The event, on Saturday November 29 welcomes anyone curious about university life. From young people preparing to leave school to adults considering a career change, the Open Day is a chance to find out more about what’s on offer for people interested in full or part-time study.

Professor Sally Moyle, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University said: “Maybe you’ve always dreamed of a career teaching or working with children, or you feel like a career in healthcare might be your calling, if you’re ready for a change in your life, come and find out how Worcester can give you the step up you need.”

The University has highly rated courses with excellent employment prospects across a multitude of areas, from business and computing to psychology and counselling, and from education and teaching to nursing and midwifery.

Graduates from the University of Worcester have the highest rate of sustained employment, further study or both, for any multidisciplinary university in the UK, according to the Government’s Longitudinal Education Outcomes data 2017-2025.

Professor Moyle said: “The Open Day is an opportunity for you to come and explore the campus, meet staff and ask questions. Our Student Finance Advisors and admissions experts will also be on hand to help you understand how the application system works, particularly if you’ve been out of education for a while.”

She added: “The University of Worcester has mature students across all of its courses, and we have a thriving network of people who return to study later on in their lives.”

The Open Day runs from 10am until 3pm on Saturday November 29 across the University’s Campuses.

Registration for the event is now open. Search for ‘Open Days’ on the University of Worcester’s website, or follow this link to book directly.

For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk

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By joining the Chamber of Commerce, our aim is twofold: to gain greater exposure and support as a local independent business, and to contribute our own experience and resources to help strengthen the business community around us.

Managing Director, Ben Panesar says “Hospitality has always been about people making connections and creating memorable experiences. Joining the Chamber allows the Westmead to extend that same philosophy beyond our doors, working together with other local businesses to share knowledge, support one another, and celebrate what makes our community special”.

Our highlights include:
• Hotel Accommodation: Comfortable, modern rooms ideal for leisure or business stays.
• Restaurant & Bar: Seasonal menus showcasing quality local produce, with a welcoming atmosphere for guests and locals.
• Meetings & Events: Versatile conference, wedding, and private function spaces, supported by an experienced events team.
• Location & Parking: Easily accessible, located close to J2 M42 with ample free parking.

We look forward to being an active part of the Chamber network and working together to promote and support the amazing businesses that make our region thrive.

Telephone: 0121 445 1202
Website: www.westmeadhotel.co.uk

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Hereford FC is delighted to announce that a deal has been agreed that will see Westons Cider extend their sponsorship of the club for another five years.

Westons have been a key sponsor of the club since 2015, with signage on the Len Weston Stand and the Meadow End, having previously been a long-standing supporters of Hereford United for many decades prior to that.

The extended sponsorship deal will see Westons continue to supply cider around Edgar Street, as well as supporting the club with giveaways to volunteers and in the Hereford Suite for hospitality guests on matchdays.

In addition, the new deal has seen Westons invest in a significant makeover of Radford’s Bar, with new signage outside and redecoration being undertaken inside which sees Stowford Press branding to the fore.

Speaking about this deal, Hereford FC’s Commercial Director, George Webb, commented:

“We are absolutely delighted with this deal and on behalf of everyone at the club I’d like to thank Westons for their generous, ongoing support.

“Westons continue to be a huge Herefordshire success story and our partnership with them has been of great benefit to our club in a huge number of ways. We are looking forward to developing that partnership still further and we are already talking about freshening up the signage that they have in various other parts of the ground.

“As with all our sponsors, the support we receive from Westons is absolutely vital as we continue to look to drive Hereford FC forward on and off the field, which is why extending this deal for the next five years is fantastic news for the club because of the long-term commitment it provides.”

Gemma Evans, Brand Manager at Westons, said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to continue our partnership with Hereford FC for another five years. Our connection with the club runs deep – built on shared values, local pride, and a love for great cider and great football.

“Seeing the new Stowford Press branding at Radford’s Bar is a real celebration of that bond — the perfect pint poured right here at Edgar Street.”

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The event is being held as part of the Our Shared Futures: Climate & Migration Community Film Festival, organised by City of Sanctuary UK in partnership with Counterpoints Arts, Earth Refuge, Climate & Migrant Justice Organising Group.

The Festival, taking place across the UK from November 21-30, coincides with COP30 in Brazil and Climate & Migrant Justice Day on November 22.

The Worcester event takes place on Wednesday, November 26 from 7pm to 9pm in the Charles Hastings building at the University’s City Campus on Castle Street.

Lecturer Elena Lengthorn said it was an opportunity to watch a series of powerful and thought-provoking films and have conversations about these global issues.

At the event, there will also be a formal launch of the University’s new Sustainability Forum, chaired by Elena, which provides a space for the community to come together to discuss a range of issues relating to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

You can book free tickets to the via Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-shared-futures-climate-migration-community-film-festival-tickets-1922351036699?aff=oddtdtcreator

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When Matthew joined Ballard Dale Syree in 2005, the firm employed just over 30 people. Today, Ballards LLP has more than 150 staff and is recognised nationwide for its expertise in the medical sector.

Matthew built Ballards’ medical specialism from the ground up, expanding from a small local portfolio to a dedicated team now working with more than 50 GP Partnerships and over 600 Medical Consultants and Surgeons across the UK, including prestigious clients such as the Confederation of British Surgeons.

“I wanted to create a medical accounting service that would really make a difference to doctors’ lives and businesses,” says Matthew. “Twenty years on, I’m proud of what our team has achieved.”

Matthew merged his family firm, WW Watson Chartered Accountants, with Ballard Dale Syree in 2005, bringing with him his wife Janet, who also celebrates 20 years with Ballards this year.

“The scale of medical practices has changed dramatically,” Matthew adds. “We’ve gone from one or two GPs in a partnership to large, complex organisations with twenty or more partners. We’ve grown alongside them.”

Matthew says he’s still as enthusiastic as ever. “I’ve always said I only work with nice people,  and after 20 years, I still love what I do.”

About Ballards LLP
Ballards LLP is an award-winning accountancy practice based in Droitwich Spa, providing audit, tax, and advisory services across the Midlands and beyond. Its specialist medical division supports GP Partnerships and Consultants across the UK, helping them navigate financial and regulatory challenges with confidence.

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This exciting programme provides a unique platform for businesses and organisations to raise their brand awareness, build strategic relationships, and influence developments across the education and skills sector.

Employers and stakeholders are at the heart of this ambitious programme as the College strives to equip its students with essential industry knowledge, valuable work experience, and meaningful employment opportunities.

By working together, Halesowen College and its industry partners will ensure that the curriculum remains dynamic, contemporary and closely aligned with the evolving needs of businesses.

The PowerPartner Programme offers businesses and organisations the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of learners through a dedicated skills pledge, that allows partners to share their expertise, inspire the next generation, and support the development of a skilled and confident workforce. In return, participating organisations will benefit from increased visibility and the chance to position themselves as leaders in their field.

Through this collaboration, the College aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, creating a pipeline of talent that will fuel the local economy and beyond. By connecting students with real-world opportunities and insights, the PowerPartner Programme will empower them to thrive in their chosen careers and contribute meaningfully to society.

Jacquie Carman, Principal of Halesowen College, commented:

“We are thrilled to launch our PowerPartner Programme, which represents a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering an outstanding education that meets the needs of both students and employers. By working hand-in-hand with business, we can ensure that our curriculum remains relevant and responsive, while also providing our learners with invaluable opportunities to gain experience and develop their skills. This partnership is truly a win-win for both education and industry.”

Sarah Moorhouse Chief Executive at The Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said ““Black Country Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the Power Partner Programme as it represents exactly the kind of collaborative approach the Chamber champions. By bringing together education and industry, Halesowen College is creating real pathways for young people to develop the skills that employers are actively seeking. This partnership model not only benefits students—it strengthens our entire local economy by building a pipeline of talent ready to make an immediate impact.”

Businesses and organisations of all sizes can join the PowerPartner Programme and help shape the future of education and employment opportunities.

To find out more about becoming a PowerPartner, contact: marketing@halesowen.ac.uk

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The RAF Football Association (RAF FA) Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Charitable Appeal, Aid through Football sees donated football kit redistributed across the globe, and is organised by Wing Commander Neil Hope MBE, and Squadron Leader Mark Smales.

The kit collected from Aggborough includes old and unused items donated by the Harriers Foundation, as well as items collected by Worcestershire County FA from grassroots clubs, who have donated, across the county.

Squadron Leader Mark Smales is pleased to see another Worcestershire club come on board.

“It’s fantastic to have established a link with a club so local to us and are really grateful to Harriers Foundation for reaching out to us through Worcestershire FA,” he said.

“Sending the kit to Africa has become a real passion for so many of us – we know it’s not possible to simply fix the problem of people in parts of the world not having enough, but this is about doing the right thing and doing what you can to contribute, and football is very much a communal language.”

Harriers Foundation Community Engagement Manager, Adam Whitley, expressed delight with getting involved in this initiative.

“Partnering with the RAF to pass on our old kits is a simple act, but one that can make a big difference to lives across the world.

“We’re proud to play our part in football’s global family,” he added.

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Those are just some of the questions an Islamophobia expert from Worcester takes on in his contribution to a new book analysing the mindset of the perpetrators of hate crime.

Dr Mikahil Azad, Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Worcester, wrote a chapter of the upcoming release Hate Crime Perpetrators, New Perspectives from Theory, Research and Practice, in which he focussed on hate crime in the space of mosques.

“A lot of work is done to support victims, and rightly so,” said Dr Azad. “But my research focuses on understanding the reasoning and justifications used by perpetrators. By doing this, we can challenge harmful myths, avoid stereotypes, and begin to engage with the root causes of hate.”

Dr Azad, who is also the Deputy Chair of the British Society of Criminology’s Hate Crime Network, drew from his personal experiences which he gained while carrying out research for his PhD in 2022 and 2023.

He said: “When I was doing my field studies for my PhD, I’d go to sites where people were protesting outside mosques. I’d ask them what was happening, and why. Many were very open to talk about why they were protesting.”

“Some individuals felt their spaces or communities were being taken over, often influenced by far-right narratives,” he explained. “Many blamed ethnic minorities for broader social issues like unemployment or housing shortages.”

The book is released during November, which is also Islamophobia Awareness Month.

In his chapter, Dr Azad highlights that tackling hate crime requires more than enforcement, and calls for education, community dialogue and a shift in public attitudes.

He said: “By understanding the mindset of those who are the perpetrators of these different types of hate crime, we can see what’s wrong. We can debunk myths and overcome these obstacles as a society and actually take on our real issues.”

The book, Hate Crime Perpetrators- New Perspectives from Theory, Research and Practice Volume II, is published by Palgrave Macmillan and available from Wildy & Sons Ltd.

To find out more about criminology courses at the University of Worcester, visit our website.

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If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that disruption never shows up at a good time. And when it does, what you say to your staff matters just as much as what’s happening.

I recently heard the story of KNP Logistics Group, which went into administration after a ransomware attack, taking with it its 158-year-old subsidiary, Knights of Old.

What struck me wasn’t just the devastating impact on the company and everyone connected to it, but how it highlighted the critical role of communication in those moments.

Have you ever faced a disruption that caught you off guard?

Perhaps a power cut, sudden staff shortage, adverse weather conditions, or an IT failure? It’s in those moments a simple communication plan can make all the difference.

And it got me thinking … how prepared are small and medium-sized businesses when something disrupts operations — especially when it comes to communicating with their staff? Often without a dedicated comms team in place, it can feel daunting — but with a few simple principles, you can still keep people informed and reassured.

What matters in those situations is not just what happens, but what you say — and how you say it. In times of uncertainty, your staff will look to you for direction and reassurance.

Do you have a plan in place?

When something unexpected happens, silence causes panic. People quickly fill the gaps with assumptions, and rumours spread faster than facts.

Handled well, communication can:

• Build trust and show steady leadership
• Keep people calm and focused on what matters now
• Protect morale and minimise disruption

Handled poorly, it can damage relationships and trust — sometimes more than the disruption itself.

And if it happened tomorrow, would you know what to say to your staff?

Before disruption: a simple plan for busy owners

You can’t predict every business disruption, but you can be ready for how you’ll talk about it with your staff — and make sure it links into your wider business continuity plan.

• Draft a few skeleton messages. Having 2–3 short templates ready will save you precious time under pressure. For example:
  • “There’s an issue affecting [site/process]. We’re looking into it and will update you again at [time].”
  • “Weather disruption is making travel difficult today. Please [action, e.g. work from home / contact your manager]. We’ll review again at [time].”
• Know your channels. Use what you already have — email, WhatsApp, Teams, or text. Keep it simple.
• One source of truth. Choose one place everyone can trust for the latest update (a pinned Teams post, or a single all-staff email thread).
• Set timing expectations. If you don’t have all the answers yet, say when you’ll be back: “We’ll update at 3pm.”
• Work with your experts. Whatever the disruption, work with the people closest to the issue – whether that’s IT, logistics, HR, facilities, or finance. They’ll manage the detail; your role is to make sure their guidance is explained clearly and consistently to staff.

A little prep now — joined up with your wider continuity planning — makes a huge difference later.

During disruption: communicate with confidence

When something happens, five principles will help:

1. Be quick. Acknowledge the situation early even if you don’t have the full picture. For example, send a short message within the first hour to say you’re aware of the issue and will update again at [time].
2. Be honest. Share what you know, what you don’t, and your next steps. If your systems are down, you might say: “We don’t yet know how long this will take, but IT are investigating and we’ll share more at 3pm.”
3. Be consistent. Make sure managers and leaders share the same core messages. For example, provide managers with a short briefing note so every team hears the same facts, not rumours.
4. Be human. Acknowledge feelings: “We know this is frustrating/worrying.” If staff are working late to deal with an issue, recognise the pressure: “We really appreciate the extra effort you’re putting in today.”
5. Be two-way. Encourage questions and listen to feedback. Staff may spot things you’ve missed. Set up a Q&A channel on Teams or hold a 10-minute check-in for staff to raise concerns.

These principles work whether the issue is minor (a disruption on the roads) or major (a serious incident).

Keep internal and external comms joined up

During disruption, what you tell your staff and what you tell your customers need to align. Mixed messages create confusion and erode trust.

Work closely with whoever is handling external communication, whether that’s a colleague or an external partner, to ensure your staff updates line up with what’s being shared outside the business.

When staff hear one thing internally and read another externally, confidence drops. Joined-up comms builds reassurance on both sides.

After disruption: review and rebuild trust

Once things have settled:

• Thank your staff. Acknowledge their patience and effort.
• Share lessons learned. Ask for feedback. Be open about what you’ll do differently next time.
• Recognise outstanding contributions. If people went the extra mile, make sure it’s acknowledged.
• Improve your plan. Update your skeleton messages and channel choices while it’s fresh.

This strengthens trust and sets you up to respond even better in future.

A quick checklist for business owners

Here are a few simple things worth having in place before the next disruption comes along:

• A simple, one-page crisis comms plan — a quick reference showing who to contact, how to share updates, and what channels to use when something unexpected happens.
• A couple of draft “holding” messages ready to tweak and send.
• A clear idea of which channels you’ll use and one “go-to place” for updates.
• A promise to yourself to share updates quickly, honestly, and regularly.
• Managers/team leaders who know what to say and how to pass messages on.
• Internal updates that line up with what you’re telling customers and other external audiences.
• A way for staff to ask questions or flag issues, whether that’s through a Q&A chat on Teams, or regular check-ins.
• A habit of reviewing (and even practising) your plan so it’s sharper next time.

HOT TIP:

When tech fails, paper wins. Keep a printed copy of your crisis comms plan at work and at home. If systems go down, you’ll still have the key info you need.

Final thought

You can’t always control what happens in your business — but you can control how you communicate. Clear, timely, human messages help your staff feel supported, even when things are uncertain.

Crisis communication doesn’t need to be complicated. It should sit alongside your wider business continuity planning, giving you and your team the confidence to respond quickly and calmly.

Take charge of your communication strategy today. Don’t wait for the next disruption to test your resilience. Start preparing now so you can lead with confidence.

If you’d like to explore how to create a simple, tailored plan for your business …

• Ring me on 07929 939 683
• Get in touch for a chat about how I could support your business growth
• Explore website to learn more about the services I offer

I’d love to help you make sure your team is ready for whatever comes next.

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