”I’m not ok.” Just three little words. But these three little words are perhaps the bravest that any of us can utter. In the last few weeks, I have heard too, too many stories about people who haven’t been able to say those words or who have said them too late and have gone without help. Because, believe me, if you say those words, people will help. There is nothing that cannot be sorted out. Everything can be resolved, and things always get easier. Life will get easier.
Throughout the last few months social media has been the saving grace for many but it has also made many feel isolated or that they’re not good enough. Please remember, you are good enough. We’re all struggling at the moment, one way or another; some of us are simply better at hiding it than others. Please don’t struggle alone, keep talking as others will always listen.
Take care of yourself and each other,
Jon, Kevin and the #FUFighters
Leicester Samaritans call 116 123 free from any phone.
24 HOURS TO GO!
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OBLIGATORY BAD JOKE
What did the frog do when his car broke down?
Got it Toad.
HARVEY NICHOLS TO REOPEN THIS FRIDAY
The jewel in Birmingham’s retail crown, luxury lifestyle store, Harvey Nichols, is set to reopen this Friday at The Mailbox. Manju Malhotra, COO, commented “We’ll be focusing on what we do best, which is providing a high level of personal service and an exceptional shopping experience, within a safe and comfortable environment.” Read the full statement and find out opening details here.
HOT OFF THE PRESS: FIRST GLIMPSE OF COVENTRY CITY OF CULTURE 2021 PROGRAMME
Coventry City of Culture Trust have announced the first events that will form part of the 365-day programme of UK City of Culture 2021, which kicks off in May 2021. The programme is rooted in the rich history of the city and features some major events never seen before in the midlands, including welcoming The Turner Prize! This will change Coventry forever. See the full programme here.
BIRMINGHAM AND LEICESTER IN TOP 3 SPOOKIEST PLACE TO LIVE
Tis the season to be spooky! Even though most of 2020 has been reminiscent of a horror film, a new survey has found Leicester and Birmingham to be in the top 3 spooky cities to live in based upon the number of cemeteries, paranormal sightings, abandoned homes, spooky roads, safety at night, level of crime and annual sunshine- I mean, how else would you work out something like that?
The survey from the experts at OnlineMortgageAdvisor.co.uk found that Birmingham had the most number of paranormal sightings with Leicester coming a close second. Birmingham also topped the list with the greatest number of cemeteries with Leicester being the place where your home is most likely to be invaded by spiders! Yikes!
FREE MENTAL HEALTH WEBINARS THIS OCTOBER
We all need to take care of our mental health, more now than ever, and online therapy platform Healingclouds is making mental health support accessible to everyone with a series of free webinars this month – find out how to register here.
CADBURY WORLD’S DELECTABLE AFTERNOON TEA IS BACK!
There’s no greater treat than an afternoon tea and Cadbury World is bringing theirs back! Find out what chocolatey treats are in store here.
ESCAPE HUNT TURNS ESCAPE HAUNT THIS HARROWING HALLOWEEN
Wanting to indulge in some spooky shenanigans? Us too. So, why not try one of the haunting Halloween experiences from Escape Hunt, guaranteed to get you in the Halloween spirit? Get all the spooky info here.
THE CASE REOPENS WITH HALF TERM OFFERS
Leicester’s iconic The Case has reopened with some half term offers for young diners. Those dining at the city centre restaurant will receive a complimentary Mocktail for children up to the 20th November with a two-course set menu for just £7 for juniors and £8.50 for adults. The offer is valid Tuesday to Saturday 12-14.30 for lunch and Tuesday to Friday 17.00-18.30. Visit www.thecase.co.uk to explore the menus and to make your booking.
CRAFT FESTIVAL GOES ONLINE TO SHOWCASE NEW MAKERS
The Digital Craft Festival returns November 27-29th 2020, with more exhibitors, a wealth of product launches, inspirational exhibits, workshops and demonstrations for everyone to enjoy. Find out how to get involved here.
KEMP’S SANTA FUN RUN GOES VIRTUAL IN SUPPORT OF PATIENT CARE
Kemp’s annual Santa Fun Run is going online this year, ensuring the safety of everyone, whilst still participating in some festive fun. We have all the info on how to get involved, have fun and raise money here.
BELGRADE THEATRE PANTO GOES ONLINE? OH NO, IT DOESN’T, OH YES IT DOES!
Traditional panto performances may have been postponed until 2021, but fear not, as Christmas is far from cancelled at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, as they prepare to host their first online pantomime. Here’s all the info.
RAGDALE HALL REOPENS WITH NEW TWLIGHT BAR
The award-winning Ragdale Hall is back open and has unveiled a sumptuous new 1920’s-inspired cocktail bar and lounge that’s sure to be a hit with visitors to the world-class spa. We returned this week to sample the bar, as part of a Twilight Taster experience, and to see how the Ragdale spa experience has adapted to the current conditions. Read how we got on here.
SEARCH FOR THE BEST MIDLANDS FOOD RETAILER
The organisers of the annual Farm Shop & Deli Awards are looking for customers to nominate farm shops and specialist food retailers in the Midlands’ region for the title of ‘Best Midlands Food Retailer’- find out how to nominate your favourite foodie here.
THE TOP TEN MOST DESTRUCTIVE PETS REVEALED
There’s no denying that a pet makes a house a home, but, as sweet as they are, they can also wreak absolute havoc on your home – find out the UK’s peskiest pet here.
BIRMINGHAM REP CREATE NEW SHORT FILM WITH BIRMINGHAM CHANGING FUTURES TOGETHER
Birmingham Repertory Theatre has created a new, short film to demonstrate the work done to assist individuals experiencing traumas of homelessness, addiction, offending and mental health in the city. Find out how you can learn from it here.
NEW WEST MIDLANDS POLITICS PODCAST ON BBC SOUNDS
Get the hot take on all things political in the West Midlands with the new podcast on BBC Sounds, presented by BBC Midlands politics presenter, Elisabeth Glinka here.
ARTIST PUMPKIN HUNT STARTS IN CITY
This Sunday, local Leicester artist Libby Martina will hide a series of hand painted pumpkins around her local area, and she is inviting other artists and residents to join her – creating a half-term ‘painted pumpkin hunt’ across the city- find out how to get involved here.
SOLIHULL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
A training provider helping young people develop key skills to fulfil their career ambitions has been announced as Solihull’s Business of the Year for 2021 at the virtual Solihull Chamber annual awards extravaganza – find out all the winners’ details from the night here.
MONSTERS TO INVADE CITY CENTRE FOR HALF TERM
Eight massive, mischievous monsters will be descending on Coventry and taking over rooftops in the city centre this half term, as part of a public art trail to mark the Halloween period and encourage residents to rediscover their Coventry. Find out where you can see them here.
CARE HOME HELPS RESIDENT TAKE FIRST STEPS SINCE FEBRUARY
With so much negative coverage of care homes lately, it’s lovely to hear that staff at Mountview care home in Leicester have been celebrating the special achievements of 84 year old resident, Barbara Wood, who has taken her first solo steps since having a stroke earlier this year. Well done Barbara!
JOIN THE NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE FOR A LIVE Q&A WITH TIM PEAKE
UK ESA Astronaut Tim Peake will be taking part in an online live Q&A at 14:30 on Friday 23 October at the National Space Centre and you can ask him questions here!
AUTHENTIC VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD COMES TO BULLRING BIRMINGHAM
Fancy something tasty to tantalise your tastebuds? A new Vietnamese Street Kitchen style restaurant is set to open in Birmingham next month- find out where here
GET SQUEAKY CLEAN SNEAKERS WITH SELFRIDGES BIRMINGHAM
As part of Selfridges new sustainability initiative, Project Earth, the iconic store is introducing a new permanent shoe cleaning service in-store designed to help us save our trainers, rather than shelve them. Find out how they can make your trainers tip top, here.
SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU PARTNERS INGENUITY 2020 FOR FIFTH YEAR RUNNING
Law firm Shakespeare Martineau will be providing legal, business development, and investment information, as well as business coaching, to help a new generation of business start-ups, as part of this year’s Ingenuity Programme- find out what’s involved here.
LEICESTER NUFFIELD HOSPITAL CELEBRATES 50th YEAR
Leicester’s Nuffield Hospital is celebrating its 50th year with a series of staff events and activities. Find out how it got started here.
BELLFOUNDRY RECEIVED LIFELINE GRANT
The Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust is another heritage organisation in the county to have benefitted from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund with a grant of £246,500. The amount received will be used to introduce Covid safety measures to the Bellfoundry and its onsite museum, including creating additional space for social distancing measures and one-way systems.
DISTANCE LEARNING PROVIDER LAUNCHES THE BIG HELP OUT TO AID THOSE IN NEED
Open Study College has unveiled its latest community initiative: The Big Help Out. It’s a career kick start scheme designed to offer direct support to those who have been impacted by the effects of COVID – find out more here.
BIGGEST HOUSEHUNTING TURN OFFS REVEALED
Brits have revealed their biggest property turn offs – find out what joins overgrown gardens and dirty trainers left lying around in the list here.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION: UNIVERSITY TEAMS UP WITH SUPERDRY TO GO GREEN FOR NEW FASHION PROJECT
Fashion students from Birmingham City University have been chosen to collaborate with huge fashion label, Superdry, to create new fashionable garments from existing clothing – get all the info here.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.
– Albert Einstein
