Dorset to host National Schools’ Conference on Sexism, Misogyny and Sexual Harassment

The Me Too movement, Everyone’s Invited and the shocking murder of Sarah Everard are just some of the events which have highlighted just how much sexual harassment and misogyny pervades society.

The disparity between men and women is baked into our systems and consciousness and results in women and girls everywhere continuing to be treated as ‘The Second Sex’.

Now is an unprecedented time to address this issue and Dorset is leading the conversation in schools nationally.

Free & Equal? run by Dorset-based education provider Beyond This, is a growing initiative highlighting the need for effective human rights education in schools and beyond. The conference is streamed LIVE and last year’s conference on racism reached 88 schools nationally and internationally: an approximate audience of 5000 young people. This year’s conference will address Ofsted’s findings last year that 92% of girls, and 74% of boys, said sexist name-calling happens a lot or sometimes to them or their peers.[i]

Add to this the discovery that 56% of university students have been the recipients of unwanted sexual behaviour[ii], the startlingly low rape conviction rate in the UK of just 1.6%[iii] and the fact that one in three UK women will be beaten or sexually assaulted at some point in their lives[iv] (usually by a family member) and we see an alarming picture that betrays the prevalence of misogyny and ‘rape culture’ in our society.

“This year we are aiming to reach at least 200 schools and expect an audience of around 20,000 young people,” says conference director and founder of Beyond This Peter Radford. “Growing awareness in schools around this issue has to be the first priority if we are to establish long term cultural change and create a fairer society in which all people of all genders are treated with respect and dignity.”

The conference held in September 2022, features a host of inspirational speakers including Felicity Aston, the first and only woman to ski across Antarctica alone and Seyi Akiwiwo the founder of Giltch charity and advisor to governments and NGOs on online abuse. The conference organised in liaison with Unicef UK and Amnesty and sponsored so far by The Young People Index and African Adventures is seeking sponsorship from Dorset-based businesses ahead of its national campaign. www.beyondthis.co.uk/standup2

[i] www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-sexual-abuse-in-schools-and-colleges/ review-of-sexual-abuse-in-schools-and-colleges [ii] www.theguardian.com/education/2019/feb/26/more-than-half-of-uk-students-say-theyhave-faced-unwanted-sexual-behaviour [iii] www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/23/fewer-than-one-in-60-cases-lead-to-chargein-england-and-wales [iv] www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-56337819#:~:text=One%20in%20three%20women%20 globally,World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO).

FOCUS ON finance

with Peter Harding

The advantages of Inheritance Tax Planning

As Dorset financial expert Peter Harding explains, there comes a point in life when thoughts turn to what happens after we’re gone, with this likely to include considering how best to pass on any assets we may have.

The importance of planning often begins with Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. While few estates actually pay IHT, the 40% tax charged on assets above the nil-rate band and the Residence Nil Rate Band makes it a risk not worth taking.

When you’re trying to come up with a plan for passing on wealth, traditionally it’s about trusts, property and so on but people are increasingly using their pension pots. A pension has long been one of the most tax-efficient ways to pass on wealth.

For example, if you die before you turn 75 and you haven’t accessed your pension, your beneficiaries can receive all of it tax free, provided they claim it within two years of your death. It’s important to get to grips with the pension rules and ensure you’re using them to your advantage.

You could also consider gifting. This is money you can give away while still alive to reduce the IHT bill, so it should be part of your tax planning. For example, you can give away a total of £3,000 worth of gifts each tax year without them being added to the value of your estate (and you can use the previous year’s allowance, too, if you haven’t already).

Retirement continues to change, with implications for how inheritance planning works. Advice is especially crucial here to balance your own needs and those of your loved ones.

To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or inheritance tax planning, contact Peter Harding Wealth Management on 01202 830730 or email peterhardingwm@sjpp.co.uk.

Peter Harding Wealth Management is a trading name of Peter Harding Practice Ltd.

www.peterhardingwm.co.uk

FOCUS ON protection

with Tower Supplies

Is your business abdicating responsibility for employee workwear and PPE?

Branded workwear, company uniforms, and essential PPE is issued to employees every single day.

But how many UK companies are addressing what happens to these items of clothing and PPE when someone leaves, products are replaced or branding changes.

“90% of UK professional clothing goes into landfill. Less than 1% of this is reused to make new textiles.”

The size of this issue cannot be understated in today’s climate. It’s critical we all quickly understand how the disposal of these items is directly impacting our sustainable goals.

The employee dilemma. When issued with newer or different items of workwear or PPE – what happens to the items that are now no longer required or fit for purpose? Does the employer ask for them to be returned? Are they collected for recycling or secure disposal?

Unfortunately, the most common occurrence is that the employee is given the task of what to do next with these items.

At this point, the employee will be asking themselves: what are my options? For most other types of non-workwear clothing and equipment they would be choosing one of these: Donate to a charity shop, List on eBay, Place in a textile donation bin, Put in their refuse bin at home

This might seem like a simple move, but first employers need to understand why taking this responsibility is not just the right thing to do ethically.

The employers’ who truly value their brand reputation, will be interested in the ever-growing range of sustainable clothing, safety workwear, uniform, footwear, PPE and hi-vis garments – Tower can help. We can also provide a market-leading secure garment collection service that offers both a recycling and garment destruction service with 0% going to landfill.

We believe we have the answers so please ask the questions. Mark Dowling, Divisional Managing Director 01202 3055818 mark.dowling@towersupplies.com www.towersupplies.com

Crane Valley Golf Club Wins Retail Team of the Year at industry awards

Crane Valley Golf Club in Verwood has fought off stiff competition and has been awarded the title of Retail Team of the Year at the 59club UK Awards.

59club is the leading UK organisation that provides benchmarking performance data to the hospitality industry and has been working with Hoburne Golf’s three golf clubs for the last three years.

Hoburne Golf uses the assistance of the 59club to help benchmark themselves against other golf clubs, as well as support with training.

The 59club UK Awards was hosted at the Belfry Resort with over 250 industry professionals in attendance and the celebrations hosted by broadcaster and presenter Dan Walker.

Its annual awards are won based on the 59club’s impartial mystery shopping criteria, where it measures the whole experience of guests visiting a facility and provides feedback on every element from the time they book and arrive, to the time they leave.

Commenting on the award win, Hoburne’s Head of Golf, James Slade said: “I am delighted that the retail team at Crane Valley have won this award. In the last three years, the club has invested heavily in its overall visitor experience, and from the sheer hard work and determination of everyone at the club, we have seen an increase in membership.” 59club General Manager, Will Hewitt, added: “I am delighted to see some welldeserved recognition for Hoburne Golf. It is clear from spending time with the team that they are keen to understand their existing performance and continually explore ideas to deliver better experiences consistently.

Hoburne Golf was nominated for two awards on the evening, with the food and beverage team at Bulbury Woods narrowly missing out. www.hoburnegolf.com