LIFESTYLE SCOTLAND
  • HOME
  • STOCKISTS
  • ADVERTISE
  • BACK ISSUES
  • CONTACT
  • Blog

Winston's Wish

1/8/2023

1 Comment

 
Picture
UK childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish is reminding bereaved young people that its services will remain open during the summer holidays. 
With many service users hailing from Scotland and at a time of the year when many are making plans and enjoying the summer break, Winston’s Wish continues to support grieving youngsters who may find the break in routine from school, college or University particularly challenging. 
​

Henri, 20, shared her experience after her Mum died, “For the weeks of my school summer holiday that I had left after she died, I spent them watching TV all day with my brother, watching our favourite childhood show on repeat. I remember sitting watching TV all day and focusing on that and not thinking about what had happened or how my life is going to change or what is going to happen to me.
“I got invited to a girl from my school’s party at the end of the holidays, I remember feeling uncomfortable and thinking, ‘This is how my life is going to be, people feeling sorry and pity for me.’ Everyone’s mums were at the party and my Dad was the only dad there. This was the first time I experienced realising my Mum wasn’t going to be here for things that happen in my life. 

“I knew that no one would understand that me seeing my Dad be the only one there with everyone else’s mums would upset me. This shows that no one will ever understand what can trigger emotions relating to someone’s personal grief process unless they have experienced it themselves.”

UK-based childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish has been supporting children and young adults up to the age of 25 and the adults assisting them, for more than 30 years. 
Estimates suggest that each day, more than 100 children in the UK are bereaved of a parent and that figure doesn’t equate how many young people are coping with the death of a sibling, grandparent, friend or another significant individual in their lives. Over the course of the six-week summer holidays, countless children and young adults could be facing a new bereavement or dealing with the ongoing challenges of coping with the death of a loved one. 
The charity, which supported in excess of 60,000 young people last year*, is urging young people to reach out if they find themselves struggling with their grief this summer using one of their free on-demand services. 
Children, young adults and parents or carers can also access a wealth of help and support including online content, advice and personal experiences on the Winston’s Wish website and social media channels in addition to talking to someone on the live chat and phone helpline. Children aged 13 and older are welcome to themselves reach out for support via these helplines.
Winston’s Wish CEO Fergus Crow comments, “For many children and young adults, the summer break is a chance to enjoy time away from school or college and to spend time with their friends and family relaxing and having fun. 
“But for grieving children and young people, the reality may be very different. We know the long weeks of the summer holidays can seem like a real challenge and coping with grief after the death of someone close can feel overwhelming.
“But whilst schools and colleges may be closing their doors until September, Winston’s Wish will be here all through the summer so that no child or young person has to face their grief alone at this or any other time of the year.”
Young people and their families are welcome to chat online, email or call for free to speak to a bereavement support worker by calling 08088 020 021, emailing [email protected] or using the live chat at winstonswish.org.
Picture
Picture
Quick Facts
  • Between April 2022 and March 2023 Winston’s Wish supported over 60,000 children and young people (up to the age of 25) after the death of someone important 
  • It is estimated over 46,000 children under the age of 18 are bereaved of a parent every year (CBN)
  • Established in 1992, Winston’s Wish is the UK’s first childhood bereavement charity 
  • Winston’s Wish provides a range of services to help children, young people and the adults supporting them after someone important has died including a helpline, digital chat services, specialist publications, resources and training. Group and one to one support is also available from a dedicated team of bereavement support workers. 
  • Winston’s Wish provides its services free of charge and receives over 90% of its funding from public donations.​
1 Comment

Are you struggling as a small business owner?

1/8/2023

1 Comment

 
Picture
Being a business owner has its ups and downs.  
I used to own Simply Pets in Inverness and multiple other pet related businesses amongst other businesses, so I know what it’s like. But if I’d known what I know now, I would have a chain of shops today, trouble is I don’t own them anymore so I’m not the decision maker.  
Here are some tips that might help your small business get to the next level. 
  • Having one unit (especially if you’re in retail or hospitality) may not be profitable.  Multiple units in various locations creates Brand awareness and credibility (if the business is right).  Multiple units give you the chance of creating “economies of scale” which can improve profitability.  
  • Stop being risk averse, what’s stopping you from expanding?  
  • Delegate roles/tasks to others which gives them progression opportunities and improves your work-life balance. 
  • Employ the right people rather than fill roles with the wrong people who don’t stay or are not a good fit. 
  • Find your niche.  Know what your competitors sell, their product knowledge and customer service levels?  At Simply Pets I sold brands you couldn’t find in Pets at Home or the Supermarket and I sought products with natural quality ingredients that just weren’t available in the Highlands. 
  • Try to see your business from a customer viewpoint – or get someone not connected to do this such as a new sales rep or business consultant 
 
If you need some guidance contact me for a free business appraisal, Eris Business Services: M: 07764 192503  E: [email protected] 
www.erisbusiness.co.uk 
1 Comment

Tracy Goes Outside - Burghead and Clarkly Hill Circuit

18/4/2023

1 Comment

 
This beautiful walk on the Moray coastal trail takes you along past the harbour and on to the old railway line path with a stunning coastal view and a chance you may see dolphins passing by. There are an abundance of historical sites along the way with great information boards!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Route: Leaving the car park follow the path that takes you along to the harbour. The harbour itself was built by Thomas Telford in the early 1800’s with impressive three storey warehouses. Three of the warehouses still remain and have now been converted into flats. Once you pass by the warehouses take the stairs up to some great views of Burghead bay. Turn right along to the visitors’ centre in the old white round building, here you can find out about Pictish Burghead dating back to 400AD.
 
Once you have explored the centre, head towards the old anchor and you will see the Clavie mound. This is where on the 11th of January every year Burghead celebrate their New Year with a unique fire festival called the burning of the Clavie. The significance of the 11th January dates back to the 1750’s.

From the Clavie mound, head towards the waterside and turn right along the tarred road, where you will find the Harvest Reaper boat that was originally built in Fraserburgh in 1931 and was finally berthed here in 2015. There are always plenty of seabirds to look out for as you walk along the water’s edge. 

Further on you will pass by the Maltings and on to the coastal path. You will come to St Aethan’s Well and onto the disused quarry. There are several way markers for the Clarkly Hill short walk,  ignore these.  You will pass under an old railway bridge before coming to the Cummingston Crag. The sandstone crag is a popular sea cliff for mountain climbers, and you may see some climbing the Prophet Walls (as it is known) as you are walking past! 
Once under the second old railway bridge you find an opening on the left-hand side; this path will double back before going over the top of the bridge. Head straight on here until you arrive in Cummingston. 

At the junction you will see the sign post a little to the left for Clarkly Hill. Cross over the main road and up the country road ahead. Looking over to the left and you will get some great views of Hopeman in the distance. 

You will soon come to your next way marker taking you onto a track on your right. This will take you past a pig farm before coming to your next sign post. Here you will go through the gate and straight ahead into a wooded area. The viewpoint is unfortunately overgrown now, turn right at the fence and follow the path through the wood till you come to the gate at the other side. 
​
From the wood you will carry on down the road back towards Burghead taking in the views ahead. Once past the masts go through the gate and back to the main road. Cross over and turn left here until you come to the junction to turn right, back in to Burghead. Follow the main road back until you come to the community gardens. From here turning left to arrive back at the carpark.
Picture
Picture
Picture
For more walks by Tracy, visit www.tracygoesoutside.com
1 Comment

What to plant in Spring

20/3/2023

0 Comments

 
By Mica Bale
We can feel it in the air tonight, we’ve been waiting for this moment for all the winter, can you feel it coming? What are we talking about? Love? No - Spring weather of course, even in our typically dreich local weather, the warmer times are coming and now is the perfect time to be preparing the garden and deciding what to plant. Here’s a handful of the best flowers, fruit and veg to consider bedding into your garden.
Picture
Marigolds - If you are keen on a nice pop of colour after months of winter bleakness then look no further than marigolds, relatively simple to grow, sow seeds from as early as March 'til as late as May and expect to see the beautiful rich hues of reds and golds until the autumn.
​
Picture
Clarkia - A member of the primrose family, clarkia is arguably one of the prettiest flowers to grace any garden. Although not native to the UK, its pretty pink and round flower heads are adored by many gardeners and are especially valued for their hardiness. These flowers like full sun and are ideal for beds or borders. Keep an eye out for stem rot and make sure that they are well drained.
​
Picture
Hanging Baskets - Although instant hanging baskets are often more convenient or offer an immediate and easy way to brighten up a garden or outdoor space, it is incredibly rewarding to begin thinking about planting your hanging baskets yourself so that they have time to establish for those warmer weather bank holidays or social gatherings. Plan your colour theme or consider what bees or butterflies you want to attract. Consider which plants thrive in close proximity and which might be inviting pests and other unwelcome visitors.
​
Picture
Peas - An old summer traditional task for the children was to shell peas. If you fancy rekindling your childhood memories or just want your own kids to enjoy the same experiences you had, then why not try planting peas? Peas can be sown outside for a long window in the calendar year from February to June. Don’t forget to source bamboo sticks or something similar as a trellis to train peas to stand proud.
​
Picture
Lettuce - Although lettuce may not be perceived as the most exciting of plants, lettuce is very simple to grow and has endless benefits in the summer and offers lots of opportunities for quick, homegrown salads for barbecues and healthy eating options. In fact, the only challenge with lettuce is that the slugs and butterflies are also well aware of its value and like to take a nibble. You can even extend the season by planting the first seedlings earlier in the year and then another batch later on to keep a perpetual crop.
​
Picture
Pumpkins - If you would like to get ahead on this delicious autumn produce then late Spring until about May is the best time to begin sowing seeds and looking at ways to keep them nice and warm. With hundreds of varieties of pumpkins, why not see if you can grow a rarer variety for the autumn or begin planning recipes now.
0 Comments

    Author

    Showcasing the best of North Scotland.

    Archives

    August 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023

    Categories

    All
    Business Advice
    Business Support
    Business Tips
    Charity
    Gardening
    Walks By Tracy

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • STOCKISTS
  • ADVERTISE
  • BACK ISSUES
  • CONTACT
  • Blog