A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues. This Month: how do you quit your job properly?
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Q I have just been offered a new job and now I need to tell my current employer. The new company wants me to start as soon as possible. The problem is, we are short-staffed where I am not and I don’t know how soon I will be allowed to leave. How should I bring this up with my current boss?
A: The time between telling your employer that you’ve found a new position and you actually leaving is known as your notice period.
If you’ve been in your current job for less than a month, you won’t have to give any notice period unless your contact says otherwise. If it’s more than a month, you’ll have to give at least one week’s notice. Your contract should make it clear exactly how long is expected. If you don’t have a written contract and your employer has no written record of you agreeing to a notice period, you should give at least one week’s notice.
It’s worth waiting until your new employer has confirmed your employment, for example by giving you a start date before handing in your resignation.
How to resign
It’s best to resign in writing (email is fine) so that you have a record of the date that you told your employer. On the Citizens Advice website we have a page on handing in your notice. If you’re keen to move on sooner rather than later, it may be possible to negotiate a shorter notice period than your contact says. If you want to go down this route it can be useful to reassure your current employer that you will tackle any urgent work before finishing. Fixed term contracts are a bit different as you won’t need to give notice if you intend to leave on the last day of contract. Leaving early would usually mean giving at least one week’s notice, unless your contract says otherwise.
Don’t forget about your holiday days during your notice period. If you have unused paid holiday you should speak to your employer about either taking these during or towards the end of the notice period, or being paid for them.
Change your mind
Finally, sometimes people can change their minds about moving jobs or find their circumstances alter. If this happens to you, you should always speak to your current employer to see what the options are, and if you can stay in your current role.
Everyone’s situation is different but if you face any challenges with an existing or potential employer, contact Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848 or visit our website
In the first of their new column, antique experts Craig Wharton and Philip Traves share why we all need to love back-in-fashion brown furniture.
Mahogany chests of drawers
When Sherborne Antiques Market open its doors last summer, customers were greeted with a cardboard cut-out of Greta Thunberg with a slogan;
“Brown Furniture is Green!” We have found over the last year that there is ever-increasing interest in older furniture, with antique furniture now being purchased by increasingly younger enthusiasts. Mahogany chests of drawers have become popular – and wonder with their brilliantly practical storage and with beautiful mahogany veneers. Why buy flat-pack (life expectancy ten years?) when a good 19th century chest of drawers will cost you under £500, and probably still be in use in fifty years time? And no matter how sustainably a modern manufacturer might try and make their production process, there’s no way a new piece of furniture can compete with the carbon footprint of a chest of drawers which was handmade over a century ago, and has probably been in constant use ever since. It’s the ultimate ‘reduce, re use, recycle’. Georgian oak and mahogany bureaux are now beginning to sell too, with happy customers re-inventing uses for them. The last one we sold is now a sewing desk, complete with sewing machine, and full of remnants and cottons.
We paint our front window back- drops in bright modern colours, and then display period furniture against it; this has certainly shown our clients how good the furniture looks, demonstrating that it can be mixed in with contemporary living.
The Greta Thunberg Cardboard cut-out
Your chest forgives you
Antique furniture is also more forgiving than modern light veneered furniture. When you buy a 17th century coffer it has centuries of dents, stains, burns and wear – but rather than seen as damaged, it is improved by the patina of generations. Even the more recent water stains and red wine marks are part of a long life – after a fresh wax and good polish these are just part of the long heritage of these staple pieces of our living history. Antique furniture prices generally peaked in the late 1990s, when good quality reproduction furniture was manufactured because of the huge demand for the look of a period home. Now in 2022 with ‘The Repair Shop’ being one of the most popular programs on television, antique furniture is being viewed differently. There is a newly rising demand for furniture restoration – why not restore your Grandparent’s furniture?
It has lasted over 100 years and should last another 100! Listen to Greta – “Brown furniture is green!!”
Craig & Phil
Sherborne Antiques Market is open 7 days a week: Monday to Saturday 10 till 5, Sundays 11 till 4. 01935 713760. Find them on Instagram here
Sherborne locals and visitors alike are in for a treat, as the Totally Locally Fiver Fest comes to town from the 12th to the 26th March.
Sherborne is joining over 100 towns and thousands of businesses across the UK who are joining together to bring you a fortnight of special £5 deals. The plan is to highlight the contribution to the economy that local shops and businesses bring. “Fiver Fest happens three times per year,” said Jane Wood, organiser “and it is now a big part of our Sherborne business year. The community support for local businesses has been amazing during lockdown, but it is easy to slip back into old shopping habits now that things are returning to normal. So this is a little nudge to say ‘Our local businesses are still here, we are still serving our community and we appreciate your support. And of course we are great value!”.
Why £5?
Jane says Fiver Fest is based around the now famous Totally Locally £5 message: “If every adult in Sherborne spent just £5 per week in their local independent shops and businesses, it would mean £1.9m per year going directly into our local economy. Which can lead to more jobs, a better high street, a stronger economy & a nicer place to live. Makes you think doesn’t it?!”
Totally Locally founder Chris Sands said “It’s a campaign that sees incredible offers from £5 massages to £5 veg boxes, £5 walking tours, £5 lunch deals, £5 manicures… Independent business owners are really inventive with their offers, and we encourage them to also promote their neighbouring businesses offers too. Fiver Fest is about everyone working together to promote their town as a whole. If lots of shops have great offers on, the trip to the high street is really fun!
Jane said Fiver Fest shows that a small change in your spending habits can really make a difference to our high streets. “Just by diverting £5 of our weekly spend to local independents we give them a fighting chance to thrive and to keep our High Street alive. Fiver Fest makes that easy, and it’s genuinely fun to be part of”
For any independent business wishing to participate in the Fiver Fest in Sherborne, please contact [email protected]
Salary: £28,000 – £30,000 per annum, plus pension and optional private medical plus 22 days of annual leave
Role:
The Injured Jockeys Fund is a charity whose vision is to improve the lives of injured jockeys and their families. We do this by providing immediate and ongoing help and support to all current and former jockeys who have held professional, amateur and point to point license plus apprentices and conditionals and their families. We provide an independent, confidential and sensitive welfare service, supporting injured jockeys and their families on a case-by-case basis.
We are expanding our services into the Southwest of England where we have a high population of jockeys both current and retired and are therefore looking for a new member of staff to join our welfare team. The job includes a mix of office-based work, face to face visiting and outward bound PR campaign at point to points, racecourses and local yards. Additionally, internally you will working closely with the IJF Centre in Lambourn and the Clinical and wider Centre teams post physical injury.
What’s it like to work for us?
These are some comments from the current Welfare team who would be your colleagues:
“I am extremely proud of the work that the Injured Jockeys Fund does and to be part of the team. It is an environment where I feel valued, well-supported and provided with numerous opportunities to grow and learn.”
“I think we are a demonstrably friendly and supportive team who actively strive to get the best for colleagues and beneficiaries alike. We want people to succeed and encourage everyone to blossom.”
This month’s news from the unofficial capital of the Blackmore Vale…
The shops are shaking off their winter gloom and brightening up the town with their displays, says Pauline Batstone.
It’s finally beginning to look a lot like spring, and in Stur the shops are ready to greet you with windows to cheer up a grey day. The Boutique at The Market Cross currently has a gorgeously bright and fresh window display to tempt you in for your spring wardrobe – with quality clothes and accessories at knock-down prices inside, of course. Meanwhile The Emporium in The Market Place has had a major reshuffle inside. A picture gallery is planned for upstairs to display the many pictures which have been donated – there is currently a wide range of prints, paintings, cartoons and photos in stock to give your home a new look (or maybe just provide a new frame for an upcycling project). Downstairs is the usual treasure trove of useful household items, many of which you naturally had no idea you needed until you saw them. Maybe replace that chipped mixing bowl or treat yourself
to a new jug for the daffodils? There’s an ever-changing variety of beautiful china, ‘collectables’, books (at a standard bargain price of four for a £1!) and music.
And of course the gentlemen can themselves update their look for spring in ‘Dapper Chaps’.
Important dates for your diary!
Some of the money raised from the sale of your pre-loved goods in The Emporium and The Boutique goes towards organising events for residents to enjoy, and to bring new shoppers into town. There are some great spring events planned to bring you into the town centre, put them in your diary now;
First Saturday of the month – next is 5th March (providing the weather’s not forecast to be awful!) the car enthusiasts bring their pride and joy to admire and swap stories in the Station Road Car Park. Anyone can come along – we have cars and bikes from modern to vintage. It’s very informal, no attendance fee, parking is free and we’re a friendly welcoming bunch! The public liability insurance is paid for by The Community Benefit Society.
Easter events:
There will be a Spring Quiz in the Sturminster Newton shops during the holiday period – the Stur Quiz Trails are always popular, they’re a great free activity with the kids during the holidays.
Good Friday, 15th April:
A day of solemn remembrance with a short service at 12.00 noon at the Cross erected in the Market Place, with Hot Cross Buns afterwards.
Easter Saturday, 16th April:
On the morning of Easter Saturday, the Women’s Institute will be running an Easter Bonnet Making Workshop in The Church Hall beside St. Mary’s Church, followed by an Easter Bonnet Parade up through the town to The Exchange patio area for judging – anyone can join the Parade. Also on Easter Saturday, the Mill will be open and milling.
Easter Sunday, 17th April:
In the morning, Easter Egg tokens will be will be hung around town to be redeemed for real Easter Eggs in the Church from 12.00 noon onwards.
Easter Monday, 18th April
The Mill will be open and milling.
7th May A Wedding Fair is planned to be held around the businesses in the Town; more details to follow.
2nd to 5th June The Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend – details are still being discussed by The Town Council and the Community Benefit Society so more details to follow, but;
Thursday 2nd – Beacon Lighting Railway Gardens
Friday to Sunday – The Exchange Real Ale and Cider Festival
Saturday 4th June – Car Enthusiasts Meet in Station Road Car Park
Craft Market at The Exchange
Anonymous Travelling Market in Station Road and the Market Place
Garden Fair in The Railway Gardens
Sunday 5th June – 12.00 to 3.00 p.m. The Big Lunch and Fancy Dress Parade in The Railway Gardens
13th to 19th June Sturminster Newton Literary Festival – the week-long festival includes various literary- themed events, including a Victorian Fete in the Railway Gardens on the afternoon of Saturday 18th.
July 1st to 3rd – the Boogie Woogie Festival hope to be back
20th to 29th August – SturBuzz; it’s all about bees and sustainability and fun – with a fancy dress parade on Sunday 29th (your best bee costume).
And then of course it’s the Cheese Fair on the 10th and 11th of September, there may be something about the Queen’s Green Canopy in October, and then we are back to Christmas again…
Plans for the old bank to be a new business space supporting localproducers and sellers
Plans are well underway – past the point of no return! – to give you even more ways of spending your money in the former Nat West Bank, which is being transformed into an indoor shopping destination. If you are a business person, looking for somewhere to sell your goods directly to the public, all day, six days a week, 52 weeks a year, then please pop into The Emporium and leave your details with the shop staff there so that we can get in touch with you. Alternatively, email Pauline Batstone: [email protected]
One of my favourite things in the world is a freshly made and heavily sugared doughnut, full to the brim with wonderfully sharp raspberry jam. Learning how to make them was a dangerous step for me: I was genuinely concerned I would never stop, such is my intense love for them! This recipe is not difficult to make, but it does take a little time – you need to allow for the dough to rise twice. You can also experiment with fillings – I have added lemon curd or nutella in place of the jam before, and they work well with any kind of jam or curd. I even made them with coffee jam once! I recently discovered From Dorset with Love’s peach jam which is a delight and would be wonderful as a doughnut filling. Heather x
Ingredients
480g strong bread flour
14g quick action yeast
1 tsp salt
40g butter
30g caster sugar
220ml milk
2 eggs
1litre vegetable oil • raspberry jam
extra caster sugar
Heather Brown is on the committee of the Guild of Food Writers; a home economist with a passion for Dorset’s brilliant foodie scene. Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed, championing Dorset’s food and drink businesses, as well as working with her food industry clients.
Directions
In a measuring jug, measure out the milk and then • heat up gently (either in a microwave or on a hob in a saucepan) until warm. Once the milk is warm (not boiling), add in the butter and stir so that it melts into the warm milk. Add the yeast to the warm milk and stir well so it dissolves. •
In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer bowl), add together the flour, salt and sugar and stir to combine.
Add the milk mixture and the eggs to the flour mixture and beat together to form a soft, slightly sticky dough. Knead the dough so it becomes very smooth (3-4 • minutes in a stand mixer or 5-6 minutes on a floured surface by hand).
Lightly oil the inside of a bowl and place the dough • inside. Cover with cling film and leave somewhere warm to double in size – about an hour.
Meanwhile, line two baking sheets with • greaseproof paper. Then cut out 12 squares of greaseproof paper and place onto the lined baking sheets (about 10cm x 10cm). Oil these lightly. These paper squares are for the doughnuts to rest • on and make picking them up later to pop into the oil a lot easier. By oiling the paper the dough balls will slip easily into the hot oil and you won’t lose • any of the rise in this process.
Once the dough is risen, lightly oil both your kitchen work surface and your hands and take out the dough (the oil on your hands will stop the sticky dough from sticking to you). •
Cut the dough into 12 pieces and shape each into a ball. Place each ball onto its own little square of oiled paper on the baking sheets. Cover loosely • with cling film and leave to prove again for 45 minutes.
As you are getting close to the end of the 45 minutes, pour the oil into a large saucepan and leave to heat up. The oil needs to reach between 160o and 180oC and I recommend using a thermometer to track this temperature. While you are waiting, cover a wire rack with a couple of layers of kitchen towel.
Once the oil is hot enough, gently pick up the doughnuts by the paper and drop them into the oil (careful the oil doesn’t splash you – it is hot!). You may need to cook your doughnuts in batches, it depends on how large your saucepan is. You want just enough to cover the surface with space to bob about (they will float).
The doughnuts will need around 2 minutes on each side; carefully flip them over in the oil to make sure they are nicely browned on both sides. Once browned, remove from the oil with a spatula and leave to cool on the paper towels (this helps to soak up some of the excess oil).
Once all of the doughnuts have been cooked, turn off the oil and leave it to cool down somewhere safe. NB. Hot oil on the stove should never be left unattended.
Add some caster sugar to a bowl and roll each cooked doughnut around in the sugar, coating each side generously.
Place your jam into a piping bag. Make a small hole in the side of each doughnut with a sharp knife and then pipe jam into the doughnut.
Heather’s Tips:
I find it is best to store the doughnuts on their sides with the jam hole facing upwards (see picture) to avoid the jam escaping! Doughnuts are best eaten the day they are made but if you do keep yours for a day, then 10-20 seconds in the microwave and a little extra sugar will revive them (the jam does get hot doing this so be careful!).
As the care staffing crisis continues to deepen, local care companies are turning to qualified international recruits to fill their staffing void.
New Apex Prime Care’s team members heading for the UK in February
The pandemic has shown us just how much our society depends upon our front line carers – the previously unrecognised, often unrespected workers who look after our most vulnerable. But there’s now a recruitment crisis in the industry, with countless jobs seemingly unable to be filled from our domestic workforce. The staffing crisis is forcing local care homes to close or turn away vulnerable elderly people in desperate need of care.
In December the government announced that thousands of additional care workers are to be recruited from abroad to fill the chronic gaps. Care workers will be added to the Home Office’s shortage occupation list, which is designed to help migrants get work visas to fill jobs where there are shortages.
Two years of challenge
Glastonbury-based Candlelight Care has been recruiting non- stop since the beginning of the pandemic two years ago.
“We saw an increase in enquiries New Apex Prime Care’s team members heading for the UK in February early on in 2020, but when the daily death figures began to rise, and furlough was introduced (and extended), enquiries fell to an all-time low” says Roxanne Brown, Candlelight Care’s recruitment officer. “We still have at least 30% of vacancies to fill, as we are now also having to compensate for losing staff due to them feeling completely burnt out from the last two years. We cover Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and East Sussex and all areas have less staff now than we did at the start of the pandemic. “Finding local people who will even respond to our calls or emails after applying, is proving ever more difficult – possibly due to the general perception of care work being ‘menial’ – it’s considered work for the unqualified, and many find domestic and caring chores demeaning. “The pay is also a challenge. We were proud to be able to introduce a pay increase for our care and support workers back in November; they are all Care Champions and deserve the recognition and reward. However it still doesn’t reflect just how valuable they are to us.”
Getting staff to stay
While recruitment is a seemingly- permanent challenge, retention is just as important to Roxanne right now “we are committed to rewarding our current staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and repeatedly gone above and beyond any expectations. We are so proud of all of our staff here, including those who have the stressful behind-the-scenes responsibilities!” (you can see Candlelight Care’s current job ad on p.66 here).
Some of the new Apex Prime Care team are already at work: from L-R Dave, Irish, Bonnie, Liezl, Milo. Front row is Sam on the left and Aujie on the right
Turning to the Philippines
Local care company Apex Prime Care has partnered with smiliarly family-run business BMB International Recruitment, a well- established and ethical overseas healthcare recruitment company, to combat the significant challenges they are also facing with recruiting and retaining frontline carers.
Apex Prime Care are offering cars and sourcing accommodation to smooth the transition to the UK for their new team members. They will also be on hand every step of the way to help integrate the new recruits into the team and into wider society.
Why the Phillippines?
One part of the world with a reputation for providing unrivalled levels of service and care is the Philippines; possibly because the islands have very high educational standards, and with English being the second language, there’s no problem when it comes to communicating effectively in the UK. Huge numbers of Filipino students go on to higher education, with many of them specialising in medicine, hospitality and the care industry. With unemployment so high in their own country, many Filipinos head for other parts of the world, where they can command much higher salaries than they would be able to at home. And the UK is a favourite destination, offering great opportunities for empathetic and hardworking Filipinos.
The first of Apex Prime Care’s Filippino recruits arrived in the UK in February
Apex Prime Care’s Ben Patrick said “The new team member’s qualifications are outstanding. BMB are recruiting healthcare staff with 4-year bachelor’s degrees in health or social care, plus 1 year work experience for Senior Care Workers. “19 of our 45 new team members have already arrived and are settling into life in the UK; they have been learning about our culture, exploring their new community, training with the team and meeting their new colleagues and service users. “The need for care in the community is only increasing and with health and social care experiencing one of its most difficult times in history for recruitment and retaining carers, we have started overseas recruitment to help relieve the pressures on hospitals and local authorities, and to fill the void of 120,000 vacancies in the health and social care industry.”
Needed to work on Road Surfacing sites (Surface Dressing) with contracts in the Dorset area. Wage will be up to £120 per day nett depending on experience (take-home). Start date will be from mid-March. There will be the need to work flexible hours and weekends. Full Induction and PPE will be provided.
Experience of Tipper / Road Sweeping would be beneficial, however training will be provided. Must hold a current Class 2 LGV License and CPC. Must be able to work on their own initiative and have a positive ‘can do’ attitude. Must be willing to work flexible hours and weekends.
