Life In Orpington February 2021

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ISSUE 24 . FEBRUARY 2021

5 social media etiquette rules THE GREEN TECH REVOLUTION

Healthy eating in older age Your cute pet pictures

A T IM E T A E G A P E N O O M M U N IT Y C E H T G IN IR P IN S

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2 Life in... Orpington February 2021

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Welcome to Life in ORPINGTON... ...your local community magazine that has something to suit all tastes

Lauretta Nicky

CONTENTS

Welcome to the February issue – and hopefully by now there’s light at the end of a very long tunnel with regards to Covid-19.

We anticipate that the learning lessons of last year will continue this year, with people putting their family and their home at the top of their priority list. And hopefully, when we are in a safer position to travel again, it will be nice to plan and look forward to taking a well-deserved holiday.

February 2021

Community News

Getting to know Orpington....................... 4 Write it, Say it, Message it PRIZE GIVEAWAY.................................... 7 Noticeboard.............................................. 8 Mayor's Voice......................................... 11

Back to this month though and we’ve got Valentine’s Day on 14th and Shrove Tuesday on 16th to look forward to – and to keep an eye on our own New Year’s Resolutions. What do you have planned for this year? Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines. co.uk with your best laid plans. Us? We’ve realised that you can’t put a price on self-care and that good friends have always got your back – through both good times and the bad. So we’ll be celebrating both this year.

What’s On This Month ............................................. 14

Lifestyle

In the meantime, we’re super pleased that this month’s issue has got some brilliant contributors – from our Final Thought piece (The uncertainty of going back into the workplace) by Zeenat Noorani, to a wonderful five-minute Short Story read (Valentine’s Evening) by Stella Eames. From start to finish, you’re guaranteed to learn something new or be entertained.

Puzzle Page - PRIZE GIVEAWAY........... 18 Did You Know......................................... 19 Shopping................................................ 20 Pets........................................................ 23 Eco......................................................... 24 Health & Beauty...................................... 26 Home & Garden...................................... 27 Short Stories........................................... 28 Classifieds.............................................. 29 Stockists................................................. 30 A Final Thought...................................... 31

It’s one of the reasons we love producing the magazine every month – we also tend to learn something new. For example, we were unaware that the minimum legal age to play the National Lottery (both scratch cards and tickets) will rise from 16 to 18 this year.

Until next month, stay safe – and look after yourself and each other.

Nicky and Lauretta

Nicky and Lauretta

Published by: Life In Magazines Ltd

NEXT COPY DEADLINE: 10TH FEB

Nicky Grant and Lauretta Wright, Editors

What’s your go-to recipe?

Nicky: Since lockdown I've been making homemade pizzas - which are easier than I thought they would be.

Lauretta: My winter chicken stew isn’t bad but I much prefer baking.

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To advertise in Life In Orpington contact Nicky or Lauretta 07403 603569 or 07403 550068 hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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February 2021 Life in... Orpington 3

community news

Getting Orpington to know Fordyce Bros Directors 1946

Fordyce Brothers Limited, Cray Avenue Our district has a host of household brand names and well-known manufacturers associated with it. One name that doesn’t get much of a mention is Fordyce Brothers Ltd (FBLTD).

Local Road and Sewer Construction 1926-36

FBLTD started in the North East of England in 1921 as Public Works Contractors. Also known as Civil Engineers, FBLTD spent their early days building roads, highways and drains, sewers and underground conduits. They had built up a credible portfolio of successful projects and were tendering for Local Authority and Government contracts.

In 1926 FBLTD successfully won the contract for the construction of the ‘Orpington By-Pass’. We know this road as the A224 from Crittalls Corner in Foots Cray to Badgers Mount in the parish of Chelsfield. The work also included the construction of ‘Spur’ Road joining the by-pass to the town. They also constructed the Green Street Green and Farnborough bypasses from Green Street Green to Locksbottom in the early 1930s.

The 1926 bypass was no easy task and, along with other contractors, they also redeveloped the St Mary Cray Railway Tunnel and transformed it into a steel trestle bridge.

FBLTD continued to have a very successful business through some challenging times such as WW2. Most of their workforce were called up and the company relied on many dedicated locals to stand in. In fact, FBLTD repaired and recovered many damaged locations in the district and beyond within the London County Council at a moment’s notice. Many bomb-damaged water main supplies, sewers, drains and road surfaces were often also quickly repaired.

Orpington Bypass Construction 1926

Road and River Cray Projects

St Mary Cray Railway Bridge Replacement

FBLTD were based in St Mary Cray on Cray Avenue, close to the junction of Poverest Road. They undertook a huge number of public works and civil engineering projects including more roads, sewers, swimming pools and blocks of flats. Two notable ones relating to our district were extensive work on the Biggin Hill and Orpington sewer systems and strengthening and integrating water outfalls into the River Cray.

We don’t know too much about what happened to this historically important company in the later years, so if anyone reading this does, please do get in touch.

Biggin Hill Main Drain and Sewer Work

The Orpington History Organisation (OHO) www.orpington-history.org | Facebook @OrpHistOrg

4 Life in... Orpington February 2021

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community news

Write It, Say It, Message It!

Spotted

on social

Got something to shout about? Maybe you want to respond to an article or want to spread the word about something locally?

Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk or text us on 07403 550068.

You can also tag us in on social media @lifeinmags

Star response Poetry corner She Has No Rest

by Olivia Snow

She has no rest though she stays in her bed the thing that moves most is inside of her head thoughts borne from worry make home in her brain the bigger they grow the sharper the pain she has no rest for her mind tells her tales that her heart is black and her morals have failed that her brain is sick and her actions are bad and her once pretty thoughts are now pretty mad she has no rest for she sits and she writes out the thoughts in her head that niggle and bite it helps for a while and it seems quite clear for 5 minutes until those good thoughts disappear she has no rest but it’s rest that she craves when the thoughts and the feelings

come crashing in waves she convinces herself of things she has done and she fesses them up as if they were a gun

There’s a new Facebook Group for Orpington residents called ‘Random Acts Of Kindness’ – we think it’s a fabulous idea! Well done Elle Boxer.

Tag us on social to get our attention! @lifeinmags

she has no rest for she’s trying to sort through beliefs so intense birthed from horrible thoughts she sits in front of a jury (imagined) and she tells them the tales of the things that have happened they tell her she’s guilty they tell her she’s sick they say “you’re the problem, some things can’t be fixed”

she has no rest and when she says she can’t make it she’s not busy with work but with a brain that can’t take it she’s at war and she’s fighting herself, everyday it’s tiring, it’s lonely

Police update

Proactive patrols on the Ramsden Estate led Officers to a suspicious vehicle.

When trying to stop the vehicle, the occupants decided they would be off on their toes and both males decamped.

The area was contained with impressive support by dog units. Dog handler PC Uncle spotted one of the males running off and sent the trusted furry friend to work where one male detained for allowing to be carried in a car without the owner’s permission and for possession with intent to supply a variety of class A drugs.

but it will be okay.

the star response ( ) wins a £10 voucher to spend on stationery at tangent office resources www.tangentoffice.com lifeinmagazines.co.uk

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February 2021 Life in... Orpington 7

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for just ÂŁ30. We aim to list charity and non-profit notices for free (space dependent), or we offer a 20% discount for a guaranteed listing.

Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk with the details.

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February 2021 Life in... Orpington 9

community news - NOTICEBOARD

BEWARE OF SCAMS!

ible to ling people they are elig s been circulating, tel but ha t ing tex inc S nv NH co e a fak to us u A dangero link it takes yo the k clic u yo If .

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MAYOR OF BROMLEY

CHARIT Y APPEAL

Shop Premises Needed Urgently!

One of my selected cha rities, Cystic Fibrosis Su pporters, had been off sadly this has not come ered a pop-up shop, bu to fruition. Therefore, the t donated stock needs a in order to raise much ne home/new premises eded funds for research into Cystic Fibrosis. Foun whose nephew suffers from the condition, has der, Lisa Ellams, worked tirelessly to cre your help in securing the ate the charity and need charity’s first shop. If yo s u can help with a pop-u premises please contac p or permanent shop t the Mayoral office. Em ail Mayors.office@broml ey.gov.uk #ProudOfBromley

10 Life in... Orpington February 2021

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MAYOR’S VOICE…

community news - NOTICEBOARD

I can’t believe we’re already into February – the year is whizzing by as it usually does. But what heartens me is the great news we received last month with the rollout of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. There really does seem like light at the end of the tunnel and the trick now is to get as many vulnerable people vaccinated.

I had hoped that we could have our Fireworks Fundraiser in March, but due to the announcements I think we need to realistically look towards the end of the year. This will still be a fundraiser for my charities, so I do hope you will support me even after my office has finished. What a strange year this is!

We’ve now collected and counted up the donations from the virtual Magical Night of Christmas entertainment that was held in December. We were joined by master magician, Neil Edwards, who astonished guests with magic and mind reading, hosted an interview with me and held a fun, festive quiz. In total we raised £1,192 for Cystic Fibrosis Supporters Bromley and The Chartwell Cancer Trust.

A huge thank you to all those who participated and to those of you who donated – we were lucky enough to have a couple of large donations which will make a huge difference. Also, thank you to the Mayor of Croydon who helped with the raffle – it’s all about helping one another isn’t it?

In other news, I made a video congratulating the winners of the Petts Wood Light Up Your House Competition – and here’s a behind-the-scenes photo taken of this, plus I sent out a Christmas message to thank both Bromley residents and staff for all their help throughout last year. You can watch the video by visiting https://youtu.be/RZ3ij1krCqw

If you haven’t signed up to receive the Mayor’s Office quarterly newsletter, please do so. You can choose to request it electronically or for it to be mailed to you in the post. You can call 020-8313 4552 or 020-8313 4906 or visit www.bromley.gov.uk/mayor As you know, I launched my new podcast last year and it’s going really well. My latest episode features digital marketing expert, Jem Bahaijoub, which you can listen to by visiting https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-pvigd-f537f7 , plus there’s still time to purchase a £10 ticket for the chance to win a Spitfire flight! See https://givergy.uk/ spitfireprizedraw/?controller=home Finally, I thought I’d end on my New Year’s Resolutions for this year. I realise that I might be a month late in mentioning this, but I didn’t share them in last month’s column and I thought that by putting them in writing it might spur me on to accomplish them.

My first goal is to learn Salsa with my partner Colin.

My second resolution is that I’m reigniting my passion for singing. I’ve always said that at some stage in my life I’d love to play the roles of Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady and Nancy from Oliver Twist, so I’m taking the bull by the horns and going to learn the songs they sing. Who knows…perhaps one day I’ll land a role as Eliza or Nancy in an amateur dramatic production? I won’t know unless I try!

So now that I’ve put my resolutions out there for Bromley residents to read, I’d love for this to encourage you to think about what you want to achieve or experience this year - and to go after your own dreams. It’s all about getting those positive endorphins going and looking after your mental health.

So write it down, stop the procrastination and give yourself something to be proud of in 2021. If you’d like to share them with me, I’d love to hear them. Let’s all be #ProudofBromley – and please use the hashtag wherever you can as we are Proud of Bromley.

Cllr Hannah Gray

Mayor of Bromley 2020-21

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February 2021 Life in... Orpington 11

community news - NOTICEBOARD

DONATE TO OUR F LOCAL NHS STAF

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southeastlegacies.co.uk February 2021 Life in... Orpington 13

what's on - FEBRUARY 2021 community & charity Bereavement Café

Message the Facebook page for a call back

Cost: Free Contact: www.facebook.com/bereavementcafe If you're struggling with the loss of a loved one, contact The Bereavement Cafe to talk with qualified bereavement counsellors. All are welcome.

Bromley Mencap Services

Contact: 020 8466 0790 Helpline open Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm Email support: enquiries@bromleymencap/org www.bromleymencap.org.uk Call for advice and a friendly voice. We understand many disabled people and their families may be feeling anxious and worried during these difficult times. Please phone our helpline should you require any support or need advice during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bromley Well

Monday - Saturday, 9am-5pm Contact: 0300 330 9039 Email: spa@bromleywell.org.uk www.bromleywell.org.uk Bromley Well provides help for you to stay emotionally and physically well and to remain independent. Bromley Well are running the following workshops which are free but you need to be registered as a Bromley Well service user. See website for details.

Tuesday 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd February Health and Wellbeing workshop for people with long term health conditions.

Tuesday 2nd February Adult Carers Scammers & Doorstep Crime workshop.

Wednesday 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th February Adult Carers Tea & Chat.

14 Life in... Orpington February 2021

Your essential what's on guide for events, activities, clubs and much more in and around Orpington.

There's something for everyone!

We’re looking to hear about your news, notices and local events!

Email us at hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Friday 5th and 19th February Bromley's Online Fibromyalgia Support Group Tuesday 9th February Carers Peer Support Group Tuesday 9th February Mindfulness Workshop for Carers

Forget-Me-Not Survivors Of Suicide Loss

Meet the first Thursday of every month

7.45pm - 9.45pm Cost: Free Contact: Sandra - 07519 105354 Email: sosl.orpington@gmail.com www.survivorsofsuicideloss.org.uk Twitter: @ForgetMeNotSoSl Forget-Me-Not offers support for all those affected by suicide loss. The group is self-led and informal, where you can connect with other survivors.

Knitting Club for the Intensive Care Baby Unit at the PRUH Knit from home

Contact: Lin Harewood 01689 877010 Email lincbc2020@outlook.com We are knitting for the Intensive Care Baby Unit at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH), Orpington.

Anyone is welcome to join - you don’t have to be an experienced knitter. Due to COVID-19 we are knitting at home. Contact Lin for more information.

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what's on - FEBRUARY 2021

St Christopher's Hospice Relaxation group Every Monday and Thursday

2pm - 3pm Onllne Cost: Free Contact: www.stchristophers.org.uk/event/relaxationgroup/ Join us to check in to see how we’re all doing and take some time for yourself to truly relax. Facilitated by one of our Complementary Therapists, these relaxation classes are free and are open to everyone. All our online sessions are free to join. If you are able to, please consider a small donation to our emergency appeal.

mARKETS Chislehurst Farmers Market

Bromley Charter Market

Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday

9am - 5pm Bromley High Street Contact: https://tinyurl.com/bromleymarket A historic Charter Market, at the heart of the community for over 800 years, brings its own unique and vibrant atmosphere to Bromley’s town centre. Find an assortment of traditional, modern, speciality and staple goods, beautiful gifts, quality produce and delicious food. Be tempted by tasty food, discover jewellery, crafts, vinyl records and sepia photographs; buy everyday favourites of fresh bread, cakes, meat and vegetables.

Crystal Palace Park Market

Third Sunday of the month

10am - 2pm Hornbrook House Car Park, High Street, Chislehurst BR7 5AB Contact: www.myfarmersmarket.co.uk/chislehurst/ A one-way system is now in place at the farmers market along with social distancing measures and hand sanitising station. Card payment for items is encouraged, along with ordering in advance to collect at the market.

The market will be open subject to the ever changing COVID restrictions.

Orpington Market

Open Tuesday, Friday & Saturday

Open every Sunday

10am - 3pm Located in the middle of the park near the visitor centre and Thicket Road Car Park Contact: www.crystalpalaceparkmarket.com A weekly market selling everything from seasonal fruit and veg, organic farm butchers, fresh fish, bread, cakes and biscuits to cheeses, natural wines and craft beers.

libraries Orpington Library

Contact: 01689 831551 Email: Orpington.library@gll.org www.bromley.gov.uk/orpingtonlibrary Open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm

9am - 3pm Market Place, Orpington BR6 0TW Contact: 01689 832923 Email: info@orpingtonmarket.co.uk www.orpingtonmarket.co.uk A weekly market in the heart of Orpington (next to the Walnuts Shopping Centre) bringing together fresh produce, fashion, homeware & crafts. Stalls will be adhering to the 2m distancing rules. Please queue responsibly.

Petts Wood Library

Contact: 01689 821607 Email: Pettswood.library@gll.org www.better.org.uk/library/london/bromley Open Monday - Tuesday and Thursday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm

Valentine’s Weekend Menu

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February 2021 Life in... Orpington 15

what's on - FEBRUARY 2021

Contact Fran: 07976 412027 www.flinsfitness.co.uk Online streaming plus live offerings - 50 classes a week for adults and children, starting at 6.30am right through the day and over the weekend. Classes include: HIIT, Body Conditioning, Cardio, Strength, Pilates, Yoga, Teens, Zumba, Low Impact Fitness & much more!

SOUTHBOROUGH Library

Contact: 020 8467 0355 www.better.org.uk/library/london/bromley/ southborough-library Open Monday - Tuesday and Friday - Saturday from 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm

Parks and Open Spaces Downloads

A selection of trail leaflets around nature reserves in Bromley can be downloaded here: www.bromley.gov.uk/ downloads/200073/parks_and_open_spaces

Please check websites for the latest library updates and opening times.

sports & nature

Heritage walking trails in the Bromley area

Contact: https://tinyurl.com/bromwalks Bromley council has put together some illustrated leaflets showing walks around historic and interesting places in the Bromley area.

Flin's Online & Live Group Fitness Classes See website for class dates and times Cost: PAYG from £4 - £7

THE NEXT COPY DEADLINE IS:

shout about your event...

10TH FEBRUARY

Contact Nicky or Lauretta on 07403 603569 or 07403 550068 hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk

A listing costs just £15. We aim to list school, church, charity, community service or non-profit events for free (space dependent), or we offer a 20% discount for a guaranteed listing.

Life In Orpington cannot be held responsible for any changes or cancellations of an event. We recommend you double check times, places & dates if attending an event listed.

NEED A HANDYMAN OR GARDENER? Call Tony on

07977 449274

@lifeinmags

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February 2021 Life in... Orpington 17

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purchases, games, movies and audiobooks.

CRAYFORD

1. Metallic element that has the symbol Cr (8) 3. Latin phrase meaning ‘it’s my fault’ (3,5) 4. The Magna Carta was signed on 17 Jun 1215. Who signed it?

(4,4) 5. Mapmaking (11) 7. Searched for food (7) 8. An island from which there used to be no escape (8)

SIDCUP

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Did you know…

lifestyle

Top 5 social media etiquette rules

Ignore social media etiquette at your peril! Ever since social media first burst into our lives in the early 2000s, a whole set of unwritten rules has sprung up.

By following these 5 rules, you’ll ensure your social media interactions are smooth and productive.

1. Know Your Platform – the etiquette depends on which platform you are using. For example, LinkedIn is the most formal and corporate, Twitter is a bit chattier and more conversational, while Facebook, Instagram and YouTube reward a balanced tone.

2. Always Add Value - if you always remember to ‘add value’ in your social media interactions, you’ll strike the right tone. So share tips, give advice, offer solutions, entertain, make suggestions, connect people to each other and recommend. If your social media channels are simply there to advertise, they’ll quickly find somewhere else to go. So put their needs first, and the marketing will largely take care of itself.

3. Reply Quickly - if someone sends you a message, or even just mentions you, on social media, reply as soon as you can. A quick response has a number of benefits: it makes for a great first impression; it shows that you are ‘on

The biggest cause of probate disputes or delays is an out-of-date will.

Southeast Legacies

Lottery limit: The minimum legal age to play the National Lottery (both scratch cards and tickets)

will rise from 16 to 18 this year as the Government aims to crack down on problem gambling. The new law will come into effect in shops from October, while online sales will be stopped from April. National Lottery says that the new minimum age will help make sure the National Lottery isn't a "gateway to problem gambling".

The world’s most expensive bed is the ‘Baldaccino Supreme’. It is made from 24K pure

gold, ash and chestnut woods, along with a glass canopy and will set you back a mahoosive $6.3million (around £4.6million).

The Bed Post

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the ball’ and if the message or comment is critical, it allows you to control the situation. Nothing looks worse these days than a company taking ages to reply. It makes them look out of touch, understaffed or just uninterested. Set yourself apart from your competitors by making sure you react immediately to all comments – good or bad.

4. Speak Like A Human Being - it’s important to be courteous and professional when you interact with clients on social media. That doesn’t mean, though, that you have to talk like a robot! Ditch the marketing-speak and industry jargon.

5. Post Frequently - according to research by CoSchedule, here are the optimal daily post frequencies for each of the major platforms: Facebook: 1 post; Twitter: 15 Tweets; Pinterest: 11 Pins; LinkedIn: 1 post; Instagram: 1-2 posts.

Frequent posting is necessary to get traction on social media these days, but too many posts, however, can turn off potential followers and clients.

Key Business Consultants LLP

The Green Tech Revolution A new report reveals that the majority of Brits want tech to protect the planet before sending tourists into space.

Research conducted by Expleo, a technology partner for innovative companies, found that 43% of British consumers care more about technology that can reduce carbon emissions and remove plastics from the oceans, than space travel or house robots. The findings come as the UK government is under pressure to embrace a ‘green’ recovery post COVID. The report, which surveyed 2,000 UK adults, found that 41% of people would like to see an advance in renewable energies over the next decade. Smart meters, – which by law, will be in every home come 2024 - were praised by over 80% of people for adding value to their lives, due to their long-term potential to reduce energy use and CO2 emissions through better energy management.

Other findings revealed that only 19% of respondents are optimistic about the prospect of self-driving vehicles, but slightly more (22%) said they’d be open to introducing more smart technologies, such as voice assistants, into their homes.

February 2021 Life in... Orpington 19

lifestyle

Shopping

3 steps to improving your credit score From getting a mortgage to having a credit card approved, your credit score can determine what you can get approved for, so it’s wise to build up a good rating. Here’s how!

Step 1

Always ask for a ‘soft search’ when making credit applications to check for eligibility

Step 2

Use a credit card regularly (get a 0% interest one) and pay off the balance in full each month.

THE EARLY BIRD… Fancy a pick-me-up in the mornings? Try Pukka’s new ‘Fresh Start’ Organic Tea with Lemon.

Featuring sustainably sourced organic herbs, zesty organic lemon and warming aromatic fennel seeds to gently awaken your body and mind to a new day and help you feel your brightest self, the stimulating yet soothing blend also helps to strengthen the digestive system. The new tea is available at supermarkets and health food stores and costs £2.99 for a box of 20 sachets.

Step 3

Make sure you are on the electoral register.

You can check your credit report online for free. It’s quick and easy to do and you’ll be able to check things like the credit accounts you have, any missed payments or defaults and any recent searches of your credit report. Check online with Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.

A FIRST FOR ALDI Aldi is the first supermarket to launch own-brand concentrated cleaning liquids that will refill spray bottles up to four times, in a move that will save an estimated 550 tonnes of single-use plastic a year. Six new Power Force concentrated products, including window, shower, kitchen and bathroom concentrates – have now hit the shelves and retail at £1.99. Each one allows customers to easily mix their concentrate with tap water to create four bottles of cleaning spray, reducing the need to buy single-use spray bottles each time.

What an ombudsman can do

Made a complaint and got nowhere? You need to get in touch with the ombudsman of the industry in question. Here’s how!

Financial ombudsman: If you’ve got a complaint about a financial product or service call 0800-023 4567 (8am-5pm Mon-Fri) or see financial-ombudsman.org.uk Consumer ombudsman: If it’s a problem with your mobile phone, landline, broadband, energy supplier or general consumer complaints, see ombudsman-services.org. The website also allows you to launch complaints with the Energy and Communications Ombudsman too.

Pension ombudsman: For pension disputes and complaints visit pensions-ombudsman.org.uk.

20 Life in... Orpington February 2021

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Special needs children

Nursery for children with special needs

ears Aged 2-5 y

Bubbly Nursery is a fairly new nursery in the London borough of Lewisham, looking after children who are developmentally delayed or have been medically diagnosed.

Below are some testimonials from current parents: “What a fantastic place! It’s a safe haven for my child and staff are lovely, caring and kind.”

“Bubbly offers a lovely, clean environment. I love the open plan aspect and staff members are really friendly.”

“With the help of Bubbly Nursery, we were able to get an early diagnosis of ASD for our son and plan for his future.”

Visit our website to see more testimonials

Why not check our facebook page @bubblySEN or follow us on instagram @bubbly_nursery

www.bubblyspecialneedsnursery.co.uk

07954-952406

A member of Early Years Alliance and a Registered Nurse

FINANCIAL ADVICE MADE PERSONAL

We recognise that talking about money and finances is personal.

So it is reassuring to know that there’s someone on hand who can help you address your needs.

Please do get in touch for a chat regarding: • Retirement and pension planning • Investment planning • Mortgages • Protection planning - life cover, critical illness cover, income protection Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Rebecca McGinty rebecca.mcginty@sjpp.co.uk 07900 902347

www.mcgintywealthmanagement.co.uk Rebecca McGinty is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The `St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the title `Partner’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

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February 2021 Life in... Orpington 21

Neuter your Cat for ÂŁ5

Do you live in our Bromley area (BR1 - 5 or SE20, SE23 & SE26) and would like some help to get your cat neutered? We are offering you the chance to have your cat neutered for just ÂŁ5.

For more information please contact Bromley Cats Protection on :

020 8650 5556 www.cats.org.uk/bromley/contact-us

Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) SC037711 (Scotland) NEU_2343

IN PEN OM! O NOW SBOTT LOCK

10%

Call 01689 490955

DISCOUNT

on puppy and kitten vaccinations until 31/3/21

We are very excited to announce that we have now opened our new, fully equipped

340 Crofton Road, BR6 8NN www.allcreaturesclinic.co.uk

PLUS

10%

DISCOUNT

on microchipping until 31/3/21

branch in Locksbottom, Orpington.

Our clinic offers the same full range of services as our popular and established clinic at 51 Windsor drive in Orpington.

New clients welcome!

22 Life in... Orpington February 2021

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Pets...

Keep them safe!

Did you know that in the UK around 60 dogs go missing every week?

Losing a pet is like losing a member of your family.

Tractive, a GPS pet tracker, provides reassurance with its ground-breaking GPS tracking collar, which guarantees that your dog will never go missing again. The device allows you to track your dog’s every movement, from your phone - no matter where you are in the world. The system also allows you to set up a virtual fence which alerts you, through the app, when your dog goes out of bounds, so you will always know where they are - even when they decide to chase a squirrel in the park!

Pet corner Cute pet pictures – send yours to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

lifestyle

NEW: ASK THE VET! Got a question about your pet?

Didier Matagne, owner of All Creatures in Locksbottom, can help! Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Q: I’m thinking of buying a new puppy this year, but I’m worried about buying from a dubious breeder or puppy farm. What do I need to look out for?

A: As the illegal puppy trade is on the increase, there are some key things to watch out for when buying a puppy. Firstly, before you purchase any puppy I’d recommend you go to visit the breeding environment and see the puppy in person along with at least it’s mum (ideally both mum and dad if possible), along with its siblings. The environment should be clean and all puppies should look a similar size and in good health. Puppies should leave their mum at a minimum of 8 weeks; most have had their first vaccine, microchip and vet health check at 8 weeks, but its also reasonable for the new owner to take the puppy to their local vet for this at 8 weeks of age.

This helps to avoid any vaccine incompatibilities between vet surgeries. Any puppy that has been checked by a vet should have accompanying paperwork to verify this. If a person offers you a puppy without any documentation then be wary. A responsible breeder should be more than happy for you to visit their premises and answer any questions you may have. If you have any indication that a breeder is not what they seem, it’s best to walk away. By buying a puppy in suspicious circumstances you may think you’re doing the right thing by buying the puppy and giving it a good home, but unfortunately you will be fuelling the situation by allowing puppy farming to continue to operate.

If you have any suspicions after viewing a puppy, please report it to the RSPCA via their public action line on 0300 1234999.

This is Tommie. He’s a cheeky chappie and loves having his belly rubbed.

Helen Jordan

SPOTTED ON SOCIAL Even The Drawing Room’s pup enjoys reading Life In Orpington!

This is Atticus - our lovely seal lynx Bengal. He causes a lot more housework than he helps with!

John Pepper

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February 2021 Life in... Orpington 23

lifestyle

Eco

it's fAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 22 February to 7 March 2021 Every year at the end of February, for two weeks, individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories about the people, who are often exploited and underpaid, who grow our food, drinks and the cotton in our clothes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how interconnected we are globally. This interconnection is at the very heart of the Fairtrade message and is where you can help. You can be part of the Fairtrade movement and you have the power to drive long term change not only with your shopping choices but also with your support in spreading the message.

How is climate change affecting farmers in the Developing World?

Climate change continues to bring challenges to farmers and workers in the developing world. They are seeing its impacts from droughts, crop disease, floods and heatwaves resulting in shrinking harvests.

Being paid low prices for their crops mean that they are struggling to survive. Fairtrade helps by ensuring companies pay sustainable prices for their crops

so they feel more equipped to meet their everyday needs and deal with the challenges posed by climate change.

The global COVID pandemic has brought with it even bigger challenges to the farmers, with falling commodity prices along our global supply chains.

Ongoing poverty in farming communities makes it increasingly hard to cope with the effects of climate change.

Fairtrade needs your help for the farmers who are already struggling to meet their immediate needs.

More than ever, they need a fair price for their crops and their hard work. ​ Fairtrade works to raise the voices of producers and prioritises what they need to respond to the environmental crises unfolding in already vulnerable communities. This Fortnight, Fairtrade is asking you to ‘Choose the World You Want’ and use your voice to tell others about the challenges that farmers face from climate change.

See www.fairtrade.org.uk/get-involved/currentcampaigns/ for more information on how you can get involved and help support Fairtrade.

THE TOP 20 WAYS HOUSEHOLDS BECAME GREENER IN 2020!

1. Sorting the recycling more carefully 2. Turning unused lights off 3. Making sure they put the recycling out

every week 4. Taking more care to rinse and clean recyclables 5. Using up leftovers to cut down on food waste 6. Only filling the kettle with as much water

as needed 7. Making sure taps aren't left running needlessly 8. Cutting down on meat 9. Cycling or walking to places rather than

driving, where possible

10. Upcycling household items 11. Cooking in batches to cut down on food waste 12. Monitoring the heating/making sure it's

not on needlessly 13. Eating everything on their plates 14. Having a shower rather than a bath 15. Turning electricals off at the socket 16. Buying canned food and frozen food

to cut down on food waste 17. Washing clothes at low temperatures 18. Eating more sustainably produced foods 19. Home growing fruit and vegetables 20. Using environmentally friendly cleaning products Princes Fish

24 Life in... Orpington February 2021

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Flowers for new beginnings

01689 485044 | www.timeforflowerskent.co.uk 44b The Walnuts, Orpington BR6 0TW

ARE YOU A SMALL BUSINESS OR SOLE TRADER?

Workwear that works W O R K W E A R

0800 781 7163

QUALIT Y BRANDED CLOTHING FOR YOUR BUSINESS 0800 781 2163

www.tangentoffice.com

@tangentworkwear

tangentworkwear

Want to join a friendly network group which actually works for you and doesn’t cost a fortune?

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Contact us: pibnetwork@outlook.com | 07984 179892 Facebook PIB Network | www.pib-network.com

My name is Michelle, and I am passionate about what I do.

I work locally as a Celebrant, in and around Orpington. Having been an Orpington resident for most of my life, I feel it is important to work closely with the community that I live in, and as a result of that, I have also co-founded The Bereavement Café in Orpington.

So, my role as a Celebrant is to work with families who have lost a loved one and help them create a unique and fitting ceremony, to help them say goodbye.

But I have also introduced something called, “Remember Me” and that is to help people document their wishes before they die. This is a really simple way of instructing your loved ones with what you want, when that time comes. We can discuss everything from music choices, your life story, colours, themes, and have it all recorded safely, so that when the time comes your family members aren’t left scratching their heads trying to work out what you would have wanted.

If you have any questions about anything please do not hesitate to contact me at michelleharvey.lifecelebrant@yahoo.com

SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES lifeinmagazines.co.uk

February 2021 Life in... Orpington 25

lifestyle

Health & Beauty

Healthy eating in older age

by DR HELEN FLAHERTY, Heart Research UK It is sometimes believed that older adults (65 years or over) do not need to eat as much because they may be less physically active than younger adults. However, eating a healthy and well-balanced diet is important for maintaining good health at all ages. Older adults are vulnerable to malnutrition and it is recommended that they eat the same amount as younger adults. Here’s some tips for eating well and looking after your heart in older age.

Keep an eye on your weight

The best way to know if you are eating too much or too little is to monitor your weight over time and check if your weight is stable. If you are losing weight without trying, you should speak to your GP.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration can occur when you lose more fluid through sweating and urination than you consume. Dehydration is a common problem in older adults. Try to drink six to eight glasses or cups of non-alcoholic fluid every day, such as water, tea and coffee. Keeping hydrated can reduce your

risk of a heart attack, while helping you to maintain your cognitive ability.

Get enough fibre

Constipation is a problem for many people in later life. Try to prevent constipation by staying physically active, keeping hydrated and eating foods that are high in fibre. Foods that are high in fibre, such as fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread, wholemeal breakfast cereals and brown rice, play an important role in reducing your cholesterol and keeping your heart healthy.

Include protein

Eating adequate amounts of foods that are high in protein, as well as getting plenty of physical activity, can help to prevent muscle loss in older age. Good sources of protein include chicken or turkey, canned tuna, soybeans, tofu, eggs and dairy products. If you eat fish, try to eat two portions each week, one of which should be an oily fish, such as salmon, sardines or mackerel. Also aim to have at least five portions of fruit and veg every day.

Beauty hacks!

• Dab a blob of toothpaste on spots to help dry them out

Pregnancy fact...

• Heat up your eyelash curlers by blasting them with a hairdryer for a few seconds • Soften your eyeliner by rubbing the tip on the back of your hand • Dampen down flyaway hair by lightly moisturising your hands and then running your hair through them • Sleep on silk or satin pillowcases to avoid wrinkles & prevent hair from knotting • Use Vaseline to treat extra dry patches of skin • Slather moisturiser on your hands and feet before bedtime and wear socks and gloves – in the morning they’ll be silky smooth • Mix sugar with warm olive oil and use as an exfoliator

26 Life in... Orpington February 2021

Did you know that endorphins, one of the hormones produced in an undisturbed birth, can be up to 500x more powerful than any opiate pain-relieving drug administered in NHS Couch to 5K labour? Your body is AMAZING! Erin Fung, Hypnobirthing instructor, Better Birth

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Home & Garden

lifestyle

10 plants for your bathroom

Imagine starting the day surrounded by lush greenery and clean, purified air. We asked Victorian Plumbing’s resident bathroom design expert, George Holland, to recommend 10 humidity-loving houseplants for your bathroom oasis and the benefits they can bring to the space…

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) Also known as ‘Mother in Law’s Tongue’, the snake plant is an excellent bathroom plant. It thrives in high humidity, so if you like to take long, hot showers it may not need any extra watering at all.

2. Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.)

These low-maintenance, hardy plants flourish in hot and humid conditions, so they will feel right at home in your bathroom. Taking nutrients from the air, light and water through tiny vessels in the leaves, these plants don’t need any soil at all which makes them incredibly easy to care for.

3. Boston Fern This full and bushy plant needs quite a bit of space to grow, so it’s perfect if you have a bit more space to play with when creating your bathroom canopy. Ferns in general thrive in high moisture and warm environments, which means you can even get in on the ‘shower plant’ trend.

4. Ivy These moisture-loving trailing plants are incredibly effective air purifiers, making them a great choice for your bathroom oasis. They grow really quickly, so you can start to make use of all that vertical space in your bathroom.

5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Spider plants really are the gift that keeps on giving! Once they reach maturity, these clumpy, grassy plants will start to grow offshoots, which can be trimmed and propagated

TOP 10 UK HOMEWARE BRANDS 1. Zara Home 2. Oliver Bonas 3. Next 4. H&M Home 5. Ikea 6. The White Company 7. Anthropologie 8. John Lewis 8. Liberty 10. Marks and Spencer Essential Living

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to create even more spider plants.

6. Calathea (Calathea spp.)

The colourful waxy leaves grown by the Calathea will be a striking addition amongst a sea of green in your bathroom rainforest. They can be quite fussy and do prefer a shady spot with lots of humidity. Calathea do start off quite small, but grow quickly, so start them off on a shelf and move them to the floor as they mature.

7. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) Another easy houseplant, pothos is a great trailing plant for your shower. You can train the trailing stems to grow along a wall or just let them hang down to make use of the vertical space.

8. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)

With deep, glossy green leaves and bright white flowers, the Peace Lily is one of the most effective plants to include in your bathroom plant collection. They love moisture and prefer to be kept in low light locations, but if you find your lily is wilting regularly, it might be time to upgrade to a bigger pot.

9. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) Heartleaf philodendrons are incredibly hardy making them a great option for beginners. They grow really quickly too and their trailing stems can be trained to grow along a wall or just left to hang down.

10. Aloe Vera Aloe Vera is a succulent which means it doesn’t need much water, especially when it is being kept in the humidity of a bathroom. In fact, over-watering can be really bad for the Aloe plant. The gel Inside the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant can be used to soothe burns and sore skin, but only break off a small amount each time you need to use it.

Did you know...

New research revealed that two fifths of Brits now say they clean more thanks to online cleaning influencers with a further one in five saying it has helped with their mental health. Some 69% of respondents found they are buying products they’ve never purchased before, 46% of us are doing more detailed cleans of appliances and a further 36% are decluttering and throwing away items we no longer need or want.

Hillarys.co.uk

February 2021 Life in... Orpington 27

lifestyle

Short Stories

Valentine’s Evening

by STELLA EAMES

13th February 2021. It had been a busy few weeks, working long days in the accounts department, to get the year-end figures finally completed. 25-year old Amy put a meal for one in the microwave and picked up one of the library books she’d borrowed a few days earlier.

The microwave pinged and Amy retreated to a chair in her lounge, balancing the meal for one and the book on a tray on her lap. Juggling the container and her fork an old postcard fell out of the book.

It was addressed to Miss Lily Fish, 181 Greyhound Road in Hammersmith. The postage stamp looked very old and, holding the card up to the light, Amy saw it was postmarked Conway 9 February 1917. Almost exactly 104 years ago.

Amy read: My own dearest Lily Received your very nice welcome letter today. Will answer properly tomorrow.

It is very cold here, but jolly hot in the cookhouse.

Hope you are quite well now & your arm is better. Good Bye with fondest and dearest love, yours ever John xxxxxx.

Amy thought about Lily Fish, evidently John’s much loved girlfriend or fiancée. Amy couldn’t help but wonder if Lily knew how lucky she was to have a man who wrote to her so lovingly. In February 1917 the Great War had another 18 months to run, the war which had been meant to only last a few months and be over by Christmas. Amy found herself desperately hoping that John survived the remainder of the war and was reunited with his Lily.

Abandoning the library book, Amy read and re-read the card. It was clearly a precious memento being used as a bookmark, if a little carelessly, by one of Lily’s descendants.

She felt she must call into the library and try to return the postcard to its owner.

The next day, calling into Orpington library in her lunch hour, Amy explained why she was there. The library assistant said that yes he could look up the previous person to borrow that book, but could not give Amy that information due to confidentiality. Seeing Amy’s disappointed face, he offered to make contact himself and give the borrower Amy’s name and address……

Amy got home from work that night, exhausted as usual, and kicked off her shoes, collapsing into a chair. She was ready to put her feet up, thankful that she had no reason to get dolled up and go out. At least that’s what she told herself.

She tried not to think about the fact that most people she

28 Life in... Orpington February 2021

knew were going out (or staying in) for romantic dinners a deux. The last thing she wanted was sympathy. In fact she’d not even told her work colleagues that her latest boyfriend had chucked her.

That’s why, when they were excitedly discussing their plans for tonight, she’d let it be assumed that she too would be having a romantic evening.

She hadn’t even changed out of her work suit when the doorbell rang. Groaning at the thought of being disturbed by yet another Amazon delivery for one of her smug married neighbours, she plodded to the front door in her stockinged feet.

Barely looking at the young man who stood before her, she said, “Yes you can leave it with me.”

He stepped forward smiling and said – “Hi I’m Matt Holgate - are you Amy - Amy Greenwood? Who contacted the library today? You found a postcard? I’m so thankful that you did.”

Amy couldn’t help smiling in return. “Was Lily Fish your relative?”

“Yes she and John were my great grandparents. Mum had let me look through some old family letters and photos. We were both upset when we discovered later that the postcard had gone missing.”

“Come in and I’ll get it. I’ve only just got back from work, so if you’d called round any earlier you’d have missed me.”

“Thanks so much and I hope I’m not interrupting your evening, caught you in the middle of getting ready to go out or anything?”

Thankful that her planned ready meal was safely out of sight in the freezer, Amy said airily “Oh no I haven’t started to cook yet.”

“In that case, I’d love to buy you dinner as a thank you. If you’re free tonight that is”.

Briefly considering not admitting she was at a loose end, Amy said that yes she was free and would love to go out for a meal.

After all, she knew they shared one important thing in common. She knew Matt was single. And not just because they were both free on Valentine’s Night. Why else would he have borrowed Jamie’s Meals for One? Would you like to submit a short story?

Email lauretta@lifeinmagazines.co.uk for details.

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CLASSIFIED LISTINGS CHILDREN'S CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

HOME & GARDEN

AQUAKIDS

KNIGHT JET WASH & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

What better gift for 2021 than learning to swim, being safe and enjoying the water. Check our social media and the website for the latest updates. www.aquakids.co.uk Facebook@aquakidsuk Twitter @Aquakidsuk Instagram @aquakids.uk

DESIGN & PRINT NICKY GRANT DESIGNS I specialise in making your business looks its best with creative graphic design - offering a personalised, professional and cost effective service.

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Jet washing, property maintenance, bird proofing, gutter repairs & window cleaning.

Call 07535-615433 or email Knightjetwashing@gmail.com Facebook.com/knightjetwashing

VIDEO LUNA CREATIVE MEDIA Would you like to produce a video for your business to share on your website or social media? Whether it’s a new product launch, an explainer lesson or an introductory video, we’ve got you covered.

Call 07978-260775 Facebook.com/WeAreLunaUK

To submit a classified listing please call 07403 603569 or email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Prices start from just £10 per month

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February 2021 Life in... Orpington 29

Next month...

stockists

FR

MUNITY BECAUSE COM

Our usual stockists include most cafes, dental surgeries, barbers, hairdressers, doctors etc in and around Orpington. Below are some of our main stockists (please note, during the pandemic we may not be able to leave the magazine with all our usual stockists).

Biggin Hill

• Cherry Lodge Golf Club • Foal Farm • The Lookout Coffee Shop

chelsfield

• Chelsfield Railway Station

Downe

• Christmas Tree Farm • George & Dragon Pub

Farnborough & village

• High Elms Country Park • High Elms Golf Club • One One Seven • The Café @ Farnborough Village • The Post Office

Green St Green

• Co-op Food (Crescent Way)

Locksbottom

• Darrick Wood Swimming Pool • DenCare • Lidl • PRUH (Costa & canteen) • Sainsbury’s • Thara Thai • Ye Olde Whyte Lyon

MATTERS

EE

CH 2021 .

ISSUE 25 MAR

Orpington

• Co-op Food (Carlton Parade) • Crofton Halls • Fab House • Iceland • Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe • Orpington Health & Wellbeing Centre • Orpington IT Centre • Orpington Library • Orpington Railway Station • Orpington Village Hall • Tangent Office Resources • Tesco • The Nugent Shopping Park • The Walnuts Shopping Centre • Valentine & Turner

Petts Wood

• Arabica Coffee House • MIYU Boutique Salon • Morrisons • Iceland • Petts Wood Library • Petts Wood Railway Station • Royal British Legion • Southeast Legacies

cial

Mother’s Day Spe

KING THE SELF-CARE: MA R DAY MOST OF YOU

is back!

Local celebs

your How to make endly garden eco-fri

IN SP

UN E CO M M IR IN G TH

A TI M E PA GE AT IT Y ON E

s.co.uk

agazine www.lifeinm

Coming up in the next Issue of Life In Orpington…

• • • •

Mother’s Day Special Self-care: making the most of your day Local celebs is back!

How to make your garden eco-friendly

Published by: Life In Magazines

NEXT COPY DEADLINE: 10TH FEB Contact Nicky or Lauretta

07403 603569 or 07403 550068 hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk lifeinmagazines.co.uk

@lifeinmags

St Paul’s Cray

• Co-op Food (Cotmandene Crescent) • Cotmandene Community Resource Centre

WOULD YOU LIKE TO STOCK LIFE IN ORPINGTON MAGAZINE?

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www.lifeinmagazines.co.uk 30 Life in... Orpington February 2021

Life in Orpington is printed every month and is distribution to residents via household deliveries and businesses. It has a monthly readership of over 15,000 people including the digital edition.

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A Final Thought…

lifestyle

The uncertainty of going back into the workplace

by ZEENAT NOORANI, Vida de la Mariposa Coaching What a year 2020 was, with the constant upheaval of changes, lockdown, no lockdown, lockdown, partial lockdown, leaving many of us in limbo. Just when we are getting used to one set of rules, the rug was suddenly pulled out from beneath us with another set of rules. No wonder many of us are struggling with stress, anxiety and routines.

For many the transition in mindset of remote working has been truly challenging, but it’s amazing how positive changes have also been made. One way or another, many have adjusted (some more easily than others). However, the question that still remains is, what does 2021 look like for us in the workplace?

What is going through your mind with the idea of returning back to the workplace environment? No doubt there will still be an enormous number of unsettling thoughts and feelings going around, causing stress, overwhelm and anxiety. This is where companies and leadership need to step up and take priority in having the right wellbeing plans and policies in place. This couldn’t be more vital than now.

So, what are you going to do to ensure the wellbeing of your employees?

For many, changes and the unknown doesn’t come easy.

The thought of ‘uncertainty’ can be daunting, but what if we tried to flip this thought around and thought of ‘uncertainty’ as being something great, something that could be whatever you want it to look like? I always say to my clients ‘Control the things that you can control and let go of the things you can’t. And, the one thing that you can absolutely control is your thoughts, feelings and reactions’.

Many of the unknown factors causing stress and anxiety could be thoughts such as what does the new workplace environment look like? How will I cope? What if I have a meltdown? What if I can’t settle in? Will I have the support I need? What if I can’t adjust back into working? How will it be around my colleagues again?

These are just some of our turmoiled thoughts flying around, all of which can be addressed by simply having open conversations, asking for help and by looking at your own mindset and belief system.

Feeling uncertain, confused and questioning your future and your career are normal in these circumstances. Accept these fears, but if you are feeling absolute dread at going back, this could be telling you something, so listen to your inner voice and think about changes in the longer term. This could also herald a positive change: even if you don’t want a career switch, you could plan for a more balanced lifestyle.

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Why are people’s behaviour impacted?

For the past few months, most of us have worked form home and have established our own routines and working hours. Some people have realised that they prefer working from home as it’s given them time for hobbies; extra time with their children. And now, they are reluctant to give it up realising that they perhaps have a better work/life balance.

Being in the office means that they may return to a life they are not sure they want any more.

Unexpected behaviours The thought of going back to a regimented, supervised workplace, pressures of work dilemma and politics, loss of freedom can have a negative impact on people’s mental wellbeing. On the other hand, for some it might be a real sense of relief to be back in the office. The truth is that things will be different, and it is how adjustments will be made in order to cater for those needs.

Yes, the transition of moving back into the office will have its challenges and the question here is whose duty it is to assure the wellbeing of all? Of course, self-awareness is a fundamental part of maintaining a stronger mental health and wellbeing. It is also the duty of the leaders to implement the right support and to have consistency.

Without a doubt, there will be unexpected behaviours to address such as loss of temper, panic attacks, outbreaks, swearing and non-office etiquette.

Tips in moving forward

Be flexible We are amazingly adaptable - look at what you’ve just gone through. If you can be flexible it will stand you in good stead.

Take your time Returning to work is another disruption to your routine. You have no control over this decision, but you can take control of your wellbeing. Try to have a pleasurable day before going back to work.

Think of positives It’s not all bad. Your workplace will need to follow safety guidelines, for the time being most public transport is not heaving with commuters and you will get to reconnect with colleagues you like.

Addressing your fears Any fears about your ability are more likely to be a momentary crisis of confidence. Listen to your fears and try to understand where they are coming from. Accept that others may think differently, give yourself time to address your concerns and know that the reality may not live up to the worries. www.zeenatnoorani.com | www.linkedin.com/in/zeenatnoorani

February 2021 Life in... Orpington 31

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