North Coast Local Women Magazine October Edition 2021

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2021

THE FIRMUS ENERGY LOCAL WOMEN AWARDS

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INTRODUCING NEW LOCAL WOMEN COLU MNIST

ARLENE FOSTER

ON LIFE AFTER POLITICS

SHOP LOCAL AT CAUSEWAY COAST & GLENS WITH THE HIGH STREET VOUCHER SCHEME

SPECIAL FEATURE:

NORTH COAST COUPLE WILLIE GREGG AND STEPHANIE HOLMES HOST ‘WEE JOAN’S DOG WALK’

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION - MEET THE TRAILBLAZERS LEADING THE WAY

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Tuesday 7th December

Tuesday 14th December

Thursday 16th December

Wednesday 15th December

Tickets available from Ticketmaster

E M I T W SHO AT A T THE

DECEMBER 2021

JANUARY 2022

WEDNESDAY 29TH Tina Turner Tribute

SATURDAY 8TH Garth Brooks Tribute

FEBRUARY 2022

THURSDAY 30TH Neil Diamond Tribute

SATURDAY 15TH Dolly and Shania Country Divas Tribute Show

SATURDAY 5TH Elvis Tribute (Ciaran Houlihan)

SATURDAY 29TH Queen Tribute

SATURDAY 22ND ABBA Tribute (Bjorn Identity)

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: TICKETMASTER 4 | Local Women Magazine

Welcome!

Thanks to Rosie’s Closet in Newry for my beautiful dress

It’s time to enter the Firmus Energy magazine, or you can apply online via our website at www.localwomenmagazine.com.

Local Women Awards!

What are you waiting for?

The biggest awards ceremony of the year will be held on November 20 at the Last month we were delighted to attend this Europa Hotel where we will celebrate the Miss Northern Ireland 2021 Gala Final. It was triumphs of the best businesspeople across a fantastic night full of glamour and I was delighted to be wearing a beautiful blue down Northern Ireland. from Rosie’s Closet in Newry. Rosie really There are lots of categories to choose from does have the most amazing range of dresses so whether you work in retail, hospitality, – so if you need a dress for the Firmus Energy beauty, or the commercial sector you can Local Women Awards, pay her a visit and she nominate yourself for an award. will help you choose a dress of dreams.

The awards will be judged by an independent Until next month, panel of judges from across different areas of the business world in Northern Ireland and anyone can enter.

There is an entry form inside this month’s

Emmette Dillon - A Tribute It was with great sadness that we learned about the untimely passing of our friend and colleague Emmette Dillon.

Emmette was a longtime friend to us here at Local Women and he regularly graced the pages of this magazine as a model and a writer.

Working with Emmette was a joy. He was one of our most popular models and everybody loved working with him. With his dark good looks, he was a clear favourite with clients who loved his easy going and polite manner. He had a wonderful sense of humour and fun - and he lit up the room when he walked into it. He was so full of energy and ideas – always planning his next adventure. But more than that, Emmette was a great friend. He was thoughtful and intelligent. He was a listener. He was cheerleader. No matter what you were doing, Emmette was there offering support, telling you that you were doing great.

The kindness that he showed me during tough times in my life is something that I will never forget. He seemed to know instinctively when you were feeling down – and suddenly a message would appear, reminding you he was always there for a chat.

Emmette will be very much missed but our memories of him live on in our hearts. He will never be forgotten. At this very difficult time, we offer our deepest sympathies to his family and hope they draw comfort from the outpouring of love there has been for Emmette.

Rest in peace Emmette.

MANAGING EDITOR: KIM KELLY editor@localwomensnews.com DESIGNER: AIDAN NELIS design@localwomensnews.com SALES: salesmid@localwomensnews.com ACCOUNTS: accounts@localwomensnews.com

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WHEN I LOST KATIE… I LOST A LIFETIME A Derry mum forced to plan her baby’s funeral before she was even born is hoping to help others facing the same trauma.

When Derry mum Stephanie Ralphs’ (37) newborn died she didn’t only lose a baby – she lost a lifetime.

“I lost a one-year-old, a two-year-old, I missed out on a First Communion, an 18th birthday...” says the social worker who’s now hoping to help other women facing similar loss.

For as part of the Maternal Advocacy and Support Project (MAS) she wants to ensure that women’s mental health issues are properly addressed, particularly those around maternal health.

Now mum to 10-month-old Louie she’s recovering from post natal depression and PTSD but roots of those challenges go back to her previous pregnancy in 2019.

Already mum to Lilly (15) and Hugh (11) from a previous relationship, Stephanie and her husband John were thrilled to discovered little Katie was on her way.

“By the time of the ‘big scan’ we were so us she might not survive to term. excited!” recalls Stephanie.

“We were offered a termination but that wasn’t “All the checks were fine until the sonographer an option for us. Instead, we just focussed on came to the heart. ‘There’s a really big getting through each day. problem here,’ she said.

“I knew that if a baby doesn’t make it past “It was so unexpected I started to laugh and 24 weeks they don’t get a birth certificate. asked her if she was joking.”

Despite being a fully formed little person she But she wasn’t. John and Stephanie saw the wouldn’t be recognised as a baby - so that consultant right away and were referred to the was our next hurdle. foetal cardiology specialists in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital the following week.

“They said the baby’s heart valve condition was serious, probably not compatible with life, but they couldn’t be sure and so we’d to come back in two weeks,” recalls Stephanie.

“The 24 weeks came and went - another milestone passed - and we even start thinking about names.”

With each ante-natal clinic doctors warned Stephanie that Katie mightn’t make it to the next one and despite feeling her kicking inside, “It was at that stage we discovered we were she was referred to the palliative care team to having a girl, though still doctors were warning plan her baby’s delivery – and her death.

This Autumn

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The couple opted to have Katie in Altnagelvin as, because of her condition, the specialist facilities at the Royal wouldn’t have been able to do any more than keep her comfortable anyway.

“We met the bereavement midwife who was an incredible support and signposted us to the Hospice who helped us as we explained the situation to Lilly and Hugh. How do you tell your kids mummy’s going to have a baby but it’s going to die?” says Stephanie.

“In a sense we were luckier than most parents as we had this chance to plan. It must be worse for mums who go into hospital with the crib and pram waiting at home. We knew we wouldn’t be leaving with a baby.

“We’d time to process that and even do some grieving before Katie arrived. So, we made memories with the kids, talking about her and bringing her to life for them.”

But it was a frightening time too.

“You swing between hoping against hope that everything will work out ok in the end and then the fear of the unknown – even things like the physical presentation of the baby. We just didn’t know what to expect,” says Stephanie who, as the time drew closer, planned every stage of her delivery.

“We were able to plan it, so the kids and my parents were in the next room. We just hoped Katie would survive long enough to meet them.”

But meet them she did for little Katie Ralphs was born at 12.16pm on November 1, 2019, weighing 6lb9oz.

“She arrived with a roar and her wee eyes were open for a while. We’re grateful for the time we had with her before she passed 101 minutes later,” says Stephanie who gently cradled the newborn on her chest as she slept away.

“I remember the midwife saying that Katie would’ve been comforted by my heartbeat as that’s what she’d listened to throughout the pregnancy...”

It was some comfort but now the couple faced the unimaginable as they organised their baby’s funeral.

Thanks to a ‘cuddle cot’, which keeps the baby cool, they were able to bring Katie home for a couple of days, bathe and dress her and spend time as a family.

“I’ve since had a quilt made from the wee outfits we put on her and we buried her in fabric cut from

my wedding dress and re-sewn by a seamstress.

“Katie was just so perfect; she just looked like she was sleeping, which almost made it harder,” confesses Stephanie who marked little Katie’s 1st birthday with cake and balloons at the Ballyoan cemetery where she’s laid to rest.

“After Katie I just got on with things and assumed I was grieving but it wasn’t until Louie came along that my health visitor and I realised there was more to it.

“I think that’s the case with a lot of women who’ve faced similar losses – it’s attributed to grief when in fact it’s post natal depression. I was diagnosed with PTSD too because Louie’s was a traumatic birth and coming on top of Katie’s loss, it was too much.”

However, thanks to support from MAS and her healthcare team, Stephanie finally got the diagnosis which allowed her to access the support she needed to heal.

“The peer support I received through MAS was invaluable for you need to be able to share how you feel with someone who’s lived the same experience,” continues Stephanie who’s now training to become a peer support facilitator herself.

“I don’t think you ever ‘get over’ something like this, however, with the right help you can learn to cope with it. As I watch Louie grow though it will always remind me of Katie and the life she missed out on.”

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SMILE YOU’LL LOVE If you are unhappy with your smile, Michele King from Portstewart Family Dental has all the solutions.

Orthodontics, the branch of dentistry concerned with the growth of the teeth, jaws and face, is in high demand. In excess of 200,000 children and teenagers in England and Wales have treatment within the NHS every year, with growing numbers of adults and young people seeking treatment on a private basis. Why? Orthodontic treatment is about making the best of your teeth; it’s about improving the harmony of your mouth and jaws. Once you can bite together correctly, you can eat more comfortably and care for your teeth and gums more easily. And your smile will benefit immensely!

THE BENEFITS OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT INCLUDE: •

Removal of dental crowding or closing spaces

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Alignment of the upper and lower dental arches

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Correction of the bite of the teeth so that the front teeth meet on closing and the back teeth mesh together

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Reducing the likelihood of damage to prominent teeth

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Enhancing facial aesthetics

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Accommodating impacted, unerupted or displaced teeth

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Preparation for advanced dental treatment, such as crowns, bridges or dental implants

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Reversing the drifting of the teeth in older patients who have suffered from advanced gum disease

THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS PATIENTS SEEK TREATMENT: •

Protruding upper front teeth - one of the most common dental problems

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Crowding – a narrow jaw may mean there is not enough room for your teeth, resulting in crowding. Conversely, some patients have significant gaps between their teeth.

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Asymmetry – particularly when the centre lines of the upper and lower front teeth do not match, perhaps because the teeth have drifted, or the position of the jaw has shifted.

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A deep bite – when your upper teeth cover the lower teeth too much

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An open bite – when your front teeth remain apart when your back teeth meet; the tongue is often still visible between the upper and lower front teeth.

Impacted teeth - in some patients, secondary teeth come through in the wrong position or do not erupt at all. Orthodontic treatment can help bring these teeth into the correct position.

Here at Portstewart Family Dental we have invested in 3D digital technology which allows us to take a 3D image of your teeth. This image is then used in a sophisticated orthodontic software package to show you your possible journey and results before we get

started, therefore you can make an informed decision over your treatment.

This same technology can store your end result so if you were worried your teeth had relapsed after treatment, we can overlay the two images and check for any discrepancies.

So, if you’re unhappy with your smile why not give us a call for a consultation, and we can talk about your smile.

Until the next time…

6A Lever Road │ Portstewart │ BT55 7EF │ Tel 028 7083 2798

www.portstewartfamilydental.co.uk

10 | Local Women Magazine

WIN ‘A TASTE OF HOME’ WITH YELLAMAN HONEYCOMB VODKA LIQUEUR Have you tried YellaMan Honeycomb Vodka Liqueur? Enter our competition today and enjoy the taste of the North Coast

In cocktails or over ice, YellaMan Honeycomb Vodka Liqueur is the perfect drink to remind you of sunny days on the North Coast.

Local drinks company Niche Drinks have been manufacturing and exporting their range of Irish Cream Liqueurs for over 35 years and now they are bringing a local favourite to a wider audience.

Managing Director Ciaran Mulgrew explains: “When I was a kid, we spent a lot of time up in Ballycastle and I always loved the Auld Lamas Fair and in particular Yellow Man - the hard boiled honeycomb sweet that you find all around the North Coast.

“Over the years I always thought it would be a great flavour to put into a liqueur and that’s where the idea behind ‘YellaMan Honeycomb Vodka Liqueur’ came from – it’s a fantastic honeycomb, and burnt caramel flavour which really comes through on the nose and on your palate.”

YELLAMAN

IT’S HONEYCOMB WITH A STING.

YellaMan has been launched locally by Drinks Inc. and Mulgrew has high hopes for it. “When people drink a vodka, the alcohol content at 37.5% is quite high and all people really get on their palate is the alcohol burn and no flavour. YellaMan is a vodka liqueur which means it is at a lower alcohol level and that makes it easier to taste the flavours in the product, hopefully people will enjoy it.”

To win a bottle of YellaMan Honeycomb Vodka Liqueur simply answer the following question.

Where does Yellow Man come from?

A. Ballycastle | B. Brighton | C. Belfast Send your answer A, B or C to editor@localwomensnews.com with your name address and a contact number. Cloaing date is November 1, 2021.

Good luck!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS This competition is hosted by Local Women Magazine. 1. Competition open to NI residents aged 18 or over. 2. This competition can be entered through Local Women Magazine via email editor@ localwomensnews.com. 3. All entries must be made directly by the person entering the promotion.

Syndicated entries or those made using methods such as a computer macro, a script or the use of automated devices or processes are not allowed and all such entries will be disqualified and any prize award will be void. 4. Entries from third parties or agents, bulk entries, illegible or incomplete entries will not be accepted. 5. The competition will begin on Thursday, October 5 and ends on Monday, November 1, 2021. 6. The winning entry will be selected from all correct entries using a number generator. 7.No cash alternative offered. 8.Editor’s decision is final.

For a full list of stockists check out our social media at @yellamanhoneycombliqueur 12 | Local Women Magazine

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WEE JOAN’S DOG WALK

Big hearted north coast couple Willie Gregg and Stephanie Holmes launch Wee Joan’s Dog Walk to raise money for local charities

By Mav Shiels Well-known north coast couple Stephanie Holmes and Willie Gregg hosted a special event in honour of his late mum Joan last month to raise money for charity.

The well attended ‘Wee Joan’s Dog Walk’ will hopefully be the first of many charity fundraisers held by the couple to help local charities.

The dog walk raised close to £2,500 for the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust (NICTL), which gives children with terminal and life limiting illnesses the chance to have magical moments at Christmas.

Stephanie shares how the event came about, what the couple hopes might come out of it, and the ways in which continued donations to the charity will mean so much to some children.

Stephanie says: “Sadly Willie’s mum passed away in February, and she had always wanted Willie to do some charity work locally. She loved dogs, so on her dog walk from above!” the perfect thing to do was a dog walk.”

The event did have social distancing measures Willie had hoped to be able to do the dog walk in place, with people setting off on the walk in while his mother was still alive, but restrictions intervals. brought about by Coronavirus meant it had to be delayed. He says, though, that he knows she Stephanie says she and Willie had hoped to make will be watching the event as it continues to grow: the event even bigge but weren’t able to do so “My mother was very disappointed that we had to safely due to Coronavirus. postpone it, but I know she will be keeping an eye “We would have loved to have a dog show, and some extra things going on, but we just kept ƒ Willie with his late mum Joan. it simple with the walk, which was a massive success on its own.

“It’s going to be an annual event, though, so we will be able to build on it. The walk was perfect for the first event, but we would like to do even more next year. Maybe as it gets bigger, we could bring in other charities as well.”

Stephanie shares the reasons why Wille chose this particular charity, the NICTL, to receive the funds raised by the event.

She explains: “It’s local, and it was very dear to

Joan’s heart. It’s difficult to choose, because there are so many charities out there, but it is such a well deserving charity.

“The Trust gives children who are terminal or have limitations to their lives the chance to go over to Lapland for the day, and it gives them the chance to make some really special memories.”

The charity, sadly, were not able to fly to Lapland last year because of the pandemic, but more than made up for it, by giving the children personalised

ƒ The dog winners, Alfie the dachshund best small dog, Willow the English Sheep Dog best large dog, Ralph the Cockapoo best medium dog and Kona the Havanese dog the overall winner!

letters from Santa, as well as a video from him in Lapland.

ƒ Stephanie

The selected children, and their siblings, also received extra gifts which were hand-picked for them with the help of their parents and delivered by some of Santa’s little helpers to their homes.

Willie has also raised funds for many other charities and his efforts saw him win a Sunday Life Spirit of NI Award in 2017. The Chair of the NICTL, Colin Barkley, is also grateful to have someone helping out who has already done so much.

“We are delighted that Willie has come on board and joins us in our aim to give thousands more vulnerable NI children a trip of a lifetime.”

Stephanie says the hope is that the trip to Lapland will be able to go ahead again this year: “Hopefully they will be able to do it this year, but if they can’t the children will still get something to remember.

It is clear Stephanie and Willie have a strong sense of community, doing whatever they can to help those who deserve it.

“It’s all about doing something special for the kids. They have a really tough time, and some of them almost only see the insides of hospitals, so it’s all about giving them good memories.”

Stephanie shares her thoughts on it: “If we can help out in any way whatsoever, we are happy to.

We hope that it will grow and grow every year. It’s nice to do what we can.”

It was Joan, Willie’s late mother, who always wanted him to do some more charity work closer to home, and the Trust was a cause close to her heart.

As a charity that gives children so many magical memories, it’s easy to see why, and without any government or Lottery funding, it runs on donations alone.

supports charitable causes.

As the manager of the local Harbour Bar, Willie is well known in the community, as is Stephanie, who recently sold her own business. children off the streets. Some of the stories were heart-breaking.

She adds that the charity work has been keeping her busy since, though, as herself and Willie were “Willie helped some of those children all the way setting up the event in their own time. through University, and they’ve got great jobs There are no plans to slow down anytime soon, Even the medical staff who accompany the now, and some have even come back to work at too, with Wee Joan’s Dog Walk set up to become an children on the trips are there on their own time, the orphanage. annual event where people can have a scenic walk and Stephanie says that’s just another reason why “He has since started work to help the children in the sunshine around the stunning North Coast. this charity seemed so worthy. living in slums in Bangkok. If a fire broke out in It’s also a great excuse to come out and socialise, “The beauty of it is that it’s all people who are the middle of the slums, all anyone could do is and have a chat, all while raising funds for a volunteering. Every penny that goes into that carry water to it, so Willie set up a fire station worthy cause. point for them. charity goes to the kids.”

If you want to be part of it next year, look for There is no doubting that the charity chosen “He’s also helped get the children off the streets, information on the NI Children to Lapland Trust to get the money from the dog walk is a worthy where they could get kidnapped or taken Facebook Page, or check Twitter @LaplandTrust. cause, but Stephanie says it’s not the first bit of advantage of, so there’s an orphanage set up in Or, if you want to donate now, and help give some Bangkok now too.” fundraising Willie has been a part of. children magical moments, search for Wee Joan’s “The Boxing Day tsunami was in 2004, so Willie Willie’s Orphan Fund has raised nearly £500,000 Dog Walk on JustGiving to donate to the event, or set up a charity in 2005 to help get orphaned to date and is just one of the ways in which he contact the NICLT directly.

16 | Local Women Magazine

Local Women Magazine | 17

WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS?

It might seem impossible but fear not the National Medical Weight Loss Programme could be for you. Emma Heaney from Elite Aesthetic Clinic successfully launched the programme earlier this year and the results have been simply life changing.

FAQ WHAT IS THIS NATIONAL MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME (NMWLP)?

The National Medical Weight Loss Programme is a combined programme of calorie-controlled diet, exercise and an added pharmacotherapy (medicine – a small injection pen) that you administer at home. This pen helps to suppress and manage your appetite as well as activating certain metabolic pathways. The medication does not work alone and is only successful as part of an overall programme.

HOW DO I START THIS PROGRAMME?

By Emma Heaney, Elite Aesthetic Clinic RN RM PHNS INP There are only 12 weeks until Christmas – yes, the summer is well and truly behind us and before the silly season arrives, which we know will be jam packed with opportunities to overindulge, let’s break this ongoing selfdestructing cycle.

Emma Heaney is a huge fan of the National Weight Loss Programme and since she launched it at Elite earlier this year, she has seen some incredible results.

Coming from a medical background herself, Emma knows that the programme is completely safe.

She says: “This isn’t a fad, quick fix or gimmicky diet, this is a medical programme with strict entry criteria to safely help and support you in your weight loss journey.”

18 | Local Women Magazine

The NMWLP uses prescription medication. You must complete a medical assessment with myself.

I will carry out a comprehensive consultation to ensure you are the right candidate and it is safe for you to use it.

STEP 1: Complete the online consultation.

STEP 2: Schedule a virtual or in clinic consultation STEP 3: Commence your weight loss journey

WHO CAN TAKE THIS MEDICATION? Adults aged 18 - 75, who have a BMI of 30 or above.

Adults BMI of 27 when there are any other weight-related health issues present such as high blood pressure, abnormal levels of fats in the blood (lipids) or breathing problems during sleep (obstructive sleep apnoea).

HOW DOES IT WORK? The medication will work as an appetite suppressant. Delivery is via a virtually painless injection taken daily or weekly, that messaging system is activated. It then makes you:

• • •

Feel less hungry, Feel fuller quicker and fuller for longer.

This should lead to significant weight loss.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO START WORKING? Most users report it takes around a few hours to start to work once on treatment dose.

THE MEDICINE LASTS FOR A WEEK, SO WILL I FEEL HUNGRIER TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEK AS THE MEDICINE WEARS OFF? Everyone has different experiences, but generally people say they “don’t feel hungry at all” on the medication. You may feel less effect as the week goes on but it’s unlikely. If you do start to get

burning excess calories – it improves your health on many levels including the release of ‘happy hormones’.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN I EXPECT TO LOSE? This varies but most people will lose around a stone (6.5kg) every 4-6 weeks. But you are expected to lose a minimum of 5 per cent of body weight after completing 12 weeks of treatment.

There are many factors that affect this.

WHAT DO I DO ONCE I REACH MY IDEAL WEIGHT? This is really down to you. Most people feel happy to maintain their lifestyle to manage hunger cravings it’s best to tell us as soon as weight regain. You do have the option of possible, so we can look at altering the dose or staying on a low maintenance dose to help with this. your Injection technique.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE-EFFECTS ?

DO YOU NEED TO FAST?

Some patients will experience short-term side effects including:

No, fasting is not a requirement of the programme.

We encourage a calorie-controlled diet and use the MyFitnessPal app to help you with this and your exercise goals.

• • • • • •

Nausea Indigestion Constipation Diarrhoea Abdominal discomfort Headache

Losing weight and managing to keep it off has many health benefits which include:

•

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

DO YOU PROVIDE RECOMMENDED DIETS?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS ?

• • • • •

BEFORE

Improving mental well-being Reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease Reducing the risk of 13 types of cancers Reducing the risk of muscular and skeletal disease Reducing the risk of premature death

We do provide the Department of Health’s nutritional guidelines and advice together with helpful tips and choices , but we do not provide individualised diets plans and nutritional advice . I would highly recommend you follow Tara Grimes Fitness who is an extremely safe, result driven, knowable nutritionist and personal trainer.

I DON’T LIKE NEEDLES - WILL IT HURT? The needles are super fine and painless.

WHO IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THIS TREATMENT? •

• • The short answer is: ‘yes’ it’s very safe. It has been • fully trialled, tested and prescribed successfully • on the NHS in the UK and fully FDA approved • • in the USA.

IS IT SAFE?

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Pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breast feeding Inflammatory bowel disease History of thyroid cancer History of pancreatitis Severe kidney disease Severe heart failure Taking insulin.

If you are interested in this exciting weight loss programme, contact the team on 07712332154 Ideally yes! Exercise will be helpful in the long or visit our website www.eliteaestheticclinic. run to get you healthier, but it does not mean you co.uk. Please click the National Weight Loss need to spend countless hours in the gym!

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Local Women Magazine | 19

GET AWAY TO BENONE GETAWAYS Owner of Benone Getways Louise Conn has created a unique and luxurious glamping experience in the most scenic of locations.

2021 has been the year of the staycation.

TELL US HOW YOU CAME TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

With foreign travel disrupted due to the pandemic, many people preferred to holiday closer to home.

I saw potential in the local area for quirky accommodation and decided that a glamping village would be a unique opportunity, given our location at Benone. We started the process in 2019 and worked throughout lockdown to get the business ready to open in June 2020.

We may not have much sunshine here in Northern Ireland but what we do have is scenery and some amazing hidden gems to visit – no matter what the weather.

In fact, such was the demand for home grown holidays this year, that it was difficult to find accommodation along our beautiful coastline this summer.

Growing up in Magilligan, Co Londonderry with its amazing scenic backdrops and the rugged Benone Strand nearby, Louise Conn knows that holidaymakers love to visit her amazing home area, which is a little off the beaten track.

But with little in the way of accommodation in the area, it can be hard to find a place to stay - so 20 | Local Women Magazine

Louise decided to set up her own, hitting upon the idea of a glamping village and holiday apartments.

And with the pandemic ensuring that everyone stayed close to home this year, the newly opened Benone Getways quickly took off. Tourists flocked to the scenic location for a taste of the outdoors with a big helping of luxury!

Local Women speaks to owner Louise about her plans for expansion at Benone Getaways which has quickly become one of the most popular glamping sites in the north coast.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT IS ON OFFER AT BENONE GETAWAYS? Benone Getaways is a family run business. We offer two self-catering apartments, six luxury glamping pods, four of which have private hot tubs. All pods have use of the Chill & Grill BBQ Hut and their own outdoor fire pit.

HAVE YOU SEEN A RISE IN TOURISTS ENJOYING STAYCATIONS? There has definitely been an increase in both local

and NI staycations. We have found a lot of our guests have become repeat customers.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU FROM INITIAL IDEA FOR YOUR BUSINESS TO ACTUALLY TRADING? I had the initial idea at the start of 2019. After planning approval, we were set to open at Easter 2020. Unfortunately, the first lockdown came, and we had to put our opening plans on hold. But this gave me the opportunity to make those final touches that make our business so special.

WHAT IS YOUR WORK BACKGROUND? My background is in agriculture. I am a farmer’s daughter and have a degree in Agriculture and Rural Affairs. But I found this was beneficial when planning and executing things like groundworks and maintenance for the glamping site.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY? Every day is different at Benone Getaways. But they are all busy! I do everything from checking in/ out guests to cleaning pods, maintaining the hot tubs and keeping the office running.

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL CUSTOMER? Our guests come from many different backgrounds. We have had staycationers, families, hen parties, romantic getaways. It makes the job exciting to meet so many different kinds of people, each looking for that something special for their break away.

WHAT DO YOU MOST LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB? What I love most is the variety of work you can be doing. I'm a hands-on girl and love to get stuck in to anything that needs done. It gives me a better idea of what's going on and what we could try next.

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE BUSINESS? Our plans our still top secret at this stage! But I would like to maximise bookings and work alongside other local tourism businesses to offer the best possible customer experience.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING DURING YOUR TIME OFF? I've had very little time off since we opened but I do enjoy getting a break away and being the guest for a change. I love to try new experiences and sample what both Northern Ireland and the world has to offer.

ARE THERE ANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED YOU BUILD YOUR BUSINESS? I would have to give massive credit to all my family and friends who have helped me along the journey so far. They have all stepped up and got involved and helped get the business to where it is today.

Benone Getaways is situated at 5a Benone Avenue - just a few minutes’ walk from Benone beach

Check availability and book at

www.benonegetaways.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 21

KEEP IT LOCAL IN THE CAUSEWAY COAST AND GLENS

With your new £100 Shop Local gift card arriving, there’s never been a better time for a shopping trip to the Causeway Coast and Glens.

Shopping local has never been so good in the Causeway Coast and Glens.

You will be spoilt for choice in the borough’s fantastic shopping towns that all have a unique and relaxed shopping experience.

There’s something special about shopping in the Causeway Coast and Glens. The borough’s towns and villages are unique in many ways, but they all share a common value in providing shoppers with quality products and a welcoming experience.

And at the heart of the shopping experience is the host of amazing independent retailers which you’ll see on the high streets across the borough.

Independent traders have always been at the heart of towns like Portstewart, Limavady, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Ballycastle, Dungiven and Ballymoney.

The tradition has continued, and new retailers have joined some old favourites to breathe new life into the borough’s towns.

So where better to enjoy a day out shopping with your new £100 Shop Local card. You really will be spoilt for choice. It’s time to rediscover some of the amazing and sourced within the area. shopping towns and enjoy a little retail There is stunning new street art, funded by therapy. the Department for Communities through Alongside a variety of stores, many its Town Centre Covid-19 Recovery and independent retailers and plenty to see Revitalisation Programme, which has and do, there is an ever-increasing range brought renewed vibrancy and created of award-winning local products made exciting new focal points in our towns and 22 | Local Women Magazine

seaside resorts.

The initiative involved some of the UK and Ireland’s leading street artists who unleashed their creativity in Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady, Portrush and Portstewart with striking artworks celebrating the Borough’s culture and rich history on gable walls, alleyways and doors. Make sure you look up and around you the next time you visit to see these beautiful artworks for yourself.

And as you seek to rediscover the Causeway Coast and Glens this autumn, don’t forget to use your £100 ‘Shop Local’ card to #ShopEatEnjoyLocal across the area.

Launched as part of Executive’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) recovery programme, anyone over the age of 18 in Northern Ireland is eligible to apply for the pre-paid card worth £100. The cards will need to be spent

by November 30th, so whether you have your eye on some awesome art, creative crafts or a feast of fabulous locally produced food and drink, treat yourself to something new while supporting our fantastic business community across the Causeway Coast and Glens.

Remember, you can enjoy the choice and flexibility offered by the Causeway Coast & Glens Gift Card at any time of the year. Unique to the area, they ensure your money is spent in the Borough at our ever-growing list of participating outlets.

The easy-to-use Gift Card can be purchased at our Visitor Information Centres or online at www. causewaycoastandglensgiftcard. co.uk for any value above £10. And with Christmas not too far away, they’re the perfect ‘gift of choice’ for any occasion!

SHOP LOCAL WITH THE GIFT CARD SCHEME Across the area, the Causeway Coast & Glens Gift Card scheme is proving popular for those who want to support the shop local message.

If you are looking for a great gift idea, why not purchase a card which can be spent in over 200 shops and businesses across the borough.

It offers so much choice redeemed in multiple outlets to hotels, to clothes shops, to stores, to activity attractions more.

and can be from jewellers, cafes, to food and so much

Check out the website for more information on how to buy a Gift Card and to see all the places where you can use the Gift Card.

You can get your Gift Card personalised and delivered to you or to the door of the recipient. www.causewaycoastandglensgiftcard.co.uk For any business not currently involved in the Causeway Coast & Glens Gift Card scheme and you would like more information contact: catrina.mcneill@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Local Women Magazine | 23

DOWN ROYAL WELCOMES BACK LADIES DAY

This year Dr Emma Clinics is the principal sponsor alongside official media partner, Local Women Magazine.

The Down Royal Festival of Racing will be the highpoint of the year for racing aficionados, socialites and fashionistas alike as Down Royal hosts an unprecedented weekend of entertainment on 29th and 30th of October.

ƒ Dr Emma Cunningham of Dr Emma Clinics, Claire Rutherford, Sales & Marketing Director at Down Royal Racecourse and Rebecca McKinney who will act as official host on Ladies Day.

With the Ladbrokes Grade 1 Champion Chase the highlight of the race card, it is no less competitive away from the race track with Ladies Day taking place for the first time in two years on Saturday 30th October, when frocks, fascinators, heels and hats will be the order of the day.

This year, the principal sponsor has been confirmed as Dr Emma Clinics, Ireland’s premier facial aesthetics practitioners, alongside official media partner, Local Women magazine.

The ‘Best Dressed Lady Competition’ is open to all female racegoers, with the winner taking home an amazing Dr Emma Clinics ‘Ultimate Glow Up’ prize package worth over £4,000 including Hydra Facial’s, INTRAcel Pro and Profhilo treatments, Bespoke skincare regime and IV Cocktail Drip, teeth whitening treatment and Skinade supplements.

ƒ Rebecca McKinney who will act as official host on Ladies Day and Dr Emma Cunningham of Dr Emma Clinics 24 | Local Women Magazine

best of local fashion. We are looking forward to seeing the ladies showcasing some great looks and sensational style.”

Claire Rutherford, Sales & Marketing Director at Down Royal Racecourse said: “We are delighted to announce Dr Emma Clinics Dr Emma Cunningham said: “We are thrilled as principal sponsor of our ‘Ladies Day Best to be sponsoring the ‘Best Dressed Lady Dressed Competition’ – yet another amazing Competition’ at Down Royal’s Festival of local brand investing in Down Royal.

Racing – one of the most hotly anticipated “The Festival of Racing is the highlight of events this autumn for all those stylish raceour racing calendar and promises to be a going ladies. We look forward to seeing superb experience for all. The spectacle of the style on the day and would encourage Ladies Day has been very much missed over everyone to enter for a chance to win some the past two years and is certain to bring fabulous prizes from Dr Emma.” an extra element of colour to an already Local Women Magazine Managing Editor, prestigious day of horse racing.”

Kim Kelly said they were thrilled to be Gates open at 11am and the first race is at associated with the much anticipated Ladies 1.05pm. For full details on the Ladbrokes Day at the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing.

Festival of Racing or to book tickets, please She said: “As a publication we focus on the visit www.downroyal.com.

www.savvyandshine.com @savvyandshine

@savvyandshineuk

@savvyandshine

Stocked where good hairdressers are found

“MY BATTLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS FOR SAMUEL”

Devoted Enniskillen mum Avril Sheppard talks to Local Women about the battle she had to get a diagnosis for her brave son Samuel who is recovering from surgery for bone cancer.

A mother’s intuition is rarely wrong and in the case of Avril Sheppard, it led to the diagnosis of young son Samuel’s stage two (B) osteosarcoma of his left tibia.

The Tyrone-born mum-of-two, who lives in Enniskillen, felt in her gut that something wasn’t right when he developed an inexplicable limp.

and Avril, who had studied reflexology, kept an eye on their feet. Samuel, however, also had flat feet which meant he sometimes walked awkwardly. To this end, he regularly visited a podiatrist and wore insoles to help with his posture.

In the middle of September 2020, Avril was picking her son up from school when she noticed he was limping. He wasn’t From an early age, Samuel and older complaining of any pain, but his mum knew brother Harley had suffered from verrucas he had a high pain threshold. Concerned, she contacted the podiatrist who told her that recently fitted insoles wouldn’t be causing the limp.

“They told me the insoles he’d been given in August to rectify his gait wouldn’t be to blame and that it might be nerve pain,” says Avril.

“He was told to do exercises and I ƒ Avril Sheppard. was advised to bring him to see a physiotherapist. But I needed a label for sent via email due to the lack of face-tothis - a proper explanation. face doctor appointments, the GP told Avril “I just felt that something wasn’t right so went to bring her son to the South West Acute into full-on detective mode.”

Hospital in Enniskillen, where an X-ray of his Avril noticed that Samuel wasn’t himself. leg was taken.

His moods were a bit off, and he seemed The following day, Avril received a phone call ‘miserable’. Yet still there were no words of from her GP to say that cancer was suspected complaint from the child. and that Samuel would be ‘red lighted’ to His anxious mum brought him to see a Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. physiotherapist who told her his leg bone was fatter on one side and that there was marginal swelling. Still not convinced, Avril brought him to a second physiotherapist, who examined him thoroughly and advised her to talk to her GP about the possibility of an X-ray. ƒ Samuel during treatment

“I was so anxious waiting on the call from my doctor after his X-ray,” says Avril. “I went through a whole host of emotions; anger, frustration. It had been a battle to get him a label, but for weeks I had known something was wrong.

“I thought it was an infection or something. I After studying photographs of Samuel’s leg, just didn’t think it would be cancer.”

Avril was told by the orthopaedic surgeon that Samuel had one of two cancers osteosarcoma or Ewing’s sarcoma. A 12cm tumour had been discovered wrapped around his ankle joint. But they had to wait another long, agonising nine days to find out which of the two cancers it was to figure out his treatment plan. Samuel was kept in hospital for six of those tough days, with his mum frantically looking online to find out as much as she could.

trailblazing model Bernadette Hagans.

“It was an awful time, really awful,” says Avril.

“I felt cut adrift after that.

Avril says: “I remember saying to Samuel one day about what a terrible year he’d been through, and he said that he didn’t mind.

I asked him why and he replied: ‘Because I wouldn’t have met Bernadette if it wasn’t for my leg’.”

“I was loaded up with all this trauma and then left hanging. The sarcoma nurse was great; I could contact her any time.

The 25-year-old amputee won third place at the Miss NI 2021 pageant as well as picking up the special ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ gong at the Belfast event.

She has also been the focus of a new BBC documentary about her cancer journey and life as a model with a prosthetic leg. Samuel looks up to her and she has been a huge help and inspiration to the young boy.

ƒ Samuel with inspirational Miss NI finalist Bernadette Hagans who also had her limb amputated.

“I remember emailing her in the early hours “I had Samuel in the car with me; it was his of the morning, asking her if my child was 11th birthday. My other son Harley was being going to die.” looked after by my dad.

Avril, a single parent, was eventually told “How was I going to tell Samuel this? I Samuel had stage two (B) osteosarcoma. hadn’t told him he had cancer, but he knew Even though she’d known deep down something serious was up.” something was terribly wrong, it still came as a shock. But worse was to come. At When Samuel finally did ask his mum if Musgrave Hospital in Belfast, where they he had cancer, Avril heartbreakingly had met with the orthopaedics team, Avril was to confirm his fears. He asked her then told that Samuel would have to have part of if they could talk about something else; anything else. his leg amputated.

Samuel now wants to go around primary schools talking to other children about his cancer journey and how he is learning to adapt to his new leg and new way of life.

He’s interested in the power of the mind and has expressed an interest in becoming a hypnotherapist when he leaves school.

Samuel had to undergo rounds of chemotherapy first before undergoing surgery on January 15 of this year. The cancer had burst out from the ankle bone into the blood vessels, so the amputation was necessary to save his life.

She’s also relieved she followed her intuition and pushed for a diagnosis a year ago.

“I didn’t expect to hear that,” Avril says.

“I had to drive to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children after that, for the first meeting with the oncologist. I was in shock.

According to his mum, who had to give up her family support job to look after him, Samuel is ‘stubborn, determined, witty, sociable and kind’ and she is proud of how he has handled such a traumatic ordeal.

“I guess I’m determined too,” she says. “I have friends who have said to me that they wouldn’t have looked into things the way I did and pushed for answers.

For functionality, they removed part of his leg from the mid shin. The surgery was “I was like a dog with a bone. Maybe it’s straightforward and afterwards, when because I am a single parent that I pushed his new prosthetic leg was fitted, Samuel harder. And I’m so glad now that I did.” accepted it in his normal, matter-of-fact way.

He has since had more chemotherapy, which only finished six or seven weeks ago.

The surgery removed the tumour and with it, the cancer, but he still has to have weekly infusions and he won’t get to ring the bell to signal the end of treatment until November.

“Things are looking very hopeful,” says Avril. “It’s still early days but he is mentally and physically strong and is already into wheelchair basketball.

“I’ve had to keep him off school. He should’ve been starting year eight at Enniskillen Royal Grammar, but his immune system is low as it is and he’s very well aware of what’s going on in the world, so doesn’t feel ready himself.

“He has a great bunch of friends around him, and he’s made many more in the amputee community, which has been amazing.

“Of course, there have been times when he’s got angry and cried but to be honest, I felt relieved to see him react like that.” ƒ August 2020 before Samuel’s diagnosis.

One of his new pals and a positive role model for Samuel is Miss Northern Ireland star and

ƒ Mum Avril with sons Harley (blue mask) and Samuel Local Women Magazine | 27

Creating scents and making memories

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With Buick House Candles I wanted to create elegant, luxury fragrances that would trigger memories of people, places, past times… and create new memories.

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Cupboard. This has notes of Orangeflower, Lavender, Rose and Cedarwood ..a truly comforting fragrance. Just pop one cube into a Buick House Candle ceramic wax burner and fill your home with a beautiful, luxurious fragrance

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28 | Local Women Magazine

THE PERFECT RASPBERRY & WHITE CHOCOLATE SCONE EVERYONE NEEDS THIS RECIPE IN THEIR LIFE • 1 kg plain flour • 4tbsp caster sugar • 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 4 tsp cream of tartar • 250g butter chilled and chopped • 500ml buttermilk • 2 eggs • 1 punnet of frozen raspberries • 75g white chocolate

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Rub the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Alternatively this can be done in a food processor and transferred to a large bowl.

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Press or roll all the dough to a thickness ofapprox. 1 inch. Insert raspberries into onehalf. Flip the other half over, press or rollwith a rolling pin keeping a thickness of 3cmapprox. and stamp out using chosen cutters.

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Local Women Magazine | 29

LISTEN, SHARE, CHANGE

Great results from a shared reading programme tackling isolation and loneliness digitally during lockdown.

The Listen Share Change programme, is a 4-year cross community programme delivered by the Housing Executive in partnership with Verbal and supported by SEUPB which aims to promote positive relations among 52 estates, celebrate cultural diversity and promote community cohesion supporting tenants to live, learn and socialise together, free from prejudice, hate and intolerance.

Each week a team of trained LSC Neighbourhood Champions deliver Listen Share Change sessions to over 20 Community Groups province wide.

“It was developed by the Housing Executive in partnership with Verbal to deliver a province wide programme which results in meaningful, purposeful and sustained contact, conversation and discussion.

The programme provides an opportunity to promote a common vision in which housing plays its part in creating a peaceful, inclusive, prosperous and fair society and has been instrumental in reducing isolation and supporting participants mental health during these difficult times,” said Chris Davis, Assistant Neighbourhoods and Cohesion Manager, Housing Executive.

Verbal’s shared reading model is used to bring people together to listen, laugh and have a conversation through short stories. The aim is to build positive relations through conversation and shared experience from participants of different backgrounds. This programme has gone from strength to strength since it first launched in 2018 and has been delivered to a total of 1411 participants across NI. Face-to-face delivery of the programme was affected when Covid-19 struck in early 2020.

“Knowing how much this programme meant to our community participants and the emerging need to tackle isolation and loneliness, we set our focus on launching a Digital LSC Programme,” said Carol

ƒ Carosyl Community Association in Lisnaskea enjoying their reading rooms outside

order for our participants to remain connected with the community while helping to tackle loneliness and With some additional training and support we isolation throughout the pandemic. were able to launch LSC Digital, enabling our participants, both old and new, to join in and Our participants have particularly underlined the enjoy the Reading Room experience from their positive impact the programme has had on their homes. By successfully increasing the accessibility mental health and wellbeing. One LSC participant of our online platform, we were able to create 24 Wendy from the Enniskillen group stated: “LSC in targeted digital groups and reach 438 participants lockdown has been a great thing. You are still in across Northern Ireland during the initial Covid-19 contact with people, and it has been great to connect lockdown period. Alongside this we were able to with people. It really has been a blessing.” deliver to new groups to meet the needs within a As restrictions ease, we have started to return to face community. Needless to say, none of which would to face delivery. The Newtown Together Men’s Shed have been achieved without the critical support of have recently completed our 10-week programme our incredibly dedicated team of volunteers. face to face. We still deliver the programme digitally We are delivering digitally to Kilcooley Women’s using Zoom and have recently completed a digital Centre and hoping to get our new groups started programme with Ballyholland Sunshine Club from soon, whether they are physically or digitally. Newry, who are looking forward to bringing their Delighted to have received great feedback second cohort together in their community centre. surrounding the digital sessions, it’s evident that our For more information: Communities | Verbal Arts online programme has proven to be a vital tool in Centre (theverbal.co)

Hegarty, LSC Programme Manager.

This Autumn

SHOP EAT ENJ Y LOCAL 30 | Local Women Magazine

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Local Women Magazine | 31

Coleraine Coffee Morning

Coleraine Town Hall was the venue for a coffee morning in aid of the Zachary Geddis Break The Silence Trust Pictures by Sammy McMullan

CENTENARY CERTIFICATES FOR LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS East Londonderry MP delivers the first of Northern Ireland Centenary Certificates to Primary Schools

Yasmin Geddis along with Siobhan Stevens.

Yasmin Geddis, pictured with her baby Zander and Mum Louise at a Coffee Morning in Coleraine Town Hall in aid of the ZGBTST - Zachery Geddis Break The Silence Trust.

Gregory Campbell MP commented: “As MP for East Londonderry during this very important year I felt it fitting to commission a certificate to mark the centenary of our great country, this is being made available to primary schools across the constituency.

We have a lot to be proud of as a country over the last 100 years from our great sporting heroes like Harry Gregg, George Best and Joey Dunlop, literary giants like CS Lewis and our remarkable businesses and excellent hospitability and products. It is important

Louise Geddis, pictured at a Coffee & Info event held by the Zachary Geddis Break The Silence Trust.

Yasmin and Dwayne Geddis.

to remember our past achievements but equally in doing so we help prepare future generations for the challenges ahead.

“I hope this certificate will help to highlight the significance of Northern Ireland’s centenary to our young people and be a keep sake for them in this important year.”

If youth groups or community group would be interested in taking delivery of certificates please contact either Coleraine Office on 02870 327327 or Limavady 028777 66060.’

Louise Geddis with Volunteer Olivia Delaney.

32 | Local Women Magazine

Make it Special, Make it An Grianán

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@angriananhotel Local Women Magazine | 33

THE DESIGNERIE – FLOURISHING IN THE HEART OF BUSHMILLS Local Women meets Manager of The Designerie in Bushmills, Leeanne Irwin, who heads up an amazing team of creatives on the North Coast day, see them working and hear all about their creative journey.

It’s been almost a year since Leeanne Irwin took over as manager at The Designerie, so Local Women caught up with her to find out how she’s getting on at the Bushmills-based social enterprise, which is operated by Enterprise Causeway and is committed to supporting small businesses in the arts and creative sector.

“I come from a finance and tourism background and coupled with my natural creativity when the opportunity of managing The Designerie came up I jumped at the chance to apply for the role,” explains Leeanne.

Makers House includes a host of local talent including Jill Gurney (Linen Lane), Laura McIlveen Photography, Susan F Hunter, and Fee McToal Design. With the recent addition of the Ulster University Graduates in residence, currently featuring Gillian Brownlow. And of course the wonderful mother and daughter team of Taylor Yates you’re really spoilt for choice with the range of products we have in store.

“The last year has been the best and the worst time to take on this challenge in a way, but I’m nothing if not determined and I wanted to make sure that The Designerie flourished despite the challenges, we and all businesses have faced over the last year and a half.

The Designerie Home range features the artwork of talents such as Paula Mc Kinney, Frankie Creith and the new to market Helen McKeown and of course this offer really compliments their neighbour across the street at the popular Gallery 1608.

And indeed, Leeanne and her team of creatives’ hard work has paid off. The team has been announced as finalists in six categories at The Causeway Chamber Awards 2021, which is an For those of you who haven’t visited The amazing achievement.

Designerie, it is set over two floors offering a “We’ve all got our fingers crossed for the awards curated selection of handmade products from ceremony,” says Leeanne. “The Designerie and The North Coast and beyond, including a Taste the wonderful creatives we showcase here feels Causeway selection. like the place where I belong. I have made some great friends along the way and more importantly There is also a team of talented creatives helped to grow and evolve the offer we have at operating from Makers House on the second 88 Main Street Bushmills for our customers.” floor, where you can meet them in person each

Leeanne says: “I’m really looking forward to the next year and helping to grow footfall in Bushmills village for experiences and of course local artisan food . The Peace IV funded regeneration of The Courthouse, Bushmills is really exciting for all of us and for our customers, call in and see our information pod upstairs in Makers House.

We know a lot of you will be looking for lovely places to spend your High Street Voucher - so why not call and see us the team are happy to help!”

OPEN HOURS: Monday - Saturday: 10.00am - 5.00pm The Designerie, Makers House and Taylor Yates 88 Main Street | Bushmills | BT57 8QD | Tel: 028 2073 2606

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LOCAL WOMEN’S NEW COLUMNIST

MY LIFE...

WITH ARLENE FOSTER

Local Women’s new columnist Arlene Foster shares her life after politics and discusses the issues affecting women here and internationally.

The last time you read about me in Local Women Magazine was when I was being interviewed about my role as First Minister. A week is a long time in politics and all of that - so here I am as your new columnist!! I’m hoping to bring you my take on some of the big stories affecting women not just here in Northern Ireland but across the world and so much has been happening it’s difficult to know where to start!

Let’s start with something positive. In midSeptember I attended the Northern Ireland showcase for business and innovation in the QE2 conference centre in London. I am always so proud of our companies from Northern Ireland especially our local companies as they always have a great story to tell. What made the event even more special however was the presence of so many female entrepreneurs.

They were ably supported by the wonderful Roseann Kelly of Women in Business NI. Roseann has been inspiring and leading women through Women in business for more years than she and I would care to remember (!) but she is succeeding and the voice and presence of women in the world of business is so much stronger because of her work than when I was Economy Minister back ten years ago – now I do feel old.

Women in Business NI was set up because there was a realisation that women were lacking role models and networking opportunities. It was just great to see so many women taking the opportunity in London to network with other like-minded people and also have the opportunity to listen to an all-female panel including the first female Permanent Secretary of the NIO Madeline Alessandri.

I do hope that the showcase in London and the visibility of more women in entrepreneurship and innovation will inspire more women to take the step forward into the world of business, how ever big or small their idea for business may be. Of course, there is more to do, but we are so much further forward than we were ten years ago.

36 | Local Women Magazine

So, when I was thinking of progress for women in Northern Ireland it brought me back to somewhere very far away from us – Afghanistan. At the end of August, the Taliban took control of the country again and the future looks grim for many women and girls living there. Over this last 20 years progress had been made, particularly in the education of girls but now all that progress has been snatched away. The Taliban have pledged to prevent what they see as the westernisation of women and part of that is the denial of education. That’s not the worst part – unfortunately, many young girls are given to Taliban fighters as child brides and violence against women is an everyday occurrence. Women who had taken up jobs in the police and military have been told to go home, or sometimes physically attacked.

The glimpse of freedom which women were given in the country has been cruelly taken away. I can only hope that international organisations like the United Nations will make the protection of women a priority in countries like Afghanistan. When we think of violence against women in Northern Ireland and how we are committed to stamping it out we should also think of our fellow women in place like Afghanistan and do all that we can to highlight their plight.

But now for more good news. It has just been announced that folic acid will be added to the production of bread in the UK. What’s this all about you may ask. Well, some committed campaigners, including Lord Dodds of Duncairn, have been trying to have folic acid added to the production of bread for many years. This fortifying of flour is great news because until now, pregnant women were recommended to take folic acid supplements to help prevent neural tube defects which includes spina bifida and the devastating anencephaly in their new-borns – now it will be present in our bread. This has been the norm in America since 1998 and many years of study has shown there are no side effects. Importantly those women from poorer backgrounds who were less likely to take the supplements will now get the benefit. This will help women and their children all over Northern Ireland and is really good news.

Having a baby is an expensive time for women and their families and I have a feeling that all women are going to feel the pinch in their purses over the coming months. After Covid and the intervention of the government with the furlough scheme and the extra millions needed for our health service, I think we all knew that this was a debt that would have to be paid back, however I don’t think many of us foreseen the increase in National insurance contributions announced by the PM to help deal with the social care crisis. This increase will mean less money going into families over the coming months and that’s now the only challenge on the horizon. Inflation is rising faster than predicted and this has an impact on the cost of everyday goods. Also, the price of our household energy is increasing as we seek to deal with supply issues of oil and gas from Russia and other rising costs. I think the cost of living is something I will have to return to many times in my new column over the coming months but for now I think it is something we need to be aware of and prepare for as we enter those winter months with all the hidden costs that come with the changing seasons.

So, there you have it – my first column- women in business, women in Afghanistan, folic acid in bread and the rising cost of living. An eclectic bag of issues to start with but if any of you wish to get in touch to let me know what you think please email me on arlene@arlenefoster.org.uk.

Have a great October.

www.arlenefoster.org.uk Arlene Foster

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£6M UPGRADE FOR NI’S LARGEST COFFEE BRAND Premium coffee to go brand, Barista Bar® has benefitted from a modernized brand refresh and the installation of new state of the art bean to cup machines and custom designed stands across the SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVo and ViVOXtra network.

spend since Barista Bar’s launch to £13 million and we aim to continue our investment programme throughout 2022 reaching even more customers and making the brand more accessible in almost every region of Northern Ireland as well as in Great Britain.

“Getting a premium cup of coffee has never been easier or more convenient. Our retail network loves the brand as the product range is so popular with their customers. We’ve had fantastic feedback already from both customers and retailers from those stores who have been able to experience the quality and consistency of our hot beverages. We’re looking forward to finalizing our rollout so that The brand refresh includes a variety of everyone can enjoy the new additions to the new hot drinks to complement the existing product range.”

Americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, Thompson teas and Barista Bar treats available in the Barista Bar® Brand Manager, Keavy O’Mahonyrange. These include a larger ‘lux’ drink offer, a Truesdale comments, “Our new Barista Bar flat white and a new style hot chocolate drink. machines are amongst the best in the market with a patented milk system which creates a Mark Stewart-Maunder, Henderson Foodservice’s sumptuous milk foam on cappuccinos, lattes Commercial and Development Director says, and hot chocolate drinks providing a consistent “This latest investment takes the total brand quality and taste.

The £6 million investment by Mallusk based owners, Henderson Foodservice is due for completion by mid-November, and with Barista Bar featuring in a further 30 new stores by the end of 2021, it will bring the total number of Barista Bar machines to 540 across 425 stores, making it Northern Ireland’s largest coffee brand.

“We’re also thrilled with the vibrant new stands as they are designed to have increased visibility in store, capturing shoppers’ attention as well as allowing for functional merchandising and stock holding.

“Being conscious of the environmental impact of single use coffee cups, we launched our own bespoke reusable cups of which there are currently almost 80,000 in use across Northern Ireland.

Barista Bar is committed to being a sustainable brand and rewards consumers for their support on this journey through our loyalty scheme which currently has over 78,000 registered users.”

Since it was unveiled in 2015 the Barista Bar® brand has seen exponential growth and currently sells over 11 million cups each year. The company is also expanding across the UK and currently has 48 Barista Bar sites located in CO-OP East of England stores with potential for further growth.

For more information about Barista Bar or to sign up to the popular loyalty scheme please visit www.mybaristabar.com.

To keep up to date with news, competitions and much more follow their social media channels at

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Local Women Magazine | 41

‘SET YOURSELF GOALS AND PLAN AHEAD’ Mortgage and Protection Adviser at The Mortgage Shop, Lisa Cassidy, is ready to help you get the best deal for your needs.

The Mortgage Shop is the home of great mortgage advice, helping first time buyers, home movers, buyto-let investors and those who want to re-mortgage, get the best deal possible. With access to thousands of mortgage deals from scores of lenders, the advisers are well placed to get you the right deal, guiding you through the process and taking the hassle out of what can be a very stressful time.

At The Mortgage Shop, it’s not just the mortgage they give you advice on. They will also help you protect your mortgage in the event of death, critical illness and help you protect your income in the event of injury or illness. The advisers are also qualified in giving you advice on protecting your family and lifestyle needs.

At The Mortgage Shop in Derry-Londonderry, Mortgage and Protection Adviser Lisa Cassidy has a wealth of experience and works with her clients to provide them with a mortgage deal that perfectly suits their needs and lifestyle. Lisa has recently returned to DerryLondonderry with her young family and over 10 years’ experience in financial services.

WHAT WAS YOUR ROUTE TO GETTING THIS JOB? I’ve worked in financial services since 2011 working with Santander. I was telephone based and my role was to help customers change mortgage products when their existing deal was coming to an end. During my time at Santander I felt I had more to offer customers and it was then I decided to further develop my career.

I reached out to The Mortgage Shop who are the largest long established lender in Northern Ireland and thankfully they offered me an amazing opportunity with them in the Cityside area of Derry-Londonderry, my home town. I knew this would provide me with more opportunities to help a wide variety of customers from first time buyers, home movers, people looking to re-mortgage for home improvements and offer these customers the best deal to suit their individual

requirements.

WHAT TRAINING DO YOU HAVE? I have 10 years’ experience in financial services. I qualified in 2014 as a mortgage adviser when I was awarded my certificate in mortgage advice and practice (CeMap) qualification.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY? I spend most of the day interacting with customers through various platforms such as zoom, telephone calls and face to face appointments. I spend time finding out about each customer’s individual needs and priorities in order to provide a mortgage and protection offer tailored to them. In this industry, criteria and lending policies are always changing, so I spend a lot of time researching and learning so that I can give the best advice to my customers.

IN THIS CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO GET A MORTGAGE? It’s not difficult to get a mortgage providing you have a deposit and have no adverse credit. For example, no late or missed payments on a credit facility like a mobile phone or credit card/loan etc. A mortgage is simply a loan secured against a house. The bank will need to check your credit history so that they can get an idea of how likely you are to keep up repayments.

IS IT HARD FOR A SINGLE WOMAN TO GET A MORTGAGE? I wouldn’t say it is hard for a single woman to get a mortgage at all. It may be that a single mortgage application may not be able to borrow as much as a joint application. However, it will all be down to affordability. The main two factors that will be assessed to check affordability will be your income and your outgoings.

WHAT DO YOU MOST LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB? I have only started this job and I absolutely love it. I love the job satisfaction you get when you’re able to help someone buy their dream home. Making the phone call to tell them thier mortgage has been accepted has a real feel-good factor.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A WOMAN WHO PERHAPS DOES NOT HAVE HER FINANCIAL AFFAIRS IN ORDER? Set yourself goals. If you have debt that is stopping you, then take each loan or credit card one at a time and focus on trying to clear it. If it’s savings that you struggle with then try to set realistic goals and save a manageable amount each month so that it starts to grow and try to save it in an account that is not easily accessible.

HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE A GOOD HOME/WORK LIFE BALANCE? I have two young children aged five and three and my work/life balance can be very full on. I find routine helps to keep me on track. We have set bedtimes which allows for time to relax in the evenings or exercise etc. I love spending the weekend with my family and our little Cavalier King Charles Lola going on day trips to the wild Atlantic coast.

ANY QUOTES YOU LIVE BY? I remember in secondary school seeing a poster on the wall in the corridor and it has always stuck with me. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Any goals I have I write down and work out a plan how to achieve them. Whether it was a plan to get married, buy our first house and even the age I wanted to have kids by. I’ve always had a plan. When I first started working for Santander in 2011, I had a plan that I wanted to work my way up. I did that by working in a variety of different roles gaining valuable experience from customer service adviser, cashier, personal banking adviser and then onto mortgage adviser. I always knew that I wanted to go out on my own and expand my career and I made that jump just a few months ago as my youngest was starting school in September. I knew it was time to start to focus more on my career.

Contact Lisa today for a free, no obligation initial appointment.

CONTACT LISA CASSIDY

The Mortgage Shop | Unit 1, First floor | 18 Balliniska Road Springtown Industrial Estate | Derry – Londonderry | BT48 0LY T: 028 7122 5727 | M: 078 2177 2258 | E: lisa.cassidy@themortgageshop.net

www.themortgageshop.net

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“I WANT TO BE A NURSE WHO GIVES HOPE”

Newly qualified Newtownabbey nurse Elizabeth Buick hopes to use her experiences of beating breast cancer to help her care for her patients as she embarks on her new career.

Elizabeth Buick was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer just two weeks before she was supposed to start studying Nursing at Queens University, Belfast, five years ago.

ƒ The staff at RABIU, Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit where Elizabeth had her last placement.

The mum-of-four is a fighter, though, and graduated from the course this summer, after starting it once her treatment was over.

In September 2016, Elizabeth, 49, from Newtownabbey, was diagnosed days before she was due to be on campus for her course and had to defer her studies for a few years until she had completed chemotherapy.

After countless appointments, visits, and treatments, she was eventually able to return to the course where she would train to help those going through similar things as she had experienced.

Elizabeth shares her story, from being diagnosed, to graduating from her degree, and says the support she has received has meant so much to her.

She says she first found a lump in her breast, less than a month before she was about to become a student.

She says: “I remember coming down the stairs to my husband, Mark, and saying I had found some lumps and he said, ‘You’ll be alright, because you’re not leaving me here with four children.’” ƒ Elizabeth’s children Sophie, Harry, Anna, Evie and Martha our dog at Christmas this year.

“

God would not have put a dream in your heart if he has not already given you everything you need to fulfil it.”

alarm bells began to ring when they asked me if I had somebody with me.

“I got straight on the phone to Mark, but I couldn’t get through to him, because he was at work. So, I just sent him a text, saying, ‘I think I have cancer.’

“He said to me, ‘What sort of a text is that to send somebody?’ He rang me and then came straight to the hospital.”

While this all must be tough to recall, Elizabeth talks lightly about it, laughing throughout about their reactions. She is very Elizabeth laughs as she looks back at how honest about how hard it was to hear those she and her husband reacted casually to words, though. what actually turned out to be cancer, both “Mark was working in the city, so he was with believing there was nothing to worry about. me within five minutes. We were told that it “I thought it would be fine, because I had was cancer. actually worked in mammography when I was “The doctor said to me not to go home with a hospital secretary, but it was so strange to the word ‘cancer’ in my mind, but to think be back as a patient,” explains Elizabeth. instead of the word ‘treatable.’ I remember thinking then that I could do this.”

“Even through all the tests they were doing, I kept thinking it was just to rule out cancer, but Even with this positive attitude, Elizabeth still

44 | Local Women Magazine

knew there would be struggles for her and her family. Getting her diagnosis meant she had to defer studying for a few years.

ƒ Mark and Elizabeth at Ballintoy in July this year.

This meant the mum-of-four was not able to apply for a bursary she knew she would be getting once she had started the course at Queen’s University, Belfast.

She had, however, already verbally resigned from her work, so the family were worried about their finances for the next two years. A solution to this situation was soon found, though.

“I was working in Hazelwood Integrated College, in the reception there. I had verbally resigned, because I was going to do Nursing.

“But, whenever I called my boss, Grainne McLaughlin, to say I had received my diagnosis, they actually chose to continue to pay me for the full year that I was out.

“I went back to work there for another year after my treatment, and then finally resigned to go and study Nursing.”

have the energy.”

Elizabeth says without this kind of support, the diagnosis would have been so much more difficult for the family to deal with. The support came from so many directions, too.

She adds that she had concerns about how she would get through her course, too, because she still isn’t back to her old self, even after finishing treatment.

“I had unbelievable support from my Hazelwood family and my Church family at Whitehouse, and my own family.

“My house was like a florist shop for the first while. I still have all the cards with the messages of support and help and suff.

“When I started at Queen’s I was worried about doing the 12 hour shifts and whether I would have the energy for it. ƒ Elizabeth’s mum and dad (March 2018)

“And then there were people dropping in dinners to us or taking the kids for days out.

I couldn’t believe the support we were given.

I think it was one of the things that really got me though.”

The breast cancer survivor says that she is proud of herself to have graduated from a course she has wanted to do for so long.

Elizabeth says the support was for all the family, even from professionals, and that this was very important for them.

“I always thought to myself, if I can do a Nursing degree before I’m 50, I’ll have no regrets.”

“We met a social worker while I was going through treatment, and she let us know about Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge in Newcastle.

“It is absolutely amazing. It is for families going through a cancer diagnosis. They do therapy, and games, and meals, and other things. It’s a great way to relax and spend time together.”

She says that the diagnosis and treatment definitely affected the family, and her four children, Sophie, Harry, Anna and Evie, especially her eldest daughter.

She says her time spent working as a secretary in the City Hospital was where the dream first started, but it only grew stronger after getting her diagnosis.

ƒ Mark and Marie Buick, my mum-in-law, who came to every chemo session with me.

“Even after my treatment, I always remembered one nurse, Bernard Cortez, who I always felt safe and secure with.

“I just want to be that person for people.

I want to be the nurse who can see when people are struggling and give them some hope and encouragement.”

There is no doubting that Elizabeth will be the person she wants to be, with her own experience giving her a personal reason to care so much for any patient she might meet.

“Sophie had to take on the mummy role at age 12 and had to help Mark because I was in and out of the cancer centre all the time when I was getting chemo.”

Elizabeth adds that not being able to do these things was hard for her, too. “You just want to be able to do the things that mummies should do, but you can’t. You don’t

“I spoke to my year lead, Mrs Carlisle, and she said they would make an adjustment if I needed it. Thankfully, I didn’t. It was a tough course, but it’s amazing to get to the other side of it.”

ƒ Elizabeth’s mum and dad at their 60th wedding anniversary in Belfast Castle in December 2019.

And if her story of graduating after getting a cancer diagnosis, with a family of five to take care of, is proof of anything, it shows that there’s no stopping Elizabeth when she sets her heart on something.

Local Women Magazine | 45

Autumn Blooms at Blossom & Birch

As the season changes it’s time to decorate your home with some autumnal flowers Pumpkin Season It’s my favourite time of year. The leaves start to change, it starts getting late early and we get to wrap up in layers of clothes and enjoy our favourite hot drink.

Why not finish off your Autumn home decor with a gorgeous pumpkin?

Bursting with gorgeous seasonal blooms, it’s the perfect table centre for a fall get together.

If orange tones aren’t for you, don’t be afraid to mix up the autumn tones using the dark ruby reds and berry tones to achieve a moodier autumnal feel.

Autumn Wreaths Door wreaths aren’t just for Christmas

Autumn Seasonal Flowers

Right now, at Blossom & Birch we have some fabulous handmade to order luxury door wreaths which will give us all the autumnal vibes we need right now.

At this time of year, you can make beautiful arrangements using seasonal flowers including:

Calla lilies | Alstroemeria Craspedia | Liatris

Or if you want to get hands on and make one yourself, get in contact to join one of our Fabulous Floral classes where you can come along and learn to make your own beautiful door wreath to take home with you.

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GET YOUR PET READY FOR AUTUMN

Autumn is finally here. It’s the season for warm coats, scarves, darker evenings, cosy log fires, curling up on the couch with your furry friend, pumpkins, and fuzzy feelings of warmth, comfort, and reflection. Here are some top tips to help you and your pooch prepare for the changing of the season.

Coat - While it might be tempting to keep your pet’s hair longer during the cooler months, it is important that you continue your regular grooming routine, as the season changes. Regular grooming limits pollens, dead skin cells, and other irritants from accumulating on the skin, which if left unmanaged, would irritate the skin, and lead to unnecessary stress for your pooch.

Regular grooming prevents matting, and if matts are left unmanaged, they can become painful, and the skin can become infected and inflamed. So, regular grooming will maintain your friend’s fur, and make sure that they are producing enough oils to maintain a healthy coat.

There is nothing dogs love more, than running around, playing, and jumping about, and with lots of leaves lying around, your beloved dog’s coat will no doubt attract a lot of dirt and grime, and the woolier the coat, the dirtier it is likely to become. Groom Professional Dirty Dog and Wahl Dirty Beastie will cleanse dirty, thick, or matted coats and will leave it feeling soft and smelling fresh. Both products contain no harmful detergents or cleansers.

CONKERS- That’s right, it is conker season. Playing conkers is one of the oldest games around and can often be a fun ‘community game’ where kids get together to ‘battle it out.’ As you know, dogs can sometimes try to nibble on various ‘snacks’ when they are out enjoying their walk, so be aware not only of where you walk them, but also which trees and foliage they are close to. With fallen leaves, it is harder to spot potential edible risks. Unfortunately, it is a lesser-known fact that conkers can be quite toxic to dogs if eaten because they contain a chemical called aesculin, which once eaten, can make a dog feel very poorly. They can start vomiting, display abdominal pain, have diarrhoea, and in acute cases, can become dehydrated, which can result in shock.

CHOCOLATE AND TREATS – Sweets (in particular, those containing xylitol) and chocolates, and even some dried fruits like raisins are bad for dogs. At best, consuming these ‘treats’ can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite, and at worse, can prove fatal. There are safe and tasty alternatives designed exclusively for

dogs. Armitage Good Boy Choc Drops is a super tasty treat designed for adult dogs and is made from specially formulated chocolate substitute. And for the puppies, Armitage good Boy Milk Drops will not only make your pup happy, but its added calcium also helps the development of strong teeth and bones.

FIREWORKS – Unfortunately, fear responses to fireworks affects more pet dogs than some of us previously thought. Recent studies suggest that up to half of the pet population react anxiously to fireworks. One study indicated that over 15% of fearful dogs require a few days or longer to recover after fireworks, and 3% exhibited behavioural changes for weeks and even months after fireworks, so identifying effective ways to limit the potential stress your dog might feel, is important. There are a wide range of products that can help alleviate firework stress in dogs, ranging from special garments, homeopathy and even dog designed prescription medication.

•

Ignoring the fearful behaviour – by distracting the dog with games, food, training

Warren London Essential Oil Dog Calming Spray, provides anxiety relief for dogs. This is made with the finest aromatherapy oils including Lavender and Clary Sage, which can help alleviate the stress. Or maybe, consider using some natural calming supplements like Serene-Um by Vet IQ or Lintbells Yucalm Chewies.

Neither of these supplements will cause sedation.

Of course, not all dogs are affected like this by fireworks, and are more than happy to participate in the celebrations.

Why not dress your dog up for Halloween by asking your groomer to add a little ‘spooktacular’ flair to your dog’s coat this year? A Groom Professional Swirly Bow Collar, with its explosion of purple, orange, and black colours will make the perfect finishing touch for your Halloween.

Have you any questions about how to care for your pet this Autumn? Call in to Pet & Country and we will happily answer any queries you may have.

There are also techniques you can use to help limit the stress felt by your dog during firework season. Some of these include •

Having a safe place to retreat - associate this place with positive experiences prior to firework season, like a bed, blanket, corner of a room, or on a lap.

•

Darkening the room - putting on white noise/music

38 - 44 Main Street | Ballymoney | T: 028 2766 3513 | Monday – Saturday 9.00am - 5:30pm 48 | Local Women Magazine

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bluebirdchildrenswear Local Women Magazine | 51

SUPPORTING YOUNG ADULT CARERS

Having been a young carer Andrea Turnbull brings a very personal slant to her role with Action for Children’s Young Adult Carers’ Support Service.

By Mandi Millar Tanita Turnbull (30) plays a mean game of Simpson’s Monopoly – just ask her sister’s friends.

“Twenty years later they still talk about that games night marathon in our student halls!” says Tanita’s sister Andrea (36).

Now a mum of two she’d thought nothing of bringing her sister, who has a learning disability, for weekends in Glasgow where she was at university.

“Looking back, it was madness – four journeys back and forth on the ferry in the space of two days!” says Andrea.

“She met all my friends, saw where I was living and played those games of Simpson’s Monopoly! But I didn’t regard myself as her ‘carer’. She was my sister. It’s just what I did,” says Andrea.

However, thanks to that very personal experience of having a sibling with additional needs, the east Belfast mum brings a unique understanding to her role as coordinator for the Young Adult Carers’ Support Service run by Action for Children.

“We work with young carers in the 18 to 25-year-old group who, until now, had no specific support when transitioning from children’s to adult services,” explains Andrea.

“It’s a challenging time for any young person as they decide what they want to do with their lives, yet at the same time our young people have responsibilities as carers.

“Young carers don’t suddenly become ‘adults’ at midnight when they turn 18 52 | Local Women Magazine

ƒ Andrea Turnbull from Action for Children and her brother Johny and sister Tanita.

and are handed over to adult services.

“Yet many tell us they felt at 18, everything changed with the young carers’ service just not seeming to marry up w i t h adult services. There is a sense of abandonment, not by the services working with them up until 18, but because of the availability of a service tailored to their needs as a young adult.

“These young adults have the right to maximise their potential as individuals as well as carers but often because of the lack of resources, they find themselves isolated and struggling to make decisions about their own future. The Young Adult Carers’

Support Service seeks to address this.”

However, although Andrea and her team knew they’d faced challenges in setting up a new service from scratch, they didn’t expect one of those challenges to be a worldwide pandemic.

“Just a week after our launch we went into lockdown!” she recalls.

Ironically though the timing was perfect for if most people found lockdown challenging, the isolation and hardships faced by young carers were even greater, and so the demand for this service did not waiver.

“Our whole team’s been able to keep going and develop a service which

ƒ Andrea Turnbull delivers supplies to young carer during lockdown

has had to react to the needs of those young people as the Covid situation developed.”

And, of course, as Covid has carried on, so has life.

“We’d reckoned on the service being very much driven by the young people’s needs around employment, finances, further education, relationships, sexual health,” says Andrea.

“But we’ve had a few unexpected surprises too. Just this week we celebrated our very first young adult carer becoming a parent.

It is the most natural thing in the world for this age group to start a family, and it was a privilege to support that young person through that journey.”

And it’s those kinds of issues that their peers take for granted which can cause such challenges for young adult carers.

“Coping with a new baby as well as caring for a sibling with potential to lash out, or a parent who needs tended to in the night

– these are the kinds of things our young adult carers can regularly face,” continues Andrea.

“Deciding to leave home, travel or continue their education are some of the typical decisions faced by t h i s age group, but they carry extra weight for our young adult carers.

“When I went to university in Glasgow, it was a massive decision, and I felt extremely guilty for a time. My brother and I had always been so involved with Tanita and I worried about the impact on the whole family of me not being around.

“But I still never thought of myself as a ‘carer’ and that’s one of the first hurdles we face with young carers, getting them to recognise they are and that they too have needs.”

And those needs are ever growing.

“The Young Adult Carers’ Support Service is two years into a three-year funding period,

but such is the need, we are hopeful that further funding can be identified which will enable us to continue the work that our whole team feel so passionately about,” says Andrea.

“The return for investing in these young people can be exponential in helping them achieve their potential both personally and for the wider society.

Northern Ireland’s Young Apprentice of the Year was someone we’d worked alongside, for instance.

“In too many situations, having a caring role is viewed in a negative light, people feel sorry for the carer. We want to change that. By caring for someone, young carers master many skills that are often overlooked.

“Our young adult carers have the right to be supported to help them reach their full potential. They don’t need thanks, they just need a level playing field so that they can be seen as individuals, with needs, wants, desires and potential, like everyone else.”

Contact our friendly fostering team today on 028 9046 0500 or email fostercareni@actionforchildren.org.uk

www.actionforchildren.org.uk/fostering

@AFCNIFostercare Local Women Magazine | 53

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northXsouth welcome you to their new showroom in the heart of the Causeway area, offering the very latest in sleek, innovative and modern must-have kitchen & home appliances for your home.

The family-run business, which began as a highly successful UK-wide online outlet, has just marked an exciting new chapter with the opening of the new store in Main Street, Ballymoney.

NorthXsouth offers everything your home desires, from stunning televisions, to the very latest audio surround sound systems, highperformance washing machines and driers and much, much more.

For owners Andrew Kilpatrick and Iain Boyd, the latest investment is a commitment to their hometown following the overwhelming support they have received since launching the business five years ago.

They’re marrying their booming online shop with the new premises, ensuring unbeatable deals on the internet can be matched on the high street, with face-to-face service and personal assistance from a team boasting more than 100 years of combined expertise in electrical retail.

And as they welcome customers through their doors, they have vowed to keep giving back to the local community, with ultra-modern air purification systems in

place to provide peace of mind to visitors, and a commitment to a developing a netcarbon business.

One example of this in action is their pledge to plant a tree for every large electrical item sold - and there is an excellent array to choose from.

The kitchen is the heart of any home, and the showroom is fitted with a bespoke live culinary hub so visitors can experience and get a flavour of what is perfect for theirs.

If you’re feeling peckish, you can pick up a treat from the masterful Taste Causeway range with delicious sourdough, spreads and freshly roasted beans, all produced within the North Coast area.

A simmering selection of hobs, ovens, cookers from renowned manufacturers such as Neff and Miele will whet many an appetite, with knowledgable and friendly staff on-hand to help with any queries you may have.

The store’s cook shop is brimming with casseroles, sautés and every type of pan available, to meet all culinary needs and desires.

Call in and see for yourself the selection of high-quality goods, just perfect for your home or office.

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HOME & GARDEN STORE

‘Tis the season to get the Christmas crafting underway – with a little help from Paula Sweeney and her Christmas helpers at Fabric World.

By Paula Sweeney at Fabric World, Maydown With Christmas fast approaching and all the talk of shortages in gifts, there couldn’t be a better time to get back to basics and handcraft a more personal and thoughtful Christmas gift. There are just so many fabulous crafts that are easy to do.

Choose to make unique Christmas decorations that will come out every year and be truly cherished. Popular choices are funky bobbles and wreaths made from a polystyrene base. Use felt or fabric and trim to embellish. Personalise it with a name for a more thoughtful gift.

60 | Local Women Magazine

Or why not make a Christmas cushion?

Use preformed patterns, or if you’re feeling brave, create your own bespoke design.

One of my favourite crafting ideas are Christmas table decorations. I especially enjoy making tablecloths, and you can choose from so many funky Christmas prints and just seam or add bias binding. It couldn’t be simpler and looks fabulous.

If sewing is not your thing, then why not try knitting or crochet. Some popular choices are funky scarves, quirky cushions or beautiful hand knit Aran as a classic option.

I hope you enjoy your Christmas crafting as much as we do.

HOME & GARDEN STORE

Local Women Magazine | 61

SIX SIMPLE SIGHT SAVERS Last month saw National Eye Health Week and Local Women Optometry Columnist Brian McKeown is sharing some great advice to help you protect your eye health.

Brian says: “Research shows half of all sight loss is avoidable so we want to inspire local residents to make some small lifestyle changes that could make a big difference to their vision and eye health.”

4.

Get fit. Aerobic exercise can help increase oxygen supplies to the optic nerve and lower any pressure that builds up in the eye. Reducing intraocular ‘eye’ pressure can help control conditions such as glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

BRIAN’S SIGHT SAVING TIPS

1.

Eat right for good sight. Most of us have no idea that what we eat can affect how well we see, however, eye-friendly nutrients found in many fruit and vegetables and fatty acids derived from fish, nuts and oils can all help protect your sight.

Vitamins B and E can help protect against cataracts whilst omega-3 fish oils help maintain healthy blood vessels inside the eye – research has shown that eating just one portion of fish a week can reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – the UK’s leading cause of sight loss by up to 40 per cent.

2.

Quit smoking. Smokers have a significantly greater risk of sight loss than non-smokers.

Toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the delicate surface and the internal structure of the eye. This can lead to an increased risk of many eye conditions including agerelated macular degeneration (AMD); nuclear cataracts; thyroid eye disease; dry eye and poor colour vision.

3.

Watch your weight. More than half of all British adults are overweight however maintaining a healthy weight helps preserve macula pigment density, which in turn, helps protect the retina against the breakdown of cells and the onset of AMD. Damage to blood vessels in the eye caused by excess body weight has also been linked to glaucoma.

6.

5.

Cover up. Exposure to UV light increases your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. Always wear sunglasses when the UV index rises above three and check your sunglasses filter AT LEAST 99 per cent of UVA and UVB light.

Look out for a CE or British Standard or UV 400 mark when choosing your sunglasses as this indicates they provide adequate UV protection.

Be screen smart. On average we spend a staggering 35 hours a week staring at a computer screen so it’s no surprise that 90 per cent of us say we experience screen fatigue – tired or irritated eyes, blurred vision, headaches and poor colour perception.

Avoid eye strain by using the 20-20-20 rule, especially if you’re using a computer for long periods of time. Look 20 feet in front of you every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.

And don’t forget to book an eye test if you haven’t had one in the last two years.

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Ballymoney | Coleraine | Garvagh Call us today on 028 7034 2624 www.JohnLaverty.co.uk 62 | Local Women Magazine

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farmrowandale Local Women Magazine | 63

AT KRD CREDIT UNION MEMBERS MATTER MOST

Customer service is at the forefront of everything they do at KRD Credit Union Ltd and they want you to get involved and suggest services you want.

Hello to all the Local Women readers who

So don’t miss out and check out our social

have picked up this month’s October issue.

media details below.

I’m delighted to be back as your columnist

While you’re there, why not take a few

this month to tell you how you can stay up

minutes and get in touch with us? We want

to date with all things KRD and how your

to hear from you! What would you like to hear

feedback can help us.

about and how can we provide relevant

Since Covid-19 arrived last year, we at KRD

information that applies to you?

Credit Union had to rethink how we remained

•

Maybe you want some more facts about

in contact our members. With the government

the borrowing from KRD? We could tell

advice to stay home and stay safe, we

you more about what the application

needed to ensure that we offered the same

process involves and how our dedicated

fantastic services to all our members but in

lending team operates.

a different manner. We launched the online

•

membership applications so that members

Perhaps you’ve never borrowed with us before and find the thought of it a

of the community could join us remotely,

little daunting? We could provide some

and the online loan services that allowed our members to apply and sign for their loans, all

has been an invaluable way for some of our

from the comfort of their own homes.

members to check in with us during these

I think most of us can admit to spending hours

unusual times and get the information or

online per week, whether that’s scrolling

advice they’ve needed.

through Facebook or other forms of social

Here at KRD, members matter most. We pride

media on our lunch break or before bed. So,

ourselves on being friendly, approachable,

when it comes to staying in touch with our

and professional. We love getting to know

members, there’s no better resource than

our members, forming bonds with them, and

social media. It allows us to spread the word

providing help to be the best of our ability. So,

quickly and to a large group of people – all in

if you contact us via social media, you can

a matter of seconds.

be guaranteed to receive the same standard

However, it’s not just general information or

of service that our members expect from us.

advertising, our team are always on hand

If you’re not following us on our social media,

to reply to your private messages or DMs.

give us a like or follow. It’s the handiest

Any queries or questions? Send them our

way for you stay up to date with KRD from

way and we will always respond - even

everything to our opening hours, promotions,

outside of our standard business hours. This

events and even the occasional prize draw.

11 Main Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AN

25/27 Church Street, Kilrea, BT51 5QU

dedicated ‘how to’ instructions on the process from application right through to loan issue.

•

If you’re interested in the specifics, we can compare ourselves with our competitors,

including

credit

card

rates – and how KRD offers fair and reasonable rates with zero late payment fees or charges.

•

If you have bright ideas on how to improve or enhance the services and facilities that we offer here at KRD, tell us! Your suggestions could make a big difference for all our members.

Until next time.

Claire D 18 Main Street, Dunloy, BT44 9AA

www.krdcreditunion.com | P: 028 2954 1007 | E: info@krdcreditunion.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram KRD Credit Union Ltd is Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. KRD Credit Union Ltd is covered by the UK Government’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the Financial Ombudsman Service.

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64 | Local Women Magazine

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Local Women Magazine | 65

Pictures: Shea Deighan Photography

Relax and unwind in style and class at An Grianan Hotel.

Pictures: Shea Deighan Photography

Enjoy our new

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Treat yourself to a glass of bubbly with the ladies or sample our delicious delights with friends.

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66 | Local Women Magazine

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A TASTE OF THE COUNTRY

At Armoy farmshop ‘Jam at the Doorstep,’ farmer’s wife Amanda Hanna hand makes delicious local produce.

As a farmer’s wife, Amanda Hanna has a busy life.

When she’s not looking after her four children, she’s helping out on the dairy farm situated in Armoy in north Antrim.

With cows to milk, calves to feed and all the farm admin to stay on top of, Amanda never has a dull moment.

But in spite of her workload this entrepreneurial lady recently opened a farmshop to supply her local homemade produce to a wider audience.

The spark for her business idea came after she started making jam in the farmhouse kitchen five years ago. With a glut of rhubarb, Amanda, 43, made far too much jam for her own family to use. So, she put it out on her back doorstep to sell, leaving an honesty box for payment.

Her jam was a huge hit and inspired the name of her business Jam at the Doorstep.

The business has gone from strength to strength and Amanda now sells a range of products including chutneys, curds, caramel sauce, sticky toffee puddings, sticky toffee pudding sauce and her very popular Christmas puddings.

Amanda, who also runs workshops from her kitchen, teaching people how to make their own preserves, tells Local Women about her business and how she loves to support local.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FROM INITIAL BUSINESS IDEA TO ACTUALLY TRADING?

I used to supply local shops with my products until I was finding it difficult to produce, deliver and check the stock - so I made a very quick decision on October 2020 to open up a farmshop of my own. I knew there was definitely a market for a business like this as there aren’t too many farmshops nearby and certainly not many on an actual farm. The farmshop opened on the 26th of November, and I initially decided to do a three-day week which is a Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

WHAT IS YOUR WORK BACKGROUND?

After leaving Ballycastle High School. I decided that CAFRE Loughry College in Cookstown was the place for me to study. So off I went to complete my National Diploma in Food Technology. After completion of this course, I gained employment in the food industry. During my time in employment, I went back to study part time at Loughry and completed a HNC in Food Supply Management. I was very fortunate to work in the dairy, meat, poultry and retail sectors with jobs in Supervisory, Management and Quality Assurance.

WHAT DO YOU MOST LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I love being able to be involved on the family farm and I really love the farmshop. I love meeting people and I have met many people from all over the world since I opened last November. I love being my own boss, being at home with my children and having so many repeat customers. I think having a small business you really appreciate each and every one of your customers.

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR BUSINESS?

I have plans to expand the shop and use the entire building where the farm shop is located.

I have plans to grow my business and hopefully be able to open more days in the week. I want to support many other small businesses like myself by buying in more locally made produce from Northern Ireland but also from the whole island.

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS?

As we head into Christmas it’s Christmas puddings.

My Christmas pudding production started in September. They are made with raisins, sultanas with cherries and Guinness. They will be mature Christmas puddings and have a shelf life of a year.

They will be available to purchase in a few other carefully selected shops dotted around Northern Ireland so keep an eye on my social media. All my products are also available for posting throughout Ireland and the UK. The Christmas puddings are very popular, and everyone loves them. I expect to be making hundreds and I will be working very hard to ensure that all my customers get a delicious pudding which is made in our farmhouse kitchen from start to finish.

HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE A GOOD WORK/LIFE BALANCE?

It’s very important for me to spend time with my children as much as I can, and we always try to take one week a year to have a family holiday. This year we headed off to Yorkshire for a week and the highlight of that was heading to Ravenseat to meet the Yorkshire Shepherdess and her family and of course we stayed on a working farm.

77 Ballykenver Road | Armoy | BT53 8RP | Tel: 07880 593492 Jam at the doorstep is located very close to the famous Dark Hedges and about 6 miles from Ballycastle.

www.jamatthedoorstep.com

jamatthedoorstep

jam_at_the_doorstep

AFFORDABLE LUXURY WITH BATHE BOTANICALS Christine McCaughey tells Local Women how her cosmetics business Bathe Botanicals went from strength to strength during the pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed many things in our lives over the past 18 months.

The need for increased hygiene and the importance placed on hand washing has become a huge part of our lives – and for Christine McCaughey, it sparked the idea for a business.

Christine, 40, started Bathe Botanicals from a cabin in her garden at the beginning of 2020 when she was looking for a hobby to occupy her time.

She initially started making luxury bathing products for personalised gifts but when lockdown hit in 2020, the focus of her business changed and since then it has grown from strength.

HOME & GARDEN STORE

NEW AUTUMN RANGES NOW IN STOCK

She explains: “Suddenly we were all washing our hands many times during the day. Nasty chemicals in sanitisers and overly drying cheap, poor-quality soaps left my skin chapped and sore. I set out to find a product that was natural, with no nasties that could be used on all the family. This led me to cold process soap.”

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS? To provide luxury bathing products at affordable prices. We also want to take the worry about being eco-friendly and sustainable off the customers shoulders too. We have zero waste, we use recyclable and compostable packaging, but all with the element of luxury. Creating natural skincare is so important to us which is why we only use essential oils in our products. There are no parabens, no SLS or any other nasties in any of our products so you know exactly what you are using on your family. We are fully transparent about all our products and you can find the ingredients for each on our website.

CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH YOUR PRODUCT RANGE? We have a core range of natural soaps made using essential oils. We are adding bath bombs in the next few weeks with more plans to expand our range within the next six months. Basically, we hope to offer all the products you would think of when bathing or pampering yourself. I use local suppliers where possible for my ingredients and I am very proud to use Whites Oats, Suki Tea and Chala Chai all of which are local producers.

WHAT MAKES YOUR PRODUCTS SO SPECIAL? All of our soaps have olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa butter which are well known for their skin loving qualities. This means our soaps give your skin the moisture it deserves.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU FROM INITIAL IDEA FOR YOUR BUSINESS TO ACTUALLY TRADING? There is a lot of testing and regulations surrounding the cosmetics industry including bathing products, so it took about 12 months from initially making my first soap until we were able to start trading.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR STARTING OUT? Research your products. Take time to test and test again – it’s not a race. Reach out to other makers – there are plenty who will support you. Remember, this is an exciting project and should be an enjoyable one - you’ve got what it takes.

May dow n Road

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idge Br

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68 | Local Women Magazine

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FALL INTO GOOD HEALTH HABITS

As Autumn arrives, Benmore Nutrition & Fitness has advice on how to boost your immune system and stay healthy during the darker months.

SEASONAL PREPARATIONS Now that October is here, we are well-immersed in the colours, foods and cosiness of Autumn. But the chillier months can also bring some less-enjoyed elements: colds and viruses, less daylight and fiercer weather conditions, which can make it less appealing to be active and outside.

The darker seasons are traditionally a time for rest and reflection: an opportunity to retreat, enjoy dark evenings by the fire and invigorating walks in the crisp air. They do also bring a number of celebrations: Halloween, Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day to name ones we mark in our household. These can bring added pressures to be sociable, busy and to indulge in the tastes of the seasons.

It can be hard to juggle all these things along with maintaining good health. These events are beacons of light during a dark period, and they are to be enjoyed.

But how do we ensure that we are at our best to enjoy these moments and at the same time prevent these celebrations from draining our ability to fend-off the bugs and sniffles? Supporting our immune system is a great place to start and the good news is that we don’t need to invest in expensive lotions and potions to do this.

A range of factors can affect immunity including genetics, hygiene, health conditions, mental health and ageing. Nutritional deficiencies, food and drink, gut health, smoking and sleep also have an impact, and these are within our sphere of control.

LET’S TALK FOOD AND DRINK It all begins with a balanced diet. Vitamin C and zinc are important, but they alone don’t prevent us from getting colds and flus. Better to ensure we are getting a balance of all the nutrients our bodies require so we are giving all bodily systems the best chance of operating effectively. Vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D, copper, folate, iron, selenium and zinc ALL play a role in the production and health of white blood cells in our bodies. Multivitamins can help bolster a diet lacking in nutrients but they are generally not as well absorbed as the minerals and vitamins in real food. If we are deficient in something a medically prescribed supplement will help but generally taking excess in the belief it will stop a cold will not. Depending on what it is we can also be doing ourselves some harm so do your research!

What’s more, did you know that approximately 75% of

SOME IDEAS FOR IMPROVING SLEEP

Photos by Oliver Hegarty of Islander Visual Media

• • • •

Consistent bedtime and wake time Clear, clean and restful bedroom Wind down routine: Soft music, stretching, bath, meditation Screen-free time before lights out.

THE POWER OF MOVEMENT

our immune system resides in the gut? So the health of our digestive system can also have an enormous impact on the strength of our immune system. Foods can impact this, both positively and negatively, exercise (or lack of), stress levels and quality and quantity of sleep.

SO, WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR GUT? Most guidance focuses on plant-based foods such as artichoke, garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, barley, oats, apples, flaxseeds and seaweed. These, in particular are pre-biotic-rich, which provide an excellent source of fuel for the good bacteria in the gut. In addition to consuming pro-biotic food sources, which are fermented foods that are high in good bacteria such as yoghurt, kefir, kombucha, kimchi and sourdough we should also limit sugar and processed foods. All of these things combined will help us to create a positive environment for the good bacteria to thrive. And remember, if you suffer with a digestive condition or suspect that you might you should always seek expert guidance from a health professional before making adjustments to your diet.

Exercise does so much for us but in itself it does not make us less susceptible to bugs around us.

However, it does encourage all bodily systems to work effectively, which can then have a positive effect on our immunity. It helps us manage chronic diseases, blood pressure and weight issues, which impact the body’s ability to deal with bacteria and viruses. It has a huge role in mood management too, which in turn impacts our stress levels and our ability to sleep and make positive food choices for our bodies.

So, keep it simple in your preparations for the cooler months. Focus on the quality of your diet, building regular movement into your week and getting plenty of sleep for the best chance of fending off the bugs and recovering as swiftly as you can from the seasonal illnesses and social engagements that Autumn and Winter bring.

IMMUNITY BOOST CHECKLIST • • • • • •

Range of fruits and vegetables Some gut-healthy foods Healthy sleep routine Managing stress levels Regular exercise Limiting nutrient-poor foods, caffeine and alcohol.

SLEEP AND RELAXATION Getting enough rest is vital for good gut health and all bodily processes. Our bodies repair and renew themselves; hormones are released, and we take nutrients from food as we sleep. Sleeping is fundamental to our general health. But not just any sleep, it must be restorative. Most adults need 6-8 hours per night and napping during the day to catchup on poor sleep is not enough. Getting into good habits and having a consistent routine for bed, will actively contribute to a better functioning body.

Benmore CrossFit is situated at 11b Ann Street, Ballycastle.

www.benmorenutritionfitness.com For more about Benmore Nutrition and Fitness:

Email address: hello@benmorenutritionfitness.com @benmorenutritionfitness

benmore_nutritionfitness Local Women Magazine | 71

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17 - 19 Ann Street | Ballycastle | BT54 6AA | 028 2076 2216 Follow us on Facebook/@mclistersballycastle 74 | Local Women Magazine

FROM THE CATWALK TO THE CLASSROOM

BY NIGHT SHE’S THE GLAMOUROUS NEWLY CROWNED MISS NORTHERN IRELAND 2021 – BUT BY DAY SHE’S MISS LEITCH! LOCAL WOMEN MEETS BEAUTY QUEEN ANNA LEITCH AT COOKSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL. PHOTOS BY ALEXANDRA BARFOOT “Miss Leitch can be quite cross sometimes you know,” says one giggling four-year-old pupil as we pay a visit to Miss Northern Ireland 2021 Anna Leitch in her classroom at Cookstown Primary School. “But she is also very nice, and we love her,” he adds quickly!

There’s nothing quite like children to keep your feet on the ground and as a primary one teacher Anna knows better than most – there is little in the way of glamour in the classroom.

But, says Anna, her life as a primary school teacher works well with her new role as Miss Northern Ireland and soon to be Miss World contestant. The 27-year-old from

fashion show and I had to

“I think there is an

go out to the playground

Cookstown, who now lives in Lisburn, was

expectation that a pageant

just there – look at my

crowned the winner of the hotly contested

winner will be all glam but as

hair – it’s gone all fuzzy!”

you can see, I am a teacher,”

pageant at the start of September at the

But of course, even

glittering gala final and she hasn’t stopped

laughs Anna, “Although now

in the classroom, Anna

since!

some of the little ones think I

looks stunning. With her

am a princess which is cute. Of

willowy frame, huge smile

course, I have been teaching

It was a night of glitz and glamour, media interviews and photo calls but within two

and perfect face, she looks every inch the

days Anna was back in the classroom to

beauty queen as she works her way around

teach her young charges – and she intends to

the children checking their work.

remain in the classroom for the duration of her reign.

Anna explains: “This year I am going to

Not that the children notice that they have a new celebrity in their midst – they are aware of her new title, but they are most interested

continue to teach full time. I know a lot of

in Anna’s sparkling new crown which she

the former Miss NI’s gave up their jobs, but

brought in to show them when she returned

I think as a primary school teacher it’s a bit

after her win.

different. It would be hard for me just to

“We love the crown, and we were allowed

them that princesses are strong and brave and can do everything the boys can!”

Anna hopes to use her year as Miss NI to promote positive mental health for children.

She works with her own pupils to help them understand their emotions using simple mindfulness techniques and she would like to see more provision made for children.

She says: “I really love working with children. It is my life and there is so much

walk away from these little ones. I have a

to hold it,” they reveal excitedly before one

commitment to them, and I’m needed here.

little boy asks if she will bring it back in so he

more that I want to do. I would love to

And honestly, I would miss them.

can try it on.

work on a project where I could promote

“I am very lucky that the school has been

Anna has received huge support from the

positive mental health among little ones. The

so understanding and they are letting me

school community with both parents at the

world we have lived in over the last year

work round my Miss NI engagements. Mostly

school and teachers following her progress

has been a little scary and there are lots of

the events are at night so I can easily combine

through to the final. It is clear they are all very

stresses in this modern world. I would love

the two jobs.

proud of Anna and are delighted that such a

to help children navigate this and make little

down to earth girl has taken the title.

ones the focus of my year.”

“It can be tricky though. Tonight, I have a

Local Women Magazine | 75

ROSIE’S CLOSET FASHION SHOW SHOWING OFF THE STYLE FROM ROSIE’S CLOSET AT THE MISS NORTHERN IRELAND GRAND FINAL PICTURES BY SEAN DONEGAN

Olivia Novak

Niamh Morrison

Ruth Armstrong

Stacey Burns Kathryn Knox

Karla Gilmore

Jane McArdle Chloe Spence

Emily Ward

76 | Local Women Magazine

Catherine Mulholland

MISS NORTHERN IRELAND FORMAL WEAR THE MISS NORTHERN IRELAND FINALISTS SHOW OFF THEIR AMAZING FORMAL DRESSES AT THE GALA FINAL PICTURES BY SEAN DONEGAN

Ruth Armstrong

Olivia Novak

Bess Dress Sapphire Duffy

Naomi McGregor

Laura Irvine

Chloe Simms

Kathryn Knox Abigail Parkinson Amy Woodall

Jessica Eastwood

Local Women Magazine | 77

AND THE WINNER IS....

COOKSTOWN TEACHER ANNA LEITCH WAS CROWNED THE WINNER OF MISS NORTHERN IRELAND 2021 WITH RUTH ARMSTRONG AND BERNADETTE HAGANS TAKING SECOND AND THIRD PLACE. PICTURES BY SEAN DONEGAN

Former Miss NI Lauren Leckey, Bernadette Hagans, Miss NI 2021 Anna Leitch, Ruth Armstrong and Rosie Farrell.

Best dress winner Sapphire Duffy

The Excitment builds Miss NI Anna Leitch with second place Ruth Armstorong and third place Bernadette Hagans.

Berandette Hagans Beauty with a purpose

Anna Leitch is crowned Miss NI 2021.

78 | Local Women Magazine

And the winner is...

MISS NORTHERN IRELAND SWIMWEAR ROUND MODELLING SWIMSUITS AND BIKINIS FROM BEACH PLEASE AT THE MISS NORTHERN IRELAND FINAL PICTURES BY SEAN DONEGAN

Sapphire Duffy, Amy Woodall and Anna Leitch.

Jane McArdle and Berandette Hagans.

Niamh Morrison, Kathryn Knox and Laura Irvine.

Erin Riley, Chloe Spence and Catherine Mulholland.

Karla Gilmore, Stacey Burns and Olivia Novak.

Melissa McDonnell, Naomi McGregor and poppy McAlister

Abigail Parkison, Jessica Eastwood and Emily Ward.

Chloe Simms, Sarah Maguire and Ruth Armstrong.

Local Women Magazine | 79

CREATING TRULY BEAUTIFUL CAKES

At The Cake Pantry each and every wonderful baked goodie is an edible piece of art – and as delicious as it looks.

Passionate to the core about everything baking, The Cake Pantry strives to treat every cake, cupcake and cookie as a piece of art. Each delectable delight that leaves their oven is of the highest standard, combining the finest ingredients with eye-catching decoration and detail for a truly exemplary edible creation that boasts a stunning appearance alongside scrumptious flavours.

Tanya established The Cake Pantry in 2007, originally based in the north-west of Northern Ireland she has now relocated the business to Newtownabbey, less than ten miles from Belfast City Centre. She quickly became a trailblazer in creative cake artistry and picture-perfect cakes with unique designs. Never compromising on taste, her chocolate ganache cake was soon a firm favourite and popular mainstay amongst customers. Tanya has always firmly believed in going above and beyond, therefore she is happy to colour-match a desired cake design to coordinate with your chosen party/celebration theme.

The Cake Pantry has an extensive range of flavours that will guarantee to satisfy any palate, always freshly baked, including Velvet Vanilla, Chocolate Heaven, Jaffa Orange, Luscious Lemon, Raspberry Ripple, 80 | Local Women Magazine

Espresso, St. Clements (Orange & Lemon), and Mint Choccy Chip. You can find a comprehensive list of all the flavours on their website.

As well as their devilishly naughty assortment of baked goods, they also offer a heavenly healthy selection for the more body-conscious individuals and fitness fanatics, including Banana Bread, Bliss Balls, an array of Cookies, and Protein Bars, making it easy to enjoy tasty treats whilst maintaining your health goals.

They offer free delivery to customers within a 5-mile radius and can accommodate delivery outside of this, enabling everybody to enjoy the flavours of The Cake Pantry.

Browse and order online at

www.cakesthecakepantry.com T: 028 9036 9734 E:cakes@thecakepantry.com @thecakepantry.cake Local Women Magazine | 81

ƒ Cailleach, Queen of Winter, joins the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Graham Warke, and Aine Kearney, Director of Events, Tourism NI, to launch the programme for Derry Halloween 2021- Awakening the Walled City.

THE WORLD’S NUMBER ONE HALLOWEEN DESTINATION Derry prepares to Awaken the Walled City with thrilling Halloween programme

Preparations are underway for what is expected to be a spectacular Halloween 2021 programme, as Derry prepares to welcome visitors once again to the world’s number one Halloween destination.

opportunity to experience the magic at your leisure, taking in the sights and sounds over a number of visits if preferred, ensuring everyone can enjoy Halloween in a safely distanced manner.

Visitors will have an opportunity to travel through a series of Worlds each linked to the North West’s Samhain roots. Ghostly characters from the underworld returning for Halloween 2021 include Irish witch, the Cailleach, the shape-shifting goddess Morrígan, the fearsome Red Branch This year’s theme is aptly titled ‘Awakening the Knight, and Walter the Skeleton from Derry’s own Walled City’ and the eagerly awaited festival will coat of arms. There is much excitement that the return once more to the City’s streets, with a traditional fireworks display will light up the skies carefully coordinated blend of al fresco events once again, though at a later time with further details to be confirmed. taking place over an extended area.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke, joined with sponsors to officially launch the programme today, unveiling some of the highlights of the exciting outdoor festivities set to take place from October 29-31.

The Festival and Events team have worked closely with Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI),

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Graham Warke, said that this year would be the 35th anniversary of the world class event, which attracts visitors from across the globe.

enormous pride in the people of this City and District. I am confident that we can recapture that magic this year, in a safe and controlled environment where people can celebrate confidently outdoors with family and friends.”

Derry Halloween is organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism Northern Ireland, Donegal County Council and the North West Development Fund.

Looking ahead to the event Aine Kearney, Tourism NI’s Director of Business Support and Events, said they were delighted with this year’s plans: “We are very excited to hear what has been planned for this year’s Derry Halloween. The ability to engage both the imagination and participation of the entire local community in its Halloween Celebrations, has assisted in making this a distinctive and globally appealing festival. Events such as Derry Halloween generate significant economic benefit and help boost the profile of tourism in Northern Ireland. This year’s unique festival programme will showcase the vibrancy of this destination and local artistic talent, providing visitors with a range of unique and compelling experiences to enjoy when the Walls Awaken on the 29th October.”

Tourism Ireland, Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance and other industry bodies in developing a safe plan for this year’s event in an ever changing “There was huge disappointment that the event could not go ahead last year and the Festival and environment.

Events Team have been working extremely hard The celebrations will feature illuminations, to build a celebration that recreates the magic of animation and installations across key locations our annual Carnival, but in a safe and accessible stretching around and beyond the City’s historic format.

Walls, taking in the wider City and District Further information on the Halloween festival guaranteed to enthral and mesmerise spectators “This has always been a celebration that generates programme for Derry City and Strabane District along the trail. The various locations offer the an immense sense of community spirit and Council can be found at derryhalloween.com 82 | Local Women Magazine

Local Women Magazine | 83

TRY IT THE

‘ETHICAL WEIGH’ Zero Plastic, Zero Waste store aims to change the way we shop to benefit the planet

As the world begins to pay closer attention to the global climate emergency, one shop in Co Derry has a novel approach to retail that is helping to offset the impact we as consumers are having on the planet. ‘Ethical Weigh’ in the village of Eglinton offers shoppers a unique instore experience that they won’t find replicated in large-scale supermarkets. The store’s ‘zero plastic, zero waste’ philosophy aims to change the way we shop to benefit the planet.

Serving all the usual grocery favourites such as fruit, vegetables, milk, butter, bread, eggs and cheese, the store offers shoppers the chance to forgo the plastic packaging that is having such a damaging impact on the environment. A quick browse on the store’s website or in the shop itself reveals a cornucopia of ethically made products covering every item imaginable for those concerned about their carbon footprint.

From bamboo kitchen cutlery to toiletry items made using locally sourced ingredients, at Ethical Weigh plastic is treated with contempt. The shop employs creative ways to eliminate the need for plastic. For example, food and other products are free of the plastic packaging you would normally see in other stores.

Store-owner Sinead Burley said that as a business, keeping prices as competitive as possible while offering organic, ethically sourced products is paramount for the loyal base of customers they have built up since opening.

She said: “We were never wealthy growing up, so I think it’s important that not only the rich eat healthy. Organic produce shouldn’t be expensive, and we try to make it as accessible to as much people as possible.”

Customers who shop at Ethical Weigh are actively encouraged to bring their empty containers to the shop to refill them with the products they need. Shampoo, body wash and even washing-up liquid are all products available for sale in store as refills.

That way, the customer is only paying for the cost of the refill, and not the plastic packaging the product would normally come in. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic introduced to the environment and at the same time, waste is decreased.

Refilling isn’t just limited to household products, as customers can also refill food items such as cereal, nuts, spices, flour or seeds. Letting the customer decide how much they need has the added benefit of reducing both waste and cost.

It all forms part of the store’s ‘Zero Plastic, Zero Waste shop’ ethos, that makes it unique in the North West.

With climate change and environmental issues becoming increasingly more relevant in our daily lives, 84 | Local Women Magazine

ƒ Sinead Burley - Ethical Weigh.

Ethical Weigh’s approach to retail has become more pertinent, as so much plastic finds its way to landfill.

According to the Programme (UNEP):

United

Nations

Environment

“Researchers estimate that more than 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced since the early 1950s.

About 60% of that plastic has ended up in either a landfill or the natural environment.”

The UNEP have also predicted that if current trends continue our oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050.

Karen Phillips, Director of Environment and Regeneration, from Derry City & Strabane District Council, (DCSDC) said: “Businesses like Ethical Weigh are an ideal example of how we can move towards a circular economy, reducing waste and keeping products and materials in use. They have been successful by offering customers choice and the chance to help the environment at the same time. It has never been more important to consider our impact on the planet as we endeavour to support local businesses. We would encourage everyone to think local and shop local, as a great way to reduce our carbon footprint.”

DCSDC became the first council area in Northern Ireland to adopt a Climate Change Adaptation Plan in July 2020. Council also committed to wider climate action through a Climate Change Emergency Pledge.

This pledge outlines the Council’s climate action commitments, including a shift to net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the city and district by 2045.

In the run up to Christmas, DCSDC are also encouraging

shoppers to spend their Northern Ireland £100 High Street vouchers in local shops and businesses such as Ethical Weigh.

Louise Breslin, Business Development Manager, Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “It’s estimated that 70p from every £1 spent in an independent shop or store is recycled in the local economy. Choosing to shop local helps support local producers and suppliers and provides a great boost for our community in general.”

Not content with just saving the planet with the products it sells, Ethical Weigh is also noted for the delicious food it offers its customers including a to-go deli food section with a salad and sandwich bar.

The store’s food-to-go range includes vegan and vegetarian meals, all made fresh to order in store. Panfried falafel wraps, Thai red curry and vegetable risotto are just some of the dishes on offer for hungry punters.

Offering ethical shopping and appealing food to go has been key to Ethical Weigh’s ongoing success.

In fact, the shop has recently hired more staff and a full-time chef, such is the demand for its produce.

Here’s hoping other businesses will take a leaf out of the store’s book and replicate the positive impact it is having on the environment and the planet overall. After all, we only have one.

Open Tuesday-Thursday from 10am until 6pm, the Ethical Weigh shop is also open Friday 10am until 7pm and Saturday 10am-5pm.

The shop is situated just a short drive from Derry City, in Eglinton’s Benbow Industrial Estate. To find out more, visit www.ethicalweigh.com or call 028 7181 0022.

58-60 Spencer Road, L’Derry, BT47 6AA Telephone 028 7134 4740 | www.esquireformalwear.com EsquireWeddingHire

esquireformalwear

theemp1

AT KULAR FASHION For us, new arrivals from Barbour signify the start of autumn. Cosy knits, wax jackets and tartan garments set the scene for the season ahead.

Durability, quality, attention to detail: with a rich heritage of over 100 years, the Barbour family continue to stick to these core values to deliver timeless, functional pieces year after year. Whilst synonymous with a slower pace of life, Barbour apparel is designed for a full lifestyle. Not only do Barbour craft iconic wax jackets, the brand also offer a range of contemporary clothing for men and women which has been rediscovered by each generation.

For this month’s column we are taking a closer look at our AW21 collection from Barbour. Whether it’s investing in a staple jacket for those crisp walks in leafy surroundings or restocking your wardrobe with the finest knitwear for the chillier months to come, we are sure you will love this year’s collection as much as we do.

Knitwear Nothing says AW like knitwear. From lightweight cashmere cardigans to chunky cable knits, Barbour offer a range of cosy companions.

The Brodric knitted cardigan for men is the perfect layering piece. Crafted from 100% lambswool, this soft knit features a shawl ribbed collar for a rustic feel. This knitwear comes in two seasonal yet transitional colours, winter red and charcoal, and both look great teamed with a tartan shirt and dark denim for a classic Barbour look.

For women, we are loving the Foxton knitted jumper. Featuring a funnel neck for a snug feel, this cotton jumper features a cable knit design – who doesn’t love a cable knit? This wardrobe staple will team well with any outfit - pair with jeans and boots, wear with your favourite skirts or layer over your summer dresses to get the most out of your wardrobe this season.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Neil McLaughlin Instagram: neilmclaughlinphotography_

Tartan Staying true to their Scottish roots, a signature element of traditional Barbour clothing is tartan. Whilst it lines classic wax jackets, Barbour celebrate its heritage with tartan clothing and accessories.

The Glendale tailored shirt will add a subtle pop of colour to your AW wardrobe.

Showcasing a button-down collar and chest pocket, this tartan shirt is a smart piece which can be teamed with denim or chinos for a well-turned-out look.

A go-to piece for women this season is the cotton Perthshire shirt. This tartan shirt is a versatile staple that can be dressed up with a smart trouser, a look that will take you from day to night. Alternatively, for a more relaxed approach, team with denim and layer under the Beadnell jacket.

As the layering lovers that we are, we love a scarf. Barbour offer a range of tartan and knitted scarves which will add a layer of warmth to any outfit.

favourite knitwear for the season ahead.

Outerwear A Barbour jacket isn’t just any jacket, it’s a forever jacket. A result of quality craftmanship, these iconic wax jackets are investment pieces that will add a touch of traditional luxury to your wardrobe.

Crafted from a Sylkoil waxed cotton, the Beadnell jacket for women is cut to a slimmer fit to create a feminine silhouette.

For a quintessentially Barbour look, the Beadnell is lined with signature cotton tartan. It features a zip-in liner as well as attachments for a hood, meaning this jacket will see you through those colder, rainy days as well as spring walks in the countryside. Team with denim and layer over your

Cut to a relaxed, masculine fit, the Ogston jacket from Barbour is a robust piece for the weather elements that winter affords. Crafted in a heavyweight Oban wax, this rugged yet stylish jacket features an integral vest for added warmth. Coming in two core colours, olive and navy, this jacket is a seasonal must-have.

Whilst Barbour is renowned for classic styles and fits, they also offer a range of modern shapes. This season, we have fallen in love with the Melrose trench coat for women.

This wool coat showcases a double-breasted design for a truly sophisticated look.

We think this covetable coat is the perfect outerwear for the work.

Shop our Barbour range for men and women in store & online at kularfashion.com Ferryquay Street | Derry~Londonderry | 028 7126 1326 kularfashion

kularfashion Local Women Magazine | 87

The Carnival of Colour

Spectators enjoyed circus-themed treats featuring the very best of International Street Theatre, IYSC’s own walkabout characters, workshops in circus and roller-skating, graffiti arts demos, portrait painting, music right across the city and much, much more!

Pictures by Gerard Gormley

The Stewart and Quigley families.

Mikey, Brenna & Caitlin.

Liyounssi Family.

Kee and Glapa Families.

88 | Local Women Magazine

Anne and ella Rose.

Aimee and Jack.

Freya, Harry and Ryan.

The McAlister Family.

Charlotte and Linda.

This Autumn

SHOP EAT ENJ Y LOCAL

SUPPORTED BY

in

Ballymoney Local Women Magazine | 89

NEW SEASON, NEW STYLES, NEW STORES. GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE LATE NIGHT SHOPPING

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

Local Women meets the trailblazing women who are leading the way in the construction industry and proving that the future is female.

Local Women Magazine | 91

Sinead Built It! Meet Sinead Molloy - the west Belfast woman and owner of She Built It NI, who’s built an international career in construction is using her unique expertise to help the local building trade towards a new normal.

By Mandi Millar There’s not much you can teach Sinead Molloy (33) when it comes to wrecking balls.

As a woman in what’s traditionally been regarded a man’s world, she knows her way around demolition and construction sites.

Licensed to drive a 40-tonne dump truck and crane, not to mention a battalion of other equally hardcore machinery, she’s now set to open up the construction industry for a ‘new’ workforce.

But despite Sinead’s father and brother being in the building trade, hard hats and steel-toed boots didn’t initially figure in her aspirations.

Instead, the former St Louise’s Comprehensive pupil left after AS-levels to study hospitality at Belfast Met. Travelling though was always on her horizons and having secured an Australian work visa in 2010 Sinead headed Down Under for her Antipodean adventure.

“I wanted to immerse myself – work, travel and make Australia my home for a while – so when I left Belfast I didn’t know when I’d be coming back,” she admits.

“I wanted to be open to opportunities and go where life took me.”

In the end the West Belfast woman gave almost 10 years to Oz, and even ended up taking citizenship.

However, it was a stroke of sheer serendipity which gave Sinead an ‘in’ to what’s become her life’s work.

“When you travel in Australia one of the things you notice is the number of women working in construction – it’s close to 50/50 so it’s the norm,” she continues.

“We were travelling around Darwin in the north of the country one day when we got stuck at road works. A girl was involved in traffic management on site and she’d just stopped the traffic in front of us to let a digger through.”

Not one to miss an opportunity Sinead took the chance to ask her how she got into that 92 | Local Women Magazine

kind of work.

“She turned out to be someone I’d gone to St Louise’s with!” she says.

“And her boss already had about 10 Belfast girls on his construction team because he loved their ‘work ethic’. She said he was sure to give me a start.

“He did and so I found myself working with a crowd of Belfast girls in the middle of the Outback. Every Friday after work we were straight to the pub – just like home!”

Work on construction sites was plentiful but Sinead soon realised there was a shortage of equipment operators.

“I was fascinated by those huge machines and thought I’d give that a go,” she continues.

“It gave me the chance to earn what they call ‘tickets’ in Australia, which work like credits as you master new skills.

“My first was in forklift driving - the more tickets you get the more opportunities you have to work.”

Sinead’s next opportunity was in Sydney working on the largest underground tunnel project in the southern hemisphere, earning dumper truck and crane operating licences along the way.

“You did 12-hour shifts underground.

Tunnelling has got to be one of the toughest industries. But I think if you’re going travelling you need to try things you wouldn’t do at home,” says Sinead who, despite now being back in Northern Ireland for two years, still keeps her 4.30am Aussie alarm call.

But that’s not all she’s brought back for now this enterprising young woman wants others like to her to enjoy the same opportunities in construction – though closer to home.

As a result, she’s launched training and recruitment academy She Built It NI, thanks to support from enterprise agency the Ortis Group, Belfast City Council and its Go For It programme.

“More had the chance to give DIY a go, discovered they enjoyed it and now want to do something with it.

women – my own mother admits she’d have loved a career in the industry – now they can do something about it,” continues Sinead who’s “TikTok helped as well with more women working with organisations like People First involved in the industry having a presence and the Building Services Academy, sharing her unique expertise. there and fuelling interest.”

“Women in construction is the norm in Australia It seems then that Sinead’s timing couldn’t be but because we’re more traditional in our better. perception of the industry here we’re lagging “I’ve been staggered by the numbers of young ,” says Sinead who’s challenging that. women approaching me for information when “I think we just haven’t put two and two they hear my story, not to mention the interest together here to realise the talent being from other agencies involved in delivering missed by not making construction a realistic apprenticeships,” she says. career opportunity for women.

“Things are definitely changing. Old school “It makes no sense. You go onto virtually any is old schools and there’s a new trend in other career and there’ll be as many women construction. The further I’ve pushed that as men. That can only be good as I think each trend the more people I’ve found pushing with brings out the best in the other,” continues me. It’s incredible.

Sinead, who even thinks lockdown was good for women in the trade too.

“The aspiration has always been there among

“My aim is to grow She Built It NI so as many women as want get the opportunity to discover the industry. My aim is to work with schools and colleges too so young people - girls and boys – can learn about the career potential within construction.

“Yes, there’s phenomenal amount of work ahead but the opportunities are equally phenomenal.

“I want to give back to the industry which is giving me so much – travel opportunities, a career, a home, a future. It’s giving me a good life. Now I want to pass that on and that feels good.”

37 Manor House | Lisburn | BT28 1ES | T: 078 4370 8111 | E: sinead@shebuiltitni.com

www.shebuiltitni.com

@shebuiltitni

she_built_it_ni Local Women Magazine | 93

WOMEN WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION

Meet the vibrant female team who are enjoying great careers at Henry Brothers and are encouraging other women to consider working in construction.

Sandra Overend

Shannon McGilligan

Did you plan to work in the Construction Industry and How did you get where you are today?

Did you plan to work in construction?

A career within the construction industry was not intentional for me.

Prior to joining Henry Brothers in 2017 I was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly. That role was huge and varied but a continuous thread throughout my time as an MLA was my commitment to the local economy and to enhancing the education and skills of our children and adults alike. As a member of the All Party Group on Construction, I was acutely aware of the concerns and business environment of the construction sector. I have a Honours Degree in Business Studies and I also have a background in developing and promoting women in politics, having founded a programme called the Dame Dehra Parker Programme to equip women with the skills and confidence to become more active in the male-dominated world of politics.

I had never thought of working in construction growing up as I always had always seen the industry as male dominated.

It wasn’t until I had started looking for a placement for my University Course, that I unintentionally steered towards applying to businesses within the construction industry.

Training & Development Manager

It was with no hesitation that I took up this position as Training & Development Manager for the Henry Group, where I am continuing in a role of enhancing the skills and developing the entire workforce.

I feel that I have a very worthwhile function within the company and enjoy enabling each person to reach their full potential within the company, and supporting many through study and training to progress in their careers.

What has been the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome?

The biggest hurdle that I had to overcome was also the biggest opportunity, and this was really the transition into the role as Training & Development Manager, having come into the business a few months after the previous Manager had retired, and re-creating the role as part of an enhanced Human Resources Department, rather than within the Health & Safety Department.

What has been your proudest achievement?

As our company strapline suggests, Altogether Stronger, Henry Brothers is very focussed on developing the whole workforce, more than in terms of health & safety requirements, but also in terms of developing leadership and management skills, good succession planning and personal career development. It has been rewarding to be part of this advancement within the company, culminating with us being awarded the 2019 Construction Employers’ Federations Award for Excellence in Training and the 2020 Belfast Telegraph Business Award for Excellence in the Development of Leadership & Management.

94 | Local Women Magazine

HR Advisor

How did you get to where you are today?

During my time at university I studied a BSc Hons in Human Resource Management with a Diploma in Professional Practice and was required to complete a 1 year full time placement. I gained a placement opportunity with Henry Brothers and it all sort of went from there. Henry Brothers offered me part-time work during my final year at university, prior to completing my placement year. Upon graduating I was offered the permanent full-time role I currently hold.

What has been your proudest achievement to date?

I consider myself only at the beginning of my career within HR so I would say my proudest achievement was completing my BSc Hons Human Resource Management Degree with a First Class Honours and having secured permanent employment in a Generalist HR role prior to completing my degree.

Is there anyone in particular you would like to thank for your success?

I would like to thank Henry Brothers, in particular Julie McKeown (HR Director) and Jennifer Cruickshank (HR Manager) for the support, guidance and providing the invaluable training opportunities which have enabled me grow personally and professionally. I am continually encouraged by these women to step out of my comfort zone which in turn has helped me grow in confidence.

Would you recommend a career in construction to young women?

I would definitely recommend a career in construction to young females as hard hats and hammers are not the only opportunities in the construction field but that’s not to say if a young female wants to swing a hammer, there is no reason she can’t do it just as well as a man. There are many diverse roles within the industry, with plenty of them offering progression.

WALLACE

office, although the guys all made me feel at ease and I settled very quickly.

What has been the biggest With not having a background in construction I hurdle learnt to askyou’ve questions had to overcome?

Security Clearance Administrator regarding aspects of the job, and the On joining I was the only female in the Did you plan to work industry generally, which has helped although in the Construction me appreciateoffi andce, understand my the guys all made me Did you plan to work in the feel at ease and I settled very quickly.

Industry? role.

Industry?

IConstruction had no plans to work within the With not having a background in construction industry but my course I had no plans to work within the construction I learnt to ask questions left me open to working within anymy course Is there in construction industry but left anyone regarding aspects of the job, and the particular you would sector.

Both my mother and father me open to working within any sector. industry generally, which has helped me like to thank for your previously worked in the industry and Both my mother and father previously success? appreciate and understand my role.

Henry Brothers, so I was fortunate to worked in the industry and Henry follow in their footsteps. am grateful opportunity Isthe there anyone in particular Brothers, so I was fortunate to Ifollow in for Henry Brothers has given me and for their footsteps.

How did you get where you would like to thank for their ongoing support and training. I you are today? to give specific thanks success?

How did you get where would also likeyour After leaving school I went on to to Richard Bamford and Stephen I am grateful for the opportunity Henry you are today? complete my BTEC in Business Studies Watley for being amazing mentors Brothers has given me and for their with IT and then ontoschool my Foundation years and imparting their After leaving I wentover onthe to ongoing support and training. I am Degree in Business IT atin Businessknowledge, complete my with BTEC Studies wisdom, and skills to me. I have such a supportive team University of Ulster.

For my final my year Foundation am thankful tothankful have such to a supportive with IT and then onto who have always IDegree was required to complete 3 months team who have always encouraged me encouraged me to in Business with IT at University placement with a local business. I to the best version of myself, on both of myself, on both a the best version of Ulster. For my final year I was required reached out to Henry Brothers who a professional and personal level. to complete 3 months placement professional and personal level. kindly offered me placement for 6 work unless you do”. with awhich local business. reached out to What hasWhat been has the best months then lead to meIbeing been the best advice advice you’ve been Henrya Brothers who kindly I believe this applies to all aspects of life. offered permanent full-time role. offered me given? placement for 6 months which then you’ve been given? you wantlife. something you areyou the be that simply “Nothing willIfwork If you want something areone What have received lead tohas me been being the offered a permanent The best advice Iunless that needs to make it happen because you do”. the one that needs to make it happen biggest hurdle you’ve The best advice I have received would no one do it for would be that simply “Nothing will full-time role.

I believe this applies to all aspects of will because no you. one will do it for you.

Grace Wallace

Administrator

Altogether Stronger

Construction is a career like no other We have a great team of people working in all areas of our company

Join Our Team Bring your skills and use them in the Construction Industry Submit your CV to careers@henrybrothers.co.uk | Quote Reference SP20 Check out our website at www.henrybrothers.co.uk

Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

108 – 114 Moneymore Road | Magherafgelt | BT45 6HJ E: info@henrybrothers.co.uk T: 028 7963 1631

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Deborah Madden

Environmental & Quality Manager

Capital, the Circular Economy and Life Cycle Analysis. The construction industry has proven to be a very challenging, complex yet highly rewarding sector to work in.

How did you get where you are today?

polluting industries in our modern world.

There is a lot of groundwork (pardon the pun) that takes place even before the project starts in terms of planning for Environmental Sustainability, which continues throughout the process of all our Projects until completion. Henry Brothers have strong certifications and processes in place to ensure targets are met in terms of protecting, conserving and enhancing our natural resources and communities that we work in. We are continuing to work towards Net Zero Carbon by 2030.

Through a lot of hard work and determination! My conscientiousness never let me fail. I started my undergrad at QUB in Land Use and Environmental Management, giving me my first step into a role within the construction industry through my placement year. After Would you recommend a graduating I then completed a Masters in Sustainability, producing a paper for career in construction to Henry Brothers in the process as part of young women? my studies and ultimately securing a Absolutely, as women working within the permanent position within the company. construction industry brings new ways of Did you plan to work in the thinking and working, through helping Construction Industry?

What has been your to expand the industry’s skill set and Initially, no - but I always knew that I proudest achievement? experience. You will be helping in inspiring wanted a career within the Sustainability Helping to change the perception of a generation of change, something that I sector as I had a lot of interest in Natural construction being one of the most am very proud of.

Teri Millar

Trainee Quantity Surveyor

How did you get to where you are today?

I completed my A Levels and then went on then to SERC Lisburn to complete my HND in Construction and the Built Environment over a 2-year full time period. I then enrolled on the Part Time BSc Hons in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management at Ulster, which I am completing alongside my employment and continue to do so with the support of Henry Brothers.

pound projects in Northern Ireland including on one of the largest government office moves in NI, Also growing as a person in my career and advancing my knowledge every single day.

Is there anyone in particular you would like to thank for your success?

I would like to thank the continued support of Henry Brothers in particular Joe Murray (QS) and Stephen Watley (Snr QS) for always supporting me and always answering the many questions I have. But also, my father for bringing What has been the biggest me along to those work experience hurdle you’ve had to overcome? trips throughout the years, and always I found that when I first started, I was not taken encouraging me to pursue a role in seriously, but once I found my confidence on the industry. site, I established relationships with the men Would you recommend a career on site and they soon realised I did know What has been the best advice in construction to young women? what I was talking about after all and could you’ve been given? do a lot of things to the best of my ability.

Just because I am a female in a male 100% YES! There is so many growing dominated industry does not mean that opportunities out there for young women What has been your proudest I cannot wear my safety boots as well as in the construction industry and I always achievement to date? my fancy shoes, because I am as good encourage any young female to never think twice about it.

I have worked on many multi-million- as any male in the industry.

108 – 114 Moneymore Road | Magherafgelt | BT45 6HJ E: info@henrybrothers.co.uk T: 028 7963 1631

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WOMEN IN STEM with Sapphire Duffy

Industry leader and role model Sapphire Duffy, 26, from Ballymena joins Local Women as a columnist to highlight the need for more young women to follow in her footsteps and pursue a career in Tech.

“LET’S CLOSE THE GENDER GAP” For the last five years of my life, I have dedicated my time to volunteering for the Northern Ireland Tech Community through numerous grassroots groups. I am a role model and a community leader in STEM. I encourage young women and adults to pursue a career in tech, develop leadership skills and support them during their career journey. At the moment, I have a dual role. In 2020 I stepped up into a really exciting role as a Leadership Fellow with Women Who Code Global, recently being promoted to a Senior Leadership Fellow, Program Specialist and I represent Ireland as a leader being their first and only UK & IE employee. Women Who Code is the largest, most active organisation for Women in Tech, a global non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring women to excel in their technology careers. I also work as a Product Consultant at Kainos, working on digital transformation projects with customers around the UK and Ireland. I was recently a Miss Northern Ireland finalist and used this platform to be a role model for more women in tech, raise awareness and elevate and support others.

It has been a whirlwind of a journey! When I was growing up, I was unsure about what to do with my life and what career to pursue. All I knew is that I wanted to be successful and ace my career. A career in tech never crossed my mind until after two years of studying for a degree I didn’t enjoy at university. I loved IT at school, but it never occurred to me that I could pursue a career in it, and I strongly believe that may be because I didn’t have any role models in tech to look up to. Later I switched to studying Business Information Technology at Queen’s and graduated with First Class Honours. During my first year of studies, I attended tech meetups in Belfast and received so much support and help from people in this field, I fell in love with the Belfast tech community, and I wanted to

give back to the community and volunteer with a goal to help more women in tech. I organised events and delivered talks and later won the Community Star Award at a WWCode Christmas awards night. I later became the director of WWCode Belfast in 2018 where my WWCode journey began and in 2020 I started working for the global team. I have a caring nature and I’m so glad that tech allows me to flourish this side of my personality. I love that I can work in a challenging job and also help women.

During my time as the WWCode Belfast Director, I built a team of volunteers and helped upskill them to become tech leaders.

We hosted regular meetups in Belfast such as technical workshops, hackathons, lightning talks, career talks, coffee networking meetups and more. I started the initiative ‘Bytes n’ Brew’ in 2019 which is a popular networking event for women to connect in Belfast, it is hosted bi-weekly in tech companies around Belfast since COVID-19 it is now online. I co-hosted ‘She Rocks Awards’ which is an Annual event at Christmas awarding amazing women in NI. When I started working for the global team, I inspired women all over the world to develop their leadership skills and excel in their careers.

I build diverse communities online and lead events with people over the world.

telling me that I wasn’t good enough or ‘smart’ enough. It was the best feeling ever battling my limiting beliefs.

Throughout my career, I have helped women daily break out of their comfort zones and believe in themselves. I believe that when you help others, your life adopts a new meaning and purpose. Leadership is all about people inspiring people to believe in the impossible, to believe in themselves and to become the very best version of themselves. I grow and learn every day by helping others, I grow with them.

WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS. I had so many pep talks with myself and butterflies of nerves during this journey and women supporting me to get me to where I am. No matter where you are in your life, throw yourself out of your comfort zone, it is the best way to learn and grow. I promise you will thank me!

Next month I will be discussing the importance of having a diverse culture in tech and why we need more women in tech to close the gender gap.

Instagram: @SapphireDuffy Email: sapphireduffy@gmail.com

Another tech community group that I volunteer for is Women Techmakers Belfast which is a Google Initiative. The team organise and host meetups, events and an annual International Women’s Day conference, Northern Ireland’s biggest women in tech conference.

A career in tech opens many travelling opportunities. I travelled to conferences across the world including San Francisco and New York. I represented the Belfast chapter and the tech scene in Ireland at an event in Times Square and delivered talks to share knowledge and inspire others. It was a dream of mine to deliver a talk in New York, and I worked so hard for this goal and achieved it! I beat my imposter syndrome Local Women Magazine | 97

Established in 1976, Creagh Concrete has grown to become one of the largest and most innovative producers of concrete products for a diverse range of market sectors throughout Ireland and the UK. The company designs, manufactures and supplies an extensive range of concrete products operating from its head office in Toomebridge, Northern Ireland with bases in Ardboe, Dunloy, Draperstown and Magheraglass and also at Nottingham, England and Edinburgh, Scotland.

It’s core business is the supply and fit of hollow core flooring, manufacturing a large range of products for residential and commercial application. Recent projects include Gulson Road, Sutton Court, Arena Central and Woking.

The current pace of change in off-site technology and the emergence of new construction options is unprecedented. Creagh Concrete is in that mix, representing a combination of innovation with a solid track record in offsite manufacturing. The company is very much a family affair and was joined in 2011

by Catherine McKeague who qualified in 2009 as a Solicitor. Here Catherine works alongside her father, three uncles, several cousins and her brother-in-law.

Catherine’s role here is as a Solicitor, Company Secretary and Materials Director and her work is varied, involving commercial, debt, property, planning, transport and compliance matters.

Catherine Keenan Materials Director

It seems that Catherine was destined to go into the construction industry despite having chosen law as her profession. Prior to joining Creagh she worked for a firm of solicitors specialising in construction, commercial and property matters so her knowledge of the industry is pretty much set in stone.

While for many it may seem that the construction business is male dominated, for Catherine Keenan there are no limits in terms of opportunity or upward trajectory in her environment. Asked if she thinks that this is a particularly challenging industry for women, she replied: “This is a difficult question to answer. I think times have moved on and more and more woman are involved in the industry particularly in high ranking positions. It very much depends on the specific company. At Creagh female leadership is very much encouraged and we have many female employees in managerial positions including on the Board of Directors.”

Aine graduated from University of Ulster in 2004 with an Honours Degree in Leisure Events & Cultural Management and after spending time travelling in Australia, she joined Creagh Concrete in July 2006. Aine initially began her career with Creagh as despatch controller in Dunloy which involved managing a fleet of 10 lorries as well as organising deliveries of premix concrete within the locality.

Aine McElroy Divisional Manager

In 2007 Aine was the first ever woman to join Creagh’s agricultural department as a sales representative and she regularly travelled to meet current and perspective customers to discuss a wide range of agricultural products. Today, Aine has now in charge of the Agricultural Division and Creagh Haulage. Overseeing 30 people, Aine manages the agricultural products factory and looks after a fleet of 10 lorries transporting concrete products and other materials throughout the UK and Ireland.

Aine commented. “My role is varied and exciting; No two days are the same! Every day brings a new challenge.

Creagh are a fantastic company to work for and I’ve enjoyed a great career with the company. There are lots of opportunities for women in this industry to enjoy a fulfilling career. Creagh are a member of MPA (Mineral Products Association) and I am a STEM ambassador with this group. Pre-pandemic, I attended High Schools throughout NI to promote jobs within the construction industry.”

Aine has a great relationship with Greenmount Agricultural College and organises regular open days at our factory for young agricultural students.

As well as championing her role as an Agricultural Divisional Manager, Aine also holds a NEBOSH in Health and Safety and is an Appointed Person (lifting operations). She also holds first aid and Level 3 in Education and Training, Unit 1 Understanding Roles, and Responsibilities and Relationships in Education and Training.

WWW.CREAGHCONCRETE.CO.UK | 028 796 50500

Joanna Denton

Are you heading towards burnout?

Business coach and Local Women columnist Joanna Denton advises on the warning signs to watch for and how to be kinder to yourself during times of stress.

Dear Joanna, I am feeling really toasted, and I don’t know what to do.

I just got back to work from two weeks of staycation, and I may as well never have been away for all the good it did. I have had to hit the ground running – there is always something, someone (boss, team, family) who wants a piece of me. I am supposed to be the strong one, the ambitious one, but now I am just the tired and weary one. Work isn’t any fun anymore, and I want to sleep for a year, but I just don’t have time. I don’t think I am burned out, but I am certainly well toasted. But if I take my foot off the pedal, I feel guilty for not doing more. Do you have any advice?

Nicola Dear Nicola, It sounds like you are having a bad time of it and running on empty. Believe me, I know what its like to be so tired and still have to get through the day, and I know it sucks.

It’s not so easy to stop the world and get off so you can get some rest, but I wonder if there are small things you might be able to do.

First of all, I want you to be kind to yourself. This is tough going, and its not going to be any less tough if you start to beat yourself up. You say that you are normally the ambitious one. I don’t know how that has shown up in the past (in terms of career or other ambitions), but perhaps for the moment you can make it your ambition to simply take care of yourself.

You say that there is always someone who wants a piece of you. Sounds like you need to start putting yourself and your health first, rather than everyone else who wants a piece of you. Remember, if you are running on empty, you won’t be any good to anyone.

What permission do you need to give yourself to take care of yourself?

100 | Local Women Magazine

You mentioned that you are tired and weary at the moment, and that even with two weeks of staycation you are just as tired. Definitely sounds like you need that rest – and I also wonder if it would be worth getting some blood tests done or chatting to the doctor to see if there is anything else going on. I know that it is difficult to see doctors at the moment, however this is also about asking for what you need – and there may be something relatively straightforward that the doctor could help with. On the other hand, if you are heading towards a burnout then they can ring the alarm bells.

on Sunday evening looking at the work week ahead,

How can you find some help with everything going on? What kind of support would be helpful to you at the moment – is it logistical support (like getting the shopping in) or is it support at work (delegating some more tasks, getting support from your boss)?

Who are the people you can reach out to and ask for help? Remember – your friends and network are not telepathic, and if you don’t ask for help, they will never know you need it.

Sending love and remember – you got this!

Finally, what about date night with yourself? One of my clients shared a practice that she had started – the Sunday night date night. Rather than spending time

she has started to spend that time planning out things that she can do during the week to find time for herself – be it a manicure or reflexology session for example.

During the week when she thinks of things that she would like to do for herself, she jots them down in a notebook – and then on a Sunday she plans how to incorporate them into her weekly schedule.

I hope this is helpful. I need you to remember that you are no good to anyone if you are on your knees, and you are the only one that can take care of yourself,

JD Speaking and Strategy Ltd River House | 48-60 High Street | Belfast | BT1 2BE T: +44 (0)7795085297 |E: joanna@joannadenton.com For further information check out

www.joannadenton.com

THE SAVVY INVESTOR NI Property Girl Eimear Gourley is well on her way to achieving her dream of being the face of property in Northern Ireland. This month she discusses her successful career in the construction industry and how she would like to see more women represented in this fast paced and exciting environment.

This month has been one of the biggest months of my life. I handed in my notice as a full time Civil Engineer to focus on my dream of becoming the face of property in Northern Ireland.

I am now finding investment properties for my clients full time.

I find buy to let properties for those who do not have the time or the knowledge to do it themselves. Some are ready to rent, some need a little TLC and others need a full renovation.

This business leads me into a different area of construction with working on residential projects and solving all the issues that come with it. I just love it.

I became involved in the construction industry shortly after finishing my engineering degree. I was always asked why I chose it as a career path as it was “a very strange thing for a woman to do.”

In short, I love to solve problems. What better career to choose than being an Engineer, where your entire working life is dedicated to finding solutions to some of the world and your community’s greatest problems? Why do you have to be a man to get involved in something so important, rewarding and enjoyable? The answer is - you don’t!!

Sure, I was only one of three girls in my university class and, when I started working in the industry, I was only one of very few females involved. Of course, at times, this was challenging - but who doesn’t love a challenge? Getting respect in such a male dominated environment is difficult at the beginning. In my experience, it does not come as easy as it does for our male counterparts. I believe that in order to be taken seriously I have had to prove my worth, prove I am capable of my job and that I need to be consistent with it.

Since starting my property business I have come up against I have seen far less competent men in the industry get further, prejudice, disrespect and some just darn right rude men, but faster and with less obstacles than females who probably I have also come across the same qualities in females in the deserved the same opportunities. If I am honest, I believe that I industry. I like to believe that gender is not important, and the quality of the job is the primary focus. If you are rude, have been on the receiving end of that scenario myself. disrespectful and useless at your job, then I do not care whether The good news is - times are changing. Society is changing you are Clare or Clive. and there appears to be a real push for females to enter the construction sector. I really support this and have recently I believe now is a great time for women to get involved in given talks at schools to try and encourage the uptake of Engineering and I have two daughters myself, who I would love females into Engineering. For the foreseeable future men will to see become some of the world’s greatest problem solvers. outnumber women in this field and to be positive about this, I would say that if you do your job and do it well, then you will It is also a great time to get involved in property which has be easily remembered by all. I have heard others saying that historically been a male dominated industry. If you do not have you shouldn’t have to fight for respect in your job because you the time, knowledge and are maybe afraid to get involved, are a woman, and this is correct. But you should have to earn get in touch and I can solve those three issues for you.Stand respect no matter what your gender is. The inequality is not that tall ladies, stand together and we can change the world. The you have to earn your respect whilst others do not. women before us have and so can we.

Contact me today

M: 077 838 79534 E: eimear@keegoinvestments.co.uk @ni_propertygirl

linkedin.com/in/eimeargourley Local Women Magazine | 101

A CAREER WITH HERON BROS HERE’S WHAT THEY SAY...

Project Quantity Surveyor “I am thoroughly enjoying my role as Project Quantity Surveyor on an exciting local Office development at Ebrington Barracks. I am responsible for the overall commercial management of the project and I’m proud to work as part of the team delivering such an impressive building.

There are extensive opportunities for females in Construction and I believe a diverse workforce is an extremely important asset to both Heron Bros and the wider Construction Industry.

I was mentored by the Directors at Heron Bros and became a MRICS having successfully completed my Chartership.

I actively promote STEM and Quantity Surveying to females seeking a fulfilling and rewarding career.” providing lines and levels for subcontractors.

A key element of the role involves supervision of works being completed.

What I enjoy

Senior Estimator As Senior Estimator my role involves competitively pricing traditional and design and build tenders. As each tender is unique, this process involves reviewing the tender documents, drawings and specification and analysing costs of all labour, plant and material for the project. Here in Heron Bros, the estimating department is an exciting, fast pace and equally challenging environment where there are numerous opportunities to develop your career. After many years with the team the successful submission of a tender still brings a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

Graduate Civil Engineer As a Graduate Civil Engineer working for Heron Bros, I’m involved in interpreting plans and drawings and providing technical advice to different subcontractors and trades. I’m also responsible for setting-out on site, as well as

As a site-based engineer, I enjoy the variety of tasks. I particularly enjoy the initial stages of a building project and the intensity of all works involved in the foundations and groundworks stages. At the latter end of the process, I love the sense of pride that comes with the handover of a project. Having been involved as part of the team, to see the completion of the building is so rewarding.

Promote to other females Engineering is a varied and rewarding career. There is a progressive culture within the wider construction industry that rewards hard work and merit. The focus is on each project being better than the last. With this continual improvement ethos and advances in construction materials, I feel the industry is well placed to stretch and challenge me well into the future. This also goes for any other females willing to accept the challenge.

Can you say anything about the future job prospects in the construction industry?

The construction industry is growing steadily which means there are great job prospects for the future in a variety of roles. I enjoy the variety my career offers and the opportunities I have for continual professional development.

Career Aspirations

What advice would you give to any young person thinking of a career in construction?

There is a clear career progression mapped out within the company with great opportunities to grow. I relish the prospect of one day, being lead engineer on my own project. I know with the support and mentoring underpinning all new recruits within the company, this is a realistic goal with Heron Bros.

For any females considering a career in construction I would say don’t be put off by gender stereotypes. In my experience, enthusiasm and determination will always be recognised and respected, regardless of gender and this is definitely the case at Heron Bros who have a much higher female representation than the industry average.

What I enjoy about Engineering

Heron Manufacturing

I love being on site and I really enjoy the variety of the different projects and have always been intrigued watching how a project can develop from nothing. There is so much diversity within the Construction industry, no working day is the same. I have always been a hands-on learner and enjoy being outdoors, so learning through doing as an apprentice out on site as opposed to being classroom based as a full time student was definitely the best route suited to me.

Placement Engineer

My Career Aspirations

What I enjoy about engineering

I hope to graduate next year in BEng Civil Engineering whilst continuing to gain experience, building on my skills as an Engineer. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to experience many different aspects of a job from start through to finish, on a range of different projects. My ultimate desire is to become a Chartered Civil Engineer with ICE or CIOB. In the future, I am confident that I will continue to grow as an Engineer, working alongside many qualified Engineers. I aspire to continually progress, develop and advance in my career with Heron Brothers.

I have always had a passion for the Construction sector, and knew it was an industry I was keen to be a part of. The idea of making an impact to future buildings and contributing towards a project intrigues me.

Every day allows you to acquire knowledge and transferable skills from working alongside experienced and qualified Engineers.

As Office Manager my role involves overseeing the busy office of a manufacturing facility, including the estimating, sales order processing, customer care and finance functions. There is no such thing as a quiet or dull day in manufacturing with each bespoke order invariably providing its own set of unique challenges and enjoyment.

As a female in a mainly male dominated industry I have been fully encouraged and supported by the team in Heron Joinery and I am delighted with the opportunities which are available to me.

What I would promote to other females The construction industry provides growing opportunities. Learning through apprenticeship allows you to gain a wealth of knowledge and a greater understanding of the role of an Engineer, through hands on learning. You gain skills you wouldn’t get from a classroom alone and can transfer these to your studies and vice versa. The opportunities and career paths are endless with Civil Engineering and it is a very rewarding industry to be a part of. I would promote the role to any other female who enjoys being outdoors and learning something new every day.

My Career Aspirations As a placement engineer, coming from classroom based learning on to a site, Heron Bros. have given me an insight into the growing opportunities available to me within Construction. I aspire to enhance and utilise my engineering skills in order to make a contribution towards a company.

What I would promote to other females Engineering provides a variety of opportunities and a vast amount of different routes you can go down, both office or site based.

Being a part of a project gives you a sense of fulfilment, helping to shape tomorrows World and make it more sustainable.

CURRENT VACANCIES IN HERON BROS FOR N IRELAND Project Managers Site Managers Site Engineers Graduate Site Engineers Placement Site Engineers

Sales Estimator Being an estimator in a fire door manufacturing company is a challenging and satisfying role. I am aware of the critical role a fire door plays in saving lives and protecting property, making my job rewarding every single day.

I am continually learning and improving my technical knowledge in a fast-moving industry which allows me to offer the most up to date advice and guidance to clients so they receive the best product to meet their needs.

Production Operators I am based in the workshop and I love my job. I am creative and very tidy and I take great pride in the finished product. I would encourage other females to consider this type of role.

Digger Drivers

CURRENT VACANCIES

Teleporter Drivers

Estimator

Skilled Labourers

Joiners

Current vacancies for Scotland:

Apprentice Joiners

Placement Site Engineers

Production Operators

HEADQUARTERS 2 St Patrick’s Street Draperstown Magherafelt BT45 7AL

GLASGOW 14 Seaward Place Centurion Business Park Glasgow G41 1HH

LONDON 30 Moorgate London England EC2R 6DA

MANCHESTER 3 Hardman Street Spinningfields Manchester M3 3HF

For more information and current vacancies visit www.heronbros.com

JILLʼS LEADING THE WAY As a full-time welder Jill McCrea from Cookstown has faced plenty of challenges during her successful career – but sheʼs proving herself and showing the boys how itʼs done!

By Maibh Shiels Jill McCrea is well used to being the only woman in her workplace, as one of the very few female welders in the Mid Ulster area.

ƒ Jill McCrea

Jill, 23, from Cookstown, always wanted to go into the maledominated industry and has worked hard to make that dream come true, but it hasn’t been without its difficulties.

Whether it was being the only girl on her course at Dungannon’s South West College, being told what she can and can’t do, or being turned away from jobs, Jill has faced so many tests and trials.

She overcame every one of them, though, knowing that she had a point to prove to anyone who had said she couldn’t do what she wanted to, and has now spent five years working as a welder.

Jill talks of her motivation to go into a male-dominated job, the times she was made fun of, and the many moments where she showed the men just how it was done.

She shares how she got started on the journey to her job: “In my childhood, I would have helped my dad and got stuck into things, so it was just in my nature. I just liked that kind of work. ƒ Jill McCrea is a full-time welder

This Autumn

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Coleraine

“When I went to pick my course, Engineering jumped out at me. I didn’t want to do a beauty or hair course. I wasn’t into that. I liked things that were hands-on and where I was making things.

“I knew from a young age that it was something I wanted to do. I never wanted just a ‘normal’ job. I knew I wanted to go into a maledominated industry.”

Jill knew from the start that she had landed herself in an industry where there weren’t many women. “I was the only girl on the Engineering course.

“It was strange, and it took me a while to get used to, but two boys that I went to school with were in my class, so that made it a bit better.”

While being in a class without any other women did help prepare her for going into the world of welding, being the only woman in her workplace was still something Jill had to adjust to.

“It was still really daunting to go into the workplace with fully grown men. But you do just have to face your fears sometimes.

ƒ Jill McCrea got her dream career at J&B Engineering ƒ Jill McCrea

most of the time I try it and I can do it. You’re underestimated in that sense.

“It’s not as bad as you think, and most of the men I work with are actually really nice and have been from the start.”

“There were times it did get to me. It was annoying me, and that’s why I wanted to prove them wrong.

Jill says she chose welding because she liked studying it at South West College, but because her course didn’t include work experience, getting a job was made even more difficult.

“I give what I get. I always stand up for myself,” Jill says.

“Welding was one of the topics which I enjoyed doing and I was good at, but it was a very difficult job to get into with no experience.

The welder also says that she doesn’t stop doing the things that most women do, just because she has a job that is mostly done by men.

“I went to nearly every engineering place in Mid Ulster, and further. Because I was a woman, I was turned down so many times.

“I still wear makeup at the weekends. The guys that I work with, when they first saw me with makeup on, said they didn’t recognise me, because they normally see me in a boiler suit.

“Having no women’s toilets was one excuse, another place said they could put me in their office, and one man actually laughed at me when I said I wanted to do welding.”

“What I love about my job, is that you can be two different people. You can definitely have both.”

While this was all hard for Jill to have to deal with, one company J&B Engineering did accept The main difficulty, though, is dealing with her application and she got started on her people’s perception of her as a woman and a welder. “You get underestimated a lot. That just dream career. gives me such a drive to prove people wrong.

The welder adds that the job is not still without its challenges for her as a woman, some of “Sometimes they think something’s going to which are physical, “It’s not that difficult now, be too heavy for you to lift. They’re looking for help and looking around for another man and but it was at the beginning.

I’ll say, ‘I’ll help you.’

“It surprises you, the amount of muscle you gain, and what I couldn’t lift at the start I can “They say, ‘But, you might not be able to lift it,’ and I always say, ‘But, I might be,’ and lift now, and it can be brutal in the heat.”

Jill shares some advice for any girls out there who want to go into an industry they might think is only for men.

She says: “Just go for it if you really want to. At the end of the day, we are all equal. Anybody can do any job. A woman can do anything she puts her mind to.

“Don’t let anyone’s opinion stop you from doing whatever job you really want to do. Don’t let it get to you. Don’t give up. I think I’ve definitely proved people wrong.”

This Autumn

SHOP EAT ENJ Y LOCAL

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Ballycastle Local Women Magazine | 105

ENGINEERING CHANGE IN THE WORKPLACE

E+I Engineering are committed to promoting gender balance in the workplace through education and support to encourage more women to consider a career in engineering.

Gender bias in STEM career paths is still a major issue today, with less than 30% of the global STEM workforce represented by females.

Beyond calls for equality, there is a need for more women in STEM to drive innovation from a new perspective. How relevant can innovations really be if they are designed from a male dominant perspective? How well will the needs of women who make up half of the population be met?

Since 2016, the number of women STEM roles has increased by 216,552, taking the total number over 1 million! Whilst this is a great achievement there is still more work to be done.

In order to close the gender gap in STEM roles, girls must be engaged from a young age and educated on the opportunities available. Early exposure to such concepts can have a significant impact on a woman’s perceptions of her abilities.

This must then be further nurtured through skills development and training programmes which can span from simple activities like school science fairs to professional development support for STEM graduates and beyond.

Donegal Headquartered manufacturing firm E+I Engineering are committed to promoting gender equality in the workplace and over the past few years have been working hard to change gender bias perceptions towards careers in engineering.

Through participation in local careers events and hosting student groups at their Donegal HQ, the company have engaged with local schools and colleges on multiple levels to promote the vast opportunities available for Women at E+I Engineering and beyond, highlighting the critical need for women within the engineering sector in general and the benefits it can bring.

Emma Gallagher and Shauna Cooper Production Operators

“As a company we are committed to developing a diverse workforce by encouraging more women to build a career in engineering. It’s important to have a culture of diversity and equality at all levels within a company, not only does this bridge the skill gap but brings about new ways of thinking that fuel innovation and contribute to business success.” Said Helen Canny, Business Development manager at E+I Engineering.

Two recent recruits at E+I Engineering include Emma Gallagher and Shauna Cooper, who both joined the company this year after completing The Female Electrician Taster Programme (QQI Level 6 in Industrial Electrical Systems), a 9 week course provided by Inishowen Skillsnet. Emma and Shauna both came to E+I Engineering to undertake a week-long work placement as part of their course but quickly made their mark, impressing management with their excellent work ethic and were offered full time positions within the factory as Production Operators, training on control wiring and electrical systems.

Emma said of her experience so far: “We’ve been given such a great learning experience, there’s a lot to take in but our colleagues have been so supportive, including apprentices who have had similar experiences.”

Hoping to forge a long career with the company, Shauna said: “Seeing how others within the factory have progressed is really motivating and something I have to look forward to.”

Rignach Hopson Senior Electrical Project Engineer

E+I Engineering have been investing in people since its conception in 1986, through work experience placements, apprenticeships, bursary schemes, on the job training and academic financial support. The company now boasts 1200+ employees spread across the Northwest region with more based in the US &

Middle East.

Longstanding E+I Engineering employee Rignach Hopson has been working with the company for almost 19 years. Currently employed as a Senior Electrical Project Engineer Rignach started her journey with the company as an Electrical Engineering Apprentice. “After I completed my apprenticeship, I was given the opportunity to move from the workshop floor into the engineering office, in a new role as an Engineering Assistant. I held this role for 1.5 years until I progressed into a Junior Project Engineer, engineering my own projects. I am now a Senior Project Engineer, working on data centre projects around Europe for large bluechip companies.

Eamon Barr, Production Manager said: “E+I Engineering has invested heavily in training, with a full-onsite training facility and dedicated training officer. Many people come to us with transferable skills from previous work experiences and through ongoing training and support get the opportunity to upskill and progress to various roles within the organisation.”

E+I Engineering specialise in the design and manufacturing of electrical power distribution equipment, boasting a varied portfolio of successfully delivered projects across the globe including iconic buildings in major cities.

The data center sector continues to be an especially important industry for the company.

E+I Engineering are a primary supplier to many blue-chip companies across the globe.

To learn more about the roles currently available at E+I Engineering’s Derry and Donegal locations visit www.e-i-eng.com/careers.

ENGINEER YOUR OWN CAREER

We’re Hiring Due to growing business demand, E+I Engineering are seeking motivated individuals to join our growing operation, with a wide range of roles available across our office and workshop-based teams.

What are you waiting for?

Start your journey with E+I Engineering today.

L/Derry & Donegal

Apply online now at

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITH SDC TRAILERS - THE UK & IRELAND’S LARGEST SEMI-TRAILER MANUFACTURER

E

stablished in Bellaghy, Northern Ireland in 1978, SDC Trailers is the UK and Ireland’s largest semi-trailer manufacturer, employing over 750 staff at three state-of-the-art production facilities in Toomebridge, Antrim and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. SDC design and engineer a wide range of semi-trailers for road haulage and logistics operators, supermarket chains and vehicle rental companies, with an annual turnover of almost £200 million pounds.

One of Northern Ireland’s largest local employers, SDC has a long manufacturing history and is a well-known brand both locally and throughout Europe and the Middle East. Due to continued expansion, the company is looking for passionate and committed team players to join their busy manufacturing facilities, welcoming applications from all age and gender orientation. While experience in a manufacturing / engineering environment is beneficial, most roles require no formal qualification, new-starts will go through SDC’s dedicated training program with one-to-one teaching carried out at their award-winning training centres in Toomebridge.

SDC provide opportunities for welders, joiners, fitters, painters, maintenance technicians and quality inspectors on the shop floor, working to ensure exacting quality standards are maintained throughout the entire trailer manufacturing process. A member of CIMC; the world’s largest trailer manufacturing group, SDC is a prestigious and innovative company to work for with excellent opportunities, employee packages and potential for career progression. The manufacturer provides varied roles, a competitive pay structure and the flexibility of a four-day, or fourand-a-half-day week, offering a good work-life balance for employees, some of which have been with the company for over 40 years.

Jane Millar, Human Resources Manager said:

FULL IN-HOUSE TRAINING PROVIDED FOR:

“At SDC Trailers, our workforce has played a central role to the • Piping & Wiring Line Operators success of SDC over the last forty• Welding / Fabrication three years, overseeing the entire design, engineering, and trailer • Trailer Flooring / Paint Operatives manufacturing process, from steel • Quality Control Inspectors selection to customer delivery. By • Body Shop Technicians partnering with some of the industry’s • Trailer Maintenance / Repairs leading suppliers, SDC’s training • Materials Handling centres bring together knowledge from around the globe, instilling SDC BENEFITS PACKAGE confidence in staff and creating a platform for further innovation in the • Positive teamwork culture. semi-trailer industry. There has never • Formal structured training program. been a better time to join our team, avail of our skills-based training and • Four-day or four-and-a-half-day week. secure your future with an industry• Competitive pay structure plus leading engineering company.” over-time.

Available positions are advertised on SDC Trailers website: www.sdctrailers.com

• Excellent working conditions and onsite catering.

Email an expression of interest to be added to SDC’s recruitment mailing list: recruitment@sdctrailers.com

• Exciting career prospects with a local company and global brand.

Working alongside men doesn’t affect me at all, I am part of a great team, and it’s good to know the lads are here to give advice if I need it.

JADE HIGNEY PIPING & WIRING TECHNICIAN

My role at SDC Trailers is based on the new piping and wiring line in Toomebridge, wiring the lights, side lights, tail lights and many other things like fitting the sensor wires to trailer chassis’ before they move onto the next stage of production. I have been with the company for four months now and I really like the hands-on work environment, every day I am learning something new.

When I joined the company, I didn’t have any previous experience in the manufacturing sector, but I found SDC’s product training team to be very supportive and helpful. I went through a skills-based induction program so that I could fully understand my role and after three weeks I was moved onto the line with the rest of my team. My hours of work are Monday to Thursday and then I’m off every Friday which is a great balance for me with a two-year-old at home. There is over-time available most

KERRY JOHNSTON MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

I would say to any girl who is thinking of apply for a job at SDC to just go for it - you don’t know what you are missing if you never try. Before this I worked in retail, and it took me years to have the courage to try something different, but now I am loving it. SDC is a large company, and I can see a lot of career opportunities for the future, my goal is to continue learning new skills and hopefully progress to a more senior role down the line. weekends if I decide I want to add to my “Jade takes pride in her work, and I hours for that week. always know I can rely on her to do My perception of SDC was that it would a good job. She sailed through our be male orientated, I guess girls are less product training and has developed likely to apply because they think it will an excellent working knowledge of our trailer components and procedures here be hard labour, but that’s not the case at SDC.” - my role in piping and wiring is more to do with teamwork and understanding Brendan Conway Piping & Wiring the trailer components we are fitting. Supervisor, SDC Trailers.

I had completed a placement in a manufacturing company as part of my degree, so I had some knowledge of the job before starting, but I have also learnt a lot of new skills in the short time I have been with SDC. As my role has developed within the company I have taken on new responsibilities; fixing paint pumps and controlling the PLC computer system which moves trailer chassis through production.

I started working at SDC Trailers in October 2020, and I have been here for just over a year now, working in the Maintenance department in Toomebridge. When I finished my BEng Mechanical Engineering course at Jordanstown, I saw the job advertised online and applied through SDC’s website. My role as Maintenance Technician allows me to work across different departments so I have made a My manager put me through scissor lot of new friends here, and no two days lift training when I started, and I am are the same. completing upskills courses in Mechanical I am responsible for SDC’s tool inventory and Electrical Engineering at the NRC in from drills to torque wrenches, ordering Ballymena through my employment at parts and refurbishing damaged tools. I SDC. Each course lasts seven weeks with also ensure that calibration is carried out classes at the NRC two days a week, I on our torque wrenches as well as other hope to further my knowledge of motor preventative maintenance jobs around and belt changes as well as electrical safety, which will help me to progress the site. further in my role.

My first project involved working together with the lean manufacturing team to Some people might assume that implement a QR code system for the engineering jobs are for men, but this is maintenance warehouse, allowing for certainly not the case at SDC; I have had parts to be easily identified and ordered. equal opportunities to the rest of team

here and I am treated just the same. I am glad that I have pursued a career in this field, and I am proud to say that I work for the UK and Ireland’s largest trailer manufacturer.

“Since Kerry joined us last year, she has become a valuable member of our maintenance team. Her skill and dedication inspires us all, and I have no doubt she will continue to progress here at SDC,” Chris McConaghie, Maintenance Supervisor, SDC Trailers.

Available positions are advertised on SDC Trailers website: www.sdctrailers.com Email an expression of interest to be added to SDC’s recruitment mailing list: recruitment@sdctrailers.com Find us online at

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DOWN TO EARTH...

with Joanna Braniff

OCTOBER IS PURE GOLD! Down to Earth - Gardening for the mind, body and soul with Joanna Braniff

By Joanna Braniff While it might be tempting to think the garden is over for the year, October actually marks the start of planting season as the soil is still warm enough for roots to establish.

It’s a month of endings and beginnings celebrated with a stunning parade of burnished gold, and crimson ticker-tape leaves tumbling from the sky.

It doesn’t matter what age you are; when you see a pile of crunchy Autumn leaves gathered by a swirling breeze, you just have to kick it with joyful abandon!

October comfortingly appeals to all our senses. It’s the season for orange pumpkins, hot chocolate after a walk in the woods, chunky socks to be discarded in front of a crackling log fire and a huge moon low on the horizon as dark nights creep in with alarming speed. Then, at the end of the month, Halloween reminds us the ghost of the summer heat is about to be wholly exorcised by frost and snow.

So don’t waste a moment of October’s sunshine.

There’s still time to enjoy your garden and interact with nature. There are plenty of gardening jobs to be done, plans to be made, and fun to be had in the great outdoors as we slide from Autumn into Winter.

Pull on your favourite woolly jumper and waterproof wellies and pour yourself a steaming cuppa. Let’s get out into the October garden to enjoy the last vestiges of sunshine while we dream of Spring’s magnificent flourishing.

TAKE STOCK We often feel compelled to dash about in the garden pulling weeds, pruning bushes or watering plants. Still, it’s always good to stop and think about what is working and what is not.

When plants are in their full glory in Summer, of course, you want to leave them to do their magnificent thing. But once they start to die back, you can really think and decide if they need intervention or change.

Sit quietly in your garden, and really look at what’s happening while your plant’s Spring and Summer performances are fresh in your mind. Survey each area carefully, honestly and thoughtfully. Ask yourself the following questions: Are all your plants in the correct position for optimum growth? If they are struggling to perform, now is the time to assess their proper needs and change their care as required.

Are they getting enough light/shade? Is the site too windy or exposed for delicate leaves and steams?

Are they being crowded out by other tougher or bigger neighbouring plants? Have they reached their natural end and need to be replaced?

Could you make better use of space with hedge screening or tree shelter? Or do you want to change a particular area in terms of use or colour scheme? Maybe you want to put in a pond, rockery or BBQ area?

112 | Local Women Magazine

And finally, the question on most dedicated gardeners’ minds – how can I fit more plants into my garden?

Just because your garden has always been a particular way, it doesn’t mean you can’t change it to suit your evolving tastes or needs.

Perhaps the kids have outgrown playing football on the lawn or have an abandoned playhouse taking up space? Reclaim it and make the most of your outdoors. Unlike our interior décor, the garden is alive and in a constant state of change – that’s what makes it so exciting and appealing.

Work with nature and be flexible in your plans, and you will be rewarded with a dynamic space full of new things to look at and enjoy every single day.

LIGHTBULB MOMENT While glowing autumnal trees are warm beacons gently leading us to the Winter months, Spring-flowering bulbs are cool fairy lights of optimism illuminating the way out of the gloom.

When it comes to bulbs, you get a lot of bang for your buck. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to grow and will keep delivering beautiful blooms for years.

But you need to plan and plant now to enjoy carpets of buttery yellow daffodils and drifts candy coloured tulips next Spring.

MAKE COMPOST The completion of the circle of life, compost is simply organic matter that has appropriately decomposed and turned into fertiliser. October is a brilliant month for creating or adding to your compost heap as there is plenty of rotting plant material in the garden to be disposed of.

All those fallen leaves are worth their weight in gold when it comes to adding nutrients to your plants. In fact, good compost is often referred to as Black Gold because it is so beneficial for improving the soil.

not wet or dried out.

In four to six months, depending on ingredients and conditions, you should have dark and crumbly compost that smells like earth. Make sure what you are using is properly composted, and leave un-rotted material in the pile. This compost can be used as a top dressing on flower beds, a soil conditioner when planting trees, flowers or shrubs or even sprinkled on the lawn.

For more gardening hints, tips and advice, visit www. downtoearthnorthernireland.com

REFRESH WITH A REST Nature delivers us a beautiful gift in October with a month that’s dipped in gold and gift wrapped in silver tissue paper mists.

Get bulbs into the ground or containers from October to early December. Then, on a grey day early next year, I guarantee you will have a smile on your face when you look out the window and observe that first splash of vibrant colour from a delicate narcissus or romantic bluebell.

Wisely, in this month the garden settles like a tired ginger cat on a plump velvet cushion to relax and rejuvenate over the cold and wet winter months.

Just like the necessary food and water we give our plants, rest is also an essential part of the growing process. Deplete the nutrients from the soil, and the plants will have nothing to draw on to nourish them in the future. Expose them to storms, ice and wet weather, and their internal structure will be destroyed.

Before you even plant them, just holding plump, shiny, little bulbs straining with potential is enough to transport you to brighter days ahead. Despite their humble appearance, bulbs are incredible bundles of potential joy.

They may look dry, knotty and uninspiring, but they contain all the nutrients and information they need to transform into a beautiful flower when conditions are right.

Plants instinctively know this and prepare by dying back to their resting state in Winter to gain internal strength. They are quietly getting ready to shine when their time in the sun comes around again.

That’s why it’s important to let the green foliage die back naturally after flowering rather than cutting it back. Leaves continue to store energy back into the bulb for next season’s growth. So if you are planting bulbs in your lawn, don’t cut that area until at least June.

An easy rule to remember when planting your spring bulbs is to dig a hole that’s twice the bulb’s height.

Or, if you are planting directly into the ground, invest in a bulb planter tool that costs between £10 - £30. Push this nifty gadget into the earth, and it removes a sod of soil that can be easily replaced back over the bulb.

Plants have both the wisdom and patience to know when it’s time to retreat from a harsh world that will only damage or destroy them if they keep trying to impress.

Making your own compost is worth the effort as it will help sustain your plants and cut down on food waste.

Choose a compost bin or bare earth If you have wet soil, add a handful of grit or horticultural site for a heap, making sure you match space and volume to the amount of waste sand to prevent rot. you are likely to generate.

Gently plant bulbs pointy end facing up and be careful Select a sunny spot tucked away or screen with a fence of the delicate roots at the other end. or hedge if you don’t want to see your marinating When growing bulbs in pots, ensure they have compost pile. good drainage. This can be easily achieved by adding an equal measure of horticultural grit to Start with a layer of twigs and branches to let air circulate and cover these with leaves. your peat-free compost.

Once planted, forget about them and let nature work its Then alternate layers between green (garden waste, veg peels, flowers, tea leaves and coffee grounds) and brown magic. It’s really as simple as that. waste (egg cartons, evergreen needles, shredded paper and Bulbs to plant in October: daffodil, allium, snowdrops cardboard and dried leaves). and crocuses. (Don’t plant tulips until November to Don’t compost weeds that have gone to seed, plastic avoid tulip fire disease.) composting bags, meat/fish/bones, cooked food, grease or This is also the perfect time of year to plant clematis oil, dairy products, plastic, metal or toxic materials, thick and Spring bedding such as wallflowers, Bellis, primulas and woody materials or pet waste. and winter pansies. Your Summer hanging baskets are probably looking past their past, so refresh and replant Mix or turn your compost once a week to ensure the layers are blended, and it should be slightly damp – them with Winter bedding plants.

So think of October as the month when the garden pauses to catch its breath to prepare for Winter after an exhausting Summer’s growth. Nature knows after effort and work, self-care is essential.

That’s a timely lesson for all of us to learn when it comes to cultivating our own positive mental health.

As a gardener, you are a custodian of nature.

You monitor your plants for signs of stress or negative influences, and you tend them accordingly.

Try to apply the same thought process to your own mental wellbeing. Gently tend the garden of your mind by taking time to assess what is working for you and what is not.

In the same way you plan and nurture your garden, survey each area of your life carefully, honestly and thoughtfully.

Are you getting the proper mental nutrition and time to rest? Like the bulb in the ground, are you enjoying the right conditions to allow your dreams, ambitions and plans to take root to flourish?

If the answer is no, then it’s time to change, refresh and take back control.

Let the reflective October garden be your mentor, and don’t just go through life – grow through life.

PLANT OF THE MONTH - CHINESE LANTERN PLANT This beautiful plant takes its name from its inflated orange seed heads, which appear in late Autumn looking like delicate, papery lanterns. Chinese Lantern Plants thrive in full sun and partial shade but need well-drained soil and management to stop them spreading. Easy to grow in borders or containers, this perennial dies back beneath ground level after the seeds have gone. Then fresh, new growth appears in Spring. While the Autumn seed heads are gorgeous, this plant produces small, creamy-white flowers from July to August, followed by bright orangescarlet berries.

Local Women Magazine | 113

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Style with Sarah Jayne

Local Women fashion columnist Sarah Jayne, owner of Charlotte &Tess, has some stylish fixes to see you through Autumn.

H

ello and welcome to my first fashion column!

For those of you that don’t know me my name is Sarah Jayne. I am a mum of three, teacher and owner of Charlotte & Tess. I have always had an obsession with style. I have spent a large part of my working life in both high street stores and small local boutiques with designer brands. From a young age my dream was always to have my own fashion business. I knew that at some point in my life I would have to scratch the itch and so in Sept 2020 Charlotte & Tess (named after my daughters) was born.

I would describe my personal style as classic and timeless. I love restyling classic pieces with trend pieces to create an individual look. I believe we all have a personal style, and it is a crucial starting point to know the styles that give you confidence and that feel good factor. For me fashion has always been about creating feeling good looks. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘I’m a nicer person when I like my outfit?’ Well, that’s me, and if you think about it, it’s probably you too. I believe most of us dress for our mood, some days I love putting on my favourite dress, others I want comfort and mum-friendly easy styling.

The A/W Palette Autumn/Winter (A/W) is my favourite season.

I absolutely adore the cosy knits, statement coats and timeless blazers. I LOVE layering, adding texture and interest. There is no better season to do this than A/W. As promised, I am going to begin this column with a guide to building your capsule wardrobe for A/W and what I believe are wardrobe worthy trends worth investing in.

Ease yourself into new season with tweeds, monochromes and nudes, livened up with flashes of gold.

Quilted outerwear in earthy tones with all the heritage feels. Plisse fabrics, brown hues, checks and monograms.

116 | Local Women Magazine

Always begin with the basics

1. BASIC TOPS | A STAPLE. Good quality basics are the absolute pillars of your wardrobe.

I have always adored COS and more recently Arket for their excellent quality and sustainable fabrics. Marc Cain is also a gorgeous, but more expensive place to look for a blowout version. But I promise, you will have them in your wardrobe for years!

2. A GOOD PAIR OF JEANS - A STAPLE Consider high rise ‘Mom’ fit, flared and straight leg jeans as your new denim default.

I have recently bought Mom jeans in a blue and black wash from M&S. The fit and shape are incredible.

The Mango ‘Mom’ jean are another firm favourite of mine for fit and style.

3. LEATHER / FAUX LEATHER TROUSERS A STAPLE. Leather trousers are always a wardrobe investment. This season at Charlotte and Tess we have a stunning beige version. They are by one of our designer brands and both the fit and style are incredible.

4. A TAILORED TROUSER Soft tailoring is a look that isn’t going anywhere.

The work style trouser paired with basics and trainers and layered with a blazer is a way to do casual chic you’ll look back on and never regret. @ Lydiajanetomlinson, one of my favourite style influencers, does this look to perfection.

At Charlotte & Tess, we have the ‘Osen’ trouser in both black and khaki.

I chose this style as it has all the ‘Joseph’ feels without the price tag. I adore combining smart details with relaxed silhouettes. Since the pandemic I feel our styling has generally become more casual.

Those traditional classifications from smart/casual to evening/formal seem to have gone in the way of handshakes and high heels and I am embracing it!

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10. KNITWEAR Our beautiful ‘Abigail’ dress can be styled over shirts, turtlenecks and layered with coats and jackets. It has a flattering body skimming drape and is certain to be your go-to piece feel good piece. Other knitwear trends to look out for are the shawl and zip neck sweaters. They are gorgeous paired with jeans and track sole boots for an easy but polished look.

The trench coat is the ultimate effortless throw on and just like a trusted friend, this timehonoured piece will see you through all the seasons. Our hero piece at Charlotte & Tess is our Harriet Trench Coat.

It’s a classic piece but the mix of colours give a subtle nod to the heritage looks that have been trending on this season’s catwalks.

Our favourites this season are our ‘Georgia’ knit and our ‘Ella; cardigan. Nothing says classic like preppy detailing and who doesn’t love hints of pink?

11. JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES - KEEP IT SIMPLE A classic print scarf is an effortless way to incorporate an instant pop of colour and add interest to your outfits. Tie it around your neck or your favourite bag for a subtle and classic way to be keeping up with the nostalgia trend. A classic black leather bag will take you anywhere and even better when it has pops of gold.

6. QUILTED COAT A CLASSIC & ON TREND PIECE. Invest in swaddling this season.

With the colder weather on the horizon, we are taking delight in planning our layered looks. A wardrobe worthy trend that you will have seen everywhere by now is the quilted coat. At Charlotte & Tess we have embraced the heritage trend and brought you the most beautiful pieces. They’re both stylish meets practical pieces, combine them with functional fabrics and heritage weaves for a runway outdoor look.

7. A BLAZER

12. SHOES - STYLE & COMFORT ARE KEY

A good fitting blazer is at the core of your capsule wardrobe. It’s a piece that you can mix/match and restyle. At Charlotte & Tess, you’re in for a treat! We have a stunning collection of shapes and styles, ranging from colourful tweeds to the classics with lots of considered detailing you won’t find on the high street!

Chelsea boots with track soles are sticking around and I am delighted.

I styled mine on repeat last season. At Charlotte & Tess we have a fab version in black, the ‘Mollie’ boot (very similar to the Bottega Veneta).

Taking inspiration from this season’s catwalks, don’t be afraid to layer your blazers under your overcoats, it’s a super chic way to layer up.

This month’s fashion hack - The 3-Colour Rule.

The idea of the 3-colour rule is not to include more than three colours at one time. This rule doesn’t mean you can’t wear less than three.

The premise behind the 3-colour rule is that once you start to introduce more than three colours it can start to look confusing and overdone. If you’re wearing a print, it should always be the focal point of your outfit. If you struggle with going overboard, this tip can help you to streamline your styling and outfit creation processes.

8. A ROBE COAT CLASSIC & ON TREND. Fashion is nostalgia obsessed this season and the robe coat is most definitely a wardrobe worthy trend!

Your Winter coat is always a good piece to invest in. Charlotte & Tess have two stunning versions of the robe coat, both crafted from double faced wool and incredible shapes and styles.

9. A VERSATILE DRESS A dress is always an easy and effortless outfit choice. For your capsule wardrobe you will want one you can style for work, daywear or dinner.

This year we have a beautiful shirt dress from one of our designer brands.

The detailing, cut & style make it a piece worth investing in.

Lots of Love

Sarah Jayne x

Browse and shop online at

www.charlotteandtess.com @charlotteandtess

@charlotteandtess Local Women Magazine | 117

118 | Local Women Magazine

Local Women Magazine | 119

AFTER

THE HEART OF THE HOME

The design experts at Houston Homewares helped one client create the dream kitchen they had always wanted.

The kitchen really is the heart of the home and for these particular clients with a growing family, creating a space that would be functional without compromising on design aesthetics was at the top of the brief.

secondary living area that makes the most of the spectacular views of the Donegal hills from the large corner window. keeping to a warm neutral colour palette throughout, each area in the open plan extension still retains its own identity which helps zone the space.

Having done a minor facelift to the 70’s style kitchen when moving in, in 2015 they had ‘made do’ with the dated and small space with the view to doing a kitchen extension and getting everything on their wish list.

The guest WC although a very small footprint is made to feel much bigger with a still neutral but tropical print wallpaper. The paper (also supplied by Houston Homewares) has a very subtle metallic undertone which helps to refract the light adding to a sense of space.

The fine edge mirror and brass faucet compliment the white sanitary ware to create calming contemporary space in what is usually a neglected room.

Having been involved from the early stages of the project, I was able to assist the clients in designing a space that really worked for them, from layout to advising on flooring, cabinetry and worktops to sourcing all the furniture, wallpaper, lighting, soft furnishings and accessories.

Initially a kitchen, dining area and utility extension was planned. This was then reconfigured to include a small WC and BEFORE

The living area is really defined by the view, so a simple clutter free design gives the clients a space to relax in. Attention was paid to the quality of soft furnishings in the space to give that luxurious feeling. Custom made floor-toceiling curtains on a contemporary wave track, plush velvet sofas and custom-made cushions all contribute to the stylish yet comfortable interior that meets the clients brief.

The main kitchen and dining area has the versatility of being an everyday family kitchen as well as a fantastic entertaining space on special occasions. Linen textured wallpaper in the dining area adds a little warmth and the stunning lighting feature above the dining table sets the mood for sophisticated dinner parties.

To arrange an interior design consultation, get in touch via the contact details below or call in store to start your new interior journey. Many thanks to @karencampbelphotography for photographing the project.

120 | Local Women Magazine

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THAI PORK AND CRISPY ONION STIR FRY PREPARATION TIME: 10 minutes | COOKING TIME: 10 minutes | SERVES: 4 People • 90g Scotts Chinese salt and chilli flavoured crispy onions FOR THE STIR FRY

• 1 teaspoon oil • 500g lean pork mince • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated • 2 teaspoons fish sauce • 2 tablespoons soy sauce • 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce • 4 spring onions, finely chopped • Juice of 1 lime • 2 bird’s eye chillies, finely chopped • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped coriander • 60g unsalted peanuts, roasted and chopped • 2 x 300g packets straight to wok noodles

METHOD

• Heat the oil in a large wok over high heat and cook the pork mince for 5 minutes. Break up the mince with a wooden spoon as it browns.

• Add garlic, ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce and chilli sauce. Cook for a mi-nute and then add spring onions, lime juice, chilli and coriander.

• Heat the noodles as per packet instructions and arrange into serving bowls.

• Top with pork mince, sprinkle with the Scotts Chinese salt and chilli fla-voured crispy onions and peanuts before serving.

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@bearmakingfun 128 | Local Women Magazine

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Local Women Magazine | 131

04/10/2021 03:25

LUXURY HAND POURED HOME FRAGRANCE

WEARING BRAVERY Aoife McGlinchey from Brave Designs shares her inspirational story of launching her new design business TELL US HOW YOU CAME TO START YOUR BUSINESS? Brave designs came about during a difficult and uncertain time. I struggle with anxiety at times, and I also have hearing loss and tinnitus and so I thought it would be helpful to channel this energy into something mindful and creative. And so came the first design. I was encouraged to grow and share it by a dear friend, and I am so grateful for the push!

I thought about some names and finally came to BRAVE. this was due to combination of things - I was given ‘brave’ as my sign name from the deaf community as I look like the girl in the film, but it felt very fitting for the steps I have taken personally. You can read more about my personal story on my page.

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS? The main concept of BRAVE is to highlight how we all wear bravery in different ways.

I want my pieces to be a reminder of this and I want to use brave platform to empower people to share how they are “#wearingbravery” by sharing their stories. With this I want to promote the message and importance of reaching out for support and I will be making link with a local charity with % of profit going to support the charity.

CANDLES | DIFFUSERS | WAX MELTS CARPET FRESHENER | GIFTING

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? Services at the minute are the earrings, personalised keyrings and bespoke plaques for engagements, newborns, businesses etc. I hope to expand to provide wedding décor, table numbers, place settings, signage and cake stands.

And as I am going on to study counselling maybe even mental health workshops.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU FROM INITIAL IDEA FOR YOUR BUSINESS TO ACTUALLY TRADING? The journey from choosing a name to my first online sale was about 3/4 months.

It’s been such a big learning curve and I’ve enjoyed the challenge! I will have a market stall with urban markets at Junction One on 4th and 5 of December.

WHAT IS YOUR WORK BACKGROUND? My work background/education is in creative arts with music degree but since my hearing loss and tinnitus I have been working with RNID providing support for those who also have it. It’s been amazing to work with the deaf community and learning sign language I think this should be introduced to mainstream education.

WHAT DO YOU MOST LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love meeting new people, learning their stories and sharing my own. Everyone has their own stories to carry but instead of carrying the weight of bravery I hope to share and help people feel empowered to be wearingbravery.

SÓ SOY STUDIO

Please reach out through: Instagram @bravedesigns_ or Facebook: BRAVE designs

Every Saturday 11am-3pm Unit 17 | Phase 1 | 2 Riada Avenue Acorn Business Centre | Ballymoney | BT53 7LH

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK A WEEKDAY VISIT OR COLLECTION, PLEASE BOOK ONLINE TO SECURE YOUR SLOT.

WWW.SOSOY.CO.UK SOSOYCANDLES 134 | Local Women Magazine

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– read their story here

Local Women Magazine | 135

MEET THE ARTIST WITH GALLERY 1608 OPE OPOEP N N E 7 N 7 D7AD D A AW A YASYSA W YS EEK ALALLLEWEEKE,A K,L Y Y L E E RORUOU ARARR YEA , NDND. OU .

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Christmas Gi�thow Guide Artist Sara McNeill discusses the wild, Christmas Gi�t Guide Christmas Gi�t Guide romantic landscape of Connemara inspires her for Art Lovers for Art Lovers a loved of stunning localartartthis thisyear year and paintings.

GiveGive a traditional loved one one the the giftgift ofabstract stunning local for Art Lovers with Gallery 1608’s Christmas Gift Guide. with Gallery 1608’s Christmas Gift Guide.

My father had cruising boats which would sleep several people and, from when I was Localtake Art…to the Irish Sea and three, we would With Christmas just around corner, this month spend theArt… summers on board.

Notthe such a great Local wejust have picked our corner, favourite Christmas holiday for my poor mother, but this nevertheless, With Christmas around the month gifts from some artists. This the the sea isour intop myIrish DNA. wepull haveofpicked ouroffavourite Christmas giftsyear, fromwhy not avoid the homogenous high street and buy of our topIIrish artists. notpresents Assome a teenager, would go This out year, and why sail in dinghies something which is both unique and collectable for avoid the homogenous high street presents and buy and, today, this love of the water is reflected in your loved ones. A bit of extra thought will provide a is bothwith unique andthis collectable mysomething paintings of boats large expanses of sea ith Christmas justwhich around corner, monthfor gift whichthe keeps on giving. and sky.

I can of thought these from my studio your loved ones.see A bitboth of extra will provide a e havewindow, picked our favourite Christmas gifts from Topon of our list thisthe year Irish are limited prints by overlooks Sea edition towards gift whichwhich keeps giving. me ofScotland, our top Irish artists.

This why notartists. Belfast two Ireland’s most which isofonly 25 year, mileswell-known away.

Top of our listartist, this year are limiteddepiction edition prints byworkers and Terry Bradley’s of dock oid the homogenous high street presents and buy In two my of early childhood, I was influenced

by Paul Ireland’s most well-known artists.

Belfast burlesque type women are always popular and we Maguire, Robert Spotten, NUA, JG, NI Silver, Ghost, mething which is both unique andrecent collectable for Klee and the Bauhaus Then I and saw a artist, Terry Bradley’s dockprints workers have all ofdepiction hismovement. most of in stock.

Bonesetter and Spirit Jewellery.

Tom Phillips exhibition in always London.

He was using ur loved ones.

A type bit ofwomen extraare thought will provide a Maguire, Robert Spotten, NUA, JG, NI Silver, Ghost, burlesque popular and we Keith Drury’s edition work is also very it letters as patterns andlimited because I'm dyslexic, Ceramics… all of most recent prints in stock.

BonesetterLocal and Spirit Jewellery. t which have keeps onhisgiving. and popular with our clients. His work is really made collectable an impact.

Ceramics are also a very popular gift and again we both quirky andwork contemporary, Keith Drury’s limited edition is also verydepicting different can accommodate all budgets.for Pieces rangeamateurs from my studio, in all mediums, both p of our thisI year are limited edition prints by (the Local Ceramics…

In list 1974, received my Diploma oftogether Art sceneswith seamlessly brought collectable andlocal popular our clients.

His work is in one piece. functional pottery to bespoke sculptural pieces. and professional artists.

For years I have been Ceramics are also a very popular gift and again we equivalent of a BA) from the Dublin Art College. o of Ireland’s mostThe well-known artists.

Belfast artwork has appeared on television’s both quirky and contemporary, depicting diff erent The Fall and Represented are household names such as Sharon painting the all wild primeval landscape that is I then had my first solo exhibition in 1980, in the can accommodate budgets.

Pieces range from isdepiction even in the collection ofworkers Princess Anne.

Prints from tist, Terry Bradley’s of dock and local scenes seamlessly brought together in one piece.

Reagan, Ian Carty, Shearer, Connemara.

Leona Devine andThis the Blanket Bog inRory Ireland's Kenny Gallery, wasframed the beginning bothGalway. artists can This be bought or unframed.functional pottery to bespoke sculptural pieces.

The artwork has appeared on television’s The Fall and Patrick Colhoun. urlesque type women are always popular and we Maguire, Robert Spotten, NUA, JG, NISharon Silver, courses Ghost, landscape is also where I take residential of my professional career.

Represented are household names such as even in therecent collection of Princess Anne. Prints from throughout the summer months.

My two styles of ave all Since ofishis most prints in stock.

Bonesetter and Spirit Jewellery.

Reagan, Ian Carty, Rory Shearer, Leona Devine and 1978 can I have been running art classes in painting Local both artists be bought framed or unframed.

- theBooks… more traditional versus the abstract Patrick Colhoun.

The gift of a this bookamazing never fails setting. and at Gallery wethe complement You 1608 have ith Drury’s limited edition work is also very have perhaps the largest selectioncan of Irish Art Books strong colour of the sea which be turquoise llectable and popular with our clients. His work is Local Books… under one roof in the whole of Northern Ireland.

Ceramics aresand also very popular gift and again we blue -the -awhich is almost pale gold - the The gift of a book never fails and at Gallery 1608 we th quirky and contemporary, depicting different backdrop of the soft, majestic mountains and can accommodate allselection budgets.

Pieces range from perhaps largest of Irish Art Books IrishthePaintings… cal scenes seamlessly brought together in one piece. have the rugged bog lands. These elements can be functional pottery to bespoke sculptural pieces.

Finally, our painters have been working tirelessly under one roof in the whole of Northern Ireland. translated into a traditional image, or into a e artwork has appeared on television’s The Fall and to ensure we have new works available foras theSharon Represented are household names such more personal, powerful abstract image.

It is of time, I get withdrawal symptoms. My home is even in the collection of Princess Anne. Prints from Christmas season and the range and quality of our Irish Paintings… truly a magical place.

Reagan, Ian Carty, Rory Shearer, Leona Devine and full of paintings, ceramics and sculptures, both by Localframed Jewellery… show is amazing.

Finally, ourcurrent painters have been working tirelessly th artists can be bought or unframed. me and other artists. This has clearly rubbed off on Patrick Colhoun.

If jewellery is more your idea of My favourite medium is oil.

The colours are so to ensure Remember, we have new for the we works can offavailable er 10 months interest free a gift why not support our local rich and vibrant with aand depth that can't be my children, as their homes are the same.

Christmas season and the range quality of our credit on all pieces over £100 and you can makers?

We have a wide range of replicated.

I also love the feel of the paint - the I think that painting can enrich people's Local Jewellery… current show is amazing. take the work away immediately. jewellery available at many different creamy sensualness which glides on with little lives, by giving them the chance to create If jewellery is more your idea of A greatfails way to spread the cost of1608 we 10 MONTHS INTEREST The gift ofwe a book and at Gallery Remember, candry, offnever er the 10 months interest free the same something unique and giving them that feeling price points, ranging from costume effort Once colour remains a gift why not support our local Christmas.

FREE LOANS NOW AVAILABLE have the largest selection ofHowever, Irish jewellery to more bespoke pieces. credit ontime all pieces £100 and you can Art Books butperhaps drying canover be lengthy. that of achievement which is so important to one's makers? We have a wide range of PLUS YOU TAKE HOME We would like to wish all our We have sourced many of Ireland’s canone be roof a blessing, as it gives you time to look wellbeing. take the workwhole away immediately. under in the of Northern Ireland.

There is also the emotional support jewellery available at many different THE PIECE TODAY customers a very finest jewellers and have work available and reassess work!

A greatthe way to spread the happy cost ofChristmas 10 MONTHS INTEREST which people get when they belong to an price points, ranging from costume and a peaceful New Year! from well-known names such as Louise group.NOW To anyone suffering from painter's FREE art LOANS AVAILABLE Even so,Christmas.

I would say that watercolour and jewellery to more bespoke pieces. block, I would say go into the studio and PLUS YOU TAKE HOME acrylic the two most mediums We would like to wishrequested all our We have sourced many of Ireland’s Finally, ourare painters have been working tirelessly start by tidying up. Clean some frames, get used by my students.

It's perhaps because THE PIECE TODAY customers a very happy Christmas finest jewellers and have work available organised. Just getting into the studio space, to ensure we have new works for the both dry is aavailable plus for some. and aquickly, peacefulwhich New Year! from well-known names such as Louise Christmas season and the range and quality of our with no pressure to paint, hopefully encourage Painting for me is a compulsion: it's a need and an you to commit to painting or drawing once current showIfisI'mamazing. obsession. away from my studio for any length again, no matter what the outcome.

Give a loved one the gift of stunning local art this year with Gallery 1608’s Christmas Gift Guide.

ocal Art…

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ewellery is more your idea of T: 028 207383-85 1324 gift why not support our local akers? We have a wide range of T: 028 2073 1324 wellery available at many different ice points, ranging from costume 136 | Local Women Magazine wellery to more bespoke pieces.

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NO TIME TO DIE you haven’t caught a glimpse of it sometime in the last thirty years, you simply have not been trying. Being a fan of the Horror genre I have seen it umpteen times, have it on DVD and never miss it when it’s on the screen again.

Although I love horror films I have to admit that the most horrific thing I have seen lately in them has been the acting.

By Myra Dryden drydenmyra@googlemail.com

C

an someone explain to me what all the fuss is about that film?

No, don’t bother, I can’t stand James Bond; All that leapin’ around which only a fictional character could get away with, not to mention those celluloid women, or should I say plastic. I’m sure MI6 never had on their payroll a spy of such caliber, they couldn’t have afforded the insurance; although they would never have been called upon to pay out because your man bounces back from every near death experience in the manner of Tom and Jerry after they have been run over by a steam roller.

Of course I do accept a certain amount of suspension of disbelief if we are to sit all the way through a production on the big , or small, screen without going out of our minds but I do expect some concession to reality.

However, I will not be

hoodwinked, and so I am with Annie Wilks all the way when she declares, totally enraged to James Caan, “He didn’t get out of the cockadudey car!” Good woman yerself, I remember shouting at the screen recalling a similar incident in the fifties when HOP-A-long Cassidy went over a cliff in the Hall cinema sitting on his trusty steed; and had the gall the next Saturday morning to appear unscathed with same trusty steed , both hale and hearty, (the cheek of them!) having managed to skid to a halt just in the nick of time.

But I knew they hadn’t, I knew the two of them should have been languishing at the bottom of that ravine, dead as cliched nails.

And if I had seen Misery at that point, I too would have stood up, fuming , and screamed “He didn’t get out of the cockadudey car!” No doubt I would have been evicted on the spot, but it wouldn’t have bothered me because I would just have snuck back in when that poor demented manager(those weekly serials were a nightmare for that poor man) wasn’t looking.

By the way, I am presuming here that you have all seen Steven King’s greatest film, Misery; and if

I feel sorry for the poor second rate wouldbe thespians involved who probably hang around the horror studios putting in the lowest bids to be given parts. Not to mention the fact that there must be thousands of young people clamoring to be numbered among the never-ending groups of teenagers who spend a weekend in the forest and are not heard of again; because they have gone mad and eaten each other, have been hacked to death by a maniac or heaven knows what other ludicrous senarious which put a gruesome end to their tender young lives, along with their careers.

And continuity is almost nonexistent, even laughable with characters entering a scene wearing geans and leaving in a skirt; and that’s just the men. I wish I hadn’t gone down this road. I shall blame James Bond and leave it there.

This month heralds my favourite season of the year and as always on this occasion I am one happy woman. (Yes I know you’ve heard it all before but please just humor me this one last time ) And once again I can close the curtains around six thirty, light the lamps and settle in for a cosy time with a book beside a toasty radiator; although I might be

kidding myself there because with price rises in fuel imminent God knows what I’ll end up sitting beside. Whatever it is I hope it’s cheap.

Recently we have had a death in the street. A neighbor in the house directly across from me.

He and his wife have lived here in the avenue for fifty years, and he will be sadly missed. I was reminded as I went in to pay my last respects to him of Maya Angelou’s famous words in her book, Letter to My Daughter, where she espouses that we should all “Try not to die without having done something wonderful for humanity.”

A tall order but I think Billy must have easily filled it because as a musician surely he gave so much enjoyment to people through the years, lifting their hearts and setting their feet tapping. Wonderful stuff alltogether.

I was also reminded of one of American poet Emily Dickinson’s many poems on the theme of death which seems appropriate here, but take into account that it is 19th century with many archaic terms:

There’s been a death in the opposite house As lately as today.

I know it by the numb look Such houses have always.

The neighbours rustle in and out; The doctor drives away.

A window opens like a pod, Abrupt, mechanically.

The minister goes stiffly in As if the house were his And he owned all the mourners now, And little boys besides; And then the milliner, and the man Of the appalling trade To take the measure of the house.

There’ll be that dark parade Of tassels and of coaches soon.

It’s easy as a signThe intuition of the news In just a country town

Boston, will be with me for eternity; and I shall sit in the front bedroom of number two surrounded by The Secret Seven, The Famous Five, The Bobbsy Twins, The fourth Form at St Clares, Con, Len and Margot of the Chalet School and many more, listening to the sounds on pavements and road beneath me: children skipping, a ball hitting off somebody’s front wall, a mother shouting “‘mere you!” A sister calling, “You’re wanted!”; the clink of bottles as milk is delivered to Bridget’s shop opposite, followed by the breadman checking, “Will ten sliced pan be enough, Hi?” Then below in the kitchen where a lovely fire will be burning in the grate, my father whistling, thanks to Gordon Richards romping home first at ten to one in the three thirty at Kempton Park, and the new job starting on Monday; a job which will appreciate his people skills and will not result in skin cancer from being out for long periods in, as shakespeare put it, “The too hot Eye of Heaven.”

all working mothers she already has enough on her plate without having to begin culling that number of wants for Christmas, never mind the expense.

Because, of course, as with all children these days a post office set, a game of snakes and ladders, a bar of chocolate and an orange in a pillow case at the foot of the bed just wont cut it.

I once set my sights on a beautiful, Silver Cross , maroon pram with huge wheels, in the centre of McColgans window toy display one December in the fifties. When it disappeared I lived in hope; I did see it on Christmas morning but nowhere near my bed. Instead on the way to ten mass I saw it being wheeled along Sunbeam Terrace( where there was money) by a pig tailed little madam , and there was even a big baby doll peeking out of it. I wouldn’t have dared ask for a doll as well.

Also there will be my mother patentturning away to her hearts content because although she does not now have to work in And as I stood there contemplating that still, paradise, she continues to do so, loving still peaceful figure my too fertile imagination being connected to her factory days. took me to heaven in its wake ; and after On a lighter note, last evening I rang the fashion of that wonderful radio show, Charlotte to speak to my grandson, Jack. After Desert Island Discs, only this will of course telling me of his week in school he proceeded be Paradise Island Discs, the Guardian of the to reel off a list of presents he would like from gates will ask what I would like to bring in Now it is time for something to die, despite Santa.

Thank goodness I was already sitting with me, to which, in less than a heartbeat, I the title: This column, of course. Keep safe. down or I would have been sprawled out on shall reply, “Sloanes Terrace”. the carpet with beads of sweat forming on my So that street which accompanied me forehead as he concluded; and I was equally through all my travels in life, Yorkshire, glad that his mother was not in earshot, Singapore, the Cotswolds, Cork and of course busy with dinner at the time, because like Local Women Magazine | 139

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALEXANDRA BARFOOT MAKEUP BY SAK MAKEUP

140 | Local Women Magazine

OUR SECRET BOUTIQUE

Owner of Our Secret Boutique Emma Dougan tells Local Women about her life-changing decision to change jobs and follow her dream of a career in fashion.

It was during the first lockdown that HOW DID YOU COPE WITH WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR Emma Dougan decided it was time for a LOCKDOWN? THE FUTURE OF THE BUSINESS? change of career.

I launched my business during the first I never stop thinking about plans for the future

lockdown. As everyone was at home and – some days my mind goes into overload! I With a lifelong interest in fashion and shopping online this was an ideal time. =The am currently on the look-out for new brands pregnant with her third child, she knew it was demand for casual wear was very high. to try and bring something new and that little time for a change of direction. bit different to Our Secret Boutique customers.

CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH At the time Emma, 35, from Armagh was working as a Biology Lecturer and a career YOUR PRODUCT RANGE? WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE in fashion seemed a huge leap. But with I stock a wide range of products including TO A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR lockdown meaning no one could shop in- women’s clothing, jewellery, handbags and STARTING OUT? store, Emma seized the opportunity to start a shoes. I am very proud to stock a wide range I would say to put your all into it to make it new career and set up Our Secret Boutique of brands including Minueto, Pepa Loves, successful. Hard work and determination B.Young, Noisy May and Pieces. online. pay off and to keep believing in yourself! It is It was a difficult decision to make but one that DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO EXPAND daunting starting up your own business and has not only allowed her to spend more time YOUR RANGE? even more so if you leave your job security. If with her family as she’s now her own boss, but I am always on the look-out for something I can do it – then why can’t you? she had been able to follow her passion for new. I have just secured a new brand and have selected so many amazing items for WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING fashion.

Spring/Summer 22.

DURING YOUR TIME OFF? She’s thoroughly enjoying her new venture I love heading to our local forest park with DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY? which has gone from strength and as she My day typically revolves around our children. the kids and having a coffee. My husband tells Local Women, she has exciting plans for One of the perks of running your own business and I also love to travel; however, we haven’t expansion. is the flexibility - I am able to drop off and been able to do this as much as we would WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND collect the kids from playgroup and school. like due to the restrictions. I also love getting YOUR BUSINESS? After doing the school run, I print off all the to the hairdressers!

My concept is to bring every-day affordable online orders, postage labels and package up fashion with a twist. I love finding unique all of the orders. No two days are the same, HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE A GOOD pieces that are a little bit different but still some days I record content for social media, HOME/WORK LIFE BALANCE? perfect for every day wear. stock take, sort of new deliveries, update It can be difficult considering I work from the website, order stock online, complete home. However, I can decide when I work, HOW LONG DID IT TAKE paperwork or head to Dublin for a buying trip. and this flexibility brings a good home/work

YOU FROM INITIAL IDEA FOR YOUR BUSINESS TO ACTUALLY TRADING?

life balance. I can collect the kids from school etc. which is my main priority. I work round It took several months to plan, find suppliers Our typical customer really varies. I have a the clock but anyone who has their own and brands. I designed the logo with some wide range of customers and always try to business will tell you that, I could be packing help and built my website through Shopify. make sure that my stock is affordable and up orders at 10pm at night or creating social wearable. I have been focusing on more media content.

WHAT IS YOUR WORK casual pieces but also pieces that are perfect BACKGROUND? for occasion wear that can be dressed down ARE THERE ANY PEOPLE WHO I studied Biological Sciences and completed HAVE HELPED SUPPORT YOU IN every day. a PGCE in Science with Biology at Queen’s YOUR BUSINESS? University Belfast. I taught Science and Biology WHAT DO YOU MOST LOVE My husband has been my main support and for many years. I also have worked as a ABOUT YOUR JOB? Principal Examiner for a local exam board and I love getting customer feedback and is the reason I started Our Secret Boutique have written educational texts. I absolutely messages online. I have built-up a lot of online during the first lockdown. My family loved teaching, I really miss the students and friendships and trust with my customers. I have been very supportive, and my best friend seeing their progression – I just don’t miss the absolutely love buying trips, seeing what is Leanne plays a key part in keeping everything paper work and all of the emails! new for the year ahead is so exciting! organised – I’d be lost without her!

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL CUSTOMER?

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www.oursecretboutique.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 141

Autumn Your

wardrobe capsule pieces!

Welcome to Autumn and winter styling.

warmth of a sunny season.

When the Summer ends we all feel a little sombre .

But there are plenty of reasons to love the beautiful crisp months of Autumn.

It starts to get a little chillier and we know we have to go back to reality for Abit instead of spending long imaginative days and Evenings enjoying the

So it’s time to get your capsule pieces ready and embrace this beautiful season.

2. White Shirt Every season needs a crisp white shirt it’s so versatile great for layering and brightening up those dark tones

1.

Longline Coat This season biggest trend

3. Gilet

5. Jeans

Gilets are here to stay with most popular colours being black khaki and navy .

We all need a good pair of good fitting jeans that can be styled in so many ways casually or with heels.

4. Hoodys You can’t beat a stylish hoody great for keeping you warm and cosy Also a fabulous capsule piece for those autumn walks

6. Dress A dress that can be dressed up or down is a key piece to have .

7. Runners We all need our casual runners for comfort fashion and everyday comfort.

It can be worn with a denim jacket and runner or styled with a chic sock boot.

8. Sock Boot Sock boot are always a statement piece for autumn and looks great with jeans and dresses.

Enjoy ladies getting that winter wardrobe ready .

See you all soon.

All items available @

www.gaspboutiques.com Regards

Ann Doyle

Proprietor of Gasp Boutique Local Women Magazine | 143

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PUT THE OOO IN BOO THIS SPOOKY SEASON! Fall into some beautiful new looks for Autumn with Paddy McGurgan at the Make Up Pro Store.

WAY TO GLOW!

If you are a Halloween lover, and as soon as the leaves turn any shade of orange you are reaching for the Halloween decorations, or even if it isn’t your thing, here are a few ideas to get your makeup look scarrrry good!

For a warm glow, we are loving Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion (£31) all over the outside of the face with a fluffy powder creating the ultimate healthy glow. The Makeup For Ever Pro Bronze Bronzer has diffused powders with golden shimmer to create an all-over warmth and contour to the face, perfect for creating or enhancing the look of tanned skin. No crazy contouring shenanigans — just a nice bronzer applied with a light hand. To minimise baggage, use your bronzer as your soft wash of colour through your eyeshadow crease, this will create a bronzed and beautiful look in minutes.

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE! As the season begins to change, the inevitable shift in temperature can play havoc with our skin.

Ensuring your skin is hydrated in as many different ways, is crucial to ensure your skin does not become dry, and tired/dull. Drinking water is one of the best and effective ways of hydrating the skin as it aids the production of skin cells, removes toxins from the body as well as giving the skin a healthier complexion.

BROW DOWN

Adding a hydrating primer or moisturiser is an amazing way to add instant moisture and hydration to the skin. If you are not a lover of creams etc on the skin, why not add a lightweight moisturiser to your foundation.

This will give the skin a healthy and natural tint, without the skin feeling emollient. Our all-time hero hydrating moisturiser has to be Embryolisse Lait-Creme £21.95. It is a lightweight cream-based moisturiser that melts seamlessly into the skin, hydrating and adding moisture to the areas where the complexion needs it most.

One brow product we recently tried was Note Cosmetics Brow Addict £9.95. It has such an easy-to-use applicator which adds colour to the brows as well as filling in any gaps.

The formula of the shaping gel is quick drying, meaning it will last longer and leaving it to use. This product comes in four shades, so there truly is a shade for everyone!

LASHING OUT! One of the easiest ways to create a striking make-up look is eyelashes. I love how feminine they make the eye appear, and really do enhance any makeup look. Even if you decide you would rather go for minimal eye make up, you can always dress it up with lashes, liner and lovely lip colour! One of my all-time favourite lash brands to use on clients is Ardell, as they have so many different styles of lash to suit any client, especially for us as a Makeup Artists we are able to use them whether it be on a formal client or even their more subtle style I can use on a mature client. This range is amazing to use on your clients and on yourself. For a natural lash I love Ardell Demi Wispies £6.99 as they curl towards the ends which gives a more full-lash effect.

LIPS ARE SEALED!

POWDER POWER! During Autumn/Winter, imperfections on the skin can come to the fore with colder conditions, if you fall into the category and you find small blemishes on the skin, use a pressed powder to softly blur those imperfections. A great product we use for this is Matte Velvet Compact Powder £32.

It is a great powder for adding coverage in areas you want it to, but still looking natural and flawless!

I have to be honest as a Make Up Artist I am loving gloss at the moment, as I find it so effortless, and allows the complexion and other parts of the make up to take centre stage! For a nude lip colour with a touch of pink in gloss form has to be Lip Paint in Velvet Nude £16.50 This product helps to plump the lips while keeping them nourished and hydrated.

This product nourishes, hydrates and leaves the lips with a soft supple feel.

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THE RAINBOW AFTER THE RAIN FOR DOWNPATRICK MUM A Co Down mum who’s just discovered she’s expecting twins says the happy news will help her and her partner come to terms with the harrowing loss of their baby daughter Harley.

By Mandi Millar Sorrow has turned to joy for a Downpatrick mum who lost her baby girl earlier this year.

“It’s the rainbow after the rain,” says Niamh McKee who’s just discovered she and partner Corey McCarten are expecting twins next January.

But it’s also bitter-sweet for the couple whose sixmonth-old daughter Harley died in their arms earlier this year.

“Wee Harley achieved more in her short life than many adults and fought harder too. Every time the sun comes out her big brother Lucas (4) says it’s Harley making it happen,” smiles full-time mum Niamh.

News of the twins though wasn’t any surprise to him, nor indeed was Harley’s arrival last July.

“The Christmas before he’d told Santa he wanted a sister and it was after that I discovered we were having Harley,” says Niamh.

“Then a few weeks ago when I was collecting him from nursery his teacher came out to congratulate us on ‘our news.’ ‘Lucas drew us a lovely picture of you with the two babies,’ she’d said!

“Again, it wasn’t until a couple of weeks later I discovered I was not only pregnant but carrying twins!”

The good news couldn’t have come at a better time for the family as they come to terms with the loss of baby Harley whose battle for life, says Niamh, highlights the dire need for more specialist facilities for children’s critical care.

“At one stage we thought we’d have to take Harley to France for treatment. There are only 12 ICU beds for children here as the decision-makers say the demand doesn’t justify more funding,” says Niamh, whose just completed a fundraiser for local charity the Children’s Heartbeat Trust.

152 | Local Women Magazine

ƒ Baby Harley

“When we discovered that there was nothing more they could do for Harley here we were lost but the charity stepped in and was amazing.”

The family’s nightmare started last October when Niamh took her baby for her threemonth injections.

“Harley hadn’t been well, and I’d been in touch with the doctor on the morning of the injections October 22, she was worse, waxy and floppy,” recalls her mum.

“As soon as the doctor saw her, he called an ambulance. Thank God he did for within 45 minutes Harley was critical and we were blue-lighted to the Royal Victoria, Belfast.”

A barrage of tests revealed little Harley’s heart to be working at only 6pc capacity and her mum was told to prepare for the worst.

“The doctors said it’d been caused by a common virus but because she was so young it had ravaged her system,” says Niamh who could barely believe it when her baby started to rally in the following days.

“Within days she was lying like Lady Muck, running the show and charming the staff with her big smiles – still my wee missus, despite it all!”

Harley spent the next few weeks in ICU before being moved to the RVH’s Clark Clinic where doctors even talked of Harley getting home as she was doing well.

ƒ Baby Harley with her mum and dad ƒ Harley fought a brave battle in hospital

But on December 3, yet another bug left her with liver and kidney damage and caused cardiac failure. The next few days were critical.

“That’s when doctors told us there was nothing more they could do for Harley in Northern Ireland as she needed support that wasn’t available,” says Niamh.

What followed was a frantic search for beds elsewhere in the UK - and further afield.

At the eleventh hour a one became free in Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital with which Harley’s doctors had been liaising throughout her care.

“It was a very emotional time. As a parent you’d do anything for your child. I would’ve gone to hell and back, but I think someone was watching over us that day,” says Niamh who had their baby baptised before the journey.

“The Heartbeat Trust organised a private plane for us so we could stay together and staff at the Freeman were incredible, but it was a rollercoaster as Harley went from one compressions and manual heart massage at crisis to the next. one stage.

“She’d so many tubes going in and out of her “Even so she seemed to be managing until wee body, it was hard to watch.” they discovered she had contracted sepsis However, despite intervention after the poor wee crittur,” says Niamh who, intervention, Harley’s organs began to despite everything, still wasn’t giving up on fail again, and she had to endure chest her baby.

“Around Christmas a CT scan revealed some brain issues and Harley began having uncontrollable seizures. When one of the neurologists came out with scratches on his hands after examining her, he told us, she’s a fighter!

“They said a shunt could help but that it could be life altering. But we just wanted her home.”

Harley’s condition, however, worsened and finally doctors told her mum and dad there was nothing more they could do.

“There must be something, we pleaded!

But they told us she would never be able to live outside a hospital,” recalls Niamh who, along with Corey, had to make the devastating decision to finally switch off their baby’s life support.

“Even after that though Harley lived for 40 hours. I think she was waiting to see everyone as we were Facetiming people to say goodbye. Wee Lucas sobbed his heart out.

“The nurses though were so compassionate and let me bathe wee Harley one last time after she passed. They were as devastated as us.

“Our baby though could’ve died that first day. Instead, we had her until January 30.

The doctors gave us that extra time and we’re so grateful for that. Harley put up an incredible battle – a fighter to the end.”

Local Women Magazine | 153

EXCELLENCE IN CARE AND TRAINING

At T-Gem Healthcare, Director of Nursing Mandy Lacey offers care to elderly, vulnerable and seriously ill clients and recruits and trains excellent staff for the healthcare sector.

Caring is at the heart of everything that Mandy Lacey does at T-Gem Healthcare.

As Director of Nursing at T-GEM Healthcare in Dundrum near Newcastle, Mandy works tirelessly to make sure her vulnerable, elderly or seriously ill clients are looked after.

T-GEM provides carers who offer the support clients need in their homes and also trains staff to work in the healthcare sector.

Having worked in nursing homes for many years, Mandy understands the industry inside out and knows what her clients’ needs are. This means she can offer a personalised approach and ensure each client is treated as an individual with their best interests at the heart of any care package.

Her vast experience of the caring industry also means she is well placed to recruit others into the sector and ensure that the best possible training is provided to those who really care about looking after others.

Local Women meets T-Gem Healthcare owner Mandy who is dedicated to the caring profession.

TELL US WHY YOU DECIDED TO SET UP T-GEM? I worked in nursing homes for many years and a lot of residents would come into the homes saying: “I don’t want to be here. I would rather be at home.” A lot of residents would also go into the homes for rehab, following surgery for example, for four to six weeks - but they would end up staying longer because there was no community care available. There are also a lot of vulnerable adults in hospitals that can’t get home because there’s no community care available. That is why I decided to set up the business. A majority of care packages are Trust funded, so if somebody needs care and support, one of the local trusts will try and source a care package. Clients are assessed 154 | Local Women Magazine

by their social workers to establish what care they need and then they try to source the care.

What a lot of people don’t know is that there is way of sourcing their own care, putting them in charge of their care. ‘Direct Payments’ are a payment made to people so they can buy their own care, either by sourcing their own carers or by using care providers like us. People think that paying for their own care is going to cost a lot of money but by using direct payments, care can cost from as little as £5 per hour.

staff. We have a database of overseas staff looking for work in the UK and we can walk healthcare organisations through the Home Office sponsorship process and help them recruit staff this way. With overseas staff, they have to commit to working for their employer for several years so it's a good way of getting reliable staff at a fraction of the cost of temporary staff.

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?

Recruitment in the care sector is an absolute nightmare at the moment, as it is in all sectors.

Nobody wants to work in care because it's long hours, weekends, evenings, nights, for very little benefit. Even the £500 that the government promised last year still has not made its way to NI carers despite them having worked right through Covid. However, it is one of the most rewarding jobs that a person can do. The satisfaction that a carer gets from being able to help somebody remain as independent as possible is not like any other job. Family members ring us and tell us that clubs, health care organisations to name a their carers are like their extended families. few. All of these organisations need to have The main thing a carer needs to do this job staff that have completed an Access NI. is to care. There's no point doing it if you Access NI is Northern Ireland’s police check don't genuinely care about helping people. service similar to England’s DBS. To have an Today's elderly is us or our parents in 30, 40, Access NI done people need to be registered 50 years’ time. We drill into our staff to treat to do police checks themselves or they can every client as if they were your mum, dad approach an umbrella body to do them for you. T-GEM Healthcare is an umbrella body. or grandparent.

So, organisations approach us to do their Flexibility is also essential. If you want a 9-5, police checks which keeps them right with Monday to Friday job, care work is not for their relevant regulator. you. The good thing about that though is that, say you work the weekend, you have days off WITH SUCH A BUSY JOB - HOW during the week. All the 9-5 Monday to Friday DO YOU FIND A GOOD WORK/ people are at work, so you can go the shops LIFE BALANCE? without the crowds, go the gym or for a walk It's difficult and I don't switch off. I'm thinking and have peace and quiet. of T-GEM as I fall asleep at night and it's the

We provide four main services:•

Home care

•

Temporary and permanent recruitment in the healthcare sector

•

Healthcare training

•

Umbrella body for Access NI

AS WELL AS HOMECARE YOU ALSO OFFER TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT RECRUITMENT INTO THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR - TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS? We work with organisations such as residential homes, nursing homes, GP practices and all other health care organisations with their permanent and temporary recruitment. Recruiting staff to work in the health care sector is so difficult at the moment and the care sector is in a crisis and this is across the board from NHS to the private sector. A BBC report last month stated that there are over 2500 hours a week of home care needed throughout Northern Ireland and recruitment is the biggest challenge that there has ever been.

Organisations ring us and let us know what staffing issues they have and what they need.

It could be a single shift for a laundry assistant, or it could be a block booking for nurses, carers and admin staff. We have a database of staff that we contact to see who is available and able to do the shift.

WHAT ATTRIBUTES MUST PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK IN THIS SECTOR?

WHAT KIND OF HEALTHCARE TRAINING DO YOU PROVIDE?

We are an accredited training provider. We provide training in 27 different healthcare related courses such as manual handling, first We also help with permanent recruitment. aid, medication awareness, record keeping One area that is proving very popular at the and so on. A lot of companies use online moment is sponsorship visas for overseas training which is great - it's generally cheaper than face-to-face training and takes less time to do. But the problem with online training is getting staff to do it. We offer a flexible training package whereby clients pick 6 of the 27 courses that we offer that they are struggling to get their staff to do, and we will go to their organisation and provide the training at a fraction of the price. Our Manual Handling and First Aid courses are £150 each and the Flexible Training Package is £250 for the day.

YOU MENTIONED YOU ARE AN UMBRELLA BODY FOR ACCESS NI - WHAT IS THIS? There are a lot of regulated providers these days. Children's day care, sports clubs, youth

first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning. I'm lucky to have a supportive husband and a mother-in-law who steps in when needed. I try and be home in the evenings and weekends, but it doesn't always work. If somebody rings in sick or a run needs to be covered, I go and do it. I have three children aged 12, 13 and 15 and I try to spend as much time with them as I can. Lockdown was a nightmare - trying to run a business and home school three children was very difficult.

Hopefully recruitment becomes easier over the coming months and then I can take a step back and spend more time with the kids.

Email info@tgemhc.com Telephone 028 4372 4377

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.TGEMHC.COM Local Women Magazine | 155

156 | Local Women Magazine

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WE HAVE MOVED:

The Holmes, 73 Urbal Road, Coagh, Co. Tyrone, BT80 0DP T: 028 867 67109 M: 075 4550 4980 michelle@no8bridal.com

www.no8bridal.com

Local Women Top Women In Business This month Local Women is showcasing our top women in business – and here’s why we think women make the most successful entrepreneurs

O

nce upon a time, women were the homemakers but these days they are more likely to be the money-

makers, too.

As each day passes, more women are dominating the business world. Companies like IBM, General Motors, and other Fortune 500 companies have female CEOs. And closer to home women are leading the way and successfully running businesses as we see in the pages

“I want every little girl who’s been told she’s bossy to be told again she has leadership skills.”

– Sheryl Sandberg

of this magazine every month.

The best part is, this is all backed up by research.

Women-run companies generate a 35% higher ROI than companies managed by men. When it’s venturebacked, the number further increases by 12%.

Even with the funding gap, women-run companies generated a 10% cumulative revenue within 5 years.

For that reason, many investors are starting to favour women-run businesses.

4. Women are More Resilient Women

are

no

strangers

when

it

comes

to

female

discrimination in the business world. They are prone to

entrepreneurs who used the downtime to set up

experience unfair treatment, lesser opportunities, and

the businesses they had dreamed about. Across

lower wages. But, instead of letting these bring them

Northern Ireland there has been an upsurge in women

down, they take it as a reason to do better and succeed.

successfully combining family life with businesses that

A lot of successful women have battled the same

Lockdown

was

a

pivotal

moment

for

trade across the world.

problem in their journey towards success. Both men

And did you know that US based research shows

and women entrepreneurs encounter discrimination

that women-owned companies generate higher

at some point. Unfortunately, women experience it more often. But instead of letting it pull them down,

revenues than those owned by men? It also showed that women are more effective as a leader and are

is how they can address the issues their company is

they learned how to overcome it. These experiences

better at creating jobs.

facing. This characteristic makes them better equipped

taught women how to be resilient. It also taught

in running a business.

them to persevere even in the most difficult time in

2. We’re good at Collaborating

their business.

Experts at Boston Consulting Group also found that women made twice as much per dollar of investment

Women tend to be more empathetic compared to

be better to invest in women-owned companies than

5. Women Take Calculated Risks

men. And because of this, they’re able to pick-up

those run by men.

Men and women entrepreneurs are both risk-takers.

some non-verbal cues. This helps them understand

However, research shows that women are more ready

Here are some of the reasons why we think women

the needs and wants of the team. Successful

to take risks compared to men. For them, ‘risk’ is just

make great entrepreneurs.

companies are not built by a single person. It is a

another word for opportunity.

than men. Because of that, they believe that it would

1. We’re Honest It might sound controversial, but women are more honest both in business and in life in general. While men focus on discussing problems, women examine the issues closely. From there, they can extract the cause and provide solutions to address the problem.

product of collaboration and teamwork. But for them to collaborate, they need empathy.

first. They consider and weigh the advantages and

actual people rather than machines. They consider

disadvantages. They know better than to bet all their

each person’s feelings and use them in creating better

money on something too risky.

strategies.

company’s growth.

Women are more talkative than men and are less

than firms run by men. There’s no sure way of telling

the sooner they can go back to focusing on their

produce great results. So, they assess the situation

Women are likely to see each person in their team as

3. Women-Run Companies Generate Higher Revenues

They know that the earlier they solve the problem,

But women also like to make sure that the risk will

Women-run companies generate higher revenues

It’s Time For Women To Shine Despite the challenges, women continue to persevere in the business industry. Today, they continue to prove that if given the chance, they could offer more ideas on the table that will transform the entire

why, but experts think that it’s because women target

business industry.

specific niches. While men look at the industry as

Women are going above and beyond the role that society

a whole, women dig deeper into it and look at each

expects from them. The reasons mentioned above are

Women’s honesty also makes it easier for them to ask

component closely. For them, opportunities lie at every

proof that women have all the qualities needed to run

for help when they need it. While men often think that

nook of each industry just waiting to be discovered.

a successful business. While they may still be far from

asking for help can be a sign of weakness, for women,

This strategy helps them expand their client base and

dominating the business world, the trends are showing

it’s one way of avoiding mistakes. All they care about

get loyal customers.

that they’re closing in on achieving it.

restrained when it comes to verbalising their thoughts.

They are not afraid to express their feelings, making it easier for them to communicate with their peers.

Local Women Magazine | 159

Bright,beautiful

and always in style...

All budgets accommodated for...

LOVE YOUR BEAUTY THERAPY CAREER

Caroline Purdy, owner of multi award-winning salon Beauty Culture in Belfast, tells Local Women about her amazing career.

From a young age Caroline Purdy was destined for great things.

Starting her career at just 17 years old, she has worked her way up through the highly competitive beauty industry and is now the proud owner of award-winning Beauty Culture in Belfast.

At 17 Caroline started working for Lisa Millar at the then new Beauty Culture salon as a NVQ level three trainee while studying part time in beauty therapy at college. Her personality, expertise and talent saw her quickly rise through the ranks.

Caroline says: “I became head therapist at the age of 19, the salon then expanded to bigger premises after winning Ireland’s Beauty Salon Of The Year in 2003 in the Irish Beauty Awards.

“At 21 I became salon manager of the bigger premises and was in charge of the every day running of the salon. I continued to work through the challenging recession period, taking a short time out to have a baby in 2013.”

In 2014 Lisa decided to move away and so the salon in Ballyhackamore closed, but Caroline took the amazing opportunity to open a new Beauty Culture on Bloomfield Road.

She explains: “We have been here seven years and the salon clientele and staff has grown. Over the last seven years we have been privileged to be crowned a Guinot salon and a Dermalogica gold circle salon. We have been awarded salon guide five-star status and won three industry awards including Ulster Tatler Salon of the Year and Best Beauty Salon in the Eastside awards in 2019.”

Janet Fullerton is the leading lady of diamonds with 35 years experience, prices to suit everyone, you have a great choice from every day pieces to forever timeless creations, for Janet it is seeing they joy jewellery can bring to someones face.

At Beauty Culture there is a team of ten therapists who carry out a range of beauty treatments, specialising in skincare, waxing, Shellac polish and body treatments. They also stock a number of beauty, health and wellbeing brands too.

Caroline knows what it takes to become a successful beauty therapist and loves her job.

We also offer jewellery valuations, probate, repairs, buy gold and watch batteries

She says: “You need to love doing what you do and know why you do it. It is a privilege to care for people and make people feel better about themselves. It is also important to know that it takes a lot of hard work and studying to keep up with the latest treatments and trends.

Spend your

£100 Shop Local Card

“I love treating clients and leading my team, keeping them up to date with training and guiding them in their beauty therapy career. I’m so thankful for everything that the team and I have achieved.”

with us today and receive a £30 off your next purchase

janetfullerton.wixsite.com/janetfullerton

109 Main Street | Bangor | BT20 4AF

1a Bloomfield Road | Belfast | BT5 5LR T: 028 9046 0100 www.beautyculture.co.uk Beauty Culture

160 | Local Women Magazine

Beauty Culture

Award-winning Donna Monteith has recently opened a gorgeous new interior design studio where she offers a highly personal and professional interior design service for private residential homes and commercial properties.

Award Winning

CASTLEREAGH CLEANING COMPANY • Domestic • Commercial • One-Off Cleaning Services

Many of us love making changes to our homes – but as we quickly learn, although decorating is a fun hobby, interior design is a profession!

When you hire a professional interior designer like Donna Monteith, you are embarking on a valuable journey.

Donna prides herself on her creativity in classic and contemporary design, but it’s her personal touch and downto-earth approach that makes her services so special.

For bookings and enquiries call Bobbie on 077 3800 7914 or email castlereaghcleanersni@hotmail.com

WE ARE HIRING! Due to continued success we are now recruiting cleaners.

Flexible hours to suit you.

For more information contact Bobbie on 077 3800 7914 Castlereagh Cleaning Company

Consultantion by appointment only

Monteith Interiors 88 Carryduff Road | Temple | Lisburn T: 028 9264 6878 | M: 075 4524 3500 E: sales@monteithinteriors.co.uk

www.monteithinteriors.co.uk

castlereaghcleaners.ni Local Women Magazine | 161

@sistersbythesea.co sisters_bythesea

Make natural wellness your priority Top NI business women share their story of creating eco-wellness brand Sisters by the Sea where you’ll meet like-minded women who share the common goal of nurturing themselves both body and soul.

Sisters by the Sea is a Northern Irish eco-wellness brand created with a heart-centred ethos and mission to inspire wellness in the young and older, to elevate the health of our people and our home - Planet Earth.

Sisters By The Sea was created after its co-founder Kellie experienced a period of ill health. Kellie soon recognised the healing powers of mindful movement (hiking and yoga), Mother Earth (time spent in nature and cleaner eating), alongside meditation (in particular, sound healing meditation). She went on to study nutrition with plans to create a business advocating the power of food as medicine. Kellie then recognised the need for people to know more about the healing powers of the holistic modalities which she had benefited from first hand.

Aisling, a nurse in the Republic of Ireland, with a passion for entrepreneurship and a creative flair for digital art and event styling, was inspired by Kellie and how she turned her life around. Aisling also recognised the healing powers of the holistic realm and the necessity to educate and inspire people in practices that prevent

Kellie and Aisling of Sisters by the Sea

ill-health or can turn ill-health around. Aisling has mainly worked with women for the past 15 years: four years as a trainee, and 11 years as a fully qualified nurse.

She has also been inspired by the power of women sharing their stories, seeing this as a reminder to those experiencing similar situations, of how resilient women truly are.

The sister duo joined forces in February 2020, putting their creative, entrepreneurial brains to work and Sisters By The Sea was born. This is a brand that brings the best wellness practitioners to their retreats (comprising hikes, yoga, sound baths and plant-based picnics, along with other surprise elements to bathe all the senses). Kellie and Aisling guide the retreats, and both now offer sound bath meditations, having recently qualified in this practice. On retreats they encourage women to take time out to reset and rejuvenate - to nourish their body, minds and souls, to not only survive, but thrive and move forward living in alignment with their higher selves! To connect with like-minded, like-hearted women and form a beautiful community.

Sisters By The Sea sell eco-luxe yoga mats online, designed in-house, to encourage women to carve out that time, if not on an Sisters By The Sea retreat, then at home on their mat. Within their online space, they also feature wellness practitioners offering self-care tips, tools, rituals and wisdom from all over the world, in an attempt to inspire their global community to live with optimum health and vitality.

Their mission is to make a positive difference in this world for those who walk alongside them, for their families and for those who have yet to come.

Whether you are beginning your wellness journey or you are delving deeper, join Sisters By The Sea for their last outdoor retreat of 2021 on 16th October 2021.

Book today on www.sistersbythesea.co Images by Naomi James of nayphotography.com 162 | Local Women Magazine

where you will also find eco-luxe yoga mats (for adults and children). Email hey@ sistersbythesea.co or head over to Instagram @sisters_bythesea fb @sistersbythesea. co to connect and to keep up-to-date with their exciting plans for YOU.

I created Lume in 2019 to help people find looks that flatter them and love themselves in the process. I had worked in retail for many years, and as much as I loved the hustle and bustle mixed with the style and newness of working in shops, the sales pitch wasn’t for me. I love finding exactly what people want and what looks best on them.

That’s why I set up Lume. The look on my clients faces when they see themselves in their perfect ensemble, in their wow colours or as they walk into their edited wardrobe, makes all the hard work worth it.

The relationships that are built with long term clients make it even more fun. I have clients that have been coming back since the very start meaning we almost have a time-lapse of their style evolution. Seeing a client’s confidence grow is one of the favourite parts of my job. My goal is always to leave my clients feeling equipped, confident and ready to take on the world in their perfect wardrobe. Whether it’s just a one-time service styling for an event or the full treatment with a Wardrobe Edit (creating new outfits from their existing wardrobe) the client’s needs and wants are always my priority.

My services include; Wardrobe Edits, Shopping Experiences, Colour Analysis and Parties

Samantha Elliott - Founder T: 077 5658 0086 | E: sam@lume.style

www.lume.style

QUALITY AND STYLE AT NOCTURA At Noctura Interiors in Bangor, Ashleigh Lutton and her dedicated team can help make your dream home a reality.

Noctura interiors is a family run business which was established over 30 years ago.

Ashleigh Lutton is the owner and interior designer at Noctura, and she has creative flair and a passion for interiors. Since giving up previous jobs in the picture framing industry and in insurance to forge a career in the interiors industry, she has never looked back.

Ashleigh gained her qualifications in interior design and worked part time for the previous owner of the business who soon realised her potential. Within eight years she owned and was running the business with the support of Neil her husband. She now has a dedicated and very experienced team who make up all of the quality soft furnishings on the premises.

Ashleigh is always on hand to give help and advice with colours, wallpapers and fabrics. At Noctura they have a huge library of designer fabrics and wallpapers to choose from and quality paints too - and they offer a professional fitting and measuring service. They also offer quality carpets from Ulster Carpets and Westex Carpets.

So, if you are looking for quality furnishings for your home, contact Ashleigh and her team at Noctura Interiors in Bangor.

DESIGN | CREATION | INSTALLATION

We are currently open on an appointment basis, call 028 9145 6141 to make an appointment 17-19 Castle Street | Bangor | Down | BT20 4SU T: 028 9145 6141 Find us online at

www.nocturainteriors.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 163

“My passion for my business changed my life”

Owner of Bark and Amble, Hannah Finlay tells Local Women how she took a leap of faith to start her business and changed her life for the better.

The last year has been the hardest of my life. I was extremely depressed, unable to get out of bed, having regular breakdowns in work, had no energy and simply no zest for life.

After removing myself from the situation that was making me feel that way, I decided to finally do something for myself and there began Bark and Amble.

Based on an eco-friendly, no-nasties approach, Bark and Amble prides itself in making healthy, limited ingredient treats for our furry friends.

We hand make bandanas, bowties, handstamped keyrings and dog tags and treats. We recently have taken the leap into supplying zero-

waste pet products such as bar shampoo and compostable poo bags, both from companies based within the UK. Our accessories are made by hand in Belfast and keeping it local is a huge part of that. The labels on our pet accessories are made locally

by North-Belfast pyrography company, The Dribbly Yak. Again, there is zero plastic waste there as they are made from natural materials.

We also work with local coffee van, Off The Grid Coffee, supplying them with our treats for their four-legged customers. All our packaging is plastic-free, recyclable and our business and thank-you cards are printed here in Northern Ireland by Bangor Signage. We also work with local merchandise makers, Ted and Stitch who made some gorgeous tote-bags for us.

During the short time Bark and Amble has been running (since May 2021) I have been extremely fortunate to be featured in Local Women Magazine as well as having been interviewed

by Charis Saunders from Blast 106-FM for her Supporting Local Podcast on Spotify. It is fantastic to be working alongside and featured with such fabulous local makers and creators.

We regularly trade at Saintfield Saturday Market, which is just the highlight of our month, engaging with the public as well as other members of the small business has been fantastic, the reception and welcome we have received is amazing and we couldn’t ask for more after the long isolation that Covid brought us.

Bark and Amble has truly changed my life and I am so thankful to every single person that has

supported us during the past four months. I think Bark and Amble is a shining example that your mental health does not define you, and that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Your passion will change your life and make you a happier person. Focus on how amazing you are, and you can do whatever you set your mind to.

Comparing where I was last year, to this year, in all honesty I don’t think I would be here today if I hadn’t taken the leap of faith to change my life. As a young woman of 25 years old, I wish to inspire others and show them how if they take a step back and decide what they wish to do with their life that anything is possible. Every business that they see today started off as something small.

New webstore coming soon - follow our social media to keep up to date! barkandamblepetapparel 164 | Local Women Magazine

barkandamble

Model: Catriona Channing | Images and Styling: Blades and Beauty | Photographer: Kevin Cobb | Dress: Dame Bro Vintage

25 Antrim Business Park, Randalstown Road,Antrim, BT41 4LD | T: 028 9446 4434

www.bladesandbeauty.co.uk bladesandbeauty

bladesandbeauty Local Women Magazine | 165

“BE YOUR OWN MOTIVATION”

Catriona Channing owner of Blades and Beauty in Antrim tells the inspirational story of how she became an award-winning salon owner and business woman.

The truth is life chose my path to becoming a business woman. When you have no choices, sometimes it’s for the best, because you overcome everything your own way.

I was working in the hospital full-time while my husband ran our other business. My hubby had a series of strokes at a young age that lead him having to become self-employed. We worked through this difficult time together as a family unit, then things got better again.

It was during this time my own health took a turn for the worse and I developed a trapped nerve in my neck; this meant I was unable to remain in my old career. I had to leave a very well-paid job that was full of friends and security.

I opened a salon as my mother was a previous salon owner and if you don’t trust your mother’s judgement, whose judgement can you trust.

I employed award winning staff from the hair, beauty and make up industry and opened the door to one of the first salons for your beauty, hair, make up and tanning needs under one roof.

limiting only your own self-belief.

Having a team of people who believe in you is very important in business, no matter what you choose to do. Your attitude, your team and how you treat others is your brand and reputation.

to never forget to give back.

Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and your brand is the only way. If someone doesn’t believe in your brand they do not need to be there, as The salon became a success a lot quicker this will impact on how everyone feels in a than I imagined, but in saying that, we team. Always praise your employees who worked hard. Harder than most would work hard and be thankful for them. even imagine. Being self-employed Always give back to the community when means no sick days, or annual leave; you can, in your own way, this is also a no boss means you must be your own must for me, the more my business grows motivation. the more thankful I am for it. It is important I am so happy this last negative chapter of COVID is nearly over. I am so thankful me and my team are still here going strong.

Thank you to all the customers and friends You also must understand that fear is only who support Blades and Beauty; you an obstacle to overcome, the biggest really have seen us through a horrible fears you have are in your own mind, storm, and we love you all.

Model: Catriona Channing | Images and Styling: Blades and Beauty | Photographer: Kevin Cobb | Dress: Dame Bro Vintage

25 Antrim Business Park, Randalstown Road, Antrim, BT41 4LD T: 028 9446 4434 | E: blades&beauty@gmail.com bladesandbeauty

bladesandbeauty

www.bladesandbeauty.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 167

SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMBER AT THE EUROPA HOTEL, BELFAST WITH SPECIAL CELEBRITY HOST

AWARDS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:

TM

AESTHETIC TREATMENT CLINIC

168 | Local Women Magazine

ENTER THE FIRMUS ENERGY LOCAL WOMEN AWARDS 2021

Vote now for your favourite local businesses or business person in the Firmus Energy Local Women Magazine Awards 2021 Northern Ireland’s most exciting awards ceremony is back – so, get ready to celebrate with the best in the business.

The Firmus Energy Local Women Awards 2021 will showcase the best of the local business community from across the country at a glittering gala ceremony to be held on November 20 at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities, and we want to put them in the spotlight. So, nominate the businesses and businesspeople who have made a difference to you over the past year, or you can vote for your own business.

Please nominate your business of choice in one or more of the following categories

Best Makeup Artist Beauty Salon of the Year Beautician of the Year Best Nail Technician Fashion Boutique of the Year Wedding and Occasion Wear Boutique of the Year Best Wedding Boutique Florist of the Year Best Home Furnishing Store Interior Designer of the Year Best Aesthetics Clinic Best Aesthetics Practitioner Best Aesthetics Practitioner (Dental) Best South Down/South Armagh Business Best North West Business Best North Coast Business Best Mid Ulster Business Best Belfast/Antrim Business Best Hairstylist Best Hair Salon Best Hair Extension Salon Best in Food Industry Best Takeaway Dental Clinic of the Year Businesswoman of the Year Businessman of the Year Best New Start Up Business (started trading after January 2020) Best Retailer Best Online Retailer Best Hotel in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Bar of the Year Gym of the Year Personal Trainer of the Year

From hairdressers and beauticians to hotels, spas, medical professionals and boutiques, The Firmus Energy Local Women Awards has categories to suit all businesses.

Simply select the categories you want to enter and give the reasons why this business should win (no more than 250 words). You can enter as many categories as you like.

Once submitted, each entry will be judged by an independent panel of businesspeople and a shortlist will be drawn up. The closing date for entries is October 20th, 2021.

Name of business: ............................................................................................................................................................................................

Name of business owner (if known): ............................................................................................................................................................................................

Full address of business: ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................

Business daytime contact number: ................................................................................. Mobile: ..............................................................................

Business owner daytime contact number: ................................................................................. Mobile: ..............................................................................

Please detail below and attach any supporting evidence/ information with your application form.

If there is not enough space please attach additional pages with your application form. ....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................

All Applications must be fully completed, please ensure you complete all sections of application form and provide additional information on why you think this business deserves to WIN. Firmus Energy Local Women Magazine Awards Terms and Conditions apply.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE POSTED TO: Local Women Magazine, Unit 6 Springrowth House, Balliniska Road Springtown Industrial Estate, Derry - Londonderry BT48 0GG

Local Women Magazine | 169

A Wedding Dress to Suit Your Wedding Style at No.8 Bridal Hi Everyone, Love is definitely in the air! We have seen quite a hike in engagements from our sister store, Hall & Guild Specialist Jewellers in recent months. This of course has a knock-on effect in our bridal boutique as our newly appointed brides-to-be are eager to start planning for their big day.

If you are searching for the perfect dress but just don’t know where to start then begin by thinking about your own personal style, body type and also the type of wedding you want to have. For example if you are planning a fairy-tale wedding day full of sparkle, glitz and glamour then a ballgown could be perfect for you or if you dream of having a vintage-style wedding day then a delicate lace wedding dress will be perfect for your

The Holmes 73 Urbal Road, Coagh Co. Tyrone, BT80 0DP

T: 028 8676 7109 theme and are hugely flattering for your figure. Why not team your beautiful lace gown with a birdcage veil, soft tulle veil or simple pearl earrings to really complete the look? Just take your time and choose a theme that’s suits you and your hubby to be.

www.no8bridal.com michelle@no8bridal.com

Shopping for Your Wedding Dress When it comes to shopping for your dress, be prepared.

Wear underwear that is neutral and choose a bra that you know fits you well and gives your bust a great shape. Most bridal shops will provide shoes for you, we certainly do. It really helps when you are trying on to add height so you can get the true reflection of how the dress will sit on you.

Also consider carefully who to bring with you for your shopping trip – try to limit the number of people you bring with you for those initial appointments as too many opinions can be overwhelming. Ensure you take friends or family that you know will give you their honest opinion and who you really trust.

I have just returned from a fabulous buying trip and I really can’t wait until our order arrives in store! Here’s a sneak peak of what to expect.

Until next month!

The Holmes 73 Urbal Road, Coagh Co. Tyrone, BT80 0DP

T: 028 8676 7109 www.hallandguild.com michelle@hallandguild.com

Appointments Available Day, Evening & Weekends.

SPEND YOUR £100 HIGH STREET VOUCHER AT STREET LIFE AND RECEIVE A BONUS £20 STREET LIFE VOUCHER

27 South Street | Newtownards | BT23 4JT SHOP NOW AT

www.livestreetlife.com

18 Main Street | Larne | BT40 1SS | T: 028 2832 9402

www.bridalelegance-boutique.co.uk bridalelegancelarne

bridaleleganceboutique

Local Women Magazine | 173

A fantastic selection of Cup Fitting Lingerie for all occasions, Cup Fitting Swimwear, Nightwear & Shapewear.

663 Lisburn Road, Belfast Tel 028 9038 1313

LINGERIE FITTING SERVICE All sizes catered for

www.orchidlingerie.co.uk 174 | Local Women Magazine

7 Linen Green, Moygashel, Dungannon Tel 028 8772 3181

LW WEDDINGS

Alison & Bryan BRIDE: Alison Johnston, Desertmartin GROOM: Bryan McKee, Aghadowey BRIDE’S PARENTS: Joseph and Jacqueline Johnston, Desertmartin GROOM’S PARENTS: Alex and Doreen McKee, Aghadowey CEREMONY: St Comgall’s Parish Church, Desertmartin RECEPTION: Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena PHOTOGRAPHS: Antrim Castle Gardens BEST MAN: Stuart McKee GROOMSMAN: John Johnston USHERS: Raymond Close and Sam Johnston BRIDESMAIDS: Elizabeth Johnston and Alison McCay FLOWER GIRL: Sophia McCay PHOTOGRAPHY: David A Scott VIDEOGRAPHER: Bobby at Motion Media CAKES: Jill's Cakes DRESSES: Ivory Grace Bridal, Galgorm FLORIST: Stephen Mallon HAIR/MAKEUP: Diane Campbell and Laura O'Neill STATIONERY: Ryan Patrick Designs MEN’S SUITS: Freddie Hatchett, Cookstown JEWELLERY: Murray & Co, Belfast

A fantastic selection of Cup Fitting Lingerie for all occasions, Cup Fitting Swimwear, Nightwear & Shapewear.

663 Lisburn Road, Belfast Tel 028 9038 1313

LINGERIE FITTING SERVICE All sizes catered for

www.orchidlingerie.co.uk

7 Linen Green, Moygashel, Dungannon Tel 028 8772 3181

Local Women Magazine | 175

A fantastic selection of Cup Fitting Lingerie for all occasions, Cup Fitting Swimwear, Nightwear & Shapewear.

663 Lisburn Road, Belfast Tel 028 9038 1313

LINGERIE FITTING SERVICE All sizes catered for

www.orchidlingerie.co.uk 176 | Local Women Magazine

7 Linen Green, Moygashel, Dungannon Tel 028 8772 3181

LW WEDDINGS

Claire & Gareth BRIDE: Claire Gormley, Derry

GROOM: Gareth Jones, Enniskillen BRIDE'S PARENTS: Brian and Philomena Gormley, Derry GROOM'S PARENTS: Victor and Anne Jones, Enniskillen WEDDING DATE: Saturday, 27th March 2021 CEREMONY: Long Tower Church, Derry RECEPTION: We didn't have one (yet!)

BRIDESMAIDS: Sharon McGinley and Aisling Gormley BEST MAN: Ciaran Carson GROOMSMEN: Ronan Curran and Paul Gallagher PHOTOGRAPHER: Louise Brolly VIDEOGRAPHER: Feather & Wolf HAIR/MAKEUP: Not professionally done as we were in strict lockdown so close contact services were not open DRESS: Ultimate Touches with Alterations by Elaine McCloskey, Saranna Dress Design FLOWERS: Bernie's Blooms

Our lockdown wedding story: Our original wedding date was scheduled to happen on Friday, 27th March 2020 with 120 guests. As the world started to change because of COVID-19, we at first made plans to downsize the event to just immediate friends and family but the week before, as hospitality venues started the close and then a full stay at home order was announced, we were left with no choice but to cancel all plans.

It was impossible to know how to re-plan our special day as no one knew how long restrictions would last. So, eventually we decided to push it back a full year as 27th March was the anniversary date of when we first met and so holds a lot of sentiment for us.

In December 2020 when Northern Ireland went back into lockdown, we had another talk about what to do, whether to change dates again or plan for whatever the rules would allow in March 2021.

As both Gareth and I work in the wedding industry (I'm the Events Manager for Bishops Gate Hotel and Gareth performs with Full Moon Fever Band), we realised our work commitments for 2021 were really busy and so we decided not to postpone. We would enjoy whatever we could as planned and if needed would organise another party later.

watching who I didn't recognise. Unknown to me Gareth and his groomsmen (band members of Full Moon Fever) had arranged to perform our first dance live on the walls as a surprise. People who just happened to be out for a walk stopped to watch. It was an amazing surprise - the rain was falling and there were lots of tears but it's a memory I'll treasure forever.

When 27th March 2021 arrived, the guidelines allowed us to have a ceremony with up to 25 people present but no reception. Thankfully the chapel has a webcam installed so lots of our family and friends were able to be part of the ceremony from their homes.

The song we danced to was Dreams by The Cranberries. It became ‘our song’ as it was played during The Derry Girls series, and we always joked that Gareth came to visit me from Enniskillen on nights when it was on TV as the roads were quieteveryone was inside watching the show rather than being out causing road traffic!

After our ceremony we travelled to the Craft Village and Derry’s Walls for photos with our bridal party, then later to Ebrington Square as that was where Gareth proposed to me.

As Gareth and I walked towards the walls for photos I was confused to see people standing

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I'm not sure any other bride can say they've had their first dance on the Derry’s Walls whilst being serenaded by their new husband.

Hopefully we will have a reception and celebration with our loved ones soon.

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Local Women Magazine | 177

StarScope by Paul Local Women’s Spiritual Zodiac Astrologer Paul McCaughan guides you through the month of October.

“You can positively change the way you feel about yourself, your life, how you approach challenges and meet your physiological and emotional needs.

When you need to be brought out of fear, doubt, and confusion to travel along the path to enlightenment, use these words as your guide.”

When

ARIES THE RAM

you

find

yourself

TAURUS THE BULL

GEMINI THE TWINS

CANCER THE CRAB

becoming

Busy hands keep the mind focused and

arrogant, superior, judgmental, and

positive. Busy hands make for a happy

treating others poorly, recognise these as

brain.

red flags that you’re allowing your ego to

more creative, productive, energetic,

take over. Alone time is needed to work

intelligent!

on the parts of yourself you can’t accept,

should be on three areas of yourself

because

main

– your mental health, your emotional

ingredient of being in an enlightened

health, and your heart’s desire, which

state.

When you’re enlightened, your

is a work in progress. Yes, you want the

mind is at peace and fully restored. You

picture perfect life, but may be too busy

become at one with yourself and accept

working to give time to what’s important

yourself and the people around you.

-

You become grounded and centred,

perfecting self. By becoming self-aware,

inferior without your consent and

which enables you to live your life in a

you start paying attention to how you

participation,” so avoid becoming

surprised to find yourself contemplating

way that flows with everything.

act and react to situations and people.

embroiled in toxic situations.

a small business opportunity.

acceptance

is

the

LEO THE LION

A happy brain means you’re

focusing

Your focus, at this time,

on

self-production

and

VIRGO THE MAIDEN

You’ll be tempted to weigh in on arguments and conflicts between others, as a kind of negotiator or peace keeper, but you must avoid getting involved. Stay alert and informed, yes, and be mindful of those seeking self-gratification, but your profound analysis and logic

perspective

appreciated.

won’t

be

Eleanor Roosevelt

said, “No one can make you feel

LIBRA THE SCALES

Independence. Whether it be the need of it, the lack of it, or the making of it, you seem very focused on it, as if trying to work out what to do with it. There are three types of independence – Mental, Behavioural, and Survival-based.

The

ability to think for yourself, to choose for yourself, and to look after yourself. The message here is to stop caring about everyone else and start facilitating and fulfilling your own needs.

You have

a practical and sensible approach to money and survival, so don’t be

SCORPIO THE SCORPION

Strong and resourceful women don’t like

Your feelings are standing in the way of

You’re keen to get back in the game, to

It’s time to set out on a passionate and

to rely on anyone for help or support. But

what you think. In your head, there’s no

get up and go! It’s like you’ve received

emotional journey by focusing on three

you’re feeling vulnerable now, and your

room for scepticism, worry or doubt. You

an injection of energy and enthusiasm.

things – your relationship with others,

secure and courageous personality doesn’t

always believe in yourself. You’re safe

The idea of sitting in one place no

your relationship with yourself, and

like to admit that. Your decision to ‘open

and secure. But your heart is singing from

longer appeals. You want to shift your

making a smooth transition. Repeating

your heart’ to someone may feel like you’re

a different hymn sheet. It feels everything

aspirations up a gear. Picking yourself

patterns and behaviours may offer

taking a huge emotional risk, due to a

you’ve currently got isn’t good enough,

up after a hard/negative experience,

comfort and familiarity, but you always

past conflict with an unscrupulous office

that you’re destined for bigger and better

and continuing on, is commendable,

end up back where you started.

gossip, a false friend, or a dishonourable

things. It wants to see you change and

and may just be the wakeup call you

understand and acknowledge your own

cousin. But you’ve made up your mind that

move and grow in new areas. It wants

need to combat gaining weight, high

self-worth, it’s time to walk away from

life is too short to hold grudges. A parent-

you to have the best of both worlds –

blood pressure and bouts of anxiety. If

people and habits that no longer serve

child relationship can be an amazing and

working the 9-5 while living the dream.

need be, to get back in the saddle, ask

your greatest good, or demand all of

fulfilling experience if you face challenges

With emotions taking centre stage, you

for support, a leg up, and try to control

your energy. Start making yourself, and

together,

won’t be alert to what’s going on behind

your urge to sacrifice your time and

your happiness, a priority by telling others

the scenes. Stay focused.

energy seeing to the needs of others.

“Take ownership of your own problems.”

with

compromise,

love,

acceptance and support.

SAGITTARIUS THE ARCHER

CAPRICORN THE GOAT

AQUARIUS THE WATER BEARER

To

PISCES THE FISH

It’s not unusual for emotions to fluctuate

You need resurrected – some life pumped

uggling time and money is a balancing

Burning the candle at both ends will

like the tides, to feel content and

into your veins, an injection of positivity.

act between priorities and responsibilities.

impact on your holistic wellbeing, and

upbeat one moment, and down and

The mind is capable of re-programming its

Prioritising

what

you will really start to feel your age! It may

disappointed the next. You’re dwelling

reaction to triggers, such as doubt, anxiety,

is needed and what is wanted.

Being

even feel like your world is being turned

on something you regret, constantly

pain, grief. Instead of dreading another

responsible means taking ownership of what

upside down as you encounter a delay,

replaying it in your mind, thinking about

day at the work or moaning that it’s raining,

you choose to do. Although some kind of

or a stagnant period, and things not going

what other action you should have, could

think “Another opportunity to make a

a routine is important when negotiating

the way you’d like, especially negotiations

have taken. Regret tarnishes current

difference at work,” and “Children will have

your way through the ups and downs of

regarding property - and finalising a

happiness by putting you in a negative

fun splashing in the puddles.” Adjust your

daily life, try not to live your life by too many

healthcare package! You’ll be so bogged

state, mentally and emotionally. When

thought processing to a place of creativity

rules, otherwise you’ll end up forgetting that

down by detail; you’ll feel like the weight of

considering someone else’s mental and

and production by visualising the outcome

variety is the spice of life! Give some time

the world is on your shoulders to the point

emotional wellbeing, remember, there’s

you need, then start putting that vision into

over to pursuing what you find interesting

that you become tired of it all. Is it time to

two sides to every argument and two

a plan of action. Becoming clear about

and enjoyable. Keep your vibration high

stop the world and get off? Or, is it time to

sides to everyone’s personality - we can’t

what you want begins with becoming clear

because when you’re happy and totally in

start figuring out what really gives your life

be a ray of sunshine all of the time!

about what you don’t want!

the flow, you attract positive energy.

meaning and fulfilment?

178 | Local Women Magazine

is

deciding

between