Day: February 17, 2021

BURNOUT BRITAIN: The top industries at risk of burnout revealed in new study

  • Construction named top industry for burnout potential 
  • The tech industry crowned the best industry for avoiding burnout
  • London named the hardest working region 
  • East Anglia has the best work-life balance
  • Agricultural workers most affected by COVID with an 8.1% increase in working hours
  • The hospitality industry sees a -25.8% reduction in working hours during COVID
  • The Burnout Britain study can be found here: https://delamere.com/blog/burnout-britain-the-effects-of-the-glorification-of-grind-culture 

In an age where grind culture is the norm, every industry is working the hardest they ever have, increasing chances of burnout. Delamere reveals the industries and regions most at risk of burnout. 

Burnout is when an individual physically cannot do their job anymore, this could be due to heavy work pressures, long hours or workloads. When you have long exposure to these stressful factors, burnout can be the result. Stress is also a major cause of anxiety and depression.

The Burnout Britain study takes 15 booming industries and regions and scored them on a range of criteria to reveal who is working the hardest. 

Table: Top 15 Industries for Burnout Potential

IndustryIndex Ranking /4
Construction1.21
Manufacturing1.27
Wholesale, retail & auto repair1.37
Administration & support services1.62
Transport & storage1.67
Mining, energy & water supply2.04
Education2.09
Scientific & Technical Activities2.27
Agriculture, fishing & forestry2.30
Arts, entertainment & recreation2.36
Public admin & defence2.48
Health & social care2.59
Financial, Insurance & real estate2.60
Information & communication2.87

Source delamere.com

Construction took the top spot for the industry analysis with 1.21 out of 4, this is due to its long working hours and high mortality rate. The tech industry is the least likely to experience burnout due to its shorter working hours, low mortality rates and good work-life balance. 

Who is responsible for preventing Burnout, Employers or Employees?

Professor Sir Cary Cooper, Advisory Board Member at Delamere Health says: “Stress generally is down to the individual recognising that they are working too hard or long, but it’s a two-way street.

“The individual needs to manage their priorities and manage their health and wellbeing. It’s also down to the employer to set manageable workloads, the boss should be contacting you as an individual if they notice overworking”. 

How Can You Spot and Prevent Burnout

The key component to preventing burnout is spotting the symptoms that lead to burnout. Having someone that will help you recognise and these symptoms are very beneficial. 

Spotting that you have a problem is the first step to resolving it, once you recognise that you are being negatively affected you can start to find the root of the problem and devise a plan to stop it. 

Speaking to someone is incredibly important, whether it is your partner, a friend or a professional, talking about the problem will help significantly. 

48% of Edinburgh teens fall for fake news on social media

  • New research exploring teenagers’ in Edinburgh perceptions of fake news
  • Research reveals 48%of teens in Edinburgh say they have fallen for fake news before.
  • 23% of Edinburgh teens think fake news refers to things Donald Trump claims to be untrue
  • Vodafone’s Digital Parenting magazine has released advice for families on how to tackle fake news: www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/digital-parenting/rollup-fakenews.

Vodafone UK has published new research exploring teenagers’ perceptions of ‘fake news’, misinformation and the reliability of the information they find online. 

Almost a half (48%) of teenagers in Edinburgh have fallen for fake news and 47% of teenagers surveyed said they were more aware of fake news in 2020 compared to previous years. Vodafone has released tips for parents and children on how to deal with fake news on its Digital Parenting hub.

The research shows that young people in Edinburgh are regularly exposed to fake news, with teenagers reporting to see fake stories an average of 12 times per month, and 23% believing they think they see fake news every day.

Perceptions around fake news

Three in four (73%) of teenagers in Edinburgh correctly identified fake news as ‘misleading information which is presented as news and spread online’.

However, wider perceptions around fake news indicate a lack of comprehensive understanding on the subject – with 23% thinking fake news refers to ‘things Donald Trump claims to be untrue’.

Topics of fake news

With the spread of misinformation reaching new highs last year,the research highlights key topics of fake news in 2020 for Edinburgh teens: Covid-19 and the vaccine (50%), Celebrities (40%), Donald Trump (37%), the end of the world (27%) and the UK lockdowns (20%)

Identifying fake news

Just half (57%) of teenagers in Edinburgh think they can distinguish fake news from the truth. However, the research indicates that tech-savvy teens are using their digital skills to spot the real from the fake, and almost a half (47%) of teenagers in Edinburgh think they are better equipped to spot fake news than their parents.

Main sources of fake news

Predictably, four in five (80%) in Edinburgh reported seeing the most fake news on social media platforms – far higher than on news websites (13%).  

Combating fake news

Encouragingly, 17% of teenagers in Edinburgh say someone has taught them how to spot and report fake news and combat misinformation, with this person most likely to be a parent (80%), or a teacher (40%). And, 20% have learnt how to spot fake news using an online resource.

Helen Lamprell, General Counsel and External Affairs Director, Vodafone UK, said: “It’s clear from our research that fake news amongst Edinburgh teens is a widespread issue – and is not going away with Donald Trump.

“It’s so important to educate everyone on the importance of safety online and how to identify fake news. Our Vodafone Digital Parenting Hub has useful resources and advice for what to watch out for and how best to tackle it.”

Emma Robertson from Digital Awareness UK, said: “Since the start of the pandemic we’ve seen a dramatic and worrying spike in the number of young people and their families being exposed to fake news and scams.

“Many of us are being inundated with false information about vaccinations, miraculous COVID-19 cures, politics and so on. It’s critical that young people have the digital skills they need to spot fake news and really think about whether the information we are seeing online could be misinformation or disinformation.

“Fake news reportedly spreads six times faster than real news, so it’s up to all of us to help others identify it and think twice before sharing.”

Vodafone’s Digital Parenting Tips – Five ways to spot fake news

To avoid being tricked by fake news, ask your child to consider these questions:

  • Is it being reported elsewhere – have you seen this story in other places e.g. on TV or radio?
  • Is the site name normal – do you trust the website where you saw this story? Check the URL: it should have .org or .com or .co.uk at the end, not an unusual jumble of letters.
  • Do the photos and videos look accurate or could they be photoshopped? 
  • Headlines matter – but so does content: read the entire piece before you share a story to be sure it’s an article you are happy to endorse.
  • If you’re unsure – ask a trusted adult for a view.

For more advice on navigating fake news, visit: 

https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/digital-parenting/rollup-fakenews

Non-domestic rates relief extended

Extra money for mental health, education and tackling poverty

Retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses will pay no rates during 2021-22 under proposals outlined yesterday.

It is one of a series of measures proposed by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes following confirmation of a further £1.1 billion of consequential funding arising from UK Government coronavirus (COVID-19) spending.

The move builds on the three month rates relief extension announced in the Scottish Budget and will be taken forward provided the Scottish Government receives the funding already assumed from the UK Budget on 3 March, and that requisite funds are available to maintain existing support into 2021-22.

Newspapers will also continue to benefit from 100% relief for a further 12 months, while charitable rates relief will not be removed from mainstream independent schools until 1 April 2022 due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

Other extra spending in 2021-22 arising from the latest consequentials includes:

  • £120 million for mental health
  • £120 million for affordable housing
  • £100 million to support people on low incomes
  • £60 million for schools to help pupils catch-up on missed education
  • £60 million for NHS recovery
  • £45 million for heat decarbonisation, energy efficiency and fuel poverty
  • £21.5 million for Scottish Enterprise

Separately, local authorities will receive an extra £275 million in the current financial year to address COVID-19 pressures, while a further £40 million is being made available to support the safe reopening of schools.

Ms Forbes said: “When I presented our budget last month I guaranteed to extend non-domestic rates relief further if I was given the necessary resources. I can now deliver on that promise, providing the UK Budget in March delivers the funding we require.

“The other measures I am proposing today, including further support for hospitals, schools and local government and measures to tackle climate change, build on our priorities to ensure a robust recovery for our economy and public services.  

“This welcome additional consequential funding was confirmed to us yesterday and I wanted give early notice to parliament and provide clarity to businesses.

“We are still in the throes of a national emergency and it is important Parliament works together to respond. I will continue to work with all parties to help deliver a budget for the nation fit for these times.”

Responding to the Scottish Government’s announcement, CAMRA’s Scotland Director Joe Crawford said: “Extending the business rates holiday for another 12 months is some welcome news for our struggling pubs and gives licensees much needed certainty that they won’t have to find money to pay rates bills this summer. 

“But our pubs and clubs will continue to need additional, dedicated financial support in the weeks and months ahead to see them through to the other side of this crisis. 

“That’s why CAMRA is urging the Chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to help pubs thrive – by continuing the VAT reduction and extending it to alcohol so traditional locals that don’t serve food can benefit too and keeping furlough as long as trading restrictions are in place – even if that is for longer than it is in England. 

“CAMRA also wants to see a lower rate of duty on beer served on tap in pubs and clubs to help encourage people back to their local when they reopen, and level the playing field with supermarkets.” 

A copy of the Finance Secretary’s Budget Update statement to the Scottish Parliament is available online.

Vauxhall most popular car for young Scottish drivers

New research shows the most popular car brands for young drivers, aged 18-25, in Scottish cities are Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Ford in that order.

Insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk found The Vauxhall Corsa is the favourite model, followed by the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta.

The data from Quotezone.co.uk is taken from a sample of nearly 2,700 young drivers in 2019-2020 across Scotland’s cities: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Inverness, Stirling, Perth and Glasgow.

The only exceptions to Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Ford dominating the top three most popular spots are Glasgow which features Audi and Sterling with Peugeot – both in third place.

Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, Greg Wilson, comments:  “A major consideration for young drivers is the cost of insuring their car, so you might assume that most would opt for a car in a very low insurance group, like a Volkswagen Up (usually insurance group 5 or lower), a Seat Mii (insurance group 4 or lower), or a Skoda Citigo (group 4 or lower).

“Interestingly, though, our data suggests young drivers in who do buy Volkswagens are more likely to splash for a Golf than an Up, even though Volkswagen Golfs tend to range from insurance group 18 up to group 31.

“Similarly, young drivers who opt for a Seat are more likely to buy a Seat Leon than a Mii, despite the fact that most Leons fall into insurance group 14 or higher.

“Still, while many young drivers might be open to paying a little more to insure a motor with a bigger engine, their relative inexperience or small no claims bonus means it’s still vital that they shop around to ensure they aren’t paying over the odds. Our aim is to bring more transparency to the insurance process by giving the power back to the customer, so they can easily see what is on offer across the market, then choose for themselves what suits them – at a competitive price.”   

Quotezone.co.uk also sponsor the FirstCar Awards for young drivers – according to the awards, the most wanted new car of 2020 for young drivers is actually the Audi A1 followed by the Honda E and finally the Vauxhall Corsa.  The most wanted used car was the Mini Hatch.  Advice for young drivers plus this year’s winners announced here.

Young drivers can also take steps to help keep insurance premiums down such as;

  • Parking the car overnight close to the house either in a private driveway or garage
  • Opting for a slower car with a smaller engine
  • Avoiding expensive ‘modifications’
  • Choosing a car with an alarm, immobiliser and fit a tracker
  • Exploring the use of a telematics insurance product
  • Keeping mileage low
  • Driving safely and avoid motoring convictions / build up a No Claims Bonus
  • Considering completing the ‘Pass Plus’ or ‘RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders’ test

Recommended by 97% of reviewers, Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products including  niche driver products such as Learner Driver Insurance, 4×4 insurance and Young Driver Insurance.

Young Driver Statistics, 18–25 year olds, in Scottish cities, top 3 most popular cars – make and model, across 2019/2020 from a sample size of nearly 2700.

Scottish CityTop Young Driver MakeTop Young Driver Model
Aberdeen1 – VauxhallCorsa
 2 – FordFiesta
 3 -VWPolo
Dundee1 – FordFiesta
 2 – VauxhallCorsa
 3 – VWPolo
Edinburgh1 – VauxhallCorsa
 2 – VolkswagenPolo
 3 – FordFiesta
Inverness1 – VolkswagenPolo
 2 – FordFiesta
 3 – VauxhallCorsa
Sterling1 -VauxhallCorsa
 2 – FordFiesta
 3 – Peugeot206 and 207
Perth1 – VauxhallCorsa
 2 – VolkswagenGolf
 3 – FordFocus
Glasgow1 – VauxhallCorsa
 2 – VolkswagenPolo
 3 – AudiA3

Utilita team still stepping out despite the snow

Staff at Utilita’s Energy Hub in Leith are taking part in the ‘Future Steps’ campaign, a 10,000 steps-a-day challenge during the month of February to raise vital funds for The Prince’s Trust. 

Utilita Energy is powering The Prince’s Trust Future Steps campaign, to enable the charity to give young people hope for the future by helping them to develop the skills and confidence needed to move into work, education or training.

Staff from the Energy Hub in Leith – who have been aptly named the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ – will each clock up 10,000 steps for 28 consecutive days throughout February, resulting in 60,000 steps a day and a massive 1.68 million steps in in total by the end of February.

Debra Clason, Team Leader of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ Future Steps team at the Utilita Energy Hub in Leith, said: “With so many young people’s lives disrupted and impacted by the pandemic, their education or career plans may have been put on hold, so it’s important that the support they need to confidently get back on track is there when they need it most.

“We’re telling the customers we speak to about the campaign, and also educating each customer about the Energy High 5 campaign – helping every household to reduce their energy spend by £163 per year.”

The Utilita Energy team aim to beat 5m steps they achieved in 2020. They’ve been walking at 6am and 6pm daily to fit the 10,000 steps-a-day challenge around their shifts – and have at times felt like arctic explorers!

Hub Manager Debra Clason, has been walking at 5am some mornings, she’s that competitive, and likes to inspire her team by always doing the most! Team Leader Donna Hall (above) said that on Thursday last week, steam from her breath was forming ice crystals in her hair! 

Debra said: “Despite the sub-zero weather, Donna, Maxine and I from the team have recently ventured expeditiously up Arthur’s Seat.

“Whilst we only intended to walk around the outside of the old volcano, watching all the people sledging and snowboarding tempted the us to tackle the heights, and when darkness fell we made our way up to the top of Salisbury Crags.

“I brought a torch, but it wasn’t needed with the bright white snow. Coming back down, the three of us hopped, skipped and slipped to the bottom of the hill, frozen, exhilarated and in love with the Edinburgh skyline that made the climb worthwhile.”

Laura Heaton, Head of Corporate Partnerships at The Prince’s Trust, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Utilita for making Future Steps possible by sponsoring the campaign, and to their teams all over the UK who have signed up to get moving in support of our cause.

“The funds raised will help us to keep up with demand from young people in these anxious times, so that they can get the advice and opportunities they need to get back on track and regain control of their futures – whatever challenges they may be facing.” 

To donate valuable funds to help improve young people’s wellbeing and help them to get into work, please visit the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ JustGiving page here.

David Lloyd Clubs opens its (virtual) doors free to all

  • David Lloyd Clubs @home App now free of charge
  • Up to 600+ classes with new live and on demand content available every day
  • Includes David Lloyd Clubs exclusive signature classes and wellness sessions
  • For children, a virtual after-school club including sport skills, cooking & story time
  • Exclusive virtual social and wellbeing events to support mental health

With Lockdown 3 and nearly a year of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic taking a physical and mental toll of the nation’s health, David Lloyd Clubs wants to do its bit to help by opening its doors (albeit virtually) for the first time.

With health, fitness and wellbeing content previously only available exclusively to its members, the UK’s largest health club is today making its David Lloyd Clubs @home available free of charge to the nation.

In response to the recent news that nearly half of the UK population are exercising less during the current lockdown than during the first in early 2020* the aim is to provide everyone the opportunity to access fitness and wellbeing content.  

With David Lloyd Clubs @home, users can access some 600+ classes ranging from yoga and Pilates, to high intensity interval training (HITT), post-natal workouts and mobility sessions for runners, all delivered by David Lloyd Clubs expert team.  A series of challenges across different genres enables users to progress and challenge themselves.

With loneliness a key symptom of the pandemic, providing access to a friendly virtual community is another key driver behind the launch, aiming to support users who may be struggling alone, those looking for an escape from working on the frontline or juggling the demands of home working and home schooling.

Virtual coffee mornings hosted by social enterprise coffee traders Change Please have seen members develop their barista skills and whip up tasty brunch options, quiz nights have opened up some friendly rivalry, and future plans include a virtual book club and more live interactive workshops.  

If you need encouragement, advice and motivation to get you and your family off the sofa and into the great outdoors,  DL Run Club group offers a warm welcome to runners of every level, and the David Lloyd Mile provides a friendly online community for families to share their daily outdoor exercise and offers younger ones the opportunity to win certificates for miles clocked up.

With reports suggesting the country’s third lockdown has triggered an unprecedented mental health crisis** there’s a dedicated wellness section too. Content includes meditation sessions, mindfulness programmes and beauty tutorials. There’s even a series of hair tutorials – ideal for those who may have been victim to a lockdown haircut! 

For parents worried about their children’s development, a series of skills videos have been exclusively created focusing on Agility Balance and Co-ordination (ABCs). 

These skills are the basis of all movement and physical activity and the windows of opportunity when children can develop the ABC’s more easily and quickly are typically between the ages of 5 -10/11.   Armed with no more than some balloons, tennis balls, a racket and a bucket, children can follow along the fun 10-minute sessions.  More family focused content within the app includes a daily story time session and cookery classes.

And for older people who may have struggled to leave the house to exercise during lockdown, the wide range of specially tailored fitness workouts and wellness content will help everyone keep fit and healthy until we can all confidently leave our homes again.

Glenn Earlam, CEO of David Lloyd Clubs says: “Our members have told us that David Lloyd Clubs @home has proved to be a lifeline over three lockdowns, keeping them fit, well and feeling connected. 

“We know the last year has taken its toll on the nation’s physical and mental wellbeing and we wanted to be able to offer everyone the opportunity to benefit from the huge range of the content delivered by our friendly David Lloyd Clubs @home team.

“Exercise not only boosts physical health, but also has a huge impact on mental health. I genuinely hope we can encourage everyone to take a look and find something to help them.

“You don’t need to be a regular exerciser or feel confident in the weights room, there’s plenty of sessions that need no equipment and can be done in the house. But its far more than just fitness – we have meditation, mental wellbeing advice, hair and makeup tutorials, kids clubs and even quizzes and coffee mornings, so our @home App really is like a virtual David Lloyd Club experience in your own living room.”

Now available on Apple and Android – just search David Lloyd Clubs.  

Find out more here: https://www.davidlloyd.co.uk/clubs/david-lloyd-clubs-at-home/

Invisible Cities: LIVE virtual tours of Edinburgh to help those who have experienced homelessness

Collaboration will enable human-centric tours of the city, which will be broadcast in real time by your local Invisible Cities guide  

Invisible Cities, the social enterprise that trains people who have previously experienced  homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city in Edinburgh, Manchester,  Glasgow and York – has teamed up with  Virtualtrips.io to offer LIVE virtual tours of Edinburgh. 

Virtualtrips is a dedicated live-streaming platform that offers raw, human-centric tours of interesting places, broadcast in real time by expert locals. With more than 250 tours across 45 locations and counting, people can ‘travel’ together to Venice, explore Yellowstone National Park, and make it back in time to see the coast of Guernsey – all in the same day.  

Viewers can enjoy following Virtualtrips’ friendly and knowledgeable guides and engage with them and fellow travellers through interactive chat. All of the tours are currently free to watch, though tips are encouraged (and very much appreciated!) 

On average, people have rated the tours 4.7 out of 5 across 15,000 reviews.  

Zakia Moulaoui Guery, Founder & CEO of Invisible Cities, said: “The Virtualtrips online platform offers virtual walking tours from around the world and we are really delighted to be joining forces with them. 

“We are also hoping to eventually be able to take this partnership further and become a Virtualtrips community partner, but that is for the future!  

“In the meantime, our virtual tours of Edinburgh will keep the community engaged, allow us to continue our work, giving a voice to those who have felt invisible and offering some much- needed entertainment for people across the UK and beyond.”  

The virtual tours of Edinburgh are also available on Invisible Cities’ very own Zoom platform, making them ideal for teams at work, or families and friends, who wish to discover the city from the comfort of their own home.   

Zakia concludes, “We are inviting people to book their preferred date and time via our Invisible Cities website and then they can just log onto zoom on the day.

“Their guide will take them through a journey along the streets of Edinburgh – either on their own or as part of a group tour experience, with others from various households, no matter where they are in the world!”

For more information on the Virtualtrips.io collaboration visit https://www.virtualtrips.io/locations/edinburgh  

For more information on Invisible Cities and their very own virtual tours of Edinburgh visit https://invisible-cities.org/     

Scottish Power employees encouraged to volunteer with added day off

ScottishPower has confirmed staff will be given an extra paid day off work this year to volunteer in their communities or with charities they support.

With ScottishPower recently unveiled as a Principal Partner of the United Nations climate change conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow this coming November, employees are being encouraged to apply to be among the thousand-strong volunteer force needed to help the delegates and visitors in and around the event.

It is likely employees will require 36 hours of time to dedicate to roles at the event. ScottishPower has confirmed that its enhanced volunteering policy will also cover this added requirement for staff successfully chosen to support the conference.

The UK’s only integrated energy company generates 100% green electricity and currently employs around 5,500 people at sites across the UK, including 1650 at its Glasgow-based HQ.

The international summit, due to take place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) on 1 – 12 November 2021, is expected to bring together the largest gathering of heads of state ever hosted in the UK.

The improvements to the company’s volunteering policy were confirmed by Sheila Duncan, HR Director. She said: “Our belief is that a better future, quicker should exist for everyone. And in our quest for net zero, we should also be striving for a more inclusive and fair society where nobody is left behind.

“We are proud of the role we take in working and volunteering with our communities and customers, while giving support to those needing assistance.

“Following a challenging year where everyone has stepped up and shown incredible resilience and flexibility in difficult circumstances, we felt it was important our staff were rewarded for their unwavering commitment.

“The pandemic has hit home the value and importance to be gained from helping those in need. And as a large organisation, we’re in the fortunate position that we’re able to help. We would encourage everyone to take advantage of this improved policy and will provide all the support necessary.”

Under the improved policy, staff can choose any community or charitable activity under the following headings and apply via their line manager:

  • environmental work and conservation projects;
  • fundraising for community projects or charities; and
  • the administration of public events.

The Big Issue sellers join LinkedIn to connect with customers

The Big Issue (TBI) and LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, have partnered on a pilot scheme to support 10 of the magazine’s vendors who have lost their livelihoods and their sense of community as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Big Issue vendors taking part in the pilot, who are based all around the UK, have joined LinkedIn to find a new lifeline for their work, as they remain unable to sell the magazine during the latest national lockdown as high street footfall is much lower.

The 10 vendors have received specialist and bespoke training from LinkedIn to help them build their digital skills to reach an online customer base, find new opportunities, and engage with LinkedIn’s community of 30 million UK members.

They have also received tablets donated from Dixons Carphone, the business behind Currys, PC World and Carphone Warehouse, to help them access their LinkedIn profiles and online training. 

The vendors will be able to reach out to new and existing customers on LinkedIn to let them know that they can purchase a copy of The Big Issue digitally. Their profiles are all searchable on the platform through The Big Issue’s LinkedIn page.

Big Issue vendors run their own micro-businesses, buying copies of the magazine for £1.50 and selling to the public for £3, keeping the difference. In this way the magazine provides them with the means to earn a legitimate income.

The partnership with LinkedIn aims to connect the vendors with the 30 million-strong network of UK professionals, giving them access to a platform which reinforces that they are working for a living, and allows them to increase their sales in the face of the ongoing challenges in the Covid-19 pandemic.

As we remain in national lockdown, and with footfall on the high streets of previously bustling cities and towns declining, The Big Issue and LinkedIn’s ambition is to onboard more vendors onto the scheme throughout the year.

Emma Ford, Big Issue vendor who usually sells the magazine in Victoria Station, London, said: “Covid-19 has affected me very badly. I haven’t had Covid-19 but it’s changed my life.

“It’s played with my mental health and has affected my confidence. I really hope the partnership with LinkedIn will help me a lot. We can’t sell the magazine now, so it’s amazing that we can sell online. We really need that income boost. No one knows what will happen, but any little help makes a big difference.”

Paul Cheal, Group CEO of The Big Issue Group, said: “Covid-19 has changed everything for everyone, but its impact has been keenly felt at The Big Issue. All earning potential was stripped from our 1,700 regular vendors who made their living selling The Big Issue on the streets of the UK.

“Now, as we find ourselves in our third national lockdown and footfall on the high street likely to be almost non-existent for the foreseeable future, we are fully focused on empowering our vendors with the digital skills they need to connect with their customers.

“The partnership with LinkedIn, which we welcome wholeheartedly, will not only help the vendors sell their magazine again, it will ease the feeling of social isolation experienced over the past year, allowing them to reconnect with their customers and community.”

Josh Graff, UK Country Manager, LinkedIn says: “The pandemic has had an enormous impact on the livelihoods of Big Issue vendors and wreaked havoc on their ability to earn an income.

“We’re delighted that this pilot programme will give vendors a new, safe, and much needed opportunity to reconnect with customers and sell their magazines. We’re really excited about the potential of this scheme and hope that LinkedIn members across the UK also welcome the opportunity to buy from Big Issue vendors once again.”

You can find out if your local vendor is on LinkedIn by visiting The Big Issue’s company page and searching for the vendors. 

Alternatively, you can support The Big Issue’s 100 Days of Action Appeal by buying a subscription from your vendor or by subscribing online at bigissue.com/support.

Budding garden designers invited to enter exciting competition

Pocket garden challenge launched

Budding garden designers are invited to enter exciting competition

A nationwide competition has been launched by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful to find pupils from across Scotland to participate in the sixth annual Pocket Garden Design Competition.

Children, from as young as three, are being challenged to design a colourful and sustainable garden that could feature at the Scottish Gardens Show at Scone Palace in late May if restrictions allow, and if not in an interactive online garden showcase.

Many people have found joy as they rediscovered the nature on their doorsteps during lockdown, and the competition encourages young people to celebrate that through their designs.

Following the great success of Pocket Gardens in past years, schools from across Scotland are being encouraged to take part and develop designs for a tiny garden which reflect the four interlinked 2021 themes.

These themes include The Year of Coasts and Waters, One Planet Picnic, Wildlife Gardening and Health and Wellbeing through noticing nature.

Eve Keepax, Education and Learning Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “It’s a great competition with new opportunities!  This year an Activities at Home sheet is available to inspire children to get involved while learning at home.  

“We are excited to work with Scotland’s brand-new national gardening event – The Scottish Gardens Show at Scone Palace – to celebrate and share the innovation and creativity of Scotland’s young garden designers.

“This competition over the years has inspired entries from across the country and we hope that in 2021 it gives parents and educators a new focus as we continue a blended mix of home and in school learning.”

 Anthony McCluskey, Chair of the Garden for Life Forum, who will be involved in the judging, said: “2020 winners, that were not able to display their pocket gardens last year when the event was cancelled due to lockdown, will join winning Pocket Gardens from 2021. 

“Double joy – winning designs from two years to see!”

Brian Cunningham, Head Gardener at Scone Palace and organiser of The Scottish Garden Show, commented: “One of the aims of The Scottish Gardens Show is to showcase approaches to gardening that benefit the health of both people and the planet and it is crucial to involve children and young people as part of the life blood of the show.  

“The Pocket Gardens are a perfect fit and I’m looking forward to the inspiration and fun they will bring to the show.”

Pupils are invited to submit their entries no later than 17 March 2021 to oneplanetpicnic@keepscotlandbeautiful.org. 

Further information and inspiration from past years can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/pocketgarden