7 minute read
Members News
We have joined Locate in Kent
Rap Interiors are delighted to announce that we have joined Locate in Kent’s Co-working Collective as a founding sponsor.
The Kent Co-Working Collective, established in November 2019, is a network of co-working and flexible workspaces across Kent and Medway. The group’s mission is to position Kent and Medway as a location that supports the development and the use of co-working and flexible workspaces. There are currently around seventy-five operators either set up, setting up or expanding into Kent with at least ten additional spaces in the pipeline.
Locate in Kent, based in Ashford, is Kent and Medway’s official inward investment agency. Its aim is to encourage more businesses to set up and expand in Kent through an extensive free and confidential service. Rap Interiors also works as a Corporate Partner of Locate in Kent to support the agency’s wider client base.
Rap Interiors Commercial Director, Martyn Pilcher, comments on the news: “We are proud to be the founding sponsor of this fantastic initiative to promote and deliver flexible workspace opportunities in Kent. As an office fit out company, we know all about the booming flexible workspace market and are excited by the prospect of assisting with its development in the county.”
Gavin Cleary, Locate in Kent CEO, says: “With over 30 years of workspace design and build experience, Rap Interiors is exactly the kind of company we want to work with to support the burgeoning co-working sector in Kent. The partnership will undoubtedly help us on our mission to create even more brilliant co-working spaces across the county.”
To learn more about Kent’s Co-Working Collective visit: www.rapinteriors.co.uk/
inspiration/news/rap-interiors-sponsorskent-coworking-collective/
The Next Generation
of Electrical Engineers
eco Electrical are working towards building better futures in electrical engineering by offering apprenticeships within our company to progress the industry.
To grow our employees’ skills and abilities is one of our most important objectives and a company value. As we look to recruit further, we’re taking the opportunity to nurture aspiring electrical engineers and offer training in a handson approach. Our apprentices are guided by highly qualified engineers which gives them an insight to our methods of delivering quality workmanship. Another of eco’s core values, promoting energy efficiency, gives a unique opportunity to learn about sustainability in the future of construction, and how this is applied within electrical engineering. We provide invaluable knowledge on the job to accelerate the learning experience, mentorship and support, and pay a salary whilst learning. In return, we request our team have a strong drive to complete their qualifications and put the relevant skills into practice with us.
We take pride in expanding our company and want every employee to feel like the valued team members they are. We want to smash through the huge gender disparity in engineering and encourage anyone to join us in understanding the future of construction and guide keen engineers to success.
We are continuously adapting to the changing industry, building relationships, developing skills and looking towards the future, and we want more apprentices to become a part of who we are, and watch them grow with us.
https://ecoecse.com
New film raises awareness of Foetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Over the past few years, New Planet Film & Media has been working closely with Kent-based charity FASD Awareness to create factual content on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
FASD is an umbrella term used to describe a group of conditions caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol.
It is the most common preventable cause of non-genetic learning disability (more prevalent than Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Down’s Syndrome combined) and can cause numerous complex, physical and psychological problems.
Individuals with FASD are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health issues, self-harm and suicide, substance abuse and behavioral difficulties. An individual with FASD will require lifelong support.
Our films have included contributions from the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and the Deputy Chief Midwifery Officer. A recent project, a three-minute science film which describes how alcohol affects a developing foetus was completed during the pandemic.
Alcohol affects cell migration as well as gene expression, and can affect the development of the brain at any point during pregnancy.
The film is available on YouTube and has been used as part of training programmes around the country.
New Planet is an award-winning company producing video content of all kinds for businesses and charities, including video-based training. Visit the New Planet website at newplanetfilms.com for samples and more information about what we do.
For more information on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, visit
fasdawareness.org
Maidstone Innovation Centre –
A sustainable building for the future
Maidstone Innovation Centre is a new flexible office space incorporating several sustainable features including electric vehicle charging pods, smart lighting and solar panels to help the building reduce its environmental impact.
and warmer in winter. It will also act as a natural sound insulator, and oxygen released by the plants will assist with air purification. A stunning focal point, the wall incorporates a range of species indigenous to the local area, which will bloom all year round, attracting bees and butterflies.
The most impressive feature is the 90.5m2 Green wall Covering 90.5m2, the wall will help to reduce the carbon footprint of the building by keeping it cooler in summer Environmental impact was also a key concern during construction. Contractors Rydon reported that 98% of waste was reused or recycled offsite and applied Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) processes, which ensures best practice for the environmental performance of buildings. As such, the MIC is on track to score a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’, putting it among the top 25% of buildings in the country.
Maidstone Innovation Centre was part-funded by European Regional Development Fund 2014 – 2020.
www.maidstoneinnovationcentre.co.uk
unIMPORTANT ART
Albert Einstein
Creativity is a vital part of our life. It opens our minds, makes us happier, helps us survive troubled times and discover innovative and elegant business solutions. Recently the UK government took the disappointing step of devaluing the importance of art, by reducing the funding for creative subjects in schools and halving financing for art courses across higher education institutions in England.
At Warnborough College we strongly believe that creativity is an important life skill (it is one of the few things that AI still struggles to emulate). We have not only started to offer more artistic courses to our students, but also decided to do something “creative” for Kent. In July 2022 we organised the annual Kent International Arts conference (www.KArtsCon.com), and now every Saturday we offer free art therapy classes.
Our Ukrainian Art Hub is a FREE therapeutic creativity program for adults that empowers and inspires participants to create a new chapter of their lives, help them deal with stress, and unlocks their potential. But you don't need to be Ukrainian to join us - everyone is welcome!
We would strongly encourage all businesses to support our initiative and bring art to your office, village, or town. Open your premises, when they are unused, for art teachers and local communities, help boost creativity and innovation, create your own art hub.
If you would like to talk to us or to see how it works, please contact us at olga@warnborough.edu.
Stay in touch
with your vehicles
Autosparx are Accredited & Insurance Approved Vehicle Security Installers and approved Auto Electricians.
Established in 1991, we are a family business, we offer a first-class service throughout Kent & beyond. We have built the business on customer service excellence.
Fleet Management, Tracking, Security and Dash Cams are just some of the main areas of our services offered to fleets and business customers. We are aware of the issues faced by Fleets, Vehicles (Including plant) duty of care, vehicle safety, productivity, rising fuel costs, driver behaviours and not to mention theft.
Benefits of Dash Cams
• Protection against the common crash for cash scams
• Time and Date stamp footage as evidence for RTA claims which leads to faster claims process • Can reduce insurance premiums • Promote safer driving as they can also record internal driver behaviours
Fleet Tracking offers solutions for Fleet Managers who are often faced with issues such as poor communication, vehicle downtime, ineffective route planning and productivity, inaccurate budgeting, and excessive fuel costs. Fleet Managers can monitor in real time their Fleet and Staff which undoubtedly improves productivity, safety, duty of care, resources, route planning, fuel efficiency and driver behaviours.
If you currently have a fleet system in place, we can review to ensure it is cost effective and working for you. If you want to find out how our Fleet Tracking Systems can support your business or more on Dash Cams and Security, then visit us at: www.autosparx.co.uk
