FU LOVES BIRMINGHAM!

Wow, how did we get here? The Fraser Urquhart Team have been home based for a few weeks now and we hope you’re all coping well with self-isolation; together we will get through this. It’s for this reason, and for the fact that we’re such Chatty Cathys, that we have created this new newsletter.

We’ve pulled it together so that we can all keep talking, helping and advising each other through the minefield we now call everyday living. Content has been supplied from key local businesses people, all experts within their fields and it’s been designed to be useful for your business, your family and your own health and mental health.

You may have noticed our new hashtag #FUfighters. It sums up our approach to all the craziness right now: we’re determined to fight for your business and ours. The only way to do this is to keep talking; in this instance silence is not golden!

We’re planning on sending out the update twice weekly –we hope you find it useful.

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


TODAY’S OBLIGATORY BAD JOKE…

Why did Adele cross the road? 
To say hello from the other side.


BREAKING NEWS CORONAVIRUS JOB RETENTION SCHEME UPDATE 

The Government has released clarification on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) announced last Friday. The CJRS is a temporary scheme open to all UK employers for at least three months starting from 1 March 2020. The scheme is now expected to be up and running by 30th April 2020 which is a slight delay to the original guided date of 01st April 2020, advises Toni Robinson of NucleusHR.

They have collated the following questions that will be on all employers minds over the coming weeks to help you navigate furloughing employees.

Read the full guide at: http://www.nucleushr.com/breaking-news-covid-19-chaos-continues-as-government-releases-late-night-update-on-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/


WHAT’S YOUR FLAVA LIVE COOKING LESSONS FROM THE SPICE GUY

Sandie Vara has been a friend of FU for nearly twenty years.  He’s not only one of the nicest men around – unusual for chefs hehe – but hugely talented in the kitchen and passionate about spices and making food taste beautiful.  We’ll vouch for that.  Join him live every evening as he cooks up a storm from his kitchen, providing hints and tips on how to cook confidently and how everyday provisions can make the perfect meal.

You can find him on Facebook as The Spice Guy and his cookery demos happen as The Spice Club. 


FREE ONLINE TRAINING OFFER

 

GB Training’s Managing Director Lawrence Barton is offering all those unemployed FREE access to an array of  FREE online courses in different subject areas. Once we emerge on the other side of this national crisis, Lawrence is also offering to arrange interviews and provide full access to a range of full time jobs.

If you are unemployed, or know of someone who might benefit from this, please send your details to [email protected]

 

 

 


THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME

At a time of lock-down, the Coventry BID team is looking at ways in which it can continue to bring some joy and entertainment to Coventrians, whilst being mindful of the current restrictions.  They’re proud to announce:

This Saturday evening (28th March) at 6pm, the team is working in partnership with Coventry performers, Highly Sprung, whose breath-taking Home project will be streamed digitally via the Coventry City Centre Facebook page.

The spectacular aerial performance first came to the city in September 2019, so it’s a perfect opportunity to either experience it for the first time or watch it all over again from the comfort of your sofa.

To find out more about Coventry BID visit www.coventrycitycentre.co.uk


USE ZOOM TO ZUMBA AND DANCE YOUR CARES AWAY

Just because we’re all on lock-down and gyms are a thing of the past, doesn’t mean we should stop exercising. If you’re missing your Zumba fix or just looking for a way to release those exercise endorphyns, Zumba instructor Laura Ross is providing online Zumba classes via  Zoom, so you can still see your teacher and friends, but in a way that’s safe right now.  All you need is a mobile device (iPad, tablet or phone) or laptop, a decent broadband connection and some space.  It’s open to anyone over 14 years but Laura is planning some family Zumba soon – watch this space.

To get involved, simply join Laura’s group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ZumbawithLaura111/   Each session costs £4, payable by PayPal or bank transfer


EMERGENCY FUND LAUNCHED IN ORDER TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS 

After launching an urgent appeal last week, Heart of England Community Foundation has received almost £80,000 to support local communities across the region during these unprecedented times. The charity has now opened its Coronavirus Resilience Fund, which local community groups and projects can apply for, in order to help ease financial concerns during the current pandemic.

It will be available to constituted groups providing services such as food banks, social eating projects, emergency food parcel deliveries, and those engaging in outreach activities; all vital for various constituencies within the West Midlands.

To apply to the fund, please visit: https://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/coronavirus-resilience-fund/

For more information and how to contribute to the fund, please visit: http://virginmoneygiving.com/fund/crf, or alternatively call 0247 688 4434 or email [email protected].


FREE KIDS AUDIO BOOKS FOR THIRTY DAYS FROM DAVID WALLIAMS

Comedian and children’s author David Walliams is helping to keep kids occupied at home by releasing a free audio book every day for the next 30 days.

Each story will be released at 11am and are taken from his book series The World’s Worst Children which focuses on the extraordinary exploits of some particularly dastardly kids.

The first story is already available for download;  ‘The Terrible Triplets’ can be found at https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/


THE PANDEMIC OF FEAR:  SARAH HIGGINS OFFERS LEADERSHIP TIPS TO OVERCOME IT

Even the most mentally-robust of us can have wobbles in times of huge, fundamental uncertainty – and that’s ok.  Here, the hugely talented Sarah Higgins, Director at Sarah Higgins Corporate Coaching, offers us expert guidance and 4 invaluable leadership tips as to how to overcome fear and not be a victim to it.

Read her thought-provoking article at http://www.corporatecoaching-sh.co.uk/we-have-2-pandemics-one-of-them-is-fear/

 


WHICH NETFLIX SHOWS LEAD TO THE MOST CHILLS?

So we’re all box set binging at the moment but what are the shows streaming that are most likely to get the bedroom steaming?

With a baby boom predicted in the next nine months onlinecasinos.co.uk have analysed Netflix data to see which shows are most likely to lead to the most chill!

Based on weighted metrics of IMDB rating, IMDB sexual guidance rating, runtime and age rating, Shameless US takes the top spot as the show most likely to get you lucky. With multiple sex scenes and seductive characters its no wonder the US remake of the English sitcom gets hearts racing and blood rushing. Other shows sure to succeed include Orange is the New Black, Sense8 (that hot tub scene, Oh My!) the hilarious Sex Education and The BodyGuard. We’ll stick with Schitt’s Creek.


FREE DAB RADIOS FOR OVER 70S AS BBC LOCAL RADIO AIMS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

BBC Local Radio is teaming up with manufacturers, retailers and a loneliness charity to offer free DAB radios to the most vulnerable people aged over 70. Radio is a vital source of news, information and companionship in these unprecedented times and BBC Local Radio wants to ensure as many people as possible have access to it.

So, it will be giving away DAB digital radios to people nominated by Local Radio listeners. It’s part of the BBC’s Make A Difference campaign, which was launched in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. It is running across all 39 BBC Local Radio stations in England and is aimed at connecting communities.

The BBC’s partners in the initiative have set a set aside thousands of DAB radios, donated by Argos, Curry’s PC World, John Lewis & Partners, Pure and Roberts Radio, to be given away for free to vulnerable people aged over 70.

From Monday March 30, anyone can nominate someone for a free radio by completing an online application form at www.wavelength/radiohero


HAVE A KITCHEN DISCO WITH SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR TONIGHT!

Get your gladrags on and get ready to get down and groove as Sophie Ellis Bextor hosts a Live Kitchen Disco at 6.30pm on Intagram Live. The Murder on the Dancefloor singer promises to pop on something sequined and sing some disco classics alongside some of her own hits. Let’s party together – at a distance – and remember that music and dancing will forever be one of the best tonics


A LITTLE BIT OF INSPIRATIOn

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
– Nelson Mandela

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