Tag: lifestyle

Durham Foster Carers Lauded At Awards Ceremony

By on 19th March 2016in In & Around

The amazing efforts of foster carers in County Durham have been lauded at an awards ceremony…

Durham County Council has held its Foster Carer Awards Ceremony, an annual event to recognise the work of foster carers and celebrate their achievements.

Foster carers were recognised for completing national training qualifications and long service.

Four foster families were also given Special Achievement Awards for going the extra mile in caring for children and young people.

Thursday night’s celebration at County Hall in Durham was organised by the county council’s fostering service.

More than 70 people joined in, including authority staff and members led by chief executive Terry Collins, corporate director of children and adult services Rachel Shimmin, cabinet member for children and young people’s services Cllr Ossie Johnson, and chairman of the corporate parenting panel Cllr Peter Brookes.

John Angus and Keven O’Shea, who are long term foster carers for three children, received a Special Achievement Award.

John said: “This is the first Fostering Awards Ceremony we have attended and we were overwhelmed!

“We see fostering as something normal that we do, but being recognised for everything we do for the kids is just amazing.

“Fostering can be challenging sometimes, but to us it’s the best thing we have ever done, we love having the children as part of our family.”

Florence Coulter, the council’s fostering team manager, said: “Foster carers make a real difference to the lives of the children and young people that they care for.

“We have amazing carers in County Durham and these awards are our way of saying thank you for everything they do.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer can contact the fostering service on 03000 269 400 or visit www.durham.gov.uk/fostering.

MFC Foundation Introduce New Transition Project For Teesside Schools

By on 18th March 2016in In & Around

Last October, Head of Ofsted Sir Michael Wilshaw said that the importance of a good start to secondary school “cannot be overstated”…

And now, a new schools project on Teesside is set to give children their best chance yet when making the step up from primary to secondary education.

Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation is teaming up with Middlesbrough Council to roll out the schools transition project, with more than 300 children to receive support from ‘transition coaches’ from the later years of primary education through to their first years at secondary school.

Delivered by qualified staff from MFC Foundation, the official charitable arm of Middlesbrough Football Club, the pull of the Boro badge will be used to engage with the young pupils. As well as leading classroom activities to prepare youngsters for the step up, the transition coaches will provide a consistent point of contact for the children throughout the process.

The £100,000 scheme, which includes £70,000 of funding from Middlesbrough Council, will be piloted in three Teesside secondary schools and their 12 feeder primary schools from May.

Recent government research has suggested that the culture shift from primary to secondary school is one of the most critical periods of a child’s education. Published by Ofsted in September 2015, a report entitled ‘Key Stage 3: The Wasted Years’ concluded that “the rate of pupils’ progress and achievement [in Key Stage 3] were not good enough”.

It is hoped that the project will provide a positive catalyst to improve Key Stage 3 for children in the Tees Valley.

MFC Foundation is currently advertising three staff positions to work on the transition project. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 22 March. Please visit www.mfcfoundation.co.uk for more details.

Stewart Smith, MFC Foundation’s Chair of Trustees, said: “Raising aspirations through education is a huge part of MFC Foundation’s vision for the Teesside community.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with Middlesbrough Council to target and improve a crucial part of the school experience for our young people.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said: “We are committed to improving outcomes for all young people, and the transition from primary to secondary is one of the most important periods in a great many young lives.

“Through this important scheme Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation is creating a unique opportunity to engage children in our disadvantaged communities and help them improve their self-belief, life skills, employment prospects and health.

“It is a fresh approach which has the potential to change lives for the better, and we are pleased to be able to support it.”

Sunderland Live Appoint New Chief Executive

By on 11th March 2016in Local Biz

Sunderland Live Limited is excited to announce that Alison McDonough has recently been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Sunderland Live…

Andrea Winders, Executive Director of Sunderland City Council, said: “Alison has a great track record of events management, and has experience being involved with some very high profile events. This, combined with her deep industry knowledge and exceptional management skills, makes Alison uniquely qualified to lead Sunderland Live successfully into the future.”

Alison has already had a great impact on the team, which currently delivers the citywide programme of award-winning events that are helping to establish Sunderland regionally, nationally and internationally as a leading destination for events.

Alison said: “I am delighted to be part of a dynamic team of event entrepreneurs, delivering live events like Sunderland International Airshow, Sunderland Illuminations, community engagement programmes and – in 2018 – the launch of the Tall Ships event.

“Having a platform as fantastic as Sunderland is a dream come true. I am very proud to say that Sunderland is live!”

Alison brings with her a wealth of experience, having previously worked for local and international companies specialising in marketing and communications, events management and company development. She has also worked on transformational change programmes in industry, managed high profile accounts in FMCG, and has recently worked within a leisure business, investing in luxury properties for exclusive event hires.

Her rich personality is a clear indicator as to why she is a mentor for small businesses, an active volunteer for Cancer Research UK and a representative for constituents as a Governor of local Hospital Trust.

Sunderland Live formed in April 2013, and the team have been collectively delivering events for over 25 years. With their experience and expertise, they will be working collaboratively with strategic partners to strengthen Sunderland as a Destination City.

The event team has delivered spectacles including the Sunderland International Air Show, which last year attracted more than 1 million people to the city, and the ever-popular Sunderland Illuminations, which welcomed over 285,000 visitors in Roker Park alone.

Sunderland Live also brings military events, including the Freedom of the City and Remembrance Parade, to the city centre. Attracting thousands of spectators, these remain popular and poignant events.

Alison adds: “I’d like to offer my thanks to everyone who has been so supportive to the Sunderland Live team. Our annual events programme is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.

“I’m very excited to be a part of this growing cultural scene, and am very excited about the new opportunities that are ahead.”

For more information, visit www.sunderlandlive.co.uk, or follow Sunderland Live on Facebook.

Canny Beds & Furniture Open New Team Valley Store

By on 11th March 2016in Local Biz

Leading North East furniture supplier Canny Beds are celebrating the opening of a brand new store this month…

We all know how difficult it can be to find good quality furniture and beds at prices you can afford, which is why Canny Beds & Furniture believe they have brought together the best possible furniture at down to earth prices.

Whether it is the bedroom, dining room or living room you’re looking to add beautiful furniture to, you can rest assured that you’ll find it here for the best price online.

CannyBeds

This month (March), Canny Beds’ brand new store will be open in Team Valley, which means you can choose between that or the Chester-le-Street store to pop in and find your new furniture. Want to check availability beforehand? Call 0191 410 9994 to chat to one of their staff in advance.

Testimonials:

“Seamless ordering and delivery. Bed of good quality and assembled easily. Great price.”

“Brilliant communication, bought bed for my 3 year old and it is excellent quality and very easy to assemble. All round excellent product for price.”

“Speedy delivery and the cheapest I found the bed anywhere!”

“Brilliant. Lovely comfy matress. Great price and service.”

Ensure Inheritance Launches Online Will-Making Service

By on 11th March 2016in Local Biz

North East legal and financial planning specialist Ensure Inheritance has launched an On-line Will Making Service to allow people to make decisions about their bequests in their own time and in the comfort of their own home…

Information provided on-line is reviewed and checked by one of Seaham-based Ensure Inheritance’s panel of experienced solicitors who will then speak by telephone to the person making the Will to ensure that they have taken into account their family circumstances and everything they own, so that the Will is right for them.

“Thinking about our death is an uncomfortable experience for most people, and as a result, more than half of adults in the UK die without making a Will. We hope that by allowing people to fill out the details of their bequests at home, this will mean that more people feel comfortable and confident to do so,” says Andrew Simpson, the Lead Panel Solicitor with Ensure Inheritance.

“Only by making a valid Will can you ensure that your loved ones will be provided for after your death and that the people and charities you want will benefit from your hard earned efforts.

“If you die without making a Will, the law takes over and your assets will be distributed according to strict rules based upon legal and blood relationships. For example, unmarried partners will not receive any part of the estate, so it is vital to take the plunge and make a Will.”

Ensure Inheritance’s On-line Will Making Service can be accessed at http://www.ensureinheritance.co.uk/make-a-will-online.

Based in Seaham in County Durham, Ensure Inheritance provides a range of legal and financial planning services which help protect financial assets to provide their clients and their loved ones with peace of mind. In addition to Wills and Estate planning, services include: long term care planning, wealth preservation trusts, funeral planning, inheritance tax planning, powers of attorney, court of protection deputyships, and probate.

Ensure Inheritance can be contacted on tel. 0191 338 5143, via email at info@ensureinheritance.co.uk or via its website www.ensureinheritance.co.uk.

Brand New Heavies To Headline Sunniside Live

By on 10th March 2016in Entertainment

A SUCCESSFUL North East music festival is to return for the second time, headed up by a leading international jazz funk band…

Sunniside Live, Sunderland’s only city centre live music festival, is to take place on July 16 with headliners The Brand New Heavies, who will be journeying to Wearside ahead of a USA tour.

The band will be joined by a host of other acts, including North East groups Smoove & Turrell and Dennis, along with special guests Alison Limerick and Shola Ama.

The event is organised by Helen Davies and Sean Maddison who run both Bar Justice and newly opened Gin & Bear it Bar at West Sunniside and is being supported by Sunderland BID.

“We were over the moon with the response to last year’s event,” said Sean.

“And it’s that response that’s made us stage it again. We believe, as a business, that it helped to raise the profile of the area and we want to put the focus on Sunderland city centre and use it to showcase what we have here.”

The event, which will run from 12pm until 10pm, will include a number of food stalls, a pop-up café by The Place Café. There will also be a licenced bar run by Bar Justice and Gin & Bear It bar, a retro Pimm’s van and a bottle and spirits stall.

Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID said he was delighted to see Sunniside Live return.

“This was an extremely successful event last year that attracted thousands of people to the city centre,” he said.

“And that success lasts beyond the event itself as it turns a spotlight on this area of the city and shows what fantastic bars and restaurants are situated there.”

During the run up to the festival, Bar Justice will also be holding a Battle of the Bands competition, with the winner opening Sunniside Live and performing alongside some of the music festival’s big names.

The plan for this year is to increase the event capacity from 2500 to 4000, with wristbands to attend on sale now at £10 from www.sunnisidelive.co.uk or by visiting Bar Justice or Gin & Bear It bar.

For more information about the event visit www.sunnisidelive.co.uk or contact us at info@sunnisidelive.co.uk.

Abbey Leisure Centre Celebrates 25 Years

By on 9th March 2016in Lifestyle

It’s 25 not out for one County Durham sports facility, as Abbey Leisure Centre in Durham marked a quarter of a century…

The centre, built by the former City of Durham Council, transferred to Durham County Council in 2009 and is used by around 3,500 people each month.

Stephen Verde, the longest standing member of the centre’s gym, was invited along to help staff mark the special occasion, on Monday 22 February.

Stephen, a 60 year old retired social worker from Waldridge near Chester-le-Street, joined with his wife Penny 20 years ago.

Stephen tries to go every day, often with his daughter Sarah Taylor who is also a member.

He said: “I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I became a member, I went to a birthday party at the centre with my wife and we both joined.

“The equipment has certainly improved over those years! I continue to go most days so I have a good rapport with the staff who all know me.”

Nigel Dodds, the county council’s strategic manager for culture and sport, said: “It’s fantastic that Stephen has stayed with us and been such a loyal member.

“Well done to all of the staff at Abbey who work really hard to make it such a much-loved and well-used facility.”

The site is one of ten leisure centres run by the county council.

Whether it’s fitness, sport, or family fun that inspires your visit, Abbey Leisure Centre has a great range of activities on offer including a gym, exercise classes and loads of activities for children to enjoy.

The centre’s sports hall and courts are also available to hire for badminton, basketball, football, squash or table tennis.

Boro Taxis Saves French Skiing Holiday

By on 9th March 2016in Local Biz

Boro Taxis came to the rescue to save the holiday of a woman who had left her passport 250 miles away by driving to London and back…

Christine Gordon, 27, had travelled up to her parents’ home in Osmotherley, North Yorkshire, from her home in London for a family skiing holiday in the French Alps.

She had journeyed from Kings Cross to Northallerton by train arriving at her parents’ home at 10pm on the evening before her flight.

Christine, a dentist, 27, explained: “I arrived at my parents’ quite late in the evening and it suddenly dawned on me that I couldn’t remember having packed my passport.

“I frantically emptied my bags and couldn’t see it anywhere. I called my boyfriend, who was back at my flat in London, and he saw that it had slipped down the side of the bed where I had been packing. I couldn’t believe it as I’m normally so organised.”

Christine and her family realised there were a few options; drive to London and back, arrange a courier collection, change Christine’s flight to the following day from London, or Christine could miss the holiday all together.

Christine added: “It was such a stressful start to the holiday as it was, without the thought of a mission back to London or missing the start of the holiday. Then my dad had a brainwave and wondered if Boro Taxis could do it.”

Her father Ian called Boro Taxis, one of the largest firms of its kind in the North East, and the company quickly accepted the job and dispatched a driver who travelled through the night to London and then back to Osmotherley.

Christine was reunited with her passport in time to catch her flight.

Christine said: “I was in a real state when I realised I had forgotten my passport. Boro Taxis didn’t just save the day, but saved my holiday thanks to its fabulous customer service.

“It’s great to know that there are firms able and willing to step in when people are in a crisis. I can’t thank Boro Taxis enough – the company and its driver were my saviours!”

Boro Taxis regularly is called upon to transport people from the region to destinations throughout the UK, but picking up and delivering a mislaid passport is among its more unusual bookings.

Mohammed Bashir, Boro Taxis founder, said: “We strive to meet the needs of our customers whatever their transport requirements.

“We’re proud that Christine’s father felt that Boro Taxis had the ability to come to the rescue. We are delighted that we were able to reunite Christine with her passport.”

SOL Announce Series Of Spring Offers

By on 8th March 2016in Local Biz

One of the North East’s leading venues is springing into action with a seasonal offer for corporate events…

SOL, the brand behind conferences and celebrations at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, has announced a limited availability day delegate rate for bookings made before the end of March.

The offer, valid for events involving more than 40 people, includes full day hire of any of the stadium’s purpose built function rooms, including the signature Montgomery Suite, capable of seating up to 1000 people.

It also incorporates food for a working lunch, use of a flipchart, LCD projector, conference stationery, welcome signage and three servings of tea and coffee throughout the day.

As with all SOL events at the Stadium of Light, those booking the special spring conference package will also benefit from a dedicated duty manager, housekeeping staff, ample free parking and complimentary WiFi access.

Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director for SAFC, said: “The Stadium of Light has played host to a wide range of events over the past 20 years, including product launches, exhibitions and conferences for large multi-nationals.

“This spring offer is designed to reward our loyal customers and open our doors to companies who may not have used our facilities before.”

SOL’s spring conference offer at the Stadium of Light is priced at £20.16 per person and subject to availability.

It is one of a number of tailored packages being introduced by SOL to cater for specific sectors, including charity events and personal celebrations.

For more information, or to book, call 0871 911 1555, email conf&banq@safc.com or visit www.safc.com.

Further details about SoL, which also incorporates catering and events at the National Glass Centre, Sunderland and specialist subsidiary 1879 Events Management, can also be found by visiting www.1879events, calling 0871 911 1269, emailing info@1879events.com or following @1879Events on Twitter.

Further Acts Announced For North East LGBT Festival

By on 8th March 2016in Entertainment

One of the UK’s leading LGBT events now has even more reasons to be ‘Proud’ after announcing the first acts in its new extended line-up…

Newcastle Pride, one of the largest free festivals of its kind in the country, is returning with its longest ever programme of live entertainment for summer 2016.

Among the many highlights will be three days of live music at Newcastle Town Moor, starting Friday July 15, including a headline performance by singing superstar, Heather Small.

Heather, who is best known as frontwoman for 90s favourites M People, has lent her vocal talents to a string of hits, including Moving On Up, One Night In Heaven and Search For The Hero.

Her signature solo tune, Proud, which was used as the theme song for a host of key events, including London’s successful 2012 Olympic BID, is in-keeping with Newcastle Pride 2016’s theme, be yourself, change the world, #be proud.

Heather, who also appeared on BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, will be joined during the festival’s main music weekend by a host of top talent, including fellow reality TV star Jake Quickenden and actress and singer Heather Peace, who wowed the crowd in 2015.

Also set to appear are 80s chart success and club favourite Hazell Dean, former Brother Beyond star, Nathan Moore, boyband The Ambition and South Shields singing sensation, Cortney Dixon, with more big names still to be announced.

Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride which organises the popular event, said: “The line-up for Newcastle Pride 2016 looks set to be one of our strongest ever and these are only half of the acts that are taking part.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that Heather has agreed to be one of our headliners, especially as her anthem Proud fits in so well with this year’s theme and we’re sure that people will be just as pleased with our second headliner, which we hope to announce in the next few weeks.”

Newcastle Pride, which is now in its 9th year, attracted a record 71,000 visitors in 2015, with an additional 480,000 listening live around the world on Pride Radio.

This year, to cope with increased demand, Northern Pride are extending the festival to include more satellite events at venues around Newcastle.

The full schedule for these functions will be announced in the coming months, but they are expected to span from the start of June until the end of July.

“Newcastle Pride 2015 was more popular than anyone expected,” said Mark, “contributing more than £9m to the North East economy.

“This year we’re working hard to make it bigger and better than ever before and have extended our line up to cover two full months in an effort to give more visitors the chance to enjoy themselves and get involved.”

Newcastle Pride’s Main Stage weekend is free to attend, however a number of Gold Circle and VIP tickets are available for those who want to guarantee prime viewing spots.  These are priced from £12 per person and are on sale now at www.northern-pride.com/shop/tickets. Some of the satellite events may also incur a charge and these will be detailed where appropriate.

For information about the event, including a full line up, visit www.northern-pride.com or by searching northernprideuk on Facebook and Twitter.

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