BUSINESS WEST MEMBER NEWS inform


Investment in BCU will benefit the community


By Seanique Reuben, operations executive at Bristol & Bath Regional Capital CIC


Bristol Credit Union (BCU) has won £500k in investment from Bristol City Council (BCC). The investment will help the credit union to triple in size over the next five years through investment in growth, including providing affordable loans, creating jobs in the local ethical finance sector and enabling outreach workers in the most deprived wards in Bristol. Bristol Credit Union is a locally-


based, locally funded ethical institution which provides


accessible alternative sources of finance to people who struggle to gain access to financial products such as; bank accounts, savings accounts and affordable credit. BCU will use the investment to build a new online platform and to further develop its face-to-face service in high priority and disadvantaged wards, and to provide more loans to people who may otherwise borrow from high cost lenders.


‘This


The investment will also allow for more signposting to money services for those struggling with debt. James Berry, chief executive of


investment is a reward for the hard work that so many have put in’


Bristol Credit Union, said: “This investment by Bristol City Council is a recognition of the critical role that Bristol Credit Union plays in the lives of so many, and the scope we’ve got


to be able to do even more.” The BCC investment forms one part of a broader fundraising effort, with a charitable trust having already committed in principle to £350k, and plans for further sums


from smaller institutions and individuals. Deputy mayor councillor Craig Cheney said: “We


are delighted to be able to support the Bristol Credit Union. “The investment will allow the credit union to


expand and grow providing an increased number of low cost loans for people in Bristol, as well as creating extra jobs. Their vital work includes loans to help people to remain in their own homes and avoid the threat of homelessness, something that remains a top priority for this council.”


For more information visit: www.bab-rc.uk and www.bristolcreditunion.org


Online doctor set to tackle anxiety in the workplace


Online health educator, The Sound Doctor, has launched a service for employers to help reduce stress and anxiety in the workplace and improve outcomes for staff with long term conditions. “The people who work for you


are the lifeblood of your business and employers should be doing all that they can to ensure their health and well-being,” said Rosie Runciman (pictured), co-founder of Gloucester-based leading online health educator, The Sound Doctor. “Especially if you consider the alarming statistic for any business, which shows that 137 million days are lost each year through employee absenteeism.


“The cost to the economy is an eye-watering £100bn. “Evaluations we have conducted


show that our videos and audio programmes do change peoples’ behaviour - they need to visit their doctor less often, spend less time in hospital and are therefore able to spend more time at work.” The Sound Doctor recently


found that over 60% of companies have put programmes in place to look after their employees’ health and wellbeing. However, this statistic reveals that just under half of businesses have done absolutely nothing to help employees in the last 12 months. Having successfully established itself as a leading NHS provider of


bite-sized films and short audio programmes that improve the quality of life for people with long- term mental and physical health problems, The Sound Doctor is now offering these much-needed products to the private sector. “The quality of the product is, in


my experience, unmatched anywhere in the world,” said Dr Charles Alessi, senior advisor, Public Health England. The Sound Doctor’s team is


acutely aware of the unrelenting business pressures of today’s uncertain economic climate.


IN BRIEF


The Destination Bristol team celebrating their win


Destination Bristol wins prestigious convention award


Destination Bristol scooped the award for Best UK Convention Bureau Winner at the CHS Awards 2019 – showcasing the very best of the hospitality industry. Its ‘Meet Bristol Convention


Bureau’ (part of Destination Bristol) delivers a range of services to conference and business event organisers and runs a free venue finding service for those looking to bring events to the city.


For more information visit: www.chsawards.co.uk/2019- finalists-winners/


Workers in the South West are still earning less


Analysis published by the TUC in May shows that despite some sectors gaining pay rises, real wages overall in the South West are still £21.78 a week lower than a decade ago. The Government has been


keen to herald a return to above inflation pay rises but any rises have not been spread equally or fairly. In most sectors of the economy wages are still worth less than before the financial crisis. However, a small number of industries have bucked that trend. Average real pay in the financial sector has increased by 9.3% (£119 per week) since 2009 reaching a record average of £1,405 per week – driven by big pay rises for London’s bankers. Other sectors that have


seen real wage growth include retail and hospitality - boosted by increases to the minimum wage.


JULY/AUGUST 2019 insight 11


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32