A host of local companies have donated over £28,000 to help those hardest hit this winter during the cost-of-living crisis. Derby Homes set a target of raising enough money to buy 500 slow cookers, 500 air fryers and 500 electric blankets/throws. Their contractors and suppliers have responded generously with contributions already received from Buildbase, ARCUS Consulting, EEM, Nationwide Windows, Eurocell, Marley, Buxton Decorators, SPK Contractors, JAL Roofing, Vaillant Group, Bell Group and Westville Group. Derby City Council Local Area Coordinators are working closely with Community Action Derby and Food 4 Thought Alliance, who are organising delivery to residents across the city. One of the first residents to receive a heated blanket was hugely appreciative of the gesture. The elderly gentleman from Derby has a number of physical health conditions which limit his mobility. Due to the cost-of-living crisis he’s not been able to afford to put his heating on and has had to sit in the dark after running out of credit on several occasions. He wanted to remain anonymous but did say: “I’ve been struggling for weeks, the cost of living is having a huge impact on me every day. “I’m reluctant to ask for help but having spoken to Community Action Derby I realised I could get some help. They helped me apply for the Household Support Fund vouchers. “I’ve now been able to buy food from Sainsburys and top up my electricity. I can’t remember the last time I ate three meals in a day. “Having used the blanket for the first time last night I can’t tell you how it was. It actually made me feel human.” Derby Homes chair Mike Ainsley said: “It has been a difficult few years for us all, however 2022 remains an anxious time as the country begins to see the growing cost of living pressures. “As a collective group we are doing everything we can to help residents through the crisis. There’s still time for local firms to get involved too to help the cause. “Heating an individual by using the blankets can save people hundreds off their energy bill when compared to solely relying on central heating. We hope they can make a real difference. “Likewise, alternative cooking appliances such as slow cookers and air-fryers can be a cheaper way of heating food than traditional electric or gas ovens, especially for smaller meals. “The amount of energy home appliances use varies massively. Using a slow cooker, for example, for eight hours costs around 44p (1.30kWh), which is a big reduction compared to when using an electric oven (which uses around 3.04kWh costing £1.03). “Meanwhile it costs 3.5pence per hour for a heated throw on full power compared to 70pence per hour for a 2kw electric fan heater. “The items will be handed out to the most vulnerable, to the people who will benefit from them most. This includes elderly people, or those with specific medical conditions which make them immobile, very unwell, or feel cold.” Councillor Roy Webb, cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone, and the rollout of these appliances will go some way to reducing the financial pressure on our most vulnerable residents. “A full raft of cost-of-living support is available to help people struggling with the rising cost of energy, food and bills, which can be found at https://www.communityactionderby.org.uk/crisis-support/help-with-the-cost-of-living.”

Businesses in the UK are being urged to share the challenges they expect to face over the next 12 months in the third annual SME Business Survey. The study, originally launched by Northants human resources experts HR Solutions in the midst of the pandemic in 2020, is live now for 2022 and is open to all small and medium sized enterprises and focuses on key issues such as the impact of rising costs, and employee retention. This is the third year that HR Solutions have run the survey, which they use to gain a deeper understanding of the year ahead and discover how SMEs plan to navigate the changing business climate. Chief Executive of HR Solutions, Greg Guilford, said: “The past three years that we have carried out our survey, have arguably been three of the most challenging years for SMEs for some time. “Last year’s survey found that SMEs were keen to manage their costs more effectively whilst also highlighting that recruitment was set to be a serious challenge. The survey allows us to do a ‘stock take’ on key trends for SMEs, and reflect on how the market is changing. “It also gives us the opportunity to support those enterprises that really need the extra help. In response to the challenges identified in the 2021/22 survey, we worked with a number of SME partners to deliver further guidance and support in key areas including business finance, employee retention and recruitment using webinars, seminars and detailed support packages.” Last year’s findings showed many SMEs were struggling with employee retention so HR Solutions teamed up with Vestd to discuss The Great Resignation and whether share and share option schemes could be the answer. Another webinar showed key ways to secure top performing employees within a challenging recruitment market. The 2021 SME Business Survey results also showed that cash flow within businesses is more important than ever, so HR Solutions partnered with Nordens accountants to look at the importance of cash flow and forecasting. Greg added: “The more people that take part in the survey, the clearer the picture is for us of what challenges need addressing and what support SMEs need right now. The work we do provides a wealth of material to enable SMEs to thrive and succeed, despite those challenges. “We are hoping to get a record number of participants this year. The survey is available online now and is quick and easy to complete. Take a look and be part of something that benefits our business community.” To take part in the 2022 SME Survey visit https://www.hrsolutions-uk.com/sme-business-survey before the end of the year.