Another positive update to report from Just Small Change!

For those of you who may have forgotten, Coinadrink is proud to support Just Small Change as one of our chosen charities. We last issued an update in November 2018, detailing the introduction of “table banking” that allowed group members to easily borrow money to help improve their livelihoods. Now, we are happy to hear that the organisation is going from strength to strength, and there’s now a new update to share…

A warm welcome to Roselyne Okanda!

The ongoing project in Kisumu, Kenya has been going so well that the organisation were able to employ Roselyne Okanda earlier in the year to help lead and expand the project. She has been working alongside Angelina, who sent us a lovely message late last year thanking us for our ongoing support.

We recently received an email from Peter and Jane, founder members of Just Small Change and also great friends of ours, explaining everything that Roselyne has brought to the organisation. She has vast experience in project management and economic empowerment to name just a few skills, and her first few months in the role has seen her visit all the clients and recommend changes that will go on to strengthen the programme.

It’s great to see that Just Small Change is growing as a charity, enabling them to make a bigger difference to people’s lives in some of the poorest parts of the world.

And introducing *34* new clients for Just Small Change!

One of Roselyne’s first tasks, along with Angelina, will be to distribute loans to 34 new clients! This is an excellent achievement and another sign of how Just Small Change are progressing as an organisation. The clients already possess a small business, though with the help of the loans they can develop their business to provide an income that will ensure they aren’t as vulnerable.

Here are three examples of the 34 clients that Just Small Change will be providing for:

Linet

Aged 37, Linet is a widow with four children aged 19, 15, 12 and 10 respectively. Her business is a tea room in Ogango near Kachief in Kenya to which she serves the community. With the loan, Linet is hoping to expand the business by providing snacks in addition, which she is hoping will enable her to afford two good meals per day.

Caren

A widow, Caren is 67 years old and takes care of 2 grandchildren aged 16 and 14. She also has three children aged 30, 27 and 23 respectively. She lives in Kibos, Kenya, and makes and sells Githeri to the public. With the additional funds, Caren plans to increase production and supply by hiring someone to help with the supply of the produce, This will help Caren to save enough money to provide her grandchildren with a good education.

Janet

Janet, aged 23, has two children aged 4 and 2. Janet has a stall in the Kibos market and hopes to include traditional vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and fruits to better her stall and increase profits. She is hoping that her stall will one day improve enough for Janet to provide basic needs for herself and her family.

What the future holds for Just Small Change…

The training for the 34 clients is being funded from the £1500 that we raised for the organisation during our 55^th birthday party in January 2018. Soon enough, the charity will be publishing their report from 2018-2019, which should hopefully show the progress that they are making. Below are the words from Angelina in Kisumu:

“Once more, thank you very much for your commitment to our people. Your dedication and support makes a great difference in the lives of the less privileged grass roots community.”

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

The post Another positive update to report from Just Small Change! appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/another-positive-update-from-just-small-change/

Exploring some of the trends in the vending industry…

It’s safe to say that the vending industry is far from what it used to be. Gone are the days where you needed to insert the exact change only for your packet of crisps to jam on the way down. Now, advanced technology creates a premium user experience, and there has been plenty of other introductions over the years that have graced the industry in one way or another. Here’s some of the best vending trends.

Fresh Milk Coffee.  

You could also include fresh coffee beans with this, for they both ensure of authentic beverages that you need to taste to believe. You might remember when your coffee could only be described as ‘wet and warm’, but now it’s completely different. Now you can enjoy your Americano, Cappuccino or Flat White the way your favourite coffee shop makes them.

Mobile and Contactless Payments.

Cashless and mobile payments may be nothing new to most of us, but it is the vending industry that has helped lead the way. Whereas the user previously had to dig in their pockets for a bit of loose change, they can now use their smartphone, smartwatch or card to pay for their items. This promotes a vending experience that’s quick, safe and secure and is arguably one of the best vending trends.

Healthier Products.

We used to associate vending machines with chocolate, biscuits, crisps and anything else that was considered to be unhealthy. Now there is a greater push towards healthier eating, because grabbing something quick shouldn’t mean it has to be bad for you. Coinadrink’s range of snack vending machines stock healthier items, as well as our Micro Market, where sandwiches, salads, wraps and more are available on demand.

Personalised Beverages.

Our favourite hot drink is as unique to us as our fingerprint, so it would be a pain if we had to keep reminding the hot drinks machine exactly what it was that we wanted. “Cappuccino, extra shot, 1 sugar” etc. Now, on many machines, you no longer need to. After the first vend, you can instruct the machine to remember your choice, and input your own unique code next time you want a hot drink.

New Locations.

Previously, vending machines were recommended to be sited in offices, schools or hospitals. Thanks to advanced technology, sharp designs and healthier items, they can now be sited almost anywhere, including hotels and airports. This means more workplaces can now enjoy the benefits of workplace refreshments.

The post Exploring some of the trends in the vending industry… appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/2019/05/trends-in-the-vending-industry

These are some of the popular soft drinks from all around the world!

As of July 2018, carbonated drinks are a major asset to convenience retailers. They are worth an estimated £862m every year and here in the UK, it is the likes of Coca Cola and Pepsi that consume a large chunk of the market. Despite this, many of the global favourites are brands that you’ll probably have never heard of, crafted using ingredients that you wouldn’t cast a second glance towards. Without further ado, here are some of the most popular soft drinks from all over the world…

Bahamas Goombay Punch – The Bahamas.

The name of this Bahama based beverage sounds enticing to say the least. This cold drink is believed to be very sweet, made up of pineapple and lemon to create a neon yellow colour that supposedly tastes fantastic. There are some peculiar soft drinks on this list, but the Bahamas Goombay Punch sounds great!

Rivella – Switzerland.

“rivella”by gecco! is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Talking of peculiar, this is arguably one of those, but nobody can deny the fact that Rivella remains extremely well loved in Switzerland. Unique ingredients include lactose, lactic acid, and minerals to create a unique flavour and a colour that looks similar to that of Apple Juice.

Pepsi Ice Cucumber – Japan.

“Pepsi Ice Cucumber”by showbizsuperstar is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

We’ve all heard of Pepsi, but we bet few of you have heard of this unconventional flavour! According to CNBC, Pepsi Ice Cucumber was created to help consumers cope with the summer heat, though cucumber isn’t actually used at all. Instead, it has been artificially created to resemble the same refreshing taste.

Mauby Fizz – Caribbean.

Carbonated drinks are often portrayed as being damaging to your health, or at least they were until there was a greater push on low sugar options. Mauby Fizz rips up that idea completely and boils tree bark with herbs and spices to provide a variety of health benefits including lower blood pressure and fighting diabetes.

Ramune – Japan.

A curry flavoured soft drink, anyone? It sounds completely bizarre to us, but the Japanese love it. Ramune ‘soda’ is also known for its ‘codd-neck’ bottles.

Lava Drinks – India.

Balchaur, a small village in India, is responsible for the curious ‘Lava’ drinks, with flavours that include Cola, Orange and Lemon. The sweetened carbonated beverage and the company intend to deliver great taste and affordability throughout all their drinks.

Kanne – Germany.

In 1981, husband and wife Wilhelm and Christel Kanne were researching how they could help improve the wellbeing of everyone, including animals and nature. They created ‘Kanne Brottrunk’, a cold beverage that is made of fermented bread. It doesn’t sound the best, but since then they have gone on to sell millions of bottles all over Europe!

Hamoud Boualem – Algeria.

Hamoud Boualem is an Algerian soft drinks manufacturing company that produce fizzy drinks for Nations across the globe. They were founded in 1878, which makes them one of the countries oldest companies.

Tribeco – Vietnam.

The last soft drink on this list is arguably the best (or worst, depending on which way you look at it!). Tribeco’s ‘bird’s nest’ flavour is made using white fungus, and yes you did hear that correctly. Made from solidified saliva, the texture to this beverage is quite chunky. Whilst it sounds pretty disgusting, it is said to strengthen the immune system.

Are there any soft drinks on the list that you fancy or would you prefer to stick to the ones you know? Or have you tried any? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

The post These are some of the popular soft drinks from all around the world! appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/popular-soft-drinks-from-all-around-the-world

On Mental Health Awareness Week, take the time to take care of yourself.

Living with a mental health condition can be tough, but looking after our mental health should be considered just as vital as our physical health. It is important that is gets the respect and support that it deserves. Taking time away from the stresses and strains of everyday life can help, and you should never feel ashamed of seeking help. 

How common are mental health issues?

Very common. Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem every year, whilst in England as many as 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem in any given week. Whilst the number of people reporting a mental health problem isn’t significantly increasing from recent years, the ability to cope with them seems to be becoming tougher.

The impact your workplace has on your mental health.  

Acas recently produced a study on the link between anxiety (one of the most common mental health issues) and the workplace. Here are some of the key findings:

• 60% of employees who have felt stressed or anxious in the last year attribute this to their workload.
• 42% said it was due to how they are being managed.
• 35% said that balancing work and home life was responsible.

You can view the full report here:

Take a well-deserved break.

In some workplaces, it can be difficult to reduce workload and encourage flexible working, so what else can be done?

From an employer’s perspective, it is important to try and implement a mental health strategy. Less than 1 in 10 employees say that their organisation is ‘very good’ at preventing employees from feeling stressed or anxious at work.

If you’re feeling down or not quite yourself, it is important to talk to someone, whether that be a friend, your manager or a professional. That should always be the priority. However, sometimes the little things can help, too.

Regular break times, for example. Many people enjoy a cup of tea or coffee as part of their working schedule and that’s good: you should actually be promoting more of them. Coinadrink can help you and your workforce enjoy the perfect coffee break, one that encourages relaxation amongst your staff and promotes a higher productivity level when they are back at their desks.

Did you know that 90% of employees say that high-quality hot drinks in the workplace are key to their overall happiness?

Mental Health Awareness Week.

On Mental Health Awareness Week, be aware of your own mental health and take the time to take care of yourself. Join the trend on social media and see what people are saying.

The post On Mental Health Awareness Week, take the time to take care of yourself. appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/2019/05/mental-health-awareness-week

Our Black Country Business Festival event is just round the corner! Surely you’re not going to miss it?

For those of you who haven’t signed up to our free Black Country Business Festival event, we can only imagine it’s because you haven’t found the time to register. Because why else wouldn’t you? The fact is that workplace refreshments can help improve workplace morale and productivity, and we are committed to making vending work for your business!

We have understood the importance of workplace refreshments since 1962 and 13th May will provide a vital opportunity for us to find the solutions to your problems. Our new showroom features fresh milk coffee machines, floorstanding hot drinks machines and even our Micro Market to name just a few, and we will demonstrate the ease in which workplace refreshments can slot into your business – whatever industry you’re in.

Gone are the days that a coffee machine dispenses something merely wet and warm. Now it’s all about fresh coffee beans, sharp designs, and touchscreen interfaces, and you will have the chance to try it all for yourself with the assistance of our experienced and knowledgeable sales team. They are on hand to answer any questions you may have.

And just wait until you see our Micro Market; strongly considered to be the revolution in workplace refreshments! Our new showroom has a fully functioning model, utilising the available space to offer fresh food and snacks alongside the self-service terminal. The foundations of the Micro Market stem around the wellbeing of the workforce and it may just be the ideal solution for your business.

Our special event will feature an interactive agenda that ensures you get the most out of the day, including expert demonstrations and premium coffee samples. We are committed to helping improve the productivity of YOUR workforce and as the event is completely free for you to attend, you have nothing to lose but perhaps a lot to gain.

There’s now less than a week to go, so book your free place today and make sure you don’t miss out on our exclusive Business Festival event!

The post Our Black Country Business Festival event is just round the corner! Surely you’re not going to miss it? appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/2019/05/black-country-business-festival-event

Check out the new snacks that are available in your Micro Market!

The Pombears and Pipers crisps are the latest snacks to be added to our Micro Markets. The light, fluffy Pombears are available in their original flavour whereas Piper crisps are available in cheddar & onion, sea salt and cider vinegar & sea salt. These are our new premium range of crisps that would be great with your sandwich at lunchtime.

Get your hands on our bear-shaped crisps…

Our delicious Pombears are a light, crunchy snack and are under 100 calories per pack! They are a great excuse to share around the office or enjoy yourself. 1987 was when the classic crisps were produced, and they are still as popular as they were then as they are now; produced by Intersnack and are sold in over 30 countries! Check their website for more information.

Pipers: our new premium crisp range…

Pipers crisps are part of our premium range! They have recently been brought by PepsiCo and welcomed into our Micro Markets. These crisps are made with all-natural ingredients to maximise the taste of these potato snacks. Pipers began in 2004 when three farmers joined to product ‘great tasting, quality crisps using local potatoes’, and more can be read on Pipers backstory through their website:

https://www.piperscrisps.com/about-pipers/pipers-overview.

Get down to your local Micro Market to experience some of these delicious, flavoursome snacks that are waiting for you. Don’t forget to top up your Express Refreshments Card!

The post Check out the new snacks that are available in your Micro Market! appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/2019/05/new-snacks-micro-markets