We donated a Capsule machine and a large number of capsules to our local NHS trust for the NHS Coffee Appeal. We are happy to see that we have played a small part in raising the morale during these tough times. (Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS foundation Trust, Head to Toe Charity) .

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​Thank you for the unfailing support that you have given Head to Toe Charity and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, for helping our NHS get through these challenging times, and for rallying the community around our staff and patients. 
 
The last few months have been tough. Never has our National Health Service had to cope with, or respond to anything like the Covid-19 pandemic, and that response has been heroic; taking huge amounts of hard work and resolve. 
 
But, that response is also on the back of the incredible morale boost from the businesses, community groups and organisations like yours, who have gone above and beyond to lift the spirits of our staff and the patients they care for.  Thanks to your help, Head to Toe Charity has been able to distribute gifts, care packages and donations across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust – to demonstrate to our NHS staff just how much our wider community appreciates their hard work. 
 
Head to Toe Charity Team 
 
Hannah Wysocki – Charity Manager 
Tom Petie – Community Fundraising Officer 

As restrictions and lock down measures are slowly easing after these difficult months.
The Government, European Food Safety Authority and WHO, still maintain that the transmission through food is unlikely and there is no evidence of this occurring with the novel coronavirus to date.
 
As from the 6th July 2020, Masteroast will start to allow visits on site.  Visits must be agreed in advanced and pre-booked. There can only be 2 groups of 2 people allowed to visit the site at one time.  Un-announced visits to the site, will currently not be allowed. All visits on site will be co-ordinated by Masteroast.

• Any site visitor will be requested to complete the health hygiene form QP-018. On arrival.
• Any site visitor to the factory will have their temperature monitored.
• If the person has a temperature or declines to have their temperature taken, they will not be allowed on site.
• All site visitors are asked to come on site wearing a mask, to maintain social distancing requirements of 2m where possible, in order to protect Masteroast employees.
• All site visitors are asked to follow site hygiene rules and procedures regarding infection prevention and control by:  washing and sanitizing hands, not touching one’s face, as well as following general coughing and sneezing etiquette in order to prevent and minimise cross contamination and infection.

We would like to assure you that Masteroast has QA, Hygiene, Food safety policies and procedures in place, and we manage communicable disease and illness.
 
If you require further information regarding specific products or would like to discuss further, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
 
Masteroast Coffee Company

London, 19 June 2020: Birchall Tea has become the first tea company in the world to officially join the UN's Climate Neutral Now Initiative, which invites organisations to work towards global climate neutrality by addressing their own climate footprint.
The British tea company has also become the first in the world to achieve the Carbon Neutral International Standard, which they obtained by measuring and offsetting their greenhouse gas emissions, supporting verified volunteer reforestation projects around the world. This means that all of Birchall's products - including its award-winning Great Rift Breakfast Tea - are now completely Carbon Neutral.
These achievements are just the latest in a series of steps taken by Birchall to help avoid the worst effects of climate change, such as droughts, flooding and heatwaves. The company has significantly reduced excess and single use plastic from its supply chain and, in 2019, it unveiled the Birchall Tea Factory - the UK's first solar-powered tea production facility - in Amesbury, Wiltshire, complete with a roof-top solar installation featuring more than 460 solar panels.

The UNFCCC's Climate Neutral Now initiative was launched by UN Climate Change in 2015 to encourage everyone in society to take action to help achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century, enshrined in the Paris Agreement.
"Becoming a signatory to the UN's Climate Neutral Now pledge is a clear reaffirmation of Birchall's ongoing commitment to a sustainable future" said Daniel Graham, Managing Director of Imporient, the company which owns Birchall. "We recognise that climate change is a threat to the livelihoods and wellbeing of everyone on the planet and that we must all take action now. That's why we have worked hard to do our bit, achieve net zero emissions and win One Carbon World Carbon Neutral Gold Standard Status."

Andrew Bowen, Chief Executive Officer of One Carbon World said: "We are thrilled to announce that Birchall Tea is the first tea company who achieved both the Carbon Neutral Gold Standard and the UN Climate Neutral Now Initiative participation. Every emission Birchall Tea has offset directly supports the UN and verified voluntary reforestation projects around the world. Their fantastic commitment sends an inspirational message to their customers, staff and stakeholders and the tea industry on what can be achieved today.”

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Masteroast Capsule Machine Development - Article published in Packaging News Magazine

​​During these times of upheaval where many of us are adapting our work routine it's important to take stock of what is important and what we have to accept will be different. Masteroast is also going through this process and we would like to share a few of the tips we are picking up along the way. The below is just a few routine habits that we find will ease this transition from the traditional office to the kitchen table/spare room/ garden/sofa or home office

Habits are daily behaviours that are carried out automatically or with very little thought.  Scientific study backs the importance of creating and maintaining positive habits. The routines we hold allow us to minimise effort and allow us to improve productivity as well as settling us with predictability. We are confident the sun will rise, that work finishes at a certain time and that coffee in the morning while you're hurrying to your desk is an essential ingredient in getting those tricky first few emails sorted. We also continually strive to predict the weather with the accuracy of a blind darts man in our quest to know. We love routine and routine really is healthy. Let us see what we can do to maintain some of these rituals. 

1. A set work pattern that is similar to your usual working hours. That includes lunch breaks and coffee stops. Definitely coffee stops!

2. A new work environment can be quite difficult to get used to. Get comfy and ensure that you have all the tools that you're likely to need. When you do take breaks perhaps give a friend or colleague a call, or take a quick walk. 

3. Stay connected: Keep your colleagues, friends and family close, that is important. These connections help you remain a more rounded mentally healthy person. When you get the opportunity to talk to someone, don't send an email, pick up the phone and update them on which stage of a project that you're at or where you're going with it. 

4. Just because you're not at your usual working environment doesn't mean that you shouldn't keep hydrated and have the occasional coffee. Enjoying a coffee is a pleasure you can still bring to the work area you've curated.

5. Though it may be tempting to start work without having a shower or even getting dressed we would recommend maintaining a presentable appearance if not for anyone else but yourself. Getting ready for the day out at the office is a big part of how you see and present yourself. This is up there with point 1 about keeping a regular work pattern. 

6. Technology has come a long way, not least to allow you to fulfil your office role from home but in the way you can communicate face to face, use apps like Zoom, Messenger and Skype to communicate with your colleagues and discuss business activities. This technology again goes some way to plugging the gap in your social life with face to face communication.  ​