reduce inheritance tax liability plan for retirement reach your investment goals review your pension pots write your Will prepare your Lasting Powers of Attorney
Clear, concise advice and support, that puts you in control of your finances
‘Richard is the most caring lovely person you could ever meet He has given me the most excellent advice.’
August 2024
The days are gone when you could nip into your bank, anytime, to ask a question. So, my door is open for drop-ins every Friday
No need to book on Fridays. Call in for a chat Ask me anything finance-related. There may even be biscuits!
Book a free consultation
We can meet in our West Kirby office,
or in the comfort of your home.
I’mGill,andImovedtoWestKirbytwoyearsago.ShortlyafterIarrived,I set up Wirral Entrepreneurs Network. Ever since, I’ve hosted networking eventsthathelpme,andotherlocalprofessionals,getoutofthehouseor officeandmeetoneanother.
Thenetworkgrew,andthatprojectevolvedintoTheWirralWay.Westill host regular events - which you’re very welcome to join - but the new brandconnectsandcelebratesthelocalcommunityinotherwaystoo.I look forward to discovering more about our gorgeous part of the world alongwithyou,everyedition Thanksforbeinghere!
Find inside
What’s on & what’s new: business launches andupcomingevents
What’shot:localthingswe’reloving
Columns:traveltipsandwomen’shealth
Things to try at home: a mood boosting smoothieandasimplemindfulnesspractice
Get familiar with QR codes
Localartandphotography
Features: Wirral Repair Café and a unique waytoovercomefearsandlimitingbeliefs
YoumayhaveheardJadesingatEarthfest,butdid you know she also hosts regular - truly deliciousevents at Calm Village, Irby? Take time out of the chaos of life to come home to your breath and body. We’ve been to loads of Jade’s events, and fi th tth ’ b l t l i l!
Timeless Skin & Aesthetics Clinic
Registered nurse Suzy launched her skin rejuvenation clinic in September, then was promptlyannouncedasafinalistintheUKBeauty Awards,asAestheticEntrepreneuroftheYear!
This West Kirby coffee shop opened late August and quickly became a firm favourite of ours. They say their focus is on ‘fresh, nutritious whole foods pairedwithexcellentcoffee’andthathascertainly beenourexperience.
�� This is a photo I took myself, of my actual breakfast-anacaibowlwithedibleflowers. ��
@littleeyecoffee|24BanksRd,WestKirby
She specialises in restoring confidence to women age 35+, saying ‘I don’t want age to hold anybody backfromfeelingconfidentaboutthemselves.’
The Creatives Wirral
Thislovelyevent,createdbygraphicdesignersKim Waters Design and Bodhi Design, is described on Instagram as a stress-free social meet up for creatives, and a place to meet likeminded freelancers and entrepreneurs within the creative industries
The most recent meet up was in Hoylake but it moves around. Follow on Instagram for event announcements.@thecreativeswirral
Little Eye Coffee
What’snottoloveaboutafeministbookclub?!
Thisgroupmeetsmonthly,holdingarelaxedspace to talk all things books. At the moment they meet in Leaf, West Kirby but the venue can change, so checkInstagramfordetails
Allarrangementsaremade,andbookschosen,via WhatsApp.Headto@feminist.fiction.wirraltoread their super useful FAQs thread, and drop the adminsamessageformoredetails.
Holistic therapies in Heswall
Emily launched Soul Star Healing in September, offering a range of holistic therapies - including full-bodymassage,pregnancymassageandmorefromherhomeinLowerHeswall.Sheusesorganic, natural,chemical-freeproducts,tellingus:
agency, solving marketing challenges with our distinctive campaigns, events and commercial content
Feminist Fiction Wirral
What’s HOT
The Spookarium
We’re a tad obsessed with these tiny, one-of-a-kind ceramic ghosts. Handmadelocally,bySamTheGhostMaker,they’resculptedinsmall batchesandthewebsiteisupdatedwithnewdesignseverymonth.Our favourites, from the batch currently on sale (at time of writing), are theseSmallMushroomPeople,£22fromthespookarium.com ����
Walking with the dog on Thurstaston Common
We are spoiled with gorgeous nature spots round here, and Thurstaston Common is one of the best. Views of the estuary, the Mersey, Liverpool and Wales. Then there’s woodland, a giant natural climbing frame in the shape of Thor’s Rock and a lovely café, only accessiblebyfoot(bentyfarmtearooms.co.uk).Atrulyuniqueplace!
Charity shopping in Heswall
West Kirby on Grand Designs
Did you know the unique house on Grange Hill, West Kirby was featured on Grand Designs in 2016?AnditwasdesignedbylocalfirmBromilow architects!Scanthecodetoreadaboutit(andsee pictures)orsearchGrandDesignsWirraltowatch theepisodeonChannel4.
We almost don’t want to share this valuable information but, in our humbleopinion,youcan’tbeatHeswallforcharityshopping.Inrecent weeks,yourfriendlyeditorhasbaggeda100%lambswoolcardiganfor £4andbrandnew,genuineUggbootsforatenner!HeadtoTelegraph Roadforagoodrummage,andthewholesomehighofagreatfind!
Smokey maple beans on toast at Lateral
A thing of beauty, and my regular order for a reason! Smokey and delicious, it comes with loads of avocado, fresh chilli, lemon yoghurt andawedgeoftoastthickenoughthattheygiveyouasteakknifeto cut it. You can’t beat it - so eat it, at Lateral, Banks Road, West Kirby. @lateralcafe
Empowering personal training
Rep Max Fitness is headed by experienced professional and absolute ray of sunshine Laura Tebby, who provides personal training sessions onlineandin-person(fromherprivatestudioinHoylakeandmobile) Laurasays,“Beingfitisnotjustaboutbeingskinny,tonedbiceps,and drinkinggreensmoothies;it’sasmuchaboutahealthy,happymindas awell-lookedafterbody.”Findheratrepmaxfitness.com
Travelling through South America isn’t just for backpackers!
By Kay Finlay, bespoke-travel planner
Gorgeous at any time of year, South America is ideal for enjoying winter sun in a rich cultural landscape.
For a 14 day trip, I recommend... StartingwithastayinRiodeJanerio.Viewthecity from Corcovado - the mountain above Rio where thestatueoftheChristtheRedeemerstands.Soak up the sunshine on Copacabana Beach and party ontheshoresofIpanema.
Then fly to Iguazú, with its 275 thundering waterfalls wider and taller than Niagara Falls IguazubordersBrazilandArgentina-thebackdrop ofdenserainforestissimplystunning.
Next,jettoCuzco,Peru.Acosmopolitancity,with backstreets packed with churches and museums, it’s also the ideal location for visiting the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu (which is accessible by train,ifyoudon’tfancyhiking!).
Last stop, Lima. A gorgeous seaside city and the gastronomiccapitaloftheAmericas!Areyousold?
Before you go, you need to know...
A14-nighttriplikethisislikelytoinvolvebooking at least 5 flights, plus hotels. And don’t forget abouttransfers,excursionsandvisas!Theadminis extensiveforamulti-stoptrip,butsoworthit.
Enjoy a stress-free experience from start to finish
You could forget about the admin, get all the booking done for you and have an expert to call whenyouneedanything,allATNOEXTRACOST!It couldeven save youmoney!
I’myourlocal,independenttravelconsultant-here to save you time and stress, as well as £, when it comestotripsofalifetime,andyournextCostaDel sunbathe.
AllbookingsImakeareprotectedbyABTAand ATOL
Idon’tchargeafee
I don’t knock off at 5pm (like an office-based agentmight)
You can reach me when you need me, so start today!TellmewhereyouwanttogoandI’llmake ittheeasiesttravelexperienceofyourlife.
Take a five-breath holiday, you deserve it!
By Dave Spencer, Mindfulness Liverpool
Imagine sitting on a sunny beach right now, withoutacareintheworld Ormaybeyou’drather bedeepintheWelshcountryside,infrontofalog firewithagoodbook.
You can’t always transport yourself to your favouriteholidaydestinationatamoment’snotice, butyoucantakearestorativebreakanytime.And, believeitornot,evenpausingforfivebreathscan makeabigdifference.
I coined the term ‘five-breath holiday’ years ago. I takeoneofthese‘mini-breaks’dailyandlotsofmy clients do too. It doesn’t involve meditation, it couldn’t be simpler, and you can fit it in anytime, anywhere.Myfavouritetimetousethispracticeis whenI'msittinginthecar,atthebeginningorend of a journey. It helps me to feel calm, and makes everythingflowmoreeasily.
Here’s how It’sreally,veryeasy.Areyouready?
Just breathe. Try it now. Count your next five breaths.Whileyou’redoingthat,don’tdoanything else.You’reonholiday,remember?
Notice how you feel after that. And do it as many times as you want to throughout the day. No matter how busy you are, there’s always time to breathe!
RECIPE: The Mood Booster Smoothie, by re:Nu
1/3 of an avocado
Large handful of mixed (frozen) berries (a summer or forest fruits mix work nicely)
Large handful of green veg (e.g. spinach, cabbage, kale, cucumber, broccoli)
250ml almond milk
Teaspoon of almond butter*
Heaped tablespoon of protein powder**
* Alternatively, use a tablespoon of ground almonds or a handful of raw almonds and blend these before you add the other ingredients
** Organic whey powder or plant-based alternative
Add all the ingredients to the blender and blitz for 30 seconds.
Balanced to help you avoid the burnout sugar rollercoaster.
START YOUR DAY
FEELING focussed, energised & ready TO FULFIL YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL
‘I’m overwhelmed and I don’t know where to begin.’
‘I’ve lost my confidence and zest for life.’
‘I’ve tried everything but nothing seems to work.’
‘I’m confused by all the conflicting advice.’
‘I feel like I am not in control of my own life.’
‘I haven’t been able to get the answers I was looking for from my GP.’
Feel familiar?
It’s time for you to re:Nu!
Download all the recipes from The Burnout Bible - the award-winning book by Rachel Philpotts, founder of re:Nu - absolutely FREE!
Functional Medicine Clinic
For Burnout and Beyond
Supporting ‘tired and wired’ career women struggling with unexplained fatigue, brain fog and emotional overwhelm.
State-of-the art testing allows our expert practitioners to personalise dietary, lifestyle and supplement advice - to get you effective results, fast.
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The first five people to mention The Wirral Way get 10% off initial services booked. T&Cs apply.
Heal your relationship to your periods
By Women’s Coach & Mentor Gina Torres
Yourperiodisanaturalandhealthypartofbeingin afemalebody.It’satimeforyourbodytoshedits liningandprepareforanewcycle.Butformanyof us, menstruation is shrouded in shame and secrecy We're taught that our periods are somethingtobehiddenandendured.
This negative relationship with our periods can have a significant impact on our physical and emotionalhealth.Itcanleadtomenstrualcramps, bloating,moodswings,andothersymptoms.Itcan also make us feel disconnected from our bodies andourfeminineessence.
For many years, I had a very negative relationship withmyperiod.Iusedtosufferfromseverecramps that would leave me bedridden for days. So if that'swhereyou'recurrentlyat-Ifeelyou
But it doesn't have to stay that way. Things changedformewhenIstartedtolearnmoreabout the menstrual cycle and the inner seasons, and begantappingintomyfemininewisdom.Irealised thatmyperiodisapowerfultimeofself-reflection and transformation I began to see my menstrual cycleasagift,andanopportunitytoconnectwith my body. I started to track my cycle and listen to my body's needs. I learned to honour my needs andtotakecareofmyselfduringeachphaseofmy cycle. I also began to practice womb yoga and meditation.
Iamnowgratefulformyperiod.Iseeitasatimeof power and renewal. I am no longer disconnected from my body or its natural functions and I feel comfortableandsafeinmybody.
Here’s what worked for me, and how to make it workforyou:
Tracking my cycle. This will help you to learn more about your body's rhythms and identify any patterns or irregularities. Download my freecycletracker,atthebottomofthepage
Listening to my body. Pay attention to what youneedduringeachphaseofyourcycle,like rest,relaxationandnourishingfoods.
Honouring my needs. Set aside time each day to do something that makes you feel goodtaking a hot bath, reading a book, spending timeinnature...
Connecting with my womb. Place your hands on your lower belly and take some deep breaths.
Journaling about my relationship to my menstrualcycle.Whatlimitingbeliefshaveyou picked up and what positive beliefs can you replacethemwith?Explorethesequestions.
Surroundingmyselfwithcommunity Inowrun regular Women’s Yoga sessions and circles in Liverpool, I bring community together on social media, and I’m available online as a mentor and coach, so please get in touch if you’dliketofindthatcommunityyoucrave.
Gina supports women via mentorship and coaching, women’s circles and one-to-one trauma-informed women’s yoga. She is also the host of This Is Womanhood Podcast.
Visit Gina’s website to download your free cycle tracking guide
LaserHair/TattooRemoval
Dermaplaning
Injectables
SkinPeels
Mesotherapy
Celebrating Wirral’s natural beauty
Let’s take a moment to appreciate how gorgeous thispartoftheworldreallyis!
To help us do that every edition, please send us yoursnaps.Showustheplacesyouwalkinnature, and the wild places that inspire you in the local area, so that we can all share a moment of appreciation.
We’ll publish the best of the nature photography we receive, here and on social media, with full credittothephotographer.
Ifyourbeautifulphotographyhappenstoincludea dog - or any animal, for that matter - you’re more likely to be featured (that’s not a rule - just an animal-lovingeditorbeingrealwithyou)!
Dizzy the dog on Hoylake Beach by Philippa Toleman from West Kirby
Winter sunlight on Caldy Hill by Gill Torres of The Wirral Way
Step into the artist’s studio
Daniel Meakin, internationally renowned fine art painter, invites you to his waterfront West Kirby gallery.
View and purchase abstract, architectural and landscape paintingsincluding one-of-a-kind Wirral scenes - or commission a piece of your own
See more of Daniel’s wonderful work - follow him on social media or book a viewing
This grass-roots, volunteer-run animal rescue is saving animals in our community every day. Your support could make a BIG difference!
Heswall vet Sharon Williams set up Celandine Wood to save animals from unnecessary euthanasia.
Sharonandherteamofvolunteersworkveryhard to do this. They desperately need our support, to saveasmanylivesaspossible.We’llbefeaturinga selectionoftheiradorableresidentseveryeditionall of whom need loving homes. And there are plentymorewhocouldn’tfitonthepage!
You can help in so many ways - from donating a coupleofpounds,tofindinganewfamilymember forlife.
Could you foster an animal? Offeringyourhomefreesupspacetosave moreanimals,andit’sagreatwaytofindout whetheradoptionisrightforyou
You can help in other ways too FollowCelandineonsocialmedia,visitthe websitetosendmoneyviaPayPalor GoFundMe,ordonatemuch-neededfoodvia theAmazonWishList.
Little Miss
Change your life, by changing your mind
Why am I like this?
Why do I keep doing these things?
Why can’t I get past this fear?
Why do I continue to attract the wrong people?
If you’ve asked yourself these kinds of questions, there’s a good chance that your subconscious mindisrunningunhelpfulprogramming.
Just like a computer, we run off a kind of ‘software’.Untilwe’rearoundseven-years-old,our brains run on a frequency that’s similar to a hypnotic state. We’re taking in information and ‘installing’it.
Take learning to walk. We practice and practice, ‘install the software’ then we run it every daywalkingeverywhere(ifwe’reluckyenoughtohave that ability) without conscious awareness of the action.
We also learn about relationships, culture and the world around us. If, as a child, you learned (from whatyouwitnessed)thatrelationshipsareunsafe, or that earning lots of money makes you unpopular, for example, you could be subconsciouslypushingthosethingsawaynow.
Consciously, you want them. Subconsciously, you don’t. And, believe it or not, we operate from subconscious programming 95% of the time (like whenwewalkwithoutthinkingaboutit)
Thankfully, it’s possible to change your programming.
Hacking the subconscious with PSYCH-K®
If you’ve tried to change a pattern, or overcome a fear,withoutsuccess,youmayhavebeenworking ontheleveloftheconsciousmind.Youneedtogo deeper.
PSYCH-K® is a process that has been helping people change their beliefs - on the subconscious level,whereitreallycounts-for30years.Sessions are now available, with a qualified practitioner, in Hoylake.
How PSYCH-K® works
It’snotatherapy.Youdon’thavetodelveinto why you believe what you believe, or bring up old trauma. In a PSYCH-K® session you’ll be asked, simply, ‘what is life like now, and how would you like it to be?’ then, via an interactive process (as simple as a chat and a few arm movements that help you communicate with your brain!) you’ll programme new, empowering beliefs. Change can be profound and, in some cases, the impacts can befeltthesameday.
Sessions are £75 for 90 minutes, available in Hoylake or in your home (localareaonly).
Book a free consultation by texting or calling Gill on07764487284
Our local repair café is a truly brilliant resource. If you haven’t used it yet, save the details for when you need them, because you undoubtedly will soonerorlater.
One of an international network of repair cafes, Wirral Repair Cafe sees volunteers try to fix items brought in by members of the public. These are things that would otherwise be thrown away becausethey’vestoppedworkingor,inthecaseof clothing, can no longer be worn. The admirable goal of the project is to reduce landfill waste, encourage people to carry out their own repairs andsavethemmoneyintheprocess.
It’s a short drive from our area, taking place in Birkenheadonceamonth.Thedayoftheweekand the venue are changing around the time we go to print,sofindWirralRepairCaféonlinetogetup-todatedetails ��
In our experience, the 20 minutes spent in the car are worth it, to have talented people repair beloved items that would otherwise have been reluctantlytakentotherecyclingcentre.
All repairs are carried out free-of-charge, and you evengetafreecuppa,thoughdonationstosupport runningcostsaregratefullyreceived.
One item per person, per visit is permitted, includingthingslikegardentoolstobesharpened, clothes in need of mending, wooden items to be fixedandbrokentoys.
Find details on Instagram and Facebook @wirralrepaircafe
