Category Archives: Consumer

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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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The Harley Medical Group Busts Cosmetic Surgery Myths

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The UK’s leading cosmetic surgery group, The Harley Medical Group, have today revealed research findings which bust some of the industry’s biggest myths and uncover what motivates people across the UK to have cosmetic surgery.

In the first ever survey of its kind, conducted across the Group’s 31 clinics nationwide on over 20,000 patients, the results challenge many of the longstanding myths that surround the cosmetic surgery field revealing over 85% of UK patients opt for surgery due to a confidence issue and that 95% will think about having a procedure for more than two years before they go ahead.

Lisa Littlehales, Lead Nurse Counsellor at The Harley Medical Group, says: “Patients who are looking into surgical options have lots of questions about their procedure and it is important that they are properly informed.

“We decided to do the survey as people often people have assumptions about cosmetic surgery, which in reality are completely untrue. One of the biggest myths is that cosmetic surgery is purely about vanity, when in actual fact it is most often a confidence issue which the patient has not been able to resolve through other means.”

Top Myths Revealed by The Harley Medical Group

All facts are according to The Harley Medical Group

MYTH
Having cosmetic surgery is addictive and most people go on to have multiple procedures after their first.

FACT
95% of patients will only have one procedure that they’ve been thinking about for several years. It’s a confidence thing with many people.

MYTH
Women who have breast enlargement surgery look fake and just want to have big breasts like Jordan.

FACT
Most women only go up by one or two cup sizes and the average size is a C cup. Women are now wanting a more natural look opting for a tear-drop shaped implant rather than the traditional round high contour.

MYTH
Cosmetic surgery is now so commonplace; most people view it as just another beauty treatment.

FACT
Research shows that on average patients think about their surgery for two to three years before going ahead with it.

MYTH
More men are now having cosmetic surgery than women!

FACT
There’s been a huge growth in men having surgery, but they still only make up 17% of patients at The Harley Medical Group.

MYTH
People have cosmetic surgery to stand out.

FACT
Most cosmetic surgery patients don’t have a procedure to stand out; they have treatment to help them fit in.

MYTH
Most people that book in for surgery are young girls who are over critical about their appearance.

FACT
45% of all female patients who enquire and have surgery at The Harley Medical Group are mothers looking for treatments to help combat the effects of pregnancy and regain their confidence. The Harley Medical Group have also seen a 17% increase in patients over 65, across their 31 clinics, in the UK and Ireland, between 2005 and 2010.

MYTH
Plastic surgeons can make you look like your favourite celebrity.

FACT
Each patient is individual and a surgeon will work with a patient’s existing factors in order to produce a desired result – it is not possible to make one person look exactly like another.

MYTH
If you are overweight you can just have liposuction to make you slim

FACT
Liposuction is not a weight loss technique and produces best results on patients that have lost weight and are looking to remove small pockets of stubborn fat. Also, it’s not just women that opt for Liposuction, 25% of Liposuction patients are male.

MYTH
If you’re standing in the supermarket queue, chances are someone in that queue has had cosmetic surgery of some sort.

FACT
Only about 1% of the population have had surgery.

MYTH
Most people go abroad for surgery because it’s cheaper.

FACT
Many people feel uncomfortable about travelling so far away from home when having a major operation and feel it’s more risky.

MYTH
You’ll only meet sales people when you go to a big cosmetic surgery provider.

FACT
Reputable providers only use medically trained staff. Patients should always meet with a medically trained professional nurse counsellor to discuss their procedure and will always meet their surgeon before the operation.

MYTH
Cosmetic Surgery Industry will be one of the first things to be hit by a credit crunch as it’s a vanity led industry and not essential.

FACT
Most patients think about and plan their surgery for many years. They are unlikely to want to put it off and instead consider it an investment. The Harley Medical Group is currently reporting a 29% YOY increase in demand for surgery, defying the credit crunch.

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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Kraff Eye Institute First In Illinois To Offer Laser Cataract Surgery

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The most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States, cataract removal, is now being performed at the Kraff Eye Institute using the latest technological advancement; the Alcon LenSx® femtosecond bladeless laser. This latest advancement, which provides unprecedented precision to cataract surgery, is offered at Kraff Eye Institute. With the use of a multifocal lens or the correction of astigmatism there is NO additional cost to the patient for the use of the Alcon LenSx femtosecond laser.

The FIRST laser of its kind in Illinois and the only laser approved by the FDA for cataract surgery, the LenSx bladeless laser arrived in August of this year at the Harlem location of the Kraff Eye Institute.

LenSx utilizes a femtosecond laser which has been used to perform Lasik surgery since its FDA approval in 2001. By using this latest advancement of ophthalmic lasers, the surgeon and patient have an alternative to the mechanical cuts used in traditional cataract surgery while ensuring the highest-precision surgical incisions. This technology brings both safety and precision to the surgeon and the patient. (See Fact Sheet for additional details.)

Dr. Manus Kraff, the founder of the Kraff Eye Institute, has been performing cataract surgeries since the 1970’s. He now offers the LenSx laser procedure to cataract patients who meet specific criteria for the surgery. Since August of this year, Dr. Kraff has performed numerous successful cataract surgical procedures with the aid of the revolutionary Alcon LenSx femtosecond Laser.

“We are proud to offer the most advanced eye care technology in Illinois and the world to our cataract patients,” states Dr. Manus Kraff. “By adding computer control to the three steps of cataract surgery, the LenSx Laser ensures the highest-precision surgical incisions. The LenSx Laser is unquestionably the most technologically advanced option for cataract patients.

“We are thrilled to have this new technology available to us. Prior to this, cataract surgery was performed by hand with blades or needles,” he explains. “With the LenSx Laser, we are able to perform surgeries to more exacting, individualized specifications not attainable with other surgical methods. Most importantly, patients recover quickly and have great satisfaction with the outcome,” concludes Dr. Kraff.

– MORE –

KRAFF EYE INSTITUTE … Add One

Established in the 70’s, the Kraff Eye Institute has been one of the foremost authorities in ophthalmic eye care. Drs. Manus and Colman Kraff have pioneered surgical procedures like phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, Lasik vision correction and now the LenSx Laser cataract removal. Both Dr. Kraffs have spoken at major universities and conferences worldwide on cataract and laser refractive surgery, served on numerous medical advisory panels and boards with Dr. Manus Kraff having served on the medical advisory board of the LenSx Laser Corporation since its inception.

With two offices in the city, the Kraff Eye Institute has been bringing the very best in eye care to Chicago for over 35 years. For more information about the LenSx procedure or to schedule a consultation, call: 773-777-4444. Visit kraffeye.com.

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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The Best Time To Plant Trees

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Planting a tree follows a certain schedule during the year. You cannot just plant trees whenever you feel like it. Trees, especially when they are still very young, are very delicate and can be very sensitive to specific weather conditions. Knowing the right time to plant trees will increase the trees’ chances of survival.

For an expert’s advice on tree planting , you can contact a tree service Cumming, GA company nearest your place. These companies have long years of experience caring for trees. They offer all kinds of services related to trees, including landscaping , tree removal , tree planting , tree trimming , etc. You need their services especially if your tree planting project involves plenty of trees and preparing a wide area for planting.

But the existence of these tree service companies doesn’t mean you need not learn some basic information about tree planting . It’s not all the time that you need to hire the services of professionals. Tree planting, especially if it only involves a few trees to be planted in your backyard, can be simple. The first thing you should learn is identifying the best time of the year when to do the planting.

In general, early spring or late winter is the best time to plant trees. If your schedule doesn’t permit it, then your next best choice is autumn. Never plant trees on a summer, when the weather’s too hot. Growing plants are sensitive to too much heat. It’s not good to plant in full winter, too, for the sole reason that the ground will have frozen at this time. But if you did your digging before winter, then it’s all right to plant during winter. When you plant at early to middle of winter, you have to sufficiently water your plants.

While intense heat is one of the major enemies of newly-planted saplings, lack of water for their roots is a different consideration. This is one thing you need to consider during winter, which is not a dry time of the year. But still, your plants’ roots may not receive enough water. The snow’s moisture cannot seep through the soil and into the roots unless the snow has melted and the ground has thawed.

The wet and cold weather condition might fool you into thinking that your newly-planted trees are getting enough supply of water for their delicate roots. On the contrary, what happens in cold climates is that there’s some sort of a desert condition happening as far as trees are concerned. That’s why always make sure you water your plants during these cold times.

Via EPR Network
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Finding The Best Landscape Trees For Your Yard

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Choosing which type of landscape trees to use for your yard must be a product of research. You don’t just pick any tree that interests you and grow it in your yard. You need to consider their aesthetics effects they have on your yard all year round. Here is a list of landscape trees that are ideal for each season in a temperate region.

Spring

Magnolia trees are best for spring. After the snow and when everything springs back to life, there should be plenty of colors in your yard. A yard that is well-landscaped must have flowering trees of great beauty. Apple trees of different varieties are also great bloomers in themselves. When you see how they bloom, you will think their fruit is just a bonus.

Summer

While flowers are good, you need more than just colors for your yard. It means you need trees that show off their beauty during more than one season. We’re talking about dogwood trees. They bloom during spring and they grow amazing branching pattern during summer. And they are favorite of birds. Japanese maple trees are another type of trees for more than one season.

Autumn

Some of the maples in North America and Europe are equally beautiful in Autumn as they are during summer. And they are larger, too, which accentuates their color in fall. Notice that even on a cloudy day during fall, the sky seems to light up because of maple trees.

Winter

Your yard must also have blue spruce trees. We have mentioned trees that provide beauty to your yard in spring, summer and fall. But during winter when all the colorful foliage is gone, what will remain of your yard? Here is where the evergreen landscape trees come in. These trees include dwarf Alberta spruce trees, arborvitae trees, and the Nellie R. Stevens holly. Birch trees are also useful in winter because of their branching patterns and their bark that is unusually pleasing.

To mix all these beautiful trees in your backyard, you need the help of a professional tree service in San Mateo, CA. More than just offering tree planting and tree trimming services, a tree service company can also helps you get the trees that you want for your yard and work on your landscaping project. You can find a tree service company online and learn more about them and the services they offer.

Via EPR Network
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What You Need To Know About Professional Tree Removal

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Let’s face it tree removal is one of those things that most of us don’t think about until we actually need it. Then we may not know where to turn or what to do. Some of us may have cut down trees years ago but most of us haven’t.

Fortunately there is somewhere we can turn for help when a tree dies, fall down, gets sick or becomes a problem. That somewhere is professional Sunnyvale tree services. A professional tree service has all the equipment and expertise needed to remove almost any tree no matter what size.

They can take care of other problems such as getting rid of the trunk and the stump as well. Best of all a Sunnyvale tree service can give you a free estimate on the removal before they begin work so you will know exactly what it will cost.

The problem oak can be gone quickly and it can look as if was never there in the first place. Every trace of the tree can be removed by the professionals. They can even get rid of the stump by grinding it down. That means you can have that area of the yard for gardening or expanding the lawn or a building site cleared. You can even them plant a new tree to take another one’s place.

If you need more details or information about Sunnyvale tree removal simply call a tree service today. Its professionals can tell you everything you need to know including the cost and what is entailed.

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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.

Children Products & Services, Consumer, Consumer Information, Consumer Services, Healthcare, Services

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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Dissertation Proofreading And Editing Services Offered By The Academic Editing Service Proofreading.Co.Uk

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Over the summer there has been a surge of interest in the dissertation proofreading and editing services offered by the academic editing service proofreading.co.uk. Operations Director Rory O’Farrell reports record numbers of final-year undergraduates, Master’s and PhD students bringing their theses and dissertations to the company. “We have the best-qualified editors in the business,” stated O’Farrell, “and the word gets round. Top quality students want a PhD-qualified editor to look after their work and bring it up to the best it can be, and we can offer that service. These students use our proof reading and editing service, they’re happy with the high standard of work they receive, and naturally they tell their friends. We’re getting a massive amount of business now from word-of-mouth recommendations.”

The company, based in central London, finds that a large proportion of its academic work is done for clients who have English as a second language. In many cases, these students have been advised by their supervisors to have their dissertation proofread or edited to iron out remaining language problems so that the quality of the actual research can shine through, and that has brought them to proofreading.co.uk.

There’s also a demand for dissertation proofreading and editing from students who have English as their first language but are dyslexic, and again the University will often recommend that the students have their proofreading professionally done by a well-qualified editor.

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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.

Via EPR Network
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Children Products & Services, Consumer, Consumer Information, Consumer Services, Healthcare, Services

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.

Via EPR Network
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Tracesmart Adds 2011 Electoral Roll Data To Its Records

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Tracesmart has announced it has expanded its wealth of accurate, up-to-date data with the recent addition of 2011 edited Electoral Roll records. The inclusion of this information to its online people search website will significantly help increase user’s tracing success rates and reunite many more families and friends.

The Electoral Roll is an extremely important reference point for those individuals looking to find lost family members and friends, as it provides the most accurate snapshot of the UK’s population.

Commenting on inclusion of Electoral Roll 2011 data within its database, Paul Weathersby, Tracesmart’s technical director stated: “Electoral Roll data plays a pivotal role in the tracing process, and the more accurate and recent the data, the more likely it is that a trace can be conducted successfully. As a business, it is crucial to us that our customers enjoy the highest success rates possible, we therefore aim to provide access to Electoral Roll data at the earliest possible opportunity each year.

Encouragingly, this year’s edited Electoral Roll has seen the first decrease in the opt-out rate, since it was introduced. The drop, from 46% in 2010 to 45% in 2011, should see more records being available. However, there is still a large section of UK citizens unaccounted for on the edited version of the Electoral Roll and as such we will continue to source additional data to fill in the blanks.”

Maintaining the accuracy of this information is of high importance to Tracesmart, who will be updating the 2011 Electoral Roll on a monthly basis using Rolling Register updates. The Rolling Register allows people to re-register on the Electoral Roll if their personal circumstances change mid-electoral year. Rolling Register updates account for approximately 250,000 amendments each month.

Noting the importance of ensuring that its customers have the latest data made available to them, Owen Roberts, head of PR at Tracesmart, commented: “Our aim is to help people reunite with their families and reconnect with friends that they’ve lost contact with. The addition of the 2011 Electoral Roll and our commitment to keep this updated on a monthly basis highlights our devotion to reuniting family and friends.”

Via EPR Network
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Don’t Bother Walking To The Shops To Purchase Your Carpet Stain Remover Or Hard Floor Cleaner Anymore

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Carpet stains can occur at the most inconvenient time and it is usually a mad dash to the cupboard under the kitchen sink that follows, in the hope that an effective stain removal product can be found. Generally, the internet may not be the first place you think of to buy your homecare products, people often purchase these aforementioned products when out and about shopping. As the appetite for convenience, ease and online shopping gathers pace, a completely new website, offering a quick and easy way to purchase a range of highly effective homecare and carpet cleaining products, includes solutions which tackle nuisance and stubborn carpet and upholstery stains, has just been launched by local carpet and upholstery cleaning professionals Chem-Dry®.

When you need to tackle carpet stains such as wine, food, chocolate, coffee, ketchup, soft drinks, grease and oil or alternatively undertake regular cleaning of laminate and hard floor surfaces, in-order to keep these areas free from dirt, grime and allergens, perhaps the internet is the ideal place for you to buy your homecare and carpet stain removal products in the future.

This eCommerce website allows homeowners and business owners to purchase a range of carpet stain removal products, hard floor cleaning products, carpet accessories such as acarpet rake and if you have a family member who suffers from an allergy to dust mites, you can also buy your dust mite product on the site as well. This allows you to purchase from the convenience of your PC and really lightens the load and reduce your stress levels

Chem-Dry Franchising Marketing Executive, Mark Richardson comments “With the launch of the new eCommerce website, Chem-Dry customers can feel assured that we are now able to service them directly as well as through our existing cleaning franchise network of locally based professional carpet and upholstery cleaners. Our online shop will expand the current range of digital services currently available to our customers and will provide them with a quick and completely new shopping experience in the process”.

Via EPR Network
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A Global Translation Services Firm Specializing In Foreign Language Translation, Interpreting And Website Localization, Has Introduced A New And Updated Website

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This Foreign Translations, Inc. state-of-the-art website is completely modernized to offer a new look and feel, making it easier and faster for visitors to find the information needed. A clear navigation menu provides information about translation services, languages, and even tailored information for various industries. Customers and Partners will find sections specific to their needs that supply the relevant and vital information about Foreign Translations, Inc.’s quality processes and services.

According to CEO, Ken Zwerdling “Our new site uses state-of-the-art technology, graphics and navigation that corporate users expect in 2011. We are a resource portal not just for language and translation services but more importantly for the way we are helping companies Go Global With Confidence®.”

Website visitors can also gather detailed information at our new Knowledge Center (http://www.foreigntranslations.com/user/signin). There are downloadable guides on globalization and international business etiquette, the option of reading numerous white papers with insight on communicating internationally, and the availability to utilize valuable globalization tools such as currency conversions, time zone charts, free translation tools, and weights and measures conversion tools.

Via EPR Network
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