We had an excellent response to our Annual President’s Banquet held last Friday, which celebrated the 200th Anniversary of Newry Chamber.
President Emma Mullen-Marmion delivered an inspiring speech on the history and future of commercial activity in Newry. This speech can be read in full HERE.
As we approach this year’s AGM, some of the key issues for the Chamber remain Brexit, NI Protocol and Covid-19. Regarding Brexit, Newry Chamber has appealed to the UK Government not to trigger Article 16 which you can read more on HERE.
Earlier this week, we hosted a webinar with the Trader Support Service (TSS) who provided an autumn update, you can view the slides HERE and webinar HERE.
Regarding Covid-19, we have included the latest statement from the NI Executive and we would like to emphasise the message in relation to working from home.
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust have highlighted the pressures they are under and we ask that members share the news of the extension of the Trust’s ‘Phone First’ Service Hours with their staff.
In this update, I have also included information on:
• Statement from the NI Executive on Covid-19
• Southern Trust’s ‘Phone First’ Service Hours Extended
• Migrant Centre NI: Advice & Support
• NMD Business: FREE Support Programmes
• Letter For Support: PIPS Hope and Support WELL-Bean Café
• SRC Survey: HLA in Professional Services
Finally, I would like to highlight the NI Workplace Health & Wellbeing Conference 2021 which takes place on Tuesday 30th November 2021 and is FREE to attend, you can register for this event below.
NI Workplace Health & Wellbeing Conference
Tuesday 30th November 2021, 8am – 12:30pm – BOOK HERE
Tony McKeown
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
STATEMENT FROM THE NI EXECUTIVE ON COVID-19
‘ACTION NEEDED NOW TO KEEP OUR SOCIETY OPEN & SAFE’
“Covid-19 has once again taken a firm grip across our society. Community transmission of the virus is increasing. Hospital admissions are rising and modelling indicates that admissions will increase further in the coming weeks.”
“The clear advice from public health experts is that an intervention is now required.”
“Our people, individuals, families, communities and businesses have been through so much during this pandemic. Our collective aim is to reduce pressure on our hospitals, while allowing our society and economy to remain open as fully and safely as possible.”
“That means we all need to take action to prevent a worsening of the situation that would potentially require more severe measures.”
“We met again today to discuss further steps that are needed to help break the chain of transmission.”
• Vaccination
• Work From Home
• Making Safer Choices
“We understand how difficult this situation is for everyone and we will be stepping up our public information campaign to encourage everyone to keep following the advice. None of us wanted to be in this position, but this pandemic is unpredictable and it continues to pose a threat.”
“We have an opportunity to make a difference by working together to keep our society open and protect the health service. Let’s do everything we can to halt the spread of Covid-19 as we approach Christmas.”
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL STATEMENT.
LAST CHANCE TO BOOK: FREE TO ATTEND
NI WORKPLACE HEALTH & WELLBEING CONFERENCE 2021
DATE: Tuesday 30th November 2021
TIME: 8am – 12:30pm
VENUE: Canal Court Hotel & Spa
COST: FREE (Breakfast Included)
We are now just one week away and you can register for our NI Workplace Health & Wellbeing Conference.
The FREE conference will include keynote speakers, case studies and an exhibition space.
Thank you to our principal sponsors:
• Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
• Action Mental Health
It is open to organisations of any size from across Northern Ireland, not just the Greater Newry Area.
The conference will include expert speakers from many specialist organisations and local employers who are leading the way with their programmes.
We are looking forward to keynote addresses from:
Nicola Connolly Byrne, Empowerment Specialist
John Ryan, Founder & CEO, Healthy Place to Work
There will also be contributions from:
• Action Mental Health
• Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke
• Money and Pensions Service
• Southern Health and Social Care Trust
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE.
‘PHONE FIRST’ SERVICE HOURS EXTENDED
To mark their 1st birthday, Southern Trust’s ‘Phone First’
service has extended its hours to 9pm, Mon to Fri.
The ‘Phone First’ approach aims to help those patients with urgent but not life threatening symptoms to get the most appropriate care as quickly as possible and avoid busy waiting rooms.
Before attending the Emergency Department (ED) or Minor Injuries Service, phone 0300 123 3 111 between, 9am – 9pm, Mon to Fri (excluding bank holidays).
Since they started last year, the team have taken 36,698 calls for help, less than a quarter of these patients actually needed to attend the ED and just under half of all callers were given a scheduled appointment for their local minor injuries service.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
MIGRANT CENTRE NI: ADVICE & SUPPORT
The Migrant Centre NI was established in 2010 to protect the rights of migrant workers in NI, tackle racism, eliminate barriers against migrant workers, advance education and raise public awareness about their rights. MCNI’s aim is to tackle racism and eliminate barriers against new and settled migrant communities in NI.
The work of this organisation focuses on:
Advice & Advocacy
• Immigration advice
• Financial Health & Wellbeing including welfare benefits
Hate Crime
• Supporting victims of race hate crime
Outreach & Capacity Building
• Advocacy, lobbying and policy
• Global Majority Fund
Please find below a presentation which businesses can share with their HR departments to assist in supporting migrant workers by signposting them to the MCNI.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRESENTATION.
FREE SUPPORT PROGRAMMES FOR NMD BUSINESSES
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s suite of business support programmes aims to provide support to businesses based in the NMDDC Area.
A key benefit of signing up for one of the following NMD Business programmes is that you will be partnered with a dedicated expert to offer practical advice to support your business needs.
Digital Growth Programme
Mentoring and workshop support to help businesses develop their digital skills within their industry.
NMD Business Growth Programme
Free mentoring support for businesses to become more competitive in both indigenous and export markets.
Tender for Growth Programme
Programme to help SMEs and micro enterprises identify, target and bid for public and private sector tendering opportunities.
Sales Accelerator Programme
Practical assistance to small business owner/managers to explore, target and convert new sales opportunities.
Eligibility
To qualify for these programmes, your business must be based within NMDDC Area, employ less than 50 people and have growth potential over the next few years.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE & APPLY FOR PROGRAMMES.
PIPS: WELL-BEAN CAFÉ LETTER FOR SUPPORT
PIPS Hope and Support have developed a new and first of its kind project in NI, The WELL-Bean Café.
The WELL-Bean Café is a new café themed initiative to support the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, providing a clinical alternative to the A&E Department, operating a FREE drop-in service over evenings and weekends, for people who are experiencing mental or emotional distress.
PIPS have taken on a new premises and are in the process of fitting it out with a café theme-based approach to support the individuals who will be accessing this fundamental support service. They are therefore seeking sponsorship with equipment to help them achieve and assist in the overall aim of the service.
They are looking for support in the form of coffee machines, fridge, cutlery, cups etc. PIPS are grateful for the opportunity for you to consider with your management team and would be thrilled if this initiative could be supported by you.
PIPS aim to launch the new premises in Jan 2022 and ensure to highlight and promote your organisations support to the highest standard achievable if you can sponsor an item.
They also would be delighted to host you onsite to show you around the new premises and discuss further the impact that this project is and will continue to make.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
SRC SURVEY: HLA IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Southern Regional College are planning to deliver a new HLA in Professional Services (Finance, IT, HRM, Marketing, Project Management and Research).
They would like Newry Chamber Members to complete a short survey below about this proposed course.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE SURVEY.