Category Archives: Consumer Information

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Send your Valentine’s Day gift with care, says Parcel2Go

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Organisation is one of those things that many people struggle with, especially men! But Parcel2Go, the UK’s largest online parcel delivery company has laid down a challenge to both sexes ahead of Valentine’s Day 2012 – get organised and score some serious brownie points.

The online parcel delivery specialist is reminding all couples that with just a matter of days to go until Valentine’s Day on February 14, it’s vital to get prepared now and make sure that if you are planning something special for a loved one, everything goes to plan. Making grand statements and splashing some cash is always going to be appreciated, but lots of people are feeling the pinch at the moment and small gestures that come from the heart can say just as much as lavish ones.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “Surprises are what Valentine’s Day is all about, but let’s face it, no one wants a nasty surprise, which is why it really does pay to get everything planned well ahead of time.

“Having a gift fail to turn up is the worst possible result, which is why it makes absolute sense to ensure that you make sure your present is being shipped with a reliable courier company.”

Many couples won’t be able to spend Valentine’s Day together for various reasons but that doesn’t mean that the man or woman can’t make a romantic gesture and let their other half know how much they care. Finding a special gift and organising for it to be delivered with a professional carrier through Parcel2Go’s website takes just a few minutes and the range of UK courier services available means there is an option to suit every budget.

Richard added: “The reality is that most people won’t change the habit of a lifetime and will end up sending things at the last minute! Thankfully the couriers we work with are highly experienced at delivering packages and meeting deadlines so any last-minute romantics will be able to relax if they send their loved one a gift with the help of Parcel2Go.”

Via EPR Network
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Ribbon Cutting & Launch of Breathmobile® in Alameda

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On Friday, January 20, 2012, the Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, Inc. (PJCCE), in partnership with the Alameda Boys & Girls Club and Alameda Head Start will host a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Alameda Boys & Girls Club, 1900 3rd Street in Alameda as it launches services of the PJCCE Breathmobile®, a 33ft pediatric mobile asthma clinic, in the City of Alameda. The press conference and ceremony will start at 10:00am and will include members of the Alameda School Board, City elected officials, Alameda Head Start representatives, Alameda County representatives, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Light refreshments will be provided.

Event: Breathmobile ® Press Conference & Ribbon Cutting
Friday, January 20, 2012
10:00am – 10:30am
Alameda Boys & Girls Club
1900 3rd Street, Alameda

Asthma rates for children in the City of Alameda, and particularly at Alameda Point are high in the 0-5 age group. Many families do not have insurance to access regular asthma health care,” says Washington Burns, MD, Executive Director of the Breathmobile. “We are happy to be partnering with the Alameda Head Start and Alameda Boys and Girls Club.” Dr. Burns was contacted in 2011 by Daniel Javes of Alameda Head Start, after Javes concerned about asthma rates in Head Start children, had heard about the work the Breathmobile was doing at schools in Oakland. Javes contacted Dr. Burns and said that the Boys and Girls Club would be a perfect site in Alameda to see children with asthma. Javes suggested he should contact George Phillips, Executive Director of the Alameda Boys & Girls Club, which he did. “The Breathmobile fits right in with our other health care initiatives like our dental clinic.” says George Phillips, the Club’s Executive Director, “It allows us to offer convenient access to services they might not otherwise use and will help us realize our goal of instilling healthy lifestyle habits in the children of our community.”

The Breathmobile®, the first of its kind in Northern California is owned and operated by PJCCE and is a 33 ft. Winnebago RV outfitted with the latest equipment to function as a pediatric mobile asthma clinic. Inside the van, there are an intake station, a small waiting space, a testing area for vital signs including Oximetry, allergen skin testing and spirometry, and an exam room. On board are two computer systems, the first has a health risk assessment system for asthma, and a screening module for pre-diabetes, and the other system is a state of the art electronic medical records system called “AsmaTrax.” Asthma and allergy specialists on-board include Pediatric Allergists, Registered Nurses, and Respiratory Therapists. A video system is also on board to play educational videos and CDs. Services are provided in English and Spanish, and are available at no cost to children and families. The Breathmobile® will also provide services at the Matheson Head Start in Alameda Point.

The Breathmobile’s® mission is to reduce the effects of asthma among economically challenged families by providing a sustainable, accessible asthma management program that will focus on regular preventive care, thereby shifting families away from acute episodic and emergency care.

There are other Breathmobiles® operating throughout the US, including Los Angeles, Orange County, Chicago, Baltimore, University of Alabama, and Phoenix, Arizona. All of these units form a national collaborative organization linked by a computer system located at USC to study and improve the effective treatment and management of asthma. Collaborative studies of Breathmobile® units in Chicago, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Orange counties in Southern California show a dramatic 73% reduction in Emergency Room visits and hospitalizations of asthma children being served by their Breathmobiles®. In its two years of operation, the PJC Breathmobile® has shown significant decrease in emergency room visits from 122 to 2, asthmarelated hospitalizations from 63 to 1, and school absences from 351 days to 17.

“There are so many diseases that we cannot control, but asthma is a controllable disease,“ says Dr. Burns, “By having the Breathmobile®, we can drastically reduce emergency room visits, hospitalizations, school absenteeism, reduce medical costs, and decrease morbidity and mortality of asthma by teaching patients how to control their children’s asthma. We are also increasing children’s academic performance.”

Founded in 1995, the Prescott Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, Inc. works to enhance the wellbeing of individuals and families in the West Oakland community through a broad range of wellness, education and cultural programs, and resources delivered in a safe, welcoming, respectful environment. Prescott Joseph Center partners with organizations and agencies to deliver services and referrals within the community. Located in the Prescott district, also called the Lower Bottom,” of West Oakland it is a center for community services, education, culture and development. Prescott Joseph Center for Community Enhancement has a three-fold mission to: promote the individual self-esteem of citizens in the community through education, skill training and cultural programs, thus supporting healthy families and economic self-sufficiency; promote the on-going renewal of community spirit among West Oakland residents and to organize and promote community activities that facilitate economic, social and cultural development within West Oakland community.

For more information, about the Breathmobile ® of Northern California, please contact Washington Burns, Executive Director at 510-290-1476 or e-mail:drburns@prescottjoseph.org. You may also visit the Breathmobile® website at: breathmobile-nca.org.

Via EPR Network
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Businesses must act to take advantage of tablet computing in 2012, says Parcel2Go

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Tablet computing is growing at a rapid rate and businesses in the UK should make sure they’re in a position to benefit, according to Britain’s largest online parcel delivery service.

Parcel2Go, which helps individuals and businesses send millions of packages to domestic and foreign addresses each year, has urged companies to make the most of the fact that more people are using mobile devices to buy online.

The latest research paper from online analytics consultancy Logan Tod & Co said the sudden emergence of tablets “almost came out of nowhere”. Out of the 1,121 adults the company spoke to at the end of last month, 14 per cent said they had used either an iPad or another make of tablet computer to purchase a gift over the Christmas period. Logan Tod & Co said in 2010, 7 per cent of people used a mobile phone to purchase a Christmas gift – that more than doubled to 15 per cent this Christmas.

With more consumers expected to invest in a tablet computer this year, the opportunity for retailers is evident.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “This research highlights just how important it is for retailers to adopt a multi-channel approach in order to maximise sales opportunities. Having an online presence is now a must for all companies, regardless of which sector they are in, but taking that a step further and optimising websites for mobile and tablet devices now looks like it will pay dividends.

“Parcel2Go works with many thousands of companies, helping them to ship their goods to customers around the world, and it is clear that demand for well laid out, intuitive websites offering reliable international shipping options is not going to diminish anytime soon.”

Via EPR Network
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Parcel2Go Boss Calls On People To Unleash Their Entrepreneurial Spirit

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The founder of the UK’s largest online parcel delivery service, Parcel2Go, has said anyone is capable of making it in business if they have the right attitude.

Fil Adams-Mercer launched the Parcel2Go.com website in 2000 and over the past 11 years has helped build the company into an industry leader, responsible for handling more than two million packages every single year and attracting in excess of 18,000 new customers each month.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, he said he was inspired to launch an online presence following a trip to America, “where every single advert was forwww.something.com“. None of the major UK couriercompanies had ventured online and started offering bookings over the internet at this point, and his vision was rewarded with success. Parcel2Go turned over £17.5m in the 12 months to April 2011, a figure which is expected to rise to £22m this year.

But while Mr Adams-Mercer has now earned a respected place as one of the UK’s top business leaders, he remains proud of his background and his first job learning how to sell on Bolton Market when he was still at school.

He said: “I don’t mind being compared to Del Boy. That’s what I am, a market trader done good.

“I don’t do joined-up writing and I can’t spell for toffee. So doesn’t that give everyone a chance? If I’ve done it, you can do it.”

Parcel2Go itself plays a key part in helping entrepreneurs and small businesses get their goods to customers in the UK and countries across the world quickly, efficiently and cheaply with reliable courier services. In recent years an increasing number of start-ups have established themselves online and now rely on world-renowned couriers booked through Parcel2Go to get their consignments delivered safely and on time.

Via EPR Network
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Parcel2Go reminds first-time eBayers to take care when sending off unwanted gifts

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Hundreds of thousands of people are likely to go onto the internet over the Christmas period in an attempt to dispose of their unwanted presents. Gifts from aunties and uncles that simply don’t cut it will be auctioned off quicker than you can say gift receipt, but online parcel delivery specialist Parcel2Go is warning first-time sellers not to be too hasty.

Last year, eBay estimated that 550,000 people would go onto the internet either on Christmas Day or Boxing Day to sell their unwanted gifts online. New technology such as iPads, laptops and smartphones mean it is easier to get onto eBay than ever before, and the opportunity to get cash for unwanted gifts is likely to appeal to a large number of people this year.

Parcel2Go is urging those people who haven’t sold items over the internet before to take their time if they want the process to go smoothly and prevent their Christmas Day celebrations turning into a Boxing Day hangover. The company’s marketing director, Richard Mercer, said while the process of listing goods might be very straight forward, there are a few things sellers should remember.

“Making your goods appeal to as wide an audience as possible is very important and can make a significant difference to the amount of interest your auction attracts,” he said. “For example, failing to make sure that you offer a range of delivery options such as international shipping through leading courier companies can put off potential buyers.

“It’s also vital to ensure that any items you send off are well wrapped and will not become damaged in transit. The last thing a buyer wants is to unwrap their purchase and find that it is broken. This can cause all sorts of problems and so it is much better to do everything possible, such as using quality packaging and a leading UK courier, to avoid such a situation.”

Via EPR Network
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Online Shopping Boom Gives Parcel Delivery Companies a Great Start to 2012, Say ParcelsPlease

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Recent figures from the online shopping industry have revealed that retailers are expecting more consumers to buy products online on Christmas Day, which could give the parcel delivery company a fantastic boost in time for the new year, according to ParcelsPlease.

Christmas 2011 is just a few days away, but the work isn’t over for online retailers and parcel delivery companies, as the e-retailing group Interactive Media in Retail Group or IMRG have predicted that UK consumers will spend an astonishing£186.4 million online on Christmas Day and a further £368 million on Boxing Day. The figures, which have come as a surprise for people working in the online industry, point to more demand for parcel delivery companies well in to in the new year, say ParcelsPlease.

A spokesperson for ParcelsPlease comments: “The figures from IMRG are really very encouraging as they show that more and more consumers are choosing to do their shopping online, which means that parcel delivery companies like us will be needed by consumers more than ever. In fact, these figures show that the number of consumers choosing to shop online on Christmas day has increased by 12% compared to last year, which is really very interesting.

The increase in the amount of consumers shopping online, which has been welcomed by retailers, is due, in part to a number of online retailers opting to start their Christmas sales a few days earlier. And this new trend for shopping for items in the Christmas sales online is something that ParcelsPlease has been preparing for since early 2011.

The spokesperson for ParcelsPlease continues: “We noticed that more UK consumers were using the internet to buy items from the Christmas sales last year. After considering this, and after looking at customer behaviour on our site during 2011, we decided to redevelop our website to support our customers and make it even easier for them to send parcels all over the world. Parcel delivery services are really a very important part of the e-commerce industry, so the next year will be a very valuable time for the parcel delivery industry.

Via EPR Network
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Companies should resolve to target overseas markets in 2012, says Parcel2Go

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Businesses looking to grow in 2012 and get the year off on the right foot should make sure they consider exporting their goods, according to the UK’s largest online parcel delivery service.

Parcel2Go helps individuals and businesses to ship more than two million packages to destinations here in the UK and overseas every year. With many finance analysts predicting tough times ahead for the UK economy, the company is calling on British businesses to make sure they exploit every possible opportunity, including breaking into foreign markets.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “Exporting can seem like a daunting task, but thanks to the internet and the help available from various agencies, building an international client base is nowhere near as hard as it used to be.

“We want British firms to prosper next year, which is why we are appealing to them to make a new year resolution to, at the very least, investigate the possibility of selling their goods abroad. Parcel2Go has years of experience helping to send consignments to business customers around the world, and with our support the international parcel delivery process becomes a whole lot easier.”

Using online auction and retail website eBay is one way many small businesses are managing to break into overseas markets. Earlier this year the company announced that two online SMEs were projected to post turnovers in excess of £1m through exports alone this year. The major markets for UK eBayers include the United States, Germany, Ireland, Australia and France, and any businesses which fail to allow consumers in these countries to purchase their goods are potentially narrowing their opportunities severely.

“Our message to SMEs concerned about making a move into exporting is to be bold and take the initiative to find out what is involved,” added Richard. “Thanks to parcel courier firms it might involve considerably less hard work than you imagine.”

Via EPR Network
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Parcel2Go Stresses Importance Of Reliable Parcel Delivery To eBay Sellers

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An estimated 5.8 million Christmas shoppers visited the retail and auction website eBay last Sunday and with many millions more due to visit over the coming days, online parcel delivery specialist Parcel2Go has called on sellers to be prepared for the Christmas rush.

Data released earlier this month claimed the average Brit will spend just over £250 on gifts this year and Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said online sellers should be doing everything possible to appeal to shoppers.

He said offering a wide range of delivery options from courier services is one way for eBay sellers to ensure that they are making their auctions and fixed-price sale items available to as many people as possible.

He said: “Sellers offering limited domestic and international parcel delivery options are restricting themselves unnecessarily. All the retail figures being released at the moment point to significant opportunities this year for online businesses, with shoppers looking to enjoy the festive season before they think about tightening their belts further after Christmas.

“Parcel2Go’s eBay widget has been designed to make it quick and easy to add parcel delivery information to product listings and the wide range of services available will certainly appeal to potential customers.”

The important role that smartphones will play in online buying this Christmas has also been stressed. eBay expected about two items to be purchased every second during Super Sunday, once again highlighting the ever increasing use of mobiles by shoppers in the UK.

“The remaining shopping days before Christmas represent a fantastic opportunity for sellers,” Richard added. “We’re reminding them to act now, get their parcel delivery options up to scratch and make sure their customers receive the best service possible.”

Via EPR Network
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Parcel2Go Backs Ebay’s Call For Government To Bring Forward Fast Internet Roll-Out

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A call by auction and retail website eBay for the government to increase mobile internet speeds and support Britain’s online marketplace has been echoed by the UK’s largest online parcel delivery service, Parcel2Go.

The e-commerce giant stepped up pressure on the government this month to act and bring Britain in line with other countries in terms of mobile internet speeds. Through its Mobile Manifesto, which eBay passed to ministers at the start of November, the firm has voiced its concern that the UK could get left behind when it comes to mobile infrastructure.

Speaking to the BBC this week, eBay UK’s retail director Angus McCarey said while Britain is currently leading the way in Europe when it comes to smartphone ownership, it is falling behind in terms of next generation technology.

Parcel2Go has also stressed the importance for individuals and British businesses of installing an effective 4G mobile network as soon as possible. Tests are already underway in Cornwall and London, but it looks like the service won’t be widely available until at least 2013.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “The UK has been a leader so far in the world of online shopping and as a country we cannot risk losing momentum by taking a back seat when it comes to adopting 4G technology. The economy is in a fragile state and investment in faster mobile internet is exactly the type of strategy that will help to give the retail sector a shot in the arm.

“At Parcel2Go we unveiled our mobile website earlier this year to make it easier for customers to access domestic and international shipping services on the move. Businesses have their part to play in making their content and transactional pages accessible through mobile sites and apps, but the government needs to encourage investment by doing everything possible to bring forward 4G.”

Via EPR Network
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Pensioners Suffering As The Money Runs Out, Says Debt Solutions Company Trust Deed Scotland

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A new report reveals that pensioners across the UK are being left penniless as their money disappears every week in a whirlwind of bills, says Debt Solutions Company, Trust Deed Scotland.

An income of £207.15 per week is typical for most pensioned couples, but a report by Standard Life shows it goes straight back out the door as £207.24 is spent on food, fuel, housing and transport.

The report highlights rising inflation as the reason why the average pensioner has difficulties making ends and are being hit hard – many are having issues even affording a new pair of shoes, a holiday or a present for a grandchild.

While the Consumer Price Index remained the same in September at 4.5%, the Retail Price Index was hovering at 5.2% and threatening to rise again. Pensioner have a fixed income that doesn’t change from month to month, and that combined with inflation and large energy rises from utilities companies means turn some have turned towards credit cards to make ends meet.

A spokesperson for Scottish Debt Solutions Company, Trust Deed Scotland, said:
“According to Age UK, British pensioners are the fourth poorest in Europe, with the worst off set to lose up to 22% of their household income because of cuts to local authority services and changes to the tax and benefits system. This report highlights the dire position our parents and grandparents are in. At a time when they should be relaxing after a lifetime of working, they are pinching pennies and worrying about what the future will hold for them.”

The day before Standard Life published its report, the Institute of Fiscal Studies issued a warning about how ‘real’ inflation was hitting pensioners much harder than younger age groups.

“The Insolvency Service reported the fastest rising group of people claiming insolvency is pensioners,” said the spokesperson. “They are six times more likely to go bankrupt or take out a debt solution such as a Scottish Trust Deed or Debt Arrangement Schemethan they were just a decade ago. The number of people entering retirement with unpaid debts has increased, and when combined with increased life expectancy, the recession and limited options to increase income when you retire, it adds up to a lot of older people in real trouble”.

According to the Consumer Credit Counseling Service the average unsecured debt of newly retired pensioners is £21,370 and few have any savings at all. Once all the bills have been covered, there’s just £85 left at the end of the month.

“There are numerous reasons why pensioners are entering retirement in debt,” said the spokesperson. “Previous good house values led to many people remortgaging for home improvements or to loan to children or grand children for house deposits. There’s also the issue of divorce, where one partner will often buy the other out of their share of the property by extending their mortgage. And then some people are marrying and having families much later in life or having second families in their fifties.”

“For many life as a retiree in today’s world is just as expensive as it was when they were working, but now they have less income to live on.”

Via EPR Network
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Fostering People Launches New Fostering Service In Dublin

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Fostering People, a non-statutory foster care agency, has launched its services in Dublin to meet the needs of vulnerable children and young people living in the city.

Operating at a local level, Fostering People offers all carers one-to-one support through a dedicated social worker as well as on-going training, carer forums and support groups. Opening the doors to its new office in Dublin, the agency will look to provide high level of locally based support to its foster carers.

Fostering People welcomes applications from single people, same sex, married or co-habiting couples from all ethnic backgrounds who are 25 or over.

Fostering People service manager, Lesley Dale commented: “Fostering People is all about changing lives and bringing about positive outcomes.

“Working closely with the HSE, our aim is to bring a new dimension to foster care services in Dublin. We want help increase the number of foster carers and share with them our experience and expertise so that more looked after children and young people can live in safe family environments where they can build happy lives.”

Fostering People celebrated its launch Dublin by staging an open evening at the Ardmore Hotel, Glasnevin on November 9, where anybody interested in becoming a foster carer in Dublin had the opportunity to come along to the meet agency staff. Attendees were offered advice and guidance on the challenges and rewards of fostering.

This event will be followed by a series of information events, details for which will be published on the agency’s new website, which also provides prospective foster carers with a wide range of information about fostering, the process of becoming a foster carer, and the range of fostering placements.

The launch in Dublin marks an expansion in service delivery from the established operations in the UK, where Fostering People has developed a proven track record over 11 years for delivering high quality family based fostering placements for children and young people in Central and Northern England.

For further information on becoming a foster carer with Fostering People call freephone 1800 303 532 or visit the website.

Via EPR Network
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Don’t Play Russian Roulette With Your Christmas Presents, Warns Parcel2Go

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UK parcel delivery specialist Parcel2Go has urged shoppers not to put their Christmas packages at risk by either sending them off with unreliable delivery firms or failing to wrap them properly.

Major online retailers eBay and Amazon have both announced their predictions for the busiest Christmas shopping day of the year (Sunday December 4 and Monday December 5 respectively), when hordes of people across the UK will go online to kick-start the festive buying spree. With many millions of Christmas parcels due to be shipped to addresses within the UK and overseas in the coming weeks, Parcel2Go has reminded British consumers to do everything possible to make sure their presents stay safe in transit.

It’s often the case that people who don’t normally have a need to send parcels during the year suddenly find themselves at Christmas with a stack of presents that need to be shipped off to relatives in time for December 25. Unfortunately it is these consumers that can find themselves in a mess if they choose to send gifts off with unreliable parcel couriers or perhaps fail to wrap their goods well enough.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, has urged all shoppers to take the correct steps to ensure their packages arrive on time and in the best condition this Christmas.

He said: “It’s easy to see how people who are unused to organising parcel deliveryservices with parcel couriers can get caught out at this time of year. There is always a lot going on and sending off parcels might seem a chore if it’s something you only do once a year.

“We’re calling on people to just take a minute to think about how awful it would be if the presents they’ve spent money on and time choosing didn’t arrive. Every Christmas, Parcel2Go helps many thousands of people to get their presents couriered to addresses in the UK and abroad safely. Our message is that it is certainly worth spending a few minutes finding a reliable courier and wrapping a parcel securely in order to avoid a nightmare before Christmas.”

Parcel2Go’s customers can have complete peace of mind by using the firm’s online parcel tracking feature to keep an eye on their domestic and international parcels and Christmas presents as they make their way to their destination.

Via EPR Network
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Key Assets Launches Disability Services For Young People In Western Australia

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Key Assets is expanding its foster care provision in Western Australia with the upcoming launch of a new disability services program.

Key Assets disability services have been designed in partnership with young people, families and professionals to meet the complex and ordinary care needs of children and young people in Western Australia.

The disability services program aims to provide quality personal care services to children, young people and young adults with a disability between the age of 0 and 25. These services will enable young people to live ordinary lives, to experience independence and equality, and to access social and educational opportunities within the community.

Experienced Key Assets support staff will facilitate the implementation of the disability services, supporting individuals with a disability in the home and helping to provide accommodation solutions for young people who are unable to live with their birth families or are seeking alternative community housing.

Additional transition support from Key Assets in the form of alternative family care arrangements provide a stepping stone to independent living for individuals with disabilities who are approaching the age of independence. Areas of support during this time may include life skills and training and educational support, along with a range of other relevant key skills.

Liesel Olney, General Manager of Key Assets in Western Australia, said: “The new Key Assets disability services provide an exciting opportunity for development of a range of specialised services for people with disabilities as well as their families and carers. The new program will allow for Key Assets to develop services that are tailored to each service user’s needs in close consultation with that individual and their family. This will ensure the best outcomes and create more opportunities for independence and inclusion.

“This program also allows for children and young people in foster care with a disability to receive ongoing funding, accommodation and support from Key Assets after the age of 18, allowing for stability and consistency. Key Assets is now a registered provider for the Disability Services Commission (DSC) and work in close collaboration with the DSC, the Department for Child Protection (DCP) and other relevant disability community services.”

Key Assets will also work with the families of children and young people with disabilities to offer short break care for young people. This will allow families and carers to arrange holidays or take care of other responsibilities around the home.

Disability services from Key Assets will be accessible outside of working hours via a 24-hour phone line for advice and intervention. Key Assets also aims to offer each young person and their foster carer such additional benefits as advanced training and psycho-therapeutic support.

Via EPR Network
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FCA Promotes Fostering Within The LGB Community

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Foster Care Associates (FCA), the UK’s largest Independent Fostering Agency (IFA), has launched a ‘Fostering with Pride’ initiative to promote fostering within the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) community.

In August 2011, FCA attended Brighton Pride to inform members of the LGB community about fostering and how to become a foster carer. FCA’s attendance at the event coincides with the publication of the new ‘Fostering with Pride’ leaflet, which focuses on encouraging LGB individuals and couples to foster with FCA.

FCA’s goal is to promote further LGB carer recruitment and communicate the message that sexual orientation is not a barrier to foster.

As an inclusive organisation, FCA ranked in the list of 2011 Stonewall Top Employers, which acknowledges the 100 most gay-friendly organisations in the UK. FCA is committed to working with Stonewall and various other LGB advocacy groups to promote diversity within the workplace and LGB foster carer recruitment initiatives.

Stuart Bray, Equality and Diversity Co-ordinator at FCA said: “I am tremendously proud of the work that FCA has undertaken to make it clear to the LGB communities that we encourage them to apply to become foster carers for the agency. We already have many wonderful LGB carers – singles and couples – and we are looking for more who have the ability to nurture a child and make them feel safe and part of a family.”

Stuart Bray added: “FCA has always been committed to Equality and Diversity. Taking the step to produce a leaflet targeting the LGB communities (‘Fostering with Pride’) is testament to the commitment of the company to champion the rights of LGB carers, young people and staff.”

The ‘Fostering with Pride’ leaflet was created to give prospective LGB carers an insight into what to expect when fostering with FCA. It was written to appeal to the LGB community who may be unsure about fostering due to prejudice or stigma. The leaflet highlights the fact that FCA is committed to recruiting foster carers from all strands of diversity.

The LGB campaign forms part of FCA’s ongoing carer recruitment initiative as the agency bids to address the shortfall of 10,000 foster carers in the UK.

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FCA Promotes Local Fostering Needs Through New Website Functionality

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Foster Care Associates (FCA), the UK’s largest Independent Fostering Agency, has added a new geographically targeted section to its website to provide locally based fostering information and placement needs to its visitors.

Under the heading ‘Your local FCA’, the website now offers readers information about FCA and fostering in their local area, divided between the agency’s 14 operating regions.

Visitors can now access regional FCA news, information about forthcoming fostering events in their community and learn more about their local fostering team through FCA staff profiles. There is also a range of local FCA foster carer stories to give a better insight into becoming a foster carer as well as information about the specific placement needs in line with Local Authority referrals. Directions and contact information for the company’s regional and local FCA offices complete the individual sections, which are presented via a tabbed format.

With over 80 local offices spread across the UK, the new website functionality adds better scope for FCA to communicate its range of locally based support services to potential and existing foster carers. It also complements the wealth of existing information about becoming a foster carer and wider fostering information through a total of over 500 unique pages.

Marie-Louise Allred, Marketing Manager for FCA, commented: “People who enquire about fostering tell us how important knowing about our local infrastructure and support services is to them. The new website section presents this information in a simple and easy to access format so that prospective carers can learn about the staff, carers, young people, events and offices in their local area.

“Fostering can be an isolating role so knowing what an agency has to offer in your local area is vital in the decision making process. Over the next few months we will be adding even more local information to these sections so that prospective carers really understand what FCA has to offer in their community.”

The provision of a locally based service is central to the agency’s unique Team Parenting approach to foster care, which is based upon the principle of delivering a holistic range of therapeutic support services to the foster carer and to the child. Team Parenting is proven to achieve positive outcomes for looked after children and young people across the UK.

The new website functionality is part of a wider phased redevelopment of the FCA website, which includes a new Home page and a forthcoming new Media Centre.

Via EPR Network
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Fostering People Targets Foster Carer Recruitment During Foster Care Fortnight 2011

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Fostering People will be holding a range of open days during Foster Care Fortnight 2011 to complement the agency’s ongoing foster carer recruitment campaign.

The Independent Fostering Agency, based in Nottingham, East Midlands, will stage the open days at its Head Office on Pavilion Road, Nottingham during the two weeks of Foster Care Fortnight 2011 (16th to 29th May 2011). The open days are being held on 18th and 25th May 2011. They will complement the agency’s existing and ongoing carer recruitment activities across the Midlands, Yorkshire, the North West and the North East of England.

Fostering People open days provide an opportunity for existing foster carers to share their experiences and for prospective foster carers to ask Fostering People staff and former carers about fostering and what’s entailed in becoming a foster carer. Tea and coffee will be served as attendees take the opportunity to read through Fostering People’s literature and discuss their fostering ambitions.

Foster Care Fortnight 2011, an initiative from the Fostering Network, will work under the theme of ‘time to care’. It is expected to provide Fostering People with a boost in applications from prospective foster carers through such initiatives as these information events and through an increased level of traffic to the organisation’s carer recruitment website. Foster Care Fortnight 2011 is expected to perform a vital role in raising awareness of fostering and addressing the shortfall of up to 10,000 foster carers across the UK.

Melissa Miller, Marketing Officer at Fostering People, describes the importance of Foster Care Fortnight 2011 in the agency’s ongoing foster carer recruitment campaign: “On an annual basis, Foster Care Fortnight really helps to raise awareness of the need for foster carers across the UK.

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Foster Care Associates Receives Leading Aspect Award

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Foster Care Associates (FCA) has received the Leading Aspect Award for empowering staff and foster carers to drive up educational standards for looked after children and young people.

The Leading Aspect Award is a self-evaluation framework designed to judge the support of educational welfare within an organisation. FCA has received positive results based on criteria such as commitment to quality, teaching and learning, sharing good practice, and disseminating innovation.

The agency has proved particularly successful in empowering foster carers and staff to narrow the attainment gap for educational achievement for looked after children and young people.

As an integral part of FCA’s Team Parenting approach to foster care, education is considered important in increasing stability within a fostering placement and enhancing the future outcomes of looked after children and young people. Encouraging educational achievement is therefore considered a high priority for the agency and its foster carers.

Julie Archer, Head of Education at FCA, has welcomed the Award, stating that the recognition means a lot for the agency: “Achieving the Leading Aspect Award for FCA is important as it confirms that the strategies we use are effective in improving the outcomes of the children and young people placed with us. At FCA we have a commitment to ensure all children and young people placed with our foster carers receive an appropriate education. Education is paramount to stability within a foster placement and to enhance the life chances of children.

“Our Education Service works to identify and secure appropriate education provision by engaging with staff from schools and other agencies and working with foster carers to support the young people. In addition we also provide direct support to the children and young people wherever appropriate.

“Sharing this practice through the Leading Aspect Award heightens the awareness of the issues for looked after children all over the UK and, in particular, the importance of putting strategies in place to support children and young people to reach their educational potential.”

Throughout the UK there is a shortfall of around 10,000 foster carers. As the UK’s leading Independent Fostering Agency, FCA is seeking to address this shortage through a nationwide foster carer recruitment campaign and a fully integrated marketing approach. FCA seeks to raise awareness of fostering as a career, and the importance of supporting looked after children in education, in order to help improve the outcomes of young people in foster care across the UK.

Via EPR Network
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Clark & Kent ties up with Mumbai-based Inbound Relocation firm Brannigan Relocations for US clients

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Relocating to a foreign country can be a nightmare for many expats, especially to a large, diverse and hyperactive city like Mumbai. Not only does the expat have to get used to work-life, the family also has to adjust to the various nuances of living in a new city. From setting up basic household utilities online to finding the right schools to the all-important household help, it’s important to get everything completed at the earliest so that the whole family can settle in smoothly with minimum fuss Without the right people to  assist or knowing exactly what to do, the new stint can quickly become problematic with unnecessary strain on all the family.

Clark & Kent’s international clients however, can now expect a professional relocation service  to ensure a smooth transition of their senior most executive’s relocating to Mumbai..

Clark & Kent, the New York & Mumbai based Executive Search firm for CFOs (in emerging markets) is proud to add another Strategic Alliance Partner for the benefit of its International Clients - Mumbai based inbound relocation firm – Brannigan Relocations.

Our partner, Brannigan Relocations, will assure that the relocation requirements of the expat and his or her family are all handled in the smoothest possible manner, enabling him or her to focus on hitting the ground running and  not be encumbered by all the usual relocation-related worries and time consuming procedures.

Brannigan Relocations was founded in December of 2007 by Michael Brannigan and Preet Gill. The founding ethos of the company was to provide relocation services to Mumbai that exceeded clients’ expectations by delivering best in class services.. To that extent the company is now in operation for over 3 years and has built a strong client base of multinational companies located  in Mumbai, which include; Ergo Insurance, HDFC Ergo, Sasol, ThyssenKrupp, ING Vysya, Royal Bank of Scotland, Veolia Transportation, Globus, Hypercity Ogilvy Worldwide, ABC News (US), Enfinity and Hamburg Sud.

The company is based in Bandra West in North Mumbai.

Brannigan Relocations provides the following services:

Orientation Tour & Induction Home Search
Settling In and Utility Service
Education Services
Visa & Immigration Services
Moving & Packing

Brief biographies:

Michael Brannigan:
Lived and worked in London before moving to India in June of 2007. An Irish national with  a background in Sales & Marketing and specialist recruitment for the Investment Banking sector in the city of London.

Preet Gill:
A UK national with a background in the oil and gas industry. Previously worked  in the role of business development manager as part of a joint venture team working for British Petroleum in India since 2005. Her skills include financial planning, business development and cross cultural relationship building.

For more information please visit http://www.branniganrelo.com/ or contact Michael on +91-9920733744.

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Smart Travel – DialAFlight App Signals 2011’s Biggest Mobile Trend

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With 75.3 million iPhones sold in 2010 alone, the age of the Smartphone is well and truly upon us. One of the principle innovations associated with the rise of the Smartphone is, of course, the ‘App’.

There are already a plethora of apps catering to every conceivable aspect of modern living and the development of these often whimsical, frequently rather handy and sometimes near indispensable little applications is set to accelerate in 2011. One area that is sure to see a surge in smartphone apps this year is the travel sector.

Apps seem set to impact the travel sector in a big way and DialAFlight, one of the biggest providers of cheap flights worldwide, have lead the way by launching an iPhone application that gives some indication of how Smartphone technology can improve the traveller’s experience.

The free app, which provides users with a complete travel itinerary, updated flight status, a ‘find my hotel’ function and a guide to the best flight prices, was amongst the first in the travel sector to hit the market. This makes finding cheap flights to Bangkok, New Zealand, Cape Town and other exotic locations a dream to organise.

The smart phone allows users to have more control over their holiday experience. With utilities such as mapping, currency converters and travel updates, it promises to take the stress out of travel. No more back seat drivers or bad navigators, just enter your hotel details and let GPS take the reins.

Via EPR Network
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