Deep Sleep

Choosing Your Perfect Mattress: Pocket Spring or Coil Spring?

Choosing a new mattress can seem like a daunting experience with so many options to choose from. Some research will likely lead you to conclude that a sprung mattress is the most suitable basis for a quality and durable mattress, and then the decision is between a pocket sprung mattress and an open coil sprung mattress. These are the two main types of spring designs used in mattresses, and knowing the difference between them can help to ensure you choose the product that is correct for your comfort needs and budget. 

What is an open-coil spring mattress?  

The use of open-coil springs (sometimes also known as Bonnell springs) dates from the 19th century and provides a cost-effective foundation for a sprung mattress.  The individual coils are formed from high quality steel wire and are typically hourglass shaped. The coils are then connected with a helical wire, and a rod-edge perimeter added, to create the final spring unit. This method of construction ensures a robust and lightweight construction, which distributes weight evenly across the mattress.  

A weakness of the open-coil spring design is that distribution of weight across the mattress can cause pressure points at hips and shoulders. Additionally, they do not allow for motion isolation between two partners sleeping on the same mattress, and over time, the contact between the spring and connecting helical wire can cause annoying squeaks.  

Despite these drawbacks, it is an effective way to construct a comfortable budget mattress. 

What is a pocket spring mattress?  

A pocket spring mattress is designed using individual springs encased in a fabric pocket. These pockets are then stitched together to form a complete mattress unit. The springs are made from a high-quality steel wire, and due to being encased in its own fabric pocket, each spring responds independently to the weight and shape of your body. This provides individualised support and pressure relief where you need it most as well as helping to reduce sleep disturbance from you partner 

Why we recommend pocket spring mattresses at Glencraft  

As well as the benefit gained from the individualised pocket springs moving independently from each other, this type of mattress unit is also, generally, more durable. As the springs are individually coiled within their own fabric pocket, the unit is less likely to become misshapen or worn over time.  

Temperature control is also important for a good night’s sleep and the design of the mattress unit, as well as the fabric, plays a key part in this. The fabric pockets allow the air to flow within the mattress, which can help you to better regulate your body temperature. They also prevent the build-up of moisture and odours within the mattress.  

Due to the high level of durability, quality, and comfort of a pocket spring mattress, this type of design can often be found in luxury hotels. Glencraft has been handcrafting luxury pocket spring mattresses in partnership with luxury 5-star hotels for many years, and some of these designs are also available within Glencraft’s Luxury Collection. 

These mattresses typically contain a high number of pocket springs, complemented with high-quality filling fabrics and materials for added comfort and luxury. For example, Glencraft’s The Monarch Mattress, has a double layered 3000 pocket spring design and is handcrafted with layers of horsehair, merino wool, alpaca wool, and cotton, which provides another way to control body temperature when sleeping by moving moisture away from the body. 

Choosing what’s right for you 

Choosing your perfect mattress really depends on your budget and how you like to sleep. Whilst a pocket spring design is undoubtedly the superior option with its additional comfort and support, and the added benefit of motion isolation, open-coil spring mattresses are generally more affordable.  

If you’re still not sure which mattress to get, visit our showroom and try out our range of luxury mattresses, for all budgets. Our sleep experts at Glencraft will be on hand to talk you through all our handcrafted products and answer any questions you might have. 

Want to know more? Check out our YouTube video on The Differences Between Coil Spring & Pocket Spring Mattresses. 

Glencraft Is Awarded Disability Confident Employer Certificate

When Glencraft originally opened in 1843, its purpose was to provide employment to visually impaired people living in Aberdeen. The Disability Confident Scheme is a UK Government supported scheme, which is aimed at encouraging employers to do more to hire people with various disabilities. This concept has been a part of Glencraft’s DNA from the very beginning, which is why Glencraft is so delighted to be awarded with this certificate.  

The objective of the Disability Confident Scheme is to encourage businesses to recognise the talents that a disabled person could bring to their team. A person living with a disability can bring a wide range of skills and varied experiences, which could benefit your organisation, as they may have a different and unique outlook on how things are done. They could then apply this to their job role.  

A common saying in business is to “think outside the box”. A person living with a disability probably already needs to think outside the box on a daily basis when completing basic daily tasks. Tasks that most people wouldn’t even give a second thought to. By realising this, an employer could potentially benefit from this person’s knowledge to help them change the way they do business.  

In the world of employment, a person with a disability will most likely have a different view to that of a non-disabled person. For example, when it comes to applying for a job and going to an interview, an abled bodied person might be worrying about what to wear or practising their answers for interview questions that they may be asked. Whereas, although a person with a disability will also be thinking about these aspects, they will have even more to think about. Such as, how accessible will the interview be? Will there be access for a wheelchair? Will the employer be willing to make adjustments to accommodate my disability? Will I be treated fairly by other members of staff? 

Whilst looking through job vacancies, it is reassuring to see the Disability Confident logo attached to indicate the employer is part of the scheme. Straight away, this will put your mind at ease that those previous questions are answered. By having this logo, a disabled person can rest assured that they will have accessible access to their interview, adjustments will be made to accommodate their disability within the job role, and they will be treated fairly by their employer and fellow work colleagues. 

Many people with disabilities may feel reluctant to apply for jobs in case they aren’t even considered due to their disability. A Disability Confident organisation must commit to an offer of an interview for any person with a disability who meets all the basic requirements for the job as defined by the employer in the job advert or recruitment material.

When a disabled person applies for a job with an employer who is part of the scheme, it’s their choice whether they want to be put forward for the guaranteed interview. For example, if a disabled person were to opt out of the guaranteed interview, they might not get through to the interview stage if they only meet the minimum requirements. This can happen if there are a lot of applications and most of them not only meet the minimum requirements, but also meet further requirements. 

If you choose to not be considered for a guaranteed interview and you still get through to the interview stage, you have the same rights as all the other candidates. So, if the employer only becomes aware of your disability during the interview, it cannot be shortened, cancelled, or rescheduled last minute. Also, the interviewer cannot treat you any differently to the other candidates or ask you any inappropriate questions relating to your disability. 

Of course, a person with a disability isn't guaranteed the actual job role, but by having this scheme in place, the disabled community will know that this employer is offering a bit of extra support to someone who may otherwise not apply due to fear of rejection or feeling discriminated against.  

What does it really mean to be a Disability Confident Employer? 

It’s important to understand that employing someone with a disability shouldn’t be seen as an act of charity; it’s the act of a business that wants to be inclusive by finding the skills and experience within everyone and supporting everyone to reach their full potential. By tapping into the largest possible group of applicants, the business will also benefit and have a greater chance of finding the right candidate for the role. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, Glencraft is committed to: 

• Communicate and promote vacancies to disabled people.  
• Make sure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. 
• Offer an interview to any person with a disability, who meets the basic requirements for the job as defined by the employer in the job advert or recruitment material.
• Be accommodating during our recruitment process so that a person with a disability has the best chance to showcase their skills.
• Make sure that we are being pro-active when making reasonable adjustments within the job role, to accommodate a person with a disability. 
• Encourage our suppliers and businesses we work with to be Disability Confident also. 
• Ensure that our employees are aware of disability equality awareness. This means that our staff who are part of the recruitment process know how to make this fully accessible. Once hired, our manager and supervisors know how to support a disabled employee. It also means that our employees should understand how a disabled person can be affected by their environment, as well as other people’s attitudes and behaviours.

Through being recognised with this certificate, Glencraft can now use the Disability Confident Badge on their marketing materials, which will help to let people with disabilities know that Glencraft recognises the value that they can bring to their business.  

Case Study: The Disability Confident Scheme in Action 

Working as part of the Glencraft team, Tuesday Mennie shares her thoughts and perspective on what the disabled community thinks about the Disability Confident Scheme. 

As a part of the disabled community myself, I’d like to share my own thoughts and feelings about the Disability Confident Scheme and my role working at Glencraft.  

Whenever I applied for a job, I was worried the employer wouldn’t take me seriously if they knew I had a disability. I thought I would be giving myself a better chance of reaching the interview stage by not mentioning my disability until I got to that point.  

When the Disability Confident Scheme started and I realised I’d be entitled to an interview, initially I wasn’t sure if I wanted to choose this option, as I had never mentioned my disability before on applications. But, after thinking about it more, I started to realise that it was perhaps my pride that was stopping me from using the guaranteed interview. I think many people in the disabled community, including myself, don’t want to be treated any different so we might choose to avoid the scheme. We want to be as independent as possible, but it can sometimes be to our own detriment.  

As much as I didn’t want to mention my disability, out of fear of being immediately taken out of the running, it was a sense of relief to know the employer already knows that I have a disability and it must not be an issue if I've been invited for an interview.  

If hired, a person with a disability will receive support and adaptations if needed. Whether that be emotional support in helping to boost their confidence within the role, or physical adjustments they might need to make it easier for them to be able to physically carry out their tasks. I think this will really reassure the person applying that not only is their disability not an issue, but that the employer is happy to make changes to make sure they are comfortable within their role. Although this might be a small adjustment, this will make a big difference to the person. Not only physically, to help with their duties, but also emotionally, as it will be a big relief to know that they’re in a supportive work environment.  

I am proud to work for a Disability Confident Employer. Firstly, it shows the world that this is a workplace that’s inclusive and actively taking steps to encourage people with disabilities to apply for a job within their team. It also shows a commitment to this scheme by offering a guaranteed interview if the person meets the minimal requirements. I think this can be a real confidence boost and give the person some interview experience to enhance their skills.  

I think a lot of people with disabilities fear rejection, or that they won’t be taken seriously for the role they’re applying for, but by having the Disability Confident badge, the person will feel assured that they will be treated fairly and considered like all the other applicants.  

I know, personally, that I have felt like that when applying for jobs. I wanted to tell the employer about my disability as soon as I could, but I was also worried it would immediately take me out of the running.  

As for being a supportive working environment, I can honestly say that I’ve had nothing but support here at Glencraft. Whether that be encouraging feedback about my work or getting equipment to help me physically, such as a large keyboard and mouse pad.

Overall, I think the Disability Confident Scheme is a great way of not only being inclusive and offering a safe place for someone with a disability to work, but also lets the disability community know that they will have an equal chance of being hired. Although the guaranteed interview may seem like a small advancement, it could make the difference between a person having the confidence to not only apply for a job vacancy, but to have the confidence within themself and to know they’ll be supported.  

I’d encourage anyone with a disability to look for the Disability Confident Badge when applying for a job vacancy. You can rest assured that by applying for a job with a Disability Confident Employer, you don’t have to worry about being judged or being discriminated against. 

References  

Disability discrimination at interview: your rights | Totaljobs 

Level 2: Disability Confident Employer - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Ukrainian refugee Nataliia settles into new life in Aberdeen

A Ukrainian refugee forced to leave her home and job in Kharkiv has found a new life in Aberdeen – and she prays for those still caught up in the war in her homeland.

Prior to the war, Nataliia Zaplitna worked for a large sewing factory which manufactured clothing, hats and other fashion items.

Members of her immediate family have died as a result of the war, and many months on Nataliia finds it too traumatic to speak about their loss. 

Nataliia has now found employment as a seamstress and tape edger with not-for-profit social enterprise Glencraft, which supports visually impaired and other disadvantaged people with dignity through work as it makes mattresses and other soft furnishing products at its facility on Whitemyres Avenue in Mastrick, Aberdeen.

Nataliia, 39, said: “The war has changed my life forever. My world is not the same as it was before.

“In Kharkiv, I had a settled life. I had a job I enjoyed. Everything was great. On the 24^th of February last year, I heard a loud explosion which caused all of my life to disappear.

“It was a very stressful experience leaving Ukraine. I still find it incredibly difficult to speak about the loss of those close to me.

“It was too dangerous for me to stay so I decided I had to leave, as did many others.”

After making a 2,500-mile journey from Kharkiv, near the Russian border, Natalia now lives in student accommodation in Aberdeen’s city centre.

Nataliia’s journey involved a bus from Kharkiv to Poland where she stayed for two weeks at a refugee centre for asylum seekers. Once a visa was issued, she took a flight from Gdańsk in Poland to Edinburgh and then a bus onwards to Aberdeen. Nataliia spent six months in a hotel in the city before being transferred to the student accommodation.

Nataliia said: “I like everything about Aberdeen, in particular the architecture. Many of the buildings look like something from fairy tales to me. I also like that Aberdeen is located at the coast.”

When Nataliia first arrived in Aberdeen, she asked a local interpreter if he was aware of any local jobs. The interpreter advised about a job vacancy at Glencraft and helped Nataliia to arrange the interview.

Glencraft was hiring for a seamstress and tape edger at the time and was struggling to fill the position locally. Nataliia had exactly the desired skillset and experience that the social enterprise was looking for.

Donald MacKay, managing director at Glencraft, said: “For almost 180 years, Glencraft has provided dignity through work for those in Aberdeen with visual impairment and other barriers to work. We had been struggling for some months to fill a role for an experienced tape edger, and we saw that with Nataliia we could fill a gap in our own team while bringing some stability and routine to her at a difficult moment in her life. Her experience and knowledge has been a great help to Glencraft and I believe that the support and affection she has had from our own team have been a help to her.”

Nataliia has been working with Glencraft now for almost four months. She said: “I believe I am very lucky to do the job I know and love here in Aberdeen – especially within my area of expertise. I’m happy I have the opportunity to continue working within the same role and industry.

“I also love the people here at Glencraft. Everyone is very friendly, approachable and eager to communicate despite the language barrier. They make me feel welcome and are also helping me to learn English.”

Nataliia remains in contact with her brother – who is unable to leave Ukraine due to the male travel ban – and friends in Ukraine on a daily basis. She said: “They say that life in Ukraine is very hard because of the war and winter has added further difficulties. There is almost nothing good to mention. Nobody knows when the war will end, but everyone I talk to in Ukraine has a hope that soon we will have peace again.

“I feel very thankful to all the individuals and the government in Scotland for all the help, support and assistance that I and many others have received. On behalf of all Ukrainians, I would like to say a big thank you to Scotland.

“My message to other Ukrainians who have been placed in Scotland is to not lose hope. It is possible to find meaningful employment and there is much opportunity in Scotland to settle. One day I will return to Ukraine but those thoughts are put to one side. They are for a different time.”

Nataliia is one of over 20,000 displaced Ukrainians currently living in Scotland. She has found Aberdeen’s Ukrainian Hub, which she attends twice a week, a huge support. The hub, run by Aberdeen City Council, offers Nataliia the opportunity to socialise, meet other Ukrainians and also take part in language courses to learn English.

Glencraft was granted a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and has supplied four generations of the Royal family. The social enterprise has also won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility) in 2021, recognising its commitment to supporting people from under-represented groups.

Would you like to join our Board?

We’re looking for two people to join our Board to strengthen our governance and support our operational team.
 
There's more information you can download here. The application deadline is 18th May 2022.
 
Essential criteria for Board members are that they:
 
·        Buy-in to Glencraft’s core purpose: Dignity through Work
·        Demonstrate empathy, professionalism and humility
·        Commit to the time requirements and duties
·        Act as an enthusiastic ambassador and role model for Glencraft
·        Use their knowledge and skills to help the Board reach decisions
 
It’s also desirable that candidates have experience of visual impairment and/or other disadvantage. 
 
We want personal and professional backgrounds on our Board.
 
We'd like one of the new members to have skills in being a Board member.
 
The positions are voluntary and not paid.

Glencraft appoints new Managing Director

Donald MacKay has been appointed our new Managing Director, effective 23^rd August 2021.

He takes up the reins from Graham McWilliam

Prime Minister’s letter of congratulations

The Prime Minister has congratulated Glencraft on its Queen’s Award for Enterprise success.

Boris Johnson wrote to Glencraft managing director Graham McWilliam to recognise the charity’s achievement in winning the award for promoting opportunity through social mobility.