Tuesday, 19 December 2023
That's Food and Drink: SWEET SPOT: Islands Chocolate Launches Decadent Gi...
That's Food and Drink: SWEET SPOT: Islands Chocolate Launches Decadent Gi...: This is good news for those of us who love to plan ahead, news from what Islands Chocolate has to offer chocolate lovers with a desire to sh...
New Fever-Tree Cocktail Shaker: The Perfect Last Minute Christmas Gift!
You could pick one up on the way to your next dinner party as a gift for the host or as a Secret Santa present? Available now at Waitrose with an introductory deal of £12 and Sainsbury's for £15.
Pair the shaker with Fever-Tree's cocktail mixers, available in Espresso Martini, Margarita and Mojito, just add the alcohol to the mixer, shake and pour:
Fill your Fever-Tree cocktail shaker half full of ice.
Add 100ml of Fever-Tree cocktail mixer and 50ml spirit.
Shake for 15 seconds and pour into your glass!
Why the Fever-Tree Cocktail Shaker?
Style AND function: when creating drinks, Fever-Tree know their stuff,the screw cap mechanism makes the shaker easy to open and prevents the lid getting stuck. It's double walled, to prevent condensation and stop your hands getting cold, and there's even an integrated strainer so it's easier to pour, too!
Effortless Mixing: Turn anyone into a cocktail pro with just a few shakes.
Stylish Design: Sleek and modern, it's a showstopper for any home bar.
Compact and Portable: Ideal for those who love to mix drinks wherever they go.
Saturday, 16 December 2023
Make your loved ones feel safer this Christmas
Whether it’s exploring a new country, going for an evening jog or just walking to work or to the shops; Callie wants people to feel safer and more connected.
A new study by the ONS shows that most of us feel unsafe whilst walking alone. A pioneering new app by safety experts Callie and ADT wants to help us feel safer when we’re out and about.
Empowerment, quality, trust
“Empowerment, quality, trust” –that’s the ethos of the exciting, innovative new personal safety solution, Callie, which has already racked up millions of views on social media and thousands of downloads across iOS and Android.
Conceived as a way to help people feel more connected and confident when they’re alone, Callie consists of a completely free app and a premium safety monitoring service that’s powered by security experts, ADT.
Whether it’s exploring a new country, going for an evening jog or just walking to the shops; Callie wants people to feel safer, more connected and more empowered when they’re alone. But, with up to 80% of women and 40% of men feeling unsafe when walking alone, how can an app help?
How Callie Works
With the free Callie app, users create temporary ‘sessions’ that are shared with people they trust, usually friends, parents or partners. A typical session may look like “First date with John - 2 hours” or “Cycling to the gym - 20 minutes.”
While a session is live, the user’s trusted ‘guardians’ can see where the user is, what the session's for, and how long it's expected to take. They can even see the user’s battery and signal strength.
If the user fails to check in as safe before the session ends, an alert will be automatically sent to the user’s chosen guardians. The user can also manually trigger an alert at any time by pressing a button on the app.
Right now, thousands of people across the UK and further afield use Callie on dates, commutes and nights out. Callie is used on bikes, on foot, on public transport and in taxis. And best of all? –All these features are completely free.
Partnered with ADT for 24/7 Protection
As well as its “free forever” offering, Callie offers a premium safety monitoring service that’s powered by security giants, ADT.
“For 150 years, ADT has protected people, their businesses and their homes” explained Callie’s spokesperson. “With Callie, we wanted to expand that trusted protection to wherever people are, whatever they’re doing.”
A Callie user may trigger an alarm because they’ve been knocked off their bike, because they’re being followed, or because they’re being harassed on a night out, or waling to work or the shops.
Whatever the situation, ADT’s agents are trained to provide support, help the person find a safe route out of the situation and, if necessary, escalate the situation to the emergency services.
Beyond the expertise, one of the key benefits of CalliePlus is having someone available day or night to check in on the user should an alarm go off. This is particularly helpful for people who are working or socialising late into the night and don’t want to disturb those waiting at home.
Privacy and security
A comprehensive study by BMC Public Health has revealed that users of safety apps appreciate the peace of mind they can bring but they are concerned about reliability, price, and privacy.
As part of Callie’s focus on “trust”, they wanted to provide a solution that respected privacy at every level. For Callie, that meant no round-the-clock tracking, no ads, no creepy data mining and no back-door snooping. Whether you use Callie’s free plan or ADT-backed premium plan, your sessions and data will always be private.
A spokesperson for the brand said, “Callie is for those moments when you want someone watching over you –but it’s not a traditional tracking app. When your session is done; it’s done. No one can watch you without your consent, and that’s really important to us”.
In the UK, over 40% of parents use some sort of location tracking on a daily basis. These apps can make parents feel more comfortable but they can be a cause of friction –particularly as kids grow up and want more freedom.
Callie users report finding this compromise more attractive to both parents and kids. With Callie, kids can create a session when they’re walking to school or when they’re cycling to a friend's house, but then check in as safe and leave it off.
For Gen-Z and younger Millenials, who grew up with smartphones and tracking apps, Callie can provide a sense of security and of freedom. For those going to university or moving out for the first time, Callie provides a perfect compromise.
Some of the most vocal support for the Callie app has come from students. At a recent freshers fair, where Callie had set up shop, students turned up in their hundreds to praise what the team were doing. In particular, the freshers liked that they could get benefit from the safety features they’d grown up with, but without feeling like they were being tracked by their parents.
Similarly, many modern couples may appreciate their partner watching over them when they’re walking home from a night out, or when they’re on a long drive, but won’t want to be tracked all day, every day. Callie fills this niche nicely.
Built by experts, backed by experts
As well as being backed by one of the oldest and most recognised security brands in the world, Callie was also built from the ground up by safety experts, Safepoint. This is where the “quality” of Callie’s three-part ethos comes in.
Safepoint protects thousands of workers for household brands such as the NHS, Brewdog, Michelin and Aldi through their dedicated apps and wearables. With Callie, they’ve brought all that experience and made it available to a much wider audience.
An app worth talking about
Despite only launching several months back, Callie has proved incredibly popular on social media –with millions of views and interactions across all channels.
A lot of this success comes from Callie’s community-first ethos. Most of their audience is made up of Gen-Z and Millennials who appreciate Callie’s down-to-earth videos on personal safety.
By talking about the issues and worries that young people (particularly women, girls and members of the LGBTQ+ community) face, Callie have built an incredibly engaged conversation with their audience. These conversations help the Callie team develop the app and provide features their audience genuinely appreciates.
One community-inspired addition is Callie’s “Fake Call” feature, where users can trigger a realistic-sounding, pre-recorded phone call on a timer. If Callie users are feeling uncomfortable, they can simply trigger the Fake Call, wait for their phone to start buzzing and politely make their excuses.
What the future holds
2024 is set to be a big year for Callie. Not only do the team expect to bring on thousands of new users across their free and premium plans, and to reach millions of new viewers across social media, but they will also launch their much-anticipated safety bracelet.
The Callie safety bracelet is a clever, yet easy-to-use, panic alarm that looks and feels like a premium piece of jewellery. With just a tap of this unique wearable device, users can surreptitiously trigger a ‘smart alarm’ and let their loved ones know they’re in trouble.
Commenting on the big year ahead of them, Callie’s spokesperson had this to say, “Our goal is to empower people. Whatever your goals are in 2024: taking up a new hobby, getting fit, going on that dream trip, or just wanting to meet new people… We hope that Callie can help you get there.”
Try Callie for free
Those interested in the Callie app can download it for free on iOS or Android.
Anyone interested in learning more about the ADT-powered CalliePlus package, buying a package as a Chirstmas gift or the upcoming safety bracelet can head over to getcallie.com.
Buy lottery tickets as Christmas gifts as air ambulance charity launches new winter raffle to save lives
Tickets cost £1 each and participants will be in with a chance of winning £2,500 or one of twenty other prizes. Each ticket purchased will help keep the air ambulance flying.
If you’d like to escape for a night at The Pig near Bath, try gliding, or tear around Silverstone in a Porsche 911, visit GWAAC’s website for details about how to enter: https://bit.ly/gwaacraffle. The full list of prizes up for grabs is:
£2,500
Overnight stay for two at The Pig near Bath
Porsche driving experience at Silverstone
Silver gliding experience with Cotswold Gliding Club
Dyson vacuum cleaner
Weber BBQ
Gift hamper from Cologne and Cotton
Two tickets to Bath Racecourse
Roastery tour and tasting session for two at Wogan Coffee
Spice blending course for up to 10 people with Clifton Chilli Club
Tour for two at Gloucester Brewery
Golf simulator session for two people at Saltford Golf Club
Round of golf for two at Gloucester Golf Club
Two weekend camping tickets to Rock n Ribs festival 2024
Limited edition Andy Council print
One of three Presca cycle jerseys with GWAAC design
One of three hampers of GWAAC goodies
Winter raffle hits retail stores
Tickets can also be purchased from GWAAC’s charity shops, making it easy for shoppers to participate and contribute to the charity’s crucial mission of saving lives across its community. The charity needs to raise over £4 million each year to remain operational.
GWAAC is inviting the people of Bristol, Gloucestershire and surrounding areas to visit their local GWAAC charity shop, grab their tickets and some Christmas gift bargains, and help its crew make a difference this winter season.
Raffle tickets purchased will help people like Stuart. Stuart suffered severe injuries following an accident on his farm at Christmas time, but he wasn’t alone in needing GWAAC’s help that day.
Stuart got to thank the crew who helped him when he visited the airbase
This winter, around five people will need GWAAC’s help every day – from accidents on the road to medical emergencies at home, the charity’s Critical Care Team will be called to the most severe 999 calls in the community. Each mission costs around £2,000 and with no day-to-day government funding, the lifesaving service would simply not be there without support from people like you.
In 2022, GWAAC was called to help 1,808 people in urgent need across its region of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and parts of Wiltshire
Tim Ross-Smith, GWAAC’s Operations Officer said: “2023 is looking to be our busiest year ever, and with the demanding winter months ahead, we’re preparing for a challenging start to 2024! Part of my job is making sure the crew have everything they need – from fuel in the helicopter and cars to lifesaving kit and equipment on board, as well as looking after their wellbeing. These essential resources all cost money. I’m calling on your support because a raffle ticket purchased by you today can save lives this winter.”
GWAAC’s winter raffle draw will take place on Friday 19 January 2024 and the 21 lucky winners will be contacted by post following the draw.
To be in with a chance of winning, players must be 18 years old or over. The draw closes for entries online on 17 January 2024, and if you’re sending your ticket stubs back in the post or purchasing them at a GWAAC shop, the closing date is Friday 12 January. For full terms and conditions visit https://bit.ly/gwaacraffle
Good luck everyone and thank you from GWAAC.
That's Christmas believes that these tickets will make excellent extra stocking filler gifts for friends and family or for Secret Santa gifts.
Friday, 15 December 2023
Buying "fashion" this Christmas? Here's a word of caution
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In light of this trend, the Charity Retail sector can play an important role in helping the future consumer make planet-positive choices by providing “joyful” shopping experiences and stimulating a long-awaited revival of the high street. Especially, one can argue, at this time of year.
Charity Retail has never been more relevant, especially during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The new report emphasises just how important charity shops will need to become in educating and empowering young people, reconciling them with a more sustainable way of shopping and self-presentation.
The sector will assist younger generations to reject concepts like “single wear clothing” and reward sustainable choices. But, to survive and thrive, the Charity Retail sector must jettison its earnest solemnity and provide a more fun and enjoyable shopping experience, whilst exploiting sophisticated marketing techniques as well as ‘influencer (and de-influencer)’ culture in its quest.
The research and survey results expose a trend amongst the Generations Z and Alpha that demonstrates a stark contradiction between their attitude and behaviour towards protecting the planet and their incontinent shopping habits - which Charity Retail is best-placed to correct. Not only are charity shops critical to reducing items sent to landfill and tempting shoppers away from fast fashion, but they are also critical in providing relatively low-cost goods, acting as community hubs that can empower marginalised groups, encourage skills development and bring social cohesion. They can also provide a much deeper and more satisfying shopping experience when compared to the short-lived high of buying new goods online.
What their research found:
Charity Retail can offer Gen Z and Gen Alpha a version of consumerism more closely aligned to their values and outlook.
Feel Good Shopping: Respondents ranked the altruistic benefit of charity shops as the best thing about Charity Retail, followed by sustainability.
Greenwashing Won’t Wash: Half (51%) of Gen Z and Millennials say the clothes they choose to wear represent their views and attitudes on sustainability.
The Power of Campaigning: 45% of Gen Z and Millennials say they will buy more second-hand clothing in the near future.
Social Media’s Triple-Edged Sword: 67% of young people say social media impacts their shopping habits due to wanting to express themselves more through fashion, shopping more, but also becoming aware of sustainable fashion practices.
Background industry data highlighted in the report:
84% of 16-25 year-olds are moderately to extremely worried about climate change.
82% of consumers say they feel a positive emotion after buying a second-hand item.
96% of young people say charity shops are relevant in the pre-loved fashion industry.
A 2020 European Commission study found that a quarter of misleading environmental claims came from the fashion industry.
96% of green claims in fashion could be false.
95% of Gen Z and Millennials feel the fashion industry is not doing enough to be sustainable.
52% of Millennials and 46% of Gen Z have sold clothing on resale platforms.
Libby Gordon, CEO, of the FARA Foundation says: “Our report emphasises the critical need to further elevate the role of charity shops within communities, so that we not only provide sustainable goods and raise much-needed funds, but also become hubs for inspiring events and social interaction. This is an area FARA Charity Shops intend to focus on.
"We recently launched our Autumn Campaign, “We are FARA Family”, by showcasing a series of short films all featuring an inspiring member of the FARA community. This campaign emphasizes we’re here to serve and engage our wider family, building spirit and encouraging more people to donate goods, shop with us, or consider working/volunteering in our shops.”
“What the research indicates is that to address the conflict between consumerism and sustainable living head-on, the charity sector has work to do and there is a real opportunity to lead the way in inspiring the next generation of consumers. It must use some of the clever marketing practices employed by traditional retail. These include ensuring high standards in the way goods are curated, and the use of innovative technologies (apps, platforms) to personalise the shopping experience and reward sustainable choices.
“To lure Gen Z and Gen Alpha to a more sustainable way of shopping will require a rejuvenation of Charity Retail in which the feel-good buzz of a new purchase can be maintained, but with the added satisfaction of making planet-positive choices. Social media will have its role here too, with influencers (and de-influencers) sharing facts and moulding retail habits.”
1 “Pleasure Activism” is the sense of satisfaction gained by making environmentally sound choices, the feel-good buzz of changed behaviour creates a greater sense of well-being, empathy and social inclusion. The term Pleasure Activism was coined by Adrienne Maree Brown, writer, activist and facilitator.
Charity identifies increase in winter solstice card sales
In a blog post on their ecards platform Hope Spring ecards, the NGO said compared with last year, they have seen a sixty percent increase in donations directly linked to people sending their winter solstice cards.
Some of the reason for the increase was attributed to the new set of solstices ecards the charity launched a few weeks ago.
“The new solstice greeting cards are more engaging and visually appealing to visitors to our platform," said trustee and co-designer of the solstice ecards Temi Odurinde.
The organisation has also launched a digital marketing campaign on both social media and the world wide web to promote the solstice ecards.
Hope Spring ecard platform, is the largest single contributor to the charity's fundraising efforts, especially in the last quarter of each year. Combination of fundraisers such as the solstice ecards, Christmas ecards and birthday ecards takes Hope Spring fundraising to the highest level they have achieved so far in 2024.
Hope Spring uses funds it raises to build water wells, boreholes and other water. sanitation and hygiene projects for communities in dire needs, in West Africa. Collaboration between the charity and local communities in West Africa has positively impacted the lives of more than one hundred thousand people, since the charity was founded seven years ago. You can find details of Hope Spring water projects on their website and social media pages.
PrePear to Party, Dodge the Hangover?
With a little help from PrePear, a special drink made from Korean pear which is billed as the next best thing to a hangover cure, those with busy lifestyles can still enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations without the all too familiar morning-after-the-night before vibes.
Whilst PrePear does not advocate excessive drinking, the new British brand acknowledges that there are many of us who enjoy a few drinks on an occasion as part of a balanced lifestyle.
So whilst mindful drinking might be in, for those who still enjoy a responsible approach to alcohol, waking up out of sorts is certainly out of the question!
For centuries, Korean pear has been associated with preventing a hangover, thanks to the naturally occurring enzymes and bioactive compounds found in the juice which play a role in the speedy breakdown of alcohol and its toxic by-products.
According to research, drinking PrePear ahead of your first alcoholic drink results in milder and sometimes even zero hangover symptoms. And PrePear is not just any old Korean pear juice, the brand uses a special extraction technique to enhance the effectiveness of all those superfood qualities.
PrePear for a health boost in 2024 …
While PrePear can play a role in dodging the hangover, this punchy pouch drink made from Korean pear is also a great choice for anyone looking to up the ante in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle in 2024.
PrePear not only tastes delicious, it is naturally rich in antioxidants (which play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases), is a source of fibre and anti-inflammatory compounds (help lower the risk of certain chronic or long-lasting diseases including heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers). And with no added sugar and at just 49 calories per convenient 120ml pouch, it won't be detrimental to any efforts to adopt a more balanced diet either!
Nutritionist Raoul-Edward Rechnitz who runs the platform Picture of Health Nutrition says, “In a world looking for health hacks, perhaps it's useful to look to other cultures and their practices. Koreans have been drinking Korean Pear juice for generations to reduce the effects of alcohol and the resulting hangover. Naturally containing enzymes ALDH and ADH, which metabolise alcohol and the harmful chemicals alcohol is broken down into, PrePear can help ensure that if you are going to drink, the negative effects on your body should be reduced.
Korean Pears are also high in fibre and antioxidants, and with no added chemicals at all, PrePear can seamlessly slot into your healthy lifestyle routine.”
PrePear is available online at www.prepearjuice.com in packs of six (£18) 12 (£32) and 24 (£56.50). For those living in London, PrePear is also available via the Quiver delivery service.
Christmas & New Year delivery dates:
UK DELIVERY
Wednesday 20th for tracked 24hr delivery for Christmas
Wednesday 27th for tracked 24hr delivery New Year's Eve
CENTRAL LONDON
Anytime for Christmas or New Year's Eve! 6am and midnight, 7 days a week, 364 days a year. But do note it's not available for delivery on Christmas Day.
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