Tag Archive for: Support

Support your employees with their mental health

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Support your employees with their mental health: Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is calling for organisations to become ambassadors and participate in its Mental Health First Aider training programme. As part of the charity’s health and wellbeing focus the programme aims to put more Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace.

One in four people experience mental health problems which is the biggest contributor to ill health and is consistent with the people who come to us for support.

Support your employees with their mental health

Support your employees with their mental health

Perennial’s Health & Wellbeing Survey (2021) found that mental wellbeing was among the biggest perceived challenges for people working in horticulture. 85% of people’s mental wellbeing was poor or below average and 26% of people listed depression, anxiety, and stress as critical issues. A further 22% said they did not recognise when they were unable to cope or how to deal with these circumstances.

A significant culture change around mental health is needed across the horticultural community. Organisations need to be committed to raising awareness about mental wellbeing and supporting their employees with their mental health. We want people to have an in depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing, the practical skills to spot the signs and symptoms and to have the confidence to step in, reassure and support their colleagues.

We are looking for employers with over 20 employees who proactively want to increase their team’s mental health and wellbeing to join our pilot training programme. Perennial’s training is delivered in partnership with Mental Health First Aid England:

An in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing.

Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of a range of mental health issues.

Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress.

Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening.

Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support.

An understanding of how to keep themselves safe while performing their duties.

Resources include – A reference card for the Mental Health First Aid action plan and the Line Managers’ Resource, an invaluable source of advice on how to support an employee experiencing mental ill health.

Places are still available for our next training course on the 30th November to 1st December and we are running courses throughout 2023, to find out more about, please contact Helen Waddington, Email hwaddington@perennial.org.uk.

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Worldwide support for SALTEX

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Worldwide support for SALTEX: SALTEX, Europe’s largest FREE sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition, proves Britain’s exhibition scene is back to pre-Covid levels with international exhibitors and visitors from over 40 countries now signed up to attend.

Such overwhelming overseas support with 12 weeks to go before the show opens its doors on 2 November shows the strength of this event, now in its 76th year, and it’s a great indication that Britain is back to being fully open for business as exhibitors and visitors travel to the event from as far afield as Australia.

Worldwide support for SALTEX

Worldwide support for SALTEX

But what is it about SALTEX that is generating such international interest? Francesco Dotto, president of GrAssMed, the Mediterranean Groundsman Association, tweeted: “[SALTEX] is the most important green fair in Europe, for real professionals, but also for those who to approach sustainable and serious green.” He refers to, of course, the show’s focus on sustainability and the environment, key topics at this year’s show featuring prominently in the Learning LIVE seminars, with the show bringing together the best in the business from around the world and the most effective products and innovations to help tackle current issues.

This is certainly a view shared by SGL, manufacturers of grass growth products such as grow lighting systems and data monitoring tools, based in The Netherlands – and just one of many international businesses exhibiting at this year’s show. Derk Pelle, content marketeer at SGL, confirms the reason they attend is because “SALTEX is an inspiring, international event where turf professionals come together to exchange knowledge and learn about the latest innovations in the industry and engage with turf professionals face-to-face.”

Matthew Williams, national account manager UK and Ireland at Compo-Expert, said: “European visitors come to SALTEX because they recognise it as the best golf and groundsmanship event in Europe.”

The International Greenkeepers Association will again have a presence at SALTEX with members from around the world registering to visit. Among these is Daryl Davidson, head groundsman at Sydney University, who is excited to be making the journey: “This is a great opportunity to catch up with a heap of new and old friends from our great industry,” it was he says, “an easy decision to jump on board”.

And it’s not just international exhibitors who are signed up for the show, overseas visitors’ enthusiasm for SALTEX is at an all-time high too. Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association, says: “There promises to be a diverse visitor profile this year, we know there are visitors from over 26 countries already. We had a good show last year with our post-show visitor survey, showing that 83 percent of attendees rated SALTEX 2021 overall as excellent, very good or good, and 67 percent of those saying they attended specifically to purchase new products or services, and 84 percent either had full purchasing responsibility or contributed to the process. These are great stats, but we knew that it was post pandemic and people were longing to get out and meet up again but to continue this momentum is really encouraging.”

For visitors keen to confirm their attendance at this show which is promising to be its biggest and best yet, find out more about SALTEX 2022 and register online at www.saltex.org.uk

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Horticulture specialist pledges armed forces support

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Horticulture specialist pledges armed forces support: The Nurture Group signs Armed Forces Covenant as part of the nation’s promise to support current and former service personnel and their families. 

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation to those who serve. It says we will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives. This includes offering injured servicemen and women and bereaved families extra support where appropriate.

Horticulture specialist pledges armed forces support

Horticulture specialist pledges armed forces support

Gavin Jones, part of The Nurture Group, has a longstanding history of maintaining a wide variety of MOD sites and recently commenced a seven-year working relationship with the VIVO Defence partnership at the start of the year.

Consequently, the Group has cemented its commitment to its ongoing support of veterans and their loved ones, alongside existing team members who give their time voluntary to cadet operations as part of the Reserve Forces, and actively championing awareness activities such as Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day.

Already a Real Living Wage Employer, The Nurture Group is now eligible for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award, recognising employers that are aligned with the Covenant’s own core values. The ERS also encourages employers to support defence and inspire other organisations to do the same.

Simon Harrison, Head of People at Nurture Group, commented: “As an ex-serviceman, signing the Armed Forces Covenant is something I personally am very passionate about, and I am delighted and proud to be driving initiatives and pledging our wider support to those who give so much to our country. We are currently planning activities to further our work with the armed forces community, with ex- service personnel within our organisation keen to take a leading role and support.”

Further information about Gavin Jones and The Nurture Group can be accessed at www.nurture-group.co.uk.

For more about the Armed Forces Covenant, visit www.gov.uk/government/policies/armed-forces-covenant.

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Toro to Support The R&A Women

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Toro to Support The R&A Women: The Toro Company announces its support of The R&A Women in Golf Charter by becoming a signatory of the industry-wide initiative. According to The R&A, the Women in Golf Charter aims to create a more inclusive golf culture by enabling more women and girls to realise their potential at all levels of the sport.

To achieve this, the Charter requires the support and participation of other national golf federations, businesses and organisations, like Toro — who is a trusted leader in golf grounds maintenance equipment and irrigation solutions with a global presence in more than 125 countries.

Toro to Support The R&A Women

Toro to Support The R&A Women

As a proud supporter of the Women in Golf Charter and also a founding partner of The R&A’s new community golf facility at Lethamhill in Glasgow, Scotland, Toro will be providing annual apprenticeships to women and minorities to encourage further career development and diversity in the golf industry.

“We have built a legacy of giving back by actively leveraging our expertise, resources and business partnerships to increase interest and engagement in the golf industry, specifically among women and girls,” stated Judson McNeil, President, The Toro Company Foundation. “Furthering our efforts through official support of The R&A Women in Golf Charter reinforces the ongoing commitment to bringing more diversity to the game of golf.”

Toro’s commitment to the Women in Golf Charter isn’t its only inclusion initiative. Toro has served as preferred supplier and partner to First Tee since 1998. During the 24-year partnership, Toro has supported girls’ access to careers in the golf industry, STEM educational programs and Grow the Game Grants focused on expanding diversity in the game of golf by the inclusion of more girls. And as the official partner of the ANNIKA Foundation’s “Share My Passion” golf clinic, Toro is helping to introduce young girls to the game of golf and support the Foundation’s goal of developing women’s golf around the world.

Additionally, the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award — hosted in partnership with Reesink Turfcare, sole Toro distributor in the UK for golf and sports fields equipment, and the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) — celebrates the next generation of talented and dedicated greenskeepers. In 2021, Toro was excited to recognise Rhian Barton of The Wisley Golf Club. She was the first woman to win the prestigious award.

Beyond external initiatives, Toro has also established the Women’s Initiative Network to create, promote and support a culture of equality and inclusiveness for women across all business functions within the company.

For more information on Toro equipment and irrigation products for the golf industry worldwide, please visit toro.com/golf.

About The Toro Company

With roots dating back to 1914, Toro is a leading worldwide provider of innovative solutions for the outdoor environment, including turf and landscape maintenance, snow management, rental and construction equipment, and irrigation solutions. Through a strong network of distributors, dealers, retailers and rental stores in more than 125 countries, Toro helps customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, construction sites and agricultural operations. More at: www.toro.com.

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Kress dealers support in Ireland

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Kress dealers support in Ireland: Positec UK & Ireland has taken the decision to streamline the route to market for its desirable range of Kress products, by working directly with its dealer network across the island of Ireland.

Newly appointed Kress Brand and Business Manager, Gary Tully says; “We have an excellent, established dealer network across Ireland and this new and more efficient structure will help us all to fully maximise the distribution of the exciting range of Kress mowers and power tools”.

Kress dealers support in Ireland

Kress dealers support in Ireland

Tully adds, “Demand for Kress products has outstripped supply over the last 2 years and we are keen to ensure that stock availability in Ireland meets demand in the future. During April we will make contact with each dealer to communicate our plans in detail”.

Kress’s advanced battery technology provides the most powerful and durable range of outdoor green power tools available on the market, extending from the Mission range of robotic mowers, to 20V and 60V grass and hedge trimmers, blowers, chainsaws and more.

Kress batteries are high quality lithium-ion, designed for demanding jobs and with a range of functions that offer seamless, high-power operation for as long as it is needed.

The Kress 60V range is therefore also particularly ideal for Landscapers, Commercial contractors, Sports Clubs and Landowners looking to reduce emissions, fuel and the operating costs to manage sports pitches, lawns and large grounds.

With annual growth that has reached tenfold, robotic mowers are becoming ever more popular with businesses and homeowners. However, their basic design had not changed significantly since they were invented in 1995, until now. Kress believes robotic mowers should do more than relieve users of the burden of pushing a mower each week and the Kress robot mower range has been designed from the ground up, featuring a raft of innovative technologies, that will set the industry standards for the coming years. This exciting new Kress Mission range of lawn management products, is packed with innovative technology to take robotic mowing to the next level.

As well as saving both time and cost, Kress Mission robotic mowers are also enabled to take autonomous decisions to protect and enhance the health of turf through innovative technology:

  • Intelligent Navigation Technology Inbound Variable Angle. Kress Mission’s INTIVA enabled mowers optimize their mowing, getting the job done faster and more efficiently, with less wear. Conversely, other robotic mowers stop, reverse, stop, and eventually turn, without being aware of which direction is best. Not only does this waste time, it wears the lawn along the borders and especially the corners.
  • Kress’ ultrasonic Obstacle Avoidance System, is years ahead of the competition. Not only does the OAS avoid collisions, it tells the mower how to best navigate complex paths, such as through a group of trees in the lawn.
  • Climate intelligence. Temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation all affect grass growth. Connected to a network of local weather stations, Mission robots autonomously customize their work schedule accordingly.
  • Climate friendly. Kress REGEN (regenerative brake system) technology recharges the battery when the mower is running downhill, increasing the runtime and reducing charging time and costs.
  • Blade design. Designing a robotic lawn mower around the grass does not mean neglecting users’ needs. The biggest complaint robotic lawnmower owners have is still manually trimming borders. The Kress Mission blade design is offset to mow the perimeter of the lawn as closely as possible.
  • The charging station has also been re-thought from scratch. Unlike conventional charging stations which sit on large plastic pads, both unpleasant to the eye and killing the grass underneath, the pad of Mission’s base is the grass.

Not to mention an App to control the mower remotely, multi-Zone programming, a rain sensor and grass-friendly charging, the Mission family ranges from the mini Nano to the Kress Mega Mower, offering powerful mowing capacity from 1 square metre up to an incredible 6,500 square metres.

Tony Macer National Sales Manager for Kress says: “In order to provide a better and more efficient service to both dealers and consumers, we have streamlined the supply chain to improve dealer support and get closer to our customers. With exciting new Kress products streaming onto the market, we want our valued dealers across the island of Ireland to enjoy the same benefits and margins as the rest of the UK & Europe”.

Tony adds: “With industry leading mowing power, all of our lawnmowers perform exceptionally in Irish grass conditions, wet or dry. The power tools in the 60v range are comparable to petrol. Kress and its products offer a real opportunity for dealers in Ireland to futureproof their business and evolve into the sustainable robotic and battery sectors, supported by a new, efficient and profitable structure”.

Established over 50 years ago, Positec owned brand, Kress, is World number 2 in robotic mower sales, with a culture of innovation, high quality engineering and patented technology, all at a very competitive price point, supported by a 3 year warranty, excellent aftersales service and dealer support. Accentuated through the latest Kress range of zero emission, high power battery products, Kress is proud to hold the WWF platinum award for sustainability.

Please contact Gary Tully today to see how you can evolve and grow with Kress.

Contact details:

Gary Tully, Kress Brand & Business Manager – ROI and NI

Positec UK & Ireland Ltd

Mobile: +44 (0) 7432 202 872

Email:    gary.tully@positecgroup.com

For all other UK enquiries or to become a Kress Dealer, please contact: Tony.Macer@positecgroup.com

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