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​As the COVID-19 situation progresses and the Government guidance continues to change as lockdown restrictions are eased, individuals may be feeling anxious about going back to “normal life” and to how safe it is to return to work and schools. This article looks at things for parents/guardians to consider when you are thinking about your children returning to schools. How to prepare a child emotionally for returning to school? The advice can vary depending on the age of the child. You may like to consider some of the below points to help prepare your child to return to school as outlined by The Mental Health Foundation – Start talking - Your child might have worries about returning to school. You can explore these and help them think of ways to manage them. Sleep routine - Help your child return to their normal sleep routine in the weeks before school starts again. Talk about school - Start to talk through the daily routine that they were once so familiar with. It doesn’t have to start as a conversation about worries, but these might arise as you talk. Coping strategies - Model coping strategies you use when feeling stressed such as reconnecting with friends before returning, doing regular exercise or using breathing techniques. If it applies, you could share your own worries and feelings about returning to work and ways you are managing these feelings. Make yourself available as much as possible - Children may want to come and “debrief” but maybe not when you expect. Create space for talking in different ways, such as going on a walk together or baking together – there may be less pressure in these circumstances than when sitting face-to-face. Look at the positives - As schools reopen, other things will too. It might be helpful to talk about things the child is looking forward to, like their favourite shop reopening, seeing friends in the park or getting ice cream from their favourite café. Signs that a child may be anxious or distressed about returning to school: They look withdrawn, tearful or appear in low mood They are struggling with sleeping or eating They appear anxious or distressed Talking about negative or worried thoughts around their future They tend to be more upset and are struggling to manage their emotionsIf you are concerned about your child’s mental health, you may be able to help by: Spending time talking to your child Setting a routine for the next few weeks Maintaining your own mental health Giving your child the chance to talk about how they are feeling Do your best to try and understand their concerns and worries, reassure them that you understand and that you are there to support them What Question’s may I want to ask my child’s school? What procedures have the school taken to ensure the safety of students? What changes have been made due to COVID-19? What if my child feels unwell, do they have to stay off school for a certain amount of time? Will any after schools clubs be on? ​ Please see the below links for more information https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/managing-children-s-fears-around-returning-to-school-aftercoronavirus- lockdown https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/returning-school-after-lockdown/tips-parents-carersreturn- to-school https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirusoutbreak/ guidance-for-full-opening-schools ​

In elite sport often the difference between success and failure is what is called ‘fine margins’. Sometimes this is a horse winning by a nose in a photo finish, or Oxford beating Cambridge in rowing by a centimetre. These fine margins can be linked back to how those athletes prepare for an event and the “one percent’s” that they focus on away from their training to give them an edge. These fine margins and one percent’s can be transferred to daily life for any of us, as ultimately they are nothing to do with being a sportsperson but instead, just doing things that benefit our lifestyle to get the best out of it. That could be sleeping better, feeling fresher in the morning, running longer or being more productive with your time, be it personal or professional.​​Little Changes for a big impact to your life: In this article we will explore a series of simple lifestyle changes or additions that many of us can adopt to lead a healthier lifestyle: 1. Start your day with water – whilst many of us will start with a coffee, energy drink or soft drink it is important to remember to hydrate. Mild dehydration can cause moodiness, fatigue, and problems concentrating so kick start your day with water. 2. Stretching – regular stretching can help to increase flexibility and motion, develop muscle strength, reduce pain and help prevent injury. 3. Eat without distractions - When we eat while driving, working or in front of the television our body never gets the clear signal that we’re taking nutrients in. Part of mindful eating is eating without distractions and savouring the sense of your food. 4. Walking – allows us to be active and to take breaks from day to day life whilst also taking notice of what’s around us and pausing from the day to day business of life. 5. Spend time off technology – spending too much time on social media and devices can impact both our physical and mental health. It can impact how much we exercise, how we feel about ourselves and ironically increase loneliness and social isolation. Be aware of how much time you spend on social media and take breaks when you need them. 6. Alcohol – A great tip for managing and monitoring your alcohol intake is to get a measurer rather than free pouring drinks. Or if you enjoy a beer, switch from pints to bottles. 7. Stand up at work – If you are sitting at a computer all day it’s time to change that. Set a challenge to yourself to walk around the office or home or even just stand whilst working. Many studies suggest that people who spent more time standing or moving during the course of their week had lower levels of cholesterol and blood sugar. ​8. Buddy up for fitness – working out with a friend can be great for boosting your motivation and also output. 9. Connect with others – regular engagement with others, be it a coffee with a friend (lockdown permitting), bumping into fellow dog walkers, or just a daily hello to your neighbours can help lower rates of anxiety and depression, build higher self-esteem, greater empathy, and more trusting and cooperative relationships. 10. Make your own food - This is can help you save money, increase your awareness about good food, and give you an activity to do to take your mind of things. Useful sources & more Information: Some of the information sourced for this article was originally published on the links below. If you would like to access this and further information in more detail please follow the links below – https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/these-15-small-lifestyle-changes-will-improve-your-life-today.htmlhttps://www.bustle.com/articles/163174-11-small-lifestyle-changes-that-can-make-a-big-difference-in-your-healthhappiness​​

​In order to better understand the value created by the recruitment industry, the REC commissioned independent consultancy Public First to measure the industry’s economic and social impact. Using a combination of new modelling, research and extensive polling of workers and businesses, they sought to better understand the impact of good recruitment.​The industry directly employs 119,000 people and helps over a million other workers find a job each year in companies across the UK. Covid-19 has had a significant short-term impact on all of us - but the wider changes in flexible work and diversity look only to increase the importance of good recruitment in the future. Our study shines a light on three core themes: Recruitment is a major driver of UK productivityGiving workers new opportunities and supporting a more inclusive labour marketThe recruitment industry can help accelerate the recovery. Click here for a copy of the full report. ​

Today marks the start of the Chinese New Year! Each Chinese year is represented by a different animal, with 2021 ushering in the Year of the Ox, but what kind of traits do they have and what kind of job would most suit them most?People born in the Year of the Ox are known to be strong, reliable, fair, and conscientious, and are known to inspire confidence in others. They are also calm patient, methodical and can be trusted. Although they say little, they can be very opinionated. They believe strongly in themselves but are also stubborn and hate to fail or be challenged. Given these personality traits we would suggest they would be suited to a career in Law – solicitors, barristers and maybe even a judge! They might enjoy a role in Compliance as the they are methodical and conscientious or maybe even Politics - as they are very opinionated and inspire confidence from others. One thing is for sure according to Chinese culture the Ox is a hardworking zodiac sign, so they make a great employee! However, they aren’t known to be very creative or spontaneous so they might not excel in more creative roles. The Ox also signifies movements so, hopefully, the world will be less static than last year and get moving again in the second half of the year. The Ox is the second in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac sign. Years of the Ox include 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033. Oxen used to be capable farming tools in an agricultural society, which attach to the symbol of diligence, persistence, and honesty.If you’re looking for a new job, click here for our job search.

Last month we asked our clients if someone they loved deserved a Valentines treat - a luxury Wellness hamper! We had a brilliant response and it was such a tough decision, we received some really heart warming entries, we couldn’t just choose one entry! So, the winners of our Valentine competition are below! Winner 1Cassie Saunders nominated by her manager Donna Hart I wanted to nominate one of my team Cassie Saunders for your competition. She is a paralegal in our children and domestic abuse team and is amazing. We nominated her for an award this year through the Law Society but unfortunately those were postponed due to COVID.Sadly, just over a year ago her mum passed away from cancer. Cassie did an amazing job in caring for her, still coming to work and looking after her young family. This year we started off in lockdown where she home schooled two young children and continued to come in/work from home at various hours and help support our clients going through terrible times. Sadly, this year her father has also been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She is currently looking after him and again managing her young family and still working. We have encouraged her to take time off, but she wishes to balance caring for her family with her client’s needs. Her caring and empathy towards so many has been amazing at what has been an already difficult time.  We are so proud of her and grateful to her for coping so well despite a hugely stressful time in her life and continuing to put others above herself.  Winner 2Katalin Vinter nominated by her partner Rob Lacey Katalin is Hungarian and has lived in the UK for 12 years now and for the last 9 years has worked tirelessly in a residential home for residents with a range of mental health conditions, and she never once took a day off sick during this time! For all of last year she was there for 20 residents to help guide them through all of the restrictions and stresses the pandemic threw at them. Although she has always been dedicated to this role and her residents love her, she was always worried that being from a foreign country may hinder any alternative career prospects, but has recently proved this not to be the case, by landing a new apprenticeship role for the British Government, which has given her confidence a real boost.In addition to this, Katalin has helped me look after my 4 children (ages 10, 10, 17 and 20, as well as myself), helping them with their home-schooling, cooking for them, cleaning up after them (a massive job in itself), offering them huge amounts of support and advice without ever moaning, or asking for anything in return. Finally, due to Covid-19 Katalin has been unable to return to Hungary to see her parents for coming up to a year now, whereas she would normally take a trip home 4-5 times a year. This has given her the blues, and I think winning a hamper would be a lovely and well-deserved lift for her.

​This week (8th-14th February) marks the 14th National Apprenticeship week. The theme for this year's week is 'build the future', with the aim for the campaign to encourage employers to celebrate the diversity of opportunity and value that apprenticeships bring, and how they can help individuals and employers build their future. The earliest sign of an apprenticeship first recorded in 1563 by the Statue of Artificers (also referred to as the Statue of Apprentices) which set out the law relating to all trades and crafts, including apprenticeships. In the 2018/19 period, there were 742,400 people participating in an apprenticeship in England, with 383,400 apprenticeship starts and 185,100 apprenticeship achievements. Over 4.2 million apprenticeships were started between 2010/11 and 2018/19, with 2.2 million apprenticeship achievements. Worryingly since the start of COVID-19, apprenticeship starts have halved. Meridian has always supported apprenticeships and currently have three working in different departments across the business. Connor Barrowcliffe is currently working in our Marketing Department whilst he completes his Junior Content Producer apprenticeship which he is doing through Juice Academy. I'm really enjoying my apprenticeship so far. I did start a college course but quickly realised it wasn't for me as I like the more hands on experience that an apprenticeship provides. So far (3 months in) it has proved an asset to my learning and knowledge. I have settled in well and realised that getting an apprenticeship was the best choice I could’ve taken and I love it. ​Click here to find out more about the benefits of working for Meridian.

We are all guilty when working from home of sitting at our desk/dining table/bed for 8 to 10 hours a day and only moving to get a coffee or go to the bathroom!In many cases, this is to the detriment of not only our physical health but also our mental health, this is where Meridian's Miles4Money initiative comes in! We want to encourage our employees to get moving, whilst raising money for our fantastic charity Leonard Cheshire. Leonard Cheshire are currently raising money to provide PPE for their 4,300 front line staff who have achieved the most remarkable results supporting residents across 120 care homes since the beginning of the pandemic last March. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Leonard Cheshire spent £285,000 annually on PPE. During the pandemic this cost has increased to £6.2 million annually. Despite additional government support, they now have a funding shortfall of £240,000per month which includes ongoing infection control measures.   To help raise money for this great cause, we are encouraging our employees to get outside get their feet moving, whether that be a walk, jog or a hill run! For every 1,000 miles they clock up, Meridian will donate £1,000 to Leonard Cheshire up to a maximum of £5,000. If you would like to support us with this, please feel free to make a donation to our Just Giving page! ​​

Working from home has become the new normal for many employees, managers and entire organisations in the past year. We have had to rearrange our homes, lives, our mindset and get used to this new way of working.It has had its advantages; no long commute, more time with families, flexibility and even money saved on lunches and takeaway coffees! But with those advantages also comes with it disadvantages and challenges. It is now not as easy to communicate with direct managers, or with other team members. So how can we try and emulate those ‘water cooler moments that we so desperately need to keep employee engagement going from strength to strength?Use video regularlyVideo conferencing (Zoom and Teams) has become extremely popular, and to some a necessity. They can seem awkward at first, with some getting used to the settings, sound, what backgrounds they use and becoming less self-conscious when seeing your own face. BUT these videos can make a huge difference. You will feel more connected to your team after seeing their faces, allowing for more interaction and improving ideas and creativity.Water cooler moment: Customise your background (or even put something up on the wall behind you!). You could have a team competition once a week to see whose is the funniest!Virtual water cooler chatsWe use the term ‘water cooler chats’ for the type of interaction that happens such as bumping into each other in the lift, a chance meeting in a corridor, or of course by the water cooler (if your office has one!). When your team members can’t go to a physical space, bring those moments to your team with virtual chats. This could be a scheduled ‘natter’ every day at the same time for 15 minutes to discuss anything, from sport and television to families and celebrity gossip.Water cooler moment: Some video communication platforms have the ability to allow the host of the meeting to split into ‘rooms’. Why not assign some members of the team into breakout rooms so that they can get the chance to know each other and chat in a less intimidating way.Virtual happy hourIt’s not just the interaction at work that we are having to learn to deal without, it’s the after work social elements in many cases too. Why not schedule ‘happy hour’ meetings after work hours for those who want to meet socially? It’s a great opportunity for making lasting connection with those that we work with. Choose a smaller-sized group to make it feel less business-like.Water cooler moment: Come up with a social idea: cocktail night, a pub-style quiz, or maybe a book club. If you have a structure in place, it can remove any awkwardness and let employees connect on a more casual level.Award of the weekWe all like to gain recognition for our hard work and show appreciation for others’ efforts. This is something that was regularly a ‘water cooler moment’, discussing good work that has been recognised company wide. MHR’s People First platform enables employees to give recognitions to their colleagues and celebrate success. This is a great way to increase employee motivation, even without the water cooler moments to encourage each other.Water cooler moment: Why not have an ‘award ceremony’ at the end of the working month? The whole team could attend virtually, and the ‘winner’ of that month could receive something in the post for their achievements.Find your virtual table footballIn many businesses, especially those that are creative, they have breakout areas for employees to relax. These include table football, fruit machines and even ping-pong tables. These were introduced for relationship building, as they allow people with different backgrounds and interests to bond over a shared experience. So how can we recreate this virtually? Play retro video games; card games over video or even take part in virtual quizzes. Anything that takes you away from work for a while and helps to relax and enjoy yourself.Water cooler moment: Split into partners within your team and have competitions. It can be good to bring out the competitiveness in your colleagues sometimes!

​With employees continuing to work from home amid the pandemic, it is possible that some will listen to tunes to help them get through the working day.But is your current playlist or go-to music choice helping you to maximise your productivity while working remotely?New research from Sodexo Engage revealed the music to help staff feel most productive at work.In a study of 2,000 respondents, the data found that rock band Queen ranked as the most recommended artist to listen to for maximum productivity, despite the pop genre coming out on top overall.Out of the top ten artists to listen to for productivity, pop artists including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Pink, Abba and Adele made the list.Eminem (hip hop), Beethoven (classical) and Oasis (Britpop) also featured lower down in the top ten for aiding workplace productivity.Music genres & productivityPop (58%), rock (47%) and dance music (42%) were revealed as the top three most popular music genres for increasing productivity when working from home.Indie music featured further down on the list with 29% listening to this genre, alongside Country (20%) and Jazz (13%).Elsewhere, the study found that pop music came out on top as the most productive genre per work task.Whether staff are writing (35%), completing administrative work (31%) or reading (18%), pop music was revealed as the most popular for ultimate productivity.‘Keeping staff positive is key’Emma Yearwood, Director of HR at Sodexo Engage, said that during this time, keeping staff positive, motivated and productive is key.​“With music being a strong commonality in the workplace across the world, some professionals have missed out on this as we are forced to work from home during lockdown,” she explained.​“Between pop and rock music, it was a close call, but with pop being a style of music that resonates with different professions, the results prove just how popular it is in the workplace.“Given the variety of music artists that made the top ten recommendations, such as Queen, Ed Sheeran, Abba, Oasis and Coldplay, it goes to show that getting your working surroundings right is so important in ensuring your employees can work happily and feel positive about the task they’re undertaking,” Yearwood added.Music & productivityPrevious research conducted by Scala Radio and Psychologist Dr. Becky Spelman found that listening to music at work can boost productivity levels by 15%.In a previous interview with The London Economic, Spelman said: "It affects mood, mental performance and physical performance.“Many people find that listening to certain types of instrumental music can help them with their productivity levels.“The music can function as a sort of ‘white noise’, cancelling out potentially distracting ambient noise,” the psychologist added.Source: HR Grapevine

Research has indicated that the number of jobseekers applying for roles in December 2020 was at its lowest in five years, with 2.2million job applications made.Despite the current unemployment rate, Broadbean Technology has found that there was a 34% drop in the number of people applying for jobs last month when compared to the same time in 2019. It also revealed that there were 45% less applications than in December 2016.Broadbean’s data discovered that the number of vacancies being advertised were down slightly less (this equates to 32%), which suggests that many people took ‘a holiday’ from their employment search likely due to high levels of uncertainty impacting confidence levels at the end of 2020.Plus, this fall in applicant numbers also ties in with the recent furlough extension, suggesting many employers have made use of the jobs support scheme.Commenting on these findings, Alex Fourlis, Managing Director at Broadbean Technology, shared that the data suggests there is now a divergence from seasonal fluctuations that are seen towards the end of a year.“While 2020 was a year like no other and the impact the pandemic had on vacancy levels comes as no surprise, what is interesting – and perhaps quite unexpected – is that jobseekers were seemingly missing from the market in December,” Fourlis explained.“Our data shows a divergence from the normal seasonal fluctuations we see at the end of the year and, due to the effects of covid and the extension of the furlough scheme, this past December saw a large decline in jobseeker activity. In fact, we saw the lowest applicant rate in five years that was lower than the decline in jobs posted due to the holidays.”Despite the third lockdown, the research uncovered that vacancies were up by four per cent in the first week of January when compared to the middle of December. This would suggest that many employers are remaining resilient against the crisis.Fourlis continued: “Looking forward, however, it is encouraging to see that 2021 has got off to a good start with vacancy levels up when compared to the middle of December.“It remains to be seen how the employment market fares in the coming weeks and months, though. With the vaccination programme in full swing and many employers better able to facilitate remote working we are quietly confident that the positivity we have seen so far will continue.”​​Source: Recruitment Grapevine