Nurture News

An award-winning Stourbridge businesswoman revealed her new range of perfumes in a glamorous launch night that also saw £300 raised for a charity supporting families affected by murder and terrorism. Smile for Joel founder Suzy Evans was a guest at the Levant Perfume event at Telford’s Holiday Inn which included tasty treats from Dubai, a string trio, a belly dancing performance and a chance to sample some of the new products. The launch was organised by Lisa Davis of Levant Perfume,  who said that as her love for travel inspired her perfume range and Suzy continues to campaign for tourists’ […]

A Lincolnshire grandmother who thought she would never eat again after a stroke has told how a course of innovative treatment made it possible for her to enjoy her favourite foods once more.   Diana Tavner, 81, was diagnosed with dysphagia and left unable to swallow following a stroke in May, 2019. Her speech was also affected. She had to be fed through a PEG feeding tube directly into her stomach and was only allowed small sips of thickened water due to the risk of choking. After a series of X-rays showed no improvement, she was told there was nothing else

 A businesswoman who fell in love with the aromas of Dubai on holiday is captivating clients closer to home – with her nose for a new venture clinching her international acclaim. Lisa Davis of Levant Perfume has scooped an award in her favourite UAE destination after a recent return visit to secure more business as she prepares for her UK launch.   Lisa, 52, of Stourbridge,  who first visited Dubai seven years ago, has clinched a Khatoon Successful Woman title after crafting seven distinctive fragrances in her Levant range. The award is reserved for entrepreneurial women in Dubai who impress its organisers

An entrepreneurial mum of two who started a free Facebook group to support fellow women in business is in the running for a top award after building a community that now reaches around 25,000 people. Niki Hutchison has been named as one of six finalists in the Women’s Champion category of the Digital Women Awards 2022 after her huge success in offering online support. “I was delighted to have made the shortlist,” she said. “To get recognition at a national level really does give you an extra boost and remind you why you’re working so hard.” Edinburgh-based Niki, 43, started

Crowds flocked to a Birmingham community centre to immerse themselves in the cuisine and culture of Ghana at the first in a series of free, vibrant events celebrating the Commonwealth. Organisers say the inaugural event was a huge success and have thanked all those who gave their help and support. They are now looking forward to hosting nine more events at venues across the city this summer. The first was held at Nechells Pod on Friday, June 3, and focused on Ghana. Families and visitors tucked into tasty Ghanaian food served up by chef Maud Koranteng and they were able

A dog lover is all set for global sales after innovating a range of sustainable dog poo bags that dissolve in water. The idea for what George Greer calls a ‘revolutionary’ new environmentally-friendly product came after walking his beloved four-year-old Swiss Shepherd, Noah. What should have been an enjoyable stroll turned into a rubbish-strewn obstacle course as they visited Loch Long in Argyll and Bute. “There was this awful scene of plastic bags and debris all along the shoreline,” said George, a former payments network director who quit his job to invest his time in his ambitious new venture Project Harmless https://projectharmless.com/ in lockdown last year.

West Midlands charity The Buddy Bag Foundation, which helps children fleeing domestic violence, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. The BBF provided a bag of essential items to children who find themselves in emergency accommodation. Karen Williams OBE, founder of the BBF, said: “We were thrilled and overjoyed to be awarded the QAVS. “The Buddy Bag Foundation has now had over 4,000 volunteers so this award is recognition of their hard work and support over the last

Students, staff and work placement providers have all been recognised for outstanding efforts at an awards ceremony in Wolverhampton. Organisers of the 11th Wolverhampton University Students’ Union Awards received a record 250 nominations for people and organisations who went above and beyond.  The awards recognised placement providers for the first time this year, to honour employers which offer students vital work experience opportunities. Rapid Response Team – Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust won Placement Provider of the Year.  Claire Watkins, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, who has been responsible for overseeing placements for five years, said she was overwhelmed by the award. “This is amazingly rewarding,”

A former Midlands executive assistant who took voluntary redundancy is now helping hundreds of key business support staff overcome feeling ‘invisible and alone.’  Skevi Constantinou is the founder of worldwide support group, The PA Way, dubbed the ‘Assistanthood’ by its members.  Bringing opportunities to grow in confidence, gain exciting promotions, make more money and find life-long friends, The PA Way is now a multi-award-winning platform and is gaining acclaim from around the globe.  Skevi, who was once told she didn’t deserve a promotion because ‘she would die soon anyway’ due to an incurable underlying autoimmune condition, said too many assistants needed support from

Hundreds of food items and donations of £200 have been handed over to the Black Country Foodbank after live music fans enjoyed the return of a much-loved music festival in a day. Representatives from the foodbank branch at Our Lady and All Saints Catholic Church in New Road, Stourbridge, have thanked Eddy Morton and Trina Keane, owners at nearby Katie Fitzgerald’s for the contributions during its 18th Katiesfest on Sunday, May 22.   Eddy and Trina had already raised hundreds of pounds for the foodbank and are also providing confidential monetary support for two families in crisis, hit by rocketing fuel bills.