Sleepout - Wake up to homelessness with Turning Tides

Take part in an evening powerful enough to change the course of someone’s life; wake up to homelessness.

Trade your comfy bed for a sleeping bag on October 26th, 2024, and stand with those facing homelessness in your community. You have the power to bring change.

There was a wonderful sense of camaraderie amongst everyone and most managed at least a few hours’ sleep. I would recommend anyone to try it at least once! Sam - Previous participant

For Sleepout 2024 we’re returning to Worthing Fire Station, where there will be an opportunity to tour the fire station’s engines and try on some safety equipment as well as taking photos. The event is suitable for all ages, with a secure site and activities for everyone.

Let your imagination run riot! The shelter building competition is open to all, with fabulous prizes on offer for the most creative and most practical. Later in the evening you will hear from those who have experienced homelessness, and the frontline keyworkers who support them. Refreshments including a light evening meal, are included in the ticket price. You can listen to the Ropetackle storytellers tell bedtime tales and enjoy a warming drink before settling for the night.

Increasingly local people are facing life without a safe place to call home and for every person you see rough sleeping there will be another 20 hidden away – sleeping in their car, sofa-surfing, or in tents and shelters in fields, woods and parks.

Turning Tides was my lifeline. They didn’t just give me a roof over my head; they helped me to rebuild myself, my dignity, and my life.” - Franc

Fundraising events like this one are incredibly important, not just for raising awareness and breaking the stigma of rough sleeping but for raising the vital funds that are needed to support local people. Participants are asked to raise sponsorship which will directly support local people experiencing homelessness. Your fundraising will mean that we can continue to be there for the thousands of people who need us every year.

We want to be there for people who find themselves homeless; if like us you believe everyone deserves a home put the date for this fantastic fundraising event in your diary today.

Why not invite your friends, colleagues, and family along too or share online. 

Can’t make this date? You can organise your own DIY Sleepout.

Holding a DIY Sleepout offers the opportunity to gain insight into the issues surrounding local homelessness. The inspiring event – which encourages people to sleepout for just one night – will help develop a sense of empathy and compassion across all age groups. As well as raise funds to support the work of Turning Tides, providing services to homeless people in your local community.

Organising your own means you can do it anywhere you like, at a time that suits you. Perfect for groups such as colleagues, Scouts and Guides and more, check out our website for our DIY Sleepout resources and start planning today – www.turning-tides.org.uk/DIYsleepout

Chichester College Group Skills Advisory Panel

Join us for a delightful gathering of employers and stimulating conversations for a unique opportunity to shape the future of training in your industry.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday 16 October
• Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Venue: Worthing College, ICC Room, 152 first floor.

Event Highlights:

1. Sector-Specific Insights: Engage in focused discussions tailored to your industry during our Professional Services session. Share your insights on current challenges, trends, and future opportunities that can shape the training landscape for your business.
2. Input into Training Needs: Your expertise matters. Provide valuable input on the specific training needs of your sector. Help us understand the skills and knowledge your workforce requires now and in the future.
3. Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow employers, industry leaders, and training experts in a relaxed and conducive environment. Build relationships, share experiences, and discover potential collaborations that can elevate your business.

Why Attend:

• Shape the Future: Contribute to the design of training programmes that directly address the needs of your business and industry.
• Networking: Connect with peers, industry experts, and training professionals to expand your network and explore potential collaborations.
• Insider Insights: Gain valuable insights into current trends and future developments in Professional Services.

Reserve your spot at the Skills Advisory Panel. Be part of the conversation, drive change, and unlock the potential of collaborative learning

The Sid Youth are offering corporate sponsorship on their website!

The Sid Youth delivers support to young people in Adur, Worthing and the surrounding areas through workshops and mentoring. "We work in a proactive way in order to make sure we are offering services that can not only benefit the young people we work with but also support the community and the families they live with"

​Their new website in due to launch soon and they are looking for 12 companies to sponsor a month each. During that month they would feature on the home page and on the sponsors page for the rest of the year.

Companies would be asked to make a donation which would be used to support the youth engagement fund. Here are some examples of ways those funds have been used recently
# Providing school shoes to you a young person who was starting high school and did not have any.
# Providing gym memberships to young people to help them with their physical and mental health
# Providing food for young people
# Taking part in activities in the community

"Any support would be greatly appreciated and we would be happy to share exactly what the funds are used for."
please email info@thesidyouth.co.uk

For more information about what The Sid Youth Group do, please check out their website https://www.thesidyouth.co.uk

Carpenter Box recruits 26 New Trainees onto its ‘Platinum’ training programme

A career in accountancy continues to be a popular choice for many school and college leavers, university graduates and career changers, with Sussex and South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box announcing the recruitment of 26 new trainees – a record intake for the firm.  

Eleven of the new trainees have joined Carpenter Box’s Worthing office, five have taken up positions in Crawley, four in Brighton, five in Chichester and one in Portsmouth. They are spread across the firm’s Business Services Group, Assurance & Advisory Group, Tax Services Group and Starbox team, which provides expert finance and tax advice to new media companies and digital platform content creators.

Carpenter Box Managing Partner, Alan Edwards, commented: “It’s great that the firm is in the position to offer so many talented individuals the opportunity to build their career here and to be part of our ambitious growth plans for the future. 

“I hope they take inspiration from the fact that many of our current partners, including myself,  started out as trainees with Carpenter Box, and I very much look forward to seeing them thrive in what is a supportive environment as they progress towards their professional qualifications.”        

The training programme delivered by Carpenter Box has earned both ‘Approved Employer and ‘Platinum’ status. The majority of the new trainees are embarking on a career pathway towards ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) accreditation, whilst others are pursuing ACA (ICAEW Chartered Accountant) and ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) qualifications.

For those interested in a career in accountancy, Carpenter Box is holding a Careers Open Evening on Tuesday 19^th November between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at their main offices in Crescent Road, Worthing. Click on the following link for further details: https://www.carpenterbox.com/event/open-evening/

(Image shows six of the new trainees, back row l-r: Alex Webber, Jake Solomon, James Newman & Sophie Middleton. Front row l-r is Josh Plumb & Jiaolin Chen).

www.carpenterbox.com

Kreston Reeves named eprivate client Top Accountancy firm 2024

Kreston Reeves has retained its position as one of the 2024 eprivatelient Top Accountancy firms for wealthy individuals and their families, announced 1 October 2024. (EPrivateClient - EXCLUSIVE: 2024 eprivateclient Top Accountancy Firms revealed (paminsight.com)

eprivateclient is the leading website and news service for private client practitioners, including lawyers, accountants, trustees and fee-based IFAs. The eprivateclient ranking for accountancy firms is an annual list of the best UK tax advisory firms who provide advice to domestic and international private clients, their families and their businesses.

Daniel Grainge Head of Taxation at Kreston Reeves comments: “This is a wonderful accolade to receive from a highly regarded industry body and it recognises the quality, depth of knowledge and breadth of expertise we provide our clients, as they navigate a changing political and financial landscape to build the best future for their family and business. I would like to thank our whole team as it is their hard work which has enabled us to achieve this award.

Kreston Reeves will be celebrating the award at a champagne reception at in central London on 24 October 2024.  

Emily gets her ‘kicks’ from audits

Kickboxer Emily Girling has joined Sussex and South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box as a Senior Manager at the firm’s fast-growing Portsmouth office.

Emily, from Hamble, is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and joins Carpenter Box with 11 years of professional experience, with specialist knowledge of the not-for-profit and education sectors.

The Carpenter Box Portsmouth office is now approaching 20 employees – double the headcount when the firm moved into the area following its merger with Jones Avens accountants late last year.

Emily will be overseeing the smooth running of client audits in line with accounting and auditing reporting standards.

Emily commented: “When I came for my interview, I got a really good vibe about the working environment and the ambition of the firm. It’s clear that they put support for their clients at the heart of everything they do on a daily basis.”   

Emily’s long-term aim is to build her own portfolio of not-for-profit clients in the Portsmouth area.

Outside of work, Emily is married with two young daughters; is a very keen kickboxer and aims to achieve her ‘black belt’ in the next few weeks.

www.carpenterbox.com

How a Call Answering Service Can Transform Your Small Business

As a small business owner, you wear many hats. From managing day-to-day operations to ensuring customer satisfaction, your plate is always full. One area that often poses a significant challenge is handling phone calls. Whether it’s answering enquiries, taking messages, or providing customer support, managing calls can be time-consuming and divert your focus from core business activities. This is where a professional call answering service can make a substantial difference.

What is a Call Answering Service?

A call answering service provides businesses with a dedicated team of professionals who handle incoming calls on their behalf. These services can range from basic message taking to comprehensive customer service solutions. Here are some compelling reasons why small businesses should consider leveraging a call answering service.

Benefits of Using a Call Answering Service

1. Never Miss a Call

Every missed call could be a missed business opportunity. A call answering service ensures that all calls are answered promptly, regardless of the time of day. This 24/7 availability means that your customers can always reach a friendly and professional voice, enhancing their experience with your business.

2. Professional Customer Service

Providing high-quality customer service is crucial for retaining customers and building a positive reputation. Call answering services employ trained professionals who can handle customer enquiries, resolve issues, and provide information efficiently and courteously. This professional touch can significantly improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

3. Cost-Effective Solution

Hiring full-time staff to handle calls can be costly, especially for small businesses with limited budgets. Call answering services offer a cost-effective alternative, allowing you to pay only for the services you need. This can lead to substantial savings while still ensuring that your calls are managed effectively.

4. Increased Productivity

Managing calls can be a major distraction, pulling you away from more critical tasks. By outsourcing call handling, you can focus on what you do best – growing your business. This increased productivity can lead to better business outcomes and a more balanced workload for you and your team.

5. Scalability

As your business grows, so does the volume of calls. A call answering service can easily scale with your business needs, providing more support as required without the hassle of hiring and training new staff. This scalability ensures that your call handling capacity always matches your business demands.

How to Choose the Right Call Answering Service

When selecting a call answering service, consider the following factors:

• Reputation: Look for a service with positive reviews and a proven track record.
• Customisation: Ensure they offer tailored solutions that meet your particular business needs.
• Availability: Choose a service that provides support to cater to your specific operating hours.
• Cost: Compare pricing models to find a service that fits your budget without compromising on quality.

Conclusion

In today’s competitive business landscape, providing exceptional customer service can set you apart from the competition. A call answering service not only helps you manage your calls efficiently but also enhances customer satisfaction, saves costs, and boosts productivity. By investing in a reliable call answering service, you can ensure that your small business is always accessible and professional, paving the way for sustained growth and success.

Ready to transform your call handling process? Contact us today to learn more about how MOMENTUM can support your business with a professional call answering services.

T: 01903 688789

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com  

Carpenter Box nominated for two Accounting Excellence Awards!

Sussex and South East-based accountancy firm Carpenter Box has been named a finalist In two categories of the prestigious Accounting Excellence Awards 2024.

The awards recognise the achievements of accounting firms and teams from across the UK, and Carpenter Box has been shortlisted for the Employer of the Year (Medium & Large) and Tax Team of the Year.

Commented Managing Partner, Alan Edwards: “I am incredibly proud and delighted for our teams to be acknowledged through this prestigious awards scheme. Training and development is integral to our culture, enabling individuals to pursue their career aspirations. These award nominations reflect the expertise of my colleagues at Carpenter Box and their determination to always go the extra mile to help clients achieve their goals.”

Over the last 12 months, staff numbers at the firm have grown by 27% from 201 to 255, with 14% of staff working for the firm for more than 10 years. A 2024 client survey gave an impressive Net Promoter Score of 71, with 70 being the gold star standard.

Carpenter Box operates from offices in Brighton, Chichester, Crawley, London, Portsmouth and Worthing.

www.carpenterbox.com

New contemporary works of Sussex landmarks revealed

Artistic duo gives modern take to Eastbourne Pier and Salvington Windmill with bright and bold colour treatment

Sussex-based artists Two Faced Twins have revealed their most recent work – two new pieces showing Eastbourne Pier, each depicted in alternate day and night scenes.

The works were unveiled during an exclusive event held at Two Faced Twins’ Worthing seafront gallery on 23 August. Created in the Two Faced Twins’ trademark bold, bright and unapologetically upbeat style, the pieces combine the ink drawing talent of 33-year-old Stella Stevens and the colour treatment of twin sister, Gemma Stevens. 

The artists were born and raised in Sussex and are already well-known for their seaside depictions of Worthing, Brighton and Littlehampton. Stella, speaking of why they decided to add Eastbourne Pier to their collection, said: “As an artist, I’m drawn to detail, especially architectural detail, and Eastbourne Pier has so much of it to offer. It’s beautiful, unique and feels almost maze-like. I drew the pier from two different perspectives and in the process it sometimes felt like I was seeing it properly for the first time.”

Gemma, known for her appreciation and eccentricity of colour, added: “It’s always exciting and even slightly nerve-wracking to launch a new artwork, especially when it’s of something as iconic as Eastbourne Pier. I wanted to reflect the joy the pier brings to so many and has for generations by making it sing with colour. The bright pinks, blues, greens and yellows scream fun and happiness, and that was so important for us to get across.”

Along with the Eastbourne pieces, Two Faced Twins also revealed a new painting of Salvington Windmill available in two different colourways. Gemma said: “We love visiting the windmill and learning about its fascinating history and restoration. When we were thinking what to add to our collection, the windmill was a natural choice for both of us.”

Stella said: “When drawing the windmill, I particularly enjoyed the challenge of showing movement. I’m really pleased with the end product and love how Gemma has made the windmill pop against a bright pink and blue sky. It shows how this much-loved landmark is as relevant today as it was when it was built in the 18th century.”

The Eastbourne paintings Day Trip to Eastbourne, Pier Lights, Home to Roost, Moonlight Flit, and Milling About, are all now available framed or unframed in a variety of sizes from Two Faced Twins Worthing gallery or from the website https://www.twofacedtwins.com/. Prices start at £145. Each piece is a limited edition.

A range of homeware featuring the new artwork is also available. The homeware range includes greeting cards, glass coasters, chopping boards, placemats and fridge magnets, and starts at £3.00.

Stanford Legal Services recognised for excellence and innovation ahead of national awards ceremony.

Paul Stanford of Stanford Legal Services has been recognised for his commitment to innovation, service excellence, client experience and expertise having been shortlisted at a prestigious national awards ceremony in Estate Planning Consultant of the Year.

The British Wills and Probate Awards was launched in 2018 to recognise and celebrate the firms, businesses and individuals who have delivered outstanding service and expertise to clients across the wills and probate/private client sector; and is widely considered to be an indicator of excellence and trust.

Firms shortlisted have been through a rigorous process of independent scrutiny by a panel of industry professionals who arrive at the final shortlists. The winners will be announced on the 10^th October 2024 at the gala ceremony in Manchester.

Commenting on his success, Director of Stanford Legal Services, Paul Stanford said:

“I am delighted to be shortlisted for the Estate Planning Consultant of the Year award. This nomination reflects my unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service, technical knowledge, and innovative solutions. Over the years, I have strived to assist others and engage with the community, all while focusing on continuous improvement, training, and development. This dedication has allowed me to consistently exceed client expectations, as reflected in numerous 5-star Google reviews. It is an honour to be recognised as a trusted, competent, and reliable estate planning legal services adviser.

Stanford Legal Services, led by Paul Stanford, continues to set the standard in estate planning. Paul's leadership and expertise makes him a go-to resource for complex estate planning needs, earning him a stellar reputation in the industry.”

British Wills and Probate Awards Headline Sponsor CTT Group Director Clive Ponder TEP said

“It’s an absolute pleasure and a privilege to once again be headline sponsors. The BWAP Awards recognise the very best in our industry and having the honour of being a judge this year, I’ve seen first hand the talent and dedication, and the heights of achievement this industry can reach”

“Huge congratulations to all those who’ve been shortlisted for the awards. I look forward with great enthusiasm to the 2024 winners being announced at this year’s event in Manchester in October.”

The British Wills and Probate Awards is the largest event dedicated to recognising excellence in the industry. It is hosted by Today’s Media, the publishers of trade publication Today’s Wills and Probate, an online news publication for solicitors, will writers and probate practitioners.

Further details about The British Wills and Probate Awards 2024 are available at www.britishwillsandprobateawards.co.uk.