”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!
Voting closes tomorrow, and we’d love it if you could spare a moment to vote for us. Just click the picture above and simply vote!
OBLIGATORY BAD JOKE
What did the frog do when his car broke down?
Got it Toad.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.
– Albert Einstein
