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Monthly Archives: February 2024

Maintaining Steady Work-Life Harmony: Veri Connect at its Core

Posted on 19/02/2024 - 4:09 pm by

Veri Connect’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond environmental initiatives; it encompasses the social holistic well-being of its employees. This became evident when I, a parent, foster parent, and now a grandmother, found myself at the crossroads of juggling familial responsibilities and work commitments. Ann Marie’s decision to introduce sabbaticals is a testament to the company’s dedication to fostering a positive work culture that understands the diverse needs of its employees.

Noleen Neill and Orla O’Sullivan – The backbone of our Northern Ireland office, at Ireland Sustainability Awards’23!

In the fast-paced world we live in, achieving a harmonious balance between our personal and professional lives can often seem like an elusive goal. However, I consider myself fortunate to be part of a forward-thinking company  that not only recognises the importance of work-life balance but actively encourages and supports it. As an employee of Veri Connect, my journey towards balance took a remarkable turn when I was granted an 8-week sabbatical, thanks to the visionary leadership of our CEO, Ann Marie.

The benefits of work-life balance extend far beyond the individual; they ripple through the entire company. Preventing burnout is one of the most significant advantages. By acknowledging the importance of taking time off to recharge and reconnect with life outside of work, Veri Connect is actively investing in the long-term well-being of its employees. This not only enhances job satisfaction but also boosts productivity and creativity when employees return, bringing a renewed sense of enthusiasm to their roles.

Noleen with the apple of her eye, her grandson, Leo!

The decision to grant a sabbatical is a reflection of Veri Connect’s forward-thinking approach. It acknowledges that employees are not just assets but individuals with multifaceted lives. AnnMarie’s leadership sends a powerful message – one that echoes throughout the company, fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and support.

As I embark on my sabbatical, I am grateful for the opportunity to recalibrate, rejuvenate, and return to Veri Connect with a refreshed perspective. In an era where work and life often intertwine, finding a company that prioritises and values work-life balance is a rare gem, and I am proud to be part of the Veri Connect family.

Threats to Biodiversity in Northern Ireland

Posted on 01/02/2024 - 2:22 pm by
A picture taken by our Senior Ecologist Yosef on a Biodiversity Training day in Forum Connemara.

Ireland’s biodiversity is the magic that makes this beautiful island what it is, providing us with a wealth of resources for the tourism sector including wonderful scenic landscapes, rivers and lakes, forests and woodlands, habitats, plants and animals. Ireland offers a unique experience to tourists because of our biodiversity and the natural landscape.

Biodiversity is at the heart of our tourism industry here in Northern Ireland. In a Visitor Attitudes Survey in 2006, 80% of visitors rated Ireland’s scenery as a primary reason for visiting Ireland, with 74% stating that they were attracted by the natural unspoilt environment. The People in the Outdoors Monitor for Northern Ireland has highlighted over £900 million was spent during visits to the outdoors in 2020/21.

So how is our biodiversity doing? Here are some alarming statistics:

➔ Northern Ireland is ranked 12th worst out of 240 countries for biodiversity loss

➔ 12% of all wildlife is threatened with extinction

➔ Across the UK, 41% of species have decreased since 1970

The 2023 State of Nature Report shows pressures are coming from all angles. Changes in land use management, invasive alien species, pollution and climate change are among the big drivers highlighted. It is vital that we protect this resource at all costs and begin to turn the tide on this decline. In many cases, tourism businesses are the stewards of our wild places. You know these places intimately and if you are old enough, you may have even noticed the decline for yourself. We all play a role in its decline and every business can do their bit to help restore our precious biodiversity.  

As well as being important to biodiversity, water also plays a major role in our tourism industry. Whether it’s spending a day kayaking at Strangford Lough, fishing in Lough Neagh, surfing the West Strand at Portrush or going for a stroll along the banks of Lower Bann, water is a resource we often take for granted. Under the Water Framework Directive, Northern Ireland is required to get all its water bodies up to at least ‘Good Status’ by 2027. The clock is ticking and despite this looming deadline only 31% of rivers, 14% of lakes and 40% of Northern Ireland’s transitional and coastal water bodies are achieving this minimum requirement. 

Today, our Ecologist Kieran Cowhig delivered Phase 2 of the webinar in collaboration with Tourism Northern Ireland as part of their Leaner Greener Series. This webinar titled Threats to Biodiversity in Northern Ireland is designed to show you proven ways your tourism business can help address the issues highlighted above. The webinar covers topic like:

➔  Invasive Species on your Premises and in our Waters

➔  Water Quality and Tourism

➔  Water Conservation for Tourism Businesses

➔  Sustainable Drainage Systems 

If you are interested in learning more you can view this free webinar here.