Get ready to elevate your space and boost your property’s appeal with Sassy Property Styling’s brand-new ‘Spruce Up for Spring’ Course! Exclusively on the Sassy Stylers App, this course is perfect for homeowners looking to refresh their space and create a show-stopping look for the spring market.
For their INTRO OFFER OF JUST £50 (normally RRP £200) you’ll gain expert insights and practical tips to transform your home with confidence. Whether you’re preparing to sell or simply want to breathe new life into your space, this course will guide you through every step with ease.
So, what does our course include? ✅ Decluttering, Freshening Up & Defining Your Vision: Learn how to clear out the clutter, re-energize your space, and create a vision that enhances your home’s unique charm.
✅ Styling & Refreshing Key Spaces: We’ll focus on high-impact areas that attract buyers and create that unforgettable first impression.
✅ Harmony Indoors & Outdoors: Create a seamless flow between your interior and exterior to maximize your property’s appeal.
✅ Showcasing Your Transformation: Learn how to present your space in the best light and highlight its full potential.
✅ Step-by-Step Workbook: Stay on track with a detailed workbook that breaks down each step and helps you bring your vision to life.
✅ Weekly Check-In with Anne Sowerby: Gain insider tips and expert advice from Anne during our weekly check-in sessions where you can ask questions and fine-tune your styling.
Whether you’re looking to attract buyers or simply fall back in love with your home, ‘Spruce Up for Spring’ has everything you need to transform your space with style and confidence.
Charitable organisations and voluntary groups with a CA13 postcode are being invited to join Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade for free this April.
The Chamber exists to promote the town to locals and visitors alike, showcasing the wealth of independent businesses and telling the world why Cockermouth is such a great place to eat, drink, shop, explore and enjoy.
There’s a website packed with business listings which receives more than 11,000 views a month and consistently ranks on the first page of Google, with an interactive map which shows every member’s location. The Chamber has a social media following of over 9,000 people on the Cockermouth Town accounts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. They produce a monthly e-newsletter with 4,000 subscribers, and deliver a glossy magazine to all CA13 postcodes three times a year, with extra copies going to accommodation providers and visitors. Members have the opportunity to feature in all of these, as well as broader media coverage.
The Chamber team is currently giving a big push to ‘experiences’ – all those activities which are perfect to keep the family entertained, to add to a great night out, and to enrich people’s lives. That could be live music, sport or leisure, or social activities which bring people together.
Joe Murray is co-chair of the Chamber and manager of The Children’s Society shop on Main Street. He said: “We think Cockermouth is a great town and community activities are a huge part of this. We want to promote them as much as possible.
“It costs less than £50 a year to join but, if voluntary organisations join during April 2025, we will give them a year’s membership free. Maybe you’re a sports club, a church group, a community-based charity, a children’s group, or something completely different.”
This offer is only available to organisations which offer community activities and do not make a profit. The Chamber Executive reserves the right to refuse those who it believes do not meet this criteria. The free membership offer only applies for those completing the application form before 11.59pm on 30 April 2025.
Check out the upcoming events with Sacred Space, where Simone Walters, an intuitive holistic healer, Reiki Master, Womb Reiki practitioner, Women’s Circle facilitator, Yoga & Meditation teacher, and Children’s Yoga instructor, will guide you through a transformative journey.
Here’s the list of enriching events In March that you can book on:
Beginner Yoga 🧘♀️ Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM-11:30 AM Location: Soul Work Studio 95 Corporation Road, Workington, CA14 2PN A beautiful slow flowing, mindful session for Beginners in which we will work with our bodies and to create stillness and peace. You do NOT have to be flexible or be able to touch your toes! We work with the mobility and ability of YOUR body. This session will include a Soundbath Shavasana to Complete your Practice – Ensuring full relaxation and reset of the soul.
Sound Bath 🎶 Date: Friday, March 7, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM Location: Essence Wellness, 109-111 Senhouse Street, Maryport, CA15 6BU Are you ready to cleanse and recalibrate your energetic body with the use of vibrational sound resonance. Sound healing is the use of sound frequencies and vibrations to bring the emotional, physical and mental bodies back into a balance for complete harmony and sense of total wellbeing. When we use specific frequencies or vibrations we activate a deep healing response within, which then brings us back into alignment with our own personal lifeforce energy. It shifts our brain waves to a state of relaxed consciousness, or even into a state of deep meditation. Aiding deep sleep and/or internal healing. Get ready to be the most relaxed you’ve ever been….
Restorative Yoga Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 Time: 7:15 PM- 8:35 PM What better way to gift yourself some deep relaxation and self care of the highest, than with a dose of self care and a whole bunch of rest and relaxation. This is Yoga… but resting!! 😴 Does this sound a bit of you?! Are you ready to continue the beginning 2025 in a restful and restorative way. Start as you mean to go on…?! Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally in a state of blissssss. 💕Using the cork blocks, bolsters, blankets and eye pillows, you will be guiding into sumptuously relaxing asanas (postures) that calm the nervous system, lower heart and Blood Pressure and ease aches, pains and tired joints. Suitable for all abilities, ages and flexibility as the props do all the time whilst you pleasantly doze away with no cares in the world.
After the restorative poses there will be a yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) and a soulful Soundbath to end the session!
⚠️ Caution; this may be the most relaxed you’ve ever been!!! ⚠️
Beginner Yoga 🧘♀️ Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM-11:30 AM Location: Soul Work Studio 95 Corporation Road, Workington, CA14 2PN A beautiful slow flowing, mindful session for Beginners in which we will work with our bodies and to create stillness and peace. You do NOT have to be flexible or be able to touch your toes! We work with the mobility and ability of YOUR body. This session will include a Soundbath Shavasana to Complete your Practice – Ensuring full relaxation and reset of the soul.
Sound Bath ~ Root Chakra Date: Friday, March 21, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM-07:15 PM Location: Essence Wellness, 109-111 Senhouse Street, Maryport, CA15 6BU Have you been feeling unsteady, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode? If you’ve answered yes, your Root Chakra may be blocked and calling for deep cleansing and realignment.Join us for a soul nourishing Sound Bath designed to clear blockages, release fear and restore your sense of safety and belonging. Through the healing vibrations of sound and guided meditation, we will gently reset your energy helping you to feel more grounded, secure and empowered.
The Root Chakra is the foundation of your energetic system…when balanced you feel safe, supported and deeply connected to yourself and the world around you. When blocked, it can manifest as anxiety, worry, stress, insecurity and/or physical tension.During this sacred session you will be enveloped in the soothing sounds of crystal singing bowls, chimes and the grounding tones of Tibetan bowls to guide you into a state of deep relaxation where true healing can begin.
✨ This is for you if you; ❤️ Feel anxious, restless, or ungrounded. ❤️ Want to release old fears and step into deeper trust. ❤️ Desire a safe space to relax, restore and reconnect with yourself.
To integrate the healing and cleansing, you will each receive Reiki healing towards the end of the session.
Black Cats Club ~ Two children Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Location: Soul Work Studio. 95 Corporation Road, Workington, CA14 2PN ✨ Do you have little who would love to learn magic? 🪄 🧙This is a fun and interactive class for children aged between 7 and 12.📖 We will be learning spell work, crystals, herbs, chants, the wondrous mysteries of nature and sacred spiritualness!! The club will be monthly and will run for two hours. Parents and Carers may stay or leave the children to be collected afterwards. I am fully DBS checked and cleared.
Black Cats Club Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Location: Soul Work Studio. 95 Corporation Road, Workington, CA14 2PN ✨ Do you have little who would love to learn magic? 🪄 🧙This is a fun and interactive class for children aged between 7 and 12.📖 We will be learning spell work, crystals, herbs, chants, the wondrous mysteries of nature and sacred spiritualness!! The club will be monthly and will run for two hours. Parents and Carers may stay or leave the children to be collected afterwards. I am fully DBS checked and cleared.
✨ Do you have a young maiden who would love to learn magic, the wonders of nature, spirit and energy? 🍂This is a fun and interactive class for young women aged between 12 and 18.📖 We will be learning spell work, ritual work, crystals, herbs, chants, the wondrous mysteries of nature, our menstrual cycle and how to work with sacred spiritualness!!The club will be monthly and will run for two hours.
**I am fully DBS checked and cleared.
✨ All craft materials and items used will be included. ✨ Each young lady will receive an item to take home each week to continue their learning and practice. ✨ Drinks and snacks will be included. (Please make me aware of any dietary conditions upon booking.)
Reiki Level One Attunement ~ begin your journey to healing
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025 Time: 06:00 PM-8:30 PM Location: Soul Work Studio. 95 Corporation Road, Workington, CA14 2PN
✨ Are YOU ready to begin the magickal journey to self healing, happiness and greater connection to the universe? To one, to all and everything? ✨
✨ Have you been searching for a way to begin a spiritual healing journey? ✨ Have you been feeling or hearing a ‘call!’ for more? ✨ Are animals or children drawn to you? ✨ Do people often share with you details or secrets that they wouldn’t with others? ✨ Do you feel destined for more? ✨ Do your hands heat or heart centre ache when others need healing/help.
If you have answered yes to any or all of these, then your journey begins here!! You are more than ready to begin your energetic upgrade with the Reiki Level One Attunement.
💕 During this Workshop you will receive all the information you need to energetically download and receive the most beautiful gift of Universal light energy that is Usui Reiki healing.
🙏🏻 What will the days entail;
🌟 A learning manual for you to use throughout the workshop then keep to take home for your reference and continued learning. 🌟 Meet new friends who are like minded and will continue on this journey of pure magic with you. 🌟 Continued ongoing support from myself and my Reiki Master. 🌟Becoming a part of a beautiful, powerful lineage of healers. 🌟 Hot drinks and snacks throughout the day. 🌟 Access to higher energy and upgrades to your own. 🌟 The ability to channel and bestow Reiki healing to yourself and loved ones. 🌟 The receiving of Reiki healing from your fellow students.
Book your spot today and step into a space of transformation and empowerment with Simone Walters.
We are excited to announce our campaign to raise awareness for the Edington Centre, a day Centre in Penrith dedicated to providing care for adults with learning difficulties. Our mission is to amplify the voices of these incredible individuals by showcasing their daily activities and the beautiful Christmas crafts they create.
The campaign is being run by a group of Chartered Management Degree Apprentices, from the Ambleside Campus who have volunteered to share their knowledge and expertise in project management with the Edington Centre. They hope to help the Centre with their social media presence through which they can share the adventures of the service users and the activities they undertake, as well as advertising their “Old Christmas Tree” drive. The Centre uses old Christmas trees and upcycles them into festive wreaths and ornaments which they sell at school fairs and from the Centre itself.
The group felt it was important to be engaged with the Edington Centre service users, so two members of the Apprenticeship Team led the users in a Christmas Sing-a-Long session. It was a wonderfully enjoyable afternoon spent singing, dancing, shaking and jiggling Christmas bells and tambourines which brought a smile to everyone’s face. It was a great way for the apprenticeship team and the Centre to collaborate and have some fun, which strengthened the relationship with both groups.
Jie and Alan having a wonderful Christmas time.
Here are some examples of the beautiful crafts for sale from The Edington Centre.
Here are some examples of the beautiful crafts for sale from The Edington Centre.
The guys are already hard at work making crafts for next year!
The guys are already hard at work making crafts for next year!
We’d love the wider community to come visit the pages created and encourage everyone to like share and re-post our pages!
We may only be in early November, but it is never too early to plan child arrangements for the festive period. With the arrival of cold dark nights, it is becoming more apparent that Christmas is fast approaching.
Its completely natural for parents to want the experience of their child waking up with them in their home on Christmas morning. Separated parents find it challenging at the best of times to agree how to manage this after separation.
Many separated parents cannot reach an amicable agreement regarding contact, when they should be doing all that they can to give their children a wonderful experience, no matter who they are with.
Celebrating these special occasions are one of the highlights of being a parent and just because mum and dad are no longer together, does not mean that one is better than the other and that such special occasions should not be shared.
Not having an amicable arrangement, can cause distress for your children who, yes, will be at the centre of your row. In our experience such disagreements carry on way past the festive period and continue when arranging ongoing contact.
People do plan ahead and we find that this is probably the main cause of rows about arrangements. It is therefore your responsibility as parents to discuss your plans in advance to try and avoid such situations.
Who is entitled to have the children on Christmas Day?
There is currently no provision in law for Christmas arrangements. The view of the Court seems to be that children should spend quality time with both parents over Christmas and it is a child’s right to continue to have a personal relationship with their parents after separation – unless there is good reason not to. So again the advice is that parents try and reach agreement themselves.
Do bear in mind that if your child is old enough, it is very important to include their opinions in the decision-making process, so that you have their best interests at the centre of all discussions. Courts are only willing to intervene in the very last instance where all other options have been explored and still no agreement has been reached.
We advise parents to consider possible solutions such as their child spending Christmas Day with one parent and then Boxing Day with the other. This way it is almost as though the child is having two Christmas Days. A further option is to split Christmas Day up, Christmas Eve and Christmas morning will be spent with one parent and then Christmas afternoon and Boxing Day will be spent with the other parent. This could even be alternated each year. Some separated parents may have the child every year and invite the other parent to join them. We know this is not always possible however or practical.
Recording the agreement
Once you have a plan in place, the best thing to do is to put it in writing and send it to the other parent. Then if there are any subsequent issues, these can be resolved in good time before Christmas, and it should help to avoid any misunderstandings during the festive season.
In summary
Disagreements over child contact arrangements at Christmas are often emotionally charged and continue to be difficult to resolve, with the rows continuing even after the festive period has ended.
That said as long as you, as parents, are prepared to be reasonable and fair with each other and share such times, even the most heated disagreement can be resolved.
While the courts may make a decision on such matters, this is not a quick process and the decision they make may not be as you would wish.
How we can help
If the parties cannot agree, this is where we can help you work through the dispute and try to reach an amicable agreement. https://www.thwlegal.co.uk/contact-us/
By founder and editor of Showcase Cumbria, Mary Ballard
Co-owner of Essence Wellness Gemma Hornsby-Lofthouse explaining all about floatation therapy and answering any questions they had prior
As many of you can relate, buying presents for in-laws and parents can be difficult. You want to gift them something truly beneficial. When I came across Essence Wellness, I knew this was a great opportunity to gift my in-laws and husband the gift of health, so to speak.
Alan, my father-in-law, had a knee operation earlier this year and is now awaiting help on the other knee. With the wintry weather we were experiencing, I knew he would benefit from floatation therapy as well as my mother-in-law and husband. For myself, I opted for red light therapy, which is just 10 minutes. I liked the idea of not feeling achy and getting my body recharged. To my surprise, I found even more benefits as it helped with my asthma. I could breathe a lot better, and it soothed the aches that I got from asthma, that heavy weight asthma sufferers experience—like an elephant sitting on our chest. I came out of the red light therapy with no more pain and aches, and my chest felt pain-free, which was wonderful!
Essence Wellness Offerings
Floatation Therapy: This involves floating in a sensory deprivation tank filled with Epsom salt water, which allows you to float effortlessly. It helps reduce stress, alleviate pain, and improve sleep quality. For Alan, it was a perfect way to do leg exercises (bending/stretching) while feeling weightless, making it easier on his knees.
Red Light Therapy: This therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red light to treat various skin issues, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. For me, it not only recharged my body but also significantly improved my asthma symptoms, allowing me to breathe easier and feel less achy.
David Lofthouse, co-owner of Essence Wellness showing me how the Red Light Therapy works before my session on it.
Essence Wellness is also a health hub of other practitioners so you can also book the following there; From sound baths and stress management to reiki and functional fitness classes, we’ve got something for everyone.
Reviews from My In-Laws
Janet – Carlisle: “After a friendly greeting on arrival from Gemma and David, I felt welcomed and relaxed. A clear explanation was given about the benefits of using the floatation tank. I found the whole experience most pleasant and relaxing, and the service given was excellent. We certainly plan to go again. Thank you, Mary, for the treat and the recommendation.”
Alan – Carlisle: “Staff were very welcoming and knowledgeable. I found the floatation very relaxing and soothing, and it was also easy to do leg exercises (bending/stretching) when feeling weightless. I would recommend it to anybody who would like to switch off their busy world for an hour. 👍”
My Husband’s Experience
My husband has suffered for years with increased frequency of one side of his neck swelling up, often lasting two weeks with fever, chills, and a lot of pain. After a session of floatation therapy, he had a little bit of a swelling, but it went away very quickly and not the usual 2 weeks of suffering. It was almost like he sweated it out (he did actually that night) and we are super hopeful that he won’t get it again as that has not happened before and he said it felt different and he feels so much better. He has had many GP visits, even an X-ray these past years and nothing had helped so this is the closest he had gotten to relief and help which is miraculous!
Also during my visit, I had a skin consultation with Gemma Hornsby-Lofthouse (who had been a nurse for decades and also had the aesthetics side to Essence for around 6 years). Knowing my skin had experienced lots of sun exposure without sun cream protection, I wanted to improve it with a family wedding on the horizon next year. The session was really insightful, showing various photos of my skin and the damage it had experienced. I am now looking to get treatments and would recommend booking a consultation which you can do on here https://www.glowday.com/clinic/essence-cumbria/gemma-hornsby
By Mary Ballard, Founder and Editor of Showcase Cumbria
Dear Readers,
I am thrilled to share an exciting opportunity with you! As many of you know, I have recently embarked on a journey with Leader Connect (a Cumbrian-based company), and I am eager to tell you about the incredible courses they offer. Currently, there is a fantastic 25% discount that you simply cannot miss!
What has truly impressed me about Leader Connect is the quality of their courses. They are designed to be easily integrated into your busy schedule, making it possible to learn between work/running your business and meetings. I have already gained so much knowledge from these courses, and I am confident you will too.
Affordable and High-Quality Learning
Leader Connect offers courses at an affordable price point, which is a refreshing change from what is typically available. Most courses are priced at just £11.99 each and include a recap and certification upon completion. There are also courses available for as little as £3.79, and this is before applying the 25% discount!
Expert-Led Courses
These courses are created by recognised and experienced experts in their fields, including Leader Connect’s founder, Course Director, and Coach, Neil Jurd OBE, who is also the author of “The Leadership Book.”
Neil Jurd OBE, Leader Connect’s founder, Course Director, and Coach
If you haven’t had the chance to explore Leader Connect yet, I highly recommend visiting their website here
Full Podcast Collection: Dive into insightful discussions with industry leaders.
Exclusive Videos: Enjoy a variety of leadership videos, some of which are available without a subscription.
Special Offer
Use the code INTRO25 to get 25% off any course or the annual subscription for the first year. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your skills or those of your employees with top-notch content. It’s perfect for your Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
If you are interested in being a part of Leader Connect and have a course to offer, I would be happy to introduce you to Neil Jurd OBE. Just let me know! Email me on info@showcasecumbria.co.uk
By Richard Thompson, Co-Founder & Director of Odyssey Consulting Ltd
If you were building a house, you’d probably start by engaging an architect. Ideally a good one. That way, you can ensure the end product is well-built, on solid foundations fit for purpose and will last for years to come.
Workplace culture should be no different. Workplaces also need architects to craft healthy cultures that are well-built, on solid foundations, fit for purpose and will last for years to come. That’s how organisations will get the highest performance, the best retention rates and the least amount of risk.
Architects (of the building variety!) have years of training before they are let lose on the job. Leaders rarely have that luxury and are often thrown into leadership roles without the requisite learning and development to upskill them as culture architects. And that’s a mistake – organisations should be taking leadership development very seriously, investing in bespoke leadership development programmes that are tailored to their specific needs.
By its very nature, workplace culture is complex, nuanced and can be difficult to navigate. Leaders need to have the skills, knowledge and experience to handle tricky issues in order to set the tone and continually drive workplace culture forward. It’s also a never-ending job – culture shifts and changes like sand and leaders need to evolve and move with the times.
Off-the-shelf or one-off training interventions can be helpful but tend to be more educational in nature. To truly develop leaders into culture architects requires a more transformational approach that is delivered consistently over a period of time. Here’s how you can achieve that:
· Be intentional about creating a strategic goal for your leadership development programme – what are you hoping to achieve?;
· Create multiple touchpoints – workshops, 1:1 coaching, group coaching and self led-learning;
· Design content off the back of research – use your employee voice to understand where the skills and behavioural gaps are;
· Allow time for the learning to bed-in – learning touchpoints should be interspersed to allow time for reflection and practice;
· Create community learning spaces – cohorts should be encouraged to continue the conversation;
· Have an eye on return on investment – how will impact be measured to understand what comes next.
As we move towards 2025, it is a good time for employers to reflect on the culture they currently have, the culture they aspire to create and to think about how they can nurture and develop their leaders to become true culture architects.
If you would like to discuss how Odyssey Consulting Ltd can help your leaders to become culture architects, please contact Richard Thompson via email richard@odyssey-consulting.co.uk or head to odyssey-consulting.co.uk to find out more.
Chance to meet Professor Pumpernickel at UlverSTEM
The ever-popular UlverSTEM returns for its 6th year, as always, the day promises to be full of hands on fun activities to engage young people in STEM. Even bigger and even better than previous years, the event will once again take place at Ulverston Victoria High School, Springfield Road, Ulverston on Saturday 16th November, bring the family and drop in anytime between 9.30am – 4pm.
Aimed at 6-16 year olds, UlverSTEM is a free STEM educational event, an opportunity for young people and their families to discover and be excited about the prospect and opportunities that STEM subjects can offer in terms of education and a career. The day will feature a whole host of interactive and fun activities, if you would like to meet a robot, take part in fun chemistry experiments, or just learn more about how much fun science, technology, engineering and maths can be, then come along!
UlverSTEM is a great opportunity to meet local employers and find out more about what they do, this includes Siemens Energy, Oxley, Bender UK, Kimberly-Clark, NHS, BAE Systems, GSK, Orsted, the NHS, the Police and many more. There are shows and presentations throughout the day, with guests including the famous Professor Pumpernickel, Science Viking and Science Made Simple.
Career opportunities and skills development will also be key themes of the event, UlverSTEM is proud to partner with Furness Education & Skills Partnership. Alongside FESP, the event will be supported by Cumbria Careers Hub and local colleges and universities.
Free parking is available for visitors to UlverSTEM, the UVHS car park on Springfield Road, Ulverston LA12 0EB will be open, food and drink will also be available to purchase in the UVHS canteen.
Follow UlverSTEM social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out more and you can find out more on https://fesp.org.uk/ulverstem/
🎄 Do you dream of a home that’s perfectly styled for Christmas but just can’t seem to find the time or motivation?
This year, it’s time for a change!
Join Sassy Property Styling Ltd Exclusive 6-week “Get Your Home Christmas Ready” program, and let them show you how to transform your space with ease, style, and joy.
Registration open NOW! First 10 to book pay just £399 🎁
