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 some of the region’s top business people and thought leaders to educate and inspire you in the days and weeks to come.
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!
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.
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
“I’m reading a book about anti-gravity.
It’s impossible to put down!”
CORONAVIRUS JOB RETENTION SCHEME UPDATE
The Government has released clarification on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). 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/
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.
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
CELEBRITIES LINE UP FOR STAR-STUDDED (VIRTUAL) BRUM EXTRAVAGANZA
Next Sunday, a host of celebrities and performers will come together to put on Birmingham’s biggest virtual show. Offering an evening of unforgettable entertainment with a star-studded line-up, Brum’s Big Black Tie Bash will feature an evening of show-stopping performances, appearances from some of the city’s leading chefs, and familiar faces a-plenty; all while raising money for the NHS and talented local musicians and performers.
On Sunday 12 April, celebrities including Christopher Biggins, Jaki Graham, Shazia Mirza and Doreen Tipton will be streamed live into people’s living rooms as part of a three-hour show. Hosted by Phil Oldershaw, the digital black-tie bash will bring a little light relief to lockdown, encouraging friends and families to enjoy the streamed spectacular together… albeit whilst in their own homes.
Cook-a-longs with Michelin star chefs Glynn Purnell and Aktar Islam, as well as Great British Menu star Alex Claridge, will serve up the perfect remedy for a fortnight indoors. Teamed with cocktail master classes from some of Brum’s finest mixologists and a communal ‘cork pop’ to kick things off, this is a house party not to be missed.
Find out more here: https://dluxe-magazine.co.uk/birmingham/its-showtime-celebrities-line-up-for-star-studded-virtual-extravaganza/
7 TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE HOME WORKING ENVIRONMENT
I’m sure for most of us the novelty of working in our PJs has already worn off. Time at home juggling work, children, pets and partners can leave us craving for our calm office environment that we used to enjoy and can bring added tension to an already stressful period.
As someone who has worked from home for a number of years, Rachel Irons of Complete Health and Protection shares some of the ways she looks after her mental health whilst working in an isolated environment.
Read them at https://dluxe-magazine.co.uk/business/7-tips-for-a-stress-free-home-working-environment/
SUPPORT LOCAL – A GUIDE TO HOW AND WHO
For those of you looking to vote with your pockets and give your hard-earned to local independents in Leicester, the Independent Leicester website might become your best mate. Leicester is blessed with some of the most unique and inspiring indies and this is a way of helping secure the future of that sector, from the comfort of your armchair.
Click the link for an updated list on who’s still able to offer takeaway and fulfil mail-order in these uncertain times.
SIMKISSGUY RECRUITMENT LAUNCHES NEW DIVISION TO SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19
Birmingham based firm SimkissGuy Recruitment, have expanded their offering with the creation of a new specialist division to provide much needed non-clinical frontline healthcare professionals across the Midlands and help support the nation’s fight against Covid-19.
The new specialist healthcare division has been established after approaches by new potential clients drawn to the Edmund Street based business by their established reputation as recruitment experts. These requests, combined with Co-Founder Richard Guy’s industry expertise having worked “in-house” recruiting within the healthcare sector for 8 years and the firm’s commitment to helping the local community, made creating the division an easy decision.
To find out more visit www.simkissguy.com.
LEICESTERSHIRE LOOKS FOR VOLUNTEERS
Voluntary Action LeicesterShire, Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council have launched an initiative to build an army of volunteers to support people throughout Leicester and Leicestershire. Looking to match help wanted with help needed – both on a local community level and alongside partners to help coordinate the effort – the initiative has already received a staggering response: over 700 applications offering help in a matter of hours with an aim to boost figures further in to the thousands.
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
Photo Credit: Antony and Cleopatra 2017, Photo by Helen Maybanks, RSC
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, DLUXE West Midlands 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 West Midlands:
https://issuu.com/weareoui/docs/dluxe_birmingham_spring_2020_web_edition
DLUXE Leicestershire:
https://issuu.com/weareoui/docs/dluxe_leicestershire_spring_2020_web_version
SIXTY9:
https://issuu.com/weareoui/docs/sixty9_spring_2020_issue_99
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/
WHY BUSINESS HIBERNATION MAKES YOU A SLEEPING TARGET
The devastating impact of the Covid-19 on UK tech start-ups will be massive with Boards urging us to make cutbacks and investors not taking risks, particularly High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI).
The bad news is these early stage businesses have seen a very quick reaction from the market and severe decline of investor interest. Some have even had previously agreed term sheets pulled and investment deals collapse.
However, I am not taking this approach, as to survive we must continue. I believe if we hibernate, we will wake up too slowly and our competitors will overtake us, warns Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE of Evolve-IT Consulting Ltd.
Find out how she’s approaching the challenge of Corona: https://dluxe-magazine.co.uk/business/why-business-hibernation-makes-you-a-sleeping-target/
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 (after all, 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
SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND
OZARK
Season 3 of the ultra-dark Netflix thriller sees Jason Bateman and Laura Linney take their Missouri based money laundering operation up a level with the opening of a floating casino. Named after the isolated, rural waterside region in which it is set, this series sees the whole family get in deeper than the lake upon which their new venture floats. There’s no going back now, not for any of them. It really is sink or swim. If you’re a first-time watcher, it’s worth watching this from the very start. Dark and shocking, this is Jason Bateman as you’ve never seen him before.
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER
The legal thriller about a group of aspiring law students and their talented criminal defence attorney and professor, Annalise Keating (played by Viola Davis) returns for a seventh season. HTGAWM is the perfect lockdown blockbuster to get you through the days ahead. With 15 episodes per season, that’s 105 dark and twisted tales of mystery and murder that are sure to keep you on the edge of your sofa. Literally, this is the best thing on the telly-box right now.
THE BEST KEPT BUSINESS SECRET
Whilst others take their eyes off the prize, some are taking this time to better their business and sharpen their tools for when we do come out the other side. Check out ‘The Best Kept Business Secret’ Podcast: a resource by Marc Ford that’s dedicated to helping you, the business owner, have their best year ever – something we all need a bit of right now. Available on iTunes, Podbean, Mixcloud, Stitcher Radio, Spotify and on the main website at https://marcford.uk/business-podcast-marc-ford/
