No matter where you are in the world, you have likely been impacted somehow by the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe you know someone who contracted it. Maybe it’s impacted your job or the career of someone you love. While some parts of the globe are seeing yet another surge, there are
If you have created or work in a shop, then you will know that the appearance of the building is crucial to its success. A shop’s layout and windows can have a dramatic effect on whether potential customers decide to buy anything or possibly even enter the building. Potential customers
COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on how we live – but how could the pandemic potentially change the way we approach ventilation within our healthcare facilities as we learn from the coronavirus and tackle potential airborne infection control? Mechanical engineer at Pick Everard, Simon Atkin, discusses how the pandemic
Rental data from one of London’s largest co-living property operators has today revealed a marked increase in young renters heading to the Capital throughout September 2020; a 192% increase in signed rental contracts with those under the age of 24, when compared to the pre-lockdown months of January and February
Story Homes and Story Contracting have joined forces to raise more than £28,000 for mental health charity Mind. Over the past two years, the companies selected Mind as their charity partner, with all staff and business fundraising going to this worthwhile organisation. Staff across the two businesses carried out various fundraising activities to raise money for
What do you do when you want to improve your inner self? Visiting a psychologist is a great way to help you deal with some of the problems that you are facing in life. Life is never a straight line. Every single day you will have to face challenges, some
It’s starting to look like we will all be spending a little more time at home again over the next few months and with the colder weather approaching, it could be a costly time for home owners. With more people working from home once again and curfews being introduced, it’s
Every country has different communities, which are answerable for different aspects. One may find economic, medical, industrial, and other communities. Each community regulates its sector and affects others. The united effort of all communities affects the growth and development of the entire country. Of course, education plays a vital role
Homeowners looking to adapt spaces for potential future lockdowns and optimal home working during the COVID-19 pandemic can look to suggestions from property experts. With government guidelines tightening restrictions, it is important that homeowners and potential buyers consider the viability of future lockdowns and home working and adapt in the
Responding to latest research showing Covid-19 can remain infectious on surfaces for up to 28 days, leading health and safety authority Bureau Veritas has developed a new swab sampling service. Giving employers the peace of mind of knowing their workplaces are COVID free, the new offering involves Bureau Veritas’ highly-qualified
No matter where you are in the world, you have likely been impacted somehow by the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe you know someone who contracted it. Maybe it’s impacted your job or the career of someone you love. While some parts of the globe are seeing yet another surge, there are certain industries that have to keep going in order to maintain some sense of normalcy. So far, the construction industry has been considered ‘essential’ in many different areas of the world. Things still need to get built. Deadlines and schedules need to be kept. Unfortunately, one recent study in the U.S. has found that construction workers might be at a greater risk of developing COVID-19. So, why the increased risk within the construction industry, and what can you do to keep your team safe? Why Are Workers at Risk? At the height of the pandemic, the BESA released new COVID-19 guidelines to keep engineering and construction firms safe. Like many other industries are discovering, however, no safety plan is foolproof. One of the biggest reasons why construction workers remain at high risk is because the industry remained in demand throughout the pandemic. Again, many construction projects needed to keep going and workers were considered essential. Whether a buyer needed a property report or actual building needed to be completed, the commercial real estate, construction, and design industries haven’t stopped. In many places across the globe, things have been so uncertain for so long that it has been hard to keep up with changes in rules, regulations, and policies. Amidst that confusion, it has likely been easy for those in the construction field to make a few missteps in keeping themselves safe. Close Confines on Construction Sites If you work in the industry, or you’ve been on a job site before, it’s easy to think you’re safe from the threat of any virus, considering you spend the majority of your time outside. But, think about how close you can get throughout the day to your fellow workers. You might need to give them instructions or receive some from someone else. You may be touching the same tools and building materials as someone else. Construction workers often go from job to job, too. That can easily increase the spread of the virus, even if just one worker is carrying it from site to site. Simply put, there are plenty of ways in which the virus can be passed at a job site, which may also be contributing to the greater risk for those in construction. What Can Be Done Now? Thankfully, the precautions necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 haven’t changed much over the last few months. If you are in charge of a job site, you should make it your top priority to keep everyone safe. If you are a worker, it is your own responsibility to take precautions and keep yourself safe while doing what you can to reduce the spread to others. The most important thing you can do is to make sure everyone on the site is practicing social distancing as much as possible. That may not always feel realistic when working on a job. But, if it means extending a deadline to keep your workers safe, that’s what needs to be done. Having fewer people on the site is a great place to start. Additionally, anyone who is there should be wearing a mask at all times. This is one of the best and easiest ways to reduce the spread of COVID, and it’s a small price to pay for keeping everyone healthy. Contract tracing should also be done among workers. If one employee is exposed to the virus, everyone needs to be made aware and the right procedures need to be put in place. That’s especially important for workers who go to different job sites to work. Does that mean some of your workers will have to quarantine for a while? It’s likely. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Not putting these precautions in place could trigger an outbreak among your employees. Information like this isn’t meant to scare anyone. The construction industry certainly isn’t the only one facing these ‘surges’ and rising case numbers. Almost any profession that requires people to work closely with one another is at a greater risk of spreading the virus. But, if the construction industry wants to stay afloat, guidelines need to be taken seriously and construction firms need to have their own sets of rules in place that are designed to keep everyone safe.
If you have created or work in a shop, then you will know that the appearance of the building is crucial to its success. A shop’s layout and windows can have a dramatic effect on whether potential customers decide to buy anything or possibly even enter the building. Potential customers need to be enticed in with the promise that it is going to be worth their while, so how do you encourage customers to browse through your business? Choose the Right Floor Plan A floor plan is essential for ensuring a steady flow within your shop that will allow customers to browse without bumping into other customers and will let them browse all that your store has to offer. Choosing the right floor plan will depend upon the size and shape of your shop, but you can try out a range of floor plans by changing the way you position your product. For example, if you wanted to try out the straight floor plan, you need only move your products into rows of straight lines. This creates an easy layout for customers to manoeuvre and is very popular. Create an Imaginative Window Display A window display is probably the easiest way to encourage a potential customer to enter your shop. It is important to really spend some time thinking about what you would like to include in your window display, as this is your opportunity to showcase your products and business. At this point, you may need to hire a professional window dresser to construct your window display for you, such as VM & Window Displays, as they know best how to make busy shoppers stop and stare at your shop windows. Use the Space Wisely It is important to make the most out of every inch of your business premises. You should use items such as furniture to guide shoppers around the space in a way that exposes them to as many products and as much of the store as possible. But, make sure that customers do not just walk aimlessly through your shop. It would help if you created breaks within the empty spaces of your shop to slow customers down. These breaks tend to be special displays that the customer will want to pause to examine. You may need to enlist the help of an interior designer to help you construct a shop floor that makes the most of the space you have. Decorate the Exterior If you have a shop that is based on a long street where all the buildings look very similar, it can be difficult to stand out from the rest. You do not need to do anything extravagant to resolve this issue; it can really be as simple as just painting your shop door a bright and mesmerising colour, or placing a flower pot outside that customers will notice. These small adjustments to your shop’s exterior will help you to stand out from the crowd – the little details matter. Making just these small changes to your shop will not only help you gain more customers, but it will also construct the perfect shopping experience for them.
COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on how we live – but how could the pandemic potentially change the way we approach ventilation within our healthcare facilities as we learn from the coronavirus and tackle potential airborne infection control? Mechanical engineer at Pick Everard, Simon Atkin, discusses how the pandemic could shape ventilation systems moving forwards. He said: “Sustainability and energy efficiency has long been high on the agenda for the construction industry as we all look to move towards Net Zero Carbon and to deliver the most environmentally sound infrastructure – but COVID-19 has introduced a new focus for many; ventilation. More importantly, how we can ensure that the systems we use within our buildings keep end users safe and prevent the spread of airborne diseases such as coronavirus? “Historically, ventilation has been related to the thermal comfort of end users, particularly in commercial settings. However, the way in which we handle air circulation within our buildings has become a key point of discussion in relation to infection control, whether that be within new builds or what options there are to retrofit older buildings to help improve the role of ventilation in bacterial control within our buildings – especially those with healthcare purposes.” Adapting to changing scientific advice Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, building services engineers have had to pay close attention to the scientific advice on the disease to ensure that clients can be advised on their systems appropriately – whether this be a commercial office space or a medical facility. Simon added: “Several months into the pandemic in the UK, the World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledged that there was emerging evidence that the virus could be spread by tiny particles suspended in the air, and that such airborne transmission could not be ruled out in crowded, closed or poorly ventilated settings. “With many patients needing critical treatment for other conditions throughout the pandemic it is of critical importance that we adapt quickly and efficiently within healthcare facilities to ensure that patients are still able to receive potentially life-saving treatment without being put at risk of contracting coronavirus. “High-performance ventilation systems are already commonplace within the healthcare sector, with systems including negative pressure air handling and fresh air exchangers utilised effectively in hospitals – but are we likely to see these types of systems integrated into other sectors as we move out of the pandemic? It could be that hospital grade ventilation systems become the norm across all varieties of buildings as consumers become more focussed on how we ventilate spaces to prevent the spread of disease. “There is an inevitable cost implication to utilising higher performance ventilation systems as well as a potential compromise on other sustainability credentials within the build, both of which may make clients think twice about how far they are willing to go – especially given the evolving ways in which we are all using spaces as a result of social distancing. “We may also see changes to the maintenance and cleaning of ventilation systems. In the past, this is something that has been carried out infrequently – if at all – but as increasing focus is placed on germ control, it may be that we see pressure being applied on building owners and occupiers to illustrate these measures are being taken, possibly even via legislation and certification.” The future of ventilation At Pick Everard, we have been keeping abreast of the latest scientific data and advice from the WHO, to make sure we provide our clients with the best possible service in what has been undoubtedly one of the toughest years for the healthcare sector. As well as the obvious pressures the coronavirus placed on services directly, there have been huge ripples of indirect pressures as well. “One hospital with whom we at Pick Everard have a working relationship has sought consultancy services on its ventilation systems due to one such indirect pressure – a forced reduction in the number of patients served,” said Simon. “Following the WHO acknowledgement of potential airborne transmission in enclosed spaces, the hospital had to introduce a process of leaving a minimum of one hour between patients in its consultancy rooms to avoid cross-contamination issues. This of course has a significant impact on the number of patients that can be treated each day, increasing the waiting lists for treatments and has a very real human impact on those patients waiting for treatment. “We have never seen such a focus on air circulation and ventilation, but whether or not there will be a long-term change in approach when it comes to designing systems in our buildings is not yet clear. There will undoubtedly be cost implications associated with higher grade ventilation systems, as well as considerations around performance and energy efficiencies, which will potentially require clients to find additional funding to see projects come to fruition. “As we move through the pandemic and with a vaccine potentially on the horizon, any longer-term shift towards high-performance heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems may not be obvious as changes take their time to filter through. Without legislation it is likely that progress will be slow across the board, but there are certainly many learnings to take forward from 2020, and opportunity for forward-thinking organisations to deliver better, more hygienic, and sustainable buildings.” Pick Everard employs more than 500 staff across its 13 offices, providing a range of project, cost and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk.
Rental data from one of London’s largest co-living property operators has today revealed a marked increase in young renters heading to the Capital throughout September 2020; a 192% increase in signed rental contracts with those under the age of 24, when compared to the pre-lockdown months of January and February this year. Released by Built Asset Management (BAM), the data suggests that young renters are increasingly heading to the Capital despite market fears of a London exodus having dominated discussions over recent months. Between 1-30 September 2020, BAM witnessed a 192% increase in signed rental agreements amongst young professionals taking out leases on co-living accommodation, when compared to the average number of contracts signed within this age demographic during January and February 2020. Of the under-24s taking out new co-living contracts for a BAM property in September, 62% were first-time renters in the capital. Additionally, 53% of under-24s opted for properties within W postcodes in the past month; at odds with the rest of the market, where SW postcodes remain the most popular amongst BAM renters. Co-Founder and Director of BAM, Alex Gibbs, shared his thoughts on the influx: “This is a really interesting trend, particularly when viewed in the context of the broader market data which actually shows a (probably temporary) net migration of young professionals out of London for the same time period. Recent data has shown that, statistically, under-24s are at the greatest risk of losing their incomes as a result of the pandemic, and that this age group is bearing the brunt of the mental health toll as a result of the country’s COVID response. Given that this demographic also reportedly experiences lower levels of fear around the concept of actually contracting COVID-19, it is perhaps unsurprising that these individuals are more keen and more willing to relocate into the Capital for work purposes when compared with professionals in other age brackets. Our findings here also marry neatly with data revealed by employers that remote working often presents the biggest challenge where new and emerging talent is concerned. More junior team members often require more face to face time as a necessity, in order to get to grips with things and to learn via osmosis. Landlords and investors within the co-living space can also take solace in the fact that research conducted this month showed that, long term, there is virtually no difference in the proportion of professionals aged 25-44 planning to remain living in London, as compared with pre-pandemic. It seems that perhaps their younger counterparts are just acting a little more quickly.”
Story Homes and Story Contracting have joined forces to raise more than £28,000 for mental health charity Mind. Over the past two years, the companies selected Mind as their charity partner, with all staff and business fundraising going to this worthwhile organisation. Staff across the two businesses carried out various fundraising activities to raise money for the charity – from sporting challenges and bake sales, to raffles and pub quizzes. Following the sizable monetary donation, the businesses – which were both founded by Fred Story – are delighted to announce that they will extend their charity partnership with Mind, dedicating colleague and company fundraising to the mental health organisation. Mind provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem, and the funds raised by Homes and Contracting will be divided between the local Mind branches in each of the companies’ operational regions – including Carlisle, Newcastle, Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Scotland. Fred Story, founder of both businesses, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Mind. Working within construction, we understand the importance of improving mental health and we are dedicated to ensuring that nobody suffers in silence. There can be a certain stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing, especially in young men, but it is a subject that we need to continue to talk about and ensure that we have the right support networks in place across our two businesses.” Tara Quinn, CEO of Carlisle Eden Mind, said: “Once again, Carlisle Eden Mind are excited to have the support of Story Homes and Story Contracting particularly in a time of great uncertainty. We would like to thank both organisations for their much-needed contributions and every penny, as always, will go towards those we are here to help and support.” Tommy McIlravey, CEO of Lancashire Mind, said: “On behalf of everyone at Lancashire Mind, and those who access our services, I would like to thank Story Homes and Story Contracting for this generous donation and their ongoing support. Given the times we find ourselves in donations such as this mean more than ever to Lancashire Mind and enable us to continue to work with individuals and communities across the county.” These are just a few of the worrying statistics about mental health within the construction industry: A construction worker is more likely to die of suicide than a fall from height Males working in skilled trades have a 35% higher risk of suicide than the male national average Every year over 400 construction workers commit suicide The risk of suicide among male labourers is three times higher than the male national average 55% of workers have experienced mental health issues in their lives Almost half of women working in the sector are dealing with poor mental health
What do you do when you want to improve your inner self? Visiting a psychologist is a great way to help you deal with some of the problems that you are facing in life. Life is never a straight line. Every single day you will have to face challenges, some of which might overwhelm you. You might be dealing with relationship issues, family issues, or other social issues. Having someone to talk to is a great way to help you share your experiences and find solutions. When you lack someone you can share your problems with, the weight of the issues might overwhelm you, causing you to get anxiety and depression. Since you will be trusting a stranger with your deep secrets, it is always advisable to find a psychologist that can be trusted. You don’t want to share your life experiences with someone who isn’t professional. Knowing how to choose a psychologist will help you get a reliable confidant. Choosing to find some help is hard enough. You shouldn’t have a tough time getting the right therapist. Below are tips for finding the right psychologist. Experience. One thing that should be on top of your list is the level of experience that the psychologist has. You want to work with someone that has been in the industry for some time. An experienced psychologist will have more knowledge and skills on how to handle your issues. It would be best if you looked for a psychologist that has experience in handling your case. Note that psychologists specialize in different areas, such as addiction, anxiety, and eating disorders. If you have an anxiety issue, you need to look for psychologists who handle anxiety. Asking about the psychologist’s specialization areas and their experience will enable you to make the right choice. When you hire one with years of experience, you are guaranteed quality services because they won’t waste your time trying to find treatment options for you. They already know what the diagnosis is and will find a way to tweak it to suit you better. Ask For Referrals. Another easy way to find a reputable psychologist is by asking for referrals. When you ask for recommendations, it will be easier because you won’t have to do a lot of research. You can start by asking your primary care doctor for a referral. Usually, doctors will know of reputable psychologists that they can recommend. With this, you are sure to receive excellent services. When you get a list of referrals, take some time to research the psychologist’s credentials online. If they have a website, check to see what they have published online. Do they have a review section? If they do, go through to see what some of the previous and current clients have to say about their services. If you notice that many clients have given positive reviews, you should consider them. Avoid psychologists with negative reviews since clients cannot give negative reviews without any reason. After researching about the psychologists online, narrow down your list to remain with the potential ones. Proceed to call them to make a physical appointment. Consider Gender. It is crucial to consider the gender of the psychologist before making your final decision. It would help if you felt comfortable with the gender of the psychologist because, at some point, you will have to open up and discuss your personal information. If, for any reason, you have a problem with a particular gender, opt for the opposite gender. The issue of gender is crucial; a reason you cannot afford to dismiss it. Ask the psychologist about their training and experience related to your issue and your gender. If they are well conversant with dealing with your gender, you should hire them. It is also essential to listen to your instincts. If you don’t feel safe around the therapist for some reason, you should not hire them. It doesn’t matter whether the psychologist looks good on paper. Your instincts will always direct you on what is right. Here is how you can find highly skilled psychologists team in Newcastle who uses tried and tested strategies and interventions to help children and families live a brighter life. Always remember that your comfort should be your priority in any psychology session. Trust your gut before making the final decision. Psychologists are essential people in the community because they help individuals deal with their problems and approach life positively. If you want to find a reputable one, consider the factors above. You won’t regret it…
It’s starting to look like we will all be spending a little more time at home again over the next few months and with the colder weather approaching, it could be a costly time for home owners. With more people working from home once again and curfews being introduced, it’s an opportune time to invest in insulating your home – not just to keep it cosy – but also efficient in terms of heat retention and cost savings. John Evans of home improvement specialists Stormclad, said: “Over the last six months we have all spent more time at home than usual, and our homes now more than ever play a vital role in keeping us safe and secure as well as being the backdrop to home working, home learning and everything in between. “To ensure the home remains a pleasant place to be for all the family, temperature plays an key role and as it begins to get colder outside, it could be the perfect time to make home improvements to increase the homes thermal efficiency. “There are a number of simple modifications you can make to your home to reduce heat which can be installed in a matter of hours, days or weeks.” Draught-proofing There are countless gaps in our homes that we usually never even think about. However, these are letting out the warmth from, and letting the cold inside. Often you can fill all the gaps and holes yourself with some simple DIY. Internal doors are a good place to start when trying to cover drafts. You can buy removable draft excluders such as the classic sausage dog, or have a draught excluding door seal fitted underneath the door. Ensure you keep these shut as often as possible to retain the heat in each room, and to stop draughts coming through. Replace windows with modern double glazing Windows are one of the most prone areas to heatloss in the home. An old single paned window will emit around 84% of a room’s heat into the cold air outside so it is definitely worth the investment. Installing double glazed windows will retain the heat in your home by trapping a layer of air between two panes of glass which stops the air from circulating, resulting in a decrease of heat loss across the window. With modern double glazed windows, the space between the panes is often filled with denser argon gas which will slow down heat loss even further. Older windows can look outdated and deteriorate quickly, so replacing them a with durable frame such as aluminium will transform the look of your home outside and in. External door replacements Older doors are prone to holes and gaps which allows draughts to enter the home. Doors can often become warped and unsettled in their existing frame, which means its time for an upgrade. Solid wood doors are a popular choice as timber is a natural insulator, absorbing and retaining heat, as well as composite doors, which are a thick door made of a combination of timber and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) – a robust thermo-plastic door skin. Top top: Ensure your door is fitted with a quality letterbox flap or brush, to reduce the amount of heat loss from the letterbox. Conservatory refurbishments Do you avoid this room in the winter because it’s too cold? Could this be your new home office? Making changes to your old conservatory can vastly reduce the amount of heat lost and make the space welcoming and usable all year round. Older conservatories are often made with plastic polycarbonate roofs which have very little thermal insulation. Replacing the roof with high performance glass, a solid roof or a combination of the two, is one of the most effective improvements you can make to increase a conservatory’s thermal efficiency, which not just affects the conservatory but the whole home’s thermal efficiency.
Every country has different communities, which are answerable for different aspects. One may find economic, medical, industrial, and other communities. Each community regulates its sector and affects others. The united effort of all communities affects the growth and development of the entire country. Of course, education plays a vital role and can ensure success or lead to the failure of a community in general. A professional team of essay writers from EssayLib writing service tried to dig deeper into the relationships between community education and community development. This informative guide highlights the way they are linked to one another and what importance for people they may bring. What is Community Development? Before we begin to seek the links between education and development, we should understand the phenomenon of a developed community in any country. Community development is a complex and important process, which is designed to make people knowledgeable and competent in a targeted geographical area. They are supposed to have certain skills, knowledge, and motivation to develop under certain economic circumstances. This approach is used to transform the area and thus affect the wellness of the country by embedding competencies. People are supposed to “know” what to do, rather than reading and following the instructions. This is when education steps up. Community development is frequently taken as an economic indicator to define the efficacy of development. If the community isn’t properly developed, the economic situation is poor. Education as the Basic Building Block It’s really hard to underrate the role of education in the life of every citizen. When a person is educated, he/she knows a lot about the world and specific industries. He/she can efficiently apply his/her knowledge and skills to enjoy success. The success will be personal, as well as social because those skills and knowledge help society. This relationship is clear for every community. An educated nation equals a prosperous nation. Boost in Economic Growth If a group of people (who belong to a concrete community) is incompetent, the country will hardly reap many dividends. People with poor skills and a lack of knowledge simply don’t know how to work fast, efficiently, and productively. Thus, a certain sector begins to delay the development of other sectors. Did you ever wonder why some countries are more successful and the other fall behind? Some people say it’s because of the many natural resources. However, many African nations are undeveloped even when they have precious gems and other resources. Why can’t they enjoy economic success? The answer is obvious – a huge part of their population is uneducated. People have the potential but have almost no idea how to use it. As a result, they require the help of developed countries to show the right path. In the meanwhile, their own people are unemployed because workers from other countries can do that better. Accordingly, economic growth is heavily dependent on the level of education in the country. Cultural Progress and Evolution Education is the most efficient and important medium to pass the experiences of the previous generations. When children learn the history, customs, and traditions of their country, they preserve their own culture. If a country forgets about its cultural heritage, it is doomed to vanish. It is impossible to exist without knowing your own language, culture, history, traditions, etc. Every next generation creates something new and changes its culture. Nevertheless, authenticity survives because people do not forget their ancestors, history, and culture. Education helps to pass that knowledge and experience. Technological Progress Undoubtedly, a well-educated nation can follow the pace. We mean the creation of innovative technologies, which make our lives easier. Highly technological nations are the most successful ones. If a nation continuously creates new mechanisms, applications, medical equipment, industrial equipment, etc., it shows that it’s a wealthy nation. It has genius scientists, mechanics, engineers, physicians, etc. who have been educated in this community. The level of education is high to create technological marvels that improve the wellness of the entire country. It surely leads to economic growth and stability. What Are the Main Benefits? As we review the relationship between community education and development, we should summarize the main benefits of their collaboration. The government and other structures invest in education to achieve certain results. What are those results? Make allowances for the following essentials: Economic growth and stability; Technological progress; A reliable method to preserve cultural heritage; Intelligent and happy children; Bright perspectives for future development; Economic independence and prosperity; Development of social institutions; Progress of medical and scientific industries, etc. The benefits are almost immeasurable, but all of them are possible thanks to an educated nation. That’s why different governments, nonprofit organizations, and international development agencies invest in education. They know that a high level of education benefits the development of the community. They implement and improve the methods of teaching to ensure an intelligent nation. This investment will surely provide the desired results, which help to overcome an economic pit and improve the wellbeing of the country. As you can see, the development of any community is directly dependent on its compliance with the educational sector. If a separate group of people is not educated, that community falls behind and does not complete its functions. It negatively affects the country in general. Accordingly, educated communities are the foundations of economic development in every country.
Homeowners looking to adapt spaces for potential future lockdowns and optimal home working during the COVID-19 pandemic can look to suggestions from property experts. With government guidelines tightening restrictions, it is important that homeowners and potential buyers consider the viability of future lockdowns and home working and adapt in the best ways they possibly can to be safe and comfortable at home. From converting unused spaces, to developing outdoor areas, the property experts at North Sands Developments, share top considerations for adapting homes for COVID working and living. James Hartley, director at North Sands Developments, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has tested everyone, and with government restrictions tightening and a potential second-wave looming, there are many important learnings that we can take away from this time, to safeguard our futures in terms of creating a more comfortable, secure and optimised living and working environment. “From zoom-proof rooms, to pet proofing, good internet connection and ensuring access to open plan and outdoor spaces – whether you are looking to purchase a new home or have an existing home that requires improvements, we have compiled a list of considerations for reference, to help homeowners and potential buyers thinking about living arrangements during the pandemic.” 1. Outdoor space When spending large amounts of time at home, outdoor space is vital for health and wellbeing, whatever the weather. To make the most of outdoor spaces – home and garden improvements such as extending the size of the garden, improving decking and patios, adding a fire pit for use during the cooler weather, adding a balcony to bring fresh air into the home, and swapping patio doors for new ones such as bi-folds, to connect the home with the garden to accentuate the space is worth the investment. 2. Zoom-proof rooms and spaces Working from home and juggling family life isn’t always easy and it can be disruptive when important virtual meetings are interrupted with noise. Creating a zoom-proof space in the home is very much an essential when it comes to peaceful working. The ideal zoom space will be as sound proof as possible, with a simple fuss-free backdrop, away from busy areas of the house to avoid any disturbances. If in an open plan home, organise a space in a quieter area of the room, with a divide to hold calls. 3. Convert unused spaces Converting unused spaces in the home such as a garage, loft or cellar, can provide much needed extra room in the household. The spaces can be used for a new home office, relaxation zone, utility area or a play room, but it is important to ensure that a property possesses comfortable living areas, should another lockdown be enforced. Extra spaces can also significantly boost the value of a property, especially if extra bedrooms and bathrooms are added. Most conversion projects do not require planning permission as it qualifies as a ‘change of use’ to the property, which is another great reason to consider a home improvement of this kind. 4. Add an annexe or garden Increasing the space in your home with a build project is a great alternative to moving house completely. Adding an annexe or extension to a property, is a larger investment and one that could significantly improve a living environment and add value to a property. Adding a room that is completely separate from the rest of the property, can create the ideal environment for undisturbed home working, or a quiet and tranquil space for relaxation. It will also be a place for extra family or members of a support bubble to stay and visit that isn’t in the main home. If not an annexe, it’s worth converting any loft space to ensure all space in the home is utilised. 5. Divide your open plan spaces A cost-effective way to create separate zones for different functions is to divide existing open plan areas. Installing partition walls or sectioning off areas with the careful placement of furniture are just two ways to create segregated space, allowing members of a household to live together without getting on top of one another. Freestanding shelves act as great temporary partitions that also provide storage space for any home office essentials. 6. Good internet connection A commonly overlooked home improvement is a stronger and more efficient internet connection and good WIFI is essential when working remotely for virtual meetings and conferences. This can be as simple as installing extenders to boost internet signal, or may mean changing internet providers altogether for a connection that supports working activity and home living. Before switching provider, it’s sensible to do research online to check which company has the best service in the area. 7. Get a pet and pet proof your home In terms of overall happiness and wellbeing – pets can certainly provide comfort and company for the long term. Getting a pet is a great life choice for lockdown and beyond, but furry friends need appropriate flooring and space to run around, so it’s important to ensure a home is pet proof by opening up spaces if possible and replacing carpet with floor tiles which can make managing a regular house clean easier.
Responding to latest research showing Covid-19 can remain infectious on surfaces for up to 28 days, leading health and safety authority Bureau Veritas has developed a new swab sampling service. Giving employers the peace of mind of knowing their workplaces are COVID free, the new offering involves Bureau Veritas’ highly-qualified occupational hygienists swab testing various surfaces on business sites in line with MDHS 97 – Methods for Sampling Surface Contamination. Recognising the many challenges businesses face in remaining open and operational when dealing with a potential coronavirus outbreak, the swab sampling service includes a speedy 24hr turnaround time for all samples. Following this, a sample analysis report is issued to businesses within seven working days from the final visit to a site. Crucially, if traces of the virus are detected, Bureau Veritas can pin-point exactly where and provide accurate recommendations on adapting and improving cleaning practices to help eradicate COVID-19 from the workplace. The launch of the new swab sampling service comes as latest research shows the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive for up to 28 days on surfaces such as the glass on mobile phones, stainless steel, vinyl and paper banknotes1. Joe Marais, Occupational Hygiene Team Leader at Bureau Veritas comments: “Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and new research showing the COVID-19 virus can survive almost a month on certain surfaces, employers face an ever-escalating pressure to prove their premises are clean and COVID free. “To support businesses in demonstrating that reassurance, we’ve developed our new tried and tested swab sampling service, which as restrictions continue to tighten, will be essential to keeping many sites open, operational and safe enough for employees, visitors and customers to use. We’d encourage all businesses, whatever the sector, to make use of this critical new service.” According to Bureau Veritas, one of the main areas to consider when managing coronavirus risks in the workplace includes heating and the movement of indoor air. Joe adds: “Reducing the amount of fresh air in workplaces and using Air Handling Units to manage internal climates brings an increased risk of retaining COVID-19 within the environment. Therefore, it’s really important that duty holders assess and identify the risk this presents for work surfaces. “For many sectors, this is still new territory where following best practice via a third party consultancy such as Bureau Veritas provides confidence to employers, their staff and customers during what remains a challenging time for us all.” As part of its commitment to helping employers navigate the coronavirus pandemic, Bureau Veritas is hosting a free webinar on developing appropriate controls in the workplace. The webinar will be hosted by Joe Marais, covering current issues with Air Handling Units, the risks of air recirculation as well as a panel discussion with Suhail Bakawala from independent laboratory Eurofins. To register for Swab sampling: Control measures and indoor air quality in the COVID-19era webinar, please visit:https://bureauveritas.zoom.us/webinar/register/8516020712759/WN_CdZJ7dA0Sy-nyv7P1JfuGA For further information, call 0345 600 1828 or visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk