The flooring in your home is an important part of your home's interior. This is why it is important to pay attention to the overall design of the floors when building or renovating a home. However, most people do not think carefully about what kind of floor they will have in their homes until they move in. Getting the right type of flooring with good fitting service can be difficult most times.
 
Many leading flooring suppliers are not offering fitting services anymore as a way to reduce overall business costs and pass the savings to customers.
 
If you are looking for reliable flooring fitters in Watford, then you will need to search for professional companies that do this kind of work. With the right company on your side, not only will you get high-quality floors, but it will also help you find the best solution possible if something goes wrong with your floors.
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Ways to find a reliable floor fitting service
Using a reliable flooring installation service is important if you are to have floors that stand the test of time. Most flooring companies won't offer installation services because they want customers to just buy their products. This is why you should look for a reliable floor fitting service before you purchase any floors.
 
Here are some steps on how to find reliable floor fitters in Watford.
 
Research
Take your time to find the right fitters
 
There are many flooring fitters around. While this may be good for you, it is important to take your time since some of these companies might not offer high-quality services. If you want the best service possible, then you need to look for a reliable company.
 
Ask for recommendations from people you trust
One way of finding such companies is by asking for recommendations from people you know - friends, family, colleagues at work etc. This also helps in saving time since you will not need to research many flooring companies.
 
It is important to ask around before hiring the best flooring company in Watford since your friends, relatives and neighbours might provide you with information on the reputable businesses in your locality. This means you will not have to waste time looking for relevant companies since they are likely to recommend the best flooring fitters.
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Look for references for the company
If you cannot find references, then the internet is always a good option since it allows you to access information and reviews without leaving your home. Also, check specialist review sites that allow customers to rate their experiences. Look for the best flooring companies in Watford to help you make a smart choice.
 
Check the reputation of the company
When looking for reliable flooring companies, your priority should be checking the reputation of the company. Some companies might claim they are among the best but this cannot be ascertained without knowing how long they have been providing these services. It is always advisable to use companies that have been offering their services for more than five years because they are likely to offer quality services.
 
Look at the number of years of service
Hiring the best Flooring Company in Watford will be determined by how many years they have been on the market. You can also visit their websites or check on their advertisements because this is an indication that they are among the leading flooring companies in your locality.
 
It is important to consider the quality of services they provide and not their prices since you can be able to get a high-quality service at an affordable price thus creating value for your money.

​Look for specialists
Always look for wood floor fitting specialists rather than a company that offers a wide range of fitting services. They should be able to work on all types of wood floors as well as vinyl, hardwood, engineered wood and laminate flooring. They need to have a fleet of tools that will help them finish the job within a short time frame.
 
Online reviews and social media recommendations are a good way of getting information about these companies which will save you from hiring a company without any knowledge in this field.
 
Get quotes from a few floor fitting services
Contact a few floor fitting services and ask for a free no-obligation quote for a job you want to do. This allows you to discuss your project, interview the flooring contractor, get an insight on how they will go about your project, review their other completed projects and assess if they are a good fit for you. If you are doing this for the first time, don't feel pressured. Research your project and ask the right questions.
 
Finding reliable flooring companies in Watford and surrounding areas can be a bit of a mission. There is a general feeling that there is a dearth of reliable tradespeople with good workmanship. Watford Flooring is a professional floor fitting service that has consistently delivered excellent flooring installation services with great workmanship.
 
Our team are experienced, knowledgeable and friendly. With over 45 years of collective experience in the industry, we have successfully delivered multiple floor installation projects in homes across Watford, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth and surrounding areas.
 
All our services are delivered to a very high standard with an excellent finish. We are reasonably priced without being the cheapest or the most expensive. We have been delivering high-quality flooring installation for standard and upmarket properties for many years.
 
If you need more information on the best flooring company in Watford, visit our website today.

Herts in Focus, an online charity photographic exhibition, is returning for a second year in support of Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF) to raise funds to help grassroots charities and voluntary groups in the county.
 
Local amateur photographers have donated photos of landscapes and landmarks of Hertfordshire. Photos include the stunning countryside in St Albans and architectural gems including Knebworth House.  A panel selected 30 photographs to be published, one a day, during the month of October on the Herts in Focus’ social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The prints will be available to be purchase on the exhibition’s website www.hertsinfocus.com.

​Money raised from the sale of the photographic prints will be donated to HCF which provides grants to families in crisis, grassroots charities and voluntary groups, helping some of the county’s most vulnerable residents and addressing deprivation in the county.
 
Henrietta Buxton, HCF Ambassador and exhibition coordinator said, “This year’s online exhibition is a visual journey through the beauty of Hertfordshire through the eyes of talented local amateur photographers. We were delighted with the response to last year’s exhibition and we are grateful to everyone who supported it by buying a print. We hope that once again the people of Hertfordshire will help to improve the lives of those struggling by supporting this exhibition. All profits will go to Hertfordshire Community Foundation and they’ll make a wonderful Christmas gift.” 

Helen Gray, Foundation Director for Hertfordshire Community Foundation says, “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the photographers who have so generously provided these stunning photos and for everyone who has expressed an interest in purchasing prints. The collection showcases the beauty we enjoy in our county. Sadly, everyone’s experience of life in Hertfordshire isn’t always beautiful or easy and people are struggling through serious social issues in every part of our county, with many issues exacerbated by Covid-19. Monies raised through the sale of prints will help HCF to make Hertfordshire a better place, for everyone.”
 
Prints cost £60 and are printed A4 and mounted and framed in a 30cm x 40cm frame. To find out more about the exhibition visit www.hertsinfocus.com
 
To find out more about local giving and how Hertfordshire Community Foundation helps local people visit www.hertscf.org.uk
 
Should you wish to make a donation to Hertfordshire Community Foundation you can do so online at https://www.justgiving.com/hertscf

About Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF)
Over the past three decades HCF has funded thousands of local initiatives addressing complex social issues including domestic abuse, learning disabilities, bereavement, homelessness, mental health and many more. Grants have enabled music therapy groups to help people affected by dementia, support courses for carers of young people affected by ADHD and Autism, increased capacity for a domestic abuse charity and funding for bedside hospital visits for people of all ages affected by hair loss.
 
During 2020 HCF was able to provide grants to enable local charities to adapt and continue to support their beneficiaries.
 
For further information please contact Danielle Hood, Marketing Officer for Hertfordshire Community Foundation on Danielle.hood@hertscf.org.uk or 01707 251351 

Launched in July 2021, Fine and Country’s new office in Rickmansworth and Chorleywood is bringing a more innovative approach to marketing properties at the higher end of the market. Utilizing the power of social media, the internet and other tech tools, the target is to reduce the time it takes from the initial consultation and property listing to the final sale of the property. That way homeowners get the best possible price for their properties within a shorter period.
 
Fine and Country is the fastest growing premium estate agency in England with a global footprint. Based in Park Lane, London, it consists of a global network of licensed real estate offices that are specialists in the rental, sale and marketing of luxury homes and prime residential properties. Properties sold range from rural estates to luxurious houses. Utilizing international marketing best practices combined with local knowledge of the area means Fine and Country delivers a premium service to her clients.
 
The Fine and Country office for Rickmansworth and Chorleywood covers primarily the WD3 postcode area made up of Loudwater, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth and Chorleywood. This office is managed by Director, Darren Hopcroft, a highly experienced Estate Agent that has worked across London, Hertfordshire and Europe. Darren wants to position Fine and Country Rickmansworth and Chorleywood as the leading estate agency in the area for the upper end of the market.
 
Darren has lived in Rickmansworth for over 10 years and knows the area very well. Backed by Fine and Country’s very strong international brand and network as well as his local knowledge of the area, he is positioning Fine and Country Rickmansworth to be the most successful estate agency in the WD3 area for prime residential property.
 
“My approach is slightly different from the regular high street estate agency. It’s not just about marketing a property. It’s about a lifestyle. This means communicating the benefits of buying in the area in a simple way by highlighting important places to see, what to do at weekends or evenings, where to go with your kids and even where to get a nice coffee. People want to know what they are getting beyond purchasing the property. For each potential buyer, we communicate the benefits of living in the area."
 
“Rickmansworth and Chorleywood have excellent schools, beautiful green areas, very nice pubs and restaurants, golf courses, proximity to London for travel and business amongst others. It has everything for an upwardly mobile client or a client that is at the end of their career and is looking for an area that has a mix of that urban and rural setting. There is something for everyone here.” There are lots of entrepreneurs and senior business executives that call the area home.

Through its customer focus and personalised service, Fine and Country wants to be different from other estate agencies in the area. “Estate agencies get a bad rap. Lots of property sellers feel they are not getting a great service. The industry is currently changing. In the past, people were happy to walk down the high street and into an estate agents office to discuss buying or selling a property. Now everything happens online and very quickly.”
 
“I think the covid-19 pandemic is accelerating the changes in the industry. Virtual viewings and valuations are the norm. Agencies can no longer rely only on Rightmove.com and Zoopla.com to list and sell properties. Moreover, property sellers prefer dealing with one agent from the start to the finish of the transaction rather than picking up the phone and speaking to different agents each time.”
 
“With us, you have a point of contact from the beginning to the end of the transaction. I believe that this personal relationship works very well for most clients. They have complete assurance that the sale of their property is in good hands. For instance, I’ll handle the initial consultation, valuation, staging of the property and the launch to the general public myself. I’ll also set targets for the property to be sold giving the seller the best return and the buyer value for their money”
 
Fine and Country Rickmansworth is having an open house for one of its newly acquired properties for sale at Old Shire Lane, Chorleywood on September 18, 2021. “This property had been on the market but was not getting the desired enquiries. We have taken over the sale of the property with a different and more effective marketing approach. We utilize the online marketing tools – video social media and the Fine and Country magazine – Refined - to drive interest to the property. We have combined all these activities with the old fashion knocking on doors of people that have expressed interest in purchasing a property. We take all the necessary steps to get the property sold within a short time.
 
Darren has been an estate agent for about 23 years. “I started at the age of 18 and have worked for multiple estate agency brands across London and more recently in Hertfordshire. I also had a stint in Germany selling properties for a while.”
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​Why the estate agency business? “I have always been very competitive. I was involved in sport and represented my school and the county on many occasions. So whatever I was going to do after I left school, I wanted to fully utilize that competitive part of me. My dad had a plumbing business before he retired. I recall going on a call with him when I was much younger to this really beautiful house. I asked my Dad what the owner did for a living and he told me that the owner is an estate agent. I suppose the seed was planted then.”
 
 “I was never going to be comfortable sitting behind a desk from 9am to 5pm. I love meeting and talking to people. I like building relationships and like the variety of dealing with various people from Solicitors to Mortgage brokers to Builders etc. I also like to compete. Being an estate agent gives me that variety which I enjoy. I have always wanted to have my own business too. With Fine and Country, I get the opportunity to have my own business and put in as much effort as I can to make it successful.”
 
Since the launch of the Fine and Country office in Rickmansworth, Darren has been creating a lot of awareness on the potential of the area through social media. On the Fine and Country Rickmansworth Facebook page, you will see uploaded videos of important areas in WD3 and interviews with some local businesses. “It is about creating awareness of things to do in the area, places to visit and reasons why Rickmansworth and Chorleywood are excellent places to live,” says Darren.
 
The next 6 to 12 months are crucial as the Rickmansworth office seeks to add more properties on the books and close more sales. “There are several available properties in the area which could use our service. We want to be more involved in taking properties to the market and selling them to buyers. We’ll utilize our strong brand, network and local knowledge of the area to make this a success.
 
For enquiries on property sales or purchases in Loudwater, Chorleywood, Croxley Green or Rickmansworth call 07944 283 290 or email darren.hopcroft@fineandcountry.com.

Entries invited for Charity Photo Exhibition
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Local amateur photographers are invited to submit photos of Hertfordshire’s places to be considered for inclusion in the Herts in Focus 2021 charity photo exhibition.
 
Following on from the success of Herts in Focus 2020 which featured Hertfordshire wildlife, the 2021 exhibition’s subject matter will be Hertfordshire places and will once again be raising money for local charity, Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Henrietta Buxton, Ambassador for Hertfordshire Community Foundation said, “We are looking for images from across the county in all seasons and lights. We were delighted with the response to last year’s exhibition and we are grateful to everyone who supported it by buying a print. We raised £7,700 to help vulnerable people in  Hertfordshire.
 
“This year we have decided to celebrate the beauty of Hertfordshire’s diverse and striking landscapes, iconic buildings and rich heritage. We are appealing for local amateur photographers who may like to help to improve the life of someone struggling in Hertfordshire to become involved in this exhibition. We know that local people are suffering as prolonged economic impact of the pandemic unfolds which is why this exhibition is raising money to help them.”

A panel will select 30 photographs to be posted one a day on social media during the month of October 2021. The photos will also be for sale on the Herts in Focus website (www.hertsinfocus.com). Pictures will be printed A4 and mounted and framed in a 30cm x 40cm frame and sold for £50 with all profit going to Hertfordshire Community Foundation a local independent charity that collects donations to provide grants and support to small charities, voluntary groups and families in crisis in Hertfordshire. Over the past three decades HCF has funded thousands of local initiatives addressing complex social issues including domestic abuse, learning disabilities, bereavement, homelessness, mental health and many more.

Photographic contributions can be emailed to hertsinfocus@gmail.com with a title and location before Friday 20th August 2021.

For further information about the exhibition please contact Henrietta Buxton by emailing hertsinfocus@gmail.com or visit www.hertsinfocus.com
 
For further information about Hertfordshire Community Foundation visit www.hertscf.org.uk
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Thursday 12 August 2021 is International Youth Day and to mark it the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire is hosting a free event at St Albans Cathedral. Taking place between 10.30am and 3pm, the event will include a wide variety of organisations from around the county displaying information about opportunities available for young people.

During his year in office The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Lionel Wallace DL is focusing on helping the youth of Hertfordshire to thrive. He has undertaken activities and given his support to projects which are encouraging opportunities for young people to advance, be confident, committed and community minded.

The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire said, “I would like to invite the young people of Hertfordshire to pop in and learn about some of the wonderful opportunities that are available to them in our county. It’s a day to celebrate and support them as they receive notice of exam results. I hope that those attending this fun and relaxed event will be inspired and uplifted by the opportunities and support available to them to build their skills, confidence and futures.”

“I also want to recognise and celebrate the charitable and voluntary organisations who are helping to increase opportunities for young people to excel and I will be doing this through my High Sheriff Award 2021 programme. Nominations for the awards will open at the event and also be available online ​https://www.hertscf.org.uk/high-sheriff-awards.

Food stalls will be available at the event, but visitors are also welcome to bring a picnic.”
For a full list of stalls and the event programme visit  https://www.highsheriffofhertfordshire.org.uk/international-youth-day-celebration-2021

For more information about the event email: highsheriff@hsoh.org.uk

For more information about the High Sheriff Awards email grants@hertscf.org.uk
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JPA Workspaces have been nominated as finalists in the annual Mixology awards 2021 for Furniture Provider of the Year and are thrilled for our team!

Mixology awards are run by Mix Interiors Magazine and celebrate the very best products, people and projects within the commercial interiors sector. The judging panel is comprised of key players in the industry.

‘To be a nominated finalist is a mark of recognition for our work and raises our profile within the community so it’s a marvellous achievement’ says Richard Cooksey, JPA’s new Chief Operating Officer.

Completed JPA furniture projects over the last 12 months include refurbishments at Rothamsted Enterprises in Harpenden (flexible working environments), Eastman Dental Institute (administrative areas), St Edwards School Oxford (6th Form social study space), Lincoln College Oxford (new student area)

JPA have also been working with local NHS Trusts during covid to move, store and re-locate furniture to accommodate additional hospital beds, and also setup covid treatment, testing and vaccination centres including Nightingale, Wasps, the BDC and Emirates stadium.

If you are re-designing your workspace or want to create a safer, functional work area for your team please contact JPA Workspaces.

Get more information on the Mixology21 nominations.

Here, we outline 10 reasons why Snapps.ai is a better website builder than many well-known competitors.

Speed to build
Snapps.ai allows you to build quicker and faster. Maximum website creation time can be as little as 15-20 minutes depending on your needs. To build your first website, you only need a few simple steps: create an account, design your first page and publish it. This can be done with easy step-by-step instructions on the Snapps.ai platform. In addition, editing your website has never been so easy. Snapps.ai allows you to input all your information on the business info page only and it will update on all other pages through its connected data feature. This no doubt saves time and speeds up the process of building your website.
 
Responsive Design
Snapps.ai gives users full control over their website design complete with easy media editing tools, flexible page layouts, responsive grid system and drag-and-drop module positioning. Snapps.ai is content first. Each page is designed with the user in mind and made to look great on any device while giving users powerful design controls which enable them to create engaging content that adapts to mobile screens. Users can start small by building a single site with limited functions and then grow to build multiple sites with unlimited pages.
 
An attractive feature with Snapps.ai is that users have full control over their websites once they have been built from within this platform. If at any time later there are any changes that need to be made, then these will all be possible through Snapps.ai too.
 
Design mock-up
As a designer, if you are working with clients, you will often send over proof of what the website will look like (a design mock-up). And together during this process, both sides make changes until they agree to the outcome or design layout that best suits their business goals and requirements. Snapps.ai makes this process seamless and your client can view the website mock-up on desktop, tablet and mobile without the need to log into a snapps.ai account.
 
Speed to Load
Snapps.ai comes with a powerful hosting service designed for both personal and business websites. No matter how big the website, Snapps.ai has quicker loading times. The platform is built on one of the most powerful clouding hosting platforms - Amazon Web Services. Whether you have an e-commerce site or site with a large number of pages, you can be assured that pagespeed will be less of an issue for your site.
 
Speed to Rank
Developers in Snapps.ai have studied all the key features a website needs to rank quickly and incorporated them into the snapps.ai platform. It isn't uncommon to see newly published sites ranking in a matter of weeks after hitting the publish button. They may have little or no backlinks or content in some cases. A lot of Snapps.ai users have confirmed this. Build sites that are accessible by Google crawlers, thus getting your site seen by more people than you ever thought possible.
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Collaboration and Optimization
Snapps.ai has responsive features to ensure that your website can be viewed at any time by any device on the market. It's built so that multiple users can collaborate on a project much easier even if you work in teams. You don't have to worry about connectivity issues when moving from location to location.
 
Easy Build and More Secure
The Snapps.ai platform is one of the easiest platforms available in the internet technology industry today. It has an online analytics feature that allows you to track trends and monitor performance through a simple interface with a powerful analytical tool for businesses. With a step-by-step direct approach, it takes no time for anyone to build their site even without technical experience. Website security is also ensured as every aspect of building your site will be catered for including secure hosting services and free SSL certificates.
 
Personalization
Snapps.ai is a platform that offers everything you need in one place. It makes website creation easy. The Snapps.ai technology is compatible and mobile-friendly, which allows customers to view their sites on any device, regardless of the screen size or operating system (iOS, Android). There's no need for multiple apps or workarounds to get your site looking good on mobile devices. Also, you can easily personalise your site to your visitors {e.g. geo-specific for ads or click to call no mobile, promos)
 
Professionally Designed Templates
With over 200 professionally designed templates by some of the top web developers, building your ideal website just became simpler. Finding the right template to meet your needs irrespective of your business is easy with a wide range of options to choose from. Snapps.ai developers are implementing more unique designs that meet the needs of users.
 
Apps and integrations
Snapps.ai comes packed with dozens of search engine friendly features such as - Schema.org Microdata, Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) and Open Graph – one line of code will fix all your visibility problems on Google's search rankings. Developers will love how Snapps.ai gives them an elegant API for connecting third party services and plugins, along with a powerful JavaScript framework capable of building whatever they can dream up.
 
It has already been mentioned before but the point needs to be stressed again that Snapps.ai is a web builder platform that in the future will have more integrations as well as apps. This means that there will be endless possibilities for users to make use of this platform to serve any purpose they may need or want to.
 
White-Glove Support
Unlike many other website builders where you get minimal support, Snapps.ai offers great 24-7 365 online support. The platform is integrated via API, allowing users to send messages directly from their websites for help or assistance.
 
We all know how the internet works. Content is King. Regardless of what your niche or line of business may be, if no one can find you online then there are no sales to be made. Your website is the most important tool you have in generating interest in and building trust with potential customers so it only makes sense that making sure your site looks great and runs well would be an essential part of your marketing strategy.
 
Whether you are an individual or an agency, if you are thinking of scaling, then Snapps.ai offers great opportunities for you and your business to create the best online presence to achieve your marketing goals.

For more information on snapps.ai contact the snapps.ai team here.

Hybrid working is here to stay. With so many office staff working from home during the lockdowns, the business community has discovered that people don’t need to be tied to the office building to be productive. 
 
Research from CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) shows a dramatic increase in organisations offering remote working options, with 63% of surveyed companies now offering their staff the opportunity to work regularly at home. 
 
Even large companies such as BP, Lloyds Bank and HSBC will be adopting the hybrid working model, allowing them to downsize their physical office space.
 
This means that the way we use offices is going to change, and there is now a need to create practical office space that’s great for hybrid working. This gives you the perfect opportunity or excuse to revisit your office interior design and use modern, innovative furniture, such as meeting pods, to create a variety of functional spaces within the room.
 
The business benefits of hybrid working include: 

• a more cost-effective office footprint
• potential increases in staff engagement and productivity through offering more flexibility and choice over how and where to work.

 
Some of the benefits of hybrid working for staff include:

• reduced travelling time
• reduced travel costs
• improved work-life balance and perceived wellbeing – which also has a positive effect on productivity, something every business owner is interested in.

Designing a new office fit for hybrid working
At JPA Workspaces, our experienced interior designers will advise on the best use of space in your new office fit-out. You’ll have an in-depth discussion about your brand, your brand personality, how you intend to use the space, how many people need to be accommodated and for what purpose, etc with our team. 
 
The office of the future is likely to be more socially distanced, with more space between working areas, more partitions to build confidence and reduce anxiety, better acoustics, interesting and social collaboration spaces as well as meeting pods.
 
If you are looking for some inspiration for your new office layout, contact our team via email at hello@jpa-workspaces.com or call us on 01727 840800. Our team will run you through our portfolio showing all the latest in quality office furniture. You can also visit our website and social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest designs and information.

Perceived Safety and Hygiene will continue to be a priority 
All being well, the Government's social distancing rules will be relaxed soon. However, with the continued threat of the virus and the possibility of new variants, it could be a long time before everyone feels comfortable being in the office without full protection.  
 
This explains why protective screens and antimicrobial surfaces (see our website for more details) are likely to be a standard feature in mots offices for many months to come.
 
Covid-19 aside, the protection and hygiene habits we’ve got used over the last year has resulted in a healthier workforce. There has been a worldwide drop in the number of cases of colds and flu leading to fewer sick days and an overall increase in productivity, so these precautionary measures are great all around.
 
Make it sustainable
Another impact of the pandemic is that people have become more aware of the environment. In the first lockdown, nature was more conspicuous, leading to a greater appreciation of the planet, as well as awareness of the effect our wasteful habits are having on it and its finite resources.
 
In JPA workspaces, we think sustainability and the circular economy is the only way forward. This is why we have long been active champions of environmental values. JPA has consistently been recognised for its strides in this area and received several awards for our holistic approach, environmental and community work.
 
Every aspect of our business is geared toward reducing carbon and eliminating project waste. By working with JPA, your organisation will significantly reduce the carbon cost of its refurbishment works. We are a certified Carbon Neutral and Carbon Reduction organisation.
 
Additionally, JPA only uses products from ethical and sustainable supply chains, with timber from well-managed forests and high percentages of recycled and recyclable content. Our in-house furniture re-manufacture, repair and refresh services ensure longevity for your existing furniture resources. Our award-winning furniture recycling and community rehoming programme once again will ensure that nothing goes to landfill. 
 
If sustainability is an important part of your company values, then, when it comes to furniture, we’ve done all the research for you. Read more about our commitment to the environment (on our website – sustainable workspace solutions) – we do so much more than furniture.
 

Hertfordshire is regarded as an affluent county in the UK. It is one of the most urbanised communities while also having a beautiful countryside and fantastic transport links to major cities. Its proximity to London, the largest city and economic centre in the UK means it is also an attractive place for businesses and highly skilled labour. It is widely recognised as the best county in the UK and has a vast number of sights and attractions.
 
Behind this wonderful image is a deprivation that has been growing over the last decade further exposed by the events of the last year – the covid-19 pandemic. From children living in poverty to fuel poverty to winter deaths to access to medical care to homelessness, there is a massive deprivation crisis hunting our community.
 
The stats don’t make great reading:

• More than 25,000 local children live in poverty.
• 45 neighbourhoods in the county are ranked among the most deprived 30%.
• Borehamwood Cowley Hill is the most deprived neighbourhood in the County and is among the most deprived 10% in England.
• More than 1214 people are homeless.
• Over 18,487 households are on the waiting list for social housing.
• Domestic abuse, violent crime and the rates of suicides are going up.

 
This may come as a surprise to many residents as Hertfordshire is better known for its affluent communities, cathedrals, great schools and the Warner Bros Studios where the iconic Harry Potter films were made. It is also home to some of the largest companies in the UK including Tesco, Ocado, Britvic and many others.
 
HCF has been at the forefront of leading social change by serving as an instrument that provides support to these communities that are struggling and need assistance.

Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF), an independent registered charity, transforms donor funding into grants and support to local causes that improves the lives of the most vulnerable people in Hertfordshire county. HCF provides options and advice to philanthropists to give effectively to the community. Working with smaller charities, voluntary groups and individuals in Hertfordshire, HCF has the capacity to make your donations count.
 
As a community foundation supporting Hertfordshire, its objective is to:

• Provide philanthropy consulting services to businesses and individuals.
• Award grants to address local needs and deprivation.
• Work with local businesses to support the local community.

 
Says the Foundation Director, Helen Gray “The past year has been extremely busy and challenging for us. There are more people that need our interventions and our main challenge is having to turn down requests for grants or support. We launched our emergency appeal and emergency grant program to support families and individuals that have been affected by the covid-19 pandemic. We have given out over £2m in the last year.”
 
HCF has been making social interventions in housing and homelessness, deprivation, health and wellbeing, local crime and safety, education and employment as a way of strengthening our communities.
 
Armed with local data and knowledge of the areas with deprivation in Hertfordshire, HCF partners various local charities on intervention programmes to uplift these areas in our county. For instance, HCF has been working with Recover, a local charity that provides training opportunities to people facing difficulties from drug or substance abuse and poor mental health. Through a programme that teaches them to upcycle furniture, vulnerable adults can acquire new skills, confidence, fulfilment and purpose. They are also helping protect the environment by reducing waste.  
 
HCF, founded in 1988 is one of the 47 accredited community foundations in the UK, covering Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. Operating from its base in Hatfield, Herts, it is a member of the UK Community Foundations (UKCF), a registered charity that leads a movement of community foundations committed to positive social change in the UK through community philanthropy. UKCF has been operating for the last 30 years. 

​Community foundations are designed to draw donations from the public into a coordinated investment pool from which grants are made to drive social improvement of an area. The community foundation model was working successfully in the US and was adopted in the UK to promote social change in our communities.
 
Like most charities, fund raising is key for HCF to sustain its activities in our communities. It is looking to grow its endowment fund by £0.5m in the next year. It also wants to turn back less people that need help. After a record year of funding support from the government and private citizens, it is expected that funding in the voluntary sector will drop. “At a time when there are more mental health issues resulting from isolation and the downturn in the economy, more not less interventions are needed. We can’t lose capacity in the charity sector.”
 
HCF has had more success in fund raising with local family owned businesses in the area as they have strong ties with the local community and know the area well. It is keen however to expand its footprint by working with professional services organizations like financial advisers, solicitors, accountants, tax managers and wealth managers. “We are not competing with them rather we are complimenting their services.”
 
There is also a lot of education needed to create the awareness of how and why people fall into difficult circumstances. The general assumption is that people make bad choices and therefore become homeless, suffer addiction or fall into debt. This however is not completely true as it is very easy for anyone to fall into some of these challenging circumstances if there is a loss of employment or income, domestic abuse, medical or personal issues.
 
“We are encouraging people that want to give in a responsible way to community to partner with HCF. We know the area really well. We have a team of volunteers, part-time and full time staff that work for the foundation. We also have a network of vetted and registered charities that we partner with, all experts in their respective fields. We can take away all the admin that may discourage you from giving. By partnering with us, we’ll make the process seamless.”
 
Businesses should also be socially responsible and support this cause. HCF is providing an effective platform for giving and channelling the funds to the main areas of need.   
 
If you want to support the great work HCF is doing please email office@hertscf.org.uk or call 01707 251 351
 

​JPA are an independent second-generation family business, passionate about the environment and community.  They are proud Patrons of the Herts Chamber of Commerce and active supporter of the #KeepingtheHeartinHerts campaign, promoting and supporting local Hertfordshire businesses.
 
They specialise in sustainable planning and refurbishing of office, educational, hospitality, healthcare and hospitality environments fostering engagement, productivity and user wellbeing. 
 
As we plan for return to work, is it time for organisations to re-think the environments we are creating of our staff and the impact we are having on the planet?
 
JPA take a holistic approach to furniture supply – it’s so much more than simply the furniture provided. Every aspect of the business is aimed at reducing the carbon impact of their products, services and operation with a view to achieving Carbon Zero by 2030.
 
JPA address each operational area to ensure the least carbon impact and most positive social impact as a result of its activity.  They operate locally and champion environmental products, services and operation.
 
This benefits for Clients are the reduced Carbon Impact of their refurbishment works including Carbon Neutral Delivery and Installation, Zero Waste and Zero to Landfill.   
 
JPA are leading the way in the furniture industry with external certification as a Carbon Reduction and, Carbon Neutral organisation.   This underpins Hertfordshire’s green growth ambitions and also the UN SDGs of Sustainable Cities, Climate Action and Responsible Production and Consumption.

ISO14001 and FISP:
JPA have been certified to IS014001 since 2010 and to FISP (the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme) since 2008.
 
FISP is much broader than the environmental systems, EMAS & ISO14001 standards.  All organisations seeking FISP must demonstrate how the 3 pillars of sustainability are embedded within their organisation.
 
FISP is an independently certified sustainability programme tailored to the needs of the Furniture Industry supply chain, promoting best practise to drive social, economic and environmental change, via continual improvement of member’s business operations.  It is the benchmark for sustainable practices in the UK furniture industry and widely referenced by procurement teams and furniture specifiers within sustainable procurement policies. 
 
JPA’s Fiona Edwards has been an active member of the FISP Steering Committee for the last three years.
 
Products:
Products are sourced from ethical and sustainable supply chains with product eligible for Ska points for sustainable building refurbishments.  Timber is from well managed forests.  Products have continuity of parts for many years to come and are manufactured for disassembly at end of life.
 
JPA underwrite warranties of all items supplied providing an on-site support service as and when needed.  They also run repair and refurbishment services enabling clients to manage existing furniture resources more efficiently and cost-effectively, keep them in operation for longer, wasting less and maximising original investment.
 
JPA have taken steps to ensure a sustainable and ethical supply chain. Basic minimum criteria include ISO9001 for process control, ISO14001 for Environmental Management, FISP for sound Social and Environmental performance and FSC or PEFC for responsibly sourced timber from well managed forests.  Evidence of commitment to eliminating Modern Slavery via policies and documentation, commitment to Equal Opportunities, Inclusion and payment of the Real Living Wage are also requested.
 
Carbon Neutral Installations:
JPA are an externally certified Carbon Reduction Organisation and a Certified Carbon Neutral organisation.  This recognises their continuous drive to reduce carbon within their operation and means that there is zero carbon cost for all JPA deliveries, site visits and project work.
 
Locality Lowers Scope 3 Emissions:
JPA operate locally to their clients with head office and warehousing in St Albans.  The majority of JPA’s clients are based less than an hour away so service visits can be quickly accommodated within existing carbon costs as resources are already in the area. JPA sales teams commute largely via public transport. 

Eliminating Furniture Waste:
JPA work with clients to maximise existing furniture investment through a full range of repair, refresh and reupholstery services.  They can also organise, supply and fit spare parts to keep furniture in use for longer and areas fully operational for their occupants. 
 
If furniture really can’t be repaired or re-used, JPA will collect it for recycling, often backfilling vehicles to further keep emissions low.  Certificates can be requested which illustrate the landfill and co2e kg saved. 
 
To date JPA have eliminated over 25,104 furniture items from landfill, eliminating some 584 landfill tons and saving the equivalent of 788 carbon tons.
 
JPA wrapping materials are manufactured with recycled content and are themselves re-used or recycled after use – nothing goes to landfill.
 
Furniture Re-Use and Community Rehoming:
Where redundant furniture cannot be used on site, JPA seek to re-home furniture locally in the community transporting items to their new home and saving community organisations valuable funds. Local organisations that JPA have supported include Oaklands College, Rothamsted Enterprises, BRE, The Living Room, Lister Hospital, Barnet Community and Young Barnet, organisations.  To date, over 4490 unwanted furniture items have been rehomed by JPA in the community, saving the equivalent of £545,000 in furniture spend enabling valuable funds to be diverted to other vital resources.
 
Working with Like Minded Companies
JPA work with like minded companies of all types and sizes, seeking to improve the environmental and social impact of their organisations and can be contact on hello@jpa-workspaces.com or 01772 840800
 
Award Winning Sustainability Recognition
JPA are past winners of the Inspiring Herts Green Award, the Edie Sustainability Leaders Award for Social Sustainability and Community Development and the Sustainable Cities Award for Managing Resources including the overall Sir Peter Parker award.  Winners of the Inspiring Herts Green Award in 2019, and finalists the same award in 2020/12.  Most proud of our Inspiring Herts, Hertfordshire Heroes nomination for 2021.