The Exeter Daily

Commissioner warns about the Serious and Organised Crime groups selling Spice-laced vapes to children

News Desk — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 05:13:54 +0000

The Police and Crime Commissioner national lead for tackling Serious and Organised Crime has urged parents and guardians to be extra vigilant after trading standards officers seized thousands of vapes containing highly toxic drugs.

Illegal vapes were being sold in shops and on social media or on the street, with the trade linked to organised crime groups, trading standards officers said.

Heart of the South West Trading Standards, which covers all of Devon and Somerset, seized about 8,000 illegal vapes in 2023.

Some illegal vapes seized had five times the legal level of nicotine as well as substances such as nickel and often had faulty electrics which could lead to fire risks.

Trading Standards works with young people who go into shops and attempt and buy vapes illegally with undercover officers nearby who take action if shop staff sell to people under 18.

Devon & Cornwall Police uses pioneering equipment supplied by Bath University to quickly identify whether vapes or the vape refill bottles contain illegal substances.

Nine out of ten refill bottles seized by police contained the drug Spice which can cause dizziness, breathing problems, heart palpitations, psychosis and seizures.

The force is working with schools to warn pupils about the risks posed by illegal vapes.

Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner’s lead for Serious and Organised Crime, made tackling drugs one of four police and crime plan priorities.

She is working in town centres where synthetic opioids are having a devastating effect on people’s health.

“I would like to congratulate trading standards officers and police for taking such strong and decisive action on illegal vapes,” she said.

“This proves that partnership work between council staff and police can be very effective. However, while there is demand for these highly dangerous products, there will be organised crime groups seeking to make a profit.

“We all have a role to play in reducing demand for these toxic substances and depriving drug dealers of an income. I would particularly urge parents to take an active interest in whether their children are vaping, to warn them of the inherent dangers, and to be savvy consumers. Being spiked by a vape which appears harmless is a real concern.”

Can Virtual Offices Help Towards Sustainability Goals?

Val Watson — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 23:26:26 +0000

As businesses around the world increasingly make sustainability a priority, finding innovative and new ways to reduce their environmental impact has become more critical than ever. One approach gaining popularity is the use of virtual offices, which allow companies to operate without a physical headquarters. Virtual offices, supported by advances in digital technology, enable employees to work from just about anywhere, reducing the need for traditional office space. This shift in work dynamics offers several environmental benefits and can significantly contribute to achieving sustainability goals.

1. Reduction in Carbon Footprint

One of the most significant environmental benefits of virtual offices is the reduction in carbon emissions associated with commuting. Traditional office setups require employees to travel to and from work, often leading to substantial carbon dioxide emissions, especially in cities where traffic congestion is common. Virtual offices eliminate the need for daily commutes, allowing employees to work from home or other remote locations. This reduction in commuting not only lowers carbon emissions but also decreases traffic congestion and air pollution, contributing to cleaner urban environments. You can find virtual offices in a range of locations at yourcityoffice.com.

Less Commuting: A study by the Carbon Trust found that remote working could reduce commuting-related carbon emissions by more than 50% in some sectors. By cutting down on daily travel, virtual offices can help decrease the overall carbon footprint of a company.
Reduced Use of Fossil Fuels: With fewer employees commuting, there is a decreased reliance on fossil fuels, which are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. This shift not only benefits the environment but also aligns with global efforts to reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

2. Energy Conservation

Operating a traditional office requires significant energy consumption, from lighting and heating to cooling and powering office equipment. Virtual offices, on the other hand, allow companies to downsize or eliminate their physical office spaces, leading to substantial energy savings.

Lower Electricity Usage: Virtual offices reduce the need for office lighting, heating, air conditioning, and electrical appliances, which are major contributors to energy consumption in a typical office setting. This reduction in energy use not only cuts down on operational costs but also minimises the company’s environmental impact.
Smart Technology: Even in hybrid models where companies maintain smaller office spaces, the use of smart technology can further enhance energy efficiency. Automated systems that control lighting, heating, and cooling based on occupancy can significantly reduce energy consumption.

3. Sustainable Office Design and Location Flexibility

For companies that still maintain some physical presence, virtual office models allow for more flexibility in choosing sustainable office designs and locations.

Smaller Office Footprint: Virtual offices enable companies to downsize to smaller, more energy-efficient spaces that are easier to manage and maintain sustainably. These offices can be designed with sustainable materials, energy-efficient lighting, and green building practices that reduce environmental impact.
Location Flexibility: Virtual offices allow businesses to choose locations based on sustainability criteria rather than convenience for employees' commutes. Companies can select office spaces in green-certified buildings, areas with renewable energy sources, or locations with lower environmental impact.

4. Promoting a Sustainable Work Culture

Virtual offices not only contribute directly to sustainability goals but also encourage a culture of sustainability among employees. Working remotely often makes individuals more conscious of their energy consumption and resource use at home, translating into sustainable behaviors that benefit the environment.

Eco-Friendly Habits: Remote workers are more likely to adopt eco-friendly habits, such as reducing waste, using energy-efficient appliances, and supporting local businesses. This shift in behavior can have a cumulative positive effect on sustainability.
Sustainability Awareness: Companies that adopt virtual office models often integrate sustainability into their corporate values and practices. This can include initiatives like promoting recycling, supporting virtual meetings to reduce travel, and educating employees about sustainable living.

Wrapping Up

Virtual offices present a compelling opportunity for companies to align their operational practices with sustainability goals. By reducing carbon emissions, conserving energy, minimising resource consumption, and promoting a culture of sustainability, virtual offices can make a significant positive impact on the environment. However, to maximise these benefits, businesses must be mindful of the challenges associated with remote work, such as the digital carbon footprint and employee well-being. With thoughtful implementation and ongoing commitment, virtual offices can play a pivotal role in driving sustainable business practices and contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

Free life-saving first aid training from St John Ambulance in Exeter

Exeter News Blog — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 22:46:25 +0000

St John Ambulance volunteers will be offering free life-saving first aid training during September in many locations around England as its popular Save a Life September campaign returns.

People in Exeter and the surrounding area can attend free training at the following locations during the campaign:

7 September – from 1.30pm – Exeter Library, Castle Street, Exeter EX4 3PQ
19 September – 11am-1pm – Wolford Community and Learning Centre, Burnthouse Lane, Exeter EX2 6NF.

The Save a Life September campaign is rolling out on the back of some new research* by the health charity which showed that only four in 10 (43%) people would know how to do CPR to save someone in cardiac arrest and less than a third (32%) would know how to use a defibrillator.

The research also found that fewer than half of the population (44%) know how to give basic back blows to someone choking, while fewer than four in 10 (38%) people said they would know how to treat a serious bleed from an injury or wound.

With more than a quarter surveyed (26%) saying they had never learned any first aid, the top three first aid skills respondents wanted to learn were CPR, choking and severe bleeds.

St John has adapted its free community first aid sessions throughout September to tech these techniques via demonstrations in public places around the country during September, through online sessions and by giving away free first aid pocket guides. The charity hopes to reach 50,000 people through these methods.

St John Ambulance head of community education, Carl Makins, said: “This September we plan to show thousands of members of the public how to save lives, focusing on the first aid that they most want to learn. Tragically, due to the rise in knife crime, it feels particularly relevant to be teaching people how to treat severe blood loss.

“It’s vital more of us within our communities know how to respond to the life-threatening situations which many of us will sadly face in our lives.

“There are nearly 300 deaths a year due to choking, yet more than half of us don’t know how to give back blows to clear someone’s airway. We also know that giving CPR and using a defibrillator can more than double someone’s chance of survival. It’s so often those quick actions taken by people who find themselves first on scene in the critical minutes before an ambulance arrives, that make the difference between life and death.”

For more information about Save a Life September demonstrations and guides, people can visit bit.ly/savealifeseptember.

South West food & drink experts serve up success to FUEL region’s small businesses

News Desk — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 20:10:12 +0000

Sell-out business growth event from food & drink experts KW Marketing returns this September for a second serving, bringing the region’s foodie brands together ahead of Christmas and 2025

South West business growth event, FUEL Live, returns on Thursday 26 September, to inspire, empower and connect the region’s foodie brands hungry for knowledge as the busiest and most lucrative months of the year approach.

After a sell-out success in April, huge demand has driven the second event in less than six months, hosted by leading foodie experts KW Marketing.

Taking place at The Forge at Winslade Manor, Exeter on 26th September(1.30-4.30pm), FUEL Live will help brands get clarity on their success strategies, fuel their growth and map out their marketing. Utilising the expertise of the KW Marketing team alongside recognised industry leaders, FUEL Live offers all the ingredients for brands looking to build their business to bigger, better things in 2025 and beyond.

Keynote speakers include Nirali Mankodi from Superfoodio with the brand’s story of building a successful business in the food and drink industry, Thomas Lomas from Greendale Farmshop covering their growth and brand-building journey as well as tangible lessons in crafting the perfect email marketing campaign, harnessing business growth and selling on social from the KW Marketing team.

The event is also supported by Food Marketing Club, Taste Of The West, Food Drink Devon, RAW PR, and Girl Behind The Lense.

Born and bred in Devon, KW Marketing, led by CEO Kate Williams, has become the ‘go to’ digital marketing agency for food and drink brands in the South West and across the UK. It is renowned for helping its clients to become household names, catapult their income, and cook up loyal followings across digital channels.

The second FUEL event picks up from the success of the first earlier this year, which united nearly 50 businesses and helped to set them up for success ahead of the busy summer season. The last event was attended by well-known brands including Hobbs Chocolates, Quickes Cheese, Foxcombe Bakehouse, Devon Distillery, Boundless Activated Snacking, Owens Organic Coffee and more.

Founder and CEO of KW Marketing, Kate Williams said: “We saw huge success earlier this year for our first FUEL Live event, it was so much more than a networking event and gave huge value to those that attended, so we knew we’d be bringing it back!

“We were overwhelmed by the feedback so planning a second FUEL event ahead of Christmas was a no-brainer. We are so excited to see businesses from across the region and beyond come together to learn, share what is and isn’t working, and unlock the power of digital marketing to make the rest of this year and 2025 filled with growth and success. The UK’s small foodie brands deserve to shine a light on all they do, and that’s what we help them with.”

Kate added: “Keynote talks from Superfoodio and the Greendale Farmshop as well as our own team at KW Marketing offer money-can’t-buy insights. We bring together the best in the biz to give foodie brands and their passionate teams lessons and tips that they can put into action right away to fuel big results as we head into Christmas. This is always the busiest time of year and the BEST opportunity for small businesses to be seen, heard and recognised for what they do so it was a no-brainer to bring Fuel Live back for a second serving this September!”

The ultimate champion for food and drink brands in the South West, KW Marketing is well established as a powerhouse client partner. Founded by digital marketing expert Kate Williams in Exeter in 2017, it has fast become the ‘go to’ digital marketing agency in the South West for food and drink businesses, with award nominations flooding in, including ‘Small Business of the Year’ and ‘Fearless Leader Award’, and Kate celebrated in Business Insider South West’s 42 under 42 powerhouse list earlier this year.

With offices in both Devon and London, the team offers full-service digital marketing expertise, including email marketing, paid and organic social media, SEO, website design, strategic consultancy, workshops and masterclasses to powerfully grow brands, deliver positive impact and help them to thrive in competitive markets.

For more information and to book tickets for FUEL, visit here: https://kwmarketinguk.co.uk/product/fuel-your-food-drink-brand-2025-growth-blueprint/

It's World Alzheimer’s Month - Have you Heard of Young Onset Dementia?

Gina Awad - Exeter Dementia Action Alliance Lead — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:11:41 +0000

When most hear the word dementia it’s often Alzheimer’s disease and older people they think about. In fact there are over 100 types of dementia.

However for this piece I want to raise awareness and touch upon one of the more rare types - Young Onset Dementia (YOD) which means the person diagnosed is under 65.

This presents many challenges such as the person may have a young family, be working and also struggle to get a definitive diagnosis.

It is estimated there are over 70,800 people living with Young Onset Dementia in the UK.

Raising awareness is key.

"Dementia is described as ‘young onset’ when symptoms develop before the age of 65, usually between 30 to 65 years of age. It is also referred to as ‘early onset’ or ‘working age’ dementia, but these terms can cause confusion.

‘Early onset’ can be interpreted as the early stages of dementia and ‘working age’ is now less defined as retirement age is more flexible.

As dementia is frequently and wrongly, thought of as a condition that is just associated with old age, the early symptoms of young onset dementia are not always recognised and may be attributed to other causes including depression, stress, menopause, physical health problems and relationship issues.

This can lead to a significant delay (on average four years) in getting an accurate diagnosis and access to appropriate support and can have a negative impact on not just the person with dementia’s life but also the whole family.

Over the past few years I have met a number of people who waited between two and five years to obtain a definitive diagnosis of Young Onset Dementia and were initially misdiagnosed. This is partly due to lack of knowledge, and the person presenting in more unusual ways making it more difficult for loved ones and GPs to recognise what is causing the symptoms".

Three years ago Sarah approached me concerned about her mum Joy, who was 58-years-old. We chatted and she relayed to me a few situations which were beginning to worry her more and more.

Dementia didn’t enter Sarah’s mind, why would it, her mum was 58. It was a disease she knew little about but always assumed “only older people lived with it”. Joy was presenting with symptoms such as confusion, forgetting work meetings and events she would always remember, as well as difficulty following conversations.

I gently suggested a visit to her GP would be worthwhile. Broaching the issue with her mum was tough but eventually she agreed. After nine months of monitoring and a referral to the Memory Clinic Joy was diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia.

Fortunately her employer was understanding and with reasonable adjustments in place she has continued to work.

Dementia is the biggest health and social care challenge of the century and there is currently no cure, therefore information is vital and knowledge is power.

From over a decade learning about dementia and working with families, I understand the fear around the prospect of a diagnosis, but please know there is support available. In the meantime our hope is to one day find a cure.

Do check out the links below as they are extremely informative and offer a wealth of resources…

https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/young-onset-dementia/what-is-young-onset-dementia/

https://www.raredementiasupport.org/

I am a dementia consultant for the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance and an advocate for families affected by dementia supporting them to navigate the complex health and social care system.

Why Your Dental Practice Needs a Strong Online Presence

Val Watson — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 09:49:32 +0000

In the modern world, it is crucial to have a strong online presence, and dental practices are no exception. Creating a good online presence not only helps in gaining new patients but also helps in increasing the visibility of the brand and its credibility. That is why your dental practice needs to focus on its online presence.

Attracting New Patients

It is important to have a good online presence in order to attract new patients to the practice. When patients are looking for dental care services, they usually start their search online.

Search Engine Visibility: By implementing effective SEO strategies, your dental practice can rank higher in search engine results. SEO for dental sites can help you reach those actively seeking dental care in your area, increasing the likelihood of new patient acquisition.
Targeted Advertising: Google Ads and social media ads are examples of online advertising that can be directed towards certain audiences and locations. This guarantees that your practice gets to the people who will probably require your services the most.

Enhancing Brand Recognition

Brand recognition is crucial for any organisation operating in a competitive market. Having a good online presence is an important factor that can be used to build and market your dental practice brand.

Consistent Branding: Having a consistent brand image on your website, social media, and review sites helps to strengthen your brand. This consistency creates trust and makes your practice more identifiable to the patients that may need your services.
Engaging Content: New content, including blog posts and patient reviews, can be used to highlight your experience and dedication to patients. It will help to make your practice more interesting and unique and will create a good impression.

Building Credibility and Trust

In the healthcare sector, trust is a crucial factor in attracting and retaining patients. A strong online presence can significantly enhance your practice’s credibility.

Professional Website: A well-designed, user-friendly website reflects the quality of your practice. Ensure your site is easy to navigate, informative, and mobile-friendly to create a positive first impression.
Patient Reviews: Online reviews play a significant role in building trust. Encourage satisfied patients to leave positive reviews on platforms like Google My Business and Yelp. Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, demonstrates your commitment to patient satisfaction.

Improving Patient Engagement

Interaction with patients is not only limited to getting them as patients. Having a good presence on the internet is a good way of maintaining communication and interaction.

Social Media Interaction: Through social media, there is a chance to communicate with patients more often. Post information that will be beneficial to your audience, news or special offers to keep them interested in your services.
Online Appointments: Offering online booking options streamlines the appointment scheduling process. This convenience improves the overall patient experience and encourages more frequent visits.

Staying Competitive

In a competitive market, it is crucial to be one step ahead of the competitors. Having an active online presence can be beneficial in standing out from the competition.

Competitive Analysis: Understanding your competitors’ online strategies allows you to identify gaps and opportunities. By monitoring and adapting to their tactics, you can maintain a competitive edge.
Adaptation to Trends: The digital landscape is constantly evolving. Staying updated on the latest trends and technologies ensures your practice remains relevant and continues to attract new patients.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Online marketing is often cheaper and can give a better return on investment than conventional forms of advertising.

Measurable Results: Online marketing tools provide detailed analytics and metrics. This allows you to track the effectiveness of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions to optimise your strategy.
Long-Term Benefits: A strong online presence has long-term benefits. Once established, it can continue to attract new patients and build brand loyalty without ongoing high costs.

Investing in Your Digital Future

Having a good website and an active social media presence is crucial for all dental practices today. The advantages include increasing patient traffic, boosting the brand image, establishing trust, and engaging with patients. Through the right SEO practices and ensuring that your practice is well represented on the internet, your practice will do well in the digital world. Optimise your online presence to sustain and improve your dental practice’s market position and development.