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Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

In May 1989, Mary Lee founded a small company dedicated to providing a personal and person-centred care service in Alcester, enabling its customers to remain in the comfort of their own home while still receiving the support that they needed.

Since then, Helping Hands has opened 97 branches across the UK alongside a dedicated Support Centre in the small Warwickshire town it was founded. With an exceptional level of carer training and a team of dedicated clinical nurses and dementia specialists, Helping Hands is the only homecare provider that has been endorsed as a Centre of Excellence by Skills for Care, as well as being fully licensed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Whether you need a 30-minute drop-in to help you prepare your meal, or more complex and intensive support that involves overnight or live-in care, the Helping Hands team will provide you with a dedicated support plan that is tailored to you and your individual needs.

Regardless of your requirements, the carers at Helping Hands are fully trained and experienced in supporting a range of conditions including cerebral palsy, ADHD and neurological conditions such as MS and motor neurone disease. Helping Hands is also one of the UK’s leading dementia care specialists, offering extensive knowledge in dementia care and fully-trained carers to support you and your loved ones while enabling you to remain comfortable in the familiarities of your own home.
Since it was founded 30 years ago, Helping Hands remains a family-run business that is now managed by Mary’s sons, Tim and Ben. When asked about the progress of Helping Hands in the industry, Mary said: “I started Helping Hands as I believed there was a gap in care for the community that social services could not provide. I had no idea we would grow to such a large caring family.”

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

What is Ultra Femme 360?
Ultra Femme 360 is one of the latest innovations that is proving to be a huge hit with women and the aesthetics industry as a whole. The treatment provides a safe alternative to labiaplasty and vaginoplasty that doesn’t involve any of the common risks associated with surgery and anaesthesia. Using radiofrequency technology, Ultra Femme 360 simulates the growth of new collagen in and around the vagina, restoring and tightening the area. The painless Ultra Femme 360 treatment is changing the lives of women. Katie Alex, dubbed the ‘Cheshire Fairy Godmother’, is one of the small number of Ultra Femme 360 practitioners in the UK, and the exciting technology has received a lot of attention from the press and media, including an appearance on the popular ITV programme This Morning.

Who is Suitable for Ultra Femme 360?
Ultra Femme 360 is suitable for a wide variety of women. The procedure is perfect for those who feel they may have lost tone due to aging or as a result of childbirth, and can also be useful for women who have lost sensitivity in the vaginal area. Additionally, the innovative treatment may also be used by women who may have lost strength in the vaginal muscles or experienced weakened, stretched or torn muscles and tissues in and around the vagina, conditions which often lead to the development of stress incontinence, something Ultra Femme 360 effectively treats.
Ultra Femme 360 has been changing the lives of women, especially for those who may be unable to improve tone or sensitivity with pelvic floor exercises alone. The Ultra Femme 360 is a safe, painless treatment that will restore vaginal tightness and treat incontinence, while improving women’s sexual wellbeing and confidence.

Ultra Femme 360 Can Treat Several Conditions
Several conditions can be effectively treated with the Ultra Femme 360 procedure. The benefits experienced after treatment include:
• Improved self confidence.
• Reduction in stress incontinence.
• Increase in blood flow to the clitoris.
• Improved sexual gratification for women and their partners.
• Satisfying visual appearance of the labia.

These improvements are all achieved as Ultra Femme 360 effectively tightens the following areas:
• Vaginal walls.
• Perineum.
• Introitus (vaginal opening).
• Labia minora (inner labia) which shrink as a result of the treatment.
• Labia majora (outer labia) is plumped.

What Does Ultra Femme 360 Involve?
With Ultra Femme 360, the vagina is rejuvenated without the need for surgery or painful procedures. Ultra Femme 360 remodels the vagina internally and externally without any down time or recovery time. The vagina canal procedure involves the insertion of a disposable tip that transmits radio frequencies to the area, which enhances collagen production and improves blood flow. Before treatment, a gel is applied to provide lubrication, and during treatment, a gentle warmth is often experienced by women. The radio frequencies are also moved across external treatment areas.

The procedure usually lasts for approximately 30 minutes. It is possible to arrange different appointments for the internal and external treatments, but most women choose to have both at the same time. A course of 3 treatments is recommended but most women will begin to see improvements after the first appointment. Daily activities can be returned to immediately after the procedure. However, you are advised not to have sexual intercourse for 1 week after the Ultra Femme 360 treatment.

Why Choose Katie Alex?
Katie Alex is a fully-qualified Aesthetic Nurse, and has over 10 years of experience in medicine. Her extensive training and experience means she possesses an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and is a specialist in Ultra Femme 360 treatments, so you can be assured that your treatments are as safe, comfortable and effective as possible. Katie understands how to tailor your aesthetic treatments perfectly to you, and the personal service offered at her private Altrincham clinic is second to none. Katie is an advocate for women’s health and the happiness and comfort of all her patients. A market leader in intimate tightening treatments, her passion is creating lasting results that truly make a difference to her patients lives.

So if you live in Hale, Cheshire or the surrounding area and want to find out more about vaginal tightening treatment in Hale, Cheshire or the surrounding area, or to book your free consultation with Katie Alex, call the clinic on 0161 989 1211.

Lancashire News, Lancs What's On

GARDENING enthusiasts keen to see some of the country’s top floral exhibitors and trade stands are being urged to get their tickets for this year’s Chorley Flower Show in advance at chorleyflowershow.com​
People can save up to 20 per cent on the ticket prices by buying in advance for the Chorley Council-run show, which this year is being sponsored by Book in Style – an independent travel agent based in the North West, with shops across the region.

The spectacular Chorley Flower Show, which scooped a prestigious Lancashire Tourism Award for ‘Tourism Event of the Year, will return to Astley Park for the fifth year on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July.
Rebecca Huddleston, Chorley Council’s Director of Policy and Governance, said: “Chorley Flower Show continues to grow in popularity year on year and we would encourage people to get their tickets as soon as possible to make sure they don’t miss out on the advance rate, which offers up to 20 per cent off.

“After four successful years behind us, which included winning event of the year at the Lancashire Tourism Awards, the show is now firmly on the horticultural map with people travelling from far and wide to see the top-quality exhibitors in the unique setting of Astley Park.
“The support for the show has been phenomenal both locally and regionally and this year we’re delighted to welcome Book In Style as our main sponsor.”

Highlights of this year’s two-day show include:
• Displays from the country’s top exhibitors with many gold-medal winners from the top RHS shows,
• Gardening celebrities and experts sharing their knowledge and experience in the gardening theatre
• Trade stands offering the best in gardening products and furniture
• A spectacular 110m amateur marquee creating a blaze of colour
• The show hosts regional competitions for the North West Sweet Pea Society and the Rose Society UK
• A chance to see the historic Astley Hall decked out in floral displays
• Plenty of family entertainment, including live music from local artists and a chance to walk on our floating bridge
• Delicious food vendors selling local produce, afternoon teas, picnic food and more.

“If you enjoy gardening or like plants and flowers then it is definitely worth attending if you’ve not been before,” said Ms Huddleston. “We have lots of the elements of the big RHS shows but the tickets are more affordable, and we offer free parking too, which we know is really important to visitors.
“There is a real friendly atmosphere and we pride ourselves on giving people a fantastic day out.”

Andrew McKenna, General Manager at Book In Style, added: “Book in Style is really excited to be supporting the 2019 Chorley Flower Show. As a local, independent travel business we always look to support local events and we’re delighted that our team will be there on both days with our flower-themed stand to meet visitors and talk about holidays, travel and gardening.”

More information and tickets are available at chorleyflowershow.com with advance tickets from £10 for adults and £1.50 for children plus booking fee.

Nottingham News, Notts Health & Care

A team of 20 women and men from the Sawley Slimming World group have pledged to put their best steps forward in the Treetops Hospice Care sponsored Starlight Strut on Friday 17 May.

This will be the second year running the ‘Sawley Slimmer’s’ have taken part in the sponsored 5k and 10k walk which starts and ends at intu Derby. To celebrate its tenth year, the Starlight Strut will have a carnival-theme and is open to men, women and children to take part, Treetops, based in Risley, Derbyshire provides nursing care and emotional support for adults and their families in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Jo Thompson, the group’s consultant, said:

“For us, the walk is a way of doing something good as well as bonding the group and promoting being healthier – something we actively promote as part of the Slimming World message. We’ve all started to build up our walking and most of us are aiming to complete the 10k route. “There’s always such a good atmosphere on the night and it’s really well organised. You can often end up walking with people that you don’t know and everyone is always friendly.

Amongst the Sawley Slimmer’s team is Emma Tyler, 39yrs from Long Eaton who took part in the Starlight strut for the first time last year. Both Emma’s parents received support from Treetops as she explained:
“I’ve always been proud of supporting Treetops – it’s a place that’s special to us. My dad had MS and he went there for respite for quite a long time. He really enjoyed going and it also gave my mum some time as well which was nice.

“My mum went to the carers’ meetings and after my dad died, she started volunteering on the hospice reception hospice. “It’s nice to be able to do something to say thank you for supporting our family and taking such good care of them.” Lorraine Ray, events fundraising lead at Treetops said: “It’s great that the team are keen to get involved again and raise money for the charity. We always get fantastic feedback about how much fun the Starlight Strut is from everyone who takes part, from the walkers themselves and from all the volunteer marshals.

“We’re aiming to encourage over 600 men, women and children to sign up this year and help us raise valuable funds so we can continue to support local people and their families.” Those interested in signing up for the Starlight Strut can register online at www.starlightstrut.com.

Treetops current services include Support and Information, Wellbeing Space, Hospice at Home nurses and Therapeutic Services including counselling, art therapy and complementary therapy.

Nottingham News, Notts Health & Care

Evidence suggests there are five steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing. If you give them a try, you may feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life.

What is mental wellbeing?
Sarah Stewart-Brown, professor of public health at the University of Warwick and a wellbeing expert, says: “Feeling happy is a part of mental wellbeing. But it’s far from the whole.
“Feelings of contentment, enjoyment, confidence and engagement with the world are all a part of mental wellbeing. Self-esteem and self-confidence are, too.

“So is a feeling that you can do the things you want to do. And so are good relationships, which bring joy to you and those around you.
“Of course, good mental wellbeing does not mean that you never experience feelings or situations that you find difficult,” says Professor Stewart-Brown. “But it does mean that you feel you have the resilience to cope when times are tougher than usual.”

It can help to think about “being well” as something you do, rather than something you are. The more you put in, the more you are likely to get out.
“No-one can give wellbeing to you. It’s you who has to take action,” says Professor Stewart-Brown.

Five steps to mental wellbeing
Below are five things that, according to research, can really help to boost our mental wellbeing:
• Connect – connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships. Learn more in Connect for mental wellbeing.
• Be active – you don’t have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life. Learn more in Get active for mental wellbeing.
• Keep learning – learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike? Find out more in Learn for mental wellbeing.
• Give to others – even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks. Learn more in Give for mental wellbeing.
• Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Learn more in Mindfulness for mental wellbeing.

Lancashire News

AN INITIATIVE, which has seen over a thousand Chorley residents get online and hundreds of local children develop digital skills, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award in the seventh annual Digital Leaders 100 list. Chorley Council has been nominated for a digital skills or inclusion initiative award for it’s Get Online campaign, which has seen 1139 Chorley residents attend sessions in the last 12 months. Residents have received support to show them the benefits of being online and have learned and developed digital skills to support them in everyday life at home or at work. The aim is that everyone in the borough should be able to get online, do more online and benefit from being online. Voting for the awards, which highlights the latest champions of digital transformation across the UK, is now open online at digileaders100.com and local people are encouraged to vote.

Rebecca Huddleston, Chorley Council’s Director of Policy and Governance, said: “Together with partners and local businesses, we are doing a lot of work to improve digital access, skills and training for Chorley residents, so it is fantastic that this work has been recognised.

“Our Get Online initiative has already produced many success stories with unemployed residents getting into work after completing digital inclusion courses that have allowed them to add skills to their CV. “Elderly and vulnerable resident’s health and wellbeing has improved as they have developed new skills to be able to access health services and public services online. Work with partners AgeUK has been very successful and has seen a click and chat group set up where residents meet regular to discuss all things digital and share tips about being online.


“Furthermore, our recent Chorley Hack event saw hundreds of young people developing digital skills that will help them in the future and encouraged them to work with local digital businesses. “Digital is fundamental to the future and Chorley Council is committed to improving the local digital infrastructure and transforming local services.”
Free training courses take place every month across the Chorley borough, covering everything from getting started with your tablet, save money online as well as courses to receive qualifications for residents looking to add new skills to their CV.

The popular Code Club sessions for young people also take place at community centres, schools and Inspire Chorley Youth Zone.
Chorley Council is working with a number of partners to get more residents online and deliver digital courses, including Lancashire Adult Learning, Preston College, Jobskilla, Lancashire Police, AgeUK, Lancashire Libraries, DXC Technology, ROQ, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership and Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub.

To find out more about getting online in Chorley, visit chorley.gov.uk/digitalaccess​

Nottingham News, Notts Leisure

Rutland County Museum is getting ready to celebrate five decades as one of the County’s favourite visitor attractions. The Museum, in Oakham, tells the story of Rutland’s history, archaeology and geology, and was officially opened by the Duchess of Gloucester on 12 May 1969. This followed ten years of passionate campaigning and fundraising by local charity Friends of Rutland County Museum to establish a dedicated heritage centre for Rutland.

To celebrate its 50-year anniversary, Rutland County Museum is holding a series of special events, displays and exhibitions – starting with a ‘Get Creative’ Family Day on Saturday 11 May and leading up to the unveiling of a newly aquired historical artefact, which will go on public display for the first time in October. October also marks the 60th anniversary of Friends of Rutland County Museum, who continue to support the Museum by raising funds for the purchase of new exhibits. The Friends intend to hold their own anniversary celebrations at the Museum in October.
“Our members are all incredibly proud of the role that the Friends have played in helping to establish and support a county museum for Rutland. Having initially campaigned for ten years to have the Museum opened, it is hugely rewarding to reach such a significant milestone. Fifty years is a tremendous achievement and shows just how popular the Museum has become among visitors and all of us who live in Rutland.”
Sir Laurence Howard KCVO OBE, President of Friends of Rutland County Museum

Rutland County Council are custodians of Rutland County Museum and maintain and run the building as one of their cultural services.
“It’s fantastic that we’re celebrating 50 years of Rutland County Museum. The Museum isn’t just an historic building; it’s part of the local community and an important link to the past. We’re starting the anniversary celebrations with a ‘Get Creative’ Day because the Museum is a family attraction that’s enjoyed by visitors of all ages. It’s not just somewhere to learn, it’s also a place to have fun and we hope lots of you will come along to join in the celebrations.”

Rob Harbour, Deputy Director for Places at Rutland County Council
Rutland County Museum’s 50th anniversary Family Day takes place on Saturday 11 May 2019 and will be supporting the national Get Creative Festival, with free arts and crafts activities for children aged four and older.
As part of its 50-year celebrations, the Museum will also be using social media to count down a list of 50 historical artefacts that span the centuries. The countdown will highlight many of the hidden treasures which make up the Museum’s archive of more than 12,000 objects. Follow Rutland County Museum on Twitter and Facebook to find out more.

Rutland County Museum is one of the most popular free attractions in the East Midlands and welcomed more than 18,000 visitors last year.
The Museum is open from 10am until 4pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

For more information about upcoming events and activities as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, visit the Rutland County Museum website https://rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk, email: museum@rutland.gov.uk or call: 01572 758440.

Lancashire News

Blackburn superstar and superbike icon, Carl Fogarty, is being honoured with a road named after him in his home town. The champion world superbike racer has said he is ‘thrilled’ at the tribute, and plans to open the road with his famous CCM Foggy Edition Spitfire in June. Carl Fogarty Way will run between Gorse Street and the Red Lion Roundabout, past Burnley Road near the Tesco store.

The 600m stretch of road will link up the Bottomgate and Copy Nook route into Blackburn town centre with the Red Lion Roundabout at Whitebirk/Junction 6 of the M65, bypassing Burnley Road to ease traffic.
The ceremony will take place this summer, with exciting details to be revealed nearer the time.

Carl said: I’m really thrilled and quite honoured to have a road named after me in my home town. I had a sneak peek at the road and I was pleased that it’s a pretty major link road. It’s also appropriate that it comes off the Red Lion roundabout, as the lion is the King of the Jungle!”

Carl won a total of seven world championships and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1998 New Year Honours. In 2014 he also won the hearts and minds of the British television viewing public when he became the King of the Jungle on ITV’s ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ show.

Lancashire News

Inclusion was the subject of the day when governors from schools across Blackburn with Darwen joined together for their annual conference.
Held at Blackburn Central High School, around 90 governors from across the borough joined Local Authority officers and speakers to discuss inclusion in all its forms. Speakers included Director of Children’s Services at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Jayne Ivory, Assistant Director of the Council for Disabled Children, Philippa Stobbs, and Head Teacher of Blackburn Central High School, Diane Atkinson.

Ms Stobbs has spent the last 30 years playing an integral role in crafting, challenging and championing education policy through her various roles both in the public and voluntary sector. She outlined the importance of governors setting the ethos of the school and the importance of a whole school approach to inclusion. She was followed by Diane Atkinson who gave a passionate account of her school, her principles and the values that drive her personally as a head teacher to support all children to be their very best. Throughout the morning governors were asked to think about how inclusive their school is and how they would know?

Speaking after the event, Director for Children’s Services, Jayne Ivory said: “We know that our schools always strive for the best possible outcomes for all learners and that inclusive practice is so important. “It was helpful to hear the national perspective and also how inclusion plays out at a local level.”

Nottingham News, Notts What's On

LOVE, SEX, ART AND TRAVEL are just some of the themes covered in a new exhibition, ‘Discover A Life Without Limits’, about to be launched at Eastwood’s D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum. Looking at the life of one of Nottinghamshire’s most famous rebel writers, D.H. Lawrence, prepare to be surprised and inspired by a life that was anything but ordinary. Museum and Collections Officer, Carolyn Melbourne describes the exhibition as “exploring the many different ways that Lawrence defied expectations, broke boundaries and challenged conventions.” Choosing from topics including sex, travel, religion and his social circles, visitors are invited to explore Lawrence’s extraordinary life and to vote on what they would like to find out more about. The outcome of the voting will help influence upcoming exhibitions.

‘Discover a Life Without Limits’ will run from 12th April until 26th July 2019. The exhibition is free to visit during the museum’s opening hours with a public launch event taking place on the 12th April from 4pm till 7pm.
Also new for 2019, are a series of special events and a family friendly programme, with parents and tots storytelling sessions and ‘Gin & Gaslight’ evening tours. So whether you’ve read any of Lawrence’s works or not, the birthplace of one of the country’s most controversial authors has something to interest everyone. As well as guided tours of the museum, visitors can now choose self-guided admission (the self-guided option is FREE for all Broxtowe residents).

To claim your free self-guided tour of the Museum, please bring proof of address and experience the humble beginnings of a literary legend. Self-guided tours are available Tuesday – Saturday, 12.00pm – 4.00pm; no booking is required. The D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00am-4.00pm, in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, NG16 3AW.

For more information, or to book onto guided tours, call the Museum on 0115 917 3824 or visit the Museum Website https://www.lleisure.co.uk/d-h-lawrence-birthplace-museum/