nnneee may 2020 new… · lynda mcgill (previous chair) front row, left to right: stella jensen...
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KEY DATES: VIRTUAL MEETINGS PLANNED USING ZOOM: Thursday 14th May 2020: 9 am set up for 9.15 am start.
Thursday 21st May 2020: 9.15 am set up for a 9.30 am start.
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We welcome your news, offers and any other local resources or information you wish to share with other members via our newsletter which is issued 10 times a year. Feel free to submit your
articles during the month so that we have your news in good time for our next issue. Please send less than 200 words in plain text without any images. Ensure that you include your contact details and please check all details carefully and that your links are correct!
Send submissions to [email protected]
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Disclaimer: Stroud Businesswomen’s Network (“SBN”) accepts no responsibility or liability with regard to the information provided in this newsletter. The views and opinions expressed in articles are those of the individual contributing members and
do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SBN or its committee members. Information is intended to be of a general nature only and is not necessarily comprehensive. Where there are links to external websites, SBN assumes no responsibility for the
information contained in those entries or on those websites.
Personal Data: Stroud Businesswomen’s Network takes data very seriously. You have received this newsletter because you are registered as a member. If you would like to see a copy of our privacy statement please click here. If you would like to opt out of receiving this newsletter please email [email protected]
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Thoughts from ... our SBN chair Debbie Bird:
It was really lovely to see thirty of you at the SBN virtual meeting this April. I know I personally find it really encouraging to see all your familiar faces. I know we have all had such different experiences of the lockdown and then there are others we know who have different situations again. As we progress towards some kind of normality, I hope I have the humility to remember how it has felt and to make some permanent changes for the good as a result.
Our speaker was Will Mansell, from the locally-based Grace Network. The Network’s aim is to “work in a new way to serve our community, free from obligations of old types of business that harm us and the planet.”
The Grace Network launched the Stroud Furniture Bank, The Long Table, Stroud District Kids' Stuff, Kick Off Stroud - all Community Interest Companies or social businesses - and helped facilitate Stroud Foodbank.
Will gave us such great insights into his business model, by being open minded and flexible they have managed to make changes to the Long Table operation to work as a force for good locally. The fact that they have now gone out across the county by working in collaboration with others is testament to their credibility.
He put forward some great ideas that we could all consider using:
· It’s free but would you pay something please?
· Pay what you think
He also enlightened us with the principle of ‘just do it’; taking the next and simplest step forward with minimal planning otherwise you may miss the moment. Such a dynamic strategy could be quite scary but in the current circumstances is essential to achieve a successful outcome.
Lastly and not least the idea of having teams of 1, 3 or 12 suggests a rooting in the bible I would say but is an interesting context that I have been reflecting on.
I hope you found Will’s presentation useful too! Members please do feel free to join us at next month’s meeting and stay safe in the meantime.
Debbie
OUR MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY CONDUCTED USING ZOOM MEETINGS ONLINE.
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Back row, left to right:
Debbie Bird (Chair & training) [email protected]
Beth Whittaker (Ambassador) [email protected]
Tammy Kwan (event organiser) [email protected]
Lynda McGill (Previous Chair)
Front row, left to right:
Stella Jensen (finance) [email protected]
Catherine Green (previous Chair to April 2018)
Karen Blaylock (website) [email protected]
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We run three different types of main MEETINGS at suit all tastes!
Meeting style 1: Local interest speaker – examples of recent speakers Martin Bundy of John Lewis
Cheltenham, Doina Cornell the Leader of Stroud District Council, and David Drew MP for Stroud.
Meeting style 2: Dedicated to learning new business skills and networking: helping members meet
each other using structured and informal networking techniques, so people get to know each other
better, and gain more confidence in networking generally.
Meeting style 3: Inspirational businesswomen: one keynote business speaker, usually a successful
businesswoman from in and around the Stroud district, sharing ideas and aspirations.
Shout Outs - Within these meetings according to time we offer member 'shout outs' when members
get the chance to tell everyone about their business and, hopefully, share some tips and useful
information.
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Photo by Tammy
Lynn Photography
Members’ banners display
Members who may not have any items they can place on our display table, may instead have
banners promoting the services they provide. Four members per meeting can place their
banners in the entrance to the meeting room. Contact us if you wish to set up a banner by
emailing us at [email protected].
Shout about your business!
We email our members when slots are planned at our meetings for five minute shout- outs to
speak to the whole group about their business. They will be notified in good time, giving
them plenty of time to plan their presentation!
And don't forget the SBN Showcase:
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We also offer SBN members the chance to display
their products or services at our SBN meetings.
This is offered on a first come first served basis to
members.
You may arrive after 8.30am to pop your display
on the table available.
Photo courtesy ofRuth Davey http://look-again.org/
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Try us for free!
Would you like to try us for free first? Check out our meeting dates here and then come along to our main
meeting at The Old Lodge, where we will be ready to greet you from 8.45am; there is no need to book.
Bring a friend or two with you too!
We offer the first meeting for free, and then it is currently just £60 for the year!
Do you have any questions? Please email [email protected].
How to Join!
Join us! Go to www.stroudbusinesswomen.org.uk. Join now and follow the simple steps to join on-line.
All meetings for the year are included in your membership plus concessions on our lunches and training.
Even if you choose not to join as a Member you can register as a Friend and still receive our newsletters.
What Else? Join us at the Curio in Stroud! Come and join us on the second Thursday in the month 9-11am at the Curio Lounge. We have an informal gathering upstairs and you do not have to be a member. Just buy a cuppa and join in the chat. This is a good introduction on a more intimate level to chat with members and friends of the SBN. Dates for this are on our events calendar too.
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SBN 21st May 2020 Meeting ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING SBN ZOOM MEETING ONLINE – HOW TO: An email link will be forwarded to members in advance of the day of the meeting. The link will take you to the meeting (or further instructions on how to enter the meeting) where you will be held in a virtual waiting room ready for the meeting to start. See details on our website also of our meeting here. Please email any questions to [email protected]. We will be conducting both Curio style and Main meetings online until further notice.
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Spoon Making with Jane Gray-Wallis – article submitted by Jane Wallis
Spoon making – all my courses have been postponed but I am hopeful that I will be able to be back
teaching in the autumn. If you want something to look forward to or are searching for a birthday present
then do be in touch as I can send you a voucher.
Full day including axe work £75, half day carving only £45.
10% discount for SBN members.
Call Jane on 07855 535717
Neals Yard Remedies with Jane Gray-Wallis – article submitted by Jane Wallis
Neals Yard Remedies Organic – this is working well in the virtual world.
I can give advice and run small gatherings via zoom or you can simply order directly from me or through
my company website. Contact me for a brochure and I will make sure your order comes to you directly.
10% discount for SBN members. There is a company special joining offer at the moment. If you fancy
some fun in lock down or need to earn some extra money. Then do be in touch.
Call Jane on 07855 535717
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Plant Love UK – article submitted by Vanessa Clarke
Flower & Plant Home Delivery Service – Priority Delivery for Keyworkers!
We are a family start-up business supporting local wholesale growers throughout the lockdown to rehome
their acres of plants by providing a home delivery service.
Currently delivering to selected areas of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
SBWN exclusive 10% code off flower bundles – please use code 10STROUDBW
Note that the discount code ONLY applies to the Flower Bundles here on our
website: https://plantloveuk.co.uk/collections/frontpage
Thanks for your interest!
M: 07834 973 577
Introducing Kind Comms - article submitted by Jess Saunders
Are you looking to move your business online during this strange time? It can all feel quite overwhelming,
with the need to build a website or online shop, write content and promote yourself on social media, as
well as other digital channels. It can be difficult to know where to start! That's where Kind Comms come
in...
We've teamed up with Daisy Botha from Vegan Fairs to create a communications agency with a
conscience. It's designed specifically for ethical businesses looking to move online, or to take them to
the next level. We have affordable and varying packages for:
● Social Media Management
● Newsletter Writing
● SEO and Content Creation
● Website Building
● Training Please find out more on our new website: https://kindcomms.co.uk/
Get in touch by email: [email protected]
Jess Saunders
Communications Director
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Live Facebook Massage Tutorial with Cotswold Mobile Massage - article submitted by
Kate Browne
Like so many businesses, we've had our world turned upside down due to Corona Virus.
But rather than admit total defeat, I wanted to try and find a way to continue our support remotely...
not the easiest of tasks as you might imagine!
So, as we can no longer get to our clients in person, we came up with the idea to give you the tools to
treat yourselves or those you're living with.
So every Monday at 7:30pm, we do a live Facebook tutorial either on self-massage techniques or
partnered massage. These are for total beginners and perfect for helping managed stress and anxiety as
well as physical aches and pains.
We invite you to join in and share with friends, family, colleagues and clients.
All you need to do in “Like” and “Follow” our Facebook page, Cotswold Mobile Massage and login for the
live event. Or, if you miss the live session you can catchup on any of the sessions by finding them on our
feed.
We’re delivering these sessions for FREE although there is the option to give a donation of your choosing
if you’re able to do so.
With light and love from Kate and the Cotswold Mobile Massage team.
Cotswold Mobile Massage
P: 07860 387 016
W: www.cotswoldmobilemassage.com
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Lakes Care Centre - article submitted by Penny Carpenter
I am lucky enough to work at The Lakes Care Centre in South Cerney, a residential care home looking after the elderly, many of whom are living with dementia. What gets us all through each and every day, especially at the moment, is ensuring our lovely residents are safe. On top of that, is keeping everyone joyful and hopeful, staff and residents alike. There is restricted visiting for friends and relatives right now, but we can connect them through regular Skype calls, weekly email updates, letters and frequent Facebook posts. We have introduced a Treats Trolley on a Thursday so each resident can choose one or two extra goodies. We have been fortunate enough to receive donations too, such as chocolate truffles from Waitrose, which went down extremely well! We are also spending time in our three Gardens and although our usual volunteers aren’t able to join us, we are all mucking in to create something colourful for our residents. If anyone is able to donate any plants, seedlings or vegetable seedlings we would love to give them a home. I live in Stroud so without asking you to deviate from your usual essential journeys, I am sure we can arrange collection/drop offs. Thank you. Penny [email protected]
Family Tree Funeral Company – article submitted by Jane Diamond For several weeks now, Family Tree Funeral Company has been adapting to only being able to offer our families much reduced funerals. While they are smaller in content and size, we often witness greater poignancy and deeper intimacy at these smaller gatherings; a poignancy and an intimacy which can sometimes be harder to experience in a more conventional funeral with a larger congregation. We have stood graveside in spring sunshine, enjoying the stillness and peace, the silence broken only by birdsong. And at the crematorium, we’ve witnessed family members speak quietly of and to their loved one, with just a few gathered around the coffin rather than all in pews at several metres’ distance from it. For one funeral, we drove the funeral car through the village of the person who had died. He had lived there for 40 years and the villagers lined the streets to pay their respects as he made his final journey to the crematorium for a direct cremation. We are all adapting to this new world we find ourselves in. Funerals are adapting too and there are positives to take from this. In the midst of heartbreak, those grieving are being resourceful and uncomplaining, giving credence to the saying that less can be more. https://www.familytreefunerals.co.uk e-Mail: [email protected]
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Start and Grow Enterprise - Submission by Natalie Ferrari The team at Start and Grow Enterprise have been working hard to transfer all of our training courses, workshops, and business coaching online following government guidance. We’ve chosen Zoom as our online platform. Zoom allows us to keep the interactive and engaging atmosphere of our courses due to its features such as break out rooms, which allows participants to be split into groups for discussions. This has meant that we’ve spent a considerable amount of time on the Zoom ‘Help’ pages to ensure we know everything we need to before starting to hold our sessions! We’ve spent time training our skilled coaches, and we’ve allocated members of the team to participate in each session to ensure everything runs smoothly. We’ve had a great deal of businesses sign up with us recently to take advantage of the free start-up support that we’re continuing to offer. If you’d like our support to help you start and grow your business, simply sign up, free, here: www.startandgrowenterprise.uk/join We offer…
Start-up Day - Our start-up day is the first step on the way to building a successful business. Growth Day This is where your business goes from good to great. Business Registration Choose the right business structure for your circumstances. Business Planning Get well on the way to writing a full-length business plan. Growth Workshops Focus on a challenge specific to the growth of you and your business. Growth Coaching Get one-to-one sessions to take your business even higher. £1,000 Enterprise Voucher Apply for a reimbursed grant of £1,000 to help your business fly.
See our full course schedule here: www.startandgrowenterprise.uk/events Please contact the team with any questions on 01252 715477 or [email protected].
Breadmaking online with Severn Bites - Article submitted by Danielle Ellis Join me for an online breadmaking class. I've transferred my bread baking classes online. You can work on a particular technique; learn to start and maintain a sourdough starter; shape bread like a professional; work on perfecting your bread or learn a new recipe. Over 2 sessions, Ana made baguettes. Later this week I am working with a customer from San Diego! Half hour sessions cost £10 and are held on Zoom at a time to suit you. Contact Danielle Ellis [email protected] or 01453 899230 to find out more. https://www.severnbites.com/product/online-one-to-one-baking/
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Millie Swanepoel – CranioSacral Therapist, Reiki Master & Artist This is my story from my point of view and experiences. OUT OF AFRICA – Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia, part of the federation of northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. A British colony). “I had a farm in Africa….” Our farm was Upton Farm, 14 miles from Hartley (Now Chegutu), 60 miles from Salisbury (now Harare). My father was a tobacco, maize and dairy farmer. There was herd of Brahman cattle and a few motley sheep. My first memories were playing with Maghati and Lina, two farmer labourers’ children. We did everything together, exploring the bush and getting into mischief. Talking about skin colour and social traditions. We were not rich but there was always enough. My brother and I were sent to boarding school at a young age because we wouldn’t behave and stay in for home schooling on the radio. Our mother got fed up of trying to keep us in the “class room”. If our father drove past we would chase after him and jumped on the back of the vanete in gales of laughter. Big changes where on the way, the terrorist war against Mugabe from 1966 until independence 18th April 1980. Our prime minister at the time, Ian Smith (he fought for Britain in the second world war) declared UDI and Britain imposed sanctions. As a land locked country our main route to export tobacco was through Mozambique. It created problems for us when the Portuguese left and Mozambique went in to civil war. This is my side of the story as a farmer’s daughter. 13 years of uncertainty, especially for the farmers, for us it was a bush terror war. We had to be in at sundown behind a 10 ft high gated fence. Every morning and evening at 6 we would tune in on argi alert to stay in touch with the Rhodesian army and report on security. Lockdown/ isolation/cocooning has brought up old memories for me. We had rationing of petrol and luxury goods, food wasn’t a problem. Life has come full circle for me. It is interesting how people react to changing circumstances. I watch and relive my childhood through different eyes and thoughts. When I look in the mirror, which is not often, I see my father looking back at me and I hear his words…. ”If you worry you die, if you don’t worry you die, so why worry….” He was a wise and extraordinary man and I still miss them both very much… I have had an extraordinary life. Who would have thought that the hoyden/bush child from Rhodesia would be living in Pitchcombe. I am so lucky and grateful for my health, my community, Chris, Abukhai and Cirrida, being able to walk in this beautiful country side with views to forever…. Mullereen Susanna Swanepoel ( now Millie Grant)
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Jane Gray-Wallis – Coppice Worker/Neals Yard Remedies How is lockdown for me? I am ashamed to say that at the beginning I was rather knocked for six by the cancellation of all the shows and events that I rely on over the summer. I was also a bit sad that certain events like Badminton Horse Trials were not going ahead. I began to realise that I really love the rhythm of summer events. First World problems I know. I expected to shout yippee and rub my hands together and do huge numbers of things with all the spare time. Errr … no! I did nothing and then, get this, thought to myself ‘this is rather nice. Is this what retirement might be like?!’ I realise my life is a bit too busy with rushing from one thing to another. Then the Forestry Commission gave permission for us to be back in the Arboretum and the coppicing work could carry on. That was a great relief. It has been a privilege to be in the Arboretum while it is closed to the public, especially in this exceptional spring. I worried about my friends and relatives. I also worried about all the people who support me in my life, from whom I purchase things or services. I have tried to be in touch and offer to carry on paying. For those who can deliver, our relationship has continued unchanged. Not only do I want to support people but selfishly I want them to be there in September. We are lucky to have local shops in Wotton. We have never run out of flour, yeast, eggs or loo roll. Now that I am getting used to things I am feeling a bit nervous about us all being out and about and together again! Jane
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Mindful Matters – article submitted by Cathy Blofield The number one wellbeing tip right now is to develop the practice of ‘deep breathing’. It seems simplistic to suggest people ‘breath’ when the world is dealing with a pandemic, with fears of unemployment, poverty, illness and all manner of change, but when we breathe deeply & slowly we immediately relax the vagus nerve, the queen of the parasympathetic nervous system which runs from the neck to the abdomen and is in charge of turning off the fight or flight reflex.(stress response). Your body senses your breathing and adapts its heart rate in response. When we breath slowly, the heart rate slows, and we relax. Conversely, when we breath quickly, our heart speeds up, and we feel anxious. A simple technique is to breath in for 6 seconds, and 8-10 out. Heart rate rises on the inhale and falls on the exhale. Consciously slowing down your breathing can put you in a calmer state to be able to better communicate, make rational decisions and view the world with alternative perspectives. Something which is important right now for continued growth of our businesses. The best approach to help someone who is anxious is to pace your breathing when you speak to them, it is amazing how it can rub off on others for the better. Best wishes – Cathy [email protected]
Hazel Rank-Broadley HPD NCH CNHC – submitted by Hazel Rank-Broadley
Solution Focused Hypnotherapist and Coach
https://www.gettingclear.co.uk
CAN BREATHING EXERCISES REDUCE ANXIETY?
Research shows that practicing some simple conscious breath techniques can be very helpful. One simple exercise that can instantly calm you down is rectangle breathing:
Choose a rectangle somewhere in the room where you are to look at e.g. a window. Now, starting in the top left corner, breathe in while you let your eyes move along the short side. Turn the corner and breathe out while you follow the long side with your eyes. This breath out will be a little bit longer than the previous in one. Now turn the next corner and breathe in along the short side, then along the next side breathing out as you return to the place where you began.
Repeat this a few times, following along the sides of the rectangle with your eyes. The breath is always a bit shorter as you breathe in, a bit longer as you breathe out. You can do this when you feel a bit of stress or anxiety wherever you are, when you want to feel calmer. Practiced regularly it will help you to feel more in control.
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Age UK can help – article submitted by Ramona Amuza The Age UK Gloucestershire team is keen to support all older people in the county during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re just a phone call away Call our Help Team if you have an immediate problem. The Team provide information and guidance about a range of issues including shopping, community support local to you, prescriptions, benefits and finances and accessing health and social care. The Team will advise on how you can access support if you have recently left hospital. Call 01452 422660. Line are open Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm Call our Friendship Line FREE if you would like a friendly chat. We know that social distancing is really difficult and lots of you are missing having someone to talk to regularly. Our staff and volunteers are on hand, with a listening ear and time to chat and we’d love to hear from you. Call 0800 2980579. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm For accurate and up to date details for individuals and community groups about all the information and support we are providing, visit our website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/gloucestershire
Find coronavirus financial support for your business - Article by Diane Young Coronavirus (COVID-19) support is available to employers and the self-employed. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed.
Use this business support finder link below to see what support is available for you and your business.
https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder
Self Employed Government Support – Article by Diane Young
You can now register on the Gov.uk website for self-employed support grant. You will need to login with your government gateway details. They simply ask for your email address and will then contact you. Following this they state that you will be able to claim from 8.00am on 13 May 2020.
Click this link below:
https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/self-employment-support/enter-unique-taxpayer-reference?fbclid=IwAR2p1d3Nz0hHhcyayuLj-7KQeKkwrGPrmkZlwfYkdJObYJmqOc0hPAIgd-c
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