This National Apprenticeship Week, we’re proud to celebrate our apprentices and the people who support them every step of the way. One of those people is Ross Baker, our new Apprenticeship Mentor.

Supporting Apprentices Where It Matters Most

Ross joined Gregor in his new role on 1st December 2025, bringing with him over 15 years’ experience as an on-site engineer. Having spent many years working directly on projects, Ross understands the realities of life on site, and the challenges apprentices can face while learning the trade.

Gregor recognised the need for a dedicated middle point between busy engineers, the college and apprentices who sometimes need extra guidance, time or reassurance. That’s where Ross comes in.

“Sometimes apprentices need help and guidance, and engineers are busy on the job. My role is to guide them, give them extra training and support when they need it.”

Ross’s week is varied, he rotates around sites and apprentices can book time with him for one-to-one support, whether that’s preparing for an upcoming assessment, building confidence, or getting extra help with technical skills.

A Role Built on Experience, and Care

After stepping away from Gregor to pursue a career as a personal trainer, Ross was asked to return in this newly created role – which blended his experience as an engineer and a coach. The opportunity to work closely with apprentices and help shape their development was something that really appealed to him.

“It sounded rewarding — being able to work alongside apprentices and see them grow.”

That reward is evident in the variety of work Ross supports across Gregor’s apprenticeship programme.

Gregor currently has 15 apprentices spread across all four years of training, working mainly on site across new build projects, with some gaining experience in domestic settings and alongside engineers.

Ross’s role adapts to where each apprentice is in their journey.

“With first years, it might be helping them with measurements or cutting pipes for radiators. With fourth years, it’s preparing them for their gas assessments — commissioning, tightness testing, making sure they’re where they need to be before assessment.”

Blending College Learning with Real-World Experience

Gregor apprentices attend On Site College in Bristol one day a week, where their learning is supported by structured training and dedicated training officers. The rest of the week, they’re out on live jobs, always paired with an experienced engineer.

Ross works closely with both the apprentices and the college framework.

“The work we focus on is led by their college portfolio and what they need to complete, but Gregor also has its own expectations of what apprentices should achieve by the end of each year.”

Ross recently visited the On-Site College to better understand the apprentices’ learning environment and align on-site training with what’s being taught in the classroom.

Building Confidence, Community and Belonging

Technical skills are only part of the picture. Confidence and support play a huge role in an apprentice’s success.

Ross has created a WhatsApp group where apprentices can share photos of their work, ask questions, encourage each other and celebrate progress. It’s helped build a strong sense of community across the group.

Every quarter, Gregor also recognises outstanding effort by awarding an Apprentice of the Quarter, who receives £200 towards tools.

“It makes them feel part of the company. We bring everyone together for a training day, cover compliance, and then announce the winner.”

Even once apprentices qualify, Gregor doesn’t stop supporting them.

“Most stay on after the four years and go out onto site, but we still keep an eye on them.”

Watching Confidence Grow

For Ross, the most rewarding part of the role is seeing apprentices grow in confidence.

“A lot of it comes down to confidence. They know more than they think they know.”

“To know I’m a small part in helping them grow through their apprenticeship means a lot. I often receive messages thanking me for the support I gave, which always makes my day”.

Investing in the Future of Heating & Renewables

Apprenticeships are essential to the future of the heating and renewables industry. At Gregor, we’re proud to invest time, care and expertise into developing the next generation of tradespeople — not just to meet today’s demand, but to uphold high standards for years to come.

This National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate our apprentices, our mentors like Ross, and the commitment it takes to do training properly.

Because great engineers aren’t just trained — they’re supported, encouraged and believed in.

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• PASSIONATE – We are passionate about the quality of our work and the service we provide to our customers, suppliers and each other.
• PROUD – We are proud of our Company and our reputation and are committed to being the best we can.
• PROFESSIONAL – We are a qualified and well trained team, always behaving in a professional manner treating everyone with courtesy, respect and consideration.
• PROTECTIVE – We will protect the reputation and sustainability of our business and are accountable for every decision we make. We are trusted and reliable.
• PROACTIVE – We are forward thinking. We use the very best technology, equipment and training to always be able to provide the best solution for the customer.

Furthermore, as a business that is concerned and actively working towards improving the future of our planet, we take the impact on and of the younger generations seriously.

That’s why, every September, we’re excited to share the opportunities available through our Apprenticeship Scheme, designed to equip young people with the skills and experience they need to thrive in the heating and growing renewable energy industries.

Our commitment to nurturing talent is not just about filling positions—it’s about investing in the future of our industry, community and our planet.

“Working for Gregor Heating, they’re an excellent company and they really look after you. They offer such a variety of work in different departments, and one of the main reasons I came here is because they’re one of the leaders in renewable technologies.” Ben, Current Apprentice

Why Young People Choose an Apprenticeship with Us

1. Hands-On Experience

Our apprenticeship program is built on the principle of learning by doing. As an apprentice, our young people work alongside experienced professionals on real projects from day one. This means they won’t just be learning from textbooks; they’ll be in the field, applying their knowledge in practical situations, helping to install heating systems, solar panels, and other renewable energy solutions. This hands-on experience is invaluable as it build confidence and competence right from the start.

2. Earn While You Learn

One of the standout benefits of our apprenticeship scheme is the opportunity to earn a wage whilst learning a skill and gaining  qualifications. We understand the financial pressures many young people face, so we ensure our apprentices are fairly compensated as they learn. The benefits of this means young people can start building a career without the burden of student loans, setting them on a path to financial independence.

3. Qualifications and Training

Our apprentices receive top-quality training that is recognized throughout the industry. Working closely with accredited training providers, we offer a blend of on-the-job training and classroom learning. By the end of the apprenticeship, they’ll have industry-recognized qualifications that open doors to various career opportunities in the heating and renewable energy sectors.

4. Career Progression

We don’t just train apprentices; we nurture future leaders. Many of our former apprentices have gone on to hold senior positions within Gregor Heating and Gregor Renewables. We believe in promoting from within and supporting our team members’ career aspirations. With our ongoing professional development opportunities, your apprenticeship could be just the beginning of a long and fulfilling career with us.

Tom’s story: Apprentice New Build Department

“Tom chose an apprenticeship because he knew he would enjoy working hands-on. At Gregor’s, he was paired with a mentor to work with every day, to ensure Tom got the right experience to help him complete his gas qualifications. Tom explains, “I worked on a variety of different jobs, across all departments, to cover everything I needed for my gas qualification. Sometimes I went with the service engineers to complete jobs specifically for my portfolio. Over the next few years, I worked alongside several engineers on the new build side, picking up various bits of knowledge from all of them and learned the best working practices.” 

The Benefits for Young People

Choosing an apprenticeship with Gregor Heating and Gregor Renewables is more than just a job – it’s the start of a rewarding career. Here’s how young people benefit:

• Skill Development: Learn trade skills that are in high demand, such as plumbing, electrical work, and renewable energy installation.
• Job Security: With the growing emphasis on sustainable energy, the skills you acquire are not only relevant today but will be in demand for years to come.
• Networking: Build professional relationships with experienced colleagues and industry professionals, expanding your career opportunities.
• Personal Growth: Develop soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are essential in any professional setting.

Grant’s Story: Renewable Installation Department

Although Grant struggled in school, he enjoyed his hands-on experience of working summer holidays with his family in the construction industry. Therefore an apprenticeship was the perfect route into a career for him. At his interview with Gregor’s Operations Director nine years ago, he wasn’t sure what to expect. However, he soon found that there was plenty of support throughout his apprenticeship. When he started, he was paired with a mentor (Ross, who is one of our technical renewable experts), and began shadowing him on a variety of jobs. “Immediately Ross taught me to change the way I looked at things and opened my eyes to the renewables”.

“Where I’d only worked on traditional plumbing and bathrooms in
my previous company, once I joined Gregor’s, I got to understand the complexity of all types of heating systems with renewable technology and installing heat pumps. Renewable installations are a completely different area compared to working on new build sites. The variety of the work is great and no two systems are the same. Jobs might last one day or a week and you get to see some really interesting properties. Some of the bigger houses, like the Royal Crescent in Bath, are so impressive when they’re finished and we’re usually working alongside the construction or re-furb team, so we see each stage”. 

How Our Business Benefits

Our apprenticeship scheme isn’t just a charitable endeavour – it’s a strategic investment in the future of our business. Here’s why:

• Building a Skilled Workforce: By training our apprentices, we ensure that our workforce is equipped with the latest skills and knowledge, tailored to our specific needs.
• Fresh Perspectives: Young apprentices bring new ideas and perspectives, helping us innovate and stay ahead in a competitive industry.
• Employee Loyalty: Apprentices who start their careers with us often become long-term employees, reducing turnover and helping us maintain a stable and experienced workforce.
• Community Engagement: Our apprenticeship scheme strengthens our ties with the local community, enhancing our reputation as a business that cares about local development and sustainability.

“I can’t emphasise enough the importance of our apprentices and the role they play in our company.
I was Steve Gregor’s first apprentice, shadowing him for many years as the business grew. As my own career progressed, I trained others to step in as engineers and I’m now the Operations Director.” – Craig Jeffaries, Director, Electrical and Renewable Energy

Join Us on the Journey to a Sustainable Future

At Gregor Heating and Gregor Renewables, we’re not just offering jobs, we’re offering careers that make a difference. If you’re a young person looking for a dynamic and rewarding career in the heating and renewable energy sectors, our apprenticeship scheme could be the perfect opportunity for you. And if you’re a parent, educator, or community leader, we encourage you to learn more about how our apprenticeships are helping shape the future of our industry and the next generation of professionals.

For more information on how to apply, visit our website or contact our recruitment team. Let’s build a sustainable future together—one apprentice at a time.

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Gregor is a friendly, family-run local business who’ve been helping families in and around Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset heat their homes and keep warm and cosy for over 35 years. Being passionate about what we do, we pride ourselves on offering a quality service and as such we choose to be associated with like-minded organisations.

In the growing and competitive industry of boilers, heating systems and renewable energies, choosing a company you can trust is so important. Purchasing a new boiler or investing in renewable technology is a significant purchase, so you’ll want to get it right first time.

It’s important to note that purchasing the product is just one part of the service, you’ll want to ensure installation is done correctly, and there is a robust after-care service and a knowledgeable and supportive customer services team in case anything goes wrong.

Doing your research is paramount and we find many consumers turn to online reviews and recommendations before making a decision. This is great but with different review sites popping up more regularly it can be misleading and you cannot always trust what you read online, or even if all the reviews are genuine. This is why we have been a Which? Trusted Trader for over 8 years. Let’s have a look at why being part of this esteemed network is so essential.

Partnering with Which? Builds Trust and Credibility

Which? is a highly respected consumer organisation in the UK, known for its rigorous testing and unbiased reviews. Which? is a not for profit organisation, which means its purpose is in solely protecting you, the consumer. The organization is also 100% independent, this means it is not biased towards or influenced by any third parties. Which? doesn’t accept freebies or money towards endorsing any products, manufacturers or retailers. It has no owners, shareholders or government departments to answer to – working entirely on behalf of you – the consumer.

Knowing this is so important because when you choose to purchase from a business such as ourselves, you can be assured that our products and services meet the highest standards of quality and service.

We’re not happy until you’re happy!

One of the cornerstones of the Which? Trusted Trader scheme is its emphasis on customer satisfaction. This aligns perfectly with our Gregor promise and guarantee ‘We’re not happy until you’re happy’ . By being part of this programme, we continue to showcase our commitment to delivering an excellent service and prioritising your needs first!

Can anyone become a Which? Trusted Trader?

There is a rigorous assessment process to becoming a Which? Trusted Trader. This ensures that only companies with a track record of meeting or exceeding customer expectations receive the endorsement. Their endorsement is about giving you peace of mind when choosing Gregor for your boiler, heating and renewable energy solutions, and we are continual assessed, to maintain our endorsement

Our joint commitment to sustainability

Another reason we love Which? is they align with our sustainability mission and values. Gregor are commitment to championing sustainability, and to being a credible and knowledgeable source of expertise and advice on sustainable choices such as Heat Pumps, Solar PV and Batteries. We’ve been driving change around Bristol and Bath by being one of the early providers and installers of renewable energy solutions (our first installation was in 2009).

Which? is committed to helping consumers reduce their environmental impact by helping them choose more sustainable products and services. The consumer champion goes beyond this and is actively influencing policymakers in government, manufacturers and retailers, as well as the finance sector, to make better decisions and choices available to help us all move towards a more sustainable future. We love and support this wholeheartedly!

Standing Out in a Competitive Market

In today’s crowded marketplace, it can sometimes feel we have too much choice. With numerous boiler and renewables companies vying for attention, being a Which? Trusted Trader sets us apart from the competition. For us it serves as a badge of excellence, giving you the confidence when choosing our services over others. In a sector where reputation and reliability matter, this distinction can make all the difference.

Trusted Reviews and Feedback

Like any business, we love receiving positive reviews as they can be an invaluable asset when consumers are doing their research. Another benefit of being a Which? Trusted Trader, is you can trust the customer feedback on their site. The Which? platform provides a trusted space for customers to share their experiences with genuine testimonials.

Becoming a Which? Trusted Trader is more than just a badge on our website; it’s a testament to our continued commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

In an industry as crucial as boiler and renewables services, trust and reliability are non-negotiable. By earning the endorsement of Which?, we hope to reassure you, our customers, that you’re making the right choice and can purchase from us with peace of mind now and in the future.

Becoming Which? Trusted Trader of the Month – July 2025

We were delighted to be named the Which? Trusted Trader of the month for July 2025

You can find out more about our products and services, by browsing our website. And, if you are considering investing in renewable technologies, we are always happy to have a chat to find out what you need and what will work best for your home and budget.

Get in touch with our customer services team today.

The post Why Being a Which? Trusted Trader is important when choosing a Boiler, Heating and Renewables Company in the UK appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

We at Gregor take this subject very seriously – we feel now more than ever, it’s crucial to talk about mental health. Our mental well-being is just as important as our physical health, yet it’s still often overlooked or dismissed.

This week serves as a reminder that it’s okay not to be okay and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health challenge, know that you’re not alone.

Taking care of our mental health isn’t just about addressing issues when they arise; it’s also about building resilience and building healthy habits that support our well-being every day.

The theme of this year’s week is ‘movement’, and we have just the person to talk about this.

Shaun has been our contracts manager for 13 years, he loves exercise and a challenge and has been running half marathons and taking part in triathlons for many years. In just five weeks, on 16^th June he’s taking part in his first Iron Man event which he’s been training for the last 18 months.

Here’s what Shaun has to say about mental health and movement.

“Doing exercise helps with stress, mental health, everything. Whether it’s running, swimming or cycling. I’ve always done exercise – but when my kids were young I didn’t do it as often. Then I found the stress of work and parenting etc crept up on me so I got back into it again. Even when I am not training for an event I exercise – for me it’s like maintenance and a release. It’s something I do for myself, and I try to encourage everyone to do it, especially my work colleagues and kids.

Leading up to this event I do about eight training sessions a week, sometimes twice a day and I always make sure I have rest days. I love a challenge and the Iron Man is something I always wanted to do. If I can do this – I feel as though I can do anything!”

We asked Shaun the one thing he would tell anyone if they were thinking of introducing more exercise into their lives:

“Find like-minded people – don’t do it by yourself because it’s not as much fun. When you are there with people there is consistency, they encourage you, and you have accountability. If you say you’ll meet someone at 7am for a run – you have to be there and they will be there too.”

How Gregor promotes more movement during the workday

Prioritizing mental health isn’t just crucial in the workplace, but it significantly impacts overall well-being. This year, the focus on movement deeply resonated with us at Gregor, both personally and professionally. Many of our team members engage in various sports activities outside of work, whether it’s football, tennis, or hitting the gym. We frequently hear them echoing Shaun’s sentiments about the benefits of staying active.

To further  promote movement during the workday, not only do we have the cycle to work scheme in place, we also introduced a table tennis setup in the office, which has been a tremendous success during lunch breaks not just for movement but for the social aspect it brings as well. Beyond our workplace, we believe in supporting the community’s access to recreational activities. Over the years, we’ve actively contributed to local sports and community clubs and will continue to promote exercise, movement and good mental health. You can find out more about Mental health Awareness Week here.

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We have a whole team dedicated to working across the process from start to completion to help manage and keep our customer promise of “We’re not happy until you’re happy” all the way through.

We thought it was about time to meet some of the customer care administration team, of which there are four who keep the day to day running and we also took the opportunity to see what they’d recommend for people visiting Bristol for the first time.

Since Wendy Taylor-Suffell started her new role as the Customer Care Administration Manager she’s had rather a lot on her personal plate. Tragically, Wendy lost her husband earlier this year, following his brave fight with prostate cancer.

However, she says work has been a bit of a lifeline and she is touched by how everyone has been so supportive from management to the team members. “Whether it’s a hug or a laugh to help in those tough moments, I am touched by it all,” she says.

It was the friendly, family atmosphere that first struck Wendy when she joined Gregor. Having relocated to the area only a few years ago with another job, she and her husband were busy enjoying life before Covid hit and then she was made redundant. Luckily she found the job at Gregor quickly.

“I was in the heating industry for 10 years before my previous job so I was excited to get back into it. I saw this job as an opportunity for a new start and to do something fresh and put my stamp on it.”

And it looks like she’s done just that, bringing in new team members who all say she is “the glue of the team.”

Originally from Grimsby and then Mansfield in Nottinghamshire before she moved down to the South West, she left her son, his partner and 2 gorgeous grandchildren in Nottinghamshire but makes frequent visits back to see them.

Walking is Wendy’s way of managing her mental health and Stu is her inspiration to keep going.

She started walking to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer and has carried on in a bid to raise both money but also awareness of this horrible disease.

This year she has already completed a 10K walk with 72 year old mum in Leeds, the Midnight walk for Dorothy House hospice, where Stu passed away, and another 10K for Cancer Research round the centre of Bristol that she completed with colleague, Anne.

She explains; “The walking is my thought and processing time and mental health time. I go for a walk every day without fail. It takes me away from the day to day because it gets me out and away from things.  Next March I will complete my third March the Month, a campaign to walk 11,000 steps a day.

“If I can raise money and awareness to keep specialist nurses on end of the phone for someone who may need it, I will do it. Having felt helpless and hopeless I know what it feels like and all these people are amazing and play such an important role in people’s lives.”

“One man dies from Prostate Cancer every 45 minutes. So, let’s face it, working with a bunch of engineers I have a captive audience, hopefully I can get through to one of them and if that helps to save another life then I’ve done my best.”

As for what to do as a first timer to the area. She says; “I would encourage anyone to explore Bath or Wells. Both are amazing cities. I love them as they are beautiful, calming and soothing and there so much to see and do.” 

Next up is local girl, Anne Pike. Anne is one of main contacts for the engineers out on site, her role is to make sure that communication between the builder and the engineer is clear. She looks after three customer care engineers and remedials carried out by on-site engineers across some of the major build sites.

Her background is in construction so she’s used to fast paced days and definitely doesn’t like being sat there twiddling her thumbs.

She has completed two charity walks with colleagues over the last six months and she plans to complete the March the Month 2023 in aid of Prostate Cancer UK

She is a massive Bristol City fan (shh!) and season ticket holder. “It can be a bit frustrating supporting them but would recommend a day at the football or even the Rugby no matter what team you support”.  She barely misses a game and the only time she gives herself a pass is when the family take their caravan off for a weekend or break,  last seen in West Bay.

“I maybe be biased but Bristol is a fab city.  Aside from seeing a game at Ashton Gate, you should also make a visit to the tourist attractions of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Clifton Observatory, and the bus tour is probably best way to see it.”  

Anne lives with her husband and their two children in a  small village between Bristol & Bath and they all really enjoy visiting the beautiful countryside that this area has to offer.

Pictured from left to right: Wendy, Darby, Anne and Sam.

Family-focussed Samantha Cherry is new to Bristol and Gregor, having bravely taken on a new city and new job in one go. Originally from Birmingham, she re-located recently to live with her partner. Having also spent the last 2 years working from home, going back into an office environment was a bit of a shift she says, but she realises just how much she missed the banter and chit chat with colleagues.

Her job as customer care administrator involves dealing with the defects and any emergencies that need engineers to attend to with sites all over the southwest. It’s a very busy role she says but working closely as part of a team is the way to make it easier, “I really like the fact that you are never on your own there is always someone on hand to help out”, she says.

Sam also got lucky with her job being on the doorstep which allows her to visit the gym regularly.

As for recommendations for what to see and do in Bristol. “There are lots of lovely walks (usually with a pub or two involved), it’s definitely a great place to walk around.  I am yet to visit Cheddar Gorge, which I have heard is a great place to go to”.

Darby Congerton is 25 and originally from London and she moved to Bristol recently with her little one.  Her role as part of the customer care administration team is to manage the inbox. This means that she is reading and responding to over 50 emails a day from the clients and making sure all the jobs get given to the right people.

She says that Gregor is a great place to work, she’s part of a lovely team and even more so as she lives around the corner and can nip home for lunch. In her spare time, Darby is a bit of a fitness fanatic, a trained PT instructor and is doing her best to keep the team on their toes.

This includes leading the way in the recent addition to the games room, the ping pong table. Admittedly this brings out her competitive side. “But,” she says, “it’s a great way to spend a bit of time at lunchtime doing something different and also a good way of getting people together.”

She thinks Bristol is a great place to live “like a nice, small London”. And for someone visiting Bristol for the first time she would recommend the street art scene by day and a good rave in Motion by night. 

The post #MeetTheTeam customer care, new build division appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

We are really pleased to have Chris on board, who colleagues describe as bringing a ‘breath of fresh air’ to the business.

The first thing you notice about him is that he has definitely got plenty of energy. Of course, the fact that he’s a mad football fan could account for this.

An avid Spurs fan he’s followed them loyally through the highs and lows. However, on further exploration we discover he basically loves any game or sport that involves a ball, and by all accounts is pretty good with whatever you throw at him, regularly playing for his local tennis club and often partaking in other sports too.

As well as being half Spanish, he’s also had a number of claims to fame. Cue, lots of name dropping. Playing football at both Wembley and Highbury stadiums. Playing cricket against and bowling out Justin Langer. Watching Andy Murray win his second Wimbledon.

So what does the sports obsessed, family focussed and generally enjoying all that life has to offer Chris, love most about his job?

He’s a self confessed ‘people person’ and says that “spending time with people and helping them get the right solution is what gives me job satisfaction every day”.

“You just learn so much from talking to people. From all walks of life, I literally learn something new every day and then go home to bore my wife with it”

“This is a great time to join Gregor. Being a part of a family business that puts its customers first is definitely what attracted me to join.

“It’s also a very exciting time in the industry right now. The next generation of heating technology means we have so many more options now available to heat people’s homes.

“Although it’s easy to get lost in all the chatter around the need to save the planet, it’s a very real issue affecting us all and I see my job as helping to meet people’s needs to heat their homes and also do our bit to help to make the world an even better place.”

There we have it. If you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet Chris, there’s a few conversation starters for you. Better get the kettle on!

The post #MeetTheTeam – your friendly boiler engineer, Chris Cox appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

We pride ourselves on employing passionate staff who are good with our customers making sure the Gregor Promise is maintained ‘We’re not happy until you’re happy’.  Jane has well and truly fitted in and has made a great impact to the team.  

Jane joined us in January having left the heat of Australia to move back to Bristol mid-winter to become part of the Gregor family.  Jane is our contact support lead and brings a wealth of knowledge in renewables having worked for a renewables company previously for several years.

We asked Jane what she loves about the UK, having moved so recently (as you can imagine the weather was not in her top 3!).  What she did say was how peaceful the Chew Valley is, where Jane is currently living, it’s the perfect area to explore with her two dogs, Murphy and Buddy (pictured) who travelled from Australia with her.   

Jane is a big fan of the British sense of humour, which is why you will always find Jane with a smile on her face joking around with the rest of the team!  Jane makes the most of what is on offer in the UK, she is planning a trip to Westonbirt to see Rag and Bone Man this summer – can we come?! 

Jane says; 

“Since joining Gregor back in January, they have made me feel very welcome and part of the team!  Its certainly very busy and there is never a dull day. But I love working in renewables and learning about all the new incentives, and technologies that are constantly evolving.  It has been wonderful to find a job where you instantly click with your colleagues and now more people are in the office it will be great to be able to get to know people more.” 

If you are looking for a new role in renewables like Jane, check out are careers page as we have lots of great opportunities to join our growing team.  

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“Let me introduce you to my hubby Stu (pictured).  Just over three years ago at the age of 57 he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.  Yes 57! That is no age at all, prostate cancer is an old man’s cancer – I hear you say. 

“Yes, it did used to be, but men are getting diagnosed younger and younger. 

“Prostate cancer is the biggest killing cancer in men. 

“11,000 men lose their lives to this disease every year, that is 1 every 45 minutes, this is more than breast cancer.

“A few reasons for this are awareness, lack of a screening process and just men in general that put the symptoms down to nothing.

“Stu had none of the usual symptoms until he was intense pain in his hips and lower back.  That is an indicator that it’s too late and it was.  Any other soft tissue cancer spreads to other soft tissues, not the Prostate.  This cancer spreads through the bones and forms bone metastasis, which can be felt and seen through the skin, weakens the bones and cause intense pain.  Just to give you an idea of how weak the bones can get; Stu coughed and broke a rib.  It was as easy as that!

“This is not a cry for you to feel sorry for me and my hubby as we don’t seek sympathy. Instead, this is a cry for you to raise awareness, listen to yourself (if you’re a man), tell your Dad, Grandad, Brother, Uncle, son, family friend, just anyone.

“Feeling pretty helpless throughout this journey, I wanted to find a way to help what I and many other families are going through.  Watching our loved ones in so much pain, slowly losing their battle to this horrific disease and there is absolutely nothing you can do to make it better.

“So this March I am taking on the challenge of walking 11,000 steps per day – approximately 5.5 miles per day, for the whole of the month, to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer UK. 

“I completed this challenge last year and yes, it was hard and painful, but I was working from home and could go out after finishing work. Stu’s health was better back then too.  This year it going to be harder, I am now out of the house for 10 hours per day and look after the hubster a little more than before. I have set a fundraising target on my Just Giving page.

“Every penny we raise helps keep the research going and the specialist nurses on the end of a phone to help anyone who needs it they are an amazing lifeline for many.

“Thank you for taking the time to read this, and the next time you’re with men in your life, be brave enough to ask them to consider prostate cancer and be aware.”

Wow! what a story thank you to Wendy and Stu for sharing.

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Often heard before he is seen, our renewable installs manager, Craig Broadbear loves to sing and this passion is played out through a completely different side line outside of his day job at Gregor. 

Craig loves a bit of ‘am dram’. An accomplished actor and singer, he reckons he’s racked up appearances in over 50 musicals during his illustrious career.

“My passion for amateur dramatics started when I was 19” he explains. “I was surprised at the standard of my then girlfriend and her acting company. One thing led to another and before I knew it I was auditioning and had joined the chorus line.”

Curly in Oklahoma was his first lead role and he has played at least 20 lead roles since. Craig has also acted in plays but says his favourite role was the lead of Adam in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” that ran at the Bristol Old Vic for a week. 

“The biggest commitment to my hobby is time,” he says. “We do a couple of different productions a year that each run for a week, but the amount of preparation involved is huge. Working as part of a small theatre company,(Bristol Musical Comedy Club BMCC) we all have to muck in. It’s not just taking on the role you’re given, it’s the set, behind the scenes support, you name it we do it. But it’s what I know and love so it never feels hard.”

He says his biggest challenge is learning his lines. “The bigger the part the more lines you learn, so that’s when downtime in the van driving from job to job is handy. When I’m learning a script I go through the lines over and over and over again.”

Finally, we are not sure how he finds the time but he plays the acoustic guitar and sings in a five-piece rock ‘n’ roll band too.

To support Craig you can follow his company online @BMCCProductions. 

The post Craig’s playing another part appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

1 in 4 people in the workplace suffer from mental health issues at any one time.

On top of that, a recent report showed that UK workers are taking nearly four days off a year on average for mental health reasons, but more than half who do report the cause as physical illness. People are too scared to share what is really going on.

Here are Gregor Heating, we believe that people should not suffer alone and that employers everywhere have a responsibility to their employees to do what they can to help them.  

This is why as a company we have chosen to support MIND, the mental health charity, as our charity of the year for 2019/20.

George Bloor, 24 (pictured) is one of Gregor’s apprentice success stories. He worked with us for four years and qualified in 2018 as a gas safe engineer.  George is now taking a career break and currently travelling around Australia, however he kindly agreed to share his story about how suffering from post-traumatic stress affected him and how the help he received allowed him to get back on the right track.

One day in March 2017, George’s life completely changed when he was caught in the middle of the Westminster Bridge attack which saw over 50 people injured and four people killed.

He says:

“I have lived quite a sheltered life and not had to cope with too many stresses and strains so when I was caught up in a terrorist attack, in the days and weeks afterwards I just thought I could deal with it.

 “Guilty of burying my head in the sand, I tried to keep my head down avoiding any talk of what had happened assuming it would all just go away. But then I started feeling swamped. I was not sleeping, I was tired, I couldn’t leave the house. I found every excuse in the book I could to not to come to work. I realise how ill I had become.

 “It took the kindness and compassion of my bosses to make me finally see sense. They called me in and asked me what they could do to help, that it was clear I was struggling and whatever help I needed was there. My family love me unconditionally but they were too close. Whatever they tried to say or do feel on deaf ears but having my boss show compassion and concern finally made me realise the mess I was in. 

 “With Gregor’s support, slowly I managed to get my life back. Working part time hours, I went to see a doctor and found someone to talk to, to realise I did not need to go through this on my own that I could open up allowed me to process the thoughts and feelings I had.

 “I have always wanted to travel so one of the decisions I made once I started to get back on my feet was to do just that. I genuinely believe I would not have got here without the kindness and support show by the company. There were no expectations, no pressure, just support and gentle encouragement. I have had the best time working here, learned so much about work and life and will always be grateful for the opportunities I’ve had I could not have wished to have worked for a better company. I start a new chapter of my life with new hope ahead.

 “For anyone struggling, no matter how hard, the support is there. I’m an example of that. Please don’t feel you need to struggle alone. What I have learned is that you just need to reach out – you will find that someone is always willing to listen.”

Thanks again to George for sharing his story.

MIND have lots of useful resources available. For more information visit www.mind.org.uk

The post Real Life Story: Supporting mental health issues in the workplace appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.