Growing Something Brilliant
It is now 18 months since the launch of the new Network identity and we are delighted that 20% of Accredited Chambers have adopted it as their local corporate brand.
These Chambers have found real and tangible benefits from doing so. More businesses are being attracted into membership - particularly younger organisations.
If your Chamber is thinking of rebranding in the next three, six or twelve months please get in touch. Did you know? The BCC will fund the creation of your new logo and provide your Chamber with
a marketing toolkit that includes a range of print ready artwork. We also offer ongoing marketing support throughout the rebrand process.
For further information and questions please contact Nandip Aulak on
_____________________________________________
New Hotel Deal for Chamber Connect
BCC are pleased to announce that we have secured a new Chamber Connect hotel offer as part of the business travel package.
The deal is with Mercure Hotels who are offering Chamber Connect members a range of fantastic online discounts and benefits that can be used across Mercure's 31 UK hotels. Mercure Hotels are renowned for their character and individuality and range from modern city-centre hotels to country retreats. Many also have their own spa and leisure facilities.
The exclusive free-to-join offer includes instant registration, access to 10% discount on Mercure’s best online rates as well as to all promotional rates at Mercure hotels in the UK.
Bookings must be made online and there are also additional benefits on presentation of the registration confirmation or the BCC Chamber Connect Card:
- Free room upgrade at check-in (subject to availability),
- up to 5% off the invoice for all meetings and social events,
- access to corporate rates for leisure club memberships.
This offering is a great addition to the Chamber Connect proposition. In the current climate these types of added value benefits are ever more important to members.
If you have any queries please do let me know otherwise please visit the Chamber Connect website to look at all of the offers at www.chamberconnect.info
Fri 06/11/2009 Alarming predictions for depression
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is expected to become the world’s second biggest health problem after heart disease by 2020.
This alarming prediction follows an NHS report published in January, which claimed that the number of women suffering from depression was on the rise. The report revealed that about 20 per cent of adult women were suffering from a common mental disorder, compared with approximately 12 per cent of men.
Worryingly, the number of prescriptions for antidepressants reached a record high of £36 million in 2008.
Antidepressants are the most common form of treatment prescribed by GPs for bouts of depression. Medical magazine Pulse claims that 93 per cent of GPs feel they have little alternative but to prescribe antidepressants because waiting lists for ‘talking therapies’ are so long.
In a bid to reverse the increasing trend of antidepressant prescription, the Government announced last year that it would be releasing more funds to train therapists. But with the onset of the recession, latest reports suggest that the £173 million initiative will be scaled down significantly.
Westfield Health is the official health cash plan provider to the British Chambers of Commerce, and the Chamber Primary Health Plan is available to all members of Suffolk Chamber.
The Chamber Plan includes a confidential 24-hour freephone counselling and advice line for employees and their resident families. The service, provided by FirstAssist on behalf of Westfield, enables policyholders to speak to a team of fully qualified and experienced counsellors, lawyers and medical staff at any time, day or night.
Employees can also take advantage of up to six face-to-face counselling sessions, which allow them to talk through issues in person.
FirstAssist has released some usage statistics on the helpline, which support the WHO prediction that depression is becoming an increasing problem. Based on Westfield Health policyholders, data compared from July 2007 to June 2008 and July 2008 to June 2009 showed that the number of emotional-related counselling calls was up by nearly 90 per cent.
Calls related to anxiety have increased by nearly 60 per cent, stress by 85 per cent and depression by 97 per cent. Meanwhile, the number of people using the service because of low self esteem issues has jumped alarmingly by more than 220 per cent.
Employment-related counselling calls also saw a huge increase, rising by more than 100 per cent, with work-related stress calls up 150 per cent. Legal calls in relation to redundancy have increased by 320 per cent.
These statistics show that mental health disorders are on the increase, but also suggest that talking therapies are an increasingly popular treatment choice for sufferers. If they were more widely available, GPs may be more reluctant to prescribe antidepressants.
For more information about the Chamber Primary Health Plan, visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber, call 0845 602 1629 or email
Tue 05/01/2010 Minimise the spread of minor illnesses
We’re currently a germ carrying nation. Everyone seems to be blowing their nose, sniffling or coughing as the cold weather brings about a surge of winter illnesses.
But it isn’t just the cold virus that we need to be wary of – GPs are warning that cases of the winter vomiting bug, norovirus, are also increasing.
And, in addition to this, GPs are in the process of vaccinating those in priority groups for swine flu.
So, with extra appointments being requested for vaccinations, along with more cases of norovirus and seasonal and swine flu, patients with minor illnesses are being urged to stay away from GP surgeries to help reduce the spread of infection – and to ease the strain on resources.
Dr Michelle Drage, Chairman of the London-wide Local Medical Committees, said: “GPs are used to seeing norovirus and flu activity increase in winter and we are prepared for that.
“The only unfamiliar circumstance is the swine flu vaccinations. Adding these three things together, we can expect a pretty hectic time of it over the next couple of months.
“It does not look like being a good winter healthwise. The advice to people is to manage minor but uncomfortable illness at home and don't rush to the doctor with the very first symptom. That will enable us to manage the people that are acutely unwell.” *
Norovirus causes a sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhoea, which normally resolves itself over 48 hours. Although it’s a nasty bug, there is no specific treatment for it, except to let the illness run its course.
Good hand hygiene and keeping surfaces clean can help to combat both swine flu and norovirus, and staying at home can help to prevent the spread of infection.
But data suggests that cases of gastroenteritis, including bugs like norovirus, are already above the level of this time last year. In addition, figures from NHS Direct show that the proportion of calls to their advice line about symptoms of vomiting have risen to more than four per cent of all calls.
Westfield Health’s Chamber Primary Health Plan, which is available to all members of BCC-accredited and affiliated chambers, includes a GP telephone consultation benefit.
This service enables policyholders to speak to a fully qualified UK GP at a time convenient to them. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and from anywhere in the world.
Jill Davies, Westfield Chief Executive, said: “Our GP telephone consultation service gives our policyholders the reassurance of speedy access to advice on all health issues, including flu and norovirus, whenever they need it.
“The health of our policyholders is, of course, our main priority, but the benefit of this service really is two-fold. While providing medical advice, it can also play a very important supporting role to the NHS.”
For more information about the Chamber Plan, please visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber call 0845 602 1629, or email
Receive 50% off your Chamber membership fees with AXA PPP Healthcare
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with AXA PPP Healthcare to offer all Chamber members access to affordable private medical insurance with unique benefits in the form of the Chamber Business Choice Healthcare package.
In today's competitive work environment running a successful business is greatly dependent on a healthy and motivated team. Time off work due to sickness can be costly with not only direct financial implications to account for, but also team moral and performance may suffer due to increased work loads and demands on other members of the team.
The Chamber Business Choice Healthcare package could help to reduce sickness absence by providing early access to investigation and, where necessary, treatment to help your employees make an early recovery and return to health - and back to work. The package could also help you to retain your best people and recruit the right candidates.
As a Chamber member, you will have access to both of these valuable services as part of your existing Chamber membership:
Personal Business Assistance, which enables you, the company’s key decision maker, stay in touch with your customers, prospective clients and suppliers if you’re in hospital or confined to a bed due to ill health.
Health at Hand, available to you and your employees, is our telephone based health information service, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This service is staffed by nurses, midwives, pharmacists and counselors, offering peace of mind for your team and their families.
To activate your FREE services now, call 0808 129 2004 quoting SUF
AXA PPP healthcare has designed a tailored package of benefits specifically for Chamber members. The Chamber Business Choice Healthcare package could help you to reduce sickness absence, retain your best people and recruit the right candidates.
With this unique package Chamber members get access to:
50% off your Chamber renewal fees for the next three years (for new direct customers).
Access to a free telephone employee assistance programme for all of your insured employees (exclusive to Chamber members).
No claims discounts.
A wide range of options to suit your budget.
A dedicated account manager to look after your scheme throughout its lifetime.
For more information, you can call:
0800 38 77 54 quoting [SUF]
(Lines are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, calls may be recorded).
For details of the Chamber Business Choice Healthcare package, please visit the Chamber support website at www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/chambers where you can find articles on sickness absence management for small businesses and general advice on growing your business.
reference: http://www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/chambers
Lowestoft and Great YarmouthManufacturing business support event - 19th February
Waveney District Council's Economic Regeneration Team are pleased to be able to offer manufacturing businesses in the Waveney and Great Yarmouth area the opportunity to attend a sector specific business support event. The events scheduled for 19th February in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth focus on issues of fundamental importance to manufacturing businesses.
The day includes a half-day workshop targeted toward senior managers, delivered by Dr Alan Cousens of the Institute of Manufacturing (IfM), which will show how to deliver superior delivery performance (in
Lowestoft) and Supply Chain Management (in Great Yarmouth). The day also includes tailored advice on financial support and training opportunities offered by leading business support organisations including the East of England Development Agency, the Manufacturing Advisory Service and Business Link, Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services and Great Yarmouth College.
Places on this event are limited and the price is offered to attendees at £30 + VAT.
Eligible Manufacturing businesses include those employing up to 250 employees. For further details and bookings contact via e-mail or by phoning
01223 748260.
Traffic Updates
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984: SECTION 14
ALAN GILLESPIE - Head of Legal Services - Suffolk County Council Endeavour House 8 Russell Road Ipswich IP1 2BX
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984: SECTION 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MUTFORD LOCK BASCULE BRIDGE, LOWESTOFT
Suffolk County Council intends to make an order closing the A1117 Saltwater Way, Lowestoft, at Mutford lock Bascule Bridge, to both vehicles and pedestrians, to enable maintenance works. Other coordinated works may also take place during this period.
The adjacent footbridge will be available for pedestrians and cyclists.
The diversion route will be via the A1117 Bridge Road – Normanston Drive – C970 Peto Way – C909 Denmark Road – A12 Station Square – Bascule Bridge – Pier Terrace – Belvedere Road – Horn Hill – B1531 Waveney Drive – Victoria Road and vice versa.
It is intended that the closure will operate overnight, 1.00 a.m. – 6.00 a.m. on 25 February and 26 February 2010, but if necessary the order may remain in force for 18 months (or longer if extended by the Minister).
Enquiries should be made to Mr R Laycock, Environment and Transport Service Delivery Agency, at the address below. Tel: (01473) 265017.
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984: SECTION 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PART OF THE C935 SCHOOL ROAD, RINGSFIELD AND ILKETSHALL ST ANDREW
Suffolk County Council intends to make an order closing the C935 School Road, Ringsfield and Ilketshall St Andrew, between its junctions with the C937 Church Road and the U1302 Becks Green Lane, to enable Suffolk County Council to carry out carriageway repairs. Other coordinated works may also take place during this period.
Access will be open for pedestrians and cyclists.
The diversion route will be via the C935 Ringsfield Road – C934 Top Road, Ilketshall St Andrew – A144 Stone Street – C939 Hog Lane – Halesworth Road, Redisham – C938 Redisham Road, Weston, and vice versa.
It is intended that the closure will operate 1 March – 12 March 2010, but if necessary the order may remain in force for 18 months (or longer if extended by the Minister).
Enquiries should be made to Mr D Eyre, Environment & Transport Service Delivery Agency, East Area Highways, Newcombe House, Newcombe Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1XA. Telephone: 01502 534316.
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984: SECTION 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PART OF THE U1621 COVERT ROAD, REYDON
Suffolk County Council intends to make an order closing the U1621 Covert Road, Reydon outside no. 1 just north of Nicholas Drive to enable repairs to a collapsed sewer. Other coordinated works may also take place during this period.
Access will be open for pedestrians and cyclists.
The diversion route will be via Jermyns Road – B1126 Wangford Road – B1127 Lowestoft Road and vice versa.
It is intended that the closure will operate from 8 March 2010 to 31 March 2010, but if necessary the order may remain in force for 18 months (or longer if extended by the Minister).
Enquiries should be made to Mr R Smith, Mervyn Lambert Plant Ltd, Millpond Farm, Garboldisham, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2SP. Telephone (01953) 688211.
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984: SECTION 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PART OF THE C919 FENN’S BARN ROAD, MUTFORD
Suffolk County Council intends to make an order closing the C919 Fenn’s Barn Road, Mutford, outside Fenn’s Barn to enable British Telecom pole works. Other coordinated works may also take place during this period.
Access will be open for pedestrians and cyclists.
The diversion route will be via the U1713 Dairy Lane – U1715 New Road – A146 Beccles Road – C920 Brock Road and vice versa.
It is intended that the closure will operate on 16 March 2010 (8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), but if necessary the order may remain in force for 18 months (or longer if extended by the Minister).
Enquiries should be made to Mr M Miller, Telent Technology Services Ltd, 16-18 Brunel Way, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1HP. Telephone 07545 900165.
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984: SECTION 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PART OF SHIP ROAD, PAKEFIELD, LOWESTOFT
Suffolk County Council intends to make an order closing Ship Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft between Stradbroke Road and Lansdowne Road to enable carriageway repairs. Other coordinated works may also take place during this period.
Access will be open for pedestrians and cyclists.
The diversion route will be via Stradbroke Road – Lansdowne Road and vice versa.
It is intended that the closure will operate from 22 to 26 March 2010, but if necessary the order may remain in force for 18 months (or longer if extended by the Minister).
Enquiries should be made to Mr M Nichols, Environment & Transport Service Delivery Agency, East Area Highways, Newcombe House, Newcombe Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1XA. Telephone (01502) 534312.
