Nick Addington’s Post

We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen by UK-based international charity Keep Britain Tidy alongside our colleagues at Cowry Consulting to lead a new campaign to stop people dropping cigarette butts, which accounts for 66% of all litter in England. 🚬 It is estimated that at any one moment in England there are 2.4million dropped cigarette butts on our high streets which each take 14 years to break apart into microplastics. During this time they leach toxic chemicals including arsenic, lead, formaldehyde and nicotine into the environment which affects the development of organisms, even at the very foundation of the ecosystem. 💡 Our research alongside Cowry Consulting also revealed that, while many people would not dream of dropping litter such as drinks cans or crisp packets, they do not view dropping cigarette butts as nearly as bad. Often they do not even consider it as littering. We are looking forward to working on shifting this perception and driving positive behaviour change, with the campaign set to launch across the UK this November. Read more 🔗 https://lnkd.in/esCuxjx6

We’re showing shareholders how they can change corporations for good; getting toxic chemicals out of food, helping transition to a clean energy future, and providing feedback on workplace equity. How do we do so much? Because of your support! https://ow.ly/XRH150PYNGC

This disappointing looking cup of hot oat drink, with an espresso launched into it, cost me £4.25. Which is quite expensive in my mind. I'm in Costa (despite my love for independent coffee shops and good coffee) because the large County town I live in has a distinct lack of good coffee. This morning, my daughter is at another school for a workshop and I couldn't face driving home to have to then drive back across town and collect her. ANYWAY enough about my life story. I suppose I should segue this into a business post since this isn't Facebook and is LinkedIn. But I hate conforming to norms, I'm a square peg and I refuse to circum to the 'this isn't Facebook' crowd's round hole that they want me to cram myself into. What was my point?! Oh I didn't really have one. 😅 Except to say on the way down here I passed a couple of people in doorways who asked me for change. I stopped for a chat with them; one had a job, but the local housing project that housed him refused to continue to pay for his accommodation which meant he couldn't continue the job, so now he spends the days trying to stay warm and get some food and money and his nights sleeping in a car park. I really don't know the details of what he has and hasn't been offered but it just seems incredible to me that as a country we haven't solved some of these issues that have been issues for so so long. How have successive governments failed to agree to a long-term cross-party policy that eradicates rough sleeping? I think the way the current political system runs promotes short-termism, prioritises 'looking good' over making the right choices and fails to create real systemic change in the systems that clearly aren't working for everyone. Hence we have homelessness, a huge chunk of people struggling to engage with/benefit from school, people having to use food banks - and no doubt more issues I can't think of right now. In the meantime, next time you spend £4 on a coffee - if you don't already - please think what that same money could do for someone who's hungry/homeless A McMuffin, a coffee, a smile, a kind word might restore their faith in humanity and help them make it through what's probably a very difficult day... Bit of a rant, but would love to hear your thoughts. #jonc

I can't believe I'm about to share this... (Trigger warning: Su!c!d3 ideation, October 7th massacre) For the extent of my professional career, I have worked hard to raise money for others. Be it during my 15 years in nonprofit leadership, or the last 3 years in #Saas business development, or on my free time, raising money for friends' projects, gifts, or crises. After 18 years of self imposed and external pressure, I was deeply #burntout. The kind of burn out where you don't feel feelings. You're numb. Your health fails. You experience no joy. You go through the motions of life and you sometimes (or often times) just wish for it to all end. You see no light at the end of the tunnel, no hope for the future. And no one can help. When #october7 happened and so many young, beautiful people in the prime of their lives were violently taken from this world, I was shaken to the core. It caused me to scrutinize my life choices even further- a mother of 7, under the constant weight of a looming target, daily KPIs, in front of the glowing grey screen, not succeeding in any area of my life, eating junk from a hi tech kitchen, not having the time I needed to exercise... LinkedIn, where I existed for 9 hours a day, became murder p0rn (...and Zionism p0rn..and pro Palestine p0rn.) And I truly felt I was drowning in misery. Then I got fired. And similar to Brittany Pietsch, I have an EPICLY TOXIC lay off call recorded that I debated sharing (go you!!) but ultimately, just didn't care enough because the relief was so great. I had a moment to breathe. It was like a 300 lb gorilla stepped off of my back. It turns out there was nothing wrong with me, I just needed some sunshine, some nature, some exercise, some nutritious food and to get (the heck) off of social media. And now, with the space to think and care for myself, a channel for creativity and hope opened. I realized human beings need all of the above in order to maintain a vibrant and healthy spirit. And here is where the scary part comes in (gulp..) I am starting my own thing 🙊 and I'm SCARED. And I'm turning to you, my incredibly supportive network, to set me on my path to success. The Chevra Eco Farm is my new baby. Aviel Friedman and I are purchasing a 14 dunam agricultural lot in the Upper Galilee of Israel and founding a #Jewish Farm. We're shifting gears from death, destruction, and military action toward healing in nature, re-building Israel and strengthening our periphery. Our full story is here https://lnkd.in/dtdgMP98 Today is the launch of our inaugural #crowdfundingcampaign. The emotions are running high- mainly anxiety and fear of failure. We have taken on a monster goal of $250,000. I am leaving this one up to the universe and hoping you will help me by sharing and commenting on this post, following our channels, giving to our campaign if you have the means (links in comments) or sharing it with your friends. With blessings for a brighter future for us all.

Match the cost of your nonessential indulgences in savings. So, for example, if you splurge on a smoothie while out running errands, put the same amount into your savings account. Share with your friends! #moneytipmonday

Minimizing Waste, Maximizing Impact! The amount of edible food wasted annually in Australia is truly staggering. It's disheartening to think about the resources that go into producing this food, only to see it end up in landfills. But here's the silver lining, innovative initiatives like Second Bite are leading the charge in turning this "ugly food" into a lifeline for those in need. While dealing with a cost of living crisis, we find ourselves presented with an unexpected opportunity, the chance to foster a more conscientious and less wasteful society. Let's embrace this chance to create a brighter future, one where no edible food is left behind and where compassion leads the way. #FoodWaste #CommunityImpact #SustainabilityMatters #TogetherForChange

Ever wondered about the true value of electricity? 🤔 It hit me hard during our team’s trek on the Coldest Night of the Year - a walk that's all about raising awareness and funds for those who are facing struggles, and in some cases, don't have a place to call home. Imagine this: a home that’s warm, a dinner table with hot meals, and rooms filled with light. That’s the power of electricity. And on that chilly walk, I was reminded of how crucial these comforts are. It’s not just about keeping the lights on; it’s about the warmth and security those lights represent. Working in this industry, I’m reminded daily of the privilege it is to help keep homes cozy, meals cooked, and lights bright. It’s a stark reminder not to take for granted the warmth of my own home and the light that fills it. Everyone deserves that safety and comfort, and I’m beyond proud to be part of a company that stands up for this cause. It’s often in the absence of something that we truly recognize its value. Losing power, even for a short time, can be a stark reminder of what many face daily. Let’s not wait for the lights to go out to appreciate their worth in our lives. Proud moments like these make me reflect on the impact of our work and the importance of giving back. Here’s to making a difference, one light bulb at a time. 💡 #ColdestNightOfTheYear #GiveBack #CommunitySupport #Leadership #Compassion #Inspiration

A powerful memory seared into my brain aged 6 is my beloved Pa-Mum being carried out of the house on a stretcher with a mask and oxygen tank. I couldn't hug him. He died of his emphysema a year later - caused by a lifetime of chain smoking. His generation didn't know the harm. However, thanks to decades of research and public health response fewer people start smoking. Yet Big Tobacco refuses to go quietly and is still lobbying for policies which bring new generations into the addiction cycle. A common tactic is to fund small retailer associations. Some investors may like the "yield" (truly the wages of death). But Tobacco as an industry is heading to its last gasp. Continuing exposure to class actions and massive fines makes any financial case poor. The US action in 2006 resulted in an eye watering $206bn and the 10 Canadian provinces are currently seeking $500bn. If you want to make your investments "smoke free" then positively a large number of Investment Managers in Aotearoa have blanket exclusions on Tobacco (its production and distribution). Check your fund through https://mindfulmoney.nz/.

As we step into our third week of raising awareness, we are going to take some time to focus on the carbon impact of returns, starting with our own impact. All of our parcels are tracked, which means we are able to easily calculate and manage the environmental impact of our operations. We have chosen to communicate our efforts every quarter to keep our clients as up to date as possible with what is going on in our operations. Take a look at our updated impact report below! #sustainabilityreport #impact #awarenessaugust

In a world of 8 billion people, it’s easy to question the impact of our individual actions. “But what difference can I make?” you might ask. The truth is, you have more power than you realize. As the historian Edward Everett Hale famously said: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something, and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” Every small action counts. Contributing to your community, no matter how seemingly insignificant, not only benefits others but also enhances your mental well-being. Studies show that acts of kindness and engagement trigger a release of dopamine, promoting a sense of happiness and fulfillment. Challenge yourself: Choose one action you can take to make a positive impact. Here are some ideas to consider: 1.      Random Acts of Kindness: Pay for someone’s coffee, leave an uplifting note, or help a neighbor with their groceries. 2.      Volunteer: Dedicate a few hours to a local charity or organization that resonates with you. 3.      Environmental Consciousness: Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Plant a tree or participate in a neighborhood cleanup. 4.      Spread Knowledge: Share your expertise through mentoring, tutoring, or online tutorials. 5.      Support Local Businesses: Choose to buy from local shops and restaurants to boost your community’s economy.   Remember, you are not alone in your desire to make a difference. As you contribute to the betterment of society, you’ll find your sense of purpose deepening, and your mental well-being flourishing. It’s not about changing the entire world on your own, but about the collective impact of countless individuals coming together. Embrace your power to create change, one step at a time. What act are you going to do today? #MakeADifference #Purpose #Contribution #Kindness