Nurture News

Bank worker Laura’s passion for art transforms children’s lives

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A financial crime investigator has followed her passion for art to help improve children’s mental health after the pressure of lockdown.   Laura Brown, 33, who works in the City of London, has founded an illustration company alongside managing her career in finance. Since starting LHB Illustrations, Laura has created a fun activity book for children filled with animal facts and watercolour illustrations – My Emotions Activity Book. Her work has proved a massive hit with high-profile childcare experts. Among them are specialist play teams at Great Ormond Street Hospital, who now use the Activity Book with their patients’ families within […]

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Business’s big ‘thank you’ to suppliers for support over lockdown

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A business launched in lockdown has said a special thank you to all the suppliers that helped it thrive during such a difficult period. Bosses at Elevate FM threw a big party for around 35 suppliers and their guests to thank them for their support and service. Dave Warren, director of the Birmingham-based facilities management company, said: “We invited all the people that have helped us over the past 12 months. We wanted them to feel appreciated and part of the team. “It’s easy for people to thank their customers, but people forget about the people who have helped you

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Mum publishes late daughter’s beloved bedtime story in her honour

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A proud mum has published a fun bedtime story her late daughter crafted — almost a year after she died of Covid.  Norma Cooper, aged 83, has worked hard over the last few months to ensure the story that her late daughter wrote is turned into a book.  Her daughter, Dawn Downes of Atherstone, Warwickshire, died aged 60 in February this year.  Norma said that Dawn had always made-up bedtime stories for Maddie, her granddaughter, now 11, including one about Annie the Ant. The story features guest appearances from both Dawn and Maddie.  Norma said: “Maddie used to love the Annie

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Therapist offers ‘map’ to help students cope with ‘avalanche of stress’ this Christmas

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A therapist who has helped thousands of students overcome mental health crises is offering a ‘map’ to help them emerge from an ‘avalanche of stress’ predicted as Christmas approaches. For many young people, exams, assessments and deadlines are around the corner as the festive season begins. With students also reeling from a disrupted year with Covid-19, experts are predicting worrying times. Statistics from back in 2016 reported that a fifth of university students didn’t want to return in January. Then, record drop-out levels were forecast as lockdown hit. Mark Evans, who runs the Conversations with Impact coaching and counselling service, has launched a new book to help guide

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Birmingham’s newest Nutcracker production set to dazzle with more than 100,000 balloons in aid of community charity

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A breath-taking performance of the Nutcracker is set to wow audiences thanks to some 110,000 balloons amid a magical family adventure – and boost an inspiring Birmingham charity. An ambitious international collaboration which has led to a “fully immersive” biodegradable balloon setting is the result of a project called The Big Balloon Build and sees charity and business join together. Tchaikovsky’s classic tale will come alive thanks to the acclaimed BMOS Musical Theatre Company, hosted by Naomi Spencer of Candy Bubbles to ‘give back’ to free@last which helps vulnerable young people. Unlike other Nutcracker performances, the emphasis on the Nechells

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Chelsea Pensioners living in comfort thanks to Storm’s expert glazing

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Hundreds of military veterans at the iconic Royal Hospital Chelsea are now living in more comfortable conditions, thanks to a team of Midlands-based glazing experts. The experts at Storm Windows, based in Halesowen, were called in by architects who had the task of improving the accommodation block, without damaging the appearance or heritage of the Grade I and II listed building, that dates back to 1682. As part of the refurbishment, they had to find ways of making the windows draught-proof and noise-proof, without changing their appearance. Storm’s technical director Mitchell Reece, said: “It was a big challenge, but one

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Businesses challenged to help children in crisis this Christmas

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Businesses are being urged to get involved with an initiative to help children who face spending Christmas in emergency accommodation after fleeing domestic violence. The Buddy Bag Foundation is looking for teams to take part in the Challenge Box scheme, to help provide essentials and home comforts to children who often have to flee leaving everything behind. Firms who want to take part should find 30 team members who will be given a shopping bag and list of items to buy. This can include pens and pencils, books, pyjamas, toothbrushes and other items. A team-building exercise can then be arranged

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Young blood wanted for Round Table group

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Young men in Wolverhampton are being urged to sign up for the area’s Round Table group to ensure it can continue its vital community work. Tettenhall Round Table chairman Shiv Passap wants to double the number of people involved in the group and is appealing to young men who may not realise what the group has to offer. He said joining up offered men as young as 18 a great opportunity to gain life skills and give back to the local community. “Once our members get to 45 they move on, so it’s vital that we get new, younger members

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Lockdown heroes treated to brunch at award-winning Birmingham restaurant

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A group of lockdown heroes were treated to a slap-up meal at an award-winning Birmingham restaurant as a big thank you for their hard work during the pandemic. The winners were nominated for going above and beyond to make life easier for others during the lockdowns. They were treated to a Bottomless Brunch at Thai restaurant Zen Metro in Cornwall Street, Birmingham city centre, after being selected from dozens of nominees put forward in a competition lanuched by managing director Jaimon George. Jaimon launched the competition when the restaurant reopened after lockdown as a way of saying thank you to

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Community spirit gets a boost from railway funding

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A whole host of community projects in a West Midlands district – from restoring a rare natural amphitheatre in an area that inspired JRR Tolkien to helping youngsters read more – have been boosted thanks to funding from West Midlands Railway. Various community groups in Hall Green, Birmingham, joined forces to enhance the area for residents and visitors with litter picks, planters and a link-up between the library and the railway station. There was already a long-running poetry project, with verses posted on boards in the waiting rooms at Hall Green Railway Station for passengers to enjoy. That is now

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