Harlow and District Chamber of Commerce

Harlow Council supporting hidden disabilities

Harlow Civic Centre reception is now part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme.

Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly tells staff that you need additional support, help or a little more time.

Not all disabilities are visible – some are not immediately obvious, such as autism, chronic pain, dementia, anxiety, visual or hearing impairment.

Living with a hidden disability can make daily life more demanding for many people but it can be difficult for others to recognise, acknowledge or understand the challenges they face.

Councillor Frances Mason, portfolio holder for governance, equality and diversity, said:  “Harlow Council prides itself on treating everyone fairly and equally. When visiting the Civic Centre we want people to feel confident that they will be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their physical or mental capabilities.

“The Sunflower scheme will help our reception staff to better recognise and assist those with hidden disabilities and will ensure we continue to provide accessible and inclusive services for our residents.”

Harlow Council will be supporting the scheme and introducing it at more of their facilities. More details on the scheme will be issued in due course.

Government announce major investment into Harlow, creating 1,600 new jobs to reboot local economy

THE Government has announced that Harlow will receive a major investment as part of the new “Getting Building Fund”, helping to reboot the local economy. £6 million will fund four important projects and create 1,600 local jobs:

£1.5 million remodelling of Harlow College to boost skills and opportunities for Harlow’s young people

Harlow College will be able to remodel two of its aging buildings to support new T-Level qualifications in construction, digital, education and childcare, and health and science. The project will create local 1,095 new jobs.

The boss who bounced her way to £3m from just £200

The BBC's weekly The Boss series profiles different business leaders from around the world. This week we speak to Kimberlee Perry, founder of trampoline fitness company Bounce.

 Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has announced measures to collaborate with business, public sector and community organisations to help the region recover from COVID-19 and to stimulate further economic growth.

Mind in West Essex’s Mental Health Support Team working with Children, Young People and Families would like to announce their Summer Drawing Challenge!
The Summer Drawing Challenge will focus on a different aspect of the Five Ways to Wellbeing each week over the summer, and Mind are encouraging all children and young people in Harlow to have a go at joining in! For more info check the following:

Facebook www.facebook.com/MHSTHarlow
Instagram @MHST_Harlow
Twitter @MHSTHarlow

Or email

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SecsintheCity is looking for exceptional PAs, EAs and Office Managers to be nominated for the PA of the Year Awards 2020. Could you be a winner?

Last year's winners

Nominations have just opened for the PA of the Year Awards 2020.

Now in its ninth consecutive year, the event is an iconic celebration of the essential support that Personal and Executive Assistants provide to the companies and individuals for whom they work.

Hosted by SecsintheCity - the UK’s only job board dedicated to office support professionals - nominations for the awards are open from now until September 14, after which an esteemed judging panel faces the challenge of choosing one winner in each of the following categories:

• PA of the Year

• Legal PA of the Year

• Office Manager of the Year

SecsintheCity Marketing Director and PA of the Year Awards judge Sarah EL-Doori highlights that the aim of the Awards “is to champion the profession and acknowledge the significant contributions that PAs and EAs make to the organisations they work for.

"This year especially, we know that many PAs, EAs and Office Managers have shown extraordinary commitment during this challenging time. If you work with a PA or Office Manager who deserves to be celebrated, we encourage you to nominate them.”

Why nominate for the PA of the Year Awards?

Winning one of these awards is the ultimate recognition of your hard work, effort and achievements as an office support professional, with 2019 winner and PA at Michelin-starred restaurant business The Social Company Sarah Hodson describing her award as “the ultimate career accolade.”

Shortlisted finalists and their bosses will be invited to a glamorous ceremony held at The Ivy in London on 5 November, where guests will enjoy complimentary drinks, delicious food and networking opportunities before winners are announced. Joanne Wilson, winner of last year’s Legal PA of the Year Award, described the ceremony as “the classiest event I have ever attended and a night I will never forget.”

So, what are you waiting for? If you know a PA, EA or Office Manager worthy of celebration -

or you think it’s about time you got the recognition you deserve - head to the SecsintheCity

website to make your nomination today.

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has announced measures to collaborate with business, public sector and community organisations to help the region recover from COVID-19 and to stimulate further economic growth.

With universities encouraged by the Government to play a part in the economic recovery following lockdown, ARU plans to share its expertise and graduate talent in a new business recovery support initiative.

Organisations can apply for innovation vouchers, worth anything up to £5,000 and which must be match-funded by an employer. Companies can use these vouchers to access academic expertise or innovation support.

There will also be an internship scheme, whereby eight-week internships for ARU graduates will be assigned to work on business projects and inject fresh ideas.

ARU also offers existing business support schemes, such as KEEP+, which connects small and medium sized enterprises to academic expertise, funded by the European Union, 

ARU is inviting large and small businesses as well as charities, social enterprises and local authorities to work in collaboration.

Professor Yvonne Barnett, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at ARU, said:

“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on businesses in our region, and as a university embedded in our communities, it is right that we do all we can to mitigate these effects and meet challenges head on.

“We are hopeful that organisations from a wide range of sectors will join the conversation and work with us, tapping into the resources we can provide, such as our alumni talent, academic expertise, access to networks and our support for innovation.

“By working collaboratively, we can help the region mitigate the devastating effects of the pandemic, both economically and in society as a whole.”

You can find out more online at: https://aru.ac.uk/business-employers/develop-your-business/funding-opportunities/covid-19-support-for-business

Or contact us at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    

Kind regards

Alex