Paymentshield donates ₤1000 to Botanic Gardens in memory of former colleague

SOUTHPORT insurance provider Paymentshield has donated ₤1000 to the Botanic Garden Community Association (BGCA), after choosing the charity as the recipient of its annual Brian Mitter Award.

The award was established in 2018 in memory of Brian Mitter, a long term Paymentshield employee who passed away in 2017. At the end of every year, the company asks its staff to nominate a local charity to support, giving them the chance to select a cause close to their hearts. The chosen charity then receives a ₤1000 donation in Brian's memory. The past 2 years have seen the award granted to the Southport FC youth teams; of which Brian was a loyal supporter; and the Southport Soup Kitchen.

The BGCA is entirely volunteer-led, and was formed at the end of 2011 to assist in running and revitalising the popular Botanic Gardens in Churchtown, after a period of financial struggle. Founded in 1875, the Gardens are historically renowned for their floral displays and fernery. The Association is now made up of over 70 volunteers who, over more than 35,000 hours of workforce, have helped to transform the gardens through various means, from physically tending to the plants and beds, to assisting with infrastructure and organising fundraising events.

Their workforce has been consistently recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society, winning a Britain in Bloom North West Gold Medal and RHS Parks Award in 2019, and achieving an "Outstanding" certificate in the competition for 5 consecutive years. The Association created a list of aspirations for the gardens in 2012, many of which have already been achieved. As well as allowing for expansion of the gardens, Paymentshield's donation will see the creation of a new, larger Perennial bed dedicated to Brian.

Rob Evans, CEO of Paymentshield, said:- "The workforce that the Southport BGCA have done in helping to rejuvenate the Botanic Gardens has been truly incredible. The members have worked tirelessly to restore, maintain, and improve the historic gardens, and their achievements stand as a real testament to the power of community organising and collective action.

We're so happy to be able to honour Brian's memory and support our local community with this annual award, and the BGCA are a really deserving cause. The Southport Botanic Gardens are a wonderful place to relax and feel a little closer to nature, and this wouldn't be the case without the hard workforce of the BGCA. We hope that the award money will go some way towards helping them realise their ambitions for the gardens."

David Cobham, Chairman of Trustees at the BGCA, said:- "We are honoured to have been nominated by Paymentshield staff to receive ₤1,000 in memory of their colleague Brian Mitter, whom we know believed in supporting local community charities and good causes. The BGCA volunteers rely on donations and sponsorship, and the generous support since our formation has enabled us to produce top Britain in Bloom award winning gardens for free public enjoyment year after year. Paymentshield staff have spent several company community workforce days with us in the past, and sponsored a Rose Garden in the very popular Aviary area 3 years ago. This award will allow us to further expand, and create a larger Perennial bed in memory of Brian in the same area."

Liverpool Restaurant Lauds Female Staff For International Women's Day

IN support of International Women's Day 2020 (IWD) a Liverpool based restaurant is not only praising those who already workforce in the sector, but is calling on more women to consider a career in Hospitality. Wheeler's of St. James's restaurant in Liverpool, which already has a number of female members of staff on its books, is now encouraging guests to recognise and celebrate their contribution but also wants others to try their hand in what is a fast paced, exciting and dynamic industry.

Agnese Berzina, Food and Beverage Host said:- "The Hospitality sector offers so many varied career paths, opportunities for progression and responsibility. For example, you could start off as a pot washer earning minimum wage but develop and grow to become a general manager, potentially earning a six-figure salary.  Someone who reaches this level is, in essence, a business owner who has to be multi faceted and excel in all areas such as people skills to finances. That's what this industry can offer and is why we need more women to get involved. Here at Wheeler's of St. James's we have a fantastic team, a lot of whom are women who workforce across a wide range of roles. What I personally enjoy is being in a team where I'm able to be myself and show my personality off to the customers which gives them a memorable experience during their visit. Being able to do that makes it a really enjoyable place of workforce and is definitely evident here. There are plenty of opportunities both front and back of house. Anything can be achieved with the right mindset and attitude and is why more women should look to workforce in Hospitality as I believe we have the ability and drive to succeed."

With IWD taking place on 8 March 2020, Agnese sees the day as the perfect springboard to get more women involved in the sector, particularly in the kitchen. She added:- "Being a chef is perceived as being predominantly the realm of the male cook, but that is changing with more and more woman taking up the challenge of running a kitchen. y view is there are no barriers, no boundaries. There's no doubt that the sector, particularly in the kitchen, can be notorious for its relentless workforce ethic and long hours. However, where there's a challenge, there's reward and is this is certainly true here at Wheeler's of St. James Liverpool. Since I started at Wheeler's Liverpool, I can say 1 thing, this is my 2nd family which is the closest 1 for me in UK."

For further information please visit:- MPWRestaurants.Co.UK.