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August - September 2003 FREE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE - Making Faces - Beauty at Newcastle College to working with supermodels...

How UK Online for Business is working for the region...

Learning for Interest - What do you do in your spare time?

You hold the key to self development

Starting up in business? We show you how...

informnorth is totally unique and is an independent publication brought to you in association with

for the enterprising North East x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:09 pm Page 2 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:09 pm Page 3

“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”. Winston Churchill 1947

Editor Miles Crofton 0191 5866 010 [email protected] Executive editor Bernice Saltzer Contents Staff writers Sarah Lee, Zahra Moussavi, COVER STORY Rebecca Chancy, Joane Baron 18 FRESH FACES - Straight from working with Jodie Kidd, make-up artist Account manager Vikki Johnston tells informnorth readers about her path to success... Richard Gomersall 0191 5866 040 FEATURES [email protected] Sales & sponsorship 16 SO YOU WANNA BE A RADIO STAR - If you’ve got a golden voice we’ll give Martin Jameson you the lowdown on a career in radio, talking in turn to a rising star and an 0191 5866 040 old hand... [email protected] 20 THE POWER OF INVENTIONS... Have you got key to the next great idea? Distribution Well we’ll help you explore ways to ensure you don't miss out on success... John Gardine GREENFINGERS - How one North East landscaper has made his mark... Researcher 47 Michelle Ho 60 UK ONLINE FOR BUSINESS - Find out more about how this important Inserts & subscriptions national initiative is helping businesses right across the northern region... Heather Hardy [email protected] REGULARS

Design & production 45 STEPPING STONES - Just how DO you make your mark when applying for Jamie Popple new jobs? We show how you can stand out from the crowd.

Informnorth is published bi-monthly. All content is © informnorth. While the publisher has taken all reasonable care to ensure that all material is 54 THIRD AGE - We look at the thorny topic of ageism in the workplace, accurate at the time of going to press, they can not accept responsibility for errors and surprisingly find it can be all around us. or omissions and no liability is accepted for omission or failure from any cause. The publisher welcomes contributions but opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of informnorth. 64 YOUR LETTERS ANSWERED - Informnorth’s Rebecca Chancy answers more Additional professional advice should be sought before making any commitment to of you very interesting letters and comments. business transactions detailed within informnorth. All advertisements are accepted only on the grounds that they comply with the terms of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and all other relevant legislation. Inclusion of an advertisement cannot be construed as an endorsement of an advertiser or a product by the publisher, their employees or their agents. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any transactions between readers and advertisers. No material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher. Front cover photography by Juliette Chenery-Robson August 2003 3 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:09 pm Page 4

Mobile Phones to Give Lessons Mobile phones and computers could teach basic skills to the current generation of young people in a new EU-backed initiative taking place in the UK, Sweden and Italy.The aim of the project is to see how mobile devices can be used to teach basic numeracy Commun and literacy skills to young adults that have dropped out of the education system. Makers of educational materials Cambridge Training and Development have found that mobile learning has an element of privacy which can help those embarrassed by their numeracy and literacy skills.The company has also developed a range of materials for use on handheld computers. Policies May Fail to Improve UK Skills Current government skills and innovation t’s not that many years ago that the policies will not succeed in making Britain a lines between where you went to learn, high performance economy capable of where you went to work and where holding its own in the future globalising you went to play were firmly drawn. world.This is the main conclusion of a new I The latter was set in the classroom and if ESRC-funded report into skills and you were over a certain age and couldn’t innovation in modern workplaces.While the gain new skills and qualifications within case for greater skills and innovation has very strict hours then that was just hard become almost overwhelming and luck. unquestioned among public policy makers in Your local community centre was strictly Britain, new ESRC research suggests that the province of elderly people who would only a new and more radical approach to drop in for a cup of tea and a biscuit and workplace change will improve performance to play bingo or perhaps for mums and and raise labour productivity levels. Research their toddlers to find a bit of solidarity. indicates that no serious attempt has yet Many people have been held Somewhere along the way however the been made to relate the apparently self- lines have become blurred and our local evident need to promote skills and back over the years because community centres and many other places innovation to the actual internal they were too scared to go at the very heart of our communities have modernisation of companies and the way in become important and integrated new which jobs are being organised or back into a classroom seats of learning. And what we are seeing restructured in existing and new “situation or had such bad is the barriers prohibiting further marketplaces. Policy making, to date, has education gradually being lifted - leading focused almost exclusively on the memories of their school to a whole new generation of people introduction of measures to enhance the days that it was an getting access to much needed new skills. volume and quality of skilled workers in the experience they weren’t in a labour market. Welcome to the integrated modern world hurry to repeat of the "communi-versity" where local community centres have become the Chinese Ambassador launch pad for a whole host of people to extend their knowledge. Praises Northern University Basing learning within the community has The UK's new Chinese ambassador has opened the floodgates for many people to met representatives from the University acquire new skills and qualifications more of Sunderland's rapidly growing Chinese easily or simply helped them become student community during his first visit to more adept in a subject of interest. the North East. His excellency Mr Zha The Government first committed itself to Peixon heard that there are now 470 ” widening participation in learning and students from the People's Republic at improving basic skills back in the late the university, which is the preferred 1990’s, when it set up its Adult and training provider for the Chinese Community Learning Fund. Managers Training Programme, and that This Fund makes the important connection Chinese student numbers have grown between learning and social regeneration dramatically during the past 3 years.The and recognises the fact that along with Ambassador said that he was very creating economic benefits learning also impressed with the university which has promotes active citizenship and established good educational links with strengthens the ties within the local China. community. 4 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:09 pm Page 5 university challenge

Newcastle Literacy Trust and Fairbridge from calligraphy to mat making, from Tyne and Wear which develops health, keep fit and T’ai Chi to writers’ fitness and basic skills for vulnerable workshops. young men. Dunston Community Centre has Spanish, The Department for Education and Skills keyboard skills and researching your and the Department for Culture, Media family tree among its many offerings and Sport have also joined forces for its sitting alongside a wide range of IT Empowering the Learning Community opportunities. initiative, which again uses resources such And it’s a similar picture everywhere else as libraries, museums and archives as a you care to look. At Lobley Hill Youth and base from which new skills can be Community Centre in Gateshead there’s learned. singing, soft furnishings and web design The beauty of all of these initiatives is that on offer - again, along with around 30 it not only makes learning far easier and other courses. fits in with the needs of local people - The fact that community organisations can rather than the other way round - it also offer this variety and this volume of fosters a real community spirit. courses, often in partnership with other People make new friends, the generation well respected seats of acedemia, show gap closes more easily and those who that the interest and support exists - and think that their education days are far for many people it can often act as the WelcomeWelcome toto thethe integratedintegrated behind them find they actually like the confidence builder they need to go on to modernmodern worldworld ofof thethe challenges learning and self development do something else or further education. "communi-versity""communi-versity" offer. St Simon’s Community Centre in South And of course it’s not just about academic Shields is another organisation which has qualifications. Community centres now run now extended the parameters of what it sessions on everything from confidence offers to its members. The Adult and Community Learning Fund building to sports activities, helping local It has recently opened an outreach has supported countless community-based people become fitter, healthier and more LearnDirect centre where even people in organisations here in the North East and positive. their 60s are getting to grips with beyond, giving them the support they need Many people have been held back over computers for the very first time, a perfect to develop and sustain innovative adult the years because they were too scared to tie-in with the Government’s Lifelong learning projects. go back into a classroom situation or had Learning ethos. This means that adults who normally such bad memories of their school days While there’s no doubt that the North East wouldn’t participate in education and that it was an experience they weren’t in a has a strong college and university training are offered new opportunities they hurry to repeat. network it’s equally true to say that the simply hadn’t had before. Taking that step back into some kind of community organisations are becoming And the schemes which have been education route was too big a leap for schools of learning in their own right. countless adults, but that is being changed supported through this Fund in our region They are to be encouraged and nurtured with the possibilities that are being opened in helping to create more rounded, more are wide and varied. up on their very own doorsteps. interesting and more skillful people - On Teesside organisations which have The sheer wealth of courses that are which can only bode well for the future of benefited include Thornaby Reading Town available is little short of breathtaking. A the North East as a whole. and Stockton Learning Town and the Five quick scan through the many community Lamps Organisation, a voluntary group centres in the region highlights the variety Miles Crofton, editor which enhances existing regeneration of skills which people can develop or activity on a local level. acquire. Tyneside has also seen its fair share of Denton Burn Community Association in support under this scheme, including the Newcastle offers its members everything informnorth August 2003 5 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 6

Your money or your life? It costs around £100 per week to live away from home at university. Is this a fair price for independence and endless fun? Or can students still enjoy the university experience if they stay local reaping the benefits of home comforts and less debt? Informnorth’s ZAHRA MOUSSAVI investigates…

s term time approaches many students will take the staying at home to attend a local university. traditional route and will be preparing to move away from There are arguments both for and against moving away from home for the first time. It’s not that long ago that it was home and they obviously differ depending on whom you are Aalmost considered compulsory that you got your results talking to. One of the most obvious reasons for going away is the and applied to a university far from home. promise of independence and the potential fun that can evolves, How else would you be able to enjoy staying out all night without but is this worth the estimated £100 a week it is likely to cost you? parents nagging you or savour the delights of never tidying your The introduction of tuition fees and the abolishment of grants room and living on baked beans and cheap beer? tightens the rope of responsibility around students’ neck from a The truth of the situation now however is that times are changing loose knot to one causing strangulation. Students can no longer and financial constraints are forcing more students to consider choose a university based on the courses offered, exam results or even the city’s sites or nightlife. Traditional methods such as the calculation of the boy-girl ratio have been replaced by the need to consider rent costs, bills and transport costs. For a growing number of students the opportunity to move away from home has been quashed and they are forced to look to local universities and colleges to further their education. Northern youngsters fair slightly better than others as the region houses a wide range of great establishments. With five universities and a number of colleges to choose from, the stay-at-home option is becoming more popular. Although the stay at home student will save money and strengthen their financial standing when they graduate arguably could be missing out on valuable life skills, not to mention the fun. Students are notorious for wanting to have a good time and this is particularly true for those in their first year. Temporarily flush when they pay their student loan cheques into the bank and excited by being away from home for the first time, the infamous freshers weeks pass in an endless whirl of drinking, dancing, socialising and creating long-held memories and solid friendships. By going to university - wherever it may be, - students get the chance to meet a broad range of people and make new friends. This can be one of the most nerve-racking aspects of university life, particular for those who are away from home and in unfamiliar territory. At this point, local students have the upper hand as their confidence and expert knowledge of the area becomes apparent. This very quickly changes as students social life revolves around halls of residence and house mates who form strong bonds with each other. Local students who appear during lectures and turn up for the odd social even many not integrate as well, but this is not always as bad as it may seem. Remember those who stay at home can stay in touch with their existing friends. Those with a close group of friends that are all staying locally may be better off. 6 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 7

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The real decision maker or breaker will always be money. There’s been a lot of research into the Those who stay at home will save thousands in rent, bills and food costs and those who go away will always struggle: they can terrifyingly huge amount of debt always take advantage of student loans, students overdraft and students find themselves weighed down when they are at their limits move on to credit cards. There’s been a lot of research into the terrifyingly huge amount of with when they graduate - the latest debt students find themselves weighed down with when they average stands at around £15,000 graduate - the latest average stands at around £15,000. Living at home will not be cost free, as tuition fees and travel costs still need to be paid but debt will be considerably lower. Although parents quake at the thought of their children being crippled financially there is one saving grace, students quickly learn the value of money and learn to control their finances. For those who move away from home there is also the loss of home comforts to take into consideration. Washing, ironing, cooking, shopping, paying bills and cleaning will all come as a major shock, especially to those who have been cosseted in domestic bliss and had a doting parent to carry out these everyday tasks. There is no right route and every student needs to make their own decision and decide what’s best for them before choosing home or away...

Do I stay or do I go?

If you’re still undecided here are some points to help you decide between staying at home and going away:

Home • Home comforts. No need to cook, clean, wash; you can put off learning to use a washing machine for another three years! • You won’t be leaving your friends behind. • More money to spend - hopefully! • Knowing that a stranger hasn’t slept on your mattress • No great steps to adjusting.

Away • No parents ringing you asking what time you will be home. • You will hopefully become more independent and self- sufficient. • University can be a difficult experience. • More intimate relations can be made with other students. • It’s life experience and one which should be cherished.

informnorth August 2003 7 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 8 Decide what you want!

The end of your A Levels can mean the start of a whole new way of life for students, but do you stay on home turf or head out of town to pastures new? IAN HUNTER tells informnorth why he chose to stay in his native North East...

here are hard decisions to be made for a 17-year-old would make prisoners at Guantamano Bay snigger. Six people filling out his UCAS form, after all it’s the first big fork in sharing one bathroom and a communal kitchen, not to mention the road of your life. Which subject to do? Where to do it? the burglaries and muggings which were frequent around the THow much it will all cost? Luckily these things didn’t really student digs. My convictions for choosing to live at home were bother me. re-affirmed. Having taken a decision to head down the media route on strong Of course there were financial implications that influenced my advice from one of a breed who go by the name of careers choice. To plunge myself into three years of mounting debt advisers, I took a GNVQ in Media and Communication at seemed absurd. This was exactly what Charles Clarke and other Newcastle College. Unknowingly at the time I was careering Labour money-junkies wanted me to do, to get into debts that down a one-way road, destination unknown, with no room to would tie me to the work force for years to come. By staying at turn around and head back. So after college, with media courses home I would keep university costs to a minimum - of course being my only options, I decided upon a there were still tuition fees to pay but they degree in journalism. Why not I thought? were unavoidable. After all I’ve always had an interest in There were home comforts to be considered. writing, at some level or another, and With no washing, ironing, cooking or Journalism Studies seems like a subject that cleaning skills I would have been a fish out of could attract many fine ladies. water, hopelessly lost in a sea of takeaway But where would I take this course and who containers and creased shirts. It would have would have me? Being 17 years old, been an ugly scene. No, my mother was a content with living at home in Burnopfield, commodity I was not prepared to give up. Derwentside and harbouring a deep Then there was Sky TV at home, could I live mistrust of anyone who hailed from south of without 400+ channels of obscure Middlesbrough, I ruled out moving away to television? Could I have survived without university. In effect this left me The University deep sea fishing on Eurosport, or strange of Sunderland. Problem solved. Post the shopping channels from the U.S.A? Probably form. Await the reply. not. Long story short, I am accepted in the Subsequently there were my friends from my summer of 2001 and begin in September hometown to think of. To move 15 miles that same year, living at home as over a away and take up with a new group of pals quarter of university students now choose to do, and travelling in would have been a slap in the face to these people I’ve known every day. Travelling by bus was a bad experience, for the first all my life. This was the final reason I chose to stay at home and semester I had to put up with callous bus drivers, butt-numbing shun the university life of takeaways, shared bathrooms, crippling seats and bitter North-Easterly winds. My public transport debts and borderline poverty. nightmare ended the next semester when, after the fifth attempt, I passed my driving test and bought a P reg silver Rover. This made Today, two years on I am a wiser man and to a certain extent I the travelling in easier, 20 minutes in the car on a good day as regret the fact that I am still living at home. I standby my choice opposed to the 90 on the bus. Still I couldn’t help but feel to avoid debts, and to have my meals cooked and clothes envious of those who lived in halls of residence who could rise washed for me. But unknown to me when I sat down on that day ten minutes before a lecture and still have time for a cigarette, to fill in the UCAS form were the other aspects of moving away to while I was screeching through the streets of Wearside, like university that I had not been told about. I had no way of Michael Schumacher gone mad on whiskey, in a desperate knowing about the more enjoyable side of this way of living. attempt to make it in on time. They had it sweet. The nights out are a part of uni life which I feel are passing me My thoughts changed sharply when I saw the halls of residence by. My night ends when I leave the club and get a taxi home, where a friend lived. Cramped rooms and filthy conditions that crash out in bed and awake to the hangover that will have to be 8 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 9

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I standby my choice to avoid debts, and to have my meals cooked and clothes washed for me

faced on my own. For friends living in houses or dorms the night The comfort of living at home, brought about through having doesn’t end so soon, they go home and continue to drink or parents to cook and clean will no doubt have to be sacrificed in wander the streets until the early hours, in search of amusement. the name of independence, as well as putting old friendships on They can do as they please and the next morning they can face hold in order to make new ones. There is no right or wrong the hangover together, laughing as they reminisce about last choice to living at home or away, the decision must be based on night’s madness - who scored with who, who threw up and who what you wish to take out of your time at university. made fools of themselves. On the one hand I feel I have missed out on the experience and Of course all the good times don’t rely on dangerous amounts the independence of living away, on making more good friends of alcohol. Improvised fun can occur at any moment in many and the fun times we could have had. On the other hand I will strange ways. A group of students left to their own devices in a escape university with no debt, although this may displease the house can devise any number of bizarre games and activities - certain powerful individuals who seem to want to screw students sitting room football, staircase tobogganing and water fights to name a few. Only those who live away from home can like cheap whores for every penny they have. Upon leaving I am realistically experience these parts of university life, the parts free to do more or less what I desire. I know that fellow students which are not talked about in any prospectus. living away cannot wait to get home for holidays to see old friends, so I am lucky in the respect that I still see my friends New friendships are forged at university through necessity. from home and get drunk with them every week. Upon first arriving the chances are that students won’t know anyone, so friends are made wherever possible in the early If I could fill out the UCAS form again, I would probably make days. As time goes by you make close friends, I have become the same choices as I did two years ago. The basis of my acquainted with some fine people in my two years. How well decision being that debt is a terrible thing to get into, I just you can get to know someone sitting in lectures and seminars is count myself lucky that I was able to take my course before the dubious. The real friendships are formed outside of classes. cost of tuition fees rise and degrees become things that only the By living with people for two or three years you undoubtedly sons and daughters of MPs and the upper class can take. make friends for life. It is this reason that upon my leaving next To move away to university these days is a bold and brave year, there will only be few people I will stay in touch with. decision, knowing the money it is going to cost. My only hope is In the end I realise that the choice between staying at home and that those who choose to do so get a good enough job at the moving away has some basic strands. The choice of money or end of it all to make it all worthwhile, but this may not be the experience - it is going to cost money, a whole lot of money, case. if you want the experience of living the student lifestyle full time. Your money or your life punk, which is it going to be?

informnorth August 2003 9 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 10 Make moves in association with that count Home or Away? Sometimes leaving the North East to explore a university in another area can have benefits ZAHRA MOUSSAVI did just that and has never looked back...

hen the decision finally came to choose a university I was undecided Wabout whether to stay at I never thought I would find any new friends home or move away. I swapped Durham for Leeds and although I that were of the same calibre my friends at have moments - which are usually when I pay my rent or check my bank home but I was wrong, living with people, balance - when I envy the students studying with them, spending 24 hours a day that don’t move away, I quickly recover my composure. I know I 7 days a week meant that I made the best made the right decision. I have had friends I could ever wish for. the best years of my life. When the time came to fill in my UCAS form I was very undecided about choosing a university. The course I wanted to do was only offered in Leeds and Bournemouth but there were other variations at Leeds nightlife was a revelation. Finding myself in a community with local universities, so, I kept my options open by applying to a broad more than 500 mates, there wasn’t a moment that wasn’t filled with range. coffee visits, houseparties, video night dinner - or even breakfasts. This was something I wouldn’t have experienced if I lived at home. I Eventually the time came when I could put the decision off no quickly realised that the best times weren’t necessarily on organised longer and I had to make a decision. Do I stay at home with my nights out but were often before or after, the next morning or simple parents to look after me or should I take the plunge and get away? random moments of exuberance. I made the decision to go based on the course, Bournemouth was And I wasn’t just a spectator to the antics - I was living them. just too far away but I felt I could manage Leeds. I was certain I I never thought I would find any new friends that were of the same wouldn’t enjoy Leeds as much as Newcastle or Durham, I mean calibre my friends at home but I was wrong, living with people, what could be better than being at home? I wasn’t at all excited studying with them, spending 24 hours a day 7 days a week meant about the big move. that I made the best friends I could ever wish for. Although I am still September arrived and I remained unenthusiastic, in denial, I made in touch with my Durham friends, I know the friends I have made at no preparation to go. I declined the offer to visit the university and university are with me for life. the halls of residence - What was the point? I was only going to study. Of course its not all good, I’m broke. I pay a fortune to rent a grotty student house, I have to buy all my food and pay my bills. The main problem was I hated students. After living in Durham and I don’t have time to get a job - I’m having too much fun. I have to seeing the city swamped with its haughty term-time guests I couldn’t clean, cook, wash and iron. It’s awful! But at the same time, think of anything worse than becoming one of them. Would I end I know I keep saying it - it’s fun. Some of the cooking and washing up uniformed in a Gap hoody and drinking pints? dilemmas our house encounters are superb - they are all part of The day before the move I still hadn’t packed so, in true student student life. style, I ended up throwing everything into bin liners, filling the car When asked if I could have had the same experience if I lived at until the wheels groaned and then set off to Leeds. home, my answer is a definite no. Determined not to be remotely impressed, I hardly glanced at my Living away has its drawbacks. It was awful at first, it has cost a future flat mates and turned my nose up at the on-site pub, gym fortune and there have been moments of homesickness. But, and laundry room. Okay my room was acceptable and an en-suite I know it wouldn’t have been the same if I had lived at home. bathroom was quite nice but I still didn’t break a smile. Yes I would have met the same people, gone to the same parties, My parents threw me into the communal kitchen under duress went to the same lectures and gained the same qualification but I before leaving and told me to make friends and stop being such a would have missed out on so much. It’s the smiles, memories and bitch. Make friends? I have all the friends I need - at home. friendships that are the most beneficial aspects of my university Two boys and three other girls. They seemed quite nice really - not years. my type of course, but I supposed I could talk to them over a coffee. For those who say they can enjoy university whilst living at home The next day meant enrolment and meeting my course mates. Still don’t know what they are missing. I’m certain if they tried living no happier and suffering from regular pangs of homesickness I half- away for a month they would never go back and I wonder would heartedly made the necessary introductions. they make the same decision again? Are they going to live with their Looking back now I can hardly believe my behaviour. Don’t worry I mum’s forever? didn’t stay a miserable, stuck-up hermit for long. Freshers fun soon University for me hasn’t just been studying for my degree, I have took over and after realising that everyone else felt the same way I grown up and learned more than my lectures, I have learned and started to enjoy being there. experienced life. 10 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 11

essential guide to clearing

It’s the moment of truth - will you be able to go to the university of your choice? If not, never fear, there are still plenty of options available as JOANNE BARON reports...

ou’ve completed the course, all Clearing may sound like a daunting of your exams have been marked process but last year nearly 20% of and you’re standing holding the students successfully got into university Yenvelope with those dreaded A through clearing. level results. It’s important to remember that going First of all don’t worry if the results aren’t through clearing does not mean you are what you hoped for because you’ve got accepting second best. Some students other options. Of course if they are the enter clearing as their grades are so results you needed, well done, you’re on much better that they decide to try to get your way to your chosen university. into a university which has higher entry But for those of you who didn’t get the levels. grades you want don’t panic! If you are eligible for clearing UCAS will The results are not the be all and end all. send you a form to let you know how the If you have just missed out on fulfiling the process works. It basically involves you requirements of your first choice it is still contacting universities and enquiring if possible that you will be offered a place. they will take you. Their decision will depend on whether they have any free Find out by accessing the University and spaces on the certain course and if they Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) will accept your grades. website and if you can’t find the It’s okay to choose a different information you require it’s always worth There are several ways which you will be giving the university a call. able to find out where there are spaces course to your original choice available. You can phone the particular If a situation arises where you are not university or check in newspapers such as but make sure you think offered a place at any of the universities The Independent, or if you prefer to carefully about what interests in your choice list you will need to speak to someone in person your local consider your alternatives. You always careers centre should also be able to you, don’t just accept any have the option of going through help. Once you have been made an course because you are clearing, this involves going back to offer by a university you can still keep university prospectus’ and websites and searching until you are satisfied with a desperate to go to university. choosing courses which interest you. course, just because you have been It’s okay to choose a different course to offered a place you do not have to take your original choice but make sure you it. Make sure you are happy with the think carefully about what interests you, offer before you choose to accept it, it’s don’t just accept any course because you a big decision and one which will affect are desperate to go to university. you for the next three to four years. informnorth August 2003 11 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 12

“I told them that I was interested in studying there and asked if they had any places on a journalism related course. They asked me my A level results and I was offered a place studying for a degree in journalism. It was really easy”

Going through clearing can bring about a mixture of feelings as Alex Massey, 20, If you didn’t achieve the grades you may was offered a place studying for a degree from Durham has discovered. be able to retake you exams at the end of in journalism. It was really easy". On leaving school at 16, Alex went straight the year, this means that you will not be There are plenty of schemes operating for into full time employment in the catering able to go to university this time around students taking a year out from study. industry. After working for two years she was but if you want to do your chosen course Organisations such as Year in Industry, beginning to regret not going in to further at your dream university 12 months isn’t Camp America, GAP Projects and Work such a long time to wait. education so at the age of 18 she enrolled Adventures enable you to use your free on a course to do her A Levels at the City of Re-sitting exams can be off-putting, you’ll year productively and may give you Sunderland College. have to go back to the place you have valuable insight into your chosen industry However, her A-level courses weren’t what been dying to leave and if that’s not bad or will give you the chance to see some of she expected so she returned to her enough it will be with a bunch of people the world. employment. you don’t really know. Try not to let these factors influence your decision because if Two years later she decided that she wanted you really want that place at university you to pursue her life long ambition in nursing so have to work for it. Don’t think that set about finding a local university that did because you have done the course before the appropriate course. you will not have to put much effort in. She applied to Northumbria University to Yes you will be familiar with the course complete a degree in Nursing Studies/ which will be an advantage but don’t let Registered Nurse as Alex felt that this would the belief that you know what you are be the most effective way to becoming a doing carry you through the year. You’ve nurse. got a second chance to prove yourself so Unfortunately Alex was told she must go grab it with both hands and get studying! through clearing to gain a place so she Another reason a student may go through considered moving to and attending Barnsley clearing is if they have not applied to go University as an alternative. to university at all. You may have missed "When I found out I was to go through the December deadline for applying or clearing I was just told by UCAS that I should may have not planned on going to ring round the universities, that was in March university. It’s good to know that it’s not and there has been no further contact from too late to apply, all you need to do is them and no means of support," said Alex. register for clearing with UCAS and start These events have changed Alex’s looking for a course that suits you. perspective of opportunities now available to If you don’t find the course that you want her. through clearing you always have the "I don’t think the clearing system is very option to take a year out from education good; to be honest I feel let down and left and apply to go to university next year. hanging on a thread until I hear something," Doing this can be beneficial as you have she said. a gap year which you can use to your Alex feels the lack of support and information advantage. she has received means she is no further Paul Gillespie, 20, from Sunderland, forward and has resigned herself to the fact entered clearing as he hadn’t known what she will have to re-apply next year. he wanted to do and so kept putting off Clearing has become much more of a filling in his application form until it was problem than Alex thought and certainly too late. Firstly Paul decided that he wouldn’t use it as an option again. wanted to stay at home to go to university "I wouldn’t do it again I have no faith in it. so he gave the University of Sunderland a I feel like I would be just as well re-applying call. for the course next year," said Alex. "I told them that I was interested in Seemingly the system didn’t work for Alex but, studying there and asked if they had any then again, for some people clearing is an places on a journalism related course. effective means of getting to their chosen They asked me my A level results and I university. 12 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 13

CALLING ALL GRADUATES IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE! ACT NOW! We wish to help showcase your talents to the northern business community and help you raise your own profile too...

With the support of all 5 North East universities we’d like to help kickstart the graduate ability here in the North East and want to know more about you, your aspirations and what skills you could offer a northern business and even the ideas you have for your own. Places are limited, so get cracking and remember, age is no barrier but please act today and supply a reasonable and recent colour photo with your entry.

Personal details IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS START-UP IDEA PLEASE US GIVE A BRIEF OUTLINE: NAME: ...... (continue on separate sheet of paper if required) ...... AGE: ...... ADDRESS/LOCATION: ...... WOULD YOU LIKE MORE HELP TO EXPLORE YOUR IDEA? ...... MARITAL STATUS: ...... DATE OF BIRTH: ...... DO YOU WISH TO STAY ON IN THE NORTH EAST?:

CONTACT NUMBER: ...... YES I WOULD NO I WOULDN’T

EMAIL ADDRESS: ...... PLEASE DETAIL ANY FURTHER INFORMATION WHICH HELPS YOU UNIVERSITY ATTENDED: ...... TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD: (please continue on separate sheet if required) ...... DEGREE SUBJECT: ...... PLEASE TELL US THE AREA OF BUSINESS YOU ARE MOST INTERESTED IN WORKING WITHIN: ......

informnorth August 2003 13 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 14

New Website Helps Small Businesses The Small Business Service (SBS) has launched a new website providing small and medium sized firms with practical a year support and best practice information. The CONNECT website, at www.connectbestpractice.com gives small firms access to 'real-life' documentary video case studies, an extensive resource library and clear self- assessment to help them boost profits, productivity and performance. Online videos are also available on the website and cover every area of business - from leadership and accessing finance to health and safety and marketing - helping firms to adopt best practice and undertake change to make them more successful. Widening Participation is the Goal Taking How will you The focus of the new Office for Fair Access (Offa) will be on raising aspirations of and increasing spend your year applications from non traditional students, according to plans for the new out? Office which will lead the way in widening participation in higher education. Currently there is an 8% social class gap in applications to the omeone who knows first hand how Hannah was placed in the accounts top Universities and only a 1% social beneficial a gap year really can be department and was doing a secretarial class gap in admissions to the same is Hannah Wright. Hannah, 22, job, her duties included purchasing, institutions. The Offa will be an Sfrom Durham wasn’t sure what she invoicing and taking calls. It was good independent body, separate from, but wanted to do after finishing sixth form, she experience for her but she wanted to have supported by the Higher Education knew that she wanted to go to university some knowledge of publicity to help her Funding Council (HEFCE). Universities but was unsure of exactly what type of decide if it was what she wanted to do. that wish to increase their fees above course she would prefer. "Year in Industry offered me a place the current £1,100 level will need to Hannah looked into the Year in Industry working in their recruitment and publicity draw up an access agreement that will scheme which mainly focuses on office so I jumped at the chance", says be considered and approved by the engineering, computing and science based Hannah. Head of Offa and it was made clear jobs but also offers employment in that Offa would not be just a toothless This time she also got the chance to do business. Hannah had already narrowed administration but would have the presentations about Year in Industry and her choice of course down to Public necessary powers to make sure she attended recruitment fairs and helped Relations, Media Studies and universities are pulling their weight in compose publicity leaflets. It was exactly Communications so she decided to apply regard to their access agreements. what Hannah had needed as she enjoyed for work with Year in Industry. the job so much that she applied to study The scheme, which has been going since Public Relations at Leeds University. Basic Skills for Better 1987, gave her the opportunity to experience work in the real world and help Business decide which course would be best for her. Business leaders will work with the government to raise awareness among The application process is really simple, employers of the importance of raising entrants can apply by post or email and skills at all levels of their workforce. the form is online. Candidates must then Announcing a new team of Employer attend an interview at their local Year in Champions to promote adult basic Industry office and their successful skills training in the workplace, interviewees will be added to their I was treated as an equal by Education Secretary Charles Clarke has database and contacted when a job urged leading business figures to take opportunity becomes available. my colleagues and felt really advantage of free government training Hannah successfully gained a place comfortable working there, it and support for low-skilled employees working for Fastflow Pipelines which is part to improve productivity. For more was a great experience of Northumbria Water. information and advice on implementing basic skills training in "I was treated as an equal by my business, employers can call learndirect colleagues and felt really comfortable on 0800 100 900. working there, it was a great experience". 14 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 15 r out

Informnorth’s step guide to clearing. You have an 7offer but may not have met all of the required grades…

1 Contact UCAS or your chosen university as they may still ac cept you.

2 If they don’t accept you they will send you a clearing form.

3 Start looking at prospectus’ and on university websites for courses you may be interested in. Europe’s 4 Check the clearing database for available places. This can be done by phoning UCAS, checking in The largest indoor Independent and is also available at your careers funfair really does centre. have something to 5 Make sure you match up to the minimum entry requirements for the course. offer everyone, with

6 Get in touch with the university to see if they still have new exciting attractions available places and hopefully they will make you an such as the New offer. Rollercoaster, Whirling 7 Once you have an offer from a university you may be Waltzer, Disco Dodgems, a requested to send your UCAS clearing form to confirm.

If you are interested in finding out more about any of Children’s Adventure play area the organisations or schemes mentioned here are and amusements with prize some contact details to help you make a start. bingo you are • UCAS - www.ucas.com guaranteed a fantastic day 01242 222 444 out whatever the weather. • Year in Industry - www.yini.org.uk 0191 334 2472

• GAP Projects - www.gap.org.uk 0118 959 4919

• Camp America & Work Adventures E-Mail: [email protected] www.campamerica.co.uk www.metroland.uk.com

informnorth August 2003 15 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 16 So you wanna be a radio star? Michelle Heaton of Liberty X has done it and so has Cheryl Tweedy of Girls Aloud and we’re not talking about achieving a number one single - they both entered competitions in a bid to get their talents noticed - and succeeded. Informnorth’s SARAH LEE looks at how one North East girl faired in a similar competition…

shleigh Whitfield from Whitley Bay graduated in 2001 shocked because the only experience I ever had were two from the University of Sunderland in Media & Cultural modules at university - Live Radio and Radio Production" Studies and in the same year entered the North East she said. ARadio Stars competition in association with Century FM. After three-months on Century Radio Ashleigh had nothing in the "I didn’t really fancy my chances against 300 other hopefuls but I pipeline but was graduating the following month. Before leaving went along with a very blasé attitude and did my best," said university she spotted an advert on the media notice board from Ashleigh. a company called Travel Link that specialised in providing A few weeks later she received a telephone call to say she had presenters for radio travel links. been selected to go through to the second round and was down She travelled to Birmingham for an interview and was offered the to the last 20. job as traffic and travel newsreader on various local radio "I just kept getting these phone calls to say I’d been selected for stations in the Midlands. the next round and before I knew it I was down to the final four "It was great for the experience but I wasn’t keen on Birmingham and was competing live so after three months I returned to Newcastle with a on air," said the 23- demo tape and sent it to my contact at year-old. MetroMagic radio" said the Sunderland Needless to say graduate. Ashleigh won the The boss of the station heard Ashleigh’s demo competition and as tape and offered her work doing various a result was given shows and holiday cover on Magic radio. a three-month By 2002 Ashleigh was firmly ensconced at the contract with station working through the week, some evenings and Century as the covering weekend shifts. traffic and travel "I now have my own late night show during the week and presenter. although the shifts play havoc with my sleeping patterns I’m "I was quite delighted to be where I am now," said Ashleigh. Her experience in radio is now providing her with opportunities that she never thought imaginable two years ago. "Getting in to radio requires a great deal of perseverance, determination and effort but I’m so glad I entered the competition," she said. With her own show and impressive listening figures Ashleigh has really come in to her own and is determined to make it into mainstream radio. Having worked on the recent celebrity Soccer Six at St. James Park and the Box Live concert at the Telewest arena, Ashleigh is gaining vital experience to take her closer to her dream career. "My hopes for the future include working for Radio One covering gigs and show business events taking over from the retired Jo Whiley," said the radio DJ. 16 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 17

From one up and coming DJ to one of Gough - He’ll make your doo daa day! Paul the regions most established presenters - • Be a people’s person - if people don’t like you they won’t listen to Century FM’S Paul ‘Goffy’ Goughs you – it’s that simple! • Be a good communicator and listener career to date… • Have an eye for recognising a good story adio isn’t the most glamourous job you can have in the • Target the right audience, know who they are and what they want media but it’s a far cry from Paul Gough’s first career to hear move. At just 16-years-old, Paul was working in • Be yourself - on and off air - no one wants to listen to a fake RHartlepool as an apprentice painter and decorator. • Be persistent and determined "I hated the job and knew I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life doing it, my ultimate ambition was working in music," said Paul. So you still want to work in radio? Then visit these websites for more information on courses and advice on getting started. Goffy decided to do something about achieving his ambition and www.bbctraining.co.uk - 0870 122 0216 threw himself into becoming a DJ around various nightclubs in www.radiouniversity.co.uk the North East. ww.nationalbroadcastingschool.com "Strangely though I didn’t follow the conventional route of working www.crca.co.uk on hospital radio first, however I think DJing in clubs is much www.radioskills.co.uk more nerve racking because you are playing to a live audience" www.yourcreativefuture.org.uk said Paul. www.skillset.org He and his friend John Simons worked together playing in local www.radioinlondon.com nightclubs just ‘learning the ropes’ and making ends meet. John Simons eventually got another job working at Century Radio when it first aired in 1994. "John rang me and asked if I could help him out with the music for his show and I agreed even though I wasn’t speaking on air, we based the show around the music we used to play in the clubs," said Goffy. On the second night of helping out on John’s show the usual presenter for the late show didn’t turn up for work and Goffy was asked to cover for him. "At 1am I turned up at the offices and ended up arguing with the security guard on the door because he didn’t recognise me and I had to get confirmation that I was actually on air in place of the regular DJ," he said. A year later he was still at Century and was doing what he describes as ‘his hospital radio time’ and gaining the experience that is needed to make it in radio. After doing a stint on the late night shows, he was soon presenting on the evening and day time shows before landing his own morning show - which is still going strong nine years later. "In radio you seem to move very quickly up the ladder, people are always leaving which means there is always a fresh opportunity to move on to different shows," he said. Andy Warhol Goffy now has the most recognised voice as well as one of the biggest radio shows in the North East with thousands of listeners The world changes, we change, nothing stands still. Nor should it. Informnorth is the new magazine for the tuning in every morning. changing times. There are many more opportunities open to individuals now than at any other time in the past "My advice to aspiring radio DJs is keep pestering stations, send and much more help available to enable people to achieve their dreams and ambitions. We aim to highlight them demo tapes, knock on their door and even though it wasn’t those opportunities and options in a lively, direct, positive and up-beat manner. We aim to be the first port of the same route as me - volunteer on a hospital or university call for individuals who want to realise their true potential. To advertise call 0191 5866 010 today. station," said Paul. And finally follow informnorths’s top tips to making it in radio: informnorth August 2003 17 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 18

going for it...

There are scores of young women graduating each year as beauty therapists, but how many can say they’ve worked with the rich and famous? BERNICE SALTZER talked to one - and discovers why she has given it all up to return to her native North East...

fun” but finally settled down into things and fashion photography and a whole host of then graduated. other subjects at Newcastle College. To try and broaden her horizons and her At the same time she works on photoshoots job opportunities Vikky decided to take a in the region, does individual make-up second course locally, this time in lessons and has a mobile spray tanning performing arts at Gateshead College. unit which she takes to people’s homes - “I really felt that I needed to go to London hence the strange details at the start of this and enrolled on the HND fashion styling, article! hair and make-up course at the London “I think at the moment anyone who is College of Fashion,“ she said. really serious about wanting to work in the here can’t be many more bizarre make-up industry needs to gain experience This proved to be a great springboard for ways to conduct an interview than to and could perhaps benefit from spending find out somebody’s life story while her career and through the contacts she some time in a big city like London,“ she you’re standing in your bath being made during the course Vikky was able to said. T work as freelance, assisting on fashion sprayed with an airgun. shoots, advertising campaigns and as a “But saying that it’s getting better up here, It wasn’t so much turning the air blue as it just might take a while and there’s less personal advisor to turning the air brown - or rather work around but hopefully that will all many stars at stores turning me a rather pleasant shade change.” such as Harrods and which hopefully when completed Harvey Nichols. Oh yes, and if you’re wondering how the would give me the same result as false tan worked out - I did look as if I’d two weeks on the beach of “One of the nicest had two weeks in Barbados…. Barbados. people I ever worked with was Goldie If you would like more details you can It also exhibits the rather versatile Vikky Johnston contact Vikky on 0773 684 6366. Hawn,“ recalls Vikky. talents of Vikky Johnston, who is now combining her skills as a “We just really clicked mobile make-up artist and giver of and once we’d finished tans with lecturing at Newcastle we went off handbag College and working on everything shopping together.” from advertising campaigns to At that time she made fashion shoots. the decision to go off Vikky, from Ayton Banks, can’t remember a and work in Greece, setting the pattern for time when she didn’t want to be a make- the next nine years where she would up artist. summer in the UK and then spend the winter working at a hotel in Rhodes. “I always wanted to do it but I have to say at the start I was given some advice which It was around two years ago that Vikky turned out to be completely wrong,“ she decided to come back to the North East said. and set up alone. Vikky was told she should go to work at a “I think I just decided I needed a bit of make-up counter and eventually got a job stability,“ said the 31-year-old. in a major store at the MetroCentre before “I decided I needed the car and the house giving it up in favour of a beauty therapy and somewhere to call home.” course at North Tyneside council. Since that time she’s built up a reputation She laughingly admits that “I did the first for herself in the region, along with year twice because I was having so much teaching theatrical make-up, make-up for 18 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:10 pm Page 19

in association with

Your Finances

ontrolling finances is at the much easier in the long run by heart of every business detailing the targets to aim for and and getting the money helping you to measure your Cright during the initial start success. up of a new venture is paramount to Business advisors at SBBS can assist future success. with putting together the financial There are many financial options information, what is arguably the available to new businesses and most important section of the Sedgefield Borough Business Service Business Plan. (SBBS) offers a service ‘free of Potential funding providers will use charge’ to benefit people thinking of the financial information to assess starting a business and recently the viability of a business established businesses with proposition. Sedgefield Borough. A team of experienced Business Advisors can Financial Information help organise finances and Documents available from SBBS maximise funding potential. Mike A Trading Forecast will summarise Jones SBBS Business Development the sales and costs that are expected Executive, explains, over a given period and when the "There is a comprehensive package business will achieve profitability. of financial assistance available to A cashflow forecast provides a new start and established businesses monthly view of money coming into within the Borough. The exact and going out of the business, which funding that an individual business is will highlight any shortfall in the eligible for will depend on a number funding provision. It is used as a of factors, the main one being the tool to show whether the business is business sector that it operates properly financed and whether or within. We provide clarification not a bank loan or overdraft facility about which type of financial is needed. assistance a business may be eligible for." A survival budget will show what’s the absolute minimum level of Planning ahead personal income that’s needed to be able to live on an annual basis. Careful handling of your business’s finances involves careful planning. To arrange an appointment with an SBBS business advisor to access The business plan should be the FREE advice and assistance foundation upon which your telephone 01388 777597 or visit business is established. It is vital that their website to see the services you set out how your business will available www.sbbs.org.uk operate. It will help focus your ideas and should be produced whether or not you intend to raise finance for your business. Having a well thought out business plan will make life

informnorth August 2003 19 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 20 Patents are a

So you think you’ve come up with the invention that will make you a fortune and you’re dreaming of retiring to enjoy your millions. But how do you make sure that nobody else steals your idea? BERNICE SALTZER investigates...

ven if your not an avid viewer, there idea secret until you have filed for a patent,“ have very different ways that their control can can’t be many people in the UK who said Jeremy Philpott, marketing executive at be maintained. haven’t been unaware of the antics in The Patent Office. Patents are used for inventions or for new EChannel 4’s Big Brother house over “Anyone who talks about their invention in and improved products or processes which the summer months. public cannot file a valid application have an application for industry. At the same Although he was evicted after four weeks, the afterwards.” time trade marks are used to identify a brand undoubted star was the eccentric, anorak-like Jeremy added that while there are plenty of while design control can be registered for Jon Tickle who proclaimed to all and sundry toaster patent ideas around Jon’s proposal product appearance. that the only reason he’d gone on the was new and was clearly patentable “He had Copyright IP exists for literary and artistic That’s a great idea - can I

programme was to highlight his revolutionary told his housemates all about it - which could material, music, films, sounds recordings and idea for toast. well have been disastrous!” broadcasting along with software and Jon’s idea was to create a toaster with a time Lucky for Jon, a well known national multimedia. delay so that, rather than both pieces newspaper saw the potential in his idea and The whole issue of IP can be a minefield, not popping out at the same time and one patented it for him. But what exactly should helped by the fact that sometimes more than getting instantly cold, the second slice would you do if you’ve come up with an idea which one kind of Intellectual Property can be emerge a minute or two later. you believe could make you a fortune - but applied to the same creation. Great idea - but an extremely bad way of one that other people would also be only too The good news however is that there is an going about it. willing to claim as their own? endless amount of information available According to the UK Patent Office Jon Intellectual Property (IP) allows people to which can help steer those with powers of couldn’t have taken a worse step than to retain rights to their ideas and creativity in invention through the potential dangers - and reveal his idea in front of an audience of much the same way as they can physically possibly towards rich rewards. millions of tv viewers. own something. Patents, registered designs and trade marks “The first rule of inventing is to keep your There are four main types of IP and each need to be applied for and what you must do

20 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 21 virtue

Inventors Q & A

Q. James Hargreaves' children accidentally upset a spinning wheel. The wheel continued to revolve is contact the UK Patent Office which gives privilege to manufacturers and traders and horizontally and the spindle vertically. information out about the kind of forms you these were signified by Letters Patents marked That gave Mr. Hargreaves an idea that need to fill in. with the King’s Great Seal. changed the world. What was it? Patents covers inventions which must be new, The earliest known English patent for involve an inventive step or be capable of invention was granted by Henry VI to A. Getting a sideways view of the industrial application. Flemish-born John of Utynam in 1449 which spinning wheel led Hargreaves to An invention is not patentable if it’s a gave him a 20 year monopoly on a new invent a device that made British discovery, a scientific theory or mathematical method of making stained glass which was cotton workers think it would put them method or an item such as a computer made for the windows of Eton College. out of work. They were dead wrong. Hargreaves had created the spinning jenny, which reduced fibre to yarn. It enabled one operator to spin dozens of threads at once and led to the Industrial Revolution, which made jobs n I have it? for literally millions. Q. Another man's children's curiosity also led to world-changing invention. The kids asked, "Daddy, why does the programme. top stand up while it spins?" Who was Copyright laws were not introduced until the Copyright, design right and performers rights "Daddy," and what did Daddy say? early 1700s where an Act of Parliament gave don’t need to be officially registered in the protection to books and other writings. same way and protection for these is A. "Daddy" was Elmer Ambrose Sperry, automatic. These laws have been tweaked and changed and Daddy did not know what to say. Copyright comes into effect immediately as over the decades but now exist to offer So he set out to find out. What he soon as something is created and can be protection to those with imagination, skills found led to his invention of the “fixed” in some way such as on paper, on and creativity. gyrocompass. Locating directions on film, through a sound recording etc. And of course not forgetting the rather large the high seas is fundamental to Protection for ideas and inventions has a long amounts of cash that have been made along navigation. Our ancestors relied on history in the UK, with Britain having the the way. the stars, but as a result of Sperry's serendipity, we measure direction longest continuous patent tradition in the Back in 1923 John Harwood patented the world, stretching back to the 15th century. aboard ship mainly with a self-winding wrist watch and took five years to gyrocompass. From small boats to The Crown started making specific grants of develop his idea into a saleable item. large ships, it correctly indicates direction no matter what the skies or seas do. Moral: Listen carefully to your children's questions. They may make you rich and famous!

informnorth August 2003 21 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 22

we help students as much as we can and refer them to outside sources if it becomes complicated or they need specialised advice

Inventors Q & A

Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common? The watches went The result? When the can is opened the on sale in 1928 contents of the pod are forced out and rise A. All were invented by women. and 30,000 were through the drink, mixing with the nitrogen to made and sold create the familiar head. Q. A man was in his mother's kitchen trying before Harwood’s The world of inventions is a fascinating one - to dry some wet rubber on the stove. company went but at the same time it can be a minefield Reportedly, he accidentally knocked a under during the for those who have an idea but don’t have box of matches off a shelf above and 1931 Depression. any knowledge of developing it or retaining they fell into the mix. Disaster? ownership. His idea did not A. No. Rubber, sulphur and heat all led to however, and the The universities of the North East are able to give advice to their students and according vulcanization. Charles Goodyear was a Rolex Watch beneficiary of serendipity! And so are Company developed to Teesside University’s legal officer Mary Thomson, issues regarding IP rights are we. This version of what happened can a variation on coming increasingly to the fore. be discovered on a website called The Harwood’s patented Story of Rubber. It reports that in the invention - which still “In nine out of ten cases regarding IP it certainly isn’t clear cut,“ said Mary. winter of 1839, Goodyear mixed exists today. rubber and sulphur together when he A more familiar gadget “And we help students as much as we can had an accident, spilling the mixture on took 25 years, countless and refer them to outside sources if it a hot stovetop. Sulphur turned out to becomes complicated or they need prototypes and £5m worth of research to be the extra ingredient he needed to specialised advice.” develop - and Guinness drinkers the world make the rubber work better. After over have raised a glass or two since in its She added that the increase in letting the mixture cool, he took the praise. commercialism means that copyright and solid that resulted and tacked it to the patenting questions often arise “although The first “widget” was patented in November outside of his door. Cold weather didn't people shouldn’t expect results over night make it brittle. What's more, it didn't 1985, allowing buyers to enjoy a bottled and sometimes it takes years before an idea become gooey when heated, either. drink with the same thick, creamy head comes to fruition.” This process for making rubber more which previously was only available from a The university also has its own knowledge useable became known as freshly poured pint. transfer manager who deals in the vulcanization. Ah, but why do we call it Inventors Alan Forage and William Byrne commercial aspects of IP and assists "vulcanization" we hear your mind placed a small pod in the bottom of a can, graduates. enquire? Well Vulcan was the mythical added a small amount of nitrogen and So who knows, if you think you’ve got god of fire. sealed the contents - forcing a tiny amount brainwave that will turn you into the next of the drink into the pod. James Dyson get that idea registered now. Q. In 1947, when television was new, John Watson, Sr., owned an appliance store in Mahoney City, Pennsylvania. The local mountains interfered with TV reception, so Mr. Watson erected an antenna tower atop one. He hooked it up to the sets in his store window and added an amplifier. People crowded around out front to look and listen. Mr. Watson saw the possibilities at once. What possibilities did he see?

A. Cable television. He charged an installation fee of $100, plus $2 each month in rental fees. 22 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 23

informnorth August 2003 23 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 24 A great view on

You’ve come up with an idea for an invention - but how do you turn that idea into a reality? BERNICE SALTZER talks to one North East company who have done it for themselves and proven it’s perfectly possible to have eyes in the back of your head...

here’s no doubt that out of adversity can sometimes come “It’s having the ability to progress it and sometimes that can be triumph. Take Sir Issac Newton for example. An apple really difficult.” reputedly fell on his head and was the inspiration he Billy admits that one of the stumbling blocks in the early days was Tneeded to come up with the laws of gravity. other companies simply not wanting them to succeed. For Billy Morgan it was an accident a decade ago involving the Some of the major players 12-year-old son of a friend, who was badly hurt while riding a bike and trying to see what was behind him. Billy describes himself as an entrepreneur, involved at the time in a number of different business ventures. But it was the idea of a cycling helmet with a built-in rear view mirror that became an all- consuming venture and which has now led to the setting up of a highly successful business. Reevu, based at Willington near Durham, is now selling its helmets across 12 countries and is poised to move into the American market and this success is down to sheer-perseverance and determination to succeed. Billy would be the first to admit it has been a long, hard road but now Reevu really is reaping the benefits - and learned a great deal along the way. “When my friend’s son hurt himself I realised that the mirror on the handle bar was looking in the wrong direction,“ he said. “And I thought there had to be a better way or something that could be used to help cyclists.” In the early days Billy and his co-designers worked with a series approached to get involved in the development turned Reevu of mirrors fixed on a workbench, then moved to existing cycling down pointblank, realising that if this hit the market it could then helmets to see if mirrors could be adapted in someway to them. make many of their helmets redundant. The company joined forces with Teesside University which came “Obviously big companies have manufacturing processes in up with formula to create the “optimum field of vision”, a system place, vast amounts of stock, distributors etc and are committed of mirrors which would eliminate all the unnecessary peripheral to certain procedures,“ explained Billy. vision but would allow the rider to see what was happening “So having something very different on the market would have behind them. implications for them. But they didn’t reckon with the backbone “There are lots of people who come up with ideas but then it we have here in the North East!” really it’s about having the motivation or the funds to make it The Reevu helmet is brilliant in its simplicity. The system of mirrors happen,“said Billy. - made from bullet proof ABS, is built into the crest of the helmet

24 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 25 success! Inventors Q & A

Q. What do Ulysses S. Grant, William Henry Harrison, James Monroe, and Thomas Jefferson have in common?

A. They all died completely broke.

So you’ve got your idea but it does it need to so that riders just have to look up to see be patented, registered as a trademark or the image of what is behind them. copyright? Find out with informnorth’s help The helmets first went on sale last September and already 30,000 have been New inventions need to be protected under patents and this will protect what it is, what it does, how it works or how it is sold in the UK alone, with 12 other made. You must have come up with something completely new to countries stocking them and more on their register it as a patent, so ensure that you don’t go talking to way. people about it - you could lose your chance otherwise. One of the most important elements in the If you do want to discuss it with other people, getting them to early stages however was to patent the sign a letter of confidentiality which will protect your interest. design to ensure that it was protected. If the Patent Office agrees your invention is completely new you “We applied for our first patent ten years will be able to get patent protection which covers you for 20 ago“ said Billy. There are lots of people years - although a fee is payable annually. “And as we’ve developed we’ve patented who come up with ideas According to the Patent Office "a patent is like marking you each one of our inventive steps so we invention ‘ keep out’ so people know it’s your property." probably have about five patents at the but then it really is about Anyone then wanting to use your invention would have to get moment. having the motivation or your agreement - or you could demand a fee. “With hindsight we probably applied too Copyright. soon but what I would always urge people the funds to make it Copyright covers creative original work - whatever is written, to do before they have their patent is to happen drawn or even computer programmes. get people to sign confidentiality This is free and automatic and starts virtually the instant you agreements.” have created a piece of music or writing. As a precaution mark Reevu decided it was a worthwhile anything you show to other people with the copyright symbol investment to hire lawyers who were (the letter c in a small circle) and date it. experts in patents and who have steered Books, films, music etc are all copyright so you must also them through the potential minefield this remember to seek permission before copying them) can create. Trade Marks. So what lies ahead? Words, logos, signs, shapes and even colours can be registered as “Now that we’ve demonstrated how trade marks - the "badge" which shows who makes a product. effective this system is in cycling helmets There is no limit to how long a trade mark can be registered we are looking at a whole range of new for, although a fee has to be paid every ten years. products, “said Billy. Anyone who uses a trade mark without permission can be “Technically the most difficult part was charged with counterfeiting which is a criminal offence. producing the helmet, now we can go Designs. forward and look at all kinds of different The look, shape or pattern of something can be registered as a applications.” design, particularly if it has an individual character of its own. www.reevu.com A design doesn’t have to be a new product but it must be a new "take" on a product. Again designs should not be talked about until they are registered and this protects it for 25 years, with a fee payable every five years. For more information about patents contact: e-mail :[email protected] or visit us at www.patent.gov.uk or www.intellectual-property.gov.uk www.informnorth.co.uk

www.reevu.com www.dti.gov.uk www.ebn.be www.invent.org.uk www.nesta.org.uk www.airto.co.uk informnorth August 2003 25 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 26

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER UNDER THE RACE RELATIONS ACT & WELCOME MALE ENQUIRIES FROM ALL ETHNIC GROUPS.

26 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 27

www.sunderland.ac.uk

Get there… business and the economy operate and helps to foster an enterprising approach. If you’re still at or have recently left college However, it is not just concerned with profit then the possibility of going to university and loss. A business studies course will, for has probably crossed your mind… It’s hard example, dip into many different subjects to know where you want to be in three or including finance, sociology, psychology, four years time but after studying at marketing and strategy. Sunderland University you can be safe in the knowledge that you’ll be well prepared Going for growth… for progression afterwards. 93% of our students get a job or go on to study a Sunderland Business School courses postgraduate course within 6 months of combine academic rigour with practical, graduating. vocational, and transferable skills. But it doesn’t stop there; you can only learn University opens doors… so much from textbooks and lectures… You have the opportunity to study abroad It’s not just what you know but who you for part or all of your second year in are… It’s not just the fact that you will Australia, China, Japan, Canada, Europe graduate with a certificate at the end of or the USA. For business students, a year’s the day but that you’ll leave as a more placement in industry enables you to learn well-rounded and employable individual. from professionals and enhances your We help you to grow, both on an employability. Or if you’d rather be your academic and social level, transforming Did you know that Sunderland own boss, then The Hatchery can bring your outlook and releasing your potential. your ideas alive by providing facilities and University was voted best new Don’t be put off by the cost, think of it as support to start up your own business. University - Guardian good an investment in your future. University Guide 2001, but did It is never too late to start… What next? Step 1. If you’re in Sunderland get careers you also know: Proving that age is no barrier to learning, guidance from the Learning Place, Robert Page and Bill Slaughter left school • Sixty-eight per cent of UK full-time Fawcett Street, in the City Centre at 14 when Adolf Hitler was still finding his undergraduates at the University of 0191 566 6666 feet as the new Chancellor of Germany. Sunderland currently have their fees paid Now, in 2003 - 69 years after finishing Step 2. Call the University Student in full or in part. their school exams - the pair graduated Helpline for course information • 100% of our first year students are with BA (Hons) in Fine Art and History and application advice guaranteed a place in Halls of respectively and are both now considering 0191 515 3000 doing a masters degree! Residence. Step 3. Broaden your horizons! • 93% of our students go on to study a Why business? postgraduate course within 6 months of Business knowledge is relevant whatever graduating. career you choose… it can contribute by developing a better understanding of how • About one quarter of our undergraduate full time population are mature students over the age of 21.

• Our student split is 52% women and 48% men.

• In December 2001 the Research Assessment Exercise, which publishes every five years, showed that Sunderland is the best modern university in the UK for the overall quality, range and quantity of research. informnorth August 2003 27 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 28

he benefits of more cash, less debt, opportunity to work abroad, taking a their phones and faxes to arrange things more study and a better degree sandwich year is a brilliant way of beefing with the Business School. By renting a could be yours if you opt for a up your prospects. room in a house with the landlady meant Tsandwich degree. Spending time in But don’t just take our word for it…. that she could always have someone to ask industry before completing your year is for local advice. what’s commonly known as a sandwich… Copenhagen was just the stepping stone filling your academic learning with some Lisa Jaberzadeh though as Lisa used this opportunity to visit real world experience. Aged: 24 Sweden and Norway, spending time taking Don’t be put off by the thought of an extra From Washington boat trips and enjoying live bands at local year adding to your costs - in fact, by music concerts. earning during the year, you can actually Studied BA Business Studies at Sunderland University Her biggest satisfaction was the joy of cut your student debt. With an average completing and passing her exams when wage of £14,000, and all the benefits of In her second year she took part in the faced with the challenges of a new remaining a student, how can you afford study abroad scheme and spent her environment. not to? Many students are offered part-time second semester at Niels Brock Would she do it again? In an instant! work or a guaranteed job at the end of Copenhagen Business College. their placement and if you are very lucky Reluctant to leave home at first as had the firm may be willing to sponsor you never lived alone. Worries of how she For students, a placement through your final year. would cope with the change, helps to bridge the gap A place to call your the new people and cultural between study and work own… differences. Also the risk that her final degree grades may whilst the employer You can only learn so much from suffer as a result. textbooks and lectures - you benefits from a high Arriving in Copenhagen in need to refine your skills by calibre, low-cost Feb1999, she was made to working alongside industry feel most welcome by the resource that can make a professionals. That’s why we Danish students. Treated as offer you the opportunity to real difference to the important guests by the develop work-based skills university itself and integrated organisation through placements and into the classes well with other industrial projects. students on similar schemes from other Lesley Goodrum, the Business School countries. Placement year: placement Officer explains: "Industrial Marketing Research Assistant within the Lessons were taught in English and easy to placements play a vital link in the Business School, producing competitor follow with class sizes kept small. Language development of both business and the analysis information, helped with the QAA was never a problem as fortunately University. For students, a placement helps of psychology and became familiar with all everyone else had a a good command of to bridge the gap between study and work of the functions of the school, eg. School the English language! whilst the employer benefits from a high office, learning resource centre. calibre, low-cost resource that can make a Culture differences: Danish students were The immediate responsibility a placement real difference to the organisation." noticeably different in their approach to brings is essentially a great character study, being a lot more serious and building exercise. Whilst Lisa felt she had Each year up to 200 students take this first spending a lot more time working than the necessary skills to succeed already, the step towards building their career profile their British counterparts. year served to refine them to be stronger. and undertake a 48 week placement as When faced with real deadlines and real There were no feelings of isolation as part of their studies. It’s an invaluable situations, then the pressure gets on. But experience that adds sparkle to a graduate support from Sunderland University was it’s all in a days work now, as through her CV and brings with it greater confidence kept up, with the placement office keeping experiences Lisa has managed to land a and technical ability. her informed of jobs back at home during job being responsible for the running of the Whether you want to stay local or take the her time away. Niels Brock even let her use Hatchery office.

o need to contain your-self to Business School agreements exist in Itchy feet? one city to study, there’s a whole institutions in Australasia, the Far East, new world out there and your Canada and the USA. The modules student status is just the ticket! studied abroad are in place of (not N additional to) modules normally studied at As part of your business degree, students may elect to study abroad in their second the Business School so you’ll spend the year as part of the Erasmus (Europe) or same length of time at University but be Study Abroad (International) schemes for packing in a whole lot more excitement. either one or two semesters. There’s no need to spend that time Why take an extra gap year travelling when scrimping on your shoestring travel budget. 28 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 29

he University of Sunderland has and research current business issues and "ESF funding has allowed me to study full once again secured funding from problems which I have found to be time as opposed to part time whilst in the European Social Fund (ESF) for stimulating and enjoyable. I am very employment to fund the course. I feel that Ta number of Postgraduate grateful for the ESF funding which has this has allowed me to devote more time Programmes in Business and to my studies in the course, especially in Management, from September 2003. the time I spent on producing coursework The ESF funding has been established to and revising for exams. ESF funding has help reduce differences in living standards also allowed me to purchase more texts between the regions of the European on each module than I would otherwise Union by improving skills and reducing have been able to afford." unemployment. The ESF support enables Hollie Cook, MSc Human Resource the University of Sunderland to offer a Management number of free places on postgraduate "The ESF Funding made studying for my business programmes; in addition to a masters degree possible. It was my sole bursary to cover living expenses of £75 source of income and without it I would per week for 45 weeks. The following full not have been in a position to accept my time courses are eligible for ESF Funded place on the masters programme. The ESF Places funding has had a dramatic impact on MA International Management almost all of the students who were lucky Master of Business Studies enough to be awarded it. It provided the MSc Human Resource Management opportunity for people to enhance their career prospects and improve their lives" Master of Business Administration Ashliegh Garthwaite, 22, MA International Management Eligibility Criteria "Without the ESF funding I would not have The general criteria for eligibility are for been able to pursue a career within applicants to be unemployed and living in management, nor would I have obtained the North East of England immediately an MSC." prior to commencing the course. For Laura Robinson, MSC Human further details contact Zoe Harris Resource Management Success Stories "The funding has been very helpful as it In September 2002 over 50 people were facilitates towards the maintenance given ESF support to complete expenses of being a student - very helpful programmes in Sunderland Business overall. Moreover the fact that the ESF School. Here are some comments they payments were monthly helped us to have have made: a stable income, especially for me coming "Access to ESF Funding has helped me to from a foreign country." develop a range of personal skills such as Thomas Robson, 24, Master of designing and delivering presentations, as Business Studies well as offering the experience of working with people from very diverse cultures. "It has enabled me to complete a masters Based on the academic study of key areas course which I would have otherwise not within the business world, the Master of improved my critical abilities and have been able to afford to do. As a Business Studies course also provides very increased my personal skills which in turn consequence, I feel more employable and practical insights through its company has enhanced my employment prospects" clear in which career path I wish to take." visits and guest speaker's programme. Chris Close, 32, Master of Business Carl Henry, 22, Master of Business The course offers opportunities to explore Studies Studies

Additional funding is available for some European identity and experiences increase more likely to pursue a career in students where the cost of living may be awareness of belonging to a European continental Europe.* So, while you’re relatively expensive to the UK. cultural space’.* Past students found their blissing out in Majorca at the Universidad This period abroad is ideal for those wordly experiences particularly invaluable De Las Islas Baleares you can be safe in students wishing to learn a new language when it came to interviews and finally the knowledge that your place on the and broaden their horizons. Though don’t taking control as a manager. career ladder is being kept warm! panic if GCSE French is all a misty memory Research has found that students who study * The Times Higher June 20 2003, Good as lessons are taught in English! Year on year abroad schemes to Europe gain Reasons to move abroad students develop a greater better jobs with higher incomes and are www.sunderland.ac.uk informnorth August 2003 29 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 30

ndergraduate Business School Have you mastered it yet? subjects include: Accounting, Administration, Business, You may be seeking to gain an edge in the Economics, Enterprise, ever more competitive graduate jobs U market, or simply to build on the specialist International Relations, Human Resource Management, Law, Management, knowledge you acquired as an Whatever your direction, Marketing and Psychology. undergraduate. Whatever your direction, studying for a masters at Sunderland will studying for a Masters at The best way to find out more is in person help pave the way for success in your Sunderland will help pave at one of our Open Days. You’ll be warmly chosen field and achieve your aims and welcomed and given the chance to tour our ambitions. the way for success in campus, speak to academic staff and your chosen field and attend presentations. We still have places on the following programmes to start this year: The next Open Day is due to be held on achieve your aims and Thursday 21st August. Master of Business Administration ambitions. The Part-time and Postgraduate Open Master of Business Studies Evening for the Business School Graduate Diploma in Psychology programmes will be Thursday 4th MSc Applied Psychology September from 6.00 at the Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland, call for further Fax: 0191 515 3805 details. E-mail: [email protected] Working with you… www.sunderland.ac.uk As a mature student in a managerial role, we recognise your potential and want to help you realise your ambition. The BA Applied Management course is designed to build on your practical experiences in the workplace and prove your management capability. To find out how to achieve this degree in three years of part-time study, please call Zoë Harris on 0191 515 2319.

Helpline: 0191 515 3000

30 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 31

In association with

What about finally finding out more about that hobby you’ve always wanted to pursue? Who knows where it might lead? Zahra Moussavi investigates… Learning for Interest!

earning a new skill because you’re college courses generally start around out of the classroom which are ideal if that interested in the subject does not September and most run for approximately brings back too many unpleasant memories make it any less important. It can 12 weeks. If college courses seem a little - it’s unlikely you’ll find many gardening Lopen new channels, introduce you to formal for you, look to your local lessons or scuba diving sessions based new people and even result in career community centre for notice boards, this there. opportunities. New skills of any kind could direct you to some interesting but Learning may or may not be classroom enhance your personality and even if the casual classes that would be great for an based or may include a combination of skill does not directly relate to the work you introduction to the subject. theory sessions and practical application. do it could make you a more rounded If the thought of using the Internet doesn’t Make sure you look at the person and encourage other skills such as throw you into a panic, why not exploit it? contents confidence, communication, creativity and Online learning is growing very quickly and and teamwork. there is a wide range of courses available A new skill can be anything; it does not that allow you to learn at home at your own have to end in a formal qualification. pace. This can be invaluable if you work You could attend a creative writing class, full time or have difficulty finding time to take up gardening, enrol on a cooking attend classes. course or take scuba diving lessons. The international range of the World The important point to remember is that it Wide Web widens the range of must be something you want to achieve courses available to you and creates personally. There is no point learning a skill an opportunity to meet people from for somebody else. other countries. It will also Do not limit yourself to one skill - if there enhance your computer skills and are lots of things you want to accomplish demonstrate self-motivation and then do them all. enthusiasm for learning. All of which are admirable qualities Don’ try to start them all at once, as you that any potential employees will never be able to give too many will appreciate. activities enough attention and once you Even if your IT skills are have started, you can keep adding to your basic, courses are skills bank by looking into new activities or designed in an easy and going for advanced status. simple way that you Don’t keep your skills to yourself - why not should find share them with your partner, children or straightforward. friends. Invite them along, you may find However, if computers they are interested too, but don’t be put off aren’t your thing there are if you have to go alone. There will be other plenty of other people in the same situation when you get opportunities for learning, there and because you share the same although it depends of interest, you already have something in the type of skill you common. want to learn. Look to your local college for advice and There are plenty of information on skills courses. Part time courses that take you informnorth April 2003 31 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 32

In association with Better Business Business leaders will work with the government to raise awareness among employers of the importance of raising skills at all levels of their workforce. Announcing a new team of Employer Champions to promote adult basic skills training in the workplace, Education Secretary Charles Clarke has urged leading business figures to take advantage of free government training and support for low- skilled employees to improve productivity. structure of a course before enrolling or try Learning a musical instrument is also an For more information and advice on option. In most cases an instructor would implementing basic skills training in to speak to a fellow learner or a course business, employers can call learndirect on leader about what is require from you. visit you at you home, which could be 0800 100 900. You don’t want to pick a course that takes easier for those of you who have up too much of your time or even money unavoidable commitments. There is also and you have to make sure that the the opportunity for the whole family to New Website method of learning suits you. learn. The Small Business Service (SBS) has If you are trying to loose weight why not There are other factors that you need to launched a new website providing small use this as the basis of your new skill, why consider. Learning a new skill will and medium sized firms with practical not replace calorie counting with fitness invariably take time and perhaps money. support and best practice information. and take up a yoga or aerobics session? It will change your life, hopefully for the The CONNECT website, at Weight loss will come as a welcome side better, but you must be prepared to fully www.connectbestpractice.com gives small effect without the worst dieting dilemma’s integrate your learning and your life - firms access to 'real-life' documentary video of hunger and cravings. If you consider the 100% commitment from you is the only case studies, an extensive resource library classes as lessons rather than torture you thing that will result in 100% fulfilment. and clear self-assessment to help them may find you stick at it for longer. Skills are for everyone and you can never boost profits, productivity and performance. You could also consider combining a have too many. Take the interesting route Online videos are also available on the holiday with learning a new skill. and learn something fun, you will still pick website and cover every area of business - There are lots of opportunities for anything from leadership and accessing finance to up other skills along the way. Be proud of from wine tasting to dancing to skiing. health and safety and marketing - helping your learning and remember it may be the It’s a great excuse for a holiday and firms to adopt best practice and undertake start of something that could transform something you can enjoy. change to make them more successful. your life. Keeping it Legal - the book The first comprehensive, hands on guide to legal structures for social enterprises in England and Wales has been published by Social Enterprise London. Launched recently at the conference on legal issues for social enterprises - Keeping it Legal - Legal Forms For Social Enterprises maps out clear legal routes Case Study: Richard Goodison for organisations seeking the most ales Manager for Magnetic skills have improved and I now spend more effective legal structure for their social Promotions in Newcastle, Richard time talking to other gym users." enterprise. The book takes into Goodison, took his love for the gym Richard had no previous qualifications in account last September's Cabinet Office S one step further by enrolling on a course in sport or fitness but was a regular fitness report on possible new legal forms fitness instruction. and exercise enthusiast. This is the only for social enterprises. Newcastle College’s School of Hospitality prerequisite for the course, which involves Jonathan Bland, director of the Social Leisure and Tourism offers a range of a combination of lectures, seminars and Enterprise Coalition fitness orientated courses and 22 year-old practical learning. UK said at the launch, 'A social Richard chose the Central YMCA The assessment includes a written theory enterprise's legal form can dramatically Certificate in Fitness Instruction for Gym. paper, portfolio building and practical assessment. The college offers the affect its ability to raise Richard, from Denton Burn in Newcastle, finance and can significantly help or opportunity to accumulate further Central completed the year-long course by hinder its ability to meet its social goals. YMCA fitness modules such as Client attending two evening classes a week. Keeping it Legal explains clearly the Appraisal and Nutrition and Weight range of legal options available to He qualified in June and although he has Management, which allow learners to social enterprises, and their pros and not used his qualification to teach he may progress to the Personal Training Award. cons, with the aim of simplifying use it later on in life. Richard has really enjoyed the fitness the critical, yet often daunting process of "Completing the course has given me more course and is currently thinking about choosing a legal structure'. confidence in the gym, I am able to help enrolling on another course. Keeping it Legal is available from SEL for others get to grips with the equipment and "I would definitely do it again" he said, £10.00 plus p&p, telephone 0207 704 motivate them to complete their fitness "I would recommend it to anyone interested 7490 to reserve your copy.. program" said Richard. "My communication in fitness". 32 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 33

Future in

Hypnosis Summertime ames Williams is currently making involves the traditional teaching and the living plans to replace his career as an methods and the course aims to provide Implementation Coordinator for a comprehensive mix of theory and JOrange with a career in therapeutic practice. Practical sessions play a large is easy hypnosis. part of the learning process, pupils Although James, 32 from Chester-le- ‘buddy-up’ and practice hypnosis on thought we’d be having a quiet Street, had no previous experience of each other. time during the holidays with the hypnosis it was a subject that fascinated Now qualified and insured to practice Aim High initiative in East Durham. him. hypnosis, James has plans to base his Far from it! There are so many He decided to capitalise on his interest career around his new skills. I exciting things happening and so many so 14 months ago he took the plunge “If all goes well I hope to take up a success stories we could write a book. and enrolled on a foundation course career in hypnosis. At the moment I’m We have now received funding support with the Northern College of Therapeutic lecturing at the Northern College. There Hypnosis. until March 2004 for two co-ordinators is a certain amount of shadowing and to ensure the smooth roll out of Aim The foundation course involves four training to go through, but lecturing High. They are working in Easington weekends of classroom-based learning encompasses the whole process, it is Colliery where we have the base for where students learn the basics of interesting to look at hypnosis as a the outreach Basic Skills workers, a hypnosis under tuition from experienced teacher rather than a pupil” said James. permanent Action Team for Jobs lecturers. The only pre-requisites for entry Hypnosis alters the conscious state so Adviser, the IT suite run by East on to the foundation course are that that hypnotherapists can negotiate Durham and Houghall College and students hold a genuine interest in the change within the sub-conscious. subject. shortly the base for the complementary Practitioners work closely with the therapy project. This means that the “It is such as unusual topic and I knew I medical profession and consult with area now has a full-time Aim High would find it interesting, but I knew patients on a number of different Centre to offer support to local people nothing about it” said James, “Within the problems. wanting to find out more about first few lessons I knew I loved it”. Now qualified, James can help people learning and employment. In just over On completion of the course, which is give up smoking, loose weight, a month 19 new clients have signed up continually assessed and involves an overcome phobias, cope with stress or with the Action Team and five have exam, students receive the NCTH pain management. already found work. The "joined up" Foundation Certificate, but more He began studying hypnosis because it approach of Aim High has made sure importantly have the necessary basic was unusual but it has now become a that all the support needed by an skills needed to work safely and significant part of his life, it has opened appropriately hypnosis. individual whatever its nature can be doors and provided opportunities for co-ordinated by any Aim High adviser. James’ interest in hypnosis did not stop him. What started out as an interest has An Action Team client who wants to there. After completing the foundation given him valuable become self-employed has had some course he went on to study for his career skills. support from a therapist in dealing with diploma with the college, which has recently culminated in an all day their anxiety, numeracy tuition to help exam that included four different them understand the finances of their papers. business plan and ongoing support from the BizFizz coach and the Action The diploma syllabus is covered Team adviser. This level of help will over ten weekends and James ensure that the transition from studied one weekend a month at Newcastle General Hospital, which unemployment to self-employment is as is where the college runs its North smooth as possible and the new East sessions. business is sustainable. The latest venture for Aim High is the Entry on to the diploma offering of bitesized courses to give the course requires completion of the people of East Durham a taste of foundation course; learning. We have already run courses students cover the in belly dancing and story sacks and therapeutic use can offer almost anything the of hypnosis and community would like to try. specific Watch this space! therapeutic techniques. If you would like to find out more The subject is information about this project, please classroom contact Aim High on 0800 389 6532 based and informnorth August 2003 33 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 34

In association with

renda Kilgallon gives a small, wry off with me at first but I ended up out- smile when she explains just why selling everyone," she said. she’s so good at teaching people It was around that time that Brenda started Bhow to manage better. to become interested in training and "I can do it because actually I’m quite development and again seemed poised unmanageable myself," she admits. for a change in career. "I don’t think anyone really has ever been After studying for an education degree at able to manage me which is a great basis Sunderland she taught for a year but soon for knowing how to manage other missed the cut and thrust of business life. people." "I worked for a year for a company in Of course it’s not quite as simple as that Carlisle really learning more about Brenda Kilgallon and Brenda, speaking at her office at training and consultancy because I’d Churchill House, Moseley Street, is doing decided that was what I really wanted to herself something of an injustice. do," she said, Yet there’s no doubt that Kilgallon Feeling confident that she was now armed Consulting is becoming a force to be with the information she needed, Brenda reckoned with, thanks to Brenda’s ability came back to Newcastle in 1995 and set to help companies and individuals up her own business offering tailor-made capitalise on their skills and achieve their programmes for businesses and goals. individuals. It has been an interesting road which had Recognised by the Coaching Training A growing list of led Brenda to her current position, via a number of other careers. Institute and accredited by the National Institute of Leadership, Brenda gives organisations are seeking the "When I left school I was going to be a people the tools to look at where their wages clerk because I remember my skills provided by Brenda businesses are now, the values they want mother saying that it was a steady job," to project - and how to do just that. Kilgallon. BERNICE SALTZER she recalled. "It’s all about improving performance and finds out why... "I went to work for BT - and they gave me the wrong job!" how to get the values right," said Brenda. Brenda had applied to be a clerical officer Her training takes a number of forms, but was inadvertently given the public from workshops to one-to-one coaching, complaint duty officer’s role which she and her reputation is growing rapidly. proved to be extremely adept at. She only Brenda can count among her clients Tyne decided to leave once she was promoted and Wear Museums Service, Marlowe and went on to what was then Newcastle Foods, Jus-Rol, Onyx Internet and Polytechnic to study business and graphics. Sunderland Social Services. Brenda then discovered her real forte was "I challenge people to think differently," in sales, working in the pharmaceutical explained Brenda. industry and her progress up the sales "I can help people find out what drives ladder was a speedy one and she soon them and to achieve their individual became a sales manager. values." "I was the only one who wasn’t from a For further information call Brenda on: science background and they were a bit 0191 230 8014.

So you want to learn an interesting offer opportunities for learning a new • LearnDirect offers a range of basic skill but where should you start? skill. Visit, call or log-on to their skills and computer learning courses, website to request a copy of their visit www.learndirect.co.uk to find • Your local Community Centre is an part-time prospectus. your nearest centre. excellent place to begin. The centre • For an A-Z list of courses in the North • Consider self learning and if you may organise their own courses or East visit www.tap.co.uk which cannot find a suitable course look to may be used as a base by other provides information on everything your nearest Library for information organisations so call or visit and ask from Abseiling to Zoology. on a particular subject. about the courses offered. The site also details a range of • Museums and Galleries very often • Similarly, your nearest College may bitesize introductory courses and have educational tours or information offer courses for non students and basic skills programmes. packs about their exhibits, which may hold evening classes or summer • www.ukcoursefinder.com is an prove to be a valuable starting point schools in you chosen subject. excellent guide to higher education when researching new learning • Universities in your area may also courses in the UK. opportunities.

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Bishop Auckland College keep gender on the agenda Bishop Auckland College in County Durham was proud to be announced as the the overall winner ahead of BT and Northern Rock at the eighth annual 'Opportunity Now' Awards held recently in Drawing on g London. The Framework for Action Award was awarded to the College for its outstanding commitment to gender equality. Clara Freeman OBE, Chairman of Opportunity Now and the first woman executive director of Marks and Spencer said "The College has demonstrated great vision and determination to put gender on their business agenda and are an inspiration to all employers in the UK. This is an outstanding example of best practice, innovation and commitment to women in the workplace." Joanna Tait, Bishop Auckland College Principal/Chief Executive said: "Further Education Colleges cannot succeed without all employees reaching their full potential. Over half of our students are women - they need to see other women working in a wide range of roles to help them fulfill their own potential. Women now account for over half the workforce, but the UK is still lagging behind on issues tuffed in a cupboard under Paul and after his first year, he took a year out to such as equal pay and both the private Slattery’s stairs is Alan Shearer. study life drawing, before going back to and public sector need to respond with Thankfully for football fans not the complete his HND studies. vigour and imagination to this challenge." Sman himself but a 60 feet image of After graduating Paul, originally from Birtley, him, drawn by top North East cartoonist decided to move to London and got a job Paul Slattery, which happened to get Paul working as a visualiser for an advertising Incubator a Smash Hit into the Guinness Book of Records. company. Paul is now a familiar face at shopping “London was a very unfriendly place and I for SME centres, corporate events and car launches The National Glass Centre's new incubator wanted to see a bit more of Europe so I around the region, with his quick-fire units, designed for SME's in the glass decided Holland would be a good place to drawing skills putting him in huge demand. sector is proving to be of great benefit to start,” said Paul. one of the region's up and coming glass His ability to draw accurate caricatures has During his time in Holland Paul worked as made him a novel attraction and means artist's. Joanne Mitchell, from Kirk an advertising designer, illustrator and that he is constantly in work - much to his Merrington, Near Spennymoor, who has visualiser. The North East was never far from relief! an MA in glass product design is currently his mind and after a year he moved back to renting one of the incubator units and has At 17, Paul left Sixth Form College to attend Newcastle, where he became a freelance Newcastle Art School to study a National graphic designer/illustrator doing ‘one off been so impressed by the facilities the Diploma in graphic design. jobs’. National Glass Centre has to offer her that Two years later he continued with his For the next three years Paul tried his hand she is extending her lease for another 6 education by studying a HND in advertising months. Joanne whose work is also at a few different vocations to subsidise his freelance work, working in currently on display at the Centre said, shops, banks and even "Because the incubator unit rates are becoming a postman for a specially discounted it has allowed me to while, before studying to experiment and develop my work become a teacher. considerably. I am able to network “Freelance work is hard, regularly with other artists visiting the sometimes you’ll be Glass Centre which really inspires me and overloaded with work and it's given me the opportunity to build up a others you’ll be struggling collection of my work." Every piece Joanne for weeks without work. makes is an original contemporary design, Getting jobs to subsidise handcrafted to the highest quality using my work was my only traditional glassmaking techniques. option. I always wanted to These exclusive items that are created to teach, so using my spare enhance and compliment the modern time to study was interior; each is a signed limited edition or important to me.” one-off piece. In 1996 Paul qualified as 36 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:11 pm Page 37 great success

a further and adult education teacher and like Saab and Vauxhall, Asda s, Marks In five years he’s bought his own property, began working at Newcastle College and and Spencer, Safeway and Ikea. created a business reputation and has then at Kenton Comprehensive teaching Weddings, office parties, student balls and been given the opportunity to travel life drawing and cartoon illustration. charity functions can all benefit from throughout the UK and the world. Who Paul then hit 30 and decided if he didn’t Paul’s business and enjoy the fact he can said running your own business was hard? take the bull by the horns and set up in bring something extra to any occasion. business independently he would never “My advice to anyone is you will only get “It’s great doing weddings, it’s a little do it. what you want through discovering your different for both the guests and the talents mixed with sheer determination, Within a year of starting Paul found special couple,“ he said. himself in the record books - becoming perseverance and learning never to give He has also recently expanded that the first caricaturist to have a world record up” said Paul. for the largest caricature which brought particular market and is now offering him widespread recognition, brides-to-be the chance for a very special And he’s not stopping there. He drew the 60 feet caricature of Alan reminder of their wedding. His latest venture is drawing family pets Shearer - which not only captured the Rather than producing traditional such as dogs, cats and horses. Paul’s public’s imagination but attracting invitations with bells and birds, Paul is ability to turn his hand to anything and his national media attention at the same time. drawing caricatures of the happy couple determination to both succeed and which can be used on invitations and on “Alan Shearer was a huge name around develop is a real inspiration to all the world so it raised my profile, regionally thank-you cards etc. Informnorth readers. and nationally,“ he said. “They can be drawn to incorporate Now Paul serves corporate clients such as anything that is special to the couple,“ For more information you can contact: Scottish and Newcastle, car manufacturers said Paul. Paul Slattery: 0191 410 2484.

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nyone who has ever stood on a The benefit of using travelwireless means station platform wondering where information supplied is up to date and their train was or if their bus is accurate and information is relevant to the Aevery going to arrive will have individual journeys. cause to be grateful to Chris Imrie. "This low cost and flexible service will not Two year after graduating from only reduce the waiting time but reassures Northumbria University with a degree in passengers that their mode of transport is accountancy, he combined his interest of on its way," said Chris. the wireless and the mobile phone industry Travelwireless also provides increased and recognising a gap in the market came passenger satisfaction to public transport up with a revolutionary new idea. users who are annoyed at the increased Travelwireless based in Gateshead is a waiting times because of delayed trains The service provides new initiative that means late and and buses. passengers with an easy cancelled public transport will no longer "Travelwireless capitalises on the flexibility cause the frustration that’s experienced by and direct connectivity of text messaging, to use request service commuters’ everyday. the communication of data is carried out via text message for "Travelwireless specialise in the delivery of via GSM (Global Satellite Messaging ) and planning their journey passenger information direct to commuters provides travelwireless with the ability to mobiles and PDA’s," said MD Chris. deliver the relevant replies to user requests in a timely and accurately format" said from A to B Using the latest mobile and internet Chris. technology, travelwireless provide their client with a programme to run the system. The business idea has managed to secure funding from the Innovation Action Fund Once the programme is up and running, provided by One North East who also the client advertises a phone number on provided Chris with all the relevant their platforms or on the transport which signposting for the appropriate services for passengers then text to ask queries. his business. The service means public transport A simple but effective way to increase operators can communicate directly to the participation on public transport, decrease passenger. waiting times and travellers frustrations "The service provides passengers with an while providing a public service but what’s easy to use request service via text next? message for planning their journey from A "I am keen to expand out of the North East to B," said Chris. and go global offering this service in India, Which means instead of waiting on a cold America and around Europe, expanding platform when the train is delayed, people our partners and increasing its services," said the Northumbria university graduate. can now text and find out if there are any delays, what time the train is expected, For more information on travelwireless and how long the journey will take and any to view the services it offers visit: other information that may be useful to www.travelwireless.co.uk them. The service provides users with SMS based hris Imrie received money from the journey planning service and on demand Innovation Action Fund, which is request service for travel information for Cprovided by One North East and bus, rail, metro, ferry and airlines. administered through Business Link. He has taken the initial £5000 but has such "We have gained many clients and an expansion plan that in time intends to partners including the metro, light rail and apply for the full £60,000. bus operators and even have the support of the local authorities," said the 23 One North East - Innovation Fund year-old. The aim of the Innovation Action Fund 38 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 39 proves the right platform

For more information contact one of the following contacts or visit www.onenortheast.co.uk

Mark Wynn or Paul Crozier Business Link Tyne and Wear Business & Innovation Centre Wearfield Sunderland Enterprise Park (East) Sunderland SR5 2TA Tel: 0191 516 6019

Graham Sleep (IAF) is to provide an easy and accessible the development of new capability in Business Link County Durham source of grant funding to North East innovative management, production, IMEX Business Centre Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to business design or human resource Abbey Road support innovative activities. development. Grants of up to £30,000 Durham The grants mean that SMEs are also able towards up to 50% of the total project to improve an existing service or product costs will be offered. DH1 5JZ Tel: 0191 374 4000 and are delivered through a team of Level 3: Innovation Network Awards are Innovation Facilitators and Assessors for groups of three or more organisations located within the Business Link network. working together collaboratively on Paul Miller or Jack Cavagin The fund is created with finance from the innovative projects. These groups must be Business Link for Northumberland Regional Development Agency One led by an SME. Grants of £30,000+ Wansbeck Business Park NorthEast and Objective 2 ERDF funding. towards up to 50% of the total project Rotary Parkway Originally three levels of grants were cost can be offered (usually with a Ashington provided: maximum £60,000 grant limit). Northumberland Level 1: SME Incentive Awards are for In addition, an Innovation Action Fund NE63 8QZ businesses needing finance for novel New Product Programme had been Tel: 01670 813322 diagnostic or problem solving services or introduced in order to stimulate and exploratory innovative projects, which may enable the development of new-product Graham Turner or Alan Holmes lead to further innovative activities. Grants of up to £5000 towards up to 50% of the within the consumer products sector. Business Link Tees Valley total project costs. Focussing on the management of design, Training and Enterprise House Level 2: SME Project Awards are for its aim is to enable North East businesses 2 Queens Square individual businesses or groups of to explore new market opportunities. Middlesbrough businesses working collaboratively on Grants of up to 50% of the total project TS2 1AA innovative projects. Projects might include cost can be offered. Tel: 01642 806666 informnorth August 2003 39 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 40

northernhealthmatters

Takingthe healthy option

With obesity being one of the biggest threats to the health of the nation, how do we educate people into losing weight and leading a healthier lifestyle...

By Lesley Allinson of Springs Health and Leisure

ncreasing one's level of exercise is an their appetites and allows them to gain essential part of a weight loss control over their eating. programme. Exercise, however, must The health benefits of exercise... be combined with dietary changes in I Are both physical and psychological. order to lose significant amounts of If done at an appropriate level, exercise weight. can help decrease the risk of The most important benefit of exercise cardiovascular disease, lower blood may not be short-term weight loss, but pressure, improve blood sugar control in long-term weight maintenance. People diabetics, lower cholesterol levels, and who continue to exercise after their initial prevent osteoporosis. Increasing exercise weight loss are more successful at keeping can also reduce stress levels and provide the weight off. It is important to choose an increased sense of well being. To get activities that you enjoy and can easily these benefits, at least 30 minutes of incorporate into your lifestyle. Remember moderate exercise should be accumulated that the changes you need to make to over the course of the day. It does not lose weight and keep it off are not have to be done during one continuous temporary-they are long term lifestyle session. Furthermore, activities such as Finding time can be an issue for many changes. walking and taking the stairs instead of of us… The Way to Lose Weight can be simple. using the lift contribute toward the 30 So try to incorporate some exercise into To maintain your current weight, you need minutes. your everyday activities. Instead of taking to balance the amount of calories you eat To get started, set realistic goals... the lift, take the stairs; instead of parking with the amount of calories being used by right next to the entrance of your No matter what your current level of your body. So to lose weight, you either workplace, park farther away and walk; physical fitness is-couch potato or regular need to decrease the number of calories take a walk at lunch rather than going to exerciser-you can always increase your you eat or increase the amount of calories the cafe; get rid of the remote control and level of physical activity. The key is to start you burn. get up to change the channels. slowly and set realistic goals. Consistency To lose one pound of weight, you need to All these things add up! The key is to be decrease your calorie consumption by is the most important thing in starting a consistent and to increase the amount of 3,500 calories. This means that if you programme. The health benefits that calories you burn every day. want to lose one pound a week you either come from increasing physical activity need to decrease the calories you eat by come from maintaining this activity. Exercise and choosing to eat healthy 500 calories a day or increase the The trap that many people fall into is foods needs to be a lifelong lifestyle calories you burn by 500 calories a day. setting unrealistic short-term goals. change in order to maintain weight loss. For most people, combining both ways is They get up one morning and decide to It may seem hard work initially but the easiest way to reach their goals. run a certain distance and realise half way remember the benefits are not just weight Slowly increasing the amount and intensity through that they cannot do it. They get loss but increased emotional well being, of exercise while cutting back on the very discouraged and quit. A more increased strength, increased endurance amount you eat will result in weight loss. realistic goal for that person may have but most importantly, improved overall An added benefit of exercise is that it can been to walk for ten-to-fifteen minutes six health. increase the amount of calories your body days a week. They then should slowly Please note: It is recommended that burns even when you are not exercising. increase the amount of time they walk and before undertaking an exercise For many people, exercise helps suppress their pace. programme that you consult your doctor. 40 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 41 BizFizz passionate for business

and with the support of the local panel on bringing about change, improvement break down barriers, cut red tape and and higher standards. Over the last 44 find solutions to business problems for years, the Trust has steadfastly followed both pre-start up and existing businesses. these maxims, sometimes in a favourable Local residents, entrepreneurs, business public and political context, but quite advisors and other "clued up" people often in an unfavourable climate, too. meet regularly as a local panel to find It can point to a proud list of solutions to business problems new start achievements over the period. and existing business may have. Pioneering work on town centre Members of each panel use their skills, improvements, urban regeneration, local knowledge and their personal the reuse of derelict and vacant land and networks to solve issues such as finance, the protection and enhancement of our identifying markets, identifying premises, built heritage, come readily to mind. planning matters and tax and izFizz aims to find the passion The Trust still champions the cause of accounting. The panels are made up of a people have for business. urban Britain by acting to improve the wide range of people, with different skills In any community you will find places where people live and work in and life experiences who can "open entrepreneurial behaviour, BizFizz partnership with a large number of local B doors" and break down many of the real and national agencies. seeks to support those entrepreneurs to and perceived barriers to entrepreneurial fulfil their passions for business and success. enterprise. In any business an entrepreneur will need BizFizz uses a person centred approach Regional Co-ordinator - Civic Trust to business counselling with each many skills, both in pre-start up and business coach supported by a panel of when trading. One of BizFizz’s principles local residents, entrepreneurs and is to create teams around entrepreneurs. members of the local business support That is to say that during business agencies. In the North East, BizFizz is development, the coach and being piloted in Jarrow and Horden & entrepreneur can "recruit" people with Easington Colliery with a further 2 pilots particular skills to support the operating in Thetford and Tuxford. entrepreneurs on their journeys. One of BizFizz’s principles A business coach and local panel has The Civic Trust was founded in 1957 to is to create teams around been recruited in each area and success foster high standards of planning and stories are beginning to roll in. architecture in towns and cities against entrepreneurs You are as likely to find the business the background of bomb-damage and coach in the local library as you are shoddy post-war development. From the sitting behind a desk. The coaches are outset, the Trust focused not only on the highly skilled with great local knowledge preservation of the status quo, but also

The 4 BizFizz pilots started operating in the summer of 2002 and Council. In Easington Colliery and Horden the pilot is operating are proving to be a constant source of surprise and celebration. in partnership with Easington Action Team for Jobs, Business Link The pilots are funded by a mix of local funding and Phoenix Fund County Durham, The Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder, and are co-ordinated by the Civic Trust and New Economic Easington District Council and others. Foundation in partnership. In Jarrow, BizFizz is operating in For further information please contact the Civic Trust or visit partnership with TEDCO, STRIDE and South Tyneside District www.bizfizz.org.uk

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Kate Welch, chair of the Easingon appointments in Sunderland or across prior to BizFizz starting an average of Colliery and Horden BizFizz panel said in Durham for advice.” only five businesses started up in the “The initiative is proving to be a great “Now they can access a service which is area. In just its first year, BizFizz has source of help for local people. Prior to on their doorstep. directly helped nearly fifty which is a BizFizz, residents had to make To draw a comparison, in the two years remarkable achievement.“ New start for Dave Having BizFizz behind me avid Garside from Peterlee, BixFizz helped David to apply for a series of County Durham would never have grants which he received enabling him to made me feel more imagined that in the New Year he set up Garsey’s Autos in January 2003. confident and it was really would have his own business but D David received two grants and a loan, all useful to have someone to thanks to BizFizz that’s exactly what he’s got. of which was spent on insurance. “ After speaking to a friend who had just set help me with my decisions up his own taxi firm, David decided to "All the money went on liability insurance apply for help with his own business for the business which you must have in this venture. line of work," said David. Tracey Kirkup "I knew I wanted to open my own garage "Without the help of BizFizz my dream of and knew I had the expertise to do so but owning my own business would not be the money for insurance was always a possible," he said. David can be contacted problem," said the 32-year-old. on: 0191 586 8156 or 07884 268595 Care Scheme ast Durham may conjure” in your mind colliery villages and rows of Striking the right note! terraced houses where people are Etrapped by the past and slow to awrence Gallagher is nearing his childhood ambition accept new ideas. to become a singer/songwriter thanks to help from Which just shows how wrong you can be - BizFizz. as an alternative therapy project which has LFor the past ten years, Lawrence’s music has been been up and running for three months has falling on deaf ears but 29 year-old Lawrence’s ambition proven. Complementary Care, based at to crack the music industry has never wavered. Easington Colliery, has 14 different The musician, from Horden, County Durham plays therapists offering up to 20 therapies on its both the keyboard and guitar to produce indie-rock books and the demand since it began has music, with a sound that’s been compared to been staggering. bands such as The Verve and Oasis. People of all ages and all backgrounds have Last October Lawrence approached BizFizz been queueing up to sample everything Coach Elliott Patterson after being told about from reiki to reflexology, from hypnotherapy the organisation by a friend and his talent to colour therapy and the hope is that the was recognised instantly. organisation can now survive beyond its After whisking him into an interview, pilot scheme. Elliott helped Lawrence to get a Gill Cooper has spent three years trying to grant and the contacts he get the project off the ground and admits it needed to break into the music industry. wouldn’t have happened without the support of BizFizz. The grant allowed Lawrence to hire a studio "They helped me to get the funding to get for three days to record a demo with going otherwise we wouldn’t have been able professional musicians. to launch," she said. "It made a change from recording my songs Gill is now actively searching for a way to on my keyboard in my bedroom" said keep the project funded in the future, Lawrence. "The recordings were more like admitting that having so many therapists how I heard them in my head, the musicians made it a difficult task. really enhanced the sound - they brought the But she is optimistic, fired up by the music to life". enthusiasm of local people who are using Lawrence recorded three songs and sent his the treatments. demo to the contacts that BizFizz provided. Even "We get referrals from dozens of in this short time, Lawrence has received organisations and we offer a free service to enquiries about his songs and has been asked to provide further examples of his work to people on benefits or low income," she said. various record companies and music "But we also have lots of individuals and agencies. To contact Lawrence please call: corporate clients." Gill can be contacted on: 0191 586 0096 or 0795 032 6613 0191 527 0511 42 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 43

Cheryl has the world at her feet! heryl Olver left school at 15 with explained Cheryl. no qualifications to start work in "The experience was invaluable, my Dewhirsts clothing factory - but confidence grew and I realised I could do Cnow really does have the world at it. So I decided I would rather be working her feet. She soon moved on to work as a for myself and I missed the North East". care assistant in a nursing home but found Cheryl approached BizFizz Coach Elliott there was little opportunity for progression. Patterson and he helped her conduct some After a decade in what she considered market research and formulate a business dead-end jobs, Cheryl decided she wanted plan. BizFizz helped Cheryl to get a grant something more challenging. and a loan, which she used for The mother of two from Horden decided refurbishment and equipment and also she wanted to train as a chiropodist, helped her to find property to rent in reading up on the industry at her local Easington Colliery. library before enrolling on a science "I was having trouble finding premises, foundation course at Peterlee College. there were plenty of empty buildings about Cheryl was then offered a place at New but I couldn’t find the owners," said Cheryl. College, Durham to complete her degree "BizFizz gave me a list of properties and I in podiatry, graduating in 2000. viewed three and picked the best". Cheryl accepted a job offer to work in Cheryl opened The Chiropody Clinic Norwich but after eight months she earlier this year and has enjoyed a steady Cheryl Olver, now a chiropodist. decided she wanted to return to the North increase in custom so far. East and set up her own business. "Thanks to BizFizz I’m running my own "I was working independently for another business and I’m making solid plans for company, I was seeing 10 to 15 patients a the future." day and was responsible for ordering my To arrange an appointment Cheryl can be own stock and managing my diary" contacted on: 0191 527 9285 Tracey takes the subtle approach

izFizz provided the financial Subtle Seductions specialises in sexy she mingles with the group and invites the help and the support Tracey lingerie and adult toys but Tracey guests to look at or talk about the lingerie Kirkup needed to start up is keen to dispel common or toys if they want to. Bher own business. misconceptions about this type "Without the pressure of the naughty The 32 year-old from Peterlee of business. Subtle Seductions games or tacky demonstrations, women approached BizFizz Coach Elliott offers a selection of high feel more comfortable about looking at quality lingerie including a to develop her business idea. the stock," said Tracey. "I don’t want to rule range for the fuller figure and a The single mother of three fun out, but it shouldn’t be the main focus collection of naughty outfits all wanted to start her career of the night". but had to make sure her imported from America. Elliott helped Tracey to get a grant and an business plans would fit in Adult toys are also with family life. included in the range additional loan which she used to buy her stock and equipment. BizFizz encouraged Tracey’s research and past but Subtle Seductions Tracey to enrol on a business scholarship experience showed that offers more than the to learn more about the basics of setting many women feel conventional toy and up and running her own business. intimidated at adult has a collection of parties by the games unusual products. "Having BizFizz Coach Elliott behind me and demonstrations. Tracey prides made me feel more confident and it was This can make them herself on keeping really useful to have someone to help me uncomfortable with a low profile at with my decisions" said Tracey. buying or asking questions her parties, after To contact Tracey or to arrange a Subtle so Tracey takes a more setting up her Seductions party telephone: understated approach. display of stock, 0191 586 9323 or 0775 427 1858. informnorth August 2003 43 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 44

ince launching back in September John can be contacted on: trying to get Orchid Games, off the ground BizFizz in Jarrow has certainly been 0191 519 2919 - without much luck. fizzing. Safe-Line Marine Aftersales "Through the years I have sought and SBased at the TEDCO centre, as an followed the advice of business 18 month pilot, the project has already Being made redundant can seem like the organisations such as helped around 40 individuals onto the self- end of the line - but often it turns into a Chamber of Trade but employment ladder. window of opportunity. always hit dead ends," "We get our clients in a variety of ways," said the 32-year-old When Michael Grant, from South Sheilds, explained Keith Jeffrey, BizFizz business from South Shields. Coach. left his old job in the marine industry he "I saw an advert for "Some come to us through referrals from was faced at the age of 42 with a few other agencies, some are people who are prospects. BizFizz and contacted them already running their own businesses." But the one that caught his imagination the BizFizz offers a service which often as a last most was setting up his own company and ditch complements other support organisations. plugging what he thought was a gap in the In some cases BizzFizz gives extra help and market. support to clients. "Because of the way we are funded we Michael has just launched Safe-Line have scope to be more experimental" said Marine Aftersales, overhauling everything Keith. from cylinders to valves to steering gear The beauty of BizFizz is its flexibility. Able to for the marine industry. offer support customised support and He’d be the first to admit that it’s not a advice to everyone from the unemployed to very glamourous job - but it’s undoubtedly Keith Jeffrey, Jarrow’s BizFizz Coach those in work. an essential one. Thanks to BizFizz a wide range of Michael laughingly admits he spends a fair businesses are being set up on South amount of his time "covered in oil" - a attempt to get my business venture up and Tyneside - which definitely augers well for necessary evil given what he does for a running." the future. living. At the first meeting with the BizFizz Coach, John Ellison Plastering Michael will be operating from a base in the outlook for Andrew’s business started Jarrow and went to BizFizz for help when looking more positive. John Ellison, a plasterer by trade always starting up. "BizFizz not only offered me advice on legal wanted to set up his own business. issues but they have also helped me The prospect of accounts, tax and the legal "They helped me put together my business aspects of starting up alone deterred him plan and really get the company underway" develop a marketing strategy," he said. until unemployment forced him to visit his he said. With the support and guidance of BizFizz local jobcentre. Although there are quite a lot of companies Andrew is hoping to launch two of his After discussing starting up John Ellison around, I felt we really could make a bit of board games this year, one of which is Plastering with a jobcentre centre advisor, an impact." Michael can be contacted by based on moving home and the other a he was put in touch with the Jarrow branch calling 0191 423 4343. war game. of BizFizz. Orchid Games "Every agency I approached just didn’t The first meeting with BizFizz was successful seem to work for my business idea but and John felt the advice and information Two years is a long time by anyone’s BizFizz adapted their services to give me the given to him meant he was on the right reckoning but for Andrew Farrow two years best possible advice and information to track and he began to set up his own has felt like forever. really get my business started," said Andrew. business. Andrew’s business venture specialises in You can contact Andrew by e-mailing him board games but since 2001 he has been at [email protected]. "I don’t have to worrying about employees wages and insurance as their is only me in the company - but with the help of BizFizz I For more information contact: managed to get my head around the complicated legal side of the business," Elliott Patterson Keith Jeffrey said John from Boldon. BizFizz Easington/Horden BizFizz Jarrow Business Resource Centre TEDCO Business Centre John Ellison Plastering has been trading Sunderland Road Viking Industrial Park since May 2003 and John is confident that Horden Jarrow he will be able to expand with support from County Durham Tyne & Wear BizFizz Coach Keith. SR8 4NU NE32 3DT "I’m in the process of applying for grants 0191 518 3052 0191 982 3862 and am extremely pleased with the help I received and as a result the way my or visit www.bizfizz.org.uk. business has developed," said John. 44 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 45 stepping stones

YOURGUIDETOCAREEROPPORTUNITIESANDSTARTINGABUSINESSINTHENORTHEAST...

STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD

In the hit movie Legally Blonde, Reese Witherspoon successfully applied for Harvard University with a curriculum vitae printed on pink-scented paper. While such extreme lengths may not be appropriate for employment or university applications in the real world, applications do need to be noticeable. Informnorth investigates the ways you can stand out from the crowd...

ome companies will receive want to break into the music industry put thousands of applications for every your CV on a cd cover. There are lots of job that they advertise. Finding your opportunities for creativity here but application amongst a mountain of beware, if you are going to be innovative S you must make sure you are doing it well. CVs and covering letters will not be the first priority in the Human Resource It is not a good idea to demonstrate vital Department. Similarly, they are not going industry skills if you do not do them to spend long analysing your CV to find properly, this will only show your out if you are a potential employee. prospective employer your worst side. You have a small window of opportunity to Think about the method you use to send attract the attention of the employer so your application. If you are applying for a your application needs to stand out and post that requires computer and web interest the reader in the first paragraph. literacy that why not consider sending your Prospective employers need to make a application by e-mail. However, try to distinction between applicants who are avoid sending your e-mail to general likely to have similar qualities, experience addresses, try calling first to get the direct address of the relevant person. and qualifications as you. In the same way Using email also gives you an opportunity that marketers have to find a unique to follow up with a telephone call, which selling point for their products you need to can be a useful tool during the application find an exclusive way of promoting process. If you use the chance well it will yourself to a prospective employer. give you an opportunity to introduce The most important point to remember is yourself and demonstrate your no matter what advice, tips or information communication skills. you read anywhere you must follow the It is not a good idea to rely upon e-mail instructions on the application. If the form alone, many companies use a ‘Spam’ asks for a written essay, no matter how guard that may delete any e-mails that are nice you think a video application would not from recognised addresses. be you must stick with what is asked for. Your server may not show you that your Think about presenting your application in message has been deleted so it is vital that a novel way that is suited to your industry. you back your application up with either a For example, if you are applying to a telephone call or a posted version. public relations company try writing your An important part of the application covering letter as a press release or if you process is research into the company. informnorth August 2003 45 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 46

YOURGUIDETOCAREEROPPORTUNITIESANDSTARTINGABUSINESSINTHENORTHEAST...

Checkout your prospective employer before applying, this is even company and show them why they need you in their company. more important before an interview but at each stage you can This proactive, direct and confident approach will make you demonstrate the knowledge you have. Knowledge will make you stand out from the other applicants and should land you a place stand out from the crowd if you use it to your advantage. at the top of the pile. But beware; you don’t want to come across Display your knowledge in your covering letter by making a as overconfident or brash as you may find your application in the reference to the company’s work or latest projects, at the bin. interview, ask questions about the company, make positive Hopefully, your original CV and carefully worded covering letter comments about company practices and talk about the industry, will guarantee you a place in the shortlist. This does not mean mentioning competitors and rival projects. This will not only show your time for standing out is over, remember a company could your commitment and enthusiasm for both the industry and the interview ten or 20 applicants who are all of a high standard and company, but will demonstrate your awareness of industry, each boasting the relevant credentials. So at this point more than regional and national issues. ever, you need to make the most of the chance to stand out from Your covering letter should demonstrate what you could offer the the crowd and make yourself known. This will primarily be judged on your performance during the interview process but you can get a head start by managing you appearance at the interview. First impressions do count and you need to make sure your impression is memorable for the right reasons. Think about adding a slightly unusual accessory to your outfit, perhaps an interesting piece of jewellery, a scarf or a bright blouse. You should still stay with the traditional interview etiquette of suits and shiny shoes but adding an original twist will provide a memory prompt for the interviewer. This is slightly more difficult for the men who may be limited to shirts and ties. Don’t go overboard with colour as this can be off putting but consider interesting cuff links or an original tie pin. Make sure your shirt and tie coordinate and consider choosing a suit with a discreet difference, whether it be the buttons the fabric or the colour, an aspect that will differentiate you from the other applicant. Keep it small, as any major differences to the interview norm will give a negative impression to the interviewer. If you are not normally a confident person you may find it difficult to take the direct approach, but try and make the effort, it will help during the job application process. Telling yourself you deserve the job will help you remain assertive and will put you in the right frame of mind. Standing out from the crowd is not something you would normally strive for. Not many people like looking different and wouldn’t practice it, but getting a job or even a university place is dependent on someone noticing you. Therefore a few extra pointers other than your name are going to make you more memorable. If you’re the first person they think of – you’ll get the position. So be as different as you dare and you’ll be remembered for it. 46 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 47

It’s a gardeners world

here’s an old saying that everything in the garden is rosey contracts in the region,” said Alan. - and that’s certainly the case for two North East Since setting up the business in 1997 Alan has worked businessmen. Alan Capper owns Kent Design - an award- independently and Twinning landscape architecture and garden consultancy closely with LMS, on based at Westgate Road, Newcastle and John Carmichael owns urban regeneration Landscape Management Services (LMS) based at West Lane, projects including Newcastle with partner Harry Fenwick. housing, business, Alan and John have not only enjoyed individual success but in industrial parks and partnership, they won a Silver-Gilt medal for The Great North river restoration and Garden at the 2002 Chelsea Flower Show. have also designed The pair have recently returned from this year’s Chelsea Flower sporting, recreation Show where they had individual entries this time round . and leisure facilities as Alan’s garden drew particular attention at the most prestigious well as public squares date on the horticultural calendar as he managed to get and parkland. supermodel Jodie Kidd to strut her stuff on the first day of the Working on a wide range of projects leaves Alan open to many show. award successes, gaining a bronze medal for his Catwalk garden at the 2003 Chelsea Flower Show. North East people who couldn’t get to the show can still get a chance to see the garden as it is to be installed at the latest Rivergreen housing development at Consett. “The Derwent Garden Village at Consett is a perfect place to showcase the garden because it’s very contemporary and as the name suggests it has a strong sense of garden design and architectural presence,” said Alan. Alan believes that his ‘high quality design service and commitment to the North East, even though he’s a southerner’ is the reason Kent Design is a successful North East business. Success has also come readily to LMS, set up in 1993 to provide a full range of contracting services including commercial, hard and soft landscaping and domestic projects. “Working with Kent Design means we can offer a ‘one-stop’ design and build service, which means customers can choose their surrounding environment accordingly,” said John. It was in keeping with the tone of his garden, which was called John’s latest project was his Islay of Courtyard garden at this Catwalk and which Alan described as “a garden interpretation of year’s Chelsea Flower Show, inspired by his many visits to the a fashion show.” Scottish island of Islay his design combined traditional aspects of Jodie appeared in the garden wearing a £10,000 dress designed the island with contemporary landscaping ideas. by “Welsh wizard” Julien Macdonald - ensuring him maximum publicity on the day. LMS currently have a major contract with Home Housing But now it’s back to reality - and to the everyday work that keeps Association to improve the environment while also repairing the wolf from the door. fencing and carrying out renewal work at a number of locations Kent Design specialises in high quality landscaping to prestigious throughout the country. housing and commercial developments as well as traditional and “The firm now has 12 staff operating nationally carrying out contemporary private gardens. commercial and domestic landscaping which has inevitably “We have developed a strong client base and our growing raised the company’s profile as well as the North East as a reputation means we have gained some of the more prestigious region,” said John. informnorth August 2003 47August 2003 43 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 48

It’s a world which can be exciting, it’s creative and has introduced a new breed of celebrities - so why is the catering industry in trouble? Bernice Saltzer has some food for thought

ust as grey was once the new black, in staff from chefs have taken over from film stars countries such as and supermodels as the headliners in the Philippines Jthe cult of celebrity. We have sat and Kenya to find the enthralled as they’ve been paraded across standard of training they our tv screens, watching everything from require. the devilish tantrums of Gordon Ramsey to North East company Tavistock the angelic Jamie Oliver and his attempts Leisure, which owns Wearside’s to turn the unemployable into top notch 11 Tavistock Place and Tavistock at cooks. We had to go to this extreme the Grotto at Marsden near South Shields, Then we’ve the spiky-haired Gary Rhodes has used an outside agency to recruit because we simply couldn’t find and his flamboyant cooking style, the chefs de partie. people locally saintly Delia Smith who has taught us every non-nonsense technique we need to “We had to go to this extreme because we know and the lascivious Nigella Lawson simply couldn’t find people locally,“ said “ who somehow manages to turn cooking company boss Mark Hird. into foreplay. Their experience is not untypical and Need we go on? The celebrity chef has reflects a national trend. It’s estimated that flambéed, sauted and marinated their way there’s a shortfall of around 30,000 to into our hearts and turned a whole 40,000 chefs de partie across the UK with generation of other areas of catering also suffering from people into a chronic lack of recruits. ” wanna-bes. There are a number of reasons for this but Or so you would the one theory which rears its head time think. The truth of the and time again is that today’s modern matter is very different qualifications – the NVQs – simply aren’t however and despite of the same standards as the old City and the widespread Guilds. national interest It’s a suggestion that’s borne out by Joe in cooking there’s Donachy of Newcastle-based recruitment a very real shortage agency Travail Employment Group. of talented and highly The company, based at Northumberland qualified chefs. Street in Newcastle, recruits for a wide Nowhere is that more true than in the range of occupations from IT to North East where some restaurants have commercial and also supplies staff to the had to employ specialist agencies to bring catering trade. 48 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:15 pm Page 49

Mr Donachy has been in the industry for market and help to resolve the problems You’ve decided that catering is right for more than 20 years and admits that his of recruitment difficulties.” you, so where are you going to study? success is due to his long list of contacts The Employers Skills Survey highlighted a If any of the abbreviations confuse you, and the fact he is able to track down the total of 26,000 hard-to-fill vacancies in look back at the last issue of informnorth right kind of staff for his clients. hotels and restaurants with 5881 “skills where all is translated! “There certainly is a shortage,“ he said. shortage vacancies.” “All the really good ones are snapped up Some people within the industry have Derwentside College Courses include: so can pretty much command better taken matters in to their own hands, NVQ Level 1,2 & 3 in Catering & hospitality money.” setting up their own training facilities to Mr Donachy’s word echo many others in ensure that chefs perform to the standards NVQ Level 1 & 2 in Food & drink service the industry, believing that many chefs are they require. NVQ Level 1, 2 & 3 Food preparation & cooking under qualified. Senior figures in the hospitality industry Modern Apprentices in Catering & hospitality “NVQs don’t seem to produce people of have recently added their support to 01207 585 900 the same standard as the older kind of Government proposal for secondary www.derwentside.ac.uk qualifications did,“ he said. education reform in the hope that it will The shortage of good catering staff was attract youngsters to more industry-specific Hartlepool College (for further education) Courses also confirmed by Newcastle-based courses – including catering. include: employment agency Manpower which also The plan to introduce more vocationally- recruits for the industry. NVQ Level 2 in Catering based GCSEs has been well received and Consultant Louise Buzzeo said there was there is push towards a Catering and NVQ Level 3 in Catering “a shortage of chefs at all different levels.” Hospitality qualification. GNVQ/Advanced vocational certificate or education in “A lot of the time we provide catering The proposals have certainly been Hospitality & Catering staff for specific events and welcomed within the industry which is making the problem worse is 01429 295 000 hoping the new qualification will provide a the fact that rates of pay www.hartlepoolfe.ac.uk mix of practical and social skills and train aren’t always that good,“ youngsters from an early age. she said. Middlesbrough College Courses include: “Or staff Anne Walker, MD of the industry charity NVQ Level 1, 2 & 3 in Catering Springboard UK said “the hospitality industry is constantly telling us that Progression award in Food preparation and Cooking 14 to 19-year-olds do 01642 217 500 not have the www.middlesbro.ac.uk necessary Newcastle College Courses include: NVQs Level 1 & 2 in Catering and Hospitality Modern Apprenticeship National Certificate in Hospitality Supervision National Diploma in Hospitality Supervision have to go in and learn Chef’s Diploma a brand new menu in a 0191200 4000 short period of time for not a massive amount of money.” www.ncl-coll.ac.uk Again the problems of qualifications and quality rear their heads and while those Northumberland College Courses include: HNC in Hotel Catering and Institutional Management with real flair are undoubtedly snapped workplace up, others struggle to meet the demands skills to take up employment in this 01670 841 200 of a busy kitchen which require high sector.” www.northland.ac.uk standards. “The changes will provide a much-needed The situation in the North East is reflective North Tyneside College Courses include: of the picture nationwide and in fact has balance between academic and Government has even considered relaxing vocational training,“ she said. NVQ Level 1, 2 & 3 in Hospitality & catering the rules for migrants entering the UK to When Jamie Oliver took his no-hoper 0191 229 5000 fill vacancies in industries such as youngsters and tried to turn them into www.ntyneside.ac.uk catering. chefs for his restaurant 15 it appeared as A Government White Paper, Secure if he was giving them the chance of a Borders, Safe Haven was unveiled by lifetime. Tynemouth College Course include: Home Secretary David Blunkett in While that was certainly the case, the truth Food hygiene certificate February last year who said that policies is attracting these teenagers into catering NCFE in Food studies needed to be introduced “to ensure that was as much a lifeline for an industry 0191 257 8414 people who come here from abroad play which needs desperately to bring in new a full and productive part in the UK labour blood. www.tynecoll.ac.uk informnorth August 2003 49 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 50

stepping up

YOURGUIDETOCAREEROPPORTUNITIESANDSTARTINGABUSINESSINTHENORTHEAST...

First impressions can carry a lot of weight - but how do you make a good one? PATRIZIA CLARKSON from Colour Me Beautiful shares how to make a lasting one…

oing for an interview is nerve racking enough but • Avoid flashy accessories and scarves wouldn’t it be good if you knew exactly what the • Don’t wear heavy perfume interviewer thought of you from their first impressions? • Aim for understated elegance Extensive research carried out by American academics G • Wear good polished shoes that compliment your outfit shows that first impressions are made up of three factors. Appearance counts for 55% of someone’s opinion of us, this • Make sure make up is subtle and natural includes our weight, height, clothing, hairstyle and accessories. • Have clean well groomed hair, avoid big clips and extravagant Our presentation of body language, eye contact and confidence styles makes up 38% of opinion and only 7% of what we say counts for • Keep jewellery to a minimum the first impression. Looking good is the first Patrizia’s top tips for men at interviews… part to making a good • Wear the best suit you can afford, make sure it’s well pressed impression, knowing you and a good fit look good will inevitably • Choose neutral coloured shirts make you feel good and when you feel like this • Look current not trendy (unless you’re applying for a job in the you will automatically fashion industry) project confidence and • Avoid flashy ties, socks and accessories assertiveness. • Don’t wear heavy aftershave Looking your best is • Polish your shoes and make sure they are in good condition - simple - wear clothes don’t wear trainers that compliment you, your colouring and your • Keep jewellery to a minimum - remove earrings Patrizia Clarkson bodyline. Make sure you • Be clean shaven, have clean hair and if it’s long tie it back reflect your personality And finally here are some of the questions you can and your style is appropriate for the interview and pay attention to detail, nails, hair and accessories will also reflect you as a expect to be asked in a typical interview… person. • Why are you interested in this job? Interestingly it’s not always the most qualified person who gets • Why are you leaving your present job? the job, the person who sold themselves the best in the interview • Why were you made redundant? usually ends up signing the contract. Make sure when you are being interviewed you appear well organised, confident, • What experience are you proud of in your career so far? enthusiastic and very well presented. • What are you strengths and weaknesses? Within three minutes of interviewing you, the interviewer will have • Why should we hire you? made up their mind as to whether you are suitable for the job. • You seem to have little experience for this position - how will That is why it’s so important to make a good first and lasting you do the job? impression. • What are your outside interests? Patrizia’s top tips for women at interviews… Remember even if you don’t get the job it will have proved • Wear the best suit you can afford - make sure the skirt is an invaluable experience, as you will have learnt a little more on appropriate length and doesn’t ride up when you are seated how to present yourself! • Choose neutral colours Patrizia Clarkson can be contacted on 0191 384 9513. • Look current NOT trendy 50 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 51

Social Enterprise Going for it! represents North East Informnorth, the fastest growing social enterprise of its kind, has been selected as a Sick of rejection letters, failed interviews and signing leading example of effective partnering to represent the North East through Common on, Amy Drury took her career in her own hands and Purpose's UK website - created her own opportunities… www.justdosomething.net/home/skills-for- citizens.vdf where it has been positively cited as helping raise the aspirations of and awareness to those that want to either fter graduating in 2001 from a "I rang the office and arranged to meet develop themselves further or wish to set up communication studies course, with the boss the following Tuesday," said in business in an area that faces significant which typically meant she was a Amy. challenges. You can find out more about how A‘jack of all trades master of After researching as much as she could they aim to raise awareness to the none’, Amy from Heaton knew she on the Internet about the company, opportunities open to individuals and their wanted to work in public relations but her aims to promote through a unique network of reading up on PR and the techniques and lack of experience prevented her from leading partner organisations the benefits of even getting past the interview stage. finally dressing to impress Amy headed to enterprise and business development, share "I applied for 100 jobs in PR, Westgate Road. best practice and encourage and inspire communication and TV, I attended 12 "The ‘interview’ was really informal and I women entrepreneurs in the region. interviews and the other 88 were either got the impression that the job was rejection letters or I just never ever heard already mine, by writing a press release, Additional £3 Million for back from them" said the 23-year-old. using my initiative and putting myself The fact that she didn’t have any forward I had already proved the Partnership Fund experience and no one seemed willing to necessary skills to work in PR," said Amy. Small businesses and manufacturers are help her gain any meant she was in a Amy started working at the company among those the DTI is encouraging to apply catch 22 situation and was rapidly for the next round of the government's three days a week the following Monday becoming frustrated with the rut that her Partnership Fund. The £3 million to be spent degree seemed to have left her in. and the following month she was asked if over the next 3 years, was recently launched "I knew I was more than capable of she wanted to start full time. by Employment Relations Minister, Alan working effectively in communications, "I just couldn’t believe my luck, from Johnson. The Partnership Fund provides I was competent in writing and was very having no job and signing on to being a support for companies to develop projects good with people, but without the PR consultant in a matter of two months between employees and employers, often experience no one wanted to know," she through a union, to improve communications and all because I applied for a job that said. and solve problems in the workplace. wasn’t advertised," she said. After meeting a family friend who was a To date, the Fund has sponsored around 160 human resource manager at a local Amy has now been an employee with the projects and distributed just over £5 million hospital Amy was surprised to discover company for more than eight months and to develop best practice. Also recently that a staggering 77% of jobs weren’t is not only gaining vital experience but is published was an evaluation report which advertised but it got her thinking. learning more than she ever thought shows how the Partnership Fund is succeeding in addressing problems of "I went home dug out all my old public imaginable in her chosen field. relation module notes and set about absenteeism, productivity, staff turnover and "I have come a long way since my customer satisfaction levels and highlights the inventing a CV and covering letter that modules at university and realise that no no employer would be able to resist" said need to encourage more interest among matter how much you learn in classes it’s small businesses in this next round of funding. the Sunderland graduate. It was quite easy for Amy she knew she wasted unless you continue to learn in wanted to work in public relations in practice" she said. Promoting Broadband in Newcastle so she sat herself down in Amy’s particular story is not unfamiliar to front of the Internet and found all the companies, as many know they need to Region's Market Towns addresses for PR companies in the city employ someone else but time and A series of new campaigns to help businesses centre. money may prevent them from and individual users access broadband "I set my covering letter out as a press advertising the vacant position. internet services in 9 of the region's rural economies has been now launched. Internet release, included a picture of myself in "My view on the matter is that I had Service Provider (ISP) Onyx Internet is running the corner and attached my CV. nothing to lose apart from the price of a My first batch of letters went out on the campaign in conjunction with One stamp and now I’m benefiting from Friday and I sat and waited," said Amy. NorthEast and aims to help enable more On Monday morning Amy eagerly creating an opportunity more than I ever than 2,000 new businesses and people checked her emails and was surprised to thought possible," said the PR consultant. across the region to access broadband see a reply from a leading PR company before the end of the year. Different activities in Newcastle. For information you can visit: will be undertaken according to each area's "I couldn’t believe my eyes, the managing specific needs and current broadband www.informnorth.co.uk capacity. The first elements of the campaign director had e-mailed me to tell me there www.backpackers-bible.com targeted Hexham, Morpeth and Bishop was a part time position in the company www.aiesec.org Auckland, all of which are either already and she would like to meet me," she said. www.bbc.co.uk www.prospects.ac.uk broadband-enabled or will be in the near Amy was straight on the phone keen to www.campamerica.com future. The first 350 customers in each of arrange a meeting as the first glimmer of www.statravel.co.uk these communities will be able to claim both hope of working in public relations www.vonne.co.uk a free ADSL modem and a free broadband emerged. set-up. informnorth August 2003 51 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 52

Business Innovation Through Entrepreneurship (BITE)

Would you like to explore new opportunities for developing your business? Well a series of workshops, presentations and business events will be held over the next year in the North East region and all participants will be given access to specialist consultancy underpinned by virtual support.

What is BITE? How can business benefit? 3. Know who - starts 8th October. Identify who the key players are BITE is a complete business Working collaboratively through a that impact on and are impacted support toolkit, designed to guide recipe for success from the key by your organisation and use this SMEs through an objective and ingredients (below), businesses are information to evaluate and holistic review of their businesses. able to tap into workshops, expand your network to make It is delivered by an experienced conferences or bespoke in-house sure that you stay ahead of your competitors. team of staff and consultants from consultancy. the Barclays Centre for Key Ingredients of the Programme 4. Know how - starts 22nd October. Use the information and Entrepreneurship at Durham 1. Making your business techniques identified in “know Business School. The delivery and work for you - starts 3rd who” to evaluate your existing developmental processes are September. network. Have you got the key underpinned by the BITE Virtual Clarify your vision and goals, players in your phone book to Development Platform, also and identify the journey you help you achieve your business developed by the Barclays Centre need to take to get there and the aims and make your network Team. milestones you can expect along work for you? the way. 5. Putting entrepreneurship at the What service does BITE offer? 2. Making change work heart of your business - starts BITE helps SMEs step outside of for you - starts 24th September. 12th November. their organisation. Consultants Change can create many Have you got the support guide them through a business opportunities for your business. structure in place to enable review process, which allows them We will show you how to entrepreneurship to thrive and grow? We will help you to look to reflect where they are now and identify the indicators for change, anticipate what your at how your organisation can where they want to be. Together market might look like and what develop the culture, systems and they diagnose what steps are your customers will want- strategies to give you the required to fulfil their objectives. before they event know it! leading edge.

For more information contact Tony Coyle Programme Manager or Chris Harper, Durham Business School, Mill Hill Lane, Durham DH1 3LB, Tel: 0191 334 5143 (all events are 2.30pm - 5.30pm)

The Barclays Centre for Entrepreneurship

52 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 53

Informnorth’s driving success

Stephen Whittaker had a driving ambition - informnorth discovers how he turned a passion into a career!

here are many reasons why people start up their own passed his theory businesses in the North East. Some do in the hope of test in March. making money or for future security, some for the flexibility He said: "I started Stephen Whittaker Tand control afforded from being their own boss, others are to get anxious driven by circumstances and some are fulfiling lifelong ambitions. about the practical test. I lacked confidence after the test I had For Stephen Whittaker, from Easington, it was a combination of the failed when I was 18. last two. "When the examiner asked if I would like Stephen to be present In 1992, Stephen, now 39, was forced to give up his job due to when he gave me my results, my initial thought was that I had ongoing problems with his back. These problems were to prevent failed. When he said I had passed I could see the excitement on Stephen from working for the next 10 years. He said: "Throughout Stephen’s face - I was his first pupil to pass the practical test." this time I still wanted to work. However, I struggled to find a Stephen said: "I had faith in Jamie. From the beginning he had suitable job. It’s amazing how few options are open to you when been an excellent student. However, he didn’t have confidence in you have a health problem." himself, I simply told him that the driving license was his, all he had Refusing to be beaten, Stephen decided to retrain for a new career to do was go out and get it. That’s exactly what he did." and enrolled on a driving instructors training course. "I realised that "When I qualified as an Advanced Driving Instructor the thought of further training was the way for me to start a career that I would be starting up my own business was a bit daunting. I was concerned able to manage physically. Since passing my test 21 years ago, about the paperwork involved. However, Elliott has been there to I have had a passion for driving so I decided to make my career provide advice and support and will continue to support me in the doing something I loved." Stephen said. future. I couldn’t have done it without the support of BizFizz and After his course, Stephen considered his options: to work for a Easington Action Team for Jobs." national driving school, or to start up his own business. Unsure of the best route, he contacted Easington Action Team for Jobs, part of the Jobcentre Plus network. As well as offering financial support and general advice, they recommended he meet Bizfizz coach Elliott Patterson. He helped Stephen decide that his best option would be to start up on his own. Stephen said: "I had regular meetings with Elliott. We wrote a business plan and looked at sources of funding to get the business off the ground. When the bank refused my loan application, I was disheartened, but I went to see Elliott. With his encouragement, I decided not to let this put me off and we sourced other funding." On 27th January 2003, Whit’s Driving Tuition was born. Stephen said: "I was over the moon when I was able to start working again and pass on invaluable skills to other people." In February 2003, Jamie Popple, 27, Graphic Designer for informnorth magazine, heard about Whit’s Driving Tuition. Jamie, who had failed his driving test 9 years ago, said: "As Stephen had recently completed his training, I knew his knowledge and techniques would be up to date, and as he is a new local business, I decided to book some lessons. I was impressed with Stephen and amazed at how quickly he brought me up to date. We hit it off immediately." Jamie Popple After coaching from 0800 783 1904 Stephen, Jamie informnorth August 2003 53 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 54

IN THE WORKPLACE!

54 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 55

Today’s world is supposedly one of political correctness - but that’s not always the case. Ageism at work is alive and well and it could be sometime before there are changes made - as informnorth’s Joanne Baron discovers...

id you know that it is legal for asking for "young, vibrant people" or state an employer to sack an that "only mature people need apply." employee on the grounds of Age discrimination is believed to cost the Dage? It is a somewhat alarming economy billions of pounds a year - a and frightening thought that under UK law situation the Government is determined to someone can be made unemployed and put right. for no other reason than they are too old. Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia The Government is committed to Hewitt hopes that a White Paper will be Many older people try to get implanting legislation on age issue and published by the end of the year, although work but often feel has have backed the European Directive it will be 2006 before the legislation is on Equal Treatment but this may take until actually in place. humiliated and let down as 2006 to come into being. The Government insists that their aim is the rejection letters roll in, Many older people try to get work but not to force people into working for although prospective often feel humiliated and let down as the longer but to leave the decision up to the rejection letters flow in, although individual. employers rarely put age prospective employers don’t actually make There are many people who have been down as the reason for a reference to age being the reason for the affected by age discrimination and under negative response negative response. the new legislation those who feel they The Government is moving to outlaw age have a grievance will be able to file a discrimination in the workplace with new legitimate complaint. reforms and the result could be the Many older people try to get work but biggest shake-up of employment law for a often feel humiliated and let down as the generation - resulting in many changes for rejection letters roll in, although companies in the UK. prospective employers rarely put age down as the reason for a negative For jobseekers, one of the most noticeable response. differences will be the elimination of age limits in adverts. Additionally companies Even at 45, jobseeker Mark Underwood will no longer be able to word adverts knows how age can affect job informnorth August 2003 55 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 56

I recruited two individuals who were each offered ‘early retirement’ by their employers. I hired them because I knew they would bring enormous experience to the workplace and they have both proved extremely good ambassadors for Nationwide

applications: "If I place my name on a job This raises the question of why most application I am invited, on average, to employers favour a young workforce when one interview every three months. seemingly they feel we shouldn’t be an Minus the age statement I’m invited to at ageist society. least two interviews a month." "All evidence shows that an age diverse The problem is that companies want to workforce is more productive and employ the young, fresh, innovative efficient", says Andrew Smith, Secretary of workers over the more mature worker. State for Work and Pensions. We are indeed in need of a different point Of course there can be disadvantages in of view. The facts are that a young employing an older person, for example employee will bring qualifications, good there maybe a need for extra training in IT ICT skills and up-to-date knowledge. areas. Equally, though, there are However an older employee also brings to drawbacks in employing a younger the job a wealth of knowledge and life candidate as they are more likely to need experience, something often overlooked leave to start a family. by employers. A diverse workforce is proven to reduce One third of a million people between the absenteeism, have workers with high ages of 55-64 have suffered age motivation and efficiency and lower staff discrimination in employment and 31 turnover rates. million people think Britain is ageist Some companies have recognised the according to a survey compiled by Age benefits of a mixed age workforce and Concern. have been acclaimed as displaying their "We hear from many talented and skilled age positive credentials, they include BT, individuals who are unemployed in their Marks and Spencer, Nationwide, Halifax fifties. This is sometimes because of a and Barclays. slowed vision of older workers that ignores "I recruited two individuals who were each the benefits they can bring to the offered ‘early retirement’ by their workplace", says Gordon Lishman, employers. I hired them because I knew Director General Age Concern England. they would bring enormous experience to Nearly 100 per cent of all Britons believe the workplace and they have both proved age should be the least important criteria extremely good ambassadors for when recruiting new members of staff. Nationwide", says Nationwide Building 56 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 57

Many employers have already found that employing an age diverse workplace brings business benefits and savings through fostering a skilled and well-experienced workforce.

Society’s CEO Phillip Williamson. visits to their doctor and eventually require What does the new An older person may often find themselves hospitalisation. feeling humiliated, depressed and lonely "I have come across GPs not wishing to legislation mean for through being out of work and often feel offer older people therapy for their under pressure to take lower paid jobs. depression for fear of upsetting them", employers? There is four years to go before we can says Dr Marc Serfaty, Senior Lecturer at • Recruitment - should be based on take a dismissal due to ageism to a University College Medical School. skills, ability and potential tribunal so until then there needs to be a One in 20 people over 65 have been • Selection - should be based on skills positive attitude toward a diverse refused treatment while one in ten have and ability. workforce. been treated differently since turning 50. • Promotion - should be based on ability Working in later life can be a success In the NHS Plan the Government have or potential. story, it may take some time to find the acknowledged for the first time that age • Training and development - all right employer but once you do they will discrimination exists in public healthcare. employees should be encouraged to realise what a benefit to the company "NHS services will be provided, regardless take advantage of training someone some perceive to be an old of age, on the basis of clinical need opportunities. fuddy duddy can be! alone". They have, however, refused the • Redundancy selection decisions - Ageism exists in the NHS and according to need for legislation in this area. should be unbiased and based on an Age Concern survey one in six people The Government want to assure employers objective job-related criteria to ensure over 65 have been discriminated against the skills needed to help the business in healthcare or health insurance. that they also stand to profit from the new legislation and employers stand to gain are retained. Over three-quarters of GPs confirm that significant benefits from ensuring they • Retirement schemes - should be fairly age is taken into consideration before adopt non-ageist employment practices. applied, taking individual and business giving certain kinds of treatment with many needs into account. saying they are aware of upper age limits Many employers have already found that employing an age diverse workplace For more information on age in a range of services, including heart discrimination visit: bypass operations and kidney dialysis. brings business benefits and savings through fostering a skilled and well- • www.emplaw.co.uk Older patients are not given adequate experienced workforce. • Department of Trade and Industry - and proper treatment for depression, they ww.dti.gov.uk are not given access to psychotherapy due With skills shortage and a changing to the costs implications of this form of demographic situation, older workes are • Department for Works and Pensions - www.dwp.gove.uk care. One in five people over 65 suffer forming a larger proportion of the from depression and they are often left workforce and it’s time for employers to • Dedicated Government website - with no other choice than to make repeat accept this and integrate it into their www.agepositive.gov.us informnorth August 2003 57 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 58

CameraAngles

fter 21 years of helping other up his new business venture, people set up on their own, ‘camera-angles’. business banking manager Bill Camera-angles is a new concept AAllon decided to take some of his in event photography. Using the own advice and go it alone. “Starting my latest digital techniques, they can new career at 55, felt extremely produce prints if the highest liberating.” Said Mr Allon of South quality up to 9” by 6” within only Shields. a couple of minutes of having the “Many of my business customers used to picture taken. tell me they couldn’t go back to working “The customers can see the result for someone else and after experiencing on a high quality monitor on a the freedom of being my own boss, I now mobile display unit. The equipment is fully full of celebrities like Niall Quinn, Kevin know exactly how they feel.” portable and can be used anywhere, even Whatley and Denise Welsh. What’s more I After leaving the bank with a voluntary in the middle of a field!” says Bill. love playing golf myself so enjoyed redundancy package in April 2002 and So far Bill has had a lot of good feedback covering that event. I am booked to do because Bill was in his words ‘too young from the various events that he has this years event as well!” and poor’ to retire he decided that it was attended, which is mainly down to the For Bill things are going great, but has to about time to do something that he really ease and the variety of images that he can enjoyed. market vigorously to let people know that produce making camera-angles ideal to what he does exists. With no Richard Photography had been a passion of Bill’s cover anything from weddings to sports Branson type expectations for his business, for over 40 years. After looking on the days. Internet and finding the Expressphoto Bill is happy to be kept occupied doing Bill has even been creating snapshots of package he decided to talk to the the things he enjoys, being his own boss some famous faces. company who markets the product in the and hopefully somewhere down the line UK. After long consideration and talks he “The Tim Healy Charity Golf Day, that I he will be able to employ someone else to was convinced that it was a winner and set took pictures for last year was great. It was do all the late nights!

58 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 59

Budget Training Boost for Small Businesses Old is the New Young Thousands of small firms will benefit from a new initiative which has just been announced to help boost the provision of retired, caring for family or home, or training advice. The DTI's Small Business being too rich to even having to bother. Service (SBS) will work in partnership with Note that those registered as banks to provide small businesses with unemployed are not termed information on where to find the best sources of advice on business "economically inactive" because they development and training. are busy trying to find work. Confused? A working group is to look at new ways in So was I. The biggest groups making which small firms can identify their up the "economically inactive" are the learning and development needs and sick, the retired and the carers (no access the best support available. prizes for guessing correctly that this The group will then deliver a new web- based service to help SMEs get access to last category is made up mainly of the wide range of business support women). So what happens in Sweden? available and to give small firms the Are the over 50’s super fit and forcing chance to share their training experiences the young ones to care for granny? and needs and also examine how small Hardly. It is much more likely to do with firms finance their growth, exploring what different attitudes and expectations - new measures and improvements can be taken to address current market perhaps even a more responsive labour weaknesses. market which recognises the enormous advantages to be had from an age diverse workforce. Let’s hope the New Chief Appointed government’s planned anti-ageism to Lead New Cluster legislation speeds this along. A new organisation, which will represent Research from Barclays Bank confirms over 100 companies in the Region, is set once again that what it refers to as to become the voice of a local industry. "grey power" is on the increase. The Pharmaceutical and Speciality Cluster Interestingly, it discovered that what Limited, the first body of its type in the UK, has been established at RTC North in motivates different age groups to start a Sunderland with Dr Stan Higgins business changes as people get older. appointed as chief executive officer. The Achieving a better balance between Pharmaceutical and Speciality Chemical he other night I was just settling work and home-life and leisure is much industry employs around 12,000 people in down to my regular cup of more important to the over 50’s. the North East, operating in global cocoa when I decided to add a Significantly they are also far more markets and has a reliance on technology, highly skilled scientists and engineers who likely to prepare business plans & cash Tlittle frisson to my evening by compete through world class flicking through a recent copy of Labour flow forecasts, carry out market manufacturing and research. The main Market Trends (LMT). For anyone not in research and sort out pricing policy etc. aims of the cluster are to create a working the know, this publication is a very big All this of course will delight those in network between members, build deal for those who enjoy not only the the business of offering enterprise academic partnerships, assist in attracting minutiae of employment statistics but advice and support and must go some new businesses and also to attract and retain the best people within the region. who also want a better understanding way to explain the higher business of more general issues about what’s survival rates of 50+ entrepreneurs. happening in the world of work. Over the last seven years the SMEs Will Pay More For I should have known better. LMT often percentage of all professionals and makes me choke on my night time drink managers starting a business between MBAs A new survey has highlighted that MBA and regularly forces me to search for the ages of 45 and 64 has increased graduates who work for SMEs earn more something a little stronger. It seems that from 19% to 23%. On the face of it his than those employed in large never a month goes by without some might not seem like much, but it’s just organisations. The survey found that those new statistic revealing once again how the kind of heartening change that working for small firms with a turnover of those over the age of 50 are denied the sends some into a statistical whirl. £1 million - £4 million can average a opportunity to use their skills, talents Really, I must salary of £79,000 whereas MBAs working for larger employers could expect to earn and experience. And this occasion was stop getting so an average of £70,000. Overall, the no exception to the rule. I discovered excited before average wage for MBA graduates was that if you are a woman in this country, bedtime. £64,000, a 39% increase in pay on between 50-59, you are twice as likely graduation. Other findings show that to be out of work as you would be if people choose to take an MBA for a you lived in Sweden. It’s a similar story For further information contact number of reasons including to improve their prospects with their current employer for men but the difference is not quite George Courtice PRIME Regional Manager and to move into a different industry so marked. Now why should this be? sector. The vast majority said that The usual reasons given for what is Tel: 01670 772 521 achieving an MBA had given them called "economic inactivity" include [email protected] increased self-esteem and 82% felt that long-term sickness, being a student, their MBA has helped with their confidence levels. informnorth August 2003 59 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 60

It’s not that many years ago that the most important items you needed to make people aware of you business were headed notepaper and some business cards. New technology has changed all of that and those who want to get ahead need to get online - as BERNICE SALTZER discovered...

t doesn’t matter what kind of business you’re in, the truth • Information about TMB - Technology Means Business - the of the matter is that it’s virtually impossible to function in body which independently accredits advisors and this day and age without new technology. organisations that have demonstrated their ability to give IIt’s difficult to imagine what life was like in the day before high quality Information, Communication and Technology e-mail and mobile phones - and how did we ever find out (ICT) advice. information before we had the internet? The Government has become all-too aware of the fact that for businesses to prosper they need to be able to exploit all these developments to the full - hence the introduction of UK online for business. The Government has become This is a DTI-led programme that offers expert, impartial, all-too aware of the fact jargon-free advice along with information and support on the best use of technology for small and medium-sized business. that for businesses to It’s all part of the Government’s plan to get everyone in the prosper they need to be able country online in some form or another, giving them the “to exploit all these opportunity to take advantage of what the internet and technology has to offer. developments to the full - While for some this merely means giving them a new interest, hence the introduction of UK for businesses it’s an integral part of development and growth. online for business. Through UK online for business companies can get access on the use of IT (thankfully in a jargon-free manner!) through publications, information and step-by-step guidnes. The service also offers: • Compare how the UK is performing with other leading countries in the latest international benchmarking studies. • An e-business planning tool to assess their current situation. In the North East the mantle for promoting UK online for businesses has mainly fallen on the head of Business Link and • A benchmarking tool to allow companies to see how they in each area of the region their representatives are able to help measure up to similar organisations in the same sector ” up-and-coming companies tap into the resources this system both regionally and nationally. offers. • Access to case studies which show how other businesses As you will see in the case studies over the next few pages have benefited from the service. these companies are very different but all have benefited from • Information on e-commerce and its impact in their tapping in to what UK online has to offer. particular sector. Their diversity is inspiring and shows that whatever you do • Information on becoming a UK online for business partner. there is undoubtedly some way that UK online for businesses • Contact information with business advisors, of which there could help you do it better, faster and to reach a wider are around 400 nationwide. audience. 60 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 61

ardeners can find top tips at a fresh new web site from and one-to-one advice to our customers and this was an aspect a family-run garden centre. we wanted to continue through our web site. With over 25 years experience in the horticultural "Each area on the site has a member of staff assigned to it, Gindustry, Cowells garden centre is offering advice and letting visitors know that if their questions can’t be answered on guidance on every aspect of gardening through its new web screen there is someone here who can help. We tried to hit a site. balance on the site - offering information and advice, as well as Attracting garden enthusiasts nationwide, the web site was a personal service when users want it." originally set up as a different medium for marketing products The Cowells web site went live late last year and has already and services available at Cowells. received positive feedback from the Horticultural Trade The family-run business, based in Woolsington, was established Association, as well as the many customers who have used it. in 1978 and has since built a reputation for offering one of the Software and web site developers NIMIS set up the site with biggest selections of plants and garden accessories. funding from Business Link Tyne & Wear. Thirty two members of staff pride themselves not only on Margaret Falcus, Cowells’ business adviser at Business Link Tyne offering popular and unusual stock at the centre, but also on & Wear said: "Cowells set out to create a professional, clean the professional and qualified service they offer - which is now web presence with a personalised feel to it and has achieved incorporated on the web site. just that. In an industry that is becoming increasing popular, Scott Wilson, IT marketing manager said: "Although many other Cowells has placed itself highly and is reaping the rewards." garden centres have web sites and the concept is nothing new, Scott said: "We are very pleased with the quick turnaround of the introduction of the site was a big step for us. the web site. We contacted NIMIS and Business Link last May "We pride ourselves on our ability to offer a personal service and already we have a successful web site up and running."

n ethical sourcing firm that imports pottery from skilled Daniel Spelman, Something’s marketing manager, said: Indonesian craftsmen is ploughing profits back into the "We believe the climate is now correct to move ethically- very villages in which they are produced. Import and sourced products into the mainstream marketplace. There has Awholesale company Something Ltd sources hand-made been an awareness explosion over the past 10 years, and now pottery and delivers them to more than 50 stockists in the more and more customers are asking questions about the North of England, between Newcastle and Doncaster. products they purchase. Something, which trades from Washington’s Hertburn "We believe that if any customer was given the opportunity to Industrial Estate, is not a charity but a successful business decide between the same two products, same price, same with an ethical pricing policy. The company includes an ethical quality and in the same marketplace, they would choose the payment into its costing model for each product, and profits product that was ethically-sourced. from any sold goods are re-invested into welfare projects in Fred Bamber, Something Ltd’s business adviser, said: the villages where those products were produced. "The company is both very successful and very worthwhile, Sean Murphy, who has a background in Fair Trade because it also gives something back to disadvantaged villages. organisations, wanted to work with producers at grass roots "As the company’s adviser, I have given Something business development stage. He decided to set up Something Ltd and support on a number of different issues over the last few contacted Business Link Tyne & Wear for advice. months, including creating a web site and I am delighted it is He said: "We are deliberately trying to break the stereotype of doing so well. Its stockist list is growing almost daily". its existing Fair Trade movement. We are offering practical Sean Murphy has also helped to launch Epona, a Fair Trade solutions to ensure sustainable ethical trade by injecting organic sportswear range from India, which ensures factory mainstream business practices into the fair trade concept. workers are paid a good living wage and that their working "Spending time in the Indonesian villages makes you realise conditions are good. Epona is also investing in health and that these people are not waiting for charity handouts – they education products in Indian communities. simply need a consistent market for their goods at a fair price. To find out more telephone 0191 417 7771, email We have forged relationships with our suppliers in the way [email protected], or log onto www.somethingltd.com any other business would, and if by re-investing in those If you would like advice on any aspect of running a company, areas we can help to improve their quality of life, so much the please contact Business Link Tyne & Wear on: better." (0191) 516 6767. informnorth August 2003 61 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 62

ewcastle-based Saddle Skedaddle has begun to make The new website - www.skedaddle.co.uk - will soon have full a significant impact in its market place, thanks to e-commerce capabilities, with links to all business procedures Business Link Tyne & Wear. so that customers can book holidays on-line. The new back- NMeetings and discussions with one of Business Link office functionality means that both the clients and the Tyne & Wear’s newly-accredited TMB business advisers led to a business as a whole can be managed in a highly effective way. complete overhaul of Saddle Skedaddle’s web site and how it Fred Bamber, commenting on the new site, said: "Making attracts new customers. expansions to any business is much like a game of chess - you Founded in 1995 by keen cyclists Paul Snedker and Andrew always have to look three steps ahead to be successful. Straw, Saddle Skedaddle specialises in providing cycling, "This is why I looked at Paul’s entire business operation and mountain biking and multi-activity holidays. procedures before I advised him on the best methods to As the company expanded its operations - offering a wider range of trips across Europe, the US and South America - it improve the website. This approach means I was able to get a became obvious that its website needed to be enhanced to clearer perspective on the overall project and, more maximise the e-business opportunities. importantly, how it would help Saddle Skedaddle move Paul Snedker explains: "We wanted to use the website more as forward in future. a business tool and marketing channel to bring in new "I have been very impressed with the new website, which I business. To achieve this we knew it had to be as interactive think will achieve most of the objectives had originally set out and user-friendly as possible." by Paul." With aims firmly in place, Paul contacted Business Link Tyne & It is hoped the story of Saddle Skedaddle’s success will inspire Wear to get some expert advice on how to implement these other businesses to attend a major e-business event taking improvements. He was put in touch with Fred Bamber, a TMB place at the Telewest Arena on 12-13 February next year. accredited adviser, who was able to offer the required NEON 2003 will feature national and regional e-business professional guidance. solution providers to help get companies trading online and (L-R): Fred Bamber of Business Link Tyne & Wear with Paul continues: "Fred not only gave us a very straight forward benefiting from the massive opportunities offered by Paul Snedker, founder of Saddle Skedaddle. view on what he felt needed to be done with the site, he also technology. For more information call 0808 1444 511 or visit took an in-depth look at our business and processes to see www.NEON2003.co.uk which changes would be suitable for us. We took a great deal For more information about how Business Link Tyne & Wear of his advice on board, and it certainly gave us a different way can help you, please ring of looking at the project." 0191 516 6767 or visit www.businesslinktw.co.uk.

Hartlepool couple are on the road to success – after action-packed images that would appear on the wallpaper and launching their own brand of motorbike-themed soft furnishings. wallpaper. Eighteen months on and Moto X Design is now up and running A with the help of Business Link. The company is currently run Husband and wife Susan and Andrew Gaffney was frustrated operating Susan and Andrew’s home but with orders flooding by the fact that they couldn’t find any suitable wallpaper for in from France, America and Germany, as well as regional their motorcross-mad sons, Gary (13) and seven-year-old wholesalers and retailers, the search for larger premises and Reece. staff recruitment may be around the corner. So they decided to take the solution into their own hands - and Susan was first aware of the advice that Business Link could Moto X Design was born. provide when Despite warnings that there was already too much competition she attended a ‘Start Right in Business’ session earlier this in the wall coverings industry and that producing their own year. She then would be prohibitively expensive, Susan and Andrew decided to contacted Andrea Miles, a micro business adviser with Business forge ahead. Link in the Tees Valley who provided advice and support, which Susan remembered watching a tv programme about an artist would help Susan and Andrew to get their business off the who drew motorbikes and managed to track down John Allen ground. and asked him if he wanted to turn his hobby into a viable Following a very successful three-day international decor business. exhibition in Germany in January of this year, Moto X Design Andrea Miles, account manager at Business Link, Gary Gaffney and Andrew Gaffney Susan left a number of designs with John, which he turned into were able to contact manufacturers Caledonia International at of MotoX Designs 62 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 63

ete Duddy hasn’t let a "little" matter like the fact he is presents his own show on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. unable to see stop him from achieving his ambition.The "We couldn’t have ever gone on air if it hadn’t been for the 22-year-old from Wallsend has always dreamed about support of UK Online, Business Link and all our listeners." running a radio station and now, with the help of UK P John Thaw, business counsellor at Business Link and John Holt, Online and Business Link, he’s done that. personal adviser for the Morpeth area both supported Pete It was back in May when Pete - who was born with the rare eye throughout the application process. condition microphthalmia - joined forces with local councillor Mr Thaw also helped Pete apply for funding through other Kevin Thompson and applied for a restricted service license (RSL) sources, including Connect Youth International and the Alnwick so they could transmit Lionheart Radio to local villages and Market Towns initiative. towns in Northumberland. "John guided me through the entire process of setting up my During this time Pete also approached his local Business Link to trial community radio station by helping with grant applications, help with his radio project and they put him in contact with UK recruitment of volunteers etc ," said Pete. Online for Business. "Now along with the help and support of John Holt, I am set to "UK Online for Business were really helpful, they gave us a broadcast with my keen and willing team." grant so we could pay a professional broadcast consultant to help us during the RSL period," he said. For more information visit these websites: David Winterburn, a broadcast consultant, is now at Lionheart www.lionheartradio.co.uk or tune into 104.7 FM radio station providing consultancy and a management service www.ukonline.gov.uk helping the volunteers to learn more about radio. "The advice and help David has given me and the team at the For further information contact: station has proved invaluable and has given us the knowledge and confidence to apply for a full-time licence," said Pete. Stan Tatko or Graham Innes Business Link for Northumberland, Lionheart is broadcast from Northumberland Hall, Alnwick 24 Wansbeck Business Centre, hours a day and runs through most of the summer and hopes to Wansbeck Business Park, be granted another month before christmass, with the continued Ashington, support of Business Link and UK Online, the radio team now Northumberland, NE63 8QZ hope the Radio Authority will grant them a full-time licence. Tel: 01670 813322 "We’ve had so much positive feedback from our array of [email protected] (L-R) David Winterburn, Peter Duddy with Allie and Robert Pobjoy listeners, it shows it’s a worthwhile and much needed service that we are providing to the local communities," said Pete, who Fred Bamber Tyne & Wear Small Business Service Ltd Business & Innovation Centre, Sunderland Business Park East, Peterlee and production is now underway. future and we will continue to support them as they develop Sunderland, Tyne and Wear their business,"she said. The business has also been endorsed by the Auto Cycling Union SR5 2TA (ACU), which allows the ACU logo to be printed on upto 100 The company is also now expanding its market thanks to an E- Tel: 0191 516 6720 different products. The union is the governing body that SME grant, given out under UK online for business, for [email protected] provides licenses that children need to be allowed to race. redevelopment of their website and to introduce e-commerce. Gary Atkinson As Susan explains, if it hadn’t have been for their belief in the They have recently won a contract from bike giants Kawasaki, Business Link County Durham sport, they would have turned back a long time ago: "Andrew which have given them a three year contract to design and Imex Business Centre, and I are thrilled to have come this far and having sons as produce wallpaper featuring their bikes. Abbey Road, Durham enthusiastic as ours has helped!" The Start Right in Business Team is based at the Tees Valley County Durham "Although it has been tremendously hard work, the feedback Business Centre in Queens Square, Middlesbrough. To contact DH1 5JZ we have received from the exhibitions has been fantastic as our them, either call in or Telephone 01642 806666: Tel: 0191 3744000 designs are unique and we are looking forward to expanding Fax: 01642 341425 or email: [email protected] [email protected] our operations," she said. The Business Link website is at www.teesbusinesslink.co.uk. Colin Grimston Andrea Miles has also been very impressed with Susan and email: [email protected]. Business Link Tees Valley Andrew’s enthusiasm and hard work in setting up the Moto X Design and samples of the wallpaper can be viewed on 2 Queens Square company. the website at www.motoxdesigns.com or on Middlesbrough TS2 1AA "Susan and Andrew have discovered an niche in the home Tel: 01429 291067. Tel: 01642 806666 décor market and have created imaginative designs for children Contact: [email protected] aged from six to sixteen. I wish them the very best for the informnorth August 2003 63 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 64

Dear Rebecca, Thank you for the article you printed last month about working for the NHS. My third, and youngest child has just started school and I am very keen to start working again. Nursing has always been a career I have been interested in and after reading the article I decided if I was to get a job in nursing I had to do something about it. I applied and have got an interview shortly. I found it really motivational - thanks! Lillian McDonald, Durham

Dear Rebecca, o you know I was pleasantly manner that is innovative, lively, easy to I have to say I was quite angered when surprised to be stopped and asked understand and above all else, reading some of the articles featuring Dif I was the lady from the pages of informative. problems at work. Whilst I agree that the magazine that her son had been We’ve had many letters of support and workers have rights and should be bringing home? Having just turned 15 he’s would like you to keep them coming, but informed of these, I feel people now take looking at the options open to him and at the same time however, if you feel that advantage of these rights and workers are finds the magazine invaluable, which was there is something that we need to pick up seemingly filing for compensation for heartening to hear, but she also went on to on or that is missing from the magazine, whatever they can. I believe that people tell me how she had picked up the most please let us know by dropping us a line or who are genuinely discriminated against recent copy of informnorth and that by e-mailing us. should be compensated, but those who are actually, she’d found it to be invaluable We welcome constructive criticism as this is taking advantage of this are degrading too. This is born out by the number of the only way we are able to better each genuine claims. Giving column space to letters we receive and once again I’d like and every issue and therefore, help you this topic seems only to heighten the to give you our thanks for letting us know even more. So please feel free to let us demand for legal cases at work. just how much help you find informnorth. know if there is a subject you would like us Simon Nugent, Newcastle Of course, the magazine was always to cover in a forthcoming issue. aimed at a wide audience, in particular Enterprise is the name of the game for us - Dear Rebecca, those thinking about, or are about to go so if you have recently set up your own In last months edition I really enjoyed the into self employment or wanting to develop business we’d love to hear from you. We article ‘time out’ and it came at a great themselves further in their chosen field. want to know what you thought of the help time for me as I have just finished my A- That’s why we were happy to hear so many you have received - if you received any level exams and I am looking for of you find the signposting within the support that is - what you felt has helped something to do with my summer to take magazine useful as this is aimed at you most? Tell us about the ups, and also pointing readers in the right direction to my mind off them! I wish I could afford to the downs. travel the world but I’ve decided to pursue get the help needed. There are many, Once again, thankyou for all of your many organisations and support groups the other option and look for work support and remember to keep your experience. Thanks for the advice. out there and sometimes it can be a little thoughts and comments coming. overwhelming deciding which steps you Judith Bacon, Sunderland (via email) should take next. Informnorth tries to bring all of these organisations together in a Star Letter WINS... Mission Statement In conjunction with Lumley Castle each informnorth is unique in that it exists as a social enterprise partnership of private and issue informnorth awards our star letter public sector organisations working together with the third sector, including voluntary, two tickets for their medieval banquet charitable and community organisations. which gives you a four course meal, mead and wonderful period entertainment which We aim to collectively help signpost, stimulate and empower individuals to greater levels forms part of the award-winning of self-development, enterprise and entrepreneurship, publishing a freely available experience. regional magazine in order to promote and help achieve our goals and objectives. For further information please call Lumley informnorth - helping people to help themselves through enterprise, self Castle direct: 0191 389 1111 for further development and entrepreneurship. information or visit ww.lumleycastle.com (subject to availability)

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PAGES

STAR LETTER Hi Rebecca, I can’t believe how simple some of the reasons for businesses Having moved from Scotland some 13 years ago, I now live in failing are but then again, you wouldn’t normally think of them. Middlesbrough working as a hairdresser in a small salon. The Arrested Development section also really helped me by I recently read your July Issue and found the ‘25 ways to kill giving advice on what I should do as an employer with liability, your business’ feature of great use. It was really timely as I holiday pay, sickness pay and so on. This was very useful and I’ve want to open up my own salon and the article was very kept the magazine for future reference and now I’m a lot more informative. As I have already started to look for good advice I confident and more determined to succeed than ever before. I found it interesting because it seems so easy for small just really want to say how helpful the magazine has been in businesses to fail, I should know - I’ve worked in several giving no nonsense advice for me to set up in business. I would salons since my teens that have gone under due to silly like to thank you for giving me pointers on whom I need to speak mistakes and sometimes inexperience. Although it can be to and get in touch with. Many thanks and keep up the good duanting when you don’t know who to turn to first for help and work. advice and from experience I can say that the quality of advice Amanda McLaren, Middlesbrough from business start-up providers varies but good support does exist and the further contact information that was at the end of the feature was of great help and this has provided an excellent starter for me and I have read it more than once.

Dear Rebecca, I am interested in finding out how successful your gradstart initiative has been, I have just finished a three-year sports science course at Sunderland and can’t see how ‘showcasing’ graduates in the magazine will aid them in anyway. I have applied for many jobs and am pretty certain that companies would not look at your magazine and offer someone a job by reading a mere 20 words on them. Please enlighten me? John Kines, Sunderland

Dear Rebecca, I have lived in the North East all my life and after reading your article, I feel proud of my northern roots. I feel it about time we have some good luck in the region after such a troubled past. I am glad to see so many investments and greater opportunities in our region. Although Newcastle and Gateshead did not win the city of culture bid, I feel that the re-generation the cities is No matter what you want to say, if you ample enough and informnorth is a constant reminder of the have a success story to tell or wish to new opportunities we are now being given. share your experiences with others then I decided to take full advantage of the chances given to me. we’d love to hear from you. I have recently embarked on a new career following a We’re not just another business magazine, computing course, as these options weren’t available when I was a youngster. The information, which is given in informnorth, we’re aiming to work in partnership in helped immensely but at the end of the day ambition and drive making a real difference to real people. gets you where you want to be. The amount of opportunities is growing constantly and I just hope that people take advantage of this. Tel: 0191 5866010 Alison Young, Billingham

Thankyou for your many letters of support and your kind wishes. Whatever your views or comments we want to hear from you so please send all of your letters to us at the usual address. If you would like us to return any pictures or images then don’t forget to include a stamped, self addressed envelope to informnorth, 3 Windsor Corner, Cotsford Lane, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 4HR or alternatively you can call us on 0191 5866 010 or 0191 5866 040 or contact our Newcastle office on 0191 265 6967. You can visit our website at www.informnorth.co.uk

informnorth August 2003 65 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 66

Essential Business Contacts:

BUSINESS CLUBS & AGENCIES: Business Names Registration plc IR35 Helpline 0845 303 3535 Business Link Tyne & Wear 0121 643 0227 www.anewbusiness.co.uk Sunderland - 0191 516 6700 Just 4 Business www.j4b.co.uk Chartered Institute of Patent Agents Law Society Business Link County Durham 020 7405 9450 www.cipa.org.uk 01924 299 096 www.lawsociety.org.uk Durham - 0191 374 4000 Chesterlee Street & Durham City Learning & Skills Council Tyne & Wear Business Link Northumberland Enterprise Agency Team Valley, Gateshed 0191 492 6335 Northumberland - 01670 813322 contact Sue Irving Tel:0191 389 2648 Michael Heppell Ltd Business Link Tees Valley Common Purpose (North East) 01434 688 555 www.michaelheppell.com Middlesbrough - 01642 806666 Tyneside 0191 227 0390 Wearside 0191 515 3480 Nat. Minimum Wage 0845 6000 678 Business in the Community Tees Valley 01642 438439 Tyne & Wear - 0191 487 7799 New Employers' Helpline 0845 60 70 143 County Durham Business & Learning Companies House 0870 333 3636 www.companieshouse.gov.uk Newly Sef Employed Helpline Partnership - 01740 652681 08459 15 45 15 Contributions Agency County Durham Development Company 0191 220 4230 National Insurance Class 2 Helpline County Hall - 0191 383 2000 0161 475 1058 County Durham Development Company Darlington & District Business Club Durham, DH1 5UT Maggie Sanders: 01325 339 018 National Insurance Employers' Helpline 0191 383 2000 [email protected] 0800 393 539 Derwentside Industrial Group DFES Tom Baker: 01207 581333 North East Chamber of Commerce 0870 000 2288 www.dfes.gov.uk (NECC) 0191 386 1133 www.ne-chamber.co.uk Durham Business Club Christine Yule: 0191 388 4488 Department for Work and Pensions Northumbrian Water 020 7712 2171 www.dwp.gov.uk 0845 717 1100 www.nwl.co.uk East Durham Business Club Disability Rights Commission John Lawns: 0191 586 8493 Office of Fair Trading www.oft.gov.uk 08457 622 633 www.disability.qov.uk Fair Play North East One NorthEast Durham County Council Social Services www.equality-ne.co.uk 0191 261 2000 www.one northeast.co.uk 0191 384 4252 www.durham.gov.uk Hetton & Houghton Business Club Self Assessment 0845 9000 444 Julie Ramshaw or Carole Smith: East Durham Enterprise Agency (EDDA) 0191 512 1144 0191 586 3366 www.edda.co.uk Sedgefield Borough Business Service (SBBS) www.sbbs.org.uk 01325 307270 North East Assembly ENTRUST Newcastle upon Tyne - 0191 261 7388 0191 244 4000 www.entrust.co.uk Service Challenge Limited South Tyneside Business Club Government Office for the North East Sunderland - 0191 5153344 Val Mensforth: 0191 456 2425 0191 201 3300 Shildon Business Centre 01388 777 597 Sunderland Business Network HM Customs & Excise www.hmce.gov.uk Sedgefield Borough Council Jessica Trotman: 0191 537 3231 www.sedgefield.gov.uk Health a Safety Executive Tees Valley Business Club Caroline Anderson: 0870 759 8830 0191 202 6200, www.hse.gov.uk Shell LiveWIRE 0191 261 5584 www.shell-livewire.org Tyne & Wear Education Business Link Informnorth 0191 516 6166 County Durham 0191 5866 010 Small Business Service (SBS) 0845 6009 006 www.sbs.gov.uk Washington Business Forum Inland Revenue Sandra Emery or Sarah Nicklin 0345 16 15 14 www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk Stakeholder Pensions Helpline 0191 416 3040 08457 143 143 Institute of Business Advisers (IBA) The Northern Energy lnitiative (TNEI) ESSENTIAL CONTACTS: 01246 453 322 www.iba.org.uk Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration 0191 233 9300 www.tnei.org.uk Service Institute of Directors The Prince's Trust (ACAS) 0191 261 2191 www.acas.orq.uk 020 7766 8866 www.iod.com 0191 478 8488 www.princes-trust.org.uk British Franchising Association (BFA) Institute of Management Trade Partners UK 01491 578 050 www.british-franchise.orq.uk 01536 204 222, www.inst-mgt.org.uk 0191 374 4000 www.tradepartners.gov.uk British Safety Council Institute of Personnel & Development TEDCO Limited 0207 87411231 www.britishsafetycouncil.co.uk 020 897 9000 www.cipd.co.uk 0191 428 3522 British Telecommunications plc e.mail: [email protected] International Association 0800 800 800 www.bt.com of Book-Keepers UK Steel Enterprise Simon Hamilton - 01642 777777 Business Innovation Centre 01732 458 080 www.ifa.org.uk Audrey Watt, 0191 516 6145 020 8971 9000 www.cipd.co.uk Unison 0191 245 0800

66 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 67

in association with

This service is brought to you by Mill Garages, to advertise here call 0191 5866 010 today

EDUCATION: Kirkley Hall College CAREERS & TRAINING: Construction Industry Training Board Northumberland, NE20 OAQ CITB North East & Cumbria North East & Cumbria 01661 860808 Sunderland, SR5 3XJ 0191 5498346 0191 516 3900 www.citb.co.uk NEWCASTLE & DISTRICT: Head of External Relationships City of Sunderland College Connexions Tyne & Wear Education, Learning & Skills, Tyne and Wear, SR3 4AH Sunderland, 0191 490 1717 One NorthEast, Great North House 0191 511 6000 www.citysun.ac.uk www.connexions-tw.co.uk Sandyford Road, Newcastle NE1 8ND Telephone:0191 261 2000 Gateshead College Connexions County Durham www.one northeast.co.uk Tyne and Wear, NE9 5BN Durham, 0191 3831777 0191 4 900 300 www.gateshead.ac.uk www.connexions-durham.org Learning North East 0800 262 639 www.learning.org.uk Newcastle College Connexions Tees Valley Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE4 7SA Teesside, 01642 601600 COLLEGES - COUNTY DURHAM: 0191 200 4065 www.ncl-coll.ac.uk www.connexionsteesvalley.co.uk Bishop Auckland College County Durham, DL14 6JZ North Tyneside College Connexions Northumberland 01388 443000 www.bacoll.ac.uk Tyne and Wear, NE28 9NJ Northumberland, 01670 597 810 0191 229 500 www.ntyneside.ac.uk www.connexions-northumberland.org Darlington College of Technology County Durham, DL3 7BB South Tyneside College Learning Skills Council Northumberland 01325 503 030 www.darlington.ac.uk Tyne and Wear, NE34 6ET Cramlington, NE23 6XX 0191 427 3500 www.stc.ac.uk 0845 019 4185 www.lsc.gov.uk Derwentside College County Durham, DH8 5EE Tynemouth College Learning Skills Council Tyne & Wear 01207 585900 www.derwentside.ac.uk Tyne and Wear, NE29 9BZ Gateshead, NE11 OHF 0191 257 8414 www.tynecoll.ac.uk 0845 019 4181 www.lsc.gov.uk East Durham and Houghall Community College, Peterlee TEES VALLEY AREA: Learning Skills Council County Durham County Durham, SR8 1NU Bede College County Durham, DL5 6XS 0191 5182000 www.edhcc.ac.uk Tees Valley,TS23 3ER 01642 808 285 01325 372 704 www.lsc.gov.uk www.bede.ac.uk New College, Durham Learning Skills Council Tees Valley County Durham, DH1 5ES Hartlepool Sixth Form College Middlesbrough,TS2 1AA 0191 3754000 www.newdur.ac.uk Tees Valley,TS25 5PF 01429 294 444, 0845 019 4166 www.lsc.gov.uk www.hpoolsfc.ac.uk Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College NGL County Durham DL3 7AU Hartlepool College of Further Education Northumberland, 01670 597 810 01325 461315 www.qeliz.ac.uk Tees Valley,TS24 7NT 01429 295 000 www.ngl.co.uk www.hartlepoolfe.ac.uk UNIVERSITIES: BUSINESS SUPPORT: University of Durham Middlesbrough College East Durham Enterprise Zone Durham, DH1 3HP Middlesbrough,TS5 5PJ www.east-durham-ez.co.uk 0191 374 2000 www.dur.ac.uk 01642 333333 www.middlesbro.ac.uk PATHFINDER University of Northumbria at Newcastle Prior Pursglove College Alan Taylorson 0845 019 4181 Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST Cleveland,TS14 6BU [email protected] 0191 232 6002 www.northumbria.ac.uk 01287 280800 www.pursglove.ac.uk Hartlepool Borough Council University of Newcastle upon Tyne Redcar and Cleveland College Contact: Mike Emerson, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU Cleveland,TS10 1EZ Brougham Enterprise Centre, 0191 222 6000 www.ncl.ac.uk 01642 473132 www.cleveland.ac.uk Brougham Terrace, Hartlepool, TS24 ATY. 01429 867677 or e-mail Open University Stockton and Billingham College [email protected]. Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3PW of Further Education 0191 284 1611 www.open.ac.uk Billingham,TS23 2DB Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council 01642 865566 www.stockbill.ac.uk Contact: Development Department, University of Sunderland Belmont House, Rectory Lane, Sunderland, SR2 7EE Stockton Sixth Form College Guisborough, 0191 515 2000 www.sunderland.ac.uk Tees Valley,TS19 0QD, TS14 7SD.Tel 01287 612500. 01642 612611 www.stocktonsfc.ac.uk University of Teesside Royal British Legion Middlesbrough,TS1 3BA St Mary's RC Sixth Form College Loans for ex-service people setting up in 01642 218 121 www.tees.ac.uk Middlesbrough,TS4 3JP business, contact: 87 Bentick Road, Newcastle 01642 814680 www.stmarys-sfc.ac.uk Upon Tyne, NE4 6UX.Tel 0191 273 3619 COLLEGES - NORTHUMBERLAND: Northumberland College Teesside Tertiary College The Experience Corps Northumberland, NE63 9RG Middlesbrough,TS4 3RX 180 New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, 01670 841 200 www.northland.ac.uk 01642 275000 www.ttc.ac.uk NE1 2TE 0191 230 2652. informnorth August 2003 67 x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 68

Self Development Colleges & Courses

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Essential Community Contacts:

EMPLOYMENT ACTION TEAMS: Gateshead College, Newcastle College, Newcastle upon Tyne, Chester le Street, DH3 3DY Gateshead, NE9 5BN, 0191 490 0388 NE4 7SA, 0191 200 4000 Call Sue Hannan 0191 389 0555, [email protected] Gateshead Talmudical College, Newcastle upon Tyne City Council, Gateshead, NE8 1UB, 0191 477 2616 Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 4EB, 0191 2860077 Easington, SR8 4NU Call Kate Welch, 0191 518 3052, Hartlepool Sixth Form College, North Cumbria Technology College, [email protected] Hartlepool,TS25 5PF, 01429 265400 or 294444 Carlisle, CA1 3SL, 01228 607507 Hartlepool, TS26 9HN Houghall College Estate Workshops, North Lakes School, Call Annette Harrison 01429 890 990, Durham, DH1 3SN, 0191 384 8511 Penrith, CA11 8NU, 01768 242150 [email protected] North Tyneside College, Northallerton College, Northallerton, Newcastle, NE15 6UN Wallsend, NE28 9NJ, 0191 229 5000 DL6 1DD, 01609 777550 Call Bernard Rossi 0191 274 5449, [email protected] Northumberland College, Northumberland County Council, Ashington Campus - College Road, Cramlington, NE23 6BW, 01670 716353 South Tyneside, NE33 1RF Ashington, 01670 841 200 Call 0191 427 4570, Kirkley Hall Campus - Ponteland 01670 841 200 Northumberland County Council, [email protected] Amble Centre - Bridge St,Amble 01665 712 900 Hexham, NE46 1BU, 01434 602533 Stockton, TS23 4EA Berwick Centre - Spittal, Berwick 01289 302 446 Northumberland County Council, Call Carol Daniell, 01642) 343 409, Blyth Centre - Bridge St. Blyth 01670 540 977 Hexham, NE47 9PS, 01434 683214 [email protected] South Tyneside College, Oakfield College, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, SR5 4PT South Shields, NE34 6ET, 0191 4273 NE4 8XJ, 0191 2735558 Call Paul Baker 0191 519 3768, [email protected] St Mary's R C Sixth Form College, Oakleigh Gardens School, Sunderland, Middlesbrough,TS4 3JP,01642 814680 SR6 7PT, 0191 5362590 Wansbeck, NE63 8QZ Call Lesley Morgan, 01670 817 746, University College Durham, Old School House, [email protected] Durham, DH1 3RW, 0191 374 3863 Whitby,YO22 4ST, 01947 880723 JOBCENTRE N-E DISTRICT OFFICES Askham Bryan College, Bedale, Prior Pursglove College, County Durham DL8 2EA, 01677 422344 Guisborough,TS14 6BU, 01642 280 800 District Manager, Dick Sedgwick. Bede College, Telephone 0191 3824093 Prudhoe Community High School, Billingham,TS23 3ER, 01642 561444 Prudhoe, NE42 5LJ, 01661 832486 Gateshead and South Tyneside: District Manager, Dave Peebles. City of Sunderland, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Telephone 0191 4514100 Sunderland, SR5 2QB, 0191 5535200 Darlington, DL3 7AU, 01325 461315 Newcastle and North Tyneside: Cleveland College of Art and Design Ravenstonedale School, Kirkby Stephen, District Manager, Fred Foster. Middlesbrough,TS5 7RJ CA17 4NQ, 015396 23670 Telephone 0191 220 8800 01642 288000, www.ccad.ac.uk Ravenswood Road Youth Club, Northumberland: Newcastle upon Tyne,NE6 5TU, 0191 2659599 District Manager Graeme Wallace. Cleveland Tertiary College, Telephone 01670 395 300 Redcar,TS10 1EZ, 01642 473132 Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Redcar,TS10 4AB, 01642 289211 Sunderland District: Cumbria College of Art & Design, District Manager, Margaret Moor. Carlisle, CA3 9AY, 01228 400 Sedgefield Community College, Telephone 0191 554 6300 Stockton-on-Tees,TS21 3DD, 01740 620288 Darlington Borough Council, Tees Valley District: Darlington, DL3 6EX, 01325 251006 Sedgefield Community College, District Manager, Steve Davidson. Stockton-on-Tees,TS21 3DD, 01740 621097 Telephone 01642 398 800 Darlington College of Technology, Darlington, DL3 7BB, 01325 503050 Sheila Bruce Community Arts, COLLEGES & COMMUNITY LINKS: Hartlepool,TS26 8LX, 01429 264976 Askham Bryan College, Durham County Council, Guisborough,TS14 6AX 01287 633870 Durham, DH6 3NR, 01429 820333 Shotton Hall Comprehensive School, Peterlee, SR8 1NX, 0191 5862580 Bishop Auckland College East Durham & Houghall Community Bishop Auckland, DL14 6JZ, 01388 443000 College, Seaham, SR7 7DT, 0191 5133000 Sneaton Castle Community Centre, Whitby,YO21 3QN, 01947 602079 Bishop Auckland College Hartlepool Borough Council, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6JZ, 01388 443000 Hartlepool,TS24 9SD, 01429 273532 South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council, Hebburn, NE31 2PG, County Durham Learning, Hartlepool Sixth Form College, 0191 4202588 Durham, DL14 6JZ, 01388 443 078 Hartlepool,TS26 0EL, 01429 294466 Southfield Technology College, Durham Agricultural & Horticultural College, Middlesbrough Borough Council, Workington, CA14 5BH, 01900 325260 Durham, DH1 3SG, 0191 3861351 Middlesbrough,TS4 3QH, 01642 317350 St Chad's Community Project & Family East Durham Community College, Middlesbrough College, Middlesbrough, Resource Centre, Seaham, SR7 7HQ, 0191 5130063 TS5 5PJ, 01642 333333 Gateshead, NE8 4QL, 0191 4430033

72 August 2003 informnorth x22418_informnorth_p2_jb 21/6/05 1:16 pm Page 73

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Stockton & Billingham College, Newcastle Business School, informnorth, 07932 655 758 of Further Education, Stockton-on-Tees, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, 0191 2326002 TS18 4QA, 01642 865 400 TYNE & WEAR St Cloud State University Centre For North Tyneside Voluntary Organisations Stockton Borough Council, British Studies, Development Agency Stockton-on-Tees,TS19 9LF, 01642 892004 Alnwick, NE66 1NQ, 01665 604293 Ruth Tomkiss-Cameron, 0191 2005790 Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, St Johns College, Newcastle CVS Stockton-on-Tees,TS16 0BE, 01642 391816 Durham, DH1 3RJ, 0191 3743579 Ms Carole Howells, 0191 2327445 Teesside Tertiary College, Teikyo University of Japan in Durham, Gateshead Voluntary Organisations Middlesbrough,TS4 3RZ, 01642 275 Durham, DH1 3YD, 0191 3741269 Council The Dene School Youth Club, The Open University, Ms Pauline Nelson, 0191 4784103 Stockton-on-Tees,TS17 9DF, 01642 614141 Middlesbrough,TS5 5NT, 01642 816227 The Gillford Centre, South Tyneside CVS The Open University, Ms Allyson Stewart, 0191 4569551 Carlisle, CA2 4JE, 01228 606955 Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3PW, The John Marley Centre, 0191 2841611 South Tyneside Resource for Initiating Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6TT. 0191 200 4735 The Union Society, Development of the Economy Ms Julie Betteridge, 0191 4556680 The Learning Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB, 0191 2328402 South Shields, NE34 6ET, 0191 4273649 Sunderland CVS University Durham Stockton Campus, Mary Baker, 01915651566 Learning North East, Stockton-on-Tees,TS17 6BH, 01642 618020 0800 26 26 39, www.learning.org.uk Durham Rural Community Council University of Durham, The Macmillan College, Ms Mandy Ker, 01207 529621 Durham, DH1 3LE, 0191 3742222 Middlesbrough,TS5 4YU, 01642 244144 Chester-le-Street CVS University of Durham Graduate Society, Tynemouth College, Belinda Lowis, 0191 3891960 Durham, DH1 2SY, 0191 386 4595 North Shields, NE29 9BZ, 0191 2578414 East Durham Development Agency University of Leeds, Middlesbrough, Ullswater Community College, 0191 586 3366, [email protected] Penrith, CA11 8NG, 01768 242160 TS5 5NT, 01642 814987 Derwentside CVS University of Newcastle upon Tyne, University of Sunderland, Tel:01207 218855 Sunderland, SR6 0DD, 0191 5152311 Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, 0191 222 7474 Wear Valley Volunteer Walbottle Campus Technology College, Development Agency Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 9TP,0191 2678221 University of Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4BB, 0191 285 3134 Ms Michelle Armstrong, 01388 762220 West Cumbria College, Workington, CA14 4PQ, 01946 830 427 University of Northumbria at Newcastle, TEESSIDE Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, 0191 232 6002 Whitby Community College, Teesside CVS Whitby,YO21 1LA, 01947 602 406 University of Sunderland, Mr Bernard Storey, 01642 240651 Sunderland, SR1 3SD, 0191 515 2000 Working Word Project, Tees Valley Rural Community Council Middlesbrough,TS1 4NU, 01642 231012 University of Teesside, Middlesbrough,TS1 Mr John Jewitt, 01642 213852 3BA, 01642 218 121 Workington Sixth Form Centre, Hartlepool Voluntary Development Agency Workington, CA14 3SE, 01900 325265 University Police Office, Mr Peter Gowland, 01429 262641 Durham, DH1 3RL, 0191 3742090 Yorkshire Coast College of Further & Stockton Voluntary Development Agency Higher Education, Informnorth, David Smith, 01642 391363 Whitby,YO22 4ET, 0194 7821 405 County Durham 0191 5866 010 Middlesbrough CVS Dove Marine Laboratory, NORTHUMBERLAND Ms Trisha Brady, 01642 225158 North Shields, NE30 4PZ, 0191 252 4850 Community Council of Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Northumberland Agency Mr Martin Harvey, 01642 440571 Ecology Centre, Mr David Francis, 01670 517178 Sunderland, SR1 3SD, 0191 5152533 CAREERS IN THE ARMED FORCES Blyth Valley CVS Army Careers,Teesside & County Durham Grey College, Durham, DH1 3LG, 0191 3742 Ms Pauline Blake, 01670 353623 Major David Attwood, 01748 872092 Hatfield College, Wansbeck CVS Army Careers Information Sunderland Durham, DH1 3RQ, 0191 3743163 Ms Sheila McGuckin, 01670 816751 0191 565 0542 New College, Tynedale Voluntary Action Army Careers Information Newcastle Durham, Durham, DH1 4SY, 0191 3754547 Mr Mike Coleman, 01434 601201 0191 232 2306

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Inspiring leaders with a COMMON inspirationPURPOSE

ringing together leaders of all How did it all start for me? programme, I realise how wrong I had ages, backgrounds and sectors to been. Now that I understand the explore common interests, I was the store manager of Marks and complexity of these issues, I now sit with collective purposes and new Spencer Newcastle, which is one of the not all the answers but more questions B biggest stores in the business. The critical opportunities that’s what Common and a hunger to listen and learn more. part of my role was to develop the team Purpose achieves and is based on the The best prize for me has been meeting belief that leadership is the around me and continue my own personal development in my fellow participants. I have learnt so key component in the much from them just by listening and success of our towns, cities order to progress my career. watching the different leadership styles and regions. The goal is to One thing I was very conscious and the ways in which they do things in help people in leadership of was that my career had all their organisations. This has convinced me and decision-making been with the one company, that there is more than one way out there positions to be more working with the same type of effective in their own people with the same to do things! organisations, in the motivation for the job. In order Back at the work place, the programme community and more able to do my job better, I wanted to has enabled me to explore people’s ideas to contribute in society as a expand my thinking and have further and examine different options of whole. The program provides an exposure to different styles of leadership. doing things rather than just jumping in to invaluable insight into decision making, Another objective on my development take the same safe route I may have done highlighting many of the aspects that plan was to learn more about the in the past. shape our communities and the region as environment and issues that surround me Just recently I have been selected to start a whole and the challenges that we face in my work and private life. a new project for the business. I am going and the process and policies that govern to be the new store manager of the first us. Marks and Spencer Lifestore, which luckily Common Purpose is a campaigning is going to be in Gateshead. This new organisation for leaders that has been position requires the skill of thinking running for over 14 years that started as a The best prize for me has differently about how we do things now pilot in 1989 with just four staff, a small and a greater awareness of the area in office and a big idea. been meeting my fellow which we will be trading. There is no Since then, more than 60,000 people participants. I have learnt so doubt that my Common Purpose have been involved in Common Purpose much from them. experience was the main driver in me and over 15,000 people from the private, “ being given this new role, and I am public and voluntary sectors have completed one or more of Common delighted to have the acknowledgement that my performance as a leader has Purpose’s programmes. The organisation Fortunately, my line manager had been a has 40 offices in the UK and an graduate of Common Purpose and as I improved significantly as a result of increasing number beyond the UK described what I needed, he was able to Common Purpose. including Sweden, The Netherlands, give me a quick short answer: COMMON Common Purpose is an independent, Germany and South Africa. PURPOSE. educational organisation, which aims to The programme led me” through 12 days Barbara Heslop is the store manager for improve the way society works. Common of varied subjects from prison life, Gatehead Metro Centre Marks and Purpose operates throughout the UK and education, health and many more areas Spencer Lifestore. She has worked for world-wide in Ireland, Germany, Sweden of interest that affect our daily lives. and South Africa. Common Purpose has 3 Marks and Spencer for 22 years starting It has been fascinating to see these issues offices in the North East, covering the as a sales assistant and working her way through other people’s eyes. I have to up and across various management admit I had sat many times with my friends Tyne, Wear and Tees area. For more positions including divisional training discussing the problems of the world, information, please contact Mary Coyle manager and store manager. thinking I had all the answers. Now that I on 0191 227 0390 (Newcastle Office) or have been on a Common Purpose log on to www.commonpurpose.org.uk informnorth mission statement: levels of self-development, enterprise and entrepreneurship within the North East, publishing a freely available regional magazine in order to promote and help informnorth is unique in that it exists as a social enterprise partnership of private and public sector organisations working together with the third sector, including achieve our goals and objectives. voluntary, charitable and community organisations. informnorth - helping people to help themselves through We aim to collectively help signpost, stimulate and empower individuals to greater entrepreneurship, enterprise and self development

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