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Spring 2008 newsletter

Posted on Monday, 25 February 2008 04:18PM by

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.
Mark Twain

Welcome to the Spring 2008 newsletter from Freelancers In The UK and Projects & People. While we can’t vouch for the meteorological forecast for the coming months, here’s a fascinating prediction for the shape our working lives is taking:


The Institute of Directors predicts that by 2025, 20% of the UK workforce will be freelance.

As freelancers, we are indeed a growing sector.


CONGRATULATIONS, ANNA HOLLISEY!


Anna Hollisey has been named Editorial Freelancer of the Year by people resourcing company Xchangeteam. Anna has been freelance since 2006 and was one of the original line-up of members at Freelancers In The UK; she beat 153 entrants!
The Awards are now in their fourth year and, this year, have been sponsored by freelancing trade body The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) who also advertise at Freelancers In The UK.


Matt Potter, Group Editor at Forward Publishing and judge of the Editorial category said: The standard of entries this year was higher than ever; there are some great freelancers in the industry. Anna won the award for her imaginative strategy solution for the Asian jewellery retailer BEES. Her work provided a complete foundation for the whole communications campaign and achieved tangible results; BEES has seen a 25% increase in sales because of Anna’s work. She has certainly added value to her clients business and changed the business’s performance for the better.


Emma Brierley, CEO and founder of Xchangeteam believes that the Freelancer of the Year Awards have become an important window on the capability and ambitions of the excellent freelance resource that exists in the UK's marketing, media and communications sectors. Her aim was to create an award that would promote the value that freelancers bring to their clients' businesses and the industry overall as well as inspire the growing freelance workforce.

Wise words indeed. Well done, Anna, enjoy your success.

Advertisers

Pats on the back all round – ContractorUmbrella too have been mentioned in the Fast Track 100 due to outstanding levels of client service.

The awards, sponsored by Virgin Atlantic, honour the 100 fastest growing private companies in the UK and ContractorUmbrella came 14th!

ContractorUmbrella is one of the top three Umbrella Companies in the UK, formed in 2002. This remarkable success is due to unparalleled levels of customer service, a highly competitive fee structure and a work ethic that keeps them ahead of the competition.

ContractorUmbrella provides employment services to contractors, freelancers and consultants. Unlike other Umbrella Companies, they do not charge a percentage of their clients’ income, their fee remains the same regardless of earnings which keeps costs to a minimum for its clients. It also has no hidden joining or leaving charges, no minimum commitment and no fees charged in-between contracts.

Lisa Keeble, managing partner, said; This award is demonstrates clearly that it is possible to grow at extraordinary rates and to continue to provide incredible levels of customer satisfaction.

The contractor and interim employment market has become increasingly complicated following recent government legislation changes. To help keep things simple, ContractorUmbrella have developed a simple flow chart that shows contractors how it all works working through an Umbrella Company, contractors should visit: www.contractorumbrella.com/how_it_works.html


PCG

PCG was formed in May 1999 to provide independent contractors and consultants with a representative voice in opposition to the original IR35 proposals. Since then, they have evolved from being a single-issue campaign group to being a fully fledged, not-for-profit professional body representing knowledge workers who choose to be self-employed. See www.pcg.org.uk


Training and courses

Inspired by Books – A Creative Writing Workshop in a Bookshop
Workshop Leader: Roz Goddard
Venue: Wenlock Books, Much Wenlock, Shropshire
6.30pm – 9pm, Friday 18th April, 2008

Wenlock Books (www.wenlockbooks.co.uk) is one of the region’s loveliest book shops, with rambling galleries stuffed with fascinating new and previously enjoyed books and a deserved reputation for fine coffee and cakes! This creative writing workshop will use the atmosphere and contents of this Grade II listed building as inspiration for poetry and prose.

Roz Goddard is a poet and writer (www.rozgoddard.com) and a highly skilled workshop tutor. She has worked with writers across the region and performed her poetry at festivals and venues across the UK.

Tickets: £17 (£14 concessions) - to book please call 0121 246 2770.


Newts, Bees and Human Beings – A Family Outdoor Creative Writing Workshop
Workshop Leader: Mandy Ross
Venue: Martineau Gardens, Edgbaston
1.30pm – 4pm, Saturday 19th April, 2008

If you are interested in writing and have a young relative who is too, then this is for you. Share their first writing workshop or encourage them to develop their creative skills and do some writing yourself at this cross-generational writing workshop for adults and young people (aged 9 - 16). Hidden away in the heart of Birmingham, the Martineau Gardens are a wild, green secret. By April, the orchard, vegetable garden, meadow and pond will be alive with newts, bees, and human beings preparing for spring.

Mandy Ross has written and edited over 40 books, mainly for children. She was shortlisted in 2007 for the Birmingham Poet Laureate. She combines writing with environmental education work.

Refreshments will be provided. Wet weather/warm clothing a must! Please note places are sold in pairs, for one adult and one 9-16 year old.

Tickets: £21 (per pair) - to book please call 0121 246 2770.


Creative writing and personal development workshops

Fiona Friend, a member of Freelancers In The UK, is offering creative writing and personal development workshops on 29 March and 24 May from 2 – 5 pm at Lingfield Community Centre, Surrey. In a relaxing environment accompanied by music and meditation, you’ll learn how journaling and creative writing can enhance your self-awareness. The cost of the workshop is £25 to include tea/coffee. Please contact Fiona on 01342 713388 or email Fiona@friendandco.com for more information.


Happy Birthday Projects & People!

Just a year ago, we launched the sister site to Freelancers In the UK and we’ve enjoyed some really positive feedback.

There are two new enhancements to flag up – the projects board now lists opportunities in the order of submission and you can see at a glance without opening the listing when the project was posted and when it expires.

Secondly, we’re delighted to launch Freelance Availability at www.projectsandpeople.co.uk/freelance-availability-c21.html where members can submit their availability on a regular/medium-term basis. This area of the site will be flagged up to the many organisations, agencies, publishing houses, magazines and universities who use the site – as well as to all previous project posters – over the next few weeks so please feel free to use!

That’s it for now. Wishing you all a wonderful Spring!

Have a great week,

Kate, James and the team at Freelancers In The UK/Projects & People

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. Gene Fowler, 1890 - 1960
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