Modular building experts are supporting the education sector through COVID-19, by offering health and safety solutions that will ease the process of returning to the classroom as lockdown measures are lifting. Supporting the return to education for primary and secondary schools, modular building experts, Elliott, are working to government guidelines
Henry Brothers Midlands has won a contract to build a new £18.5 million joint headquarters for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service. The three-storey facility will be constructed on land behind the existing Nottinghamshire Police headquarters at Sherwood Lodge and is scheduled to open by the end of
Construction firm Beard has today begun the phased reopening of its offices, welcoming back staff who are struggling with the isolation of remote working. The move follows a successful week-long trial, with a range of safety measures implemented to ensure any risk of coronavirus infection is minimised. The majority of
East-Midlands-based multi-sector recruitment agency, Recruit 2 You, is celebrating its second business anniversary this month with national expansion plans on the horizon. The family-run company of recruitment specialists which has head offices in Heanor, Derbyshire, focuses on offering a personable and fresh approach to recruitment, providing tailored solutions for high-profile clients
Keeping anti-bacterial wipes handy, refusing cups of tea and purchasing PPE are among some ways tradespeople can try to reduce the risk of COVID-19, it has been revealed. Experts from LeaseVan.co.uk have revealed five helpful hints to ensure tradespeople stay as safe as possible when working with eased coronavirus restrictions. By saying no
Modular building experts are supporting the education sector through COVID-19, by offering health and safety solutions that will ease the process of returning to the classroom as lockdown measures are lifting. Supporting the return to education for primary and secondary schools, modular building experts, Elliott, are working to government guidelines and organisations to ensure students, teachers and parents return back to school feeling safe and protected by providing equipment, modular buildings, and further facilities. Currently across the UK the rules for schools are as follows: Small class groups to be organised Organise classrooms and other learning environments maintaining space between seats and desks where possible Reduce the movement around the school building Stagger assembly groups and break times, including lunch so that children are not moving around the school at the same time Consider how to keep small groups of children together throughout the day avoiding other groups Remove unnecessary items including soft furnishings from classrooms and other learning environments and store elsewhere Consider how parents, children and young people arrive at school Croftlands, Hilderthorpe, Arundel and Drayton Manor are amongst the schools that Elliott has supported so far. To ensure safety amongst staff, students and parents, Elliott’s extensive range of services will provide; further safety equipment for learning spaces and canteens, improve overall hygiene, the experience of arriving and collecting from school, and supplying extra storage. Safety equipment includes: Signage Hand soap dispensers & refills Hand sanitiser units Temporary fences Paper towel dispenser & refills Mobile sanitiser units Waste bins As well as equipment, single temporary classrooms, multi-storage large classroom facilities and separate storage units can all be used to help with social distancing measures. Elliott are looking to provide a range of modular school building solutions that can help staff and pupils operate with ease. Elliott’s Marketing Director, Trace Norton says, “We have provided a large number of solutions to support the education industry across the UK, with a hope that children return to school as safely and quickly as possible. “We are proud that our fast, reliable service has contributed and hope we can give parents across the country further peace of mind that their children are in a safe environment.”
Henry Brothers Midlands has won a contract to build a new £18.5 million joint headquarters for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service. The three-storey facility will be constructed on land behind the existing Nottinghamshire Police headquarters at Sherwood Lodge and is scheduled to open by the end of 2021. Work on the new building, which will include a control room, training centre, changing rooms, gym, canteen and shared offices, is expected to begin next month. Once complete it will form part of a wider joint campus that will also include all of the existing police headquarters. After a competitive tendering process Nottingham-based Henry Brothers Midlands has been chosen to construct the new three-storey building. A formal contract was agreed today (Monday, 29 June). Since planning permission was granted in December 2019, a considerable amount of work has already taken place on this multi-phase project under the direction of construction consultancy Gleeds. The site, which will include a new access road, additional car parking and improvements to existing facilities, has already been levelled and cleared – ahead of time and below budget. Ian Taylor, Managing Director of Henry Brothers Midlands, said: “As a local company, we are delighted to have been appointed to build this new joint headquarters building for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. “Henry Brothers has a wealth of experience when it comes to public sector buildings and we are proud to have been selected to work on such a high profile and important project for our local emergency services.” Henry Brothers Midlands, based at Priory Court, Derby Road, Beeston, is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out. The company has been involved in a number of major projects in Nottingham in recent years. It is currently building a new £9m four-storey Enterprise Innovation Centre at Nottingham Trent University’s City Campus – the third development undertaken by Henry Brothers Midlands for the university. In 2019 the company also completed a new £23m two-storey engineering facility at the university’s Clifton Campus, and also began work on a new Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) on the same site. Other members of the construction team on the joint headquarters project for the emergency services include Gleeds for project management, cost consultancy and M&E services, YMD Boon as architect, and civil and structural engineering firm HWA. The joint headquarters project is the next step in a series of collaboration projects between the two services, which already share premises at Highfields, West Bridgford and London Road fire stations, and at the new tri-service hub in Hucknall. The two organisations also jointly procure fuel, have a shared drone and incident welfare vehicle, and conduct joint safety and educational initiatives. Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “This is a significant day in the history of this project and also a good time to reflect on the huge amount of work that has taken place since we began preparing the ground once we got the planning decision at the back end of last year. “I want to thank all those involved in getting us to this point, ahead of schedule and under budget. It is great news to have been able to have formalised this partnership with a trusted local contractor. Their bid represents excellent value for money for taxpayers. I am delighted that we are able to support so many local jobs on site and in the wider supply chain in what I know is a very challenging time for local businesses.” Chief Fire Officer John Buckley said: “The appointment of a local contractor marks a significant step in the joint headquarters programme and is the culmination of a great amount of joint working between the two organisations to co-ordinate a robust and effective competitive tendering process. “Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Police have collaborated on a number of projects in recent years; our new joint headquarters is the next step in our collaboration journey and will pave the way for future partnership working for the benefit of the communities we serve.” Chair of the Fire Authority, Cllr Michael Payne, added: “This is fantastic news in what has, in recent months, undoubtedly been an extremely challenging time for our police and fire staff, the wider public sector and our communities across the whole of the city and county. “The appointment of a local company to build our new joint headquarters reinforces our commitment to the people of Nottinghamshire, and I look forward to the next phase of the project where we will start to see the redevelopment of Sherwood Lodge taking shape, and the relationship between the two organisations going from strength to strength.” Paddy Tipping, Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This is another big step towards the completion of this latest and biggest partnership project to date between two key emergency services. It’s good news that a local company provided the best value for money in a very strict tender process as this means that local people will benefit. I’m also delighted that despite the challenges of the last few months, the work to date has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget. I am grateful to everyone who has worked hard to deliver this. “The two organisations have been collaborating for some time to improve both financial and operational efficiency and experience has proved that they work well together. The new headquarters will bring numerous advantages, such as a better working environment for the workforce, eco-friendly elements and further development of the working relationship between the services. I’m looking forward to seeing the completed project.” For more information, visit www.henrybrothers.co.uk
Construction firm Beard has today begun the phased reopening of its offices, welcoming back staff who are struggling with the isolation of remote working. The move follows a successful week-long trial, with a range of safety measures implemented to ensure any risk of coronavirus infection is minimised. The majority of office-based employees will continue to work from home, in line with the guidance from government, but conversations with staff members have revealed that some feel they would benefit from the interaction of an office environment. More than 90 per cent of Beard sites remained operational throughout the ‘lockdown’ period and work has already resumed on all others. The lessons learned from adapting working practices on site have been instrumental in enabling the firm to reopen its offices safely. A dedicated project manager has been appointed for each of the firm’s offices in Swindon, Guildford, Oxford and Bristol. They have overseen the process of ensuring that staff can return to the office safely. Those wishing to do so have all signed a declaration that they have not experienced symptoms of Covid-19 and complete an induction on the safety measures they need to be aware of. Beard has also prepared a short video for staff to help them with the new working arrangements, and this has been made available via the firm’s YouTube channel: Clear signage has been put up in all buildings to help staff to keep a two-metre distance at all times, with provision for a rota system to ensure reduced occupancy. Other safety measures include a ban on the use of meeting rooms, with meetings continuing to be held remotely where possible, and in open areas when absolutely necessary, while maintaining social distancing. Mike Hedges, director of Beard’s Bristol office and with overall responsibility for health and safety, commented: “The health and wellbeing of our staff is our top priority. We are not requiring anyone to return to the office but we know from talking to staff that there are some – particularly those who live alone – for whom full-time remote working has been challenging. “Mental wellbeing is every bit as important as physical health. We want to do our utmost to cater for the varied needs our colleagues have, while ensuring they are protected from unnecessary risk of infection. “It has been particularly valuable in achieving this to draw on the experiences of colleagues who have continued to work on site. They have performed minor miracles in adapting to safer working practices to protect against Covid-19 and the firm is extremely grateful to them for their efforts.”
East-Midlands-based multi-sector recruitment agency, Recruit 2 You, is celebrating its second business anniversary this month with national expansion plans on the horizon. The family-run company of recruitment specialists which has head offices in Heanor, Derbyshire, focuses on offering a personable and fresh approach to recruitment, providing tailored solutions for high-profile clients across the region and UK, matching candidates to roles across a variety of sectors. Founding directors Anita and Andy Jackson are husband and wife, and both head up the Recruit 2 You team which includes assistant director Jenna-Leigh Bates, who is also part of the family. The company was first launched as a multi-sector agency back in 2018 by Anita who is managing director, and has over a decade of experience in recruitment, having worked for a number of high-profile firms in the region. Since launching, the company’s client base has doubled in size, as has its team, with many high-profile brands using Recruit 2 You as a chosen ongoing recruitment supplier. Sticking to its company slogan – ‘Placing People First’, the Recruit 2 You team always strives to deliver exceptional results for clients and candidates seeking temporary, permanent or interim roles across a variety of industries. With its strong family roots, the business has been built around these values, and its close-knit team combines a diverse calibre of expertise with trust and respect – which has always remained at the heart of the business and the relationships extended to clients and customers. The company has maintained 100% client retention since its inception, and has primary focuses on the engineering, industrial and manufacturing and logistics and warehouse sectors, working also to recruit candidates across the procurement and supply chain, office and secretarial, construction and property, accounting and financial, and customer service and administration industries Anita Jackson, managing director of Recruit 2 You, said: “Every business milestone is exciting, but to be celebrating our second business anniversary is incredibly important to us and I am so proud of our strong and dedicated team who have worked very hard to get to this point. “I feel we have really held our own in a highly competitive industry, winning contracts over our competition and managing to hold a 100% client retention, with new client acquisitions on the horizon. “With the current COVID-19 crisis having a hard-hitting effect on the economy, business models are changing and the need for recruitment is higher than ever – we pride ourselves on having the experience, resources and dedication to save businesses time and money whilst sourcing the right candidates for roles, providing updates throughout the entire process. Looking to the future, with operations director Andy now taking a stronger lead in the business this year, the company is going for growth nationally and is looking to target specific sectors to support its existing clients and expand its offering, to open up opportunities for sector specific skilled candidates to join Recruit 2 You. As a direct result of COVID-19, the company has taken time to evaluate its offering and is keen to ensure that services are as easily accessible as possible to reach out to those seeking employment or recruitment advice. Teaming up with an ex recruiter, who is now working to produce the best user-friendly app on the market, Recruit 2 You is striving to ensure that its clients and candidates know exactly how to reach the team now and by the end of the pandemic.
Keeping anti-bacterial wipes handy, refusing cups of tea and purchasing PPE are among some ways tradespeople can try to reduce the risk of COVID-19, it has been revealed. Experts from LeaseVan.co.uk have revealed five helpful hints to ensure tradespeople stay as safe as possible when working with eased coronavirus restrictions. By saying no to refreshments and snacks and being extra stringent when it comes to wearing personal protection equipment, tradespeople will help reduce the risk of catching or passing on coronavirus. It is also important to ensure relevant checks are carried out to keep both workers and customers safe. A spokesperson for LeaseVan.co.uk said: “As everyone adapts to the ‘new normal’ things will have to change, to ensure as many people as possible stay safe. Using common sense along with the governments guidelines to ensure you self-isolate if you start showing symptoms or are contacted by track and trace will reduce risk significantly. Keeping up with increased hygiene and limiting the amount of time spent in a customer’s home will also help keep tradespeople safer. These are LeaseVan.co.uk ’s tips for tradespeople to help mitigate the COVID-19 risk: 1. Households Ensure that any of the individuals living in the household you plan to work for, or in, are not self-isolating, shielding, or displaying any coronavirus symptoms. If members of the household are, you should delay your work until symptoms are clear or government advice changes. 2. Cups of tea As tempting as it may be to accept a biscuit or cup of tea, it’s safer in the current climate to decline this offer. You don’t want to be touching biscuit packaging or eating biscuits which have been touched by members of the household. Similarly, you can never be too sure about the hygiene in the house you’re working at in terms of cleaning cutlery and mugs. 3. Hygiene Make sure you have lots of hand sanitiser with you, and you’re cleaning your hands regularly – when you enter and leave your van, and when you enter and leave clients houses if this is needed for your trade. When it comes to hygiene you can’t do enough to keep safe currently, so if in doubt wash your hands. Having anti-bacterial wipes to hand will help if used when you’re finished with equipment before someone else picks it up. 4. PPE Although your trade may already require you to use certain types of personal protection equipment, it may be prudent to invest in coronavirus PPE. Wearing a mask is particularly helpful, especially if you’ll be sharing a van with another colleague and going into customers’ houses. Gloves will also be needed if you’re likely to be working alongside someone else and touching the same equipment. 5. Handshakes Even though you may have agreed a deal, or done a good job, it’s important that you adhere to social distancing rules, which means keeping at least one metre apart and not touching. This means that you have to wait a little longer to be able to agree something with a handshake.
