Category: Blog

Blog posts from The Unite group.

Here at the Unite Group, we like to keep our clients and network up to date with the information that can help them in their business using our blog pages.

We cover topics such as IT support, Hosted telephony, Cyber security, Digital marketing, and much more. We think it is important to educate our audience using our blog, not only on these topics but to give a behind-the-scenes view on what is going on day to day at the Unite Group and the people who make up our team. Having knowledge of what we offer can help you to make a more informed choice on the services you need and which ones would work best for your business.

If there are topics you would like to see us create content around then drop us an email and we will get these added for you.

  • Why is it important for businesses to have IT support?

    Why is it important for businesses to have IT support?

    In today’s fast-paced digital world, technology is critical to the success of any business. The right IT infrastructure can increase productivity, streamline processes, and help businesses stay ahead of the competition. However, with so many different technologies and systems to manage, it can be challenging to keep everything running smoothly. This is where IT support comes in. Here at The Unite Group, we are proud to provide complete Managed IT services. So, you can relax knowing your covered by a team of highly-skilled professionals.

    IT support is an essential service for businesses of all sizes. It provides technical assistance and advice to help companies manage their IT systems and infrastructure. As businesses continue to rely more and more on IT infrastructure for the day-to-day running of their business, it is essential to ensure you have the correct support in place. If something were to go wrong.

    In this blog, we cover why IT support is so important for businesses:

    Maximizing Uptime:

    Downtime is a business’s worst nightmare, as it can lead to lost revenue, decreased productivity, and even reputational damage. IT support can help to prevent downtime by providing proactive maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting of IT systems. This ensures that issues are identified and resolved quickly, minimizing the impact on the business. Our clever monitoring systems, means we often can fix a fault before you even know it’s a problem. Hugely reducing the risk of downtime due to an IT fault.

    Increased Security:

    Cyber threats are a constant risk for businesses, and the consequences of a data breach can be severe. IT support can help businesses to implement the latest security measures, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and data encryption. This can help to protect against cyber threats and ensure that sensitive data is kept safe. We offer various cyber security options to further protect our customers. One being support to achieve a Cyber Essentials certification. This scheme is said to protect businesses from 80% of the most basic cyber threats. Click here to learn more about the Cyber Essentials scheme.

    Improved Efficiency:

    IT support can help businesses to identify and implement the best technology solutions for their needs. This can help to improve efficiency by streamlining processes, automating tasks, and reducing manual labour. By optimising technology, businesses can work more efficiently, save time, and reduce costs. Our team of highly qualified engineers will be able to offer recommendations for software to reduce the amount of time your staff spend doing mundane, routine tasks. Instead, being able to offer solutions to speed up processes.

    Access to Expertise:

    IT support provides businesses with access to a team of experts with a wide range of technical knowledge and experience. This means that businesses can get the help they need to solve complex IT problems, without the need to hire an in-house IT team. IT support can also help businesses stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends, ensuring that they remain competitive in their industry. Here at The Unite Group, we provide a price per user, not per device. Therefore you can be assured our team of experts will assist no matter what the issue your team faces.

    In conclusion, IT support is an essential service for businesses that rely on technology to operate. It can help businesses to maximize uptime, increase security, improve efficiency, and access technical expertise. With the right IT support, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and succeed in the fast-paced digital world. To learn more about how your businesses could benefit from Managed IT support from The Unite Group, contact our friendly team today. Or alternatively visit our IT support page to learn more!

  • National Apprenticeship Week

    National Apprenticeship Week

    national apprenticeship week

    Here at The Unite Group, we join the celebrations of National Apprenticeship week. Our directors here are advocates of this method into work. Gaining hands-on experience is best in our eyes. Especially for the industry we are in. Of course, the technical knowledge must back this up. Which is why apprenticeships work so well!

    Over the past 10 years, we have had many apprentices who have gone on to progress to more experienced roles within our company. In this blog, we introduce you to 4 members of our team who joined us on an apprenticeship. Sharing what they get up to now within our team.

    ben - project team leader apprentice

    Ben – Project Team Leader

    Ben joined us way back in 2011. Gaining a Diploma in professional competence for IT & Telecoms professionals City & Guilds 7540 Level 3 Certificate in ICT Systems & Principles for Advanced apprenticeships.

    Ben is our longest-standing employee, being with us right from the start. Ben over the last 11 years has progressed through our company and is now in a senior role. Following Ben’s apprenticeship completion. He then moved into a Customer Service Technician role. Ben was in this role for 7 years. Gaining experience being on customer sites and putting his knowledge from his apprenticeship into action. Following this, Ben was promoted to Senior Service Technician. Ben spent 4 years in this role. Managing our team of engineers and advancing not only his technical knowledge but also his management skills. Ben has grown to be a fantastic leader for our team of engineers. Which has led to his more recent promotion to Project Team Leader. This role means Ben works closely with the directors to manage customer projects.

    Ben is a very valued member of our team and we look forward to seeing Ben thrive in his new role!

    rob - senior service engineer apprentice

    Rob – Senior Service Engineer

    Likewise, Rob also joined us on an apprenticeship scheme back in 2016. Having completed a foundation degree apprenticeship in Science (Level 5) in Network and Security Technologies. He has since advanced into a Senior Service Engineer role. Rob works very closely with Ben on our larger projects which allows him to best utilise his extensive technical knowledge. Rob spends most of his day out of the office providing support and great customer service on-site. More recently, Rob has become a qualified Cyber Essentials Assessor. Meaning he can guide our customers throughout the certification as well as awarding certifications. Soon Rob will be attending the IASME event in London to further expand his cybersecurity knowledge.

    We look forward to hearing all about his trip & the knowledge he will be able to pass on to our customers from it!

    jack - helpdesk engineer apprentice

    Jack – Helpdesk Engineer

    Jack then joined us in 2018. Having completed an apprenticeship in Infrastructure Technician as a Level 3 certification. From there Jack then moved into a Helpdesk Engineer role. Jack is a really valued member of our Helpdesk team and we frequently receive excellent feedback from our customers about their service from him. Over the past 4 years, Jack has really come out of his shell and this is reflected in his role. Moving forwards, Jack is going to begin working more closely with the Projects Team to further advance his technical knowledge.

    We look forward to seeing Jack continue to expand upon his extensive existing knowledge to help our customers further.

    carl - helpdesk apprentice

    Carl – Helpdesk Apprentice

    Carl is our most recent apprentice. Having joined us in November, he is at the start of his apprenticeship journey. Carl is currently completing a Level 3 Information Communications Technician – Azure Cloud Support Specialist apprenticeship. Carl is really beginning to find his feet within the Helpdesk team. His knowledge is growing every week and it is great to see him able to jump in with our team to solve any issues our customers may experience.

    We look forward in the future to sharing Carl’s success and where his journey takes him within our company.

    Here at The Unite Group, we use this week to celebrate our apprentices and those who have come from such a scheme. Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for practical learners and a good route into the technology sector. This week we join the nation in celebrating the positive impact they make on communities, businesses, and the wider economy. In the future, we look forward to welcoming more apprentices to our ever-expanding team!

  • We celebrate Safer Internet Day!

    We celebrate Safer Internet Day!

    safer internet day

    Today marks Safer Internet Day. This day promotes the responsibility of both adults and young people in creating a safer space online.

    Each year, people from all over the world come together to spread awareness and celebrate Safer Internet Day.

    In today’s day and age, people of all ages move towards a more digital way of life. From mobile phones to work laptops and gaming devices, electronic devices are intertwined with our daily lives.

    Now more than ever, safe internet use and cybersecurity have never had such importance. So much of our personal and professional data can be accessed through the internet. This means internet safety and cyber security should be at the forefront of our minds.

    Although technology keeps us entertained and makes our lives easier, it also has its complications.

    Whilst individuals must follow best practices to protect themselves, businesses must do this to protect sensitive data. Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to reflect on how we can all promote the responsible use of technologies.

    Does your business operate on safe practices?

    Horizon WIFI

    Is your public WIFI secure?

    As the provider of public WIFI, do you have the correct measures in place? If not, this could leave you accountable for any illegal or inappropriate activity on your account.

    Horizon public WIFI is traceable. This means you can provide a public wireless solution to your customers with peace of mind you are fully protected. If someone looks at inappropriate material, you can provide this information to the authorities. Furthermore, using content filtering you can prevent these people from ever getting access.

    Here at The Unite Group we offer safe public Wi-Fi solutions. Our Horizon public WIFI product is secure, intelligent, and perfect for direct marketing.

    Visit our website to learn more about Horizon WIFI or contact us on 0191 466 1050.

    Phishing Emails

    It’s always important for both individuals and employees to be on the lookout for phishing emails. Phishing emails are categorised as a cybercrime that contacts its target via email. The sender uses this form of attack to gain and exploit personal or sensitive business information.

    There are 3 types of phishing emails to look out for:

    Spear phishing – an attempt directed at a particular individual or company.

    Clone phishing – hackers use a legitimate, previously delivered, part of online correspondence to create almost identical emails.

    Whaling – an attempt directed specifically at a senior executive or high-profile target within the business.

    For businesses, it’s important to make sure employees are aware of phishing emails and how to spot them. As an individual, never click any links or give any personal information to a sender you are unsure of.

    Weak Passwords

    We understand that when it comes to creating a password, you want to make it something memorable. But if it’s easy for you to remember, it’s also easy for a hacker to guess.

    A lot of people make their passwords something personal, for example, the name of a beloved family pet. However, we need to keep in mind that this information is easy to find. A lot of our personal information is easily accessible online via social media.

    Strong passwords are essential in keeping private or sensitive data safe.

    In the spirit of Safer Internet Day, why not double-check that your passwords comply with best practices?

    We suggest you create strong passwords by following the below steps:

    • Use a combination of upper-and lower case letters.
    • Include numbers.
    • Include special characters (symbols).
    • Never include any personal information.
    • Never use the same password for different applications.
    • Ensure your passwords are at least 12 characters long.

    Cyber Essentials

    More now then ever cybersecurity is a vital part of any business. With cyber attacks happening more and more frequently it is essential to ensure you have the correct measures in place to protect your data.

    We believe businesses should go the extra mile when it comes to cyber security. One way of doing this is to obtain the Cyber Essentials certification.

    A foundation-level certificate protects your business from 80% of the most basic cyber security breaches.

    You don’t need to be an experienced information security professional or have any technical knowledge to become Cyber Essentials certified; we can help! Our in-house qualified Cyber Essentials assessors are here to assist you throughout the entire process. Giving you peace of mind that you have protection against the most basic cyber threats.

    Chat to our friendly team today to see what measures we suggest you put in place to protect your business.

    Happy Safer Internet Day!

  • Let’s Breakdown Cyber Essentials

    Let’s Breakdown Cyber Essentials

    breakdown cyber essentials

    In this blog we breakdown the Cyber Essentials scheme. Explain why achieving the certification is important in simplistic terms – perfect to take straight into the next boardroom meeting. As well as, outline how simple it is to get started with achieving a Cyber Essentials certification.

    Cyber Essentials

    The Cyber Essentials certification is a UK government-backed scheme intended to provide organisations with a basic level of cyber security. The scheme is both accessible and achievable for all.

    There are two levels of certification that businesses can choose from – Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus.

    Cyber Essentials involves completing a Cyber Essentials self-assessment questionnaire which one of our qualified assessors can assist with. The questionnaire outlines the 5 key areas of cybersecurity. Ensuring sufficient measures are in place to protect both yourself and your business from the risk of falling victim to cybercrime.

    Cyber Essentials Plus, takes this certification a step further. Achieving this also requires the self-assessment questionnaire to be completed. However, it then goes further and includes a hands-on technical verification to be carried out.

    All organisations should consider gaining a Cyber Essentials to not only protect themselves. But to demonstrate to their existing and future clients that they take data cybersecurity risks seriously!

    How to explain Cyber Essentials to your boss

    So, you’ve got to this point. You think gaining a Cyber Essentials certification would be a great step to protect your business. We couldn’t agree more! But now you need to stress the importance of this to your boss. Let us help!

    Firstly, could your businesses continue to operate if you were to fall victim to one of the above statistics? We’re sure the answer is no! Therefore it is essential you put measures in place to best prevent an attack.

    As well as this, it’s a great talking point when you are selling your business to potential customers. Who wouldn’t want to work with a company who can ensure the best protection for their data? As well as this, achieving the certification opens up the opportunity to work with the Government. And the Ministry of Defense (for Cyber Essentials Plus certifications only).

    With our Cyber Essentials packages starting from just £800 and monthly payment options available, you can be sure this will be cheaper than the damage caused by the falling victim. With the certification lasting for 12 months, you can relax with peace of mind you have the correct measures in place. Annual renewal also ensures you remain up-to-date with the latest risks in the cybersecurity world. Because we all know cyber attacks are ever-evolving and becoming harder to spot and prevent year-on-year.

    How to get started with Cyber Essentials

    Getting started with a Cyber Essentials certification is easy! Simply use the booking form below to organise a quick chat with one of our qualified Cyber Essentials assessors. From there we can best advise which scheme is best for you. Our team will then guide you throughout the entire process. Ensuring you have the necessary measures in place. As well as supporting you with the assessment.

    Becoming Cyber Essentials certified is easier than you think and could save your business from the unimaginable!

    If you’d like to learn more about the process of Cyber Essentials visit our page by clicking here. Or alternatively, dive into our Cyber Essentials blog archive by clicking here!

  • 5 reasons to outsource your IT support

    5 reasons to outsource your IT support

    outsourcing your IT support

    Could your business continue to run if you were to have an IT issue? For many, the answer is no! Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you have the correct measures in place to be sure that your businesses can continue to operate smoothly. In this blog, we cover 5 main reasons we recommend outsourcing your IT support to the experts – just like our team here at The Unite Group.

    Reduce Costs

    In 2023, more than ever it’s vital for businesses to cut costs wherever possible. Having an in-house IT support team can be costly with the average wage between £30-£40k per annum as well as all the added stress that comes with employment. By using an external provider, such as ourselves, you can enjoy affordable IT support. Here at The Unite Group, our prices start at just £25 per user covering all devices they may use.

    Moreover, with no hidden fees, you can easily manage your IT expenditure. Our Managed IT Support is covered through a monthly set cost. We are transparent about our prices right from the first conversation. Meaning you won’t have any surprises or hidden fees to pay at the end of the month!

    Improve Efficiency

    Here at The Unite Group, we have a team of experienced engineers on hand to provide you with the highest standard of service and solve any queries that you may have. Our team are all highly qualified and participate in continuous professional development to ensure they are always up to date with the latest technology.

    Therefore, you can be sure when you raise a ticket with us, your issues will be dealt with in a timely manner. Reducing the effect of any issues you may face on your business.

    Prevention Services

    Professional IT service providers have measures in place to actively monitor your IT systems to prevent issues before they even occur! Here at The Unite Group, we proactively manage and monitor your systems to prevent issues. Meaning we often deal with issues without you even knowing about them.

    Furthermore, we also conduct regular software updates and we proactively patch your hardware to improve or update it. Ensuring all devices run on the latest versions is essential to avoid issues wherever possible. We understand that your day is often too busy to remember to check for software updates. That’s why our team of qualified engineers can complete and plan out-of-hours maintenance to keep your devices up-to-date and protected.

    High-Class Service

    If you have an issue you want to speak to a friendly individual rather than a bot right? Statistics suggest 90% of people prefer to speak to a live person rather than a bot simply answering frequently asked questions. Here at The Unite Group, our friendly team are on hand to answer an queries you may have. Simply enter a support ticket and a member of our team will be in touch to resolve or advise any issues you may be facing. Excellent customer service is at the heart of everything that we do. For this reason, our engineers are both responsive and reliable. Meaning you can relax knowing your IT support is in the hands of professionals.

    Planning for the future

    As your business grows, so must your IT infrastructure. Once you are a customer of ours here at The Unite Group, we strive to ensure that your IT services are planned to your business goals. Therefore,  taking into consideration your timescales and cost planning. We ensure that your roadmap us is prepared and aligned with your business needs.

    In regular meetings with our account managers and yourselves, we can discuss technology recommendations that can help grow and benefit your business and adapt your services accordingly. As well as discussing cyber security to help safeguard and protect your business. Again aiming to prevent any issues wherever possible.

    Are you looking for a reliable IT provider to outsource your IT support to? Contact our friendly team today to learn more about our services and how we could support your team.

  • January 2023 – Newsletter

    January 2023 – Newsletter

    What a great start to 2023 we have had here at The Unite Group!

    In this newsletter: We celebrate New Year New Roles for some of our team, Network+ announce their next event – Lock & Key Networking, we spotlight our client Gavin Forster Photography, we offer a FREE webinar to our customers, share an opportunity to work for us & showcase some new products we are now offering!

    To read The Unite Group’s January Monthly Newsletter, click on the image below!

    To be added to our mailing list drop us an email, info@theunitegroup.co.uk or to speak to our friendly team call us on, 0191 466 1050

    january 23 newsletter
  • Festive season cyber threats: Are you prepared?

    Festive season cyber threats: Are you prepared?

    Festive season cyber threats: Are you prepared?

    Have you thought about the cyber threats your business could face this festive season?

    Christmas is around the corner and most businesses are beginning to unwind and prepare for the festivities. Therefore, our minds are filled with presents, wrapping, and preparing the Christmas dinner. But as we begin to let our guards down, hackers are waiting on the sidelines for their perfect time to strike.

    It’s easy to get swept away in the Christmas cheer. But just because we stop doesn’t mean the cyber threats do. In fact, our downtime is a hacker’s dream and as we slow down, they get ready to attack. Have you stopped to think about the cyber threats your business could face during the holiday season?

    Not to worry. We’ve pulled together some things to think about during the most wonderful time of the year. We’re outlining a few of the main cyber threats you may face throughout the festive period. This means you can feel safe and enjoy the holidays with the confidence that your business is protected.

    Phishing Emails

    A phishing email is a cybercrime that contacts its target via email. The sender poses as a legitimate institution to lure individuals to hand over sensitive business information. This information is then exploited or used for financial gain.

    There are 3 types of phishing emails to look out for:

    • Spear phishing – an attempt directed at a particular individual or company.
    • Clone phishing – hackers use a legitimate, previously delivered, part of online correspondence to create almost identical emails.
    • Whaling – an attempt directed specifically at a senior executive or high-profile target within the business.

    It’s important to make your employees aware of phishing emails and teach them how to spot them.

    Weak passwords

    It’s easy to fall into the trap of using the same passwords for multiple accounts. However, this can result in leaving the business open and vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

    Amongst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas period, take some time to ask yourself the important question: Are your passwords secure?

     Do they have the complexity to make it difficult for cyber criminals to breach?

    Before locking up the office for Christmas, double-check that your passwords comply with best practices.

    We suggest you create strong passwords by following the below steps:

    • Use a combination of upper-and lower- case letters.
    • Include numbers.
    • Include special characters (symbols).
    • Never include any personal information.
    • Never use the same password for different applications.
    • Ensure your passwords are at least 12 characters long.

    Misconfiguration of Devices

    When did you last configure all your devices? Is your firewall up and working properly?

    It’s important to ask yourself these questions before getting wrapped up in all the festivities.

    When cyber security software is updated or changed, misconfigurations become the most prevalent. This leaves your business vulnerable and open to a cyber-attack.

    It is vital that your firewall is correctly configured and up to date to protect your business from hackers.

    Before leaving for Christmas, double-check everything is updated and correctly configured. This means you can enjoy the holidays and have peace of mind that your business isn’t left vulnerable to cyber threats.

    Cyber Essentials Certification

    Here at The Unite Group, we understand the many cyber threats that businesses face day in and day out. We believe businesses should go the extra mile when it comes to cyber security. One way of doing this is to obtain the Cyber Essentials certification.

    A foundation-level certificate protects your business from 80% of the most basic cyber security breaches.

    The Cyber Essentials scheme covers 5 key areas of cybersecurity:

    • Access Control
    • Software Updates
    • Firewalls & Routers
    • Secure Configuration
    • Malware Protection

    The Unite Group is a certifying body of the cyber essentials scheme. If you would like to learn more about the Cyber Essentials certification, click here!

    Keep an eye out in our newsroom for more blogs like this and be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram for updates!

  • The Festive Period at The Unite Group

    The Festive Period at The Unite Group

    Wow, what a busy December we have had here at The Unite Group! As we prepare for Christmas, we look back over our action-packed December. From supporting local causes to Secret Santa, attending networking events & our Christmas night out.

    Norah’s North Pole

    As mentioned before again this year we were proud to be a part of Norah’s North Pole. This year not only did we donate toys & our time to pack gifts. But we were also a drop-off point for toys. It was great to see so many of our connections get involved and donate. A massive thank you to everyone who contributed!

    This cause is truly heartbreaking knowing all these Santa sacks are needed for children within our local area who would otherwise go without this Christmas. However, the fantastic work of the team at Norah’s North Pole means these children will wake up to presents this Christmas.

    Last weekend some of our team volunteered to pack the Santa Sacks for these children. Some simply just asking for pyjamas or other basic essentials. Ranging from new born babies right up to some parents who had nothing. We were pleased to be able to help where we could. We will be supporting Norah’s North Pole again in Christmas 2023 and hope to see even more support than this year!

    Network+ in support of Grace House

    We recently attended the Network+ evening event at The Lofts in support of Grace House. It was a great night and the perfect excuse to dig our Christmas jumpers out again! From delicious candy cane cocktails to fantastic new business connections. It was great for some of our team to get out and about and meet new faces. As well as chatting with those we see often! We are looking forward to sponsoring Network+ events in 2023!

    Secret Santa

    Secret Santa is a yearly December tradition here at The Unite Group’s offices. This week our gift exchange took place. From makeup to rubber ducks… the gifts were great! It was great to have all the team together in the office to do this. Here at The Unite Group, we find it incredibly important to keep up these traditions as our team continues to expand and grow year after year. Check out some pictures of some of the gifts exchanged below!

    Christmas Night Out

    We also recently had our Christmas Night Out. We started at The Lofts where we enjoyed a Cocktail Masterclass. Apart from making delicious cocktails, we played some games which definitely saw some competitive sides come out! From who could make a Pornstar Martini fastest or which blindfolded team could make the best mojito. The night was a great success! From there we enjoyed a few bars around Newcastle. We are grateful to get to thank our staff for all their hard work over the past 12 months.

    Christmas Opening Hours

    Here at The Unite Group, we are serious about being on-hand to support, that’s why we will be operating and providing support & assistance as normal throughout the festive period! For any support or issues you may encounter please contact us by calling 0191 466 1050 or by emailing our helpdesk at support@theunitegroup.co.uk.

    Thanks for your support in 2022!

    Here at The Unite Group would like to take this time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. All of the team would like to thank you for your support throughout 2022. We wish you all the best for a successful 2023. We can’t wait to see where 2023 takes us!

  • December 2022 – Newsletter

    December 2022 – Newsletter

    We’re back a little earlier than usual this month to ensure our newsletter reaches you before the festive period! Here it is our December addition of our monthly newsletter. What a year we have had! Thank you & here’s to 2023!

    In this newsletter: Don’t forget to sort your Christmas on Hold MessagesNetwork+ announce their next event – New Year New Connections, we spotlight our client HJ Accountants, we introduce our new team member, share the work we are doing with Norah’s North Pole & we thank you for your support in 2022!

    To read The Unite Group’s December Monthly Newsletter, click on the image below!

    To be added to our mailing list drop us an email, info@theunitegroup.co.uk or to speak to our friendly team call us on, 0191 466 1050

  • Join us in supporting Norah’s North Pole!

    Join us in supporting Norah’s North Pole!

    Again this year, The Unite Group are proud to support Norah’s North Pole.

    What is Norah’s North Pole?

    Norah’s North Pole works right here in the North East. Providing a small sack of Christmas presents to those children who would go without. Over the past 6 years Norah’s North Pole has delivered 13,876 Santa sacks. This year we want to support them in delivering many more! The Norah’s North Pole elves work with schools and social teams. To ensure get Santa sacks to the most vulnerable children in the North East. They are not a charity just a family who wants to make a difference and sprinkle a little Christmas kindness.

    Many of the children only ask for basic things. Such as pyjamas or a packed lunch box to fit in with their peers at school. Norah’s North Pole provides these children with a small sack with gifts inside such as toys, a book, hats & gloves ect. These are gifted to the parents/carers of the children so that they can give them to the child on Christmas morning.

    Many children with difficult home lives will wake up this Christmas wondering if they’ve been naughty this year and that’s why Santa hasn’t been for them like he has for their friends at school! Here at The Unite Group, we can’t bear the thought of this. That is why this year we are not only donating gifts as well as our time packing Santa sacks at Norah’s North Pole but we are also becoming a drop-off point.

    Who does Norah’s North Pole support?

    Below we share some of the children’s stories that Norah’s North Pole will be supporting this year. All the stories of children are real within our region just with the names changed for anonymity.

    Amelia, aged 12. Two years ago Amelia lost her Mum to cancer. Since then Amelia’s Dad has struggled, he has sought help with alcohol addiction and feels like he is constantly letting Amelia down. Amelia is a bright girl who is far older than her years, she makes herself breakfast and dinner but says some weeks there is just enough money to do a food shop. Last year Amelia didn’t get anything for Christmas so she isn’t asking for anything this year.

    Tom, aged 4. Tom is a quiet, thoughtful little boy. He requires lots of reassurance from school staff and tells them that he is frightened of the dark. Tom has recently been removed from his parents’ care as his needs were being neglected. He talks about hiding under the stairs because he was frightened when his mam left him in the house by himself overnight. Tom likes to play with cars, trucks and trains and wants to ‘fix them when he’s bigger’.

    Benji, aged 5. Benji’s mum is dreading Christmas. She knows there won’t be enough money for Christmas presents as they are currently choosing if they need heating or food on a daily basis. His mam said Benji is the most gorgeous, caring and funny little boy. She just doesn’t want him to feel like he has been naughty which is why he didn’t get any presents, as that just isn’t true.

    How can you support this fantastic cause?

    If you would like to join us in supporting this fantastic cause please feel free to drop off gifts at our office.

    126 Great Lime Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 6RU

    or

    donate via the Amazon list and have them delivered directly to the elves at Norah’s North Pole HQ – www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/16AFIEH6S135K

    Please note all gifts must be brand new.

    Join us in helping to ensure every child wakes up to a gift from Santa this Christmas in our region!