Author: Karen Contrino

On Thursday 14th November, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries hosted its annual conference, bringing together its network of franchises from up and down the country to reflect on their successes from the past year while looking ahead to what 2025 has in store. The event featured talks and workshops exploring emerging trends, new technologies and forward-looking strategies designed to provide valuable insights for those in early years education. The day-long conference took place at the historic De Vere Beaumont Estate, nestled in the historic heart of Old Windsor, and showcased a variety of workshops led by Monkey Puzzle’s head office team…

Celia Gaze, Founder and CEO of the Wellbing Farm, has been appointed as an Entrepreneur in Residence at The of Central Lancashire to help bring real-world business experience to its students. Celia’s appointment sees her join fellow new EIRs Lara Harrison, Founder & Managing Director of Superstar PAs Ltd and Michael Huckerby, Director of Huckerby Hotels. The three entrepreneurs have been handpicked to help the next generation of business leaders. The trio, who were announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week, will join seven current EIRs who are bringing real-world expertise and entrepreneurial practice to the School of Business’ students, academics and…

With Christmas around the corner, finding a gift that goes the distance can feel like a quest of its own. While some toys may lose their charm come January, certain tech gifts are built to be more than just holiday fun – they are designed to inspire, spark curiosity and keep kids engaged for months, even years, down the line. This season, why not gift something that not only lights up their faces but fuels their minds too? From robots to coding kits and hands-on experiences, these choices promise fun that is anything but fleeting. Here, Bill Marsland, Director of…

Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance (SSCA) and Medefer have made strides in men’s health with their Targeted Prostate Health Check (TPHC) programme (report: https://medefer.com/early-detection-of-prostate-cancer/) identifying 18,000 men who missed prostate cancer testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort aligns with Movember 2024, the global campaign urging men to take charge of their health through early action. Key results from the programme: • 22,000 men engaged: Over 22,000 men completed a health questionnaire, leading to PSA and urine tests for 18,079 participants • 263 lives impacted: Early detection diagnosed 263 men with prostate cancer, enabling timely treatment • Awareness up: Prostate cancer…

Many people know the frustration of dealing with unreliable care providers, broken promises and the constant search for someone trustworthy to look after their loved ones. Seeing this need in her own community, Elmira Khoshrouz set out to create a solution: Visiting Angels, a compassionate team dedicated to delivering care for people in the comfort of their own homes. Together with her Registered Manager, Matthew Hartley, Elmira is driven to bring positive change to South Manchester’s home care experience – one where caregivers are truly respected and recognised. After years in hospitality, Elmira transitioned to a hands-on role at a…

Avery Healthcare has delivered over 1,500 cakes to charities that provide comfort and support to vulnerable people facing homelessness and isolation across the UK. This generous donation was part of Cake4Kindness Day, an annual event organised by the charity Cake4Kindness, held on Thursday 21st November. The initiative brings communities together to bake and share cakes, helping alleviate social isolation and support local charities. Avery care homes across the country united in a nationwide effort to spread kindness, donating baked goods to charities such as The Salvation Army, Homeless Street Angels, The Good Shepherd Hospice, The Light Project, The Purfleet Trust…

This Black Friday, Pow Food is inviting people to join their Green Friday movement – a sustainable and mindful alternative to the traditional shopping frenzy. From November 27th to 29th, Pow Food’s Green Friday campaign will support both the planet and the community, proving that conscious consumerism can make a real difference. As part of the campaign, Pow Food will donate 10% of all sales to the Marylebone Project, the UK’s largest and longest running women-only homelessness centre, which provides life-changing support for women escaping homelessness and crisis – with over 90 years of experience, 112 residential beds across two buildings, and the…

Buyers and sellers looking for the right time to move can consider top reasons from property experts to start the process this November and December. The autumn and winter months may not be the first that come to mind when considering a move, but potential buyers and sellers can be reassured by the experts that the end of the year is a golden opportunity to secure the ideal home. From better deals to less competition and more opportunity, the property specialists at Beresfords Group have compiled the top reasons as to why it’s a good time to push forward and…

After a year of record-breaking temperatures and unprecedented climate disasters, the urgency to address environmental crises has never been greater. This Giving Tuesday, Rainforest Trust invites supporters to join its missionto safeguard the planet’s biodiversity by protecting critical habitat in Brazil. Since 1988, Rainforest Trust has protected over 53 million acres of rainforest and aims to accelerate its efforts to prevent deforestation and combat climate change. Rainforest Trust supports the establishment of protected areas through direct land purchase; designation in cooperation with governments and communities; and community-managed areas that secure the ancestral lands of Indigenous Peoples that depend on the land…

Netherland Burger Maestros, Fat Phill’s will open a debut London site this coming December, bringing their premium Smash Burgers, American Style Sandwiches and loaded fries to Clapham Junction in South West London. Founded in 2019 by Armin Vahabian, Fat Phill’s is the fastest expanding  burger brand in the Netherlands with 18 locations and growing. Freshly Baked Ltd, the master franchisor behind Auntie Anne’s UK, has secured an agreement to develop and expand Fat Phill’s across the UK, starting with Clapham this December. Central to the menu are their burgers – smashed to perfection the beef options include the signature ‘Double…