Page 64 • The HERALD • 1st August 2024 v THE HERALD - SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES v ASK A PROFESSIONAL YATES & CO Chartered Accountants Specialists in providing accounting and taxation advice to small businesses and individuals Contact: Colin Yates A.C.A. Telephone: (023) 8086 1550 E-mail: enquiries@yatesco.co.uk Personal and Friendly Service Local IT Company Puts Workforce Wellbeing First Employee wellbeing is vital to locallybased IT services rm Aura Technology, and World Wellbeing Week in June marked the fourth year of a partnership between Aura and the Kadampa Meditation Centre in Southampton that encourages Aura employees to take time out for their mental health. Aura Technology’s donations to the Kadampa Meditation Centre support the charity’s commitment to help individuals from all faiths and backgrounds navigate the stresses and challenges of the modern world. Tim Walker, Managing Director of Aura Technology, said: “Our relationship with Kadampa started during the Covid pandemic. We wanted to provide our staff with complementary services around mental health and wellbeing during lockdown and give them access to things that they might not have made time for previously, but now suddenly had time to embrace and also a real need to do so.” As a big advocate of Buddhist meditation since his days at university, Tim was delighted to be able to work with the Kadampa Meditation Centre, who put together a customised programme of mindfulness meditation classes in the form of weekly videos that Aura could share with its teams in the UK and India. “This meant that people who had never practised any sort of meditation before were able to dip their toe in the water,” said Tim, “which proved very successful.” So successful, in fact, that the programme continued beyond the pandemic and is now fully embedded in Aura’s approach to employee wellbeing. “We see this as a long-term commitment to the Kadampa centre but also to all of our colleagues’ mental health and wellbeing.” Tim believes that mental wellbeing is as important as physical health: “Meditation is the mental equivalent of, say, a bike ride, a run or getting out into nature. To focus on your mental health is absolutely fundamental and, like exercise, you need to do it regularly. If you do, you transform your focus and outlook on life and feel a lot more balanced.” Tim Walker, Managing Director of Aura Technology Oakhaven Business Club runs regular networking events with local businesses across the New Forest, Waterside and Totton. Businesses can pay-as-you-go per person per session, or become an annual member for £250 with additional bene ts. Upcoming events: Networking Drinks in the beautiful gardens at Moore Barlow’s o ce in Lymington on Thursday 8th August, £15 per person. New Forest Walk & Work on Tuesday 13th August, a 1 hour walk followed by tea/co ee and cake at Rhine eld House Hotel, £15 per person. Lunch on a Private Yacht, Tuesday 3rd September, 1pm-3pm, join Oakhaven for a light lunch and networking on private yacht Mad Moment at Lymington Yacht Haven (£20pp). For more information about how to join the Oakhaven Business Club or to book a space for one of the networking events please visit: www. oakhavenhospice.co.uk/ oakhaven-business-club Upcoming Oakhaven Business Club Networking Events
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