Pull up a throne this bank holiday
It’s time for a Biscuit Break, Britain!
THE King’s Coronation is here, and with it, some right royal R&R, plus that all-important chance to break bread – and biscuits – with friends, family and all of our nearest and dearest.
This bank holiday is the ultimate biscuit break, and how perfect that McVitie’s is right there front and centre of the celebrations.
Rich Tea, Digestives and the rest of its dunkable delights helped Brits celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, with gold-coloured commemorative biscuit tins taking pride of place on trestle tables at street parties up and down the land.
And now McVitie’s has created a new special biscuit tin to commemorate King Charles’s Coronation. In patriotic red, white and blue, featuring the Royal Crest, the tins include symbols of all four UK nations and, as a nod to the new King’s hobbies, wellies and a painter’s palette.
“Whether you’re in an office or working from home, taking a break from screen time and connecting with co-workers or neighbours is so important.”
A good tea and biscuit break can be the start of a wonderful relationship too.
Professor Cooper says: “You can chat about the Coronation, politics or even work, but when you find people you’re compatible with, you’ll move on to more deep-rooted things – relationship worries or job insecurity, for example.
“Sharing your perceptions and problems with other people gives you a fresh angle and perspective to help understand the world around you.”
To that end, McVitie’s has also partnered with mental health charity Mind, aiming to get the nation talking.
“We know it’s important to take short breaks throughout the day when we’re working,” says Charlotte Porter, Mind’s head of corporate partnerships. “But we also know that it can be hard to make space for doing that in our busy lives.
“Taking a break and connecting with
co-workers or neighbours is so important”
Martine,
Queen of
the Biscuit
Break!
She’s Britain’s most famous tea lady and, as Natalie in the hit movie Love, Actually, Martine McCutcheon served a cup of char and some tasty biccies to none other than the Prime Minister, played by Hugh Grant.
So who better to champion the McVitie’s Bring Back the Biscuit Break campaign?
“As someone who knows her way around some tea and biscuits, it was my duty to get involved and help McVitie’s with its mission of reinstating the tea and biscuit break for the hardworking people of Britain,” Martine, 46, says. “It’s a beloved tradition that provides a brief moment of levity amid what are often busy and stressful working days. So lobby the boss, pop the kettle on – and let’s bring it back!”
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Something to bear in Mind
Mental health charity Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Campaigning to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding, it says: “We won’t stop until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect.”
The confidential helpline, Mind Infoline (0300 123 3393),
is open Monday-Friday 9am-6pm. For more information, visit mind.org.uk
Each tin is full of favourites such as Custard Creams, Jam Rings and Shortcake, so you can see in the new royal era enjoying the same treats your grandparents tucked into 70 years ago.
What’s more, taking time out to share the fun with friends is positively good for you.
Chatting with a mate is proven to release happy, feel-good chemicals in the brain and, if you’re feeling anxious or worried, sitting down and sharing your problem is guaranteed to help release the stress.
McVitie’s research shows that nearly half of Brits are so busy with meetings and emails on their working days that they don’t take a break at all – and even worse, a third of people admit they don’t actually know their colleagues’ names.
That’s why the company has launched its Bring Back the Biscuit Break campaign, calling for daily 15-minute tea breaks.
“The human condition demands social connectedness and that’s what tea breaks do – connect you with other people,” says Professor Sir Cary Cooper, 50th anniversary professor of organisational psychology and health at Manchester Business School.
“Even just a few minutes away from our working space can help with mental health. That’s why the McVitie’s campaign to reinstate a daily 15-minute biscuit break is a great initiative.
“It could help encourage us to take time to reset and recharge, or provide an opportunity to talk to and connect with other people, including our colleagues.”
McVitie’s has already supported Mind with the opening of eight Time to Change hubs, where people with lived experience of mental health problems can engage with local communities to break the stigma around the subject, as well as promoting 400 “champions” for the initiative.
In 2022 McVitie’s raised £190,000 for Mind with its Let’s Talk campaign, which Mind will use to keep vital services running, including the Mind Infoline and Legal Line as well as an online peer support community, Side by Side.
Mind’s experts are also asking Brits up and down the country to use the King’s Coronation as a chance to build bridges and get talking.
They advise: “Take the lead and ask questions. Listening without judging can be as important and significant as talking. Your friend doesn’t expect you to solve their problems – just being there means a lot.”
Why not make yourselves a Coronation cuppa, open up the McVitie’s tin and kick off a conversation!
Professor Sir Cary Cooper
THE King’s Coronation is here, and with it, some right royal R&R, plus that all-important chance to break bread – and biscuits – with friends, family and all of our nearest and dearest.
This bank holiday is the ultimate biscuit break, and how perfect that McVitie’s is right there front and centre of the celebrations.
Rich Tea, Digestives and the rest of its dunkable delights helped Brits celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, with gold-coloured commemorative biscuit tins taking pride of place on trestle tables at street parties up and down the land.
And now McVitie’s has created a new special biscuit tin to commemorate King Charles’s Coronation. In patriotic red, white and blue, featuring the Royal Crest, the tins include symbols of all four nations and, as a nod to the new King’s hobbies, wellies and a painter’s palette.