFO Group, Moore Belgium and Horn & Company.

Matt Fleetwood, Beyond Law Group’s Founder and Chief Executive, comments: “In Waterland we have found an experienced and supportive partner to help us achieve our growth ambitions and vision of being the UK’s leading provider of corporate and consumer legal services. We see strong potential to expand nationally, particularly in London, and Waterland’s experience as a specialist buy and build investor will help us to deliver our ambitious acquisition strategy, finding high-quality businesses to partner with and integrate into our growing network.”

Wendy McMillan, Partner at Waterland Private Equity, comments: “Beyond Law Group is a stand-out professional services business which is disrupting the legal industry and setting itself apart from its competitors. We are looking forward to working closely with Matt and the management team to support their vision for the future and enable Beyond Law Group to continue to expand its portfolio through a combination of buy and build and organic growth. Together we will continue to accelerate Beyond Law Group’s journey of sustained success, and we are delighted to be supporting the business in this way.”

Everybody launch Junior Awards nominations for 2024

Everybody launch Junior Awards nominations for 2024

(Photo Caption – L-R: Andrew Kolker Chairman at Everybody Health & Leisure, Peter Hargreaves Chairman’s Award Winner, Chris Jackson Holmes Chapel Parish Council, Diana Tames from Holmes Chapel Parish Council)

Everybody Health & Leisure are delighted to announce that nominations for the 2024 Everybody Junior Awards are now open. These awards will recognise and celebrate children aged 4-15 years for their inspirational efforts and contributions to local sporting and activity success in Cheshire East, between 19th October 2023 – 14th July 2024.

You can nominate in categories including:

Active Family of the Year – A family that has shown immense dedication to remaining healthy and active together within the past 12 months.

Rising Swim Star, for ages 4-8 years, 9-15 years – A swimmer participating in the Everybody Swim programme who always listens to instructions, is enthusiastic to achieve and gifted in the water. They also support other learners in the group and the swimming teacher too.

Sports Personality of the Year, for ages 5-8 years, 9-11 years and 12-15 years – Individuals who have competed and achieving at local, regional or national level in a sport or several sports, shown an ability to lead by example and support others.

Everybody Junior Member of the Year – An Everybody member who has shown great dedication to keeping healthy and active.

Unsung Junior Hero Award – Someone who has given their time to a local sports club or community group, ensuring that they can provide their services to as many people as possible.

Previous winners include skilled Football Players, Karate stars, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu enthusiasts and many more!

Kerry Shea, Director of Health & Communities at Everybody Health and Leisure shared:

“We are very excited to welcome back the Everybody Junior Awards for 2024 in celebration of our 10th birthday. They are one of our favourite awards of the year and we love hearing the fantastic stories of our young local athletes. We can’t wait to read all your nominations and we are sure there will be some difficult decisions when it comes to picking the winners, so please get your nominations in today!”

After the success of last year, presenting the Junior Awards within local clubs and school assemblies, Everybody are delighted to be doing the same this year and cannot wait to celebrate with the nominee’s family, friends, teachers and club representatives.

Nominations for the Everybody Junior Awards 2024 will close on 14th July 2024. Find out more information and how to nominate here https://everybody.org.uk/about/everybody-junior-awards-2024/

Choppy times for firms must end, says British Chamber of Commerce

Choppy times for firms must end, says British Chamber of Commerce

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which represents over 19,000 companies and 18 million employees, said businesses are “not getting used to” post-Brexit trading rules.

The BCC published its manifesto as the election campaign entered its second week with the economy set as a key battle ground in the race for 10 Downing Street.

Overnight, the Conservatives and Labour clashed over VAT. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt claimed Sir Keir Starmer wanted to raise it, which Labour said was “absolute nonsense”.

BCC president Baroness Lane Fox said the next government – whichever party wins – needs to “hit the ground running with meaningful action” to help business.

Speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme, Shevaun Haviland, director general of the BCC said “the last few years have been choppy times for business”, referring to Covid, inflation and high interest rates.

She added that the group wants to see less friction with the EU on trading goods and movement of people as businesses are “not getting used to” the increased paperwork since Brexit.

With trade agreements up for review in a year’s time, she called for any new deal to make the import and export of food and freedom of movement for workers “simpler”.

The BCC reiterated its call for business rates – which are a tax on a commercial properties such as shops – to be reformed to “encourage growth and investment”.

It also said that artificial intelligence, or AI, could be ” a real gamechanger for businesses”.

But Ms Haviland said “small businesses are concerned about being left behind” and the next government needs to appoint an AI champion to bridge the gap between larger and smaller firms on use of the technology.

The document has been published as political parties spar over VAT.

Mr Hunt pledged in an article for the Daily Telegraph that the Conservatives would not raise the main rate of the sales tax during the next Parliament, and suggested Labour would.

However, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves ruled out a VAT hike, and strongly refuted Mr Hunt suggestion. The Liberal Democrats also pledged not to raise VAT.

Labour and the Conservatives have also said they will not lift income tax or National Insurance.

But Paul Johnson, director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies, the independent think tank, said: “It is worth saying that it is not quite clear what they mean by not increasing things like income tax.

“We know it is baked into the numbers that income tax increases are happening over the next three years because thresholds and allowances are being frozen and that is a significant tax rise over the next few years so you can find ways of getting more money out of these taxes without raising the rates.”

Article: courtesy of – https://www.bbc.co.uk/

Image: Getty

David Lewis Receives Prestigious Chief Nurse Adult Social Care – Team Award

David Lewis Receives Prestigious Chief Nurse Adult Social Care – Team Award

On the 23rd of May, David Lewis, a leading charity dedicated to providing outstanding support for individuals with complex needs, was awarded the highly prestigious ‘Chief Nurse Adult Social Care – Team Award’.

The nursing team plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of 230 individuals with diverse health requirements, from 16 to 80 years of age. Providing 24/7 365 days of safe care services, including School, College, Day Opportunities and Residential services.

The Chief Nurse Adult Social Care Awards have been developed to acknowledge and reward the significant and outstanding contribution made by nurses in social care in England. They celebrate nurses who go above and beyond their everyday roles to provide excellent care, leadership, and inspiration to their colleagues.

John Heritage, Chief Executive of David Lewis, commented “I am so proud of our team for winning this award. Following a recent inspection by the CQC, the David Lewis Centre retained a GOOD rating and was acknowledged for outstanding practice in the nursing service. The positive feedback from residents, families, and external stakeholders highlights the nursing team’s exceptional care and commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the people we support.

Awards like these highlight the industry’s recognition of the excellence we strive for in providing compassionate care to individuals with complex needs.”

The award winning nursing team significantly reduce or prevent unnecessary hospital admissions for individuals with various needs. Their expertise includes assessing and managing risks, overseeing physical health, and managing complex health conditions and epilepsy care. Additionally, they offer ongoing clinical guidance and training to staff.

Victoria Entwistle, Director of Clinical Services, Quality & Compliance of David Lewis commented “I want to take this opportunity to personally thank every one of you for the tireless work you do day in and day out. Without your dedication, we would not be able to achieve the level of care and support that we do. I am extremely proud of the team and this award recognises their contribution.

David Lewis remains committed to ensuring exceptional care and support across all of our services. The nursing team’s loyalty and dedication are evidenced by some members working at our clinical services for over two decades, accumulating 140 years of total length of service. They excel in establishing rapport with residents and families, leading to holistic and individualised care.”

The team holds various qualifications, including RGN, RNLD, RNMH, and dual qualifications.

If you are interested in looking at any of their services please visit their website on www.davidlewis.org.uk

Everybody Health & Leisure is Seriously Social

Everybody Health & Leisure is Seriously Social

We’re serious about doing social good and adding social value to people’s lives here at Everybody Health & Leisure.

That’s why we will be marking the first ever Seriously Social Week in May as part of a national campaign that showcases how the work of charities, like ours, are putting people above profit, connecting communities and helping people to become healthier, happier and more creative, regardless of age or ability.

Seriously Social has been organized by national body Community Leisure UK (CLUK). Starting Monday 27 – each day of the week will focus on a theme to show how companies like ours help create social impact and create happier, healthier communities. Themes include Health & Wellbeing, Environment, Inclusion, Community and Employment & Skills.

Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “Our members don’t just deliver public leisure and cultural services, they support social change for the better every day of the week, 365 days a year.

“As social enterprises and charities, they put people above profit. They are run by local people and have everyone’s best interests at heart. This week is about showcasing how they go above and beyond supporting individuals and communities. This is a selfless sector, quietly going about supporting people and communities every day. Not because it makes them money, but because it’s the right thing to do. And we thought it was high time more people know about the great work they do and the difference they make.”

More than 110 Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises deliver public leisure and culture in Scotland, Wales and Ireland as part of the Community Leisure UK network. Together in 2023 they:

National statistics

Welcomed more than 209 million visits

Worked with 170+ Local Authorities

Collaborated with 100,000+ Community Groups

Reduced carbon emissions by 73%

63% provided warm spaces for the community

75% provided holiday food and activity programmes

Saved the state and NHS £893million through their work getting people more active and healthier

Thomas Barton, CEO of Everybody Health & Leisure, said: “We are proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good when providing public leisure and culture services. Our core business isn’t about making profit, it is about purpose – helping people first. Supporting society to get healthier and happier, employing local people, creating safe spaces for everybody, connecting communities, working towards net zero and supporting people with quality health and wellbeing services for everybody regardless of age or ability.

“Seriously Social is a brilliant way to showcase not only the difference we make but also why we do what we do.”

Discover Everybody Health & Leisure’s contribution to the national picture in 2023-24, by visiting www.everybody.org.uk/everybody-stats-2023-24/

*Social Value Figure produced by 4Global using data from Moving Communities and DataHub. Full stats can be found at seriouslysocial.org.uk