So how was everyone’s weekend? Get up to much? Perhaps even weirder than the Monday morning meeting being held on webcam was how much the Fraser Urquhart team had actually done on their weekend under lock down. DIY, Baking, Gardening, Boxset Binging the Tiger King – there was plenty to share as we had our morning coffee and catch up before getting on to work things.
So well done everyone, that’s week one done. On to week two and our second newsletter. We hope you found the last one useful – we’ve had some great feedback and a lot of people have reached out to us since with new content. We’ve tried to offer the same mix; some business advice, some practical help, something different that you might find entertaining and some great ways to relax and help with our mental health. Jon’s terrible jokes are still here too.
Feel free to share the newsletter with others who may enjoy it – by forwarding the email or you can copy and paste a link to it here. If you’ve not subscribed already and would like to then you can do so here.
We’re also going to start a series of online challenges to try and keep a sense of community and camaraderie in these times- follow dluxe Magazine on Facebook to find out more. Once again, if you’ve got a story that you’d like to share, get in touch by email: [email protected] or [email protected] or call us on 07713 740 272
And please do remember, if you’re on a Zoom meeting, even if you think the camera is off, don’t go to the toilet, make sure you wear clothes, in fact, don’t do anything you don’t want your boss to see – or run the risk of becoming a meme! #KindnessNotVirus #FUfighters
TODAY’S OBLIGATORY BAD JOKE…
Have you ever tried to eat a clock?
It’s very time consuming.
GUANGZHOU HOSPITAL GIFTS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO BIRMINGHAM MEDICS
Medics at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou are sending their counterparts at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham full personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to help keep staff safe as they treat patients.
The equipment is now on its way to Birmingham with 2,000 particulate filter respirators, 10,000 surgical masks, 20,000 examination gloves and 500 protective coveralls expected to arrive from China this week.
Professor Sir David Eastwood, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Birmingham, commented: “This generous gift of equipment from First Affiliated Hospital epitomises the spirit of friendship and co-operation within our partnership. I believe that the bonds between our Guangzhou- and Birmingham-based colleagues will help us all work through the challenging times that COVID-19 has thrust upon us.
BRING THE PENS: THIRTY FREE DESIGNS TO COLOUR IN
For those who work or socialise around the city of Leicester, you can’t fail to have noticed the amazing graffiti art that has sprung up over the past two years, as part of Bring The Paint? The giant one outside FU’s office in the Cultural Quarter is particularly inspiring. Well, the team behind Bring The Paint have launched Bring The Pens – a chance for you to do some colouring-in at home with 30 free, super-cool designs created by BTP street artists. Don’t feel you need to have kids to enjoy this, as it’s great stress relief for all.
Download the PDF by heading over to www.graffwerk.org
SHAKE TRAUMA OUT OF YOUR BODY WITH TRE
Do you feel anxious, stressed or overwhelmed? This one’s for you. For years, we’ve been encouraged to talk; to relive past trauma to help us move forward in life. Now we’re not knocking that approach – far from it – but there is another way and it doesn’t involve you re-hashing old and painful memories, which is like opening an old wound.
Instead, it’s something called TRE, which stands for Tension and Trauma Release and is effectively creating muscle tremors to ‘shake away the trauma’. Trapped energy from anxiety, stress and tension – and there’s a lot of it around right now – can cause illness and depression.
You might find it useful to check out Priti Coles TRE – Tension and Trauma Release on Facebook – she’s one of the few qualified TRE providers and healers in the county and comes highly recommended. Ordinarily done in a safe space, Priti offers TRE through 1-2-1 webcam or Zoom sessions.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Jam packed with a million things you will want to do once normality returns, don’t forget that we have the brand-new Spring editions of dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE and SIXTY9 magazine on the electronic news-shelves right now. Think of them as your #LifeStylist, so when we do emerge, like a butterfly from a chrysalis, we’re already one-step-ahead and winning.
DLUXE: https://issuu.com/weareoui/docs/dluxe_leicestershire_spring_2020_web_version
SIXTY9: https://issuu.com/weareoui/docs/sixty9_spring_2020_issue_99
WEST MIDLANDS BASED CHARITY APPEALS FOR URGENTLY NEEDED DONATIONS FOR ITS FOODBANK
West Midlands charity, As Suffa Outreach, is urgently appealing for donations to help restock its foodbank which is currently distributing food parcels to NHS workers and people self-isolating over the age of 65+ during the coronavirus crisis.
The charity has distributed over 450 parcels in the past fortnight, giving out around 60 parcels a day during the last week, but will run out of food in the next 2 to 3 days if stocks are not replenished.
Taz Khan from, Head of Support Services at As-Suffa Outreach, says “The current coronavirus pandemic is making it very difficult for those in need to buy food, and with more people relying on these food packs we would ask communities around the West Midlands for their help.”
The charity is asking for on-line donations in order to buy goods to keep the shelves of their stock cupboard stocked. Items such as UHT milk, tinned foods or dried goods as well as toiletries are also needed and the charity offering to pick up goods from those wishing to donate.
Anyone wanting to make a donation should visit https://www.as-suffa.org/donate/food-bank/
STRUGGLING TO KEEP MOTIVATED? FREE 20-MIN POWER-UP COACHING
Asha Ghosh is offering FREE 20-minute coaching session for anyone struggling with homeworking situations.; whether it is getting motivated and productive or grounded and calm, the FREE online sessions are designed to help improve focus and wellbeing in times of uncertainty. Use the sessions to prioritise you.
https://www.thehonestcoach.co.uk/20-min-power-coaching-session
BRUSH UP ON YOUR SHAKESPEARE: WATCH RSC SHOWS FROM HOME
Theatres may be closed, but you can watch lots of fantastic RSC shows for free with Marquee TV.
Arts lovers can now sign up for a 30-day free trial on Marquee TV, the performing arts streaming service with a catalogue of more than 400 dance, opera and theatre productions from the RSC and more. RSC Patrons and Members can access the trial for three months – check your email!
As well as 17 RSC productions there are also weekly Saturday premieres planned for shows that have not yet aired on the platform. The RSC productions currently available are: Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Cymbeline, Hamlet, Henry IV Part 1 & Part 2, Henry V, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Love’s Labour’s Won (Much Ado About Nothing), The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Richard II, The Tempest, Titus Andronicus, The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Visit https://www.marquee.tv/viewplans to register
GOING STIR CRAZY? GET GARDENING!
You’re not alone if you haven’t yet realised that somehow, against the odds, we’ve made it through that drab, drizzling expanse of Netflix binges and shivering Sundays that we call the British winter. As the realisation that most of us are destined to be spending far more time at home dawns on us, our outdoor spaces are becoming utterly vital so it’s time to step outside and make that little patch of green your own writes gardening expert Peter Flood.
Read more at https://dluxe-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/your-essential-spring-guide-to-making-the-most-of-your-outdoor-space/
FAT LOSS EXERCISES WITH SAM ROBERTS OF LEGACY
Whoever thought that you’d miss the gym, but we are climbing the walls now that we’re on lockdown. Fear not, your daily exercise fix is right here courtesy of Sam Roberts of Legacy Training. Over the years, Sam has been our go-to for exercise hints, tips and motivation; he’s even been our personal trainer, so we can vouch that he’s not only a hard task master, but really, REALLY knows his stuff. Every day, Sam creates new video content that explores exercises to help with fat loss (afterall, who’s not hitting the wine and the chocolate right now?) – all designed to be done from your front room with minimal gym equipment etc. If you do only one thing today, do this.
Check out the daily workouts on Instagram @legacy_isolation_workouts
