What is the Chamber doing in the next few months?

Updated 23^rd March 2020

The Chamber will be keeping in touch with its members to offer support where we can during these unprecedented times. Staff will be working remotely and can be contacted via email info@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk or by phone 01903 203484.

The members of Worthing and Adur Chamber have always been great supporting each other and we will continue to facilitate that support as best we can.

Let’s work together! 
We encourage all members to submit any news items or tips that will be shared on the website and with members via business e-news. If you have any requests for help please email this to tracie@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk and this will be shared on the website and with members in the e-news.

Continue to make the most of your membership, make sure your profile is up to date, there will be many businesses out there needing help and support. Remember to use members where possible and support each other. A list of members can be found here https://worthingandadurchamber.co.uk/Members-Directory2

Chamber events: 
We have had to take the decision to postpone the upcoming networking events throughout March and April and will review this when appropriate. We will be launching virtual events, more information will be posted here https://worthingandadurchamber.co.uk/Chamber-Events

Chamber Academy:
We are looking to make all of our upcoming training courses virtual along with adding some short top tips sessions from members which is an exciting opportunity for us all! We will have further information to follow about these training courses shortly. Use this time to upskill yourself or your staff! If you would like to deliver a top tips session please email info@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

It is important to keep positive and keep in touch with the business community, the Chamber is here to support you!

Worthing.Community is a new community site focussing on providing local Coronavirus news and support. 

If your business delivers food or other services to the public during this period of social distancing then list your business on Worthing.Community site now! 

Click here to list your business

Worthing Community Chest is offering grants of up to £250 that are designed to be as flexible, quick and easy as possible. 

No application form, just an email to grants@worthincommunitychest.org and a follow-up telephone conversation.

No monitoring forms, just the receipts and some photos or videos to show the project in action. 

We are loosening our usual criteria on types of bank account and written constitution.

Groups may even reapply for additional funding if need is proven to be ongoing.

Coronavirus: Key workers revealed ahead of school shutdown

Friday is the last day at school for most children in England, Scotland and Wales until further notice, in response to the escalating coronavirus pandemic.

Schools will close to everyone except vulnerable children, and those with a parent identified as a key worker.

A-level and GCSE exams are being cancelled, as well as Scottish highers.

More than 65,000 retired doctors and nurses in England and Wales have been asked to return to work in the NHS to help tackle the outbreak.

• How long could schools be closed?

And the chancellor is set to announce a wage subsidy package to try to protect millions of jobs.

It has been confirmed that a third patient in Wales with coronavirus has died, taking the total number of deaths in the UK to 145 - with 3,269 confirmed cases.

The government has published a list of key workers whose children can still go to school if they cannot be looked after at home. These workers' jobs are considered "critical" for the response to the pandemic.

The list has been separated into eight categories, including frontline health workers and social care staff, nursery and teaching staff and those involved in food production and delivery.

It also includes the police, those in key public services, transport workers and critical staff in financial services and utilities.

Northern Ireland Education Minister Peter Weir has said all schools should be prepared to cater for key workers' children when schools shut across the region on Monday.

Nurseries, colleges and childminders will also close from Friday.

Most local governments have indicated schools may not reopen properly until the end of the summer.

Who are "key workers"?

The full list includes:

• Frontline health workers such as doctors and nurses
• Some teachers and social workers
• Workers in key public services including those essential to the justice system, religious staff and public service journalists
• Local and national government workers deemed crucial to delivering essential public services
• Workers involved in food production processing, distribution, sale and delivery
• Public safety workers including police, armed forces personnel, firefighters and prison staff
• Essential air, water, road and rail transport workers
• Utilities, communication and financial services staff, including postal workers and waste disposal workers

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: "This is a very long list and could result in some schools having the majority of pupils attending.

"Schools can only accommodate a limited number of children and the fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread."

The government stressed that "every child who can be safely cared for at home should be" and asked workers to consult their employers to confirm whether "their specific role is necessary".

Vulnerable children, who will also be exempt, include those who have a social worker and those with special educational needs. The Department for Education said it would help local authorities identify those "who most need support at this time".

The government has encouraged local authorities to keep residential special schools and specialist colleges open wherever possible.

• When will the outbreak end?
• Pupils 'scared and anxious'

School leaders said the list of key workers was "perhaps more extensive than we might have expected".

"We are going to have a real challenge matching resource with demand," said Andy Dickenson, headteacher at The Chantry School in Worcestershire.

"What we are going to be doing is providing childcare, not school," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Confusion continues over how grades will be awarded in the light of the decision to cancel this summer's exam season.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has indicated guidance will be issued on Friday, adding the government would work with schools, colleges and England's exams regulator, Ofqual, "to ensure children get the qualifications they need".

"We're all just wondering at the moment if it's worth revising for anything," Aurelia, a 17-year-old A level student told the BBC.

"Are we going to be sitting anything later in the year? Will we be given our predicted grades? Or will they be affected by our mock exams.

"I do have a lot of anxiety about it.

"I would feel a lot better about everything if we had some clarity as to how we will be graded, so I can start planning better for my future."

Retired medics appeal

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said he hoped "many, many thousands will respond" to letters being sent to former doctors and nurses in England and Wales asking them to rejoin the NHS.

In Scotland, anyone who left the medical profession during the past three years has also been asked to consider returning.

Senior officials have said the ex-employees are needed to boost frontline services.

Asked when the former medics would be able to start, Mr Hancock told BBC Breakfast those who left most recently could return "straight away", while others will be given refresher training "over the next couple of weeks".

Conservative MP Maria Caulfield, a former nurse, has said she will swap Westminster for the hospital ward - tweeting that it is "important we all help where we can".

Article from BBC News

Coronavirus update - how can we work together?

Worthing and Adur Chamber will be following government guidelines for the Coronavirus. We have a dedicated page on our website with all the important links that you should need. If you have any links, you feel would be useful for us to add please feel free to send them over to me lauren@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

Chamber events: 
Following concerns about the Coronavirus, we have had to take the decision to postpone the upcoming networking events throughout March  April and May when we will review the situation. We hope you understand why we felt it was necessary to make this decision. The safety of our team and guests is the number one priority for us. 

We will however be looking at options to have some open air meet-ups and a virtual option as below

WiseUp2 training:
We are looking to make all of our upcoming training courses virtual, which is an exciting opportunity for us all! We will have further information to follow about these training courses shortly. Use this time to upskill yourself or your staff!

Whose up for virtual networking? Let mel@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk know so we can utilise our time at home and see how we can make this work for everyone. How about a 60 second pitch with Q&A's .If you have any ideas let us know! 

Let’s work together! 
If you have any advice or top tips to share on effective working during the current situation, please email lauren@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk who will then share this with all of our members and include in the next issue of Chamber Connect Magazine, where possible. We want to encourage everyone to be as positive as possible. 

The Chamber is open for business!

Kamelia Kids are having an open day to celebrate commissioning of their magic carpet and the transformation of their sensory wellbeing garden 

The ‘Magic Carpet’ is a ‘state of the art’ floor projection system which will help take our learning, play and communication work with children to an entirely different level.  It is an incredible, interactive resource which works by projecting games and images onto the floor that users can then play with and control themselves, simply by moving on or over the projected image. 

In addition we intend to transform an outside space where the garden will be used as a calming place and in a gentle way help to stimulate the children’s senses, encouraging them to touch, to smell, to taste and generally be able to interact with the environment around them, giving them opportunities for learning whatever the weather!

Date: Saturday 2nd May
Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Venue: Kamelia Kids, Wellesley Avenue, Goring By Sea BN12 4PN 

Packed Worthing conference told of Councils’ commitment to combating climate change 

We owe it to all generations to make our planet greener and cleaner, a packed climate conference was told today in Worthing.

Leader of Worthing Council, Cllr Daniel Humphreys, outlined to delegates at the Zero2030 conference what Adur & Worthing Councils are doing to build a more sustainable environment and combat climate change.  

He said the Councils had declared a climate emergency in July last year and had pledged two million pounds over the next few years to build on their carbon reduction plans. 

They had also committed to moving towards zero carbon energy use across Adur and Worthing by 2050, and within the Councils by 2030. Their SustainableAW framework - with ambitious plans in six key areas: biodiversity, carbon reduction, energy, transport, waste reduction and water - had also been updated. 

Over 300 local people, including local residents and representatives from local businesses, community and civic groups attended the community-led conference at Worthing’s Assembly Hall to discuss how to shape the local response to the climate emergency.

Cllr Humphreys added: “This conference is about us working together to come up with some of the solutions and develop ideas for local action.”

Speakers at the conference included keynote speaker Isabella Tree of the well-known rewilding project at Knepp Estate near Horsham and Matt Rooney of sustainability experts, Anthesis, which has been helping the Councils measure and monitor its energy use as part of its carbon reduction strategy.

Tree, a conservation pioneer, told the audience that creating corridors of rewilded areas was key in Sussex and across the country. They not only increased biodiversity by giving wildlife safe havens they can move between, but also had a key role in carbon reduction and in stopping flooding in lowland areas. 

“We are seeing birds on our land which we haven’t seen in 100 years, and our restored soils are capturing double the amount of carbon, as well as acting like a sponge, absorbing water.” 

Community groups were also given time at the conference to talk about the work they are already doing locally. They included the two key organisers of the conference, Transition Town Worthing (TTW) and Worthing Climate Action Network (Worthing CAN).

Speaking afterwards, Michelle Furtado of Worthing CAN said: We want people to feel inspired and positive about what can be done, and then we hope they take that back into their communities, their streets, their schools and their lives.”

Students from Chatsmore Catholic High School, who are part of the FingerPrints (not footprints) climate action group also spoke at the conference, and other local groups and organisations set up stalls. They included Community Works, Surfers Against Sewage, Breathing Spaces, Sustrans, South East Climate Alliance, Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, Sompting Estate and Community Chest. 

Free networking and collaboration event. Learn why it’s important to collaborate for business growth and how to make an effective start. 

This is one event in a special series designed for entrepreneurs and creative businesses in West Sussex. Free training sessions along with a networking opportunity to learn about collaboration, are happening across co-working venues in Worthing, Chichester & Bognor Regis this March. The in-depth training available includes both digital and business skills. Join us on one or more, to learn how to catapult your company to new heights.

Collaboration can help build trust. As a trustworthy company, you’ll be better placed to win more business and you'll be able to secure expertise from like-minded people.

After some structured networking, hear from former Business Link Advisor Jo Yates. Jo has a vast amount of experience in providing SMEs with business support and advising them how to build contractor relationships, in addition to helping companies submit funding bids. She has also been a successful business owner herself (18 years), selling her business in 2016.

During Jo's presentation you will learn through real life case studies from business owners who’ve had successful collaborations which have led to companies excelling whilst exceeding their growth targets.

This event is ideal for those looking to network with other creative/digital/growing businesses in the Worthing area.

5:30pm - arrivals, light refreshments and networking

5:50pm - introductions and networking activity

6.35pm - informative presentation from Jo Yates with real life case study examples

Followed by Q&A opportunity and further networking if time

7:30pm - finish

This event is being delivered by Shake It Up Creative, in collaboration with Freedom Works, and with the support of West Sussex County Council.

Click here for more information and to book. 

Brooklands: New plans unveiled to transform park into a magical new landmark destination

Spectacular images of the plans to transform Brooklands Park into a magical destination have been released as more than £3m is earmarked to fund the next stage of development.

A map of the new landmark shows a park that will be fit for playing, resting and learning with a number of new glades, new picnic areas, an adventure playground and a state-of-the-art cafe just some of the new attractions planned.

A contemplation garden either side of the Teville Stream is also to be created with new planting adding to a sensory nature of the entire park.

Executive members of Worthing Borough Council are being recommended to approve £2.35m extra funding to bring the the vision to reality with borrowing making up most of the sum.

Executive Member for Digital and Environmental Services, Cllr Edward Crouch, said, ‘I think these plans are fantastic. We said we would deliver something magnificent for Brooklands, to bring it back to a real destination location.

‘The plans allow people, young and old, to have great fun in the park but also learn about nature and find quiet spaces to relax. I believe Brooklands will be returned to a jewel in the crown landmark for Worthing.’

The original plan for the redevelopment of Brooklands stated that it should be a science nature park with the emphasis on fun learning, supporting the STEM school curriculum, while also encouraging wellbeing through outdoor activity. People with all needs should be catered for with new gateways, paths and seating areas suitable for those with disability.

Now included in the plans are:

• A new visitor hub including cafe with internal and external seating powered from sustainable resources.
• An adventure play area to house 30 pieces of equipment, two of which are climbing frames more than 4 metres high
• An outdoor space for multi use events such as frisbee, football or other activities surrounded by seating
• A contemplative garden bordering the Teville Stream with new sensory planting
• A new accessible pathway circumnavigating the lake with seating areas and shelters
• A 2.5k fitness trail around the park
• A number of glades on the old golf course, including Community Garden, Play and Build, Nature, Wind and Winter, discrete areas sheltered by planting allowing for different community activities including food growing, seed sowing, play dens, bug hotels and bird boxes. 
• Windmill oxygenators (I think two?) for the lake as well as windmills and chimes in the Wind Glade.
• A mount celebrating the highest point in the park, from which views of the sea gives a strong sense of place.

The Council has already funded the dredging and environmental enhancement of the lake which was completed in 2018 as well as the Valley Gardens section of Teville Stream. Now a more technical design, by Turkington Martin Landscape Architects, is to be drawn up ahead of inviting companies to bid for the construction phase. The cafe and two pieces of play equipment above 4m have already been submitted for planning approval. It is hoped construction can be underway by this year.

Members of the Worthing Borough Council executive will be asked to formally approve the next stage of the plans and the funding at a meeting of Adur & Worthing Councils’ Joint Strategic Committee next Tuesday (March 10).

Coronavirus: Advice for employers and employees 

In case coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads more widely in the UK, employers should consider some simple steps to help protect the health and safety of staff.

It's good practice for employers to:

• Keep everyone updated on actions being taken to reduce risks of exposure in the workplace
• Make sure everyone's contact numbers and emergency contact details are up to date
• Make sure managers know how to spot symptoms of coronavirus and are clear on any relevant processes, for example sickness reporting and sick pay, and procedures in case someone in the workplace develops the virus
• Make sure there are clean places to wash hands with hot water and soap, and encourage everyone to wash their hands regularly
• Provide hand sanitiser and tissues for staff, and encourage them to use them
• Consider if protective face masks might help for people working in particularly vulnerable situations
• Consider if any travel planned to affected areas is essential

Employers must not single anyone out. For example, they must not treat an employee differently because of their race or ethnicity.

Sick pay
The workplace's usual sick leave and pay entitlements apply if someone has coronavirus.
Employees should let their employer know as soon as possible if they're not able to go to work.

The employer might need to make allowances if their workplace sickness policy requires evidence from the employee. For example, the employee might not be able to get a sick note ('fit note') if they've been told to self-isolate for 14 days.

Find out more about self-isolating on GOV.UK.

If someone is not sick but cannot work because they're in self-isolation or quarantine

There's no legal ('statutory') right to pay if someone is not sick but cannot work because they:

• have been told by a medical expert to self-isolate
• have had to go into quarantine
• are abroad in an affected area and are not allowed to travel back to the UK

But it's good practice for their employer to treat it as sick leave and follow their usual sick pay policy or agree for the time to be taken as holiday. Otherwise there's a risk the employee will come to work because they want to get paid. They could then spread the virus, if they have it.

The employee must tell their employer as soon as possible if they cannot work. It's helpful to let the employer know the reason and how long they are likely to be off for.

If an employee is not sick but the employer tells them not to come to work
If an employee is not sick but their employer tells them not to come to work, they should get their usual pay. For example, if someone has returned from China or another affected area and their employer asks them not to come in.

If an employee needs time off work to look after someone

Employees are entitled to time off work to help someone who depends on them (a 'dependant') in an unexpected event or emergency. This would apply to situations to do with coronavirus. For example:

• if they have children they need to look after or arrange childcare for because their school has closed
• to help their child or another dependant if they're sick, or need to go into isolation or hospital

There's no statutory right to pay for this time off, but some employers might offer pay depending on the contract or workplace policy.
 
The amount of time off an employee takes to look after someone must be reasonable for the situation. For example, they might take 2 days off to start with, and if more time is needed, they can book holiday.