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Mental Health Awareness Week 2024
We are always looking for ways to support our employee's mental health. We do our best to offer wellbeing materials and ensure that it is communicated that everyone in the business has access to advice, resources and a clear pathway. So in light of Mental Health Week, we want to bring several pieces of advice into one place, along with our internal support including ensuring our mental health first aider's training is used to its full potential. Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from Monday 13th - Sunday 19th May 2024 and the theme this year as set by the Mental Health Foundation is 'Movement: moving for our mental health' The campaign encourages people to find a form of exercise that helps their mind and body. After conducting research, the foundation found that 56% of people found that exercising regularly helped them alleviate stress and prevent burnout. The Mental Health Foundation recommends the following tips for getting more movement into your life... Find moments for movement every day - Life gets busy and it can feel like we don’t have time to spend on activities to improve our wellbeing. But, finding moments for movement throughout the day might be easier than you think.How often do you find yourself ‘waiting’ throughout the day? Waiting for the kettle to boil; for your children to come out of school; for a bus to arrive; or for a delivery. These moments can add up. If you use the time to get moving, that will add up too. You could march on the spot, do some stretches, or try some chair exercises.Give it a go! You’ll be surprised how much time you can fill with movement. Set small, achievable goals - When you’re beginning to move more for your mental health, set yourself small goals. It might be walking to the end of your street. Then you can push yourself a little further each day. Perhaps keep a movement journal so you can track your progress and how it makes you feel. Your goals are personal to you, and as you make progress you will create positive feelings that can boost your confidence and mood. Take a break from sitting - Many of us are sitting for long periods during the day: working at desks, driving, sitting down to browse the internet or scroll through social media, watching our favourite television show or reading a book. Research shows that it’s unhealthy to be sitting or not moving for long. If you are sitting for large periods of time throughout the day, set a timer to take regular breaks to stand up, walk around and stretch your body. Find the fun - However you choose to get moving, the best option is usually the one we enjoy the most.Do you remember the joy and excitement when the school bell rang for break time? We couldn’t wait to get outside to run around and play. As we get older, we sometimes forget that movement can be fun! Instead of thinking of exercise as a chore, embrace your inner child and find the joy in movement. Fun and laughter alongside movement will increase your motivation and the psychological benefits. Play games like tag with family or friends, interrupt extra-long work meetings with a bit of fun movement to give everyone an energy boost, or go for a picnic in the park and a game of rounders. If you have younger children, why not ask them to teach you their playground games and all play together? Connect with others - We can strengthen our personal relationships or even make new friends when we take part in movement activities with other people. These social connections are also great for our mental health and wellbeing. Think about ways you can make your catch-ups with friends more active. Maybe, instead of meeting in a coffee shop, get your coffee to go and take a walk at your comfortable pace. Or visit your local pool and chat while having a swim. You could also use opportunities for movement to meet new people. Check out what groups and activities are taking place in your area and sign up to join in. Being part of a club or team is a great way to increase your self-esteem and help reduce feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. Movement looks different for everyone, don’t compare yourself to others - It can feel nerve-wracking to think about moving more if you’re worried you can’t keep up with other people. Remember, you don’t have to be super sporty to get the mental health benefits that come with more movement. Focus on you and don’t worry about what other people are doing. For your own wellbeing, be kind to yourself and don’t feel pressured to keep up with someone else. Regardless of the form it takes, movement that gets our heart pumping and muscles moving releases the “feel good” hormones that help reduce feelings of stress and anger. Be mindful about your movement - Often, we are moving without realising it. For example, when we do housework, grocery shopping, or walking to work. Try to be mindful of how you're moving, and the way it makes you feel in both your mind and body. Noticing how we’re breathing, the sights and sounds around us, how the air feels on our face, can help us relax and feel less stressed. Practising mindfulness can help with this. For example, you can practise mindful walking. It might feel good to do certain movements faster or slow some of them down. Try to do what feels good. And remember to recognise and celebrate your moments for movement, big and small. Moving in nature - Research suggests that doing movement in an outdoor ‘green’ environment has greater positive effects on our wellbeing compared to doing activity indoors. So why not take your moments for movement out in the wild? Go for a walk in the countryside or perhaps try cold water swimming at the beach (make sure to take appropriate safety precautions see RNLI advice). Even if you live in the city, nature is often close by. Parks, gardens, nature reserves, forests, all provide opportunities for exercise, movement and meeting new people. You could find opportunities to get moving such as a walking group, gardening club, or volunteering for woodland and park maintenance. Try something new - When we are open to trying new experiences, we reap the rewards to our wellbeing. You might be inspired by watching Strictly Come Dancing but have been too shy to try your local dance classes. Give it a whirl! Pushing ourselves to try new things opens us up to new opportunities for movement, making new friends and having fun. Having the courage to try something new will also give your confidence a boost. If you don’t try, you’ll never know! Plan things to look forward to - We know having events and plans in the diary to forward to, is great for mental health, it can give a sense of hope and excitement for the future. Add moments for movement to your diary and make plans to do fun things that you can get excited about. This could be planning a family outing for a walk in an interesting place you haven’t been to before, joining a club or class that you can look forward to every week, or a night out dancing with friends. Listen to music that gets you moving - Some songs are just made for moving. We all have favourite tunes that get us on the dance floor. So, crank them up and have a living room disco where you can dance like no-one’s watching! Why not play your favourite song when you get up in the morning, dance around and put yourself in a good mood for the day ahead? Be kind to yourself, moving more is self-care - It can be hard to get yourself up and active if your mental health is poor. The days when you lack in motivation or are feeling low are likely when you’ll see the biggest boost to your mood by getting moving. Think of moving more as an act of self-care that will help you to feel good. If you’re struggling to even leave your bed or house, take advantage of the times when you have to get up; for example, to use the bathroom or get something to get something to drink. Use these times to do a bit of movement – some stretches, some lunges, marching on the spot. If you feel anxious about going outside, there are also lots of home workout ideas on YouTube that can help get you moving. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re struggling to get moving. Take small steps each day and you’ll soon feel the benefits. Don't forget to rest - Taking time to rest is important for good mental health, especially if you’ve been using up a lot of energy. Try to prioritise time for rest and establish a regular, relaxing routine that lets you unwind and sends a signal to your brain that it's time to rest. Celebrate your achievements - Well done! Congratulate yourself for taking care of your body and mind. Make sure to reward yourself too, perhaps a nice bubble bath after a walk in the park or something else that you enjoy. Appreciation is a powerful way of generating positive thoughts and feelings. Recognising our progress is an important part of moving for our mental health!
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UK Garden Centre Spotlight 2023
As Garden Centre recruitment specialists, we're always looking for ways to keep ourselves up to date with the latest industry news. Savills recently released a report 'UK Garden Centre Spotlight - 2023' we summarised the findings:The garden centre sector in the UK has shown resilience, with consumer spending on gardening goods surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Moreover, operational costs have been affected by factors like wages, energy, and inflation, potentially impacting margins in 2023. Garden centres are implementing strategies to adapt and diversify income streams. The investment market is active, with major brands acquiring smaller garden centre operators. Sale and leaseback structures are becoming more common for growth. Sustainability and ESG considerations are gaining importance, leading garden centres to focus on reducing environmental impact, promoting circularity, and supporting community engagement and employee wellbeing. The industry is depicted as adaptable and resilient, addressing current challenges while preparing for future growth and investment opportunities.Here are some figures to highlight...Garden Centre Industry in the UK:There are 2,300 garden centres in the UK. The largest garden centre chain is Dobbies with 80 sites, and the second largest is British Garden Centres with 62 sites. Financial Performance:The average turnover per square foot is £100. Compared to 2019, the turnover per square foot was 86% in 2020, 107% in 2021, and 113% in 2022. Wages account for 20-30% of the turnover. Retail Inflation on Garden Products: Foliage Houseplants increased by 8%. Weedkiller increased by 9%. Hardy Plants/Shrubs/Trees increased by 5%.Plastic Pots increased by 12%. Growing Media increased by 10%. Concessions and Cafes:The top concession is Maidenhead Aquatics with 62 stores, and the second top concession is Sainsbury's Food Hall with 54 stores. Cafe contribution to turnover can be up to 20% at maximum. Property Valuations: 52% of properties saw a reduction or no change in rateable value as of April 2023. The maximum increase in rateable value was +68%, and the maximum decrease was -196%. Garden Centre Investments: The yield range for garden centre investments is 5-6%.The buyer profile of the ex-Wyevale portfolio is: Private Equity 26%, Public Sector 5%, Closed 9%, and Other 60%. You can read the full report hereIf you would like to have a conversation regarding your recruitment challenges or career goals within the Garden Centre retail industry, you can contact our Garden Centre team on 01780 480 530 or email info@morepeople.co.uk.
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Resource
Video Interviews - Top Tips to Help You Succeed
Video interviews grew in popularity for businesses during the pandemic as a way of mitigating the spread of coronavirus. As we fast-forward to the present day, video interviews still remain a key component of many interview processes. So, if you're preparing for a video interview, whether as the interviewer or candidate, here are some top tips to help it run as smoothly as possible: 1. Test the technology Even if you consider yourself as 'tech-savvy', don't just wait for the scheduled interview time and expect everything to work. Test everything in advance to make sure your equipment is working correctly and you have all of the apps or plug-ins that you need. Does your camera/microphone work? How good is the internet connection in the room that you plan to use? The best way to check these is to carry out a trial run with somebody external, maybe a friend or family member. Remember to turn off any message and social media notifications as these may appear on screen during the interview. 2. Tailor your surroundings Whilst the technology is incredible, it can easily be let down by distractions, so minimise these before you start. Choose a room that's quiet and away from potential background noise. Hang a 'do not disturb' sign on the door, including if you're at home to prevent any interruptions from the doorbell. Look at what's behind you - you want your background to be as clear and clutter free as possible. Lighting is also important so position yourself in the part of the room that benefits from natural lighting if this is possible. 3. What to wear Just because you're not having a physical meeting, it doesn't mean that the dress code should be any different. Dress exactly as you would for a traditional face-to-face interview as this will showcase a professional attitude and create the right mindset. Don't fall into the trap of assuming that you'll only be seen from the waist up as we've all seen the disasters on YouTube when the unexpected happens and you need to leave your seat to deal with it! 4. On the desk As in a face-to-face interview, it's normal to have a printed CV and the job description in front of you to refer to. It's also perfectly acceptable to have pen and paper available for writing notes, although if you can't see these on camera then be sure to explain any silences as you're writing something down. Have a glass of water to hand as well, but eating is a no-no! 5. Maintain eye contact When the person you're talking to isn't in the room, it presents more of a challenge in knowing where to look and stopping your eyes from wandering. Try to maintain eye contact by looking directly into the camera as opposed to at your photo in the corner of the screen. Make sure that your face is well centred and then try not to move around. Good posture is important and will help with voice projection, so concentrate on sitting with a straight back with your feet on the ground. Less body language information is transmitted in a video interview, but you'll still be building up an impression with non-verbal communication. 6. Voice projection As well as sitting up straight, remember to smile and speak clearly. This is another reason why testing the technology first is so important as there's nothing worse than trying to tweak volume controls mid-conversation or being too polite to say anything so that you are straining to hear the other person. It's also easier to talk over each other when you're not in the same room, so try not to let this frustrate you and make a point of pausing more to ensure that the other person has finished what they are saying. 7. Closing the interview As with any interview, end by thanking the other person for their time and outline what the next steps will be. This should also be followed up by email within 24 hours to ensure clarity. Video interviews take away any stress of travel logistics and are usually quicker and easier to organise than a face-to-face interview, but there are still lots of things to think about to ensure that they are an effective alternative. Take note of the tips above and there's no reason why you can't keep calm and carry on interviewing!Read the full guide here:Video interview Preparation Guide.pdfSize: 3 MB
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Flat 10k Gin Run
Over the bank holiday weekend, seven of the MorePeople team participated in the first inaugural 10k Gin Run hosted by Multum Gin Parvo and Stapleford Estate. With over 200 participants, runners had the choice of a 5k or 10k route with multiple different 'gin stops' along the way. A warm-up was led by Rob Persani of Rutland and Stamford Sound, the first stop was roughly a kilometre into the route. Runners were welcomed to the 'MorePeople stop' with music by DJ Hey Mr Wilson and a gin cocktail made with Multum Gin Parvo Grape & Rutland Gooseberry gin. After the first stop, runners were able to pick up the pace and cover some distance before arriving at the second stop where a cocktail made of 'sea dragon' gin was handed to participants whilst listening to the music of 'The Houndogs' who are a local Rockability band. For the 5k runners, it was time to race towards the finish, which was adjacent to the picturesque Stapleford Park Hotel and back towards the food vendors and main stage. The 10k runners made their way through two extra gin stops before crossing the finish. After the race spectators joined runners to enjoy the live music in the sunshine whilst eating and drinking from local food vendors. MorePeople would like to thank Multum Gin Parvo, Stapleford Estate, CS Ellis and all of the other sponsors for a great day and we look forward to participating again next year!
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Commercial
Get to know... James
Name: James Price-WilkinsRole: Consultant, CommercialJoined MorePeople: March 20241. Describe your job in three words: Rewarding, Dynamic, Competitive 2. What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now? Learning a brand-new sector. 3. Which famous person would you love to meet? Conor McGregor 4. Favourite drink? Summer = Vodka Lemonade, Winter = Guinness 5. Best holiday destination so far? Morocco 6. What are you currently reading? Ali: A Life – Jonathan Eig 7. Current favourite song? Can’t tell me nothing - Kanye West 8. If you weren’t a recruiter, what would you be? Bored 9. If you had to watch only one tv show over and over forever, which one would it be? Game of Thrones… but ignore the last season. 10. What’s your biggest claim to fame? World record for a charity run 11. Where were you born? Doncaster 12. What’s your proudest moment? Saving someone’s life when working as a lifeguard. 13. Dogs or Cats? Dogs 14. Which football team do you support? Arsenal 15. What skill do you wish you possess? Able to play any instrument. 16. What’s your guilty pleasure? Wham! 17. What did you want to be when you were a kid? Palaeontologist… until my mum told me it wouldn’t be like Jurassic Park 18. What three things are you taking to a deserted island? Sun cream, Sunglasses, Crate of beer 19. Do you have any phobias? Heights 20. Where are you next going on holiday? Cyprus 21. What’s your least favourite household chore? Dusting 22. Describe MorePeople in three words: Always Delivering Quality 23. What do you love most about your sector? How willing people are to provide guidance and knowledge to those less in the know. 24. Who inspires you? My Mum 25. What is the worst job you ever had? Plumbers’ assistant... a month working with toilets was enough for me!
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Rural Professionals
Get to know... Hannah Cuthbert
Name: Hannah CuthbertRole: Consultant, Rural ProfessionalsJoined MorePeople: February 20241. Describe your job in three words: Unpredictable, exciting, busy! 2. What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now? The amount of roles all over the country, really testing my geography knowledge! 3. Which famous person would you love to meet? Kaleb Cooper 4. Favourite drink? Aperol spritz 5. Best holiday destination so far? Cyprus 6. What are you currently reading? Everywoman: One Woman’s Truth About Speaking the Truth – Jess Phillips 7. Current favourite song? Watermelon Moonshine – Lainey Wilson. Saw her last week and she was unreal, haven’t stopped listening since! 8. If you weren’t a recruiter, what would you be? Probably a farmer! 9. If you had to watch only one tv show over and over forever, which one would it be? The Office (US version of course) 10. What’s your biggest claim to fame? Meeting Kier Starmer in a pub on the corner of a street in London 11. Where were you born? Lincoln, yellow belly through and through 12. What’s your proudest moment? Spontaneously moving to Australia 13. Dogs or Cats? Dogs all day every day 14. Which football team do you support? Manchester United, because I used to work there! 15. What skill do you wish you possess? Wish I could speak another language 16. What’s your guilty pleasure? Ronan Keating…so many bangers 17. What did you want to be when you were a kid? A history teacher, before I realised how much information you need to remember! 18. What three things are you taking to a deserted island? Sunglasses, case of fanta lemon, kindle 19. Do you have any phobia? Not that I’ve found yet… 20. Where are you next going on holiday? I’ve got a bucket list of European city breaks, so any of those but preferably somewhere hot! 21. What’s your least favourite household chore? Washing up! 22. Describe MorePeople in three words: Welcoming, forward-thinking and fun 23. What do you love most about your sector? Everyone knows everyone! 24. Who inspires you? My mum 25. What is the worst job you ever had? I’ve had a lot of random jobs over the years from working Cheltenham VIP area to serving food in the Heineken factory staff canteen! But none of them were ‘bad’ at all!