For example, if you donated £50 to the Fund then Give2 can add a further £25 from the Government pot making £75. If you are giving as an individual and are eligible for Gift Aid you would be able to add a further £6.25 making your total donation £81.25. Depending on their size, companies could also benefit from free membership of the Community Foundation, which offers a whole host of benefits, and they could qualify for tax relief as well.

The Fund has been established specifically in the South Tyneside area and donations of any size can be made to it, or donors can make larger gifts and set up their own named fund and may benefit from some tax relief.

Capital Shopping Centre’s Metrocentre has kicked Give2 Gateshead off to a great start with a donation of £1,000 which has been matched with a further £500. They also donated a further £1,000 to the Give2 Newcastle Fund from Eldon Square.

Alexander Nicoll, Director of Corporate Responsibility at Capital Shopping Centres said:
“We are delighted to be able to make a donation to the Give2 funds as it means we can give something more back to local people in Gateshead and Newcastle and the Give2 model closely mirrors the way our shopping centres operate in their local communities. Even better is the news that our donation is increased through the match funding.”

The Fund is being administered by the Community Foundation and, once mature, it will be able to support community and voluntary groups in South Tyneside with grants that can help them strengthen their local communities through social action.

For more information email Lisa Cappleman on lc@communityfoundation.org.uk or call 0191 222 0945. Alternatively you can donate online by visiting www.communityfoundation.org.uk and clicking on the Give2 pig.

Give2 is part of the Community First initiative funded by the Office for Civil Society, part of the Cabinet Office, on behalf of the Government.

It’s hard to believe that spring is finally here, but it is – and now it’s time to modify your energy reduction behaviour. Different temperatures mean that energy is used in different ways, at different times of the day, by different pieces of equipment.

Air conditioning systems

Stick to the service schedule. Make sure you have your air conditioning system serviced regularly, and make sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Set up a maintenance chart to keep track.
Don’t cool empty rooms. Get to know your operational hours and teams, and make sure you’re not cooling empty rooms.

Turn off your air conditioning at night. An office needs only a fraction of overnight energy to reach adequate temperatures during the day.

Get inspected. Air conditioning inspections are not just another legislative burden – they’re an investment in energy efficiency that will help you realise savings on your energy spend. Air conditioning inspectors will also report back to you on the work carried out by your regular maintenance crew, making sure you get what you pay for.

Implement the changes. Your air conditioning inspection will recommend improvements you can make to your system. Energy is not going to get cheaper, so it’s vitally important you keep your equipment working as efficiently as possible.

Lighting

Change with the seasons. We often find that businesses don’t get around to changing their lighting habits to match the light levels outside. Office lights are switched on in the morning, whether they need to be switched on or not.

Use the daylight where you can. If daylight is already lighting an area you can fit sensors with automatic dimmers that will lower the artificial light levels and save you power. Let the sun do more of the work. Could you fit more skylights or light pipes to bring more sunlight into the building?

Get the right light diffusers. Changing your diffusers can let more light through from the bulb and remove the need for so many lights.

Dust is the enemy. Make sure you’re getting the most light through by keeping your light fittings clean, and you’ll probably find you don’t need a stronger bulb after all.

Invest in LEDs. An LED spotlight uses 92% less energy than a halogen light, while inefficient strip lighting uses 20% more power than T5 tubes. We can advise you on what kind of lighting technology is available and make sure you get the right fittings for your business.

Small changes, potentially big savings
We’ve helped many of our clients make exactly the kind of changes described above. Small changes can result in big savings.

If you’re put off by the potential cost of making these changes, we can help you access financing solutions that make energy efficiency measures viable, whatever the size of your business. We have arrangements with a number of funding bodies that provide finance for projects that result in an energy saving, including the Energy Efficiency Financing Scheme, a joint initiative between Siemens Financial Services and the Carbon Trust, and the Non-Domestic Green Deal.

If you want help with financing for energy efficiency projects, we can help you manage the project from initial assessment to preparing the paperwork and implementing the proposed changes. Call us on 0870 626 0559 for more information.

This is the second time for their Tyne Bridge Zip Slide and they are hoping to make this time even better.

On behalf of St. Clare’s Vanessa Mustard-Wright Senior Fundraiser said, “We’re excited to be holding this event once again, it’s a real challenge and it’s also a great event to watch! The Zip Slide is a fantastic experience and many of our participants tell us it’s the best thing they’ve ever done! We are hoping to see lots of participants willing to take part and raise money on our behalf to enable us to continue caring for patients and their families. It’s really easy to take part just return your registration form to us at the Hospice, if you can do this you can do anything!”

The Tyne Bridge Zip Slide will be taking place on Sunday 12th May 2013 and the Hospice is encouraging interested parties to register quickly as they’ve only 50 places remaining. The Zip Wire is over 230ft across the River Tyne and travels diagonally across the River Tyne before landing on the Gateshead side of the River.

The events are open to anyone aged 16 years old or over (under 18’s do need parental consent. Places at the event cost £12 . Participants should aim to raise at least £100 in sponsorship in order to enable the Hospice to help as many people as possible.

Once registered each participant will receive a sponsorship pack containing everything they need to start fundraising!

St. Clares’s has been providing care to the local community since 1987 and offers a range of services for patients and their families following a holistic approach that aims to address not just physical symptoms but also spiritual and emotional needs too.

If you would like to take part or make a donation to St. Clare’s please call 0191 451 6400, visit www.stclareshospice.co.uk or email fundraising@stclareshospice.co.uk or text ZIP to 81400 for more information.

Web and print design company Urban River is providing one to one sessions with companies where they review and monitor current marketing and website activities and give advice on how to develop and improve going forward.

With the news that Investment for Growth now has funding available to help small and medium enterprises grow, now is the perfect time for businesses to look at developing their marketing plans and receive financial assistance to do it.

All SME’s based in the North East providing B2B products or services are eligible for the Investment for Growth funding and could qualify for up to 40% support towards a project.

It’s a simple and easy application process and funding covers projects up to a value of £8,000, however support is only available for a short amount of time and all projects need to be completed by June.

If you would like help to plan and deliver a new marketing or web project book your complimentary marketing consultation with Urban River by calling Sarah Miners on 0191 423 5688 or emailing sarah@urbanriver.com.

Further information about Urban River can be found at www.urbanriver.com and for more details about the Investment for Growth funding visit www.investment4growth.co.uk.

The line closure is taking place between Gateshead Stadium and Hebburn and Brockley Whins stations from Friday 29 March, Good Friday, until Monday 1 April, Easter Monday.

This latest piece of modernisation work will for the first time in 30 years see a major section of Metro’s overhead power supply system replaced along a four mile stretch of the system.

The Director of Rail and Infrastructure for Nexus, Ken Mackay, explains the decision to carry out the line closure over Easter and the importance of the modernisation work to one of South Tyneside’s key transport corridors.

Mr Mackay said: ”We understand that modernisation projects will have an impact on how people travel, but this would be the case whenever work was planned. The replacement of overhead lines between Gateshead Stadium and Hebburn is a project vital to the future reliability of Metro services in and out of South Tyneside.
“We have consulted with South Tyneside Council officers and members on the general principles by which we should plan modernisation projects, and we appreciate the council’s wish to see the benefits of our investment at an early stage, which is reflected in the route between Gateshead Stadium and Hebburn being the first on the system to have its overhead line replaced.

“The council has made clear its desire to see the Metro service into South Shields kept open on summer weekends as far as possible, and specifically during the summer festival, as well as for the Great North Run and the Christmas shopping period. This is already reflected in our planning process.”

He added: “All line closures are planned with reference to the extensive data we have on passenger numbers from previous years to minimise the impact on local people. This data over the last years, which have featured contrasting weather, show patronage to be between 13% and 18% lower over the Easter weekend than on the two either side of it. The nature of the work planned, taking down and completely replacing six kilometres of high voltage cable, means that it can only practically and efficiently delivered in a single four-day work block.

“The extended Easter bank holiday provides the only opportunity to do this without affecting the much larger number of people, including morning and evening commuters, who travel on weekdays, or breaking down the project into separate weekends which, with the loss of economy of scale, would have proved more expensive and taken longer than the four days we are otherwise able to deliver in.

“While the line is closed between Gateshead Stadium, Hebburn and Brockley Whins we have, with our train operator, made great effort to ensure there is a regular and reliable Metro service throughout the weekend on the line from Hebburn to South Shields, allowing local people easy access to South Shields for the Easter parade. There are also regular trains between Brockley Whins and South Hylton and there will also be frequent replacement bus services where Metro is suspended.”

Government legislation to reduce carbon emissions can be a burden on businesses, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Legislative compliance can bring big benefits to your organisation. Legislation can help your business become more energy efficient and improve the working conditions of your employees. In other words, it can reduce your energy consumption and increase your productivity.

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is a piece of legislation designed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. The EPBD introduced Air Conditioning Inspections, Energy Performance Certificates, and Display Energy Certificates to the UK market.

Air Conditioning Inspections

Under the EPBD, air conditioning systems must be inspected every five years to make sure that they’re energy efficient. Any air conditioning inspection should include a visual assessment of your system and an examination of your air conditioning equipment and controls – and it should always be carried out by an accredited energy assessor.

Once your energy assessor has inspected your system, he or she will produce a report that tells you:
• How energy efficient your system is;
• How you can improve the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system;
• Clearly note any faults with your system – and provide you with suggested actions.

The report should also tell you how to reduce your air conditioning use. For instance, you should try to keep your windows shut while your air conditioning system is switched on, so you don’t force the system to work twice as hard and consume more energy.

The penalty for failing to comply is £300, which for some organisations may not be much of a threat – but the benefits of having regular air conditioning inspections are clear. In making sure that your system is functioning efficiently, you’ll be cutting the energy it consumes – which could have an effect on your energy bill.

Energy Performance Certificates

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are required whenever a property is built, sold, or rented. They must be included in any marketing material produced for the sale or let of the building. Energy Performance Certificates must be produced by an accredited energy assessor.

Any EPC produced for your building will include information about your property’s energy use and typical energy costs, as well as recommendations on how you can reduce your energy consumption (and possibly save money). The EPC will rate your building on an energy efficiency scale, with A being the most efficient and G being the least efficient.

As of January 2013, listed buildings no longer require an EPC. The change reflects the practicalities of assessing listed buildings for energy efficiency – listed buildings are inefficient because they’re old, but changes can’t be made because they’re listed.

Display Energy Certificates

Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are similar to EPCs – they’re even known as EPCs in Scotland. Your property will require a DEC if:
• It has a total floor area of over 1,000m2
• It’s partially occupied by a public authority or an institution providing public services
• It’s frequently visited by the public

Local authority buildings such as libraries, leisure centres, schools, and NHS trusts all require a DEC. Like the EPC, it should be included in any marketing material produced about that property, and you can be fined £500 if you do not comply.

Make positive changes to your business

The EPBD is just one piece of environmental legislation facing businesses today. Whether you’re participating in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme or entering into a Climate Change Agreement, we can help you use complex climate change legislation to make positive changes to your business. Dial 0191 329 3108 and speak to our accredited energy assessors.

Hopefully you’ll agree on the importance of ensuring that our young generation in schools and colleges are equipped to help them get ready for the world of work. This can very often be a frightening and daunting prospect for young people. Perhaps you remember that time yourself! South Tyneside’s schools understand that the key is working with you, the local business community.

Please spare just a few minutes to complete a simple online survey by clicking here and you will be entered into a prize draw for your chance to win an IPad mini! The deadline is close of play Thurs 28th March.

The winner will be presented with their IPad at a showcase event on Wednesday 17th April involving representatives from a number of South Tyneside’s Schools. To find out more about the event visit the Events section of our website here.

Businesses and governments are fast wising up to the realities of climate change, but debates about the merits of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme or the Carbon Reduction Commitment can seem very far away from SMEs.

Can you afford to care about carbon?
Yes, you can – and you should. All businesses produce carbon, whether they employ two people or 200, and all businesses have a part to play. You may not be able to manage your carbon emissions the way Marks and Spencers can, but there are still steps and measures you can take to reduce the impact your business has on the environment.

Finding ways to reduce your energy consumption will also reduce your carbon emissions, and hopefully have a positive impact on your energy bills, as well.

Get a free Energy Health Check
Reducing energy consumption is often easier said than done, and it’s a good idea to benchmark your property before you start. Utilitywise can provide you with a free Energy Health Check and benchmark your business premises against thousands of others in your industry. Our Energy Health Check isn’t a replacement for an Energy Performance Certificate or a Display Energy Certificate, but it’s 99% identical.

The Energy Health Check will give you an energy efficiency rating (and illustrate the kind of energy savings that should be possible for your business), helping you to understand where your business sits on the energy efficiency scale. Your business may be more energy efficient than you’re expecting … but it could also be worse!

Encouraging energy awareness and behavioural change
Encouraging staff to be energy aware and change their behaviour really can make a difference to your carbon emissions. People often dismiss behavioural change as an effective means of saving energy, but it really does work. The University of Bradford’s successful behavioural change programme hit the headlines recently after slashing energy consumption at the School of Health Studies by 33%.

Ensuring your workforce is engaged in the programme is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face while you’re trying to change the status quo. There are lots of ways you can fight natural apathy, including incentives and rewards.

Monitor equipment and its use
Energy awareness isn’t just about remembering to turn the lights off at the end of the day and making sure the electrics are switched off when not in use – although that’s a big part of it. It’s also about paying attention to things like energy efficiency ratings.

Electrical appliances like printers and kettles now carry energy efficiency ratings. Sooner or later you’ll need to replace your printer, so opt for the most energy efficient instead. Energy efficiency ratings do have meaning, and energy efficient appliances can have an impact on your overall consumption.
You can afford to care about carbon

Ultimately, there are lots of different ways you can reduce your business’ carbon emissions. Make you understand exactly how much energy you’re using, and then try to reduce it. Make sure your staff are energy aware and know what you’re trying to achieve and, when you need to replace old equipment, opt for energy efficient technology instead.

About Utilitywise
We work with SMEs every day to help them get better value from their energy contracts, reduce their energy consumption, and lower their carbon footprint. Call us on 0870 626 0559 to find out how we can help you.

The Rising Star Boot Camp project provides free help and support to both employees and employers looking to fill apprenticeship roles. This is a brand new, fully funded service from Hebburn based Zenith People which is open to all employers in the borough and all young people on South Tyneside aged between 16 and 24.

For potential employees, the initiative delivers a rigorous and intensive 5-day “boot camp” which will help them recognise the type of role that suits them best; develop the necessary skills to tackle the recruitment process, understand what they need to consider to enable them to function as a successful employee and ultimately present them with live job opportunities.

For employers, Zenith will take the time, stress and uncertainty out of recruiting and employing a young person. This will be achieved by providing assistance in the development of the training programme; giving advice and support on possible pitfalls, helping to secure a training partner and, most importantly of all, providing access to suitable candidates from whom they can select.

Angela Anderson, Managing Director of Zenith People said: “This really is a new and exciting approach to training and apprenticeships which has come out of feedback we have received from employers and young people and our own experiences with apprentice recruitment. The general opinion is that this process is currently disjointed and extremely time consuming for all concerned.”

“In response, our Rising Star Boot Camp is a joined-up approach which provides one single route to employing an apprentice or becoming one. We are working with a number of local businesses and other organisations to make this happen.”

The Rising Star Boot Camp is open to all young people in South Tyneside aged between 16 and 24 looking for a solid work opportunity whether they are unemployed, working part-time, coming to the end of their education or even part way through a sixth form or college course and having second thoughts about its suitability for them.

According to Zenith, the boot camp will be very demanding with standards being set extremely high to ensure only the right candidates make it through and de-selection taking place throughout the process in light of poor attitude.

And, while a wide range of employers have already signed up for the initiative offering opportunities in various working environments such as engineering, office administration and customer care, Zenith is hoping more organisations from South Tyneside will come on board.

“This is an ongoing project which is being led by Lisa Waller and Justine Shepherd from our Training team,” continues Angela. “The overall aim is to source a wide number of apprentice opportunities and successfully fill these with our Rising Star graduates.”

Zenith People will be running Rising Star Boot Camp awareness and pre-selection sessions on Monday 11th February at Ocean Road Community Association at 9.30am, 11.30am and 3.30pm. The first Boot Camp will take place from Monday 18th to Friday 22nd February 2013.

For further information on recruiting apprentices and apprentice opportunities, or to register for one of the awareness sessions, contact Lisa or Justine at Zenith People on 0191 4286444 or email apprenticeships@zenithpeople.com.

Media Contact : Kris Woods, KWA Communications, 0191 519 0193.

After your energy saving Christmas, you should be ready to make some energy saving resolutions. January is a time to reflect on the previous year and plan for the future, so why not take the opportunity to incorporate energy saving resolutions into your strategy for the year ahead?

The easiest resolutions are those you can implement immediately, with minimal associated expense. That means behavioural change. It really does work; one of our most recent clients saw a 33% drop in their energy consumption from behavioural change alone.

You might as well make your energy saving resolution appropriate for the season, so here are our top suggestions for saving energy in winter:

Close the doors. Keeping the doors closed can reduce your heating costs by 30%. This is particularly important if you’re a high street business.

Keep your lights and fittings clean. Keeping things clean will ensure you get the most light from your current installations. You shouldn’t need to buy a lightbulb that consumes more energy.

Wash your windows. There isn’t a lot of natural daylight around at this time of year (particularly when we’re experiencing blizzards!), so it’s even more important to keep the windows clean. It may be the difference between switching on one light or two.

Switch off your vending machines. If you know your office will be closed for a snow day, you don’t need to leave the vending machines switched on. Remember to turn them off at the wall and unplug them before you leave at the end of the day.

Check your thermostat. If your heating is set to come on at a particular time of day, make sure it’s adjusted to match the arrival of your staff. If the bad weather is holding up your commuters, you should set the timer for half an hour later. That’s thirty minutes’ worth of gas you don’t have to use.

Clear the area. Clear the spaces around your heaters and radiators; make sure nobody is draping their coats on them! Obstructing the radiators stops the heat from spreading around the room.

Bigger projects

If the benefits of behavioural change aren’t enough, you can take it to the next level. We can install a variety of energy saving products that will make a real difference to your energy consumption.

Tamper proof thermostats. Prevent your colleagues from fiddling with the thermostat and keep the temperature at your business premises under strict control. Your boiler will work more efficiently and your energy use will be more consistent – significantly reducing your consumption.

Motion sensors. Fit motion sensors to your lights so that they switch on and off only when people are at work. You won’t have to remember to switch off the lights when you leave at the end of the day – they’ll turn of automatically.

Audit your lighting. Less powerful lightbulbs can be fitted next to windows, and brighter lights installed in the darker corners. You don’t need to have the same lights fitted throughout your office; you can change it up and make your office lighting truly energy efficient.

We specialise in helping our clients use energy more efficiently and reduce their carbon footprints. If you’d like more information, contact us on 0870 626 0559 and ask about Energy Services. We’ll help you stick to those resolutions.