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The inspiring Tanni Grey-Thompson

When you think of the greats of the British Paralympics, the name Tanni Grey-Thompson will definitely be at the top of the list. With an incredible career that spanned 16 years and saw her win 11 Gold Medals, 4 Silver, and1 Bronze, it is no wonder she has been called Great Britains’ greatest ever Paralympian.

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Tanni was born with Spina Bifidia was is a condition that appears gestationally and leave the individual with mobility issues. Many people will need to use a wheelchair either on a temporary or permanent basis, and others will use a variety of Mobility Aids like the ones that you can find at Ability Superstore to help them with everyday activities and tasks that many of us take for granted.

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As well as achieving some incredible sporting successes, Tanni was given an MBE in 1993, which was then followed up with an OBE in 2001 and was made a Dame in 2005. Her awards were given not only for her sporting successes but for the work that she does to encourage others into grass roots sports. Having started wheelchair racing herself at the young age of 13, Tanni has inspired lots of other athletes into a variety of sports.

It was aged 17 that Tanni became a part of the British Wheelchair Racing Squad and she took part in ther first Paralympics, aged 19 in Seoul in 1988, where she went on to win a Brnonze medal in the 400m race.

How to integrate shelving into different parts of your home

With lockdown inspiring many people to do some DIY and have a clear-out, there has never been a better time to get your home organised. Shelving can provide practical storage solutions for the home, keeping everything tidy and organised.

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Whether you want to set up a home office, have an area in your home that you keep as a playroom for the children or simply somewhere to keep photo albums and books tidied away but easy and convenient to access, shelving can provide the answer.

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Fixed bracket shelves

Fixed bracket shelves are simple, easy to secure and available in a variety of sizes. They can be fitted to any size of wall or space, are ideal for those on a budget, and are useful for everything from books to photo frames and ornaments. If you are looking for shelving Ireland, go to Rackzone or a similar stockist for a wide variety of shelving to suit every budget.

Built-in shelving

Built-in shelving requires a designer or carpenter who can measure the space correctly, discuss the best options for the room, and ensure there is sufficient room for other furniture, such as a desk and chair. These shelves will be custom made and can be painted the same colour as the walls or any colour of your choice. This type of shelving particularly suits homes with alcoves or expanses where the shelves can go from wall to wall.

Adjustable shelving

Adjustable shelving uses brackets and vertical rails and can be slotted in at any height to suit your needs. You can adjust the shelves as many times as you like – once the vertical rails have been fixed to the wall, the brackets can be moved whenever you need a different configuration. This is not the most aesthetically pleasing option, but it is the perfect solution for student rooms, classrooms and offices.

With lockdown changing the way in which people work, many families are rearranging their homes to include office space. To keep your home and work lives separate, it is a good idea to have an area away from the main living area. If this is not possible, make sure files and paperwork can be tidied away at the end of the working day to protect family time and help you to switch off in the evenings.

How to work safely in the office during Covid

Lockdown is mostly over and, slowly, workplaces are reopening. For some, it’s a relief to get back to a familiar routine but for many, it’s a stressful experience that makes them worry they’re putting themselves at risk. In shops and public-facing positions, there are clear social distancing measures and masking regulations in place but in offices, it’s still sometimes unclear how to stay safe.

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Getting back to work

There is consensus that in many cases, it’s possible to go back to working in an office, but there are definitely workplaces with higher and lower risk. Some risk factors are outside of employers’ control, like the infection level in the local area or the ventilation of the office building. Others are only partially under the employer’s ability to control, such as how well employees actually follow safety measures put in place. The risk increases in customer facing roles: there’s always a chance that one of the people sitting in the reception chairs is asymptomatic, or hasn’t washed their hands since coming into contact with someone who has Covid-19.

There are still plenty of things employers can do to keep their staff safe, and also that staff can do to protect themselves and one another.

Staying safe at work

As in any other area of life, the best way to stay safe is to wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing. In short, wearing a mask protects others if you are infected, even if you’re asymptomatic. Staying six feet apart protects both you and other people. That means everywhere. The only place it’s really sensible to be unmasked is in your own office. Lunch breaks are the time most people are likely to slip up. Chatting with colleagues over lunch is one of the more pleasant parts of office life and, of course, no one can wear a mask to eat. It’s important to stay alert and think about habits instead of just following them.

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Beyond masks and distance, the best safety measure is to regularly sanitise equipment. That means everything from keyboards, to surfaces, to reception chairs and desks.

Advice and best practices change regularly as scientists gather more data on how COVID-19 is transmitted and spread. Making the right decisions to stay safe in an office or anywhere else isn’t just one action, it’s an ongoing process.

Facts About Guinness

Guinness is an original Irish dark beer, which was first produced in the brewery of Arthur Guinness in St. James’s Gate, Dublin, in 1729. It is one of those few alcoholic beverages in the world that have been produced for such a long time period. Guinness has been sold in more than 120 countries, and sales last year totalled more than 850 million litres.

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The beer that Guinness is made from is actually Irish cream ale. It was actually first known as ‘James’s Irish Cream’ after the founder. It is made from all-purpose and filtered water, oats and sugar, with no yeast. The water content is added to give Guinness its unique taste. The taste is known for its rich and creamy body, as well as a rich smoky flavour.

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Nothing says Ireland quite like a full-bodied pint of Guinness, except maybe St Patrick and Aran Sweaters. To find out more about genuine Aran wool, click here.

In fact, the beer that is being produced today has its roots in what happened years ago when Arthur Guinness had just opened his beer business. During that time, he would sell a bottle of beer for every seven pints of beer. He decided to increase this amount every day and eventually reach thirty bottles of beer. As his business grew, he wanted more bottles so that he could sell them in his store in order to make more money. This led to the creation of the beer bottle. Guinness is still made from the same recipe today.

 

The benefits of having a keynote speaker

Adding credibility to your mission

Your employees might be getting tired of hearing a message from you so having another respected voice giving the same message can have a greater impact. Even if your employees look like they are doing great, a keynote speaker with a story that ties into your message can get involved and improve your workforce morale.

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Increase attendance

A keynote speaker offers your employees something they have not experienced yet while working at your company. When you give your workforce something new to learn, they tend to listen and take notes. It could affect their professional or personal lives in a positive way, improving morale and rekindling commitment. You might even find that meeting numbers are suddenly boosted, and everyone wants a seat! Hire an Inspirational Speaker UK at a site like Adventureman, a leading Inspirational Speaker UK

Provides some perspective

As mentioned above, perspective is a powerful tool. You might be enthused with a perfect vision and believe you are setting realistic goals but if your staff are deflated; they may need to see things with a different perspective.

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How do you fix this problem?

Indeed, a single keynote speech may not be able to turn your workforce around, but by offering a different perspective – a different view on the same situation, can lead to some insights, inspiration, and motivation. You can change the way people feel and look at things which might make a big difference in the long term.

 

The importance of audit trails and property inspections

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Consequently, the British Landlords Association (BLA) has issued guidance on Coronavirus and how it impacts on landlords’ obligations recommending legal guidance and the UK Government’s own advice.

Realistically, landlords should decide whether a scheduled visit can be delayed, and remain in contact with their tenants to ensure that no emergency has arisen. The advice from the BLA is that only emergency or urgent repairs should be considered, and even then, recommended hygiene guidance should be followed and any direct contact with the occupier avoided.

Gas supplies

Landlords have a legal duty when it comes to gas supplies, flues and appliances and must keep records of safety checks. Significantly the Gas Safe Register suspended inspections from midnight on the 23rd March 2020 until they receive more guidance from the Cabinet Office and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

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If landlords are unable to gain access to their property, they must keep records of communications with tenants and details of any attempts to gain access. The HSE are seeking government guidance on what gas maintenance services are seen as essential over the next three weeks, and will publish information when it is to hand.

Audit trail

Whilst property inspections are important, in the current climate they may be difficult to carry out. Landlords should be aware that they have the right to refuse to carry out an inspection if there is a valid reason to do so, and they have made every reasonable effort to gain access to the premises. This makes a comprehensive audit trail a vital record to retain, including all communications with tenants and the authorities.

If you have access to the best home inspection software, widely available online at sites offering the best home inspection software you will be able to schedule inspections, keep a diary and create an electronic audit trail for each property. If the current pandemic makes it impossible to carry out an inspection your audit trail will record the reasons why this is the case.

If a tenant is self-isolating there is clearly a safety issue for landlords or their agents and they would be within their rights to decline to enter the property.

 

Could you be a carer?

Have you had enough of your current job? Maybe you have recently taken a work personality test and realize that you are not in the right job for your personality? If the new year feels like a year for a career change and you have a caring personality, you might consider moving into the care sector. People who love their jobs are not just lucky but have chosen a career that suits their personality.

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Do you have a caring personality?

Some of us are born with the innate ability to naturally want to care for others. The selfless individual, understanding, patient and enjoying helping others in their time of need. It could be working as a nurse, nursing assistant, veterinarian or counsellor. If this sounds like a job you will excel in, then most likely you have a caring personality. Almost every profession in care will require DBS check, as the work involves dealing with people who are vulnerable. For more information on Live in Care Bournemouth, visit a site like liveincare.com, a leading provider of Live in Care Bournemouth.

Personality aspects of someone who cares:

You put the needs of others before your own

People always turn to you when they need help

Like listening to other people if they need to talk about things

You will drop everything to help someone in trouble

When others feel good, you feel good

You want a job where you can work with people

You have been described as helping

You can remain calm in a moment of stress

If someone is crying, you do not feel awkward or fearful

Making a difference is important to you

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Most people who work in the caring professions do it quietly and often go unnoticed. They are not extroverts and may only receive national attention when receiving an award or commendation for their hard work and dedication. Many wonderful people are under the radar but provide caring services day after day, 365 days a year.

One very well-known figure in care is Florence Nightingale. Many have been inspired to enter care and nursing careers to follow in her footsteps. During the 19th century, Florence Nightingale worked in appalling conditions during the Crimean War. She arrived at a dirty and cramped medical ward and advanced lifesaving practices in hygiene, health and hospital care which is revolutionized the way medicine is practiced.

Choosing a new career is not a decision to be taken lightly and it is one of the most important life decisions. How well your personality matches your career choice plays a large role in how much you will enjoy the work.

Do a lot of research to see how it feels when you do this career, as it can often be very different to how it is perceived by others outside the field. If you can talk to someone who is already doing the work, or better yet, spend a day shadowing their working life, you can get a good feel for whether it is the right choice for you.

The Top Things to Do in Dublin

With oodles to explore at your fingertips in Dublin’s city centre, and so much more just a short tram or train ride away, here’s a look at some of the top picks that should be on your itinerary for an unforgettable experience.

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Trinity College

With a convenient central location, Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious university is worth seeing for yourself. In addition to beautiful architecture and cobblestone squares, Trinity College is also home to the world famous Book of Kells, an ancient ninth-century calfskin manuscript.

Little Museum of Dublin

Overlooking St Stephen’s Green, this Georgian townhouse serves as the Little Museum of Dublin, full of Irish history and intriguing exhibitions.

Phoenix Park

Immerse yourself in nature at Phoenix park, where over a million Irish people congregated for Pope John Paul II’s sermon in 1979. It’s one of the largest city parks in Europe, housing the city zoo and herds of deer.

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George’s Street Arcade

Now to the burning question: what gifts can you get someone for St Patricks Day? If you’re looking for St Patricks Day Gifts, you’ll be spoilt for choice around the George’s Street Arcade. This 19th-century Victorian market features various food outlets and shops, while Designist, a store with quirky and novel homeware, stationery and gifts, can be found right across the road.

Iveagh Gardens

If you want some fresh air, Iveagh Gardens is an idyllic spot for a sit-down. It’s near St Stephen’s Green and the National Concert Hall, and the Green Bench Café isn’t far if you fancy sampling their delicious daily changing menu.

The Guinness Storehouse

Get a taste for Ireland’s most famous beer with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse as you learn about its history and grab a pint in the Gravity Bar. There’s also a new official brewery tour available providing a behind the scenes look at the brewery process and the brand’s legacy. This three-hour adventure will take you into the Roast House, underground passenger tunnel, Brewhouse 4 and more, plus beer and food tasting along with special sampling of limited edition tipples.

Temple Bar

Quench your thirst for culture along Temple Bar, an area that’s host to everything from art-house cinema to the Irish Film Institute and Project Arts Centre. Physical thirst can be quenched at the tantalising Vintage Cocktail Club.