Eric Martyn

Success for merseyside against blood cancers awareness raiser 

THE GREAT AND THE GOOD OF THE LIVERPOOL CITY REGION STEPPED OUT AT LUNYA RESTAURANT ON HANOVER STREET IN SUPPORT OF MERSEYSIDE AGAINST BLOOD CANCERS – AKA THE BLOOM APPEAL

ORGANISED by the Ubiquity Collective and supported by Wellness in the City, Peter and Elaine Kinsella, founders of the multi-award-winning Lunya restaurant and bar, played host to over 100 guests.

They heard about the various types of Blood Cancers, including Elaine speaking of her own experience, having been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma back in January 2021.

Abi Pointing, chair of the trustees said: “It gives me great pleasure to see so many different organisations represented here. Our work of providing grants to blood cancer patients, and investment in research would not be possible without the generosity of your support. My thanks to Peter and Elaine for hosting the event, and to Wellness in the City for supporting it. I look forward to seeing you at our future events.”

Those in attendance also discovered more about the Bloom Appeal’s forthcoming events, including their Winter in Bloom Festive Ball, and how they could donate to help the Charity.

It invests all donations in a variety of ways that range from supporting research to help in finding a cure for Blood Cancers, the funding of training, purchasing equipment, and providing financial assistance for individuals who suffer from a Blood Cancer condition.

The Winter In Bloom Ball is the Charity’s biggest event of the year and a great opportunity for people to support their cause.

The Ball takes place at the Liner Hotel on Friday November 22nd and there will be a warm winter welcome from their wonderful patron, Roger Phillips, before guests sit down to a delicious three- course dinner, followed by a fundraising auction and raffle, the evening ending with live music and dancing until late.

https://thebloomappeal.org.uk/winter-in-bloom-festive-ball-coming-soon-on-22nd-november-2024-at-the-liner-hotel-liverpool/

 

 

Rotary st helens launches ‘unzip the silence’ mental health and wellbeing campaign

Rotary St Helens launches ‘UnZip The Silence’ mental health and wellbeing campaign

A community-based organisation based in St Helens has launched a Borough-wide campaign aimed at reducing the incidence of poor mental health and its debilitating effects.

St Helens has one of the highest rates of mental ill health, self-harm, and suicide in the country. Rotary St Helens, which has supported the community for over 100 years, has now decided that urgent action is needed to help reduce these numbers.

Paul Winstanley, Youth Lead at Rotary St Helens said at the launch in St Helens town centre’s Parish Church on World Mental Health Day: “Through conversations with local people and given the scale of the issue in 2024, it became clear that there’s confusion about where to seek help quickly. When someone’s in a bad place, searching for the right information online can be overwhelming, so people often suffer in silence.”

Paul and fellow members of Rotary St Helens believe the solution is ‘UnZip the Silence’ – a new creative campaign for the Borough that includes posters with a designated QR code.

He continued: “Once scanned, the QR code takes the user directly to the help they need, removing the hassle of searching online and navigating multiple support options.”

Rotary St Helens members, with experience in mental health and welfare, presented the idea to Ruth Du Plessis, Director of Public Health, Integrated Health and Social Care, and Mental Health Practitioner Matthew Thompson.

“Both Ruth and Matt felt the concept was a strong addition to the support already offered by the NHS, St Helens Council, and other agencies,” Paul added.

At the event, Matthew Thompson, spoke about the mental health challenges across the borough. He highlighted suicides for 2021 -23 in which St Helens ranks as 11th highest in England and 3rd highest in the North West, “this being the highest rate seen since 1999,” he said.

Dr Michelle Loughlin, FFPH, Consultant in Public Health, at St Helens Borough Council, spoke about how ‘UnZip The Silence’ “is so important in supporting the community as it signposts people in an easy and assessable way to the various types of support that is available which people may be totally unaware of.  I’d like to thank Rotary St Helens for the work they are doing, supporting both St Helens Council and the NHS in helping the community.”

At the presentation, representatives from four charities, namely, QWELL, MIND, Young Carers and Chrysalis Centre explained to the audience how their charities support mental health and the community. All the charities can be found via the ‘UnZip The Silence’ QR code.

Poster and QR Code below:

https://qrco.de/UnziptheSilence

 

 

Hundreds of guests to attend prestigious awards night at shakespeare north playhouse

Builder Book, creators of the award-winning Builder Book ‘Planet Pack’ project are to host their biggest event yet at Shakespeare North Playhouse this Wednesday.

Natalie Reeves Billing, co-founder of the CIC behind the project alongside Jude Lennon said the launch gives them an opportunity to show all the work that has gone on throughout the campaign by their team, their community plus generous sponsors.

“It takes a village, and none of it could happen without collaboration. There are so many businesses and private sector figureheads to thank, especially our headline sponsors The Print Room and Wild Thang.

Then there are our many industry sponsors like Meet Sean O Neill, LJMU, Exceptional Care, Puzzle Duck, Everton In The Community, Can Cook/Well Fed, Flintshire County Council, The Duchy of Lancaster Benevolence Fund and Shakespeare North Playhouse itself. I also want to draw special attention to Downtown in Business’s ever popular network and how helpful Frank McKenna and the team have been.

Plus, there’s the tremendous community spirit that exists on Merseyside and North Wales. Numbers for the launch are currently approaching 325 guests!”

Natalie spoke of the opportunity to celebrate the region’s young people, and their vision of the future.

“Every year, we conduct a competition for children, contained within our activity boxes. This year we asked children to send us their drawings of a better world, their visions, and their inventions. We then found a venue in which to display them, a grand location within our city region.”

Now seven lucky young winners will receive the recognition they richly deserve with guests enjoying a priority preview of their work at the exhibition. This will showcase the entries of primary school-aged children from across Liverpool, Merseyside, Ellesmere Port and Flintshire, North Wales. Plus, there will be a presentation of The Guides Guiding Badge after participants from The Brownies used their Planet Packs to complete a Brownies Badge called ‘I Help The Planet.’

“This year we have partnered with charity, Shakespeare North Playhouse, to exhibit the work of our children which we know from feedback has made them feel seen, empowered and inspired.”

Natalie added: “This partnership has been great for us, enabling Builder Book to bring our community into the amazing space that is the Shakespeare North Playhouse. It’s a very prestigious collaboration, something we are proud and excited about, and it will help guests new to the venue to see all that it has to offer. We hope it’s the start of a beautiful long-term working relationship. We’d love that.”

There will be representation for every Borough Mayor of Merseyside plus entertainment from local dancers, singers, choirs, like the SINGME MERSEYSIDE choir, Liverpool Signing Choir, and Opera singer Sophie Clarke.

Local Poet Joseph Roberts and Dance troop MD Productions under the leadership of Miguel Doforo will be on hand too plus there will be a chance to network with a high calibre business audience throughout the event.

The evening will be hosted by the BAFTA award-winning, Simon O’ Brien alongside event host and media personality, Roy Basnett.

Evonne Bixter, Head of Engagement at Shakespeare North Playhouse summed up perfectly, the collaboration and theme of the event:

“We are delighted to support this year’s Builder Book project and feel honoured to host the awards ceremony and exhibition of entries from eco designers and inventors of the future, recognising the vital importance of nurturing young creatives whose innovations will shape a bolder, braver and more sustainable world.”

Multiple award-winning uk restaurant brand in unique transfer of ownership

Lunya Restaurant & Deli Transitions To Employee Ownership

 

Nationally acclaimed Catalonian-inspired eatery Lunya has become employee-owned.

 

Their transition, unique to the hospitality industry in the UK, will enable co-owners Peter & Elaine Kinsella to eventually retire and secure Lunya’s future and preserve its core values.

 

Lunya is best known for bringing the authentic flavours of Spain to the UK, having been founded in 2010 by the Kinsella’s.

 

The brand has become a beloved destination for food lovers in Liverpool and across the country offering an authentic taste of Catalonia and Spain with a modern twist.

 

The brand has collected multiple awards and built a loyal customer base through its commitment to quality, passion for Spanish cuisine, and dedication to exceptional service.  Still unsurpassed, it has twice been winner of the Good Food Guide Northwest Restaurant of the Year.

 

Peter enthused that he was proud to announce Lunya’s transition to employee ownership, which has been achieved by selling the shares in the company to an employee ownership trust (EOT).

“This significant change marks a new chapter in Lunya’s journey, as it places the future of the business in the hands of our dedicated staff, ensuring the continuation of our unique culinary and cultural experience for years to come.”

 

Peter maintained that the transition to employee-ownership “would ensure Lunya’s core values and commitment to quality remain intact.”

 

He continued: “The move to employee ownership reflects Elaine’s and my belief that the people who have been integral to Lunya’s success should have a stake in its future. This new structure not only rewards the hard work and dedication of the staff but also empowers them to play a direct role in the restaurant’s continued growth and innovation as we gradually retire.”

 

Co-owner Elaine was diagnosed with Myeloma in 2021, an incurable blood cancer, and has taken a back seat in the business.  Peter will continue to actively lead Lunya for years to come, hoping to fully retire within an approximate 7-year timescale, but scaling back some of his involvement over that time.

 

His role will be that of Executive Chairman, or as Peter describes it, ‘the palate and principles of the business’, still working actively in the business, and mentoring the management team.

 

Tom Cavanagh, the Director of Operations who has been managing Lunya on a day-to-day basis for nearly two years said: “The team is really excited by this opportunity given to us by Peter and Elaine.

“We are very grateful for their generosity, in effect, gifting us the business, and we plan to continue to run and develop Lunya, so it continues to be recognised as one of the very best Spanish restaurants in the UK. Personally, I love leading the business and will be working very closely with Peter and Elaine, so they get the retirement they deserve in the future.”

 

Pete added: “Elaine and I have always believed in the power of our team and their dedication to making Lunya the special place it is today. By transitioning to an employee-owned model, we are ensuring that Lunya’s unique character, passion for Catalan culture, and commitment to excellence will be preserved for generations to come.”

 

Under the new EOT model, Lunya’s employees will increasingly have a greater say in the business’s strategic direction and a stake in its financial success. This model fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose, ensuring that every team member is invested in delivering an exceptional dining experience to customers.

 

Elaine and Peter hope an EOT will encourage staff to stay for longer and financially benefit long term from their involvement.

 

Elaine in paying a special tribute to the team said: “This transition is a testament to the incredible people who make up the Lunya family. Our team is at the heart of everything we do, and we are thrilled to see them take an even greater role in shaping the future of Lunya. We believe this new chapter will bring fresh ideas, renewed energy, and continued success; and eventually significant financial rewards for our team.”

The legal arrangements for the EOT have been carried out by Brabners LLP with the financial arrangements delivered by Mitchell Charlesworth Accountants.

 

Partner at Brabners, Stephen Hadlow said:

 

“The move to employee-ownership heralds a bright new chapter for Lunya, but without sacrificing the brand integrity and independence Peter and Elaine have built over the years.

“Supporting one of Liverpool’s quintessential food destinations on its adoption of employee-ownership demonstrates the versatility of the EO model as a succession strategy which now spans a wide and increasingly diverse spectrum of industry sectors.”

 

www.lunya.co.uk

Soul crew land in liverpool this weekend to support cancer charities

A soul music fanatic with a big heart has created a marathon eight hour dance session in Liverpool this weekend and all for two great causes.
Paul Bird who is a big supporter of the UK soul scene has brought together an impressive line-up of some of the UK’s top DJ’s to support cancer charities.
She spoke personally with My Planet Liverpool explaining why she created the event dubbed Birdy’s Fundraiser.
“I love the soul fraternity that I meet when regularly travelling up and down the length and breadth of the country and I wanted to bring some of that vibe back home to Liverpool in the form of an event.
“I then decided what better way to do that than theme it for personal reasons as a fundraiser supporting our friends and family who have been suffering and also thankfully coming out the other side, healthy.”
With the help of one of Liverpool’s most popular music venues, District in the Baltic Triangle, hundreds of soul lovers will be descending on the venue from 2pm til 10pm tomorrow in aid of Sunflowers Cancer Support Liverpool & Prostate Cancer UK.
Entry is free for the 2pm til 10pm event with raffle tickets purchased guaranteeing entry into a prize draw containing 30 top prizes.
We’re really looking forward to the event, especially Uncle B’s Caribbean cooking!

2030hub dominating sustainability agenda in liverpool throughout global goals week

Global Goals Week, a campaign of activities, launches and debates to raise awareness and inspire action on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals has been taking place across the city.

The Goals are a set of 17 interconnected aims that were adopted by all United Nations member states back in 2015. They address a wide range of global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation.

Global Goals Week Liverpool has been organised by 2030hub, the world’s first UN-regcognised Local 2030 Hub committed to promoting sustainability across Liverpool City Region, and internationally.

“It’s our fifth campaign and a growing opportunity for the whole City Region to come together and show the world our commitment to creating a more sustainable future,” said David Connor, Founder of 2030hub, and a UN Foundation Advisor..

“We hope that this week will inspire leaders and individuals to take bolder action on the Goals in their own lives and in communities at home and abroad.”

2030hub has acted for 8 years as the sustainability link, support and “provocateur across sectors, geographies, influence and siloes to help everybody understand we can create impact faster when we act together,” added Stephen Sykes, 2030hub Co-Founder.

Highlights of Global Goals Week Liverpool have included:

Launch of GGW Ambassadors led by Sophia Polson, climate advocate and photographer

High-level panel discussion with British Council & UNESCO on the role of culture in SDGs at British Music Experience

Conference on ‘Building Sustainable Cities Beyond 2030’ focusing on built-environment challenges at St George’s Hall

Outdoor GGW media content across 10x screens courtesy of Open Media

LJMU announcing the launch their new climate institute – LiRICS

2030hub launching 2030academy – a new LCR specific sustainability workforce training initiative

Liverpool FC also hosting a New York based Climate Week event whilst in the US

Pictured: David Connor celebrating today’s ‘sold out’ ‘Building Sustainable Cities Beyond 2030 Conference’ at St George’s Hall.

Further information is available from David ConnorFounder, 2030hub

[email protected] / +44(0) 7904 113467.

About 2030hub

2030hub is the world’s first UN-recognised Local2030 Hub and active member of the Local2030 Coalition, a UN movement of cities accelerating impact using the SDGs. 2030hub is also a certified B Corp – www.the2030hub.com / @2030hub

Sleeptember hacks from breathing re-educator is timely advice for business

This month sees the annual awareness campaign ‘Sleeptember’ emerge again which highlights how to get a good night’s sleep.

One pioneering business helping both corporate and community-driven organisations sleep better is Sniff Sigh Yawn, a Liverpool-based company operating nationally across the UK.

It’s founder Joel Jelen who has worked in both sectors and also runs marketing agency the Ubiquity Collective maintains that how well you sleep is determined by how you breathe during the day.

“You won’t have a day full of positive energy if you breathe dysfunctionally whether that’s hidden or awareness-based. Similarly when you do breathe sub-optimally daytime, it can have a major effect on your ability to get to sleep and stay asleep.”

Jelen points to how mouth breathing and chest breathing are the most common mistakes people make when it comes to breathing, most likely because they take it for granted.

“Nose breathing and diaphragm breathing however, are game changers. This improves brain, muscle and nerve function with a huge impact on mood, focus, productivity at work, exercise performance and the ability to remain calm and mentally strong.

“Multiple studies show a link between mouth breathing and poor sleep. Nasal breathing enables you to spend more time in deep, restorative sleep. That’s how the mouth taping craze has emerged even though I first mentioned it in the 90s.”

Jelen only recommends this under strict supervision.

“If you have been hyperventilating your way through the day, at least think of sleep as an event”, adds Jelen.

“Breathing slower half an hour before bedtime and eating a low protein meal three hours before sleep are just two ways that can create a significant improvement in getting uninterrupted sleep.”

Want some more hints, tips and hacks on getting better sleep?

Email [email protected] or visit: www.sniffsighyawn.com.

Local authors create 10,000 literacy packs for young people with vision to provide one to every child in liverpool

Authors Natalie Reeves-Billing and Jude Lennon, the brains behind Split Perspectivz CIC’s Builder Book initiative, have delivered 10,000 free ‘Planet Packs’ to schools and community organisations across the Liverpool City Region in an initiative to support children’s literacy and wellbeing, and encourage young people to engage more in their learning.

The Planet Packs are designed to go beyond traditional reading kits, offering comprehensive educational tools that enhance reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in an engaging and playful way.

Having previously created packs in the past, centred around Child Mental Health, road safety, Eurovision and creativity, the latest iteration is focused on sustainability placing a focus on food, clothing, green energy and construction.

Young people are able to engage in various activities, puzzles and reading to learn more about these different topics, while promoting family involvement, encouraging parents and children to spend quality time together while developing their all important communication skills.

Through sponsorship and wider support, Natalie and Jude have set a target to reach 10,000 young people across the Liverpool City Region each year, but their vision is to be able to provide every young person in the region with a Builder Book Planet Pack, to bring fun back to learning and improve education outcomes in the city.

One organisation enhancing young people’s learning with the Builder Book Planet Pack is Everton in the Community. Everton in the Community, who deliver more than 60 projects and initiatives a year, each specifically designed and developed to combat societal challenges, is delivering multiple packs within its youth groups throughout the summer holidays, and is holding group sessions to engage with the digital treasure hunt smartphone app, and travel around the city.

Speaking about its involvement with Builder Book, Mick King, Senior Programme Manager for Education and Pathways, at Everton in the Community, said: “There are many fantastic community organisations doing great work across the Liverpool City Region, and, here at Everton in the Community, we jump at any opportunity to collaborate with like-minded people and businesses.

“The Builder Book programme really aligns with our objectives to provide unique experiences and opportunities to children and young people; combining literacy and creativity for the education of sustainability was an attractive opportunity that we couldn’t pass up.

“The early concept designs were fantastic, you could really get a feel of how the programme would work, and we worked with nine of our partner schools very closely to understand the groups of young people who would benefit the most from engaging with the packs; knowing that the Planet Packs would compliment the work we have already done in those schools.

“The young people are most excited to see how they can engage with the packs through their smartphones, with the addition of the digital treasure hunt; bringing technology into learning is something Everton in the Community currently do across our education programmes, and it always generates excitement.

“Our city is so rich in heritage and culture, so providing families the opportunity to learn and explore this together will further enhance the positive experiences possible through Builder Book’s Planet Pack.”

At the very end of the Planet Pack, once young people have fully completed the activities and treasure hunt, they are invited to create their own innovative invention that could make the world a better place, with all entrants having the opportunity to be showcased at Shakespeare North Playhouse.

Speaking about this, Mick continued: “We know how proud children can be when they see their work on school walls and displays, so to have their competition entries visible in such a prestigious location as the Shakespeare North Playhouse is a brilliant opportunity and experience.

We will be encouraging all children, across our partner schools and those within our summer holiday groups, to enter this fantastic competition.”

To find out more head to www.builder-book.com

Flatdot marketing celebrates 5 years this month

A Liverpool-based digital marketing agency celebrates five years this month (September) having gathered a flourishing roster of manufacturing clients over the period.

Flatdot Marketing based at Baltic Creative Campus began inspiring technically geared companies to maximise their marketing message after directors Andy Flatman and Jack Dotchin struck up a business relationship at a former agency.

The dynamic duo now lists an impressive portfolio of brands, both regional and national. 

Their current portfolio includes the likes of RS Clare & Co, one of their longest-standing clients. They have recently completed the acquisition of another company (Igralub) whom they are now helping to strengthen their brand expertise.

Jack maintains that one of the firm’s biggest challenges to date is just an opportunity in disguise.

“With AI and other developments, the SEO landscape is constantly changing and evolving which provides a challenge to all SEO professionals. A true expert understands how to stay on top of these developments and above all is transparent with clients on what this means to their performance.”

One of Flatdot’s biggest successes has been working with manufacturing companies like RS Clare to help pinpoint their SEO strategy.

“We’ve become very adept at tailoring SEO for technical manufacturing businesses who are experts in their respective fields,” adds Andy.

Flatdot is largely recognised for supporting clients in answering the right questions. That is, to help align a client’s content strategy according to the questions customers ask.

Andy continued: “We work directly with clients throughout the process. Andy and I are hands-on and deliver work on all projects, along with managing work from our partners directly for our clients.”

The company acknowledges how Google “continues to update and change frequently which provides opportunities for flexible and creative SEO agencies like us to achieve very good results for clients,” says Andy.

“As we take on more manufacturing clients, we see more opportunities to share best practices and the tactics which are most effective between their campaigns.” 

“Collaborating with other experts as well to provide additional skills around technical SEO and planning ROI-driven content strategies has been pivotal to business growth especially amongst the manufacturing sector,” concluded Jack.

 

Honeyrose foundation thank nicholson group for support after acquisition of iconic building…

The founder of a charity which grants wishes to over-40s facing terminal and life-threatening illnesses has thanked Nicholson Group after they acquired the iconic building from which they operate and eliminated all property debts owed.

 

Lynn Duffy MBE says the HoneyRose Foundation, now in its 20th year, has “helped over 12,500 individuals and their families, providing them with moments of joy and respite amidst their most challenging times. We will now continue to do so thanks to Paul and Nicholson Group.”

 

Based in St Helens, the charity serves the entire North West of England.

 

Paul Nicholson, CEO of Nicholson Group said: “When I was approached that there was an opportunity to acquire another iconic building in the town centre, from reviewing the situation it became apparent that anyone who took on the challenge of acquiring the property must act in the best interest of the community and the HoneyRose Foundation.

 

“In order to ensure the future of the charity we took the decision to clear all of the debts of the charity so it had a clean slate to allow it to flourish whilst continuing its vital work in the community. It’s been extremely hard for the HoneyRose Foundation like so many charities we know and support, given the pandemic and the economic aftermath.

 

“We’ll be supporting The HoneyRose Foundation for their 20th anniversary ball having bought a table and we’d encourage many other like-minded businesses in St Helens to consider doing the same.”

 

When questioned about plans for the HoneyRose Building, Nicholson added: “We have acquired an office building which we are currently undertaking due diligence on as to the viability of several uses subject to prevailing demands. We have no plans at present. We wish to discuss our proposals with the council in order that any decision and subsequent application we do make is in line with their strategy for the town and its ongoing regeneration.”

 

#regeneration #property #charity #sthelens #community