I’d like to welcome you to the latest issue of the magazine!
The magazine is jam-packed with lots of useful local information and fantastic local businesses. Please support as many as you can - use them or lose them! Like never before, our community needs the support of all of us.
In case you weren’t aware, David and I run Dartford Living alongside over 50 volunteer members of the local community. DL is the only independently run magazine, serving the local area with information and positive local stories!
Please get in touch if you would like to write an article for the magazine. If writing is not for you, then perhaps you could volunteer to deliver 100 or so magazines to your neighbours. You will guarantee your copy of the magazine and get a little exercise too!
If you email editor@dartfordliving.com we will add you to our e-newsletter mailing list and you will join over 60,000 local people who read the magazine and/or follow us on social media each month.
When you’ve finished reading the magazine please either keep it on your bookshelf, for when you need to use a local business, or pass it on to a friend or family member to read too. Vijay
Editor - Dartford Living Magazine (and of course David and the fantastic Dartford Living volunteer team)
Local News
Postcards: Edwardian
Dartford - including surrounding towns and villages
By Adrian Herbert
A tinted black and white photo can bring back to life a view or group of people on a street from over 100 years ago. Life was totally different in every way to now.
During the early part of the 20th century, the Edwardian age proved to be a truly changeable time in Britain. There were three monarchs within a decade, the birth of powered flight and motor vehicles replacing horse power on the streets and Scott’s fateful Antarctic expedition ended the same year as the Titanic was launched and sank. The wireless had begun to be utilised and the suffragettes fought for votes for women. State Pensions also came in. Though King Edward
died in 1910, the Edwardian period continued till the end of the First World War. It is said that during this period Zeppelin airships and then later Gotha Bombers flew over the home counties to bomb London. My father witnessed this.
Early motor car outings were very popular for trips to towns in the country and on the coast. At these destinations, postcards were often available as mementos of the visit. Sent with a brief message and sent locally in the morning, they would arrive during the afternoon, with a halfpenny stamp. We owe much to the many photographers who captured these images for us to see life in the past, many who remain unknown.
The views covered in the over 130 postcards in my book cover 4 journeys from Dartford to Meopham eastwards, Plumstead westward, and out to Crockenhill south, with another journey along the Darenth Valley to Otford. taking in villages along the way, with brief bits of information about each view.
For a copy of the book please send a cheque for £12, which includes delivery, to: A Herbert, 1 Sun Court, Slade Green, Kent, DA82DY or you can purchase the book for £10 from the Stephen Oliver Studio and Gallery, The Orchards Centre, Dartford, which is open from Thursday to Sunday.
Box to Box: Why there’s no stopping Dartford FC starlet Olly Box - now the gloves are off!
BY GARETH MORGAN
Olly’s Dad Ron talks to Gareth Morgan about his son’s progress in the sport he eats, sleeps and breathes.
With goals, tricks galore and a permanent smile on his face, it’s clear why Olly Box has become a firm fans’ favourite.
The 19-year-old has been in scintillating form this season, terrorising defences for fun and sitting top of the club’s goal charts with 11 (League and Cup) to his name.
However, the teen star’s football journey could have taken a very different path after a year in goal when he was younger.
And for Dad Ron – his No.1 fan and former youth team and district manager – he’s thankful it was a short-lived spell at the other end of the pitch.
He said: “He played in goal for a season at Under-8s because we were struggling for a keeper. He was really quite good. He was small but very agile and they were obviously smaller goals at that age group.
“Thankfully, it only lasted a season, because after that he was top of most of the goalscoring charts and he hasn’t looked back.”
Olly was football mad from when he could walk, never far from a ball, and showing the early promise that has since seen him become a regular fixture in the Darts starting line-up. Ron said: “He always had a natural ability to take on players and score goals without having to really think about it. Every step he’s taken, whether it’s
in kids’ football or in adult football, he has just taken it in his stride and it hasn’t really phased him.
“He always had a ball attached to him. His mum Barbara was always telling him off for kicking a ball around the house.
“Even when we went on holiday, he would find a way to kick a ball. I remember we were in Portugal one year and there was an Astro-turf pitch nearby. He set up the red and white barriers used for roadworks in a goalmouth and spent two hours practising free-kicks.”
Olly’s football journey began at a local soccer school between the ages of five and six before playing for Danson Sports Blues Under-7s, where Ron took over coaching duties. His first season was in goal, but it became clear his abilities lay out on the pitch.
Ron continued: “From Under-8s to Under-12s, Olly played up a year with the team. It was clear he was better than a lot of kids his own age, even though he was small.
“From Under-11s to when Covid hit, he was also in the District team that myself and Trevor Hand – who has Dartford connections – ran. “His twin sister Chelsey, who’s next to him in the photo when he was in goal, was also a talented player. At one time, they were both playing for Bexley District and were both top scorers of their teams. She actually won the Golden boot that year because she scored in the finals which Olly’s team didn’t make.”
At Under-12s, Olly joined Crayford side VCD where he
was second top scorer, before joining Phoenix Sports.
He spent a year with the Crystal Palace Development team at Under-11s and Tottenham Development team at Under-13s. At Under-14s, he had trials with Colchester Utd and Crystal Palace.
Ron said: “Colchester wanted to sign him but we decided it was too far to travel. With the other sides, the feedback often came back that he wasn’t big enough.”
The setbacks became Dartford’s gain, as Olly joined Dartford Academy at Under-16s from Phoenix.
While he was accepted by two other clubs for their scholarship set-ups, Olly opted for Dartford due to the facilities all being in one place and the friendly coaching staff.
During the first year of the Academy, he played for Corinthians in the Isthmian South East League – his first taste of men’s football.
Ron recalled: “He’s effectively been playing adult football for three years now and it has really helped him. He’s always been able to look after himself, but was obviously small. However, there’s a big difference between youth and adult football so these early experiences really toughened him up.”
Last season, Olly spent half at Margate, before working his way into the first team at Dartford. After a few sub performances, he finally got his first start after they were taken over by DFC Director Tony Burman.
Ron continued: “He was playing in a struggling team that was destined for relegation at the end of our season, but was still creating chances and scoring chances.
“Tony gave him his first start. But I remember his first sub appearance, well.
“He came on in the last few minutes, turned someone inside out and then got kicked up in the air! The whole of the Dartford squad ran over and started having a go at the guy who kicked him.”
This season has been the breakout one, with his confidence growing game-by-game.
Ron and wife Barbara have four children, with Olly living at the family home at present, while working in a local pub.
Ron added: “There was speculation last year that some teams were looking at him, but he’s happy here and just wants to play football. It’s why he signed a two-year contract last season.
“He’s happy and buzzing with how the team are doing. He has Ady who believes in youth offering his guidance and he’s able to play with the friends he’s made through the Academy.”
While his son’s name is chanted by fans week-after-week, Ron’s happy to reflect on his proudest moments so far.
“We love watching him play,” he added. “We were on holiday for a few days after Christmas and drove straight from the airport to get to the Chatham game on New Year’s Day to watch him.
“For me, he’s always had this natural ability to take on players. A lot of the skills you just can’t teach, as they are in the head. He makes the right decisions on the pitch and always has.
“Last season, when he was scoring a few goals, I was really proud. Now we are just taking each season as it comes and enjoying it.
“But probably the proudest moment as a dad came when he was being interviewed to join Dartford Academy and he was asked who his footballing hero was. ‘My dad’s my inspiration,’ he said. I’m not ashamed to tell you it brought a tear to my eye.”
And for the Darts fans who love to watch him take the game in his stride, they are just happy Olly has such a supportive family behind him – and that Ron didn’t let him spend another season between the goal posts.
Dartford Harriers
This month Dartford Harriers have competed in 3 major events that have involved their teams to take part and try to win as many medals as they can. The first fixture they had was on 4th January, this was the Kent Cross Country Champs at Brands Hatch. 38 Dartford Harriers athletes took part in their categories and finished in these places: U13G team - 4th place, U13B team - 4th place, U15G team - 4th place, Senior/Vets M team - 5th place. They also had 3 athletes in U15B, 1 in U17M, 1 in the U20M, 2 in U20W and 2 in the Senior/Vets W categories so unfortunately not enough to make up a team but they all raced well individually.
The second fixture of January that took place was on Sunday 5th January. This was the Kent fitness league cross country that took place at Minnis Bay. They achieved great results here and were able to place very high in the different categories and overall. 11 men and 8 women took part in this event, 10 of whom finished in the top 10 of their categories. They said a big well done to the women’s team who finished 3rd place overall.
They then had some good news about how the Dartford Harriers athlete Debare Alade was selected to represent England Athletics, from February, at the state of the art indoor throwing facilities of Växjö, Sweden. This is fantastic for them!
The next fixture they had was on the 11th/12th January, this was the South of England Indoor U13/U15/U17 Championships. There were 10 U17s, 8 U15s and 2 U13s that took part in various events such as 60m, hurdles, triple jump and more. Many were able to gain new PB/SBs, broke club records and won medals. This was a successful event for all that took part.
February fixtures to look out for are:
2nd Feb - Kent Fitness League Cross Country at All Hallows, Medway
8th Feb - Kent across Country League at Norman Park, Bromley
Dartford Sharks
Results from the season so far:
17 Oct 2024: Sharks (40) - Sevenoaks Suns (38)
24 Oct 2024: Sharks (70) - Guru Nanak (67)
31 Oct 2024: Sharks (67) - Walderslade Wizards (45)
7 Nov 2024: Sharks (51) - Bromley Fury (71)
21 Nov 2024: Sharks (89) - Maidstone Warriors (43)
28 Nov 2024: Sharks (69) - Guru Nanak (105)
8 Jan 2025: Sharks (71) - Walderslade Wizards (65)
23 Jan 2025: Sharks (87) - Bromley Fury (80)
Dartford Basketball Club men’s 1st has had a great start to 2025 by securing two wins back-to-back in away games on consecutive days just after the Christmas break against the Walderslade Wizards and Maidstone Warriors respectively. Both games saw the Sharks playing some excellent team basketball. One of which was a cup quarter final win against Walderslade Wizards which secured the team a place in the semi-final . Sharks 1st team are looking to take this momentum through to the cup semi-final against Sevenoaks Suns on Thursday 13th February at Becket Sports Centre for a 20:15 tip off.
Central Park Athletics.
February key events:
Kent League Cross Country, Norman Park Bromley8th February
The National Cross Country Championship, Parliament Hill, London - 22nd February
At the end of last year they ended it on a high by raising £1104.00 at their annual MacMillan coffee morning and £775.00 at their annual charity Santa run. This year has kicked off with the Schools cross country championships Where Noah Collins won gold in the year 7 boys race. The beginner group to 10k group, under the watchful eye of coach and team leader Becca Bushnell, have all signed up for the Whitstable 10K on the spring bank holiday in May and are all training together towards that goal.
23rd Feb - Kent Fitness League Cross Country at Blean Woods, Herne Bay
VANILLA BAKED CHEESECAKE
BY DEBBIE DICKINSON LITTLE LAVINIA BAKERY
This vanilla cheesecake is delicious on it’s own – or topped with grated chocolate or
a fruit coulis. Replace some of the sour cream with Irish cream or chocolate liqueur for an extra special dessert!
What to do What to do What to do
INGREDIENTS
For the base:
200g Digestive Biscuits 100g Block butter
For the cheesecake: 800g Full fat Soft Cheese
150g Caster Sugar
150ml Soured Cream
2tbsp Plain Flour
3 Large Eggs
2tsp Vanilla Extract
Grease and line an 8” loose bottomed cake tin. Preheat the oven to 160° C
Break the Biscuits up into small pieces and place into a freezer bag. Carefully bash them with a rolling pin until they are crumbs.
Melt the Butter in a saucepan or in the microwave. Once melted, add the biscuit crumbs and stir until combined.
Use a spoon to press the mixture into an even layer at the bottom of your prepared tin.
In a large bowl, mix the Soft Cheese with the Sugar until smooth. Fold in the Sour Cream and the Flour. Stir gently so you don’t add too much air into the mix.
Add the Vanilla Extract and the Eggs - one at a time - mixing well between each addition. Again beat, rather than whisk to avoid adding air into the mix.
Pour the mix onto the Biscuit Base and bake in the oven for about 40-50 minutes. You still want a bit of a ‘wobble’ on the top of the cheesecake, but the edges should be just turning golden brown. Turn the oven off, but leave the cheesecake in it to cool – with the door open slightly.
Once cooled, remove the cheesecake from the tin and serve.
The Far East, a captivating region that includes nations such as China, Japan, South Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia, is a land where ancient traditions meet dynamic modernity. From bustling metropolises and historical landmarks to pristine natural landscapes, the Far East is a destination that promises unforgettable experiences for travellers.
A Blend of Tradition and Modernity
The Far East is celebrated for its harmonious combination of ancient heritage and contemporary innovation. Japan exemplifies this contrast with Kyoto’s tranquil temples and traditional tea houses juxtaposed against Tokyo’s neon-lit skyscrapers. Similarly, China balances its rich cultural history through landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall while showcasing urban marvels like the futuristic skyline of Shanghai. South Korea mirrors this duality with Seoul’s dynamic K-pop culture and high-tech lifestyle co-existing with its serene palaces and traditional hanok villages. Taiwan offers a similar charm, where the towering Taipei 101 shares space with ancient temples and bustling night markets.
Natural Wonders
Nature lovers will be entranced by the beauty of the Far East. Iconic sights like Japan’s Mount Fuji and China’s terraced rice fields in Yuanyang are postcard-perfect destinations. South Korea’s Jeju Island offers volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches, and hidden waterfalls, ideal for outdoor adventures.
In Taiwan, the dramatic cliffs of Taroko Gorge and
tranquil Sun Moon Lake create serene escapes, while Southeast Asia’s verdant islands and turquoise waters, such as those in Thailand and the Philippines, provide idyllic settings for relaxation and exploration.
Culinary Delights
The Far East is a food lover’s paradise. Each country boasts a rich and unique culinary heritage. China tempts visitors with diverse regional cuisines, from spicy Sichuan dishes to Cantonese dim sum. Japan’s meticulous culinary craftsmanship shines in dishes like sushi, ramen, and tempura, while South Korea’s flavourful offerings include kimchi, bulgogi, and comforting stews.
Taiwan’s street food scene is unparalleled, serving delicacies like stinky tofu and bubble tea. Southeast Asia adds bold flavours to the mix, with vibrant Thai curries, Vietnamese noodle soups, and Indonesian satay, promising a feast for every palate.
A Cultural Adventure
The Far East brims with festivals, traditions, and hospitality. Whether marvelling at cherry blossoms in Japan or joining water fights during Thailand’s Songkran Festival, each cultural experience offers a deeper connection to the region’s vibrant heritage.
Conclusion
A journey to the Far East is a journey through time and beauty, offering the perfect blend of history, nature, and modern wonders. It is a destination sure to leave lasting memories.
Would you like your business to
its customer
experience? Register your interest in our FREE Dementia Friendly Dartford initiative!
Dartford Borough Council has awarded ADSS funding to support local retailers, businesses, charities and community organisations to become Dementia Inclusive.
This is a great opportunity to ensure that those affected by dementia feel safe and comfortable when shopping on the High Street and in the shopping centres in Dartford.
You will be provided with FREE Dementia Awareness training and with an opportunity to ensure the areas of your business that are open to the public are welcoming and safe for those living with dementia.
Those businesses participating will be awarded with a window sticker that can be displayed so that those affected by dementia will be confident in accessing your business.
Places are limited so don’t delay in registering your interest via this QR code.
If you have any questions about this initiative, please email
Communication can be a challenge for people living with dementia, presenting in many ways such as finding it difficult to remember the right word, becoming distracted and losing train of thought, not being able to express their emotions, change in ability to read and write and sensory problems with seeing or hearing. Each person may experience different communication difficulties throughout their experience of dementia.
Here’s some of our top tips on how you can be supportive:
- Speak slowly and clearly, with simple and uncomplicated language.
- Shorten sentences, don’t give too much information or choices.
- Act out what you are saying, use gestures, body language and facial expressions to help the person connect and understand context.
- Utilise pictures to help explain what you are saying.
- Timetables and dementia clocks can help explain orientation of daily/weekly schedule, time, day, month and weather.
- Listen to their version of reality, don’t challenge it.
- Be patient, don’t rush or answer for them, give them time to talk.
- Involve them in conversations or base conversations around topics they know, something of interest to them or a part of their life history.
- Give them reassurance if they are communicating emotions that appear to be distressing them, depending on the person this can be done by touch or telling them they are safe.
- Use topics or activities to redirect and distract away from distressing situations.
Dementia can be a hidden disability, so it is important for anyone, and everyone to be considerate if an individual appears to be having difficulties communicating.
Helping to support you
We are your local independent charity supporting people affected by dementia across Kent and Medway. We deliver life changing services for people with dementia and their carers from pre-diagnosis and throughout your experience of dementia.
Please contact us if you are affected by dementia or you would like to support us:
General enquiries 01474 533990
Dementia Coordinators 0800 035 2221
info@alz-dem.org www.alz-dem.org
Facing dementia together
How we can support you:
Dementia Coordination Advice, information & guidance in person, over the phone and by email.
Dementia Wellbeing Local community fun and friendly activities and support groups.
Dementia Care Active and fun filled days at The Beacon day service and support in your home with daily living.
Jim Dickson MP for Dartford
From the day I was elected in July, I have been working hard in Parliament and across the local area to support our communities and to carry my Dartford constituent’s voice and priorities to Westminster.
I am here to support you, and my office is always here to help – please get in touch on jim.dickson.mp@parliament.uk for any questions, support or to sign up to my next surgery. I look forward to meeting you soon.
If you’d like to keep updated with my regular activity and find out about new events and surgeries, follow me on social media (Jim Dickson MP on X, Facebook and Instagram) or sign-up to my newsletter on the QR code.
Please always feel welcome to get in touch with me via email for any questions or if you’d like to speak with me - wishing everyone a great start to 2025!
SteveCookpostcardfinal:Layout127/1/1412:15
By Jane Stevenson
MY GENERATION
Roger Daltry got it wrong singing ‘hope I die before I get old’? Why for goodness’ sake?
Isn’t it about time we laid the term ‘old age pensioner’ to rest? Maybe redesigned the traffic signs showing that couple with sticks? Generally showed a respect for those older than us?
It is such a sad term, suggesting despair and vulnerability, conditions which can affect anyone at any age. It has been used as an insult, inferring the elderly drain the welfare and health systems, or expect everything from the state and the local community.
I’m an ‘old age pensioner’ (somewhat younger than Mr Daltry who will be 81 in March 2025), and don’t recognise myself in any of those descriptions. Once we reach pensionable age, whatever that might be, it is a freedom to follow our own paths, unhindered by working to the beat of the corporate drum.
Many will choose to give up the day job. Some might turn a hobby into a business, The internet is an excellent platform for this. Others enter into volunteering, return to education, travel, take up a sport or just choose to live life at a slower pace.
A few have chosen to continue full time work or negotiated hours that suit their needs and lifestyle. We have reached a time when we can decide where our personal priorities lie.
When I was younger, parents were definitely middle aged by 40, and old at 60. They dressed as befitted older people. My mum never owned a pair of jeans in her life; she wore make up daily whether or not she was going out, and she refused to go bare legged, even in the height of summer. My dad always sported a shirt and bow tie, although some of the designs were a little risqué! I can remember when I was pregnant, an aunt suggesting that I might prefer to wear a smart little maternity smock ‘like your mum had’, rather than the more practical and comfortable, pair of leggings and sweatshirt I usually wore. The lifestyle gap was enormous.
What she would have made of her aged niece defies belief. The age gap between the pre- war babies, and the baby boomers grew wider, covering everything from the social and cultural mores through to fashion and music. The rumblings of disapproval were evident in the early 1960s. In my opinion, it was these changes that have freed us now in our 60s and 70s to be so very different from our parents. We gained the confidence to express our own views, whether socially or politically related.
Thank goodness our perception of age is changing! I have ‘pensioner’ friends who are currently travelling somewhere in the Far East, another is learning the saxophone. Several have taken up painting, writing, one coaches a pre-teen football team. One male friend has turned his passion for vinyl records into a business. Another thinks nothing of travelling around the county on either of his two motorbikes. To my knowledge, no-one has suggested Mr Daltry retire either!
There are alternative terms to Old Age Pensioner and the consensus seems to be that ‘older person’, fits the bill. It suggests a degree of experience, a life lived, knowledge and wisdom gained. In Japanese and the Hawaiian cultures, the words ‘aunt and uncle’ are ascribed to older people regardless of family ties. It sounds friendlier!
The world is our oyster. Perhaps we should share it with those younger than ourselves. We could use our life experiences to support and guide the Gen X, Y, Z and Alphas. Also, there is much we can learn from the generation below us. A two-way line of communication would benefit all.
We all hope to grow old, ergo, we will all face similar conditions of change. We can decide how we do it; by keeping alive our curiosity of life and sharing with others or by shutting our minds to change and running the risk of becoming old before our time. Have a good month folks.
DARTFORD FOODBANK
How long have you been running Stanhill farm?
We took over the farm back in 2004, producing cabbage for Waitrose, and runner beans and courgettes for the wholesale trade. We also had a small Pick Your Own at this point. Over the next few years, it was decided to move away from the supermarkets and concentrate on the wholesale market. The Pick Your Own was developed further, and a produce box delivery service was introduced.
With customers asking for fresh produce after the Pick Your Own had finished for the season, an honesty box was created. This enabled them to come to the farm, select the produce they required then tally up and leave the money in a box. Word soon spread and the popularity of the honesty box swiftly grew, so on the 1st October 2009 the Stanhill Farm Shop was launched.
Which crops do you grow?
The farm harvests wheat and several different fruit and vegetables; around 20-30 varieties each year, including runner beans, asparagus, cabbage, spinach, kale, parsnips, sprouts, leeks, pumpkins, squash, and strawberries.
Do you think Clarkson’s Farm has been positive for farming in general?
The series has helped to raise awareness of the realities
of farming, highlighting how various aspects such as weather, could cost a farm thousands of pounds in revenue. Since watching the series, many customers have told us that it made them appreciate how hard farmers work and the numerous challenges farmers face, of which they were previously unaware.
Do you have a farm shop, and do you sell local produce?
Our farm shop stocks a wide range of fresh produce, much of which is harvested by hand from the farm and then put straight onto the shelves, making us a “real” farm shop. Some of the produce in the shop is sourced from other local farms and producers and the rest comes from the London wholesale markets. In addition to fruit and vegetables we also sell cheese, milk, free range eggs, meat, fresh bread, and so much more!
We pride ourselves on being a community spirited farm shop and enjoy engaging with our customers and having a good chat. Over the years we have built up a loyal customer base and know many of our customers on a first-name basis.
How can people find you?
We are based in Wilmington, Kent. Please see the ‘Contact Us’ page of our website for full information on how to find us.
Here are all our links:
Website: www.stanhillfarm.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stanhillfarm
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stanhillfarm
Twitter: www.twitter.com/stanhillfarm
This month we had a chat with Laura from Stanhill Farm.
SMART MOVES: KNOW THE EMPLOYER NIC CHANGES
Big
changes to Employer’s National
Insurance from April 2025
BY SIMPSON WREFORD LLP
Starting 6 April 2025, significant changes will be implemented to the employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) in the UK. These changes are part of the government’s efforts to bolster public finances and support public services. The Key Changes are:
1. Reduction in the Secondary Threshold - The Secondary Threshold, which is the earnings level above which employers must pay secondary Class 1 NICs, will be reduced from £9,100 per year to £5,000 per year. This means employers will start paying NICs on a larger portion of their employees’ earnings.
2. Increase in the NICs Rate - The rate of secondary Class 1 NICs will increase from 13.8% to 15%. This hike will result in higher NICs liabilities for employers.
3. Increase in Employment Allowance - To mitigate the impact on smaller businesses, the Employment Allowance will be increased from £5,000 to £10,500 per year. This allowance reduces the amount of NICs that eligible employers must pay, providing some relief.
4. Removal of the £100,000 Cap - The current restriction that prevents employers with a secondary Class 1 NICs liability of more than £100,000 in the previous tax year from claiming the Employment
Allowance will be removed. This change will allow more businesses to benefit from the increased allowance.
The above changes will increase the NICs burden on employers, particularly those with higher payroll costs. The reduction in the Secondary Threshold means that NICs will be payable on a larger portion of employees’ earnings, while the increase in the NICs rate will further amplify the financial impact.
Employers can consider several strategies to manage and potentially reduce their increased NICs liability:
1. Maximise Employment Allowance - Ensure that your business is taking full advantage of the increased Employment Allowance. This can significantly reduce your NICs liability, especially for smaller businesses.
2. Review Payroll Structures - Consider restructuring payroll to optimise NICs. For example, offering noncash benefits or salary sacrifice schemes can reduce the amount of earnings subject to NICs.
3. Utilise Apprenticeship Schemes - Employers can benefit from reduced NICs rates for apprentices under the age of 25. Investing in apprenticeship programs can not only reduce NICs liability but also help in developing a skilled workforce.
4. Flexible Working Arrangements - Implementing flexible working arrangements, such as part-time roles or job sharing, can help manage payroll costs and reduce NICs liabilities.
In conclusion, while the changes to employers’ NICs from April 2025 will increase the financial burden on businesses, there are several strategies that employers can adopt to manage and potentially reduce their NICs liability. By staying informed and proactive, businesses can navigate these changes effectively.
For further information contact Simpson Wreford LLP now on 020 8317 6460 or visit at www. simpsonwreford.co.uk
February is Heart Month. There are seven million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases. It accounts for 1 in 4 deaths in England, the equivalent of one death every four minutes. Heart disease doesn’t just affect older people. Twelve people under the age of 35 die from sudden cardiac death each week. There are lots of actions we can take to reduce our risk of developing heart disease, and to improve our quality of life if we develop the condition.
Understanding Heart Disease
The term heart and circulatory disease includes a number of different conditions. This can vary from when the blood supply to the heart is reduced, known as coronary artery disease, which can lead to angina and heart attacks. Some people can develop arrhythmias, where their heart may beat irregularly, fast or slow. The heart may not work as effectively to pump blood around the body, which we call heart failure. These may all have different causes. Genetics can also play a role. However, the risk factors for developing many of these conditions are the same, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol use.
Why Awareness Matters
Education about symptoms and prevention is crucial, as many people remain unaware of the risks or fail to recognize warning signs. Common symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness, but some forms can be silent and only detected through routine checkups. Early detection can save lives.
Tips for a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
Preventing heart disease often starts with lifestyle changes. Key strategies include:
• Eating a Balanced Diet: Incorporate fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
• Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of
Love your heart
By Dr Julie Taylor
moderate aerobic activity weekly, such as walking, cycling, or swimming.
• Quitting Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and significantly increases the risk of heart disease.
• Managing Stress: Chronic stress can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors and increased blood pressure. Practice mindfulness, yoga, or meditation.
• Routine Health Checkups: Regular monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels is essential for early detection.
By addressing these factors, you won’t only reduce your risk of heart disease. You will also reduce the risk of developing diabetes, stroke, chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease and vascular dementia.
Take time to change your life
During February, the British Heart Foundation is challenging people to take at least 10 minutes a day to help improve their heart health. They are asking people to eat healthily, take regular exercise and to stop smoking. Kent’s free stop smoking services can support you. It’s easier with support. Get your personalised quit plan and sign up today at: https://bit.ly/3YPV85G
In addition to this, I would like to challenge you to get your blood pressure checked at your GP or community pharmacy and attend for an NHS Health Check when you are invited.
Take 15 minutes to save a life
Would you know what to do if someone collapsed and needed CPR? You can access free online CPR training on the BHF website at bhf.org.uk and click on the link at the top ‘Learn CPR’.
Dr Julie Taylor is a GP Partner and Trainer at the Wellcome Practice and the Primary Care Medical Director for Dartford Gravesham and Swanley Health and Care Partnership.
SENIOR SNIPPETS
Getting home safely from hospital
BY CHRISTINA UPPENKAMP HOME INSTEAD
Welcome to Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with older members of our community in mind, brought to you by Christina Uppenkamp of Home Instead Dartford.
As we get older, a hospital stay can be all too common. It’s a great sense of relief being discharged. But it’s important to have a sound discharge plan to ensure a safe return home to keep you or your loved one well and prevent any further hospital admissions.
NHS discharge teams work hard to develop a plan, and that should range from the practical measures to looking at how healthcare needs can continue to be met. The plan should cover the following areas:
• Short-term needs: the discharge team should ensure that the patient doesn’t go home to an empty fridge. This may mean that they need to speak to family and friends to get supplies in. They should have enough food to keep them going before carers can see to that need.
If they’re provided with medication, nurses should make it easy for them to know what medication they should take and when. Otherwise, it can be confusing for them when they’re presented with various boxes containing a range of medication. Blister packs or similar devices might be suitable and available in your area; you should ask if this is an option.
• Care assessment: for some patients being discharged, the care shouldn’t stop when you leave hospital. The discharge team may assess you for NHS continuing healthcare, meeting your healthcare needs long-term, or assess you for local authority care if they believe you may need help with day-to-day tasks. They should be able to suggest local organisations that can help, whether that’s a full care package or regular prescription collections.
The hospital might be struggling to get access to state funded care. It’s important to know that you may be eligible for direct payments or personal budgets which are funds provided by the council to meet social care needs, and can be put towards alternative community care available. This could speed up the discharge process.
• All parties working together: when the discharge takes place, hospital teams should give families plenty of
notice, particularly if the family needs to provide care before a care team takes over.
The hospital should also work closely with the care team, especially if specialist care such as catheter care is needed. The ideal scenario is the discharge not taking place until the care package kicks in, to ensure maximum safety.
• Onward referrals: the further support considered as part of discharge plans should include onward referrals for services such as rehab care. Patients, and their families, should not assume that the hospital team has done that, so it’s always worth asking the question before it gets forgotten about.
• Transport home: it’s the hospital’s responsibility to organise transport home if family can’t do so. The discharge team should consider whether the person can get from the car to the house, and even up the stairs to bed if required.
• Equipment aids: if you’re given equipment to aid with recovery, it’s important that not only are you confident using it, but that your carer is too. And the discharge team should consider whether the person will be able to accept the equipment once it’s delivered; it might be that it can only arrive when a carer is home and can let people in.
• Supplies: you might need regular access to products that you rarely or never required before, e.g. incontinence products. Discharge plans should include this.
Discharging patients is a win-win: hospitals can get access to beds taken up unnecessarily by medically fit patients, while people can get back to the home they love. It all comes down to efficient discharge planning and regular communication between the hospital team, social care providers, and the person’s family.
We’d love to hear from you if you think you can help or if you would like to make a suggestion for a future topic. Please write to me at c.uppenkamp@dartford. homeinstead.co.uk or by post to Home Instead, St Fidelis House, St Fidelis Road, Erith, DA8 1AT. Alternatively, you can also call me on 01322 923750.
Local News
Get ready for the school half-term
By NHS Kent and Medway
The NHS is encouraging parents and carers to be prepared for the school half-term by downloading a handy toolkit for primary school children.
The free digital booklet has useful information about local health services, advice on common childhood health problems and items you should have at home. It also contains information about vaccinations and looking after your child’s mental health.
Download the toolkit at www.StopThinkChoose.co.uk Be prepared for minor illnesses by making sure your medicine cabinet is fully stocked with the basic essentials, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, cold remedies, indigestion treatment and antihistamine.
If you have planned a trip away, pick up any prescription medications you need in advance and take these with you.
Make sure your child is up to date with vaccinations. Children can get their flu vaccine and catch up on other missed vaccinations at community clinics.
Find more information at www.GetVaccinatedNow. co.uk
If you or your children are not well, get advice from your pharmacist at the first sign of feeling ill – don’t wait for it to get more serious.
When you need medical help fast but it is not an emergency, visit 111.nhs.uk or call the NHS free phone number 111.
You can visit an urgent treatment centre if your child has a suspected broken bone or fracture, a sprain or a strain, minor cut, burn or scald. Appointments can also be booked by contacting NHS 111 by phone or online. Visit www.StopThinkChoose.co.uk for more information on local services.
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Parent and Toddler Groups
Dartford Libraries
Baby Rhyme Time:
A free, fun and noisy way for under 3s to develop a love of language and a foundation for learning. Each session lasts about 20 minutes and includes the opportunity to join in with nursery rhymes and action songs. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Dartford Library - Mondays 10.30 – 11.00 – Term time only
Dartford Library - Mondays 11.15 – 11:45 – Term time only
Fleetdown Library - Tuesdays 10.30 – 11.00 – Term time only
Greenhithe Library - Friday 10.00 – 10.30 – Term time only
Longfield Library - Thursdays 10.45 – 11.15 – Term time only
Summerhouse Drive Library - Tuesdays 10.30 – 11.00 – Term time only
Storytime:
Listening to stories is a great way to develop and encourage young children to read books. Come and join one of our free storytime sessions for 3 to 4 year olds - it's great fun! Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Dartford Library - Thursdays 10.30 – 11.00 – Term time only
Children’s Craft and Activity Time:
A fun free art & craft session for children. This group aims to bring children aged 4-11 together to chat and make new friends. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Dartford Library – Saturdays 11.00 – 13.00
Summerhouse Drive Library – 1st Saturday of the month 10.30 – 11.30
Temple Hill Library – Saturdays 10.30 – 1.00
Baby Playground:
An exciting programme of creative play sessions for young children, has begun across Kent. Led by a team of brilliant artists and musicians, families with babies (aged 0 to 18 months) can share creative play. They will gain confidence and enthusiasm for continued and sustained creative engagement with their children.
Dartford Library – Fridays 10.30 – 11:15 – Term time only – Must be booked in advance
Other Parent and Toddler Groups
Monday 9:15am - 11:30am - A&J Toddlers - St Anselms Church Community Centre, Dartford. £2.50 per one adult and child and 50p for any extra children or adults each. Tea/coffee biscuits, small snack for children with juice. Craft table and singing and dancing at end of session Contact Julie on 07917 843592.
Sing and Sign Orchard Shopping Centre - Mondays - 9.30am - 10.15am Toddlers 10.15 - 11am 6 months - 14 Months 11am - 11.45am Under 6 Months.
Bexley Park Sports and Social Club - Thursdays 11.am - 11.45am 6 months - 14 Months 11.45am - 12.30pm Under 6 months
Tuesday 9.30am-11.30am - Sticky Fingers - £1.50 per adult includes tea ,biscuits and healthy snack time for the children For pre school children up to 4 years. St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall London Road Greenhithe Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe.com
Friday 9.30am-11am - Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child- £1 Non Walkers - facebook.com/ToeRagse
Friday 10.30am – 12.30 - Mummy’s Linkup - on the 4th Friday of each month., Temple Hill Community Centre
Saturday 2-3pm - Lego Club- ages 5 and over - Chrome Road Slade Green DA8 2EL Tel: 01322 333602
Sundays 10:15-10:45 - Little Tigers - Karate for 3, 4 & 5 year oldsSwanscombe Leisure Centre. Call Saj on 07903 513104
BABYBALLERS Themed Football and multi skills sessions are suitable for girls and boys aged 16 months to 5 years old. Your little superstar will learn shapes, colours, numbers and lots, lots, more all through playing the BabyBallers way! Classes in Dartford, Northfleet, Gravesend and Ebbsfleet on Fridays and weekends. Please visit https://babyballers1.class4kids.co.uk/ or email matt@babyballers.com
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Dartford Borough Council Walk and Talk Groups
Healthy Living Walk - Mondays 10.00am (Contact the One You Team)
Dartford Heath Walk - Tuesdays 10.00am (Upper Heath Lane)
Darenth Country Park - Tuesdays 10.30am (Darenth Valley Hospital)
