JCB secures £26m deal with hire firm
A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT BUT DO YOUR NEEDS CHANGE AT DIFFERENT AGES? LIZ CONNOR TALKS TO EXPERTS
THE UK’S biggest telehandler hirer is expanding its fleet further - by placing an order for £26 million worth of JCB Loadall models.
Ardent Hire Solutions is adding 525 new JCB Loadall telescopic handlers to its fleet as the UK construction hire equipment market rebounds strongly from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The order spans the compact 52560 to the 540-200 models, which have reaches of between six and 20 metres.
The machines – supplied by JCB dealer Watling JCB - have already started rolling off the production line at JCB’S World HQ in Rocester, along
25 3CX backhoe loaders, which are also part of the massive deal. If follows a deal in 2019 from Ardent for £75 million worth of JCB machines.
JCB group managing director for global major accounts Steve Fox said: “We are delighted that Ardent Hire Solutions has placed this substantial order with JCB, given the very competitive nature of the UK equipment supply market.
“The size of the order shows enormous faith in the quality of JCB’S machines and also underlines the need to invest in new machinery to support the growth in the UK construction industry, which continues to recover strongly after the Covid19 pandemic.”
London-headquartered
Ardent
Hire Solutions is one of the UK’S biggest The new JCB machines all come plant hire companies and covers with JCB Livelink telematics technology, the length and breadth of Great providing real-time feeds to Britain through 11 hire depots, support Ardent’s award-winning from Glasgow in the ‘Site Manager’ digital north to Fareham in platform, which helps the south. construction companies
Specialising in improve safety, providing plant increase productivity hire to major and reduce housing, civil cost. and construction Ardent’s chief clients, financial officer Ardent is constantly Julian O’neill said: investing “Our telehandler in the most technologically fleet is already the largest anywhere in advanced machines. the UK and this substantial It has more than 7,000 investment strengthens units for rent with an average age of our position in the telescopic handler less than three years. hire sector.”
Our telehandler fleet is already the largest anywhere in the UK
Julian O’neill of Ardent
WOMEN in key worker positions across the West Midlands are losing sleep, spending more on household bills, and worrying about the pandemic’s impact on their children’s education and mental health, according to a survey by Unison.
The findings, based on responses from more than 3,000 female workers including teaching assistants, nurses, council workers and police staff, provide a comprehensive insight into the emotional, physical and financial impact of Covid on critical public services staff who are keeping the region running.
The report, Women Working Through the Pandemic, includes the experiences of those providing a wide range of essential services in the West Midlands including education, health, social care and policing, either in their usual workplace or from home. Unison said it showed the desperate situations key workers are facing and why they need proper time off and a pay rise.
The findings have been released ahead of the union’s Empowering Women virtual conference. The results show the huge strain of working during the Covid crisis with nearly two thirds not sleeping well, more than half not taking regular breaks and a significant number feeling stressed most of the time.
The impact of the pandemic on children is also a source of anxiety for many. Of the women who are parents, three in five are worried about the mental health of their children and more than two fifths are concerned about how their education is being affected.
The emotional impact of not being able to see friends or colleagues face to face – or look after themselves properly – is a major issue. The vast majority miss catching up with close friends in person, and many do not have time to reflect and de-stress. More than a third say they are experiencing loneliness.
Women who can least afford it are paying the biggest price, according to Unison.
Nearly 3,300 who took part in the survey – half – earn £18,000 a year or less, and a more than a third have an annual salary of £15,000 or less. More than two fifths have seen their spending increase – especially on energy, food, technology, transport and housing. Reasons include having children off school all the time, a partner working from home or being furloughed.
Three in ten say they had to dip into savings to cope with financial difficulties. One even revealed they had bought a caravan to live in to protect their vulnerable family members from catching Covid.
More than half said being unable to get a regular haircut is affecting how they feel about themselves. Almost half are not exercising regularly.
Unison is calling on the Government to ensure employers offer staff more flexibility over when they work and not to take long hours for granted, fund childcare properly so it’s affordable and accessible for key workers and maintain the £20 increase to the universal credit allowance.
Unison general secretary Christina Mcanea said: “Public services would have come to a standstill without the vital jobs done by women in our schools, hospitals, police forces and local councils.
“But employees are exhausted. They’re worn out from meeting work demands during Covid while caring for relatives, looking after children and dealing with debt. Those on low wages are the ones shouldering these burdens most of all.
“All women deserve better and this country’s economic recovery depends on them. But their mental and physical health is at stake. “The Government needs to step up by providing the funding and support to make their working lives easier.”
LIVING well is important at any age, but experts say our health priorities can change as we get older.
While the principles of exercising regularly, eating well and managing stress will always be relevant, there may also be specific things you can do – at each milestone decade – to make sure you’re harnessing your full healthy potential.
So, what are they? We asked health experts to share their tips for happy, healthy aging, and looking after yourself at different stages of life...
In your 20s you should... support your bones and set good habits
Our bones carry on developing into our late-20s, so it’s important we continue to get plenty of calcium and vitamin D during these years, says Dr Naveen Puri, a lead physician at Bupa Health Clinics (bupa.co.uk).
As well as eating a good diet and taking supplements where necessary, he adds that resistancebased exercise, like weight training, can help strengthen bones, as well as repetitive activities such as hiking, jogging and playing tennis.
“Once your bones stop growing, they typically stop getting stronger and can slowly weaken in the longer term,” warns Dr Puri. “As such, helping them develop in your 20s will set good foundations as you get older.”
Your early adult life is also a great time to avoid making too many unhealthy lifestyle choices.
“When we’re young, we might not notice the impact of drinking too much or smoking, but now is the ideal time to minimise these habits,” says Dr Puri.
“Drinking too much on a regular basis is linked to a host of long-term health conditions, from high blood pressure and heart disease, through to liver disease and certain types of cancer. Similarly, smoking is linked to issues like cancer, heart and lung disease, strokes, and diabetes.”
In your 30s you should... eat well and protect your mental health
As you move into your 30s, you might start noticing some subtle body changes as your metabolism slows down. “This is perfectly normal, but does mean it becomes important to eat well,” says Dr Puri. Although it’s tempting to find a quick-fix for those stubborn extra pounds, don’t turn to fad diets. “Instead, look at making smaller, sustainable changes,” he advises. “Try to avoid grazing and stick to three meals a day, including high-fibre foods like wholegrain bread or brown rice, and protein like chicken or tofu. Also aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. “Elsewhere, try and avoid foods that are high in sugar or saturated fat.” At this time of life, many people may find themselves in more stressful situations. This can come from sources such as career responsibilities or family life.
Dr Puri says: “Relaxation therapies – like meditation, yoga or mindfulness – may be helpful, and it’s also important to know where to turn.”
In your 40s you should... maintain a good diet
It’s believed that almost one in 20 people in the UK are living with diabetes. While type 1 diabetes can occur at any age and is not linked with weight or lifestyle, generally speaking, type 2 is more likely to develop in over-40s, and this form of diabetes is often associated with factors like weight and diet.
Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle may help prevent type 2 diabetes, as well as being important if you are diagnosed.
“Maintaining a balanced diet and exercising regularly is key to managing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In some cases, you can reverse type 2 diabetes with the right diet and exercise,” says Lloydspharmacy pharmacist Anshu Kaura (lloydspharmacy.com).
Anshu advises to “always consult your GP before making any diet or lifestyle changes, especially if you have an underlying condition”.
In your 50s you should... check your breasts and prostate regularly
Giles Davies, lead surgeon and director of breast surgery at Cromwell Hospital (cromwellhospital.com), says it’s really important for women to check for the signs of breast cancer in their 50s.
“Women should check their breasts from a young age – ideally in their late-teens or 20s – but it becomes even more important as you get older,” he notes. “Around 80% of breast cancers happen in women over 50, so it’s important you attend your screenings.
“It’s also vital you know the signs of breast cancer, so you can act on any concerns. One of the most common signs is a new lump in the breast area or armpit, though women may also experience nipple discharge, skin changes, or a change in size or shape to either one or both of the breasts.”
Men should also get regular prostate checks. Professor Hashim Ahmed, consultant urological
surgeon at Cromwell Hospital, says: “Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer amongst men in the UK.
“Problems with urinating can often be one of the first signs that something is wrong, especially if the cancer is pressing on, or growing near the urethra. Other common indications may include needing to pee more frequently, often during the night, or finding it more difficult to start or stop urinating.”
These symptoms don’t always mean you have cancer. However, getting things checked out quickly is always sensible. And in some cases, cancer doesn’t cause any symptoms so it’s important to keep up with regular health checks.
In your 60s you should... look after your joints
Joint pain is very common as we get older, and it’s often caused by osteoarthritis, or wear and tear. Lifestyle measures may help prevent these problems worsening, as well as helping ease flare-ups.
Keeping physically active can still be very important. If you are concerned about joint pain and exercise, speak to your GP and perhaps a physiotherapist for tailored advice.
Anshu adds: “For those experiencing joint pain in winter, a cod liver oil supplement may help.
“Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids help support the body’s anti-inflammatory response, which can in turn help to prevent joint conditions such as arthritis from deteriorating.”
Drinking too much ...is linked to a host of long-term health conditions
Dr Naveen Puri on bad habits
In your 70s and beyond you should... keep active
Experts say even people in their 70s should look to undertake some form of exercise every day, but it doesn’t need to be anything as intense as marathon running.
Lin Seeley, wellbeing co-ordinator at Bupa Sandhills Court care home, says: “Light activity, such as a brisk walk or a bike ride, will still provide good benefits.
“People should try to clock up about two-and-a-half hours of this a week.
“Some great exercises for this can include gentle weightlifting or aerobics. Yoga and Pilates are also great options and can easily be adapted to suit anyone’s ability.”