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MAGAZINE
& Beyond
birth, baby
BIRTH, BABY
& Beyond
#AutismDanceDay STYLE FIT FOR AprilROYALTY 29th 2016 Experts agree that dance helps children with an autism spectrum condition develop better
KIDS FUN
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STYLE FITEASTER FOR
y t l a y o R
Kids fun for Easter
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Contents
Issue 11
COVER STORY The latest news from Anna Kennedy online www.annakennedyonline.com
mandco.com
mandco.com
06. Parenting
36. Style
54. Family Living
Fitta Mamma
Fashion shoot
Kids bedroom style
This issue we celebrate like the Royals with our very own fashion shoot featuring products from some of our favourite brands.
Perhaps the most fun room of the house to decorate is the children’s room, so we highlight some of our favourite companies.
We show you how getting fit with a baby in tow is not only absolutely possible, but actually enjoyable too!
Fit for a royal There are a host of Royal birthday’s coming up over the coming months and our feature on products which are fit for a Royal helps you to celebrate as the Royals do.
Anna Kennedy We catch up with all the latest news from Anna Kennedy Online and have a chat with two important members of the team. Plus, we announce two important events in the Anna Kennedy Online calendar.
All about animals We enjoy some time with the Zoo crew and bring you our picks for animal themed gifts and toys.
60. Kids Corner
From bag to play mat
50. Holidays
The Playbag Company show us how their creative and playful designs help keep children’s imaginations thrive and give their playtime the fun edge when out and about.
Travelling with children
Easter baking
No one said travelling with kids was easy, but with our hints and tips for your family travels this summer hopefully things will be a little easier!
Our recipe for traditional Easter biscuits is a great way to do some cooking this Easter with the kids that doesn’t involve chocolate!
Company Director: Jenny Cross - jenny@crossproductions.co.uk Operations Director: Leanne Baker - leanne@crossproductions.co.uk Design: Clare Sommerfeld - clare@crossproductions.co.uk Journalist: Emily Kirton - emily.kirton@crossproductions.co.uk Media Account Manager: Sharon Hodges - sharon@crossproductions.co.uk Media Account Manager: Sandra Shaw - sandra@crossproductions.co.uk Media Account Manager: Aimee Roe - aimee.roe@crossproductions.co.uk Postal Address: Cross Productions, 17 Mandervell Road, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 5LR Distribution: Media Matters Direct + Self Select Distribution Ltd Published by: Cross Productions Ltd www.achieve-magazine.co.uk Email: info@achieve-magazine.co.uk Telephone: 0116 2712573
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WE love THIS... #TeamAchieveLoves
every
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about... g n ki tal
Sacs of comfort and fun
EASTER
We have gone Easter crazy this issue, whether it’s ‘testing’ the latest Easter eggs on the market or planning egg hunts for the kids we are well and truly eggcited (sorry) for the upcoming Easter fun. So, join us this issue with the preparation for all things egg shaped and tuck into the crafts, hunts, baking and holiday fun with the kids!
Snuggle Sacs are designed and intended to be used every night of the year – yes, instead of conventional bedding. The Children’s Sleep Charity endorse and recommend Snuggle Sacs – and when your child wants to go to bed, stay there and sleep all night long – you will understand why. Having said that they are also fabulous for snuggling on the sofa, taking on a long car journey, for sleepovers, and also on holiday. www.snugglesac.co.uk
purrrfect Miaow! This novelty cat straw bowler hat for girls is designed with 3D ears with faux pearl embellishments, and embroidered and appliquéd features.The grosgrain ribbon trim on the inside provides a comfy fit. £12.00 www.uk.accessorize.com
Stylish fun playroom chairs by Oeuf. These rabbit ear chairs will add a whimsical, contemporary feel to your home, suitable for the playroom, nursery or living room. Available in a set of two in either a birch or walnut finish. £175.00 www.nubie.co.uk
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Good vibrations The Beach Sounds portable sound system means that you can now rock out at the beach without fear of getting water or sandy grit into your electronics. With its sunshiny colors and retro styling, this amplified speaker set has a water resistant body in which you can conceal your MP3 player, smartphones or Walkman. Inside, foam rubber and a Velcro strap protect your electronics from being jostled around. The audio jack fits most standard media players, and can be threaded through a pluggable hole in the back for external input. There’s even a built-in FM/AM tuner, so you can catch some radio waves. £36 www.oliverbonas.com
Making Parenting Easier
The product that every
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Easier parenting, happier babies.
Full head support Move your baby without waking them! Fully safety tested No more carrying car seats to keep baby asleep. What a relief!
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Snugglebundl- Looking after your back, your baby and your post birth recovery! Achieve 05
PARENTING
Parenting Being a parent feels like you are a part of some sort of club, however, it isn’t an easy club to be a member of and is full of up days and down days isn’t it? Some days it can feel like an uphill struggle to keep everyone well fed and contented….and then you see them sleeping at the end of the day, take a minute out for yourself and realise that all the tough bits melt away and you are left with how good it all really is. This issue we take you through some of the things that help make parenting that little bit easier... 06
PARENTING shaped is such a joy (albeit a joy mixed in with a little morning sickness).... then come the preparations.
www.thegreatgiftcompany.co.uk
And so it begins... As the lines on the test indicate you are pregnant, one of your life’s biggest adventures truly begins. That test in an instant opens up a whole new world and suddenly you are part of a wonderful club which, like most things in life, has an abundance of plus points and a few minus ones here and there too. Sharing the news with loved ones and revelling in your new found love of all things baby
If you are anything like us here at the Achieve HQ you will be wanting to devour all the pregnancy literature you can get your hands on, as you start to discover the rate of growth of your little one, and try to find answers to the million and one questions you now have swirling in your mind at night. It’s likely you will want to devour all the food you are craving and suddenly the world of babygrows, cots and all the other baby equipment becomes a world that you very quickly want to know everything about. Yet, there is so much information out there it can be a confusing place! Choose just a couple of ‘voices’ of information, whether that’s a friend, a blog or a book. One thing you will come to know is that there are a lot of opinions out there when it comes to parenting and there is no one size fits all, so try to feel for your own way, trust your instincts and stick to those there is definitely truth in the mother knows best strategy.
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Baby on the way countdown calendar £15.00 www.thegreatgiftcompany.co.uk
Affordable RRP and high cash return Educational, with smart phone readable QR code to access support and advice links
Swift
Pregnancy & Ovulation tests
Over 25 years of brand assurance High quality, with fast & accurate results Freephone careline and new website Backed by key health organisations and support groups for confidential advice Promoted in press and online
www.earlybirdswift.co.uk Achieve 07
Active mum = happy mum...
One of the first steps back to exercise is to check with your doctor, it’s likely you will have a check up with your doctor at around the 6 weeks post partum point anyway and they will give you the go ahead if all is well. But, even if they do, go slow and steady to start.
The next thing to consider is what sort of exercises you want to do. Gentle exercise is a good place to start, so walking for 15 minutes out in the fresh air, swimming and yoga are all nice ones to get going whilst allowing your body to heal. Then, consider how you will make time for exercise in your life and even look at ways you can incorporate the care of your baby in
for pregnancy & beyond
The word exercise after having a baby can carry with it a whole host of feelings. These feelings are not all negative but apprehension is certainly one of the words that springs to mind for most of us. One of the most important things to remember first off is to be gentle with yourself, regardless of how strong and ready you feel. Giving birth, however which way it happens, is a huge deal for you and your body to go through and it will need a lot longer than you and often society makes you think you need may to heal.
with it, so strolling with the pushchair or carrier, attending a buggy fitness class or even signing up for mother and baby yoga which will offer social aspects too. Whatever exercises you decide on, the benefits to you physically and mentally of taking time out to focus on yourself will only have a positive impact on you and the family in general.
FittaMamma Maternity YogaWear
Designed to look good, feel good and stretch when you stretch. Supportive maternity gymwear for comfort and style throughout your active pregnancy. Available from www.fittamamma.com
Move • Nurture • Support
Supporting active mammas
Achieve 09
The Studio, 13 Cornwall Business Centre, Cornwall Road, South Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 4XH 0116 278 9042 smile@walkerimages.co.uk www.walkerimages.co.uk 10
adverse effects on the PH balance of our skin.Choosing body products which are natural and free from SLS’s, parabens and synthetic fragrance are much kinder to babies’ skin. www.toysrus.co.uk/babiesrus
Gentle on the environment
There are fewer things more delicate that a newborn babies skin and that’s why so many of us are now reaching for products with a more natural content. Green parenting is much more than choosing more earth conscious and gentle things for your baby, choosing greener is better for baby, better the earth and better for your purse too. We take a look at just a few of the advantages to choosing green.
Bathing products which are more natural on babies skin are also far better for the environment too, with natural products the chemicals are diminished and, therefore, the chemicals aren’t floating about in the environment too. These products also tend to be more inclined to go for recycled packaging and are nearly always cruelty-free. It takes a disposable nappy over 300 years to decompose. That’s right, 300 years! Choosing reusable nappies is definitely a greener option and there are some great user friendly options out there these days and some lovely designs.
Gentle on baby
Gentle on your budget
Natural Bubba
Not all products designed for babies are gentle on their skin and many high profile products which claim to be gentle, sensitive and good for babies skin are loaded with a large quantity of toxins which many studies show to have
It isn’t expensive to go greener with your baby choices, in fact, a lot of the time the greener choice is the more cost effective choice! Reusable nappies may cost an initial outlay, but over time they will save you money and choosing more natural
products isn’t expensive either as they are typically in the same price range as the not-so-natural choices. So, when looking for your babies essentials consider a greener way, your babies skin and the earth will thank you for it.
www.naturespurest.co.uk
Quality Muslin products by UK brand MuslinZ Ranges available in 100% Cotton & Bamboo – Organic Cotton
www.muslinz.com info@merrygorounduk.co.uk
Achieve
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PARENTING
THE
informed PARENT
PROMOTING AWARENESS & CHOICE OPTIONS
YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
Coping with the Moro reflex In your baby’s first four to six months their primitive startle response may have you experiencing a lack of sleep and a lot of stress. We explain what the Moro reflex is and how to manage it Babies are born with a number of instinctive impulses and the Moro reflex is one that can be quite tricky to handle.
VACCINATION DECISIONS?
MAKE AN EDUCATED CHOICE
Your little one can be fast asleep in your arms but you know that as soon as you lay them down there comes the dreaded cry. When the back of their head is let go, your tiny primate thinks they’re falling and the startle reflex kicks in.
Making a statemention
Mike Edwards, Managing Director of Snugglebundl – the only product that solves the problem of resting a sleeping baby, said: “We’re still primates. All primates sleep with their babies on them; that’s why we have long arms and hair for the baby to hang on to.”
The Newborn Baby Company (NBC) celebrated the first birthday of their very first store this year and invites you to visit them in Bicester to fall in love with all things natural.
Unfortunately, we don’t have the time or the natural instincts as we become adults to hold on to our clever tots as much as we might like.
Specialising in organic baby clothes, newborn baby gifts and accessories from birth up to three years, they’ve established themselves in a league of© their own. The NBC Infant protective safety hat ® take pride in stocking as many UK made and organic, fair trade brands as they possibly Learning to walk in a world of hard can!
“We have things to do, we make provisions, we have to cook and we can’t do all this whilst we have a baby on us. We don’t just pick berries all day anymore!” The Snugglebundl solves this problem. Mike says babies can be picked up and put down undisturbed for hours with the use of the soft baby wrap.
-Organic fash
www.informedparent.co.uk © Infant protective safety hat ®
surfaces just got safer!
Tara Dunn, who owns the charming, organic-loving business, gains inspiration from her own little boy. He regularly dons one of his Infant Safety Mummy’s carefully hand-picked NBC tops and dungarees. Bumpit Hat With such a wide range of choice and diversity in design can Featured ‘The often be hard to choose which items you like the best! Taraoncreates Apprentice’ and special Mystery Boxes for boys or girls to accommodate endorsed a byvariety experts of budgets making your delivery an extra special surprise! world-wide The baby boutique aims to provide you with unique that thebrands smallest baby cycle helmet in won’t be found on the high street such as Blade & Rose, Jelly Babe the world Organics, Bathing Bunnies and The Little Tailor. Online and in store you will find all the things you will need to express your little person’s personality and have them look as individual as you are. When the usual baby blue and pink is just not cutting it, go to www.thenewbornbabycompany.co.uk Or visit; 11 Deans Court, Bicester, Oxon, OX26 6RD for the full shopping experience!
www.thudguard.com
Don’t forget to sign up to their newsletter to get lots of exclusive offers and discounts! 12
It supports the neck and back of the head in a way that no other product does, meaning seeing friends and getting the tea and the washing up done is no longer a dilemma. Mike is also concerned with the use of convenient travel systems. Babies tend to spend a lot of time in these removable cot beds and car seats but he explained that deaths have occurred from babies spending hours and hours in portable travel systems. “People have said to me ‘It’s a lot of money for a blanket,’ but I say you’re getting full head support for your baby, help with back problems and post birth recovery, a baby that gets more healthy sleep, a breast feeding cover, play mat, cosy wrap as well as a whole travel system for the price of a garment. But most of all, less disturbance and stress during your first months of parenting- priceless.” Eliminate stress and worry with a Snugglebundl of your own. Visit www.snugglebundl.co.uk or call 01273 958703 Achieve 11
Sleepy time New-borns will sleep between 10 to 18 hours a day with periods of one to three hours awake at irregular times of the day. Managing their sleep can be tricky, especially if your baby doesn’t like being laid down or moved. Naturally, this can all have a direct impact on your own sleep. The Snugglebundl is the only baby product in the world designed to lift, lay and move a baby as they sleep without waking them. More sleep for them, more sleep for you! Snugglebundl baby blanket £34.99 www.snugglebundl.co.uk
top tip The secret to more zzz’s with a baby? The right lighting! Sarah Ockwell-Smith, Author of The Gentle Sleep Book, says ditch the multicoloured night lights and opt for red or none at all as the blue and other colour lights limit the release of melatonin. www.sarahhockwell-smith.com
Carry with style...
The Storchenwiege Baby Carrier is a wonderful lightweight, and incredibly adjustable half buckle carrier, suitable from newborn (3kg) to age 3 (15kg) to carry your child on your tummy or back. Their legs will always be supported knee to knee to support healthy spine and hip development as they grow. STORCHENWIEGE BABY CARRIER INKA £84.95 from www.carrymybaby.co.uk
super mum! Meet Super-business-mum Steph…. Just how does a mother thrive at being both a mother and a successful business owner too? We refer to these mothers as super mums around these parts and mum of five Steph of Funky Little Bugs certainly fits the bill! 5 years ago Steph was on the hunt for a nice changing bag. She wanted one that she actually liked (naturally) but that was practical too, and simply couldn’t find one that she really wanted. So, being a creative type, she reached for the fabric bag and sewing machine and created her own changing bag! Soon, friends were asking where she got it from and she was creating more for them too, eventually Steph decided to test the water and put one on eBay to sell, it went pretty quickly and soon she was inundated with requests. Today the range includes a host of bag designs for parents and children too as well as adorable accessories for babies and toddlers. Steph draws inspiration from pretty much everything around her and is always on the hunt for interesting fabrics. Creating bespoke designs to your specific tastes too, there is always a design to suit from Funky Little Bugs. We asked Steph what her secret was; “In the beginning I decided to really go for it, if you start small you will stay small, and so I would always say to other people thinking of starting a business with a family too, to just go for it! Of course, juggling it all with family is difficult at times but I know how lucky I am to be doing what I love… ” www.facebook.com/funkylittlebugs Achieve 13
Babe in arms...
do everything you could before you had a baby as there is no cumbersome pushchair to manoeuvre.
as a result we are told that they grow to be confident, happier and some even report higher intelligence too.
Slings and Carriers have got better www.carrymybaby.co.uk
Why are so many parents shunning the pushchair and going back to carrying babies these days? I say going back to because of course we haven’t always had pushchairs to carry our babies around in, have we? So, why are so many of us deciding on the sling or carrier over the four wheel drive... Convenience
Once upon a time baby slings and carriers felt so very complicated and many of us start out wanting to use them but stumble at the first hurdle (i.e when we got the sling/carrier out of its packaging and started to try and figure out how on earth to work it!) these days, thankfully, there is lots of help to hand in the shape of experts running how to workshops and sling loan services to detailed online video instructions.
Convenience
Happy babies
It’s simply easier! There’s nothing like the school run with a newborn to point you in the direction of carrying your baby. A sling or carrier gives you back the full use of your hands and arms again and means you can shop, hoover, tidy up, attend events and just generally
There is ALOT of evidence and studies out there which go into the benefits to babies from being close to a parent and we could reference all of them here, but, it would all be a bit long in the tooth! So, instead we will summarise...babies want to innately be close to their parents and
Carry Cuddle Inspire
www.carrymybaby.co.uk
beautiful, comfortable baby slings from brands we love
c a r r y m y b a b y. c o . u k
We specialise in baby slings and carriers, so whether you buy online or in person, with our wealth of experience and expertise you will receive fantastic support to help you get the best from your baby carrying journey
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The multi Award Winning Wheely Bug range of fun animal ride on toys designed to offer hours of robust fun and help to promote self-confidence, spatial awareness and gross motor skills. WheelyBugs can be ridden, pushed, pulled, kissed and cuddled and can go in any direction! £49.99
www.babe-equip.co.uk
Achieve 15
FIT FOR A For 20% discount use the code ACH20
Peacheyboo are a graphic-design led brand for trendy 0-3 year olds. Specialising in unique, fun, hand illustrated prints that are created and made in Britain using 100% super soft cotton. Peacheyboo are launching their latest collection soon, featuring new exciting styles and materials. www.peacheyboo.com
Pink merino matinee coat for girls £39 www.incywincycashmere.co.uk
A message sent “from Mummy’s Tummy” for Mums to be. A great gift for expecting mothers and a wearable gift for baby when born. Available in size Newborn and 0-3m. Comes presented in one of our snazzy “from Mummy’s Tummy” postal boxes. £20 www.readmyrhyme.co.uk
The Natural Choice ! The Poco baby hammock it the most natural sleeping environment you can give your baby. Transition your baby from the womb to the outside world with the Poco baby hammock. Safe, secure, and tactile the Poco hammock has proven to help babies sleep better and for longer durations. Free Shipping Voucher Code FS100 www.pocobabyhammocks.co.uk
When a princess who behaves like a dragon meets a dragon who behaves like a princess, who knows what will happen! £5.99 www.childs-play.com
Bibetta fun UltraBib™ is made from soft, stretchy neoprene and has a clever flip-out pocket for catching food and spills. Available in four eye-catching patterns and colours. £5.99 www.bibetta.com
*Special discount code for Achieve Magazine readers – 10% off with ACH10 at the checkout, valid until 31.08.16*
Wooden rocking & ride on dog £125.00 www.hibba.co.uk
Pink Bow Scallop Dress £35.99 www.pompombaby.co.uk Little Button Bay- Create your own unique baby gift hamper or select from our gorgeous baby gift collections and welcome new baby to the world in style. Find us at www.littlebuttonbay.co.uk
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Natures Purest passionately believe in creating natural products that will not irritate your precious baby in any way. Clothes, toys, gifts & bedding made from organically grown, naturally coloured cotton with no added chemicals, pesticides or dyes. Ethically produced in Sri Lanka with “Garments Without Guilt, Oeko-Tex 100, & GOTS certification. www.naturespurest.co.uk
At Dragon Toys we sell some of the best loved brands of soft toys and collectible teddy bears. Our online shop offers an extensive variety of plush soft toys, including the popular Ty beanies soft toy range, Steiff Teddy Bears, as well as the Charlie Bears collections. We also now stock a range of attractive gifts for all occasions.
www.dragontoys.co.uk ukdragontoys@gmail.com 020 8977 7230
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES AT THE RIGHT TIME...
Have you ever looked at a musician and wondered how they got to be the one who can play with ease? Have you presumed that they must have simply been born with the ability or been surrounded by a musical family? This mother has. With two young children who seem to love anything to do with music, I often think about getting them music lessons, but am told more often than not that they are simply too young and to wait until they are 6 or 7. Yet, this advice to me has always felt wrong, they want to learn now! By waiting until this age are we somehow missing the magic window of time when children seem to naturally soak up information with ease? Well, after chatting with Sylvia Corona, a professor in Music Pedagogy and teacher at Stringnote Academy, it turns out my feeling has substance. She told us all about the ground-breaking research into the benefits to children of nurturing their musicality from a young age, with a method that is not only fascinating, but works in a profound and life enhancing way. Stringnote’s pioneering journey started decades ago with founder Marcello Palace wanting to develop children’s musicality at a younger age than was ‘the norm’. In his efforts to create an 18
environment of musicality allowing young children to reach their potential in music, Marcello spent 13 years developing the teaching method which is used in lessons from the academy in Fulham and in houses across London today.
us intellectually, “Children of Stringnote often find many other learning aspects in their life are enhanced such as, physically with co-ordination, emotionally with confidence and intellectually with things like reading, understanding symbols and learning languages. There is strong scientific evidence for this and So, what is this musicality in the young just recently an American study actually that we are talking about? Firstly, think obtained images and readings from the about how many of us attempt to learn a brain which showed biological changes language or an instrument later on in life when music was practised.” Sylvia and feel like we are really up against our explained. She also told us, “Nearly all own brains? Doesn’t it all feel so much children are born with a natural musical harder to learn than it would have when we were younger? There is truth in this for ability of some kind, yet only a handful realise their full potential. Whether that’s most of us. Yet, when we look at young becoming a musician or children listening and “As we get older this simply enjoying playing engaging in music musicality seems to wane, music for pleasure or a it all looks and feels hobby. This potential is its peak is at around very natural. Sylvia explained why this 4-6 years old but it’s sadly addressed and met at Stringnote. Of course not might be: “As we get missed by so many.” every child will grow to older this musicality be professional musicians, but, with our seems to wane, its peak is at around method children will see a great deal of 4-6 years old but it’s sadly missed by success and growth intellectually and so many.” With the methods used by emotionally.” Stringnote to learn music this golden window of time is nurtured, allowing your child to realise their true potential. The Stringnote method of musicality training enables many life enhancing advancements by tapping into that part of the brain which also works to develop
This success has been realised recently with the introduction of 5 mini-grade piano exams. So far in the UK there hasn’t been anything to gradually prepare children, from the early age of 4,
for the first ABRSM exam which typically occurs at 7 years old. Stringnote have introduced a graded mini exam system which tests the children’s abilities in a gentle and rewarding way. The results of the recent first mini grade exams, which were assessed by an external examiner, were astounding! With the examiner commending such high results from a huge number of children so young. Of course, some parents might be slightly worried about testing their children so young, but Sylvia reassures us that, “It’s a child-friendly test situation where we have found that the children are thrilled to have achieved what they have, rather than scared by the exams. Parents told me of their children’s enthusiasm with extra practices and the like and we were delighted with the results!” So, you might be wondering, what is this magical method at Stringnote? Well, you will be pleased to know that it’s a method that Stringnote is keen to share with others, “We are very successful with our music lessons for children aged 4-8. What makes them special is the combination of group and one-to-one piano lessons which gives children a true understanding of music, and then we create an environment where the children actually play and do! They enjoy the lessons so much, which we feel is vital. We are keen to share our methods with other teachers and organisations nationwide and already have training tools at the ready to help other teachers and families discover the benefits of nurturing musicality from a young age.” Thus, they are calling for teachers and schools who are interested to become a Licenced teacher in Stringnote’s music and piano method for children from age 4. As Stringnote is currently working in London and I’m from the middle of England, I’m looking forward to have a licenced teacher nearby! To know more about Stringnote’s method and licence possibilities, visit www.stringnote.com
Book your child in for a FREE taster session. Or, request a teacher to visit you at home for a personal lesson. Call 07946 808976 or visit www.stringnote.com to find out more. Achieve 19
MARTIN DALBY
Martin Dalby
– A musical life
“If Music is a Place -- then Jazz is the City, Folk is the Wilderness, Rock is the Road, Classical is a Temple.” -Vera Nazarian Classical music provides an important soundtrack to so many people’s lives. It communicates with us on a variety of levels, on a base level as an art form it expresses emotion and has the ability to make us feel transported to another place, to sweep us up into a moment outside of ourselves. On another level it helps us to relax, to ‘switch off’ in a medative way and on yet another it can add drama to forms of media that we consume. One such person whose life and work has been the artform of classical music is composier Martin Dalby. As one of the UK’s most prolific classical composers, music is his life and his contributions to the genre have helped keep classical music alive in the 21st Century. As a result, his career is a glittering example of how classical music, once it’s in your veins, can be a shining light in your life. Born in 1942, Martin grew up surrounded by music with an organist
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as a father, he was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School where music was an integral part of his study and leisure time. In 1960, after being granted a Foundation Scholarship at the prestigious Royal College of London in Composition alongside composer Herbert Howells and violist Frederick Riddle. His passion for music grew as he immersed himself in the classical music world. His music has allowed him to travel the world, and at one point in his life he spent two years in Italy where he played the viola in an Italian Chamber Orchestra that toured Europe and North Africa. His time in Italy was thanks to the Otavia Prize and a Sir James Caird Traveling Scholarship; a stage in his life that was wonderfully educating and inspirational to the rest of his career. When he arrived back in the UK his path was mapped in broadcasting as Martin was appointed one of the BBC’s Music Programme Producers (now known as BBC 3). Making quite an impact to the station led to Martin becoming Head of Music at the BBC and he later went on to win a Sony Gold Award for producing BBC Scotland’s radio. Now, in 1972, as
Head of Music for Scotland, he put into development the public profile of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Great Britain and abroad. The largest international Polish festival of contemporary music, the Warsaw Autumn and the Henry Wood Prom in London (aka The Proms), for which he wrote The Mary Bean, have all performed Martin’s work: success on a whole other level. Over the last 30 years Martin has written a great deal of groundbreaking and influential music for orchestras, the Church, radio, television including many songs as well as chamber music too. In light of these huge successes one would imagine Martin has accomlished all he would want to and yet for him, music will always be the driving force in his life; “Music is my life, it has always felt like my passion rather than a career and that’s why it will never end. I may have less committments in the classical music world but I am always composing, I can’t ever see myself stopping!”
www.impulse-music.co.uk/dalby
A MUSICAL LIFE
“
Music is my life, it has always felt like my passion rather than a career and that’s why it will never end. I may have less committments in the classical music world but I am always composing, I can’t ever see myself stopping!
”
Achieve 21
Classrooms
The Toughflex™ range of classroom furniture has been designed for SEN schools and units.
For more information call 01588 674 340 or visit www.toughfurniture.com 22
THE POWER OF YOGA4AUTISM We were truly moved by the positive effects that Yoga4Autism was having on those on the autistic spectrum and so caught up with founder David Ellams Bsc(Hons) to find out more. What does Yoga4Autism do, David? “We help people with special needs using healthy, natural methods such as yoga, mindfulness and meditation by addressing the causes rather than covering up the symptoms with mind numbing drugs- as has been the way of the past. In doing so, we can help as many people as possible live happy, fulfilling live’s to their FULL potential without limitations. I am on the spectrum having been diagnosed with Aspergers, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia and discovered how yoga worked to bring all of my symptoms under control and turned my life around in the most incredible way. I created Yoga4Autism to help others live the life I now enjoy...” What led you to start Yoga4Autism? “I was actually going through a very successful time in my life with my career in I.T, in fact, I still am, as one of the leading I.T developers in the world. I was getting great job offers, a first class honours degree and earning well, but I have never been motivated by money and felt my calling was to share with others the profound effect yoga had on me and my life. So, I created Yoga4Autism with my friend Rupert Smith back in Jan 2013…. and here we are today.” So, what do you offer? “We intend to offer yoga classes and workshops all over the UK and eventually the world so we can help as many people on the spectrum and with special needs live happy, fulfilling lives to their own FULL potential and without any limitations. It is now our mission at Yoga4Autism to offer yoga instructors and practitioners our unique yoga teacher training courses, under the guidance of qualified professionals who
have worked with autism for many years and who have vast experience teaching yoga. It is also our mission to establish yoga studios and clinics all over the UK to reach as many people as possible. We offer classes for Schools, Colleges, Care Homes & other organisation across the UK as well as one-on- one sessions where we can tailor the session to suit the individual needs.” How does it help? “Yoga benefits everybody and Yoga4Autism helps individuals with Sensory Integration Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, High Functioning Autism and Classic Autism as well as others with special needs to reduce aggression, pain, obsessive behaviours and anxiety - to name a few. Yoga helps an individual to create a regulation of emotions, make new friends, increase confidence and self-esteem. It improves their flexibility, co-ordination and promotes a calmness, an ability to relax and reduce stress to improve sleep, focus… I could go on! Ultimately, we want to share the power of yoga with everybody, but in particular,
with people that may not have even started to realise their true potential and inner light.” How can people become teachers? “We are offering regular yoga teacher training to everyone so individuals can then open a Yoga4Autism branch in their local area. We have very high demand for this but are always seeking likeminded individuals to take Yoga4Autism global, please get in touch if you are interested!”
Visit www.yoga4autism.com Email: classes@yoga4autism.com if you are interested in classes or training@yoga4autism.com if you are interested in training.
Achieve 23
A flexible approach that makes a difference in the SEN classroom As SEN schools increasingly act to raise the standards and quality of their learning environments they have looked to Tough Furniture’s problemsolving approach and been able to combine this with the hard-won experience of their own staff to produce real benefits for students with learning difficulties, complex needs and ASD. Much can be achieved through thoughtful design to optimise outcomes in SEN environments and manage the practical daily problems of challenging behaviour. We’ve worked with many schools over the years and created some products that have made a huge difference to the issues faced. “You gave us solutions, not a
catalogue” commented a manager at Sunfield School of our partnership with them. At Springwater School we worked with the Facilities Manager to design new seating arrangements for the common areas which have to accommodate children from 4 – 19 years old with a variety of needs. An ocean wave themed breakfast bar and an autism friendly protective bench and table were just some of the products installed. Flexibility has proved to be a key component for successful SEN classrooms and it’s this aspect of the furniture, together with the company’s trademark durability and long life that delivers real budgetary value over the years.
For more information call 01588 674 340 or visit www.toughfurniture.com 36390 TF Achieve Magazine_Advertorial_137x190mm_AW.indd 1
CRELLING HARNESSES LTD
11/02/2016 16:24
Special needs harnesses for vehicle seats, wheelchairs, shower & bath hoists, commode chairs, walking reins and more. Tel: 01253 852298
Fax: 01253 821780
www.crelling.com
Email: info@crelling.com
We make simple belts and full supportive harnesses for all kinds of special needs, including challenging behaviour. 24
r todd lers ! o f y s o t h To ug
To see our full range visit us at www.wowtoys.com Stockists
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Helping children with emotional, behaviour and mental health problems
P
lay therapy is recognised as a profession through the accreditation of Play Therapy UK’s Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapists by the Professional Standards Authority. Being accredited by the Authority offers enhanced protection to anyone looking for play therapy services – you now have the option of seeking practitioners on a register that has been vetted and approved.
Our register covers the entire UK - find a Play Therapist in your locality www.playtherapyregister.org.uk, or ask your child’s primary school, if they provide a service based on Play Therapy UK’s therapists.
Between 72% and 83% of the children who have received play therapy from a Play Therapy UK Registrant show a positive change. Your child deserves the best.
You can also help other children - develop your own career! Become a Registered Practitioner in Therapeutic Play Skills or a Play Therapist The UK needs at least 14,000 more therapists to work with children.
● Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills
Anyone over the age of 21, with at least two years experience of working with children in some way and an ability to study at post graduate level can train to become a Play Therapy UK Registrant. The courses delivered by the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy are, at present, the only ones that give admission to the Play Therapy UK Register.
● Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy (Both courses are 15 days in 3 day blocks delivered over 6 to 9 months. You will normally start working with the children after the second block) Optional MA in Practice Based Play Therapy
Train in one of our 10 therapeutically sensitive centres, Antrim, Barnsley, Bristol, Edinburgh, Huntingdon, Kenilworth, London Central, Manchester, Truro and Tunbridge Wells. Post Graduate courses accredited by Leeds Beckett University. Ask for: ● Our 28 page career and training guide in Play Therapy, including in-school programmes. ● Research paper showing the effectiveness of play therapy ● Course fee payment options
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Find out about our special training methods and career opportunities by attending a 1-day Introduction to Play Therapy. Penny Milne Course Administrator APAC Ltd The Coach House, Belmont Road, Uckfield TN22 1BP 01825 761143
Email: mokijep@aol.com Web: www.playtherapy.org.uk Phone: 01825 761143
Happy holidays all round
The Beach Easy
All Terrain Whe elchair With summer holidays now just round the corner, many of us are starting to dream of those days spent in warmer climates, different cultures or simply some time away from our everyday routine. However, for those with a disability, a holiday may hold with all the fun things its own set of concerns too, particularly if you require care. The good news is, that there are a host of organisations and destinations who want to help you enjoy a break away that is free from that worry. Whether in the UK or abroad you can enjoy a fun adrenaline driven activity holiday with others or a quiet, sunny, leisurely break. These accessible holidays come in the shape of organised days complete with carers and activities, wheelchair accessible holiday rentals and even companies providing top of the range wheelchairs for which beach terrain is no problem! Consider what you need from your break, are you looking to socialise and meet new people from your holiday or are you looking to simply travel to a destination with your family which is also accommodating for your accessibility needs? Here at Achieve we have been in touch with some companies whose aim is to provide a fun, safe and memorable holiday experience for all and many of the providers know exactly what you need based on personal experience.
The “Beach Easy” rolls over sand and rough terrain with remarkable ease!
www.beachwheelchairs.co.uk 07801 710 750
beacheasy@hotmail.co.uk
Calvert Trust Exmoor enables students with all types of disability, and their classmates, to experience challenging and enjoyable adventure breaks together. At our fully accessible residential centre all activities are specifically designed and equipped to cater for everyone. Have your residential break with us and discover
it's what you CAN do that Counts!
www.calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor Contact us quoting ’Achieve’ to find out more:
01598 763221
exmoor@calvert-trust.org.uk
Achieve 27
News from the Anna Kennedy Online network.. We thought it would be a nice idea to catch up with a couple of people from the Anna Kennedy Online network. With two schools, a college and a host of campaigns the Anna Kennedy network is never quiet and we were interested to find out some more about the people within the team. This issue, we had a chat with Craig Appleton who is the Service Duty Manager Deputy at West London Community College and Fiona Treadaway who is the Arts Director at Baston House school. First up we spoke with Craig who is a key player on the team at West London CC, a college for Adults on the autism spectrum. We grilled him about the highly successful fund-raising Charity stall that his students run… So Craig, tell us briefly about what the stall is? “Well, it’s many things really! Firstly, it’s an opportunity for pupils to learn a number of life skills and secondly it’s a chance to raise funds for Anna Kennedy Online. Twice a month the students set up their stall at a local market space and currently they sell home-made jams and chutneys which have been incredibly popular. The students are now expanding their empire though with handmade bath and beauty products to keep it diverse and interesting!” Do the students do everything? “Yes, throughout the weeks in the run up to market day they go out and get produce ready by purchasing any 28
ingredients they need and then they spend time actually creating stock. They have designed artwork, flyers, labels and even do their own bookkeeping, handling the finances and pretty much everything in between!” What positive effects has the stall had on the students? “So many. The biggest thing has been the effect on their confidence and interactions with the public. We see quite a few regular faces and that relationship building has been great. Then there is the continuous engaging with new people too and, of course, the responsibility and sense of pride they have with doing all that work and then it paying off is huge.”
That’s great, where can the public find the stall then Craig? “We are at The Pavilions Shopping Centre in Uxbridge every couple of weeks, but we often pop up at various Anna Kennedy Online Events too. In the future, we are looking at ways to sell the products online so that we can open up to a whole new marketplace! Watch this space.” www.westlondocommunitycollege. org.uk www.annakennedyonline.com
Next up, we meet Fiona Treadaway who is Head of Arts at Baston House, a pioneering primary and secondary school for children with autism. Tell us a little bit about your role Fiona.. “I have a number of roles really, but ultimately it is my job to put on 2-3 successful stage productions a year with the students. This means that I am scriptwriter, casting director, production manager, director, costume designer.....I could go on!” Wow, so no two days are the same then!? “No, not at all! I have a colleague Belinda Hopkins, who I don’t know what I would do without. She helps me with everything and as we get closer to a production the whole team help out with whatever they can, whether that is making tickets or sorting out seat arrangements everyone pulls together it is a great team experience. It all starts with the production choice and then I set about writing a script and parts for individuals in mind so that they really feel comfortable with their role. Then come the rehearsals and costumes, it’s so fulfilling, especially when it all comes together and we pull it off!
How do you think it helps with the students development? “It helps in so many ways, but in particular, it helps students’ with confidence, even if they are nervous beforehand standing up in front of fellow students and parents performing does amazing things for their confidence. It’s so rewarding to see them really enjoy it and then to see their parents enjoying it too. So often, it could seem like an impossible task to people, but when the parents see how well their children have done they are amazed and thrilled all at once. It is nice for the parents to have a kind of visual report on how well their children are doing.”
What’s coming up next for you all? “We just did Peter Pan and it was a huge success and next up we have Bugsy Malone, it’s still in the early stages, but it’s already shaping up to be a winner, it is such a classic and one I know the students will love to get involved in. There are some great characters and I am at the stage of writing parts for the actors so it won’t be long before we can get started with rehearsals and the fun really starts!”
www.bastonhouseschool.org.uk www.annakennedyonline.com Achieve 29
News from Anna Kennedy Online HQ Over the next few months, the calendar is really filling up at the Anna Kennedy Online HQ! They are always a busy crew of course, but with the Expo happening this month, Autism awareness next month, Autism’s Got Talent in May and the Autism Hero Awards in October tooit’s going to be a particularly busy 2016! Their campaigning is tireless in raising awareness of autism, raising funds and raising spirits within the community. Autism’s Got Talent is due to return for its spectacular 5th year at the 650 seated Mermaid Theatre London on May 7th as ever Anna and her super team have organised an extravaganza of entertainment which will include singers, dancers, drummers, violinist, magician, harpist to name a few. The aim has always been the same -to show what people with autism and Aspergers syndrome are capable of. The annual event is growing each year and always attracts people from far and wide including a host of celebrities which this year will include Robin Windsor and Jake Wood, who are back after enjoying last year so thoroughly. The performer entries have come from far and wide and have really blown away the judges with entries coming from all over the UK and as far as Sweden,
Croatia, US and Canada. It looks set to be a gem of a year in the Autism’s Got Talent crown. Anna Kennedy OBE says of the event, “One of the many things we seek to change with events like this is the negativity that can surround Autism, mainly as a result of a lack of awareness. Autism’s Got Talent provides a platform and a great opportunity to distinguish this, and replace it with hope, fun, laughter and positivity. What I find so positive about the event each year is the enjoyment that the performers get throughout the night as they can express themselves, make new friends and meet people from around the UK. Not only does it provide a springboard, it also boosts confidence and social skills, and new friendships for both adults and children. I can’t wait for this years event, it is always an emotional evening for everyone involved and is a real highlight in our calendar, it feels as though as it’s a celebration of all that our team do, bring on Autism’s Got Talent 2016!.”
Tickets for the show on May 7th at Mermaid Theatre Blackfriars London are available from lisa.robins@thevines.org.uk
BREAKING NEWS! Announcing the Anna Kennedy Online Autism Hero Awards 2016 This year Anna Kennedy Online are hosting the Autism Hero Awards in October 2016. This event provides a wonderful opportunity to recognise individuals and organisations within 30
the autism and SEN community. A night of entertainment and celebration is planned and will include hosts OBE Anna Kennedy, EastEnders star Jake Wood and much more. The awards are all about celebrating YOU, so, if you know of a special person who you think should be nominated then get in touch
with Anna Kennedy online to submit your nomination! www.annakennedyonline.com
Achieve Achieve are are proud proud sponsors sponsors of of the the
KayCey supersoft bodysuits have been designed for the unique requirements of 2-14 year old special needs children. You told us and we listened. Our vests incorporate our customers’ best design suggestions making them both functional and fun.
Autism Autism Expo Expo
You may have noticed that we are proud sponsors of the Autism Expo, a unique event from the team at Anna Kennedy Online. A charity dedicated to raising awareness for the equality of children and adults with an autism spectrum condition throughout society. The charity works tirelessly to campaign and educate and the Autism Expo is an event which will not only raise awareness and educate but will bring people together too. The ground-breaking event sees top speakers and exhibitors come together with individuals on the spectrum, their families, friends and professionals to discuss and highlight a broad range of issues and research into the condition. Events like these are so important in joining people, educating people and spotlighting a condition which effects so many and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be supporting the Anna Kennedy Online mission. Look out for our report on the event in our next issue and be sure to come and say hello to us if you read this and catch us there!
Design
Style and Colours
The seams are topstitched to prevent them from digging into the skin under braces. It also minimises curling of the arm/neck/leg openings.
Perfect for every little girl’s dress sense and every little boy’s inner super hero.
The longer leg and reinforced crotch area with five extra durable press studs gives additional coverage. This deters wandering hands from accessing nappies.
Boys and girls love the variety of colours and styles of our bodysuits which are suitable for all seasons and easy to coordinate with any outfit.
Tube Access
You can opt for a strategically placed opening on the bodysuit to acces the tube for the intake of food, administration of medication and removal of waste. A simple solution for PEG/Tube fed access without having to remove clothing.
Fabric
The fine weave of our supersoft AZO free fabric (95% cotton, 5% elastane) is gentle on the skin. The tag-free bodysuits leave your child free to move without uncomfortable irritation.
Contact Us
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7183 3460 Mob: +44 (0) 7565 799 668 Facebook: /SpecialKids.Company Twitter: @SKC_World info@SpecialKids.Company www.SpecialKids.Company
www.annakennedyonline.com
Sunken Trampolines provide the perfect platform for schools, care institutions and families across the UK to enjoy safe and enjoyable trampolining.
We ensure our installations are tailored to the needs of each client. For a free consultation and site survey please contact us and we would be more than happy to help
Contact Joel 07801 573278 / Angus 07765 256537 sales@sunkentrampolines.co.uk www.sunkentrampolines.co.uk Achieve 31
ATTENTION ALL MUMS! Hi, I’m Lynne James, I am highly experienced in helping people, especially Mums, develop part time incomes, career incomes and lifestyles to suit their individual needs, from home, without compromising their current work or family commitments. Are you looking to work part time and flexibly around children and/or other commitments? Would you like to earn £300-£500 pm extra income, or a career income of £2,000-£5,000+ pm? Although not essential, do you have experience in sales, marketing, recruitment, teaching or training, or do you enjoy Facebook and know how it use it? You will receive second to none support and mentoring, and be working under the umbrella of a well-established organisation and in a hugely successful, but very friendly team. For further information or an informal chat, please call me on 01295 722525. ‘Lynne has been instrumental in changing our future. Working alongside her has given my family financial peace of mind. This is all down to Lynne’s professionalism, warmth, experience and never ending words of encouragement; she has believed in me a lot longer than I have!’ Mandie Cran ‘Working with Lynne meant I was always there for my three wonderful children. When I became a single Mother, Lynne was there to help me secure an income to the stage it paid my mortgage which was vital as I have no income from my exhusband and would have lost my house!’ Hesione Waugh
Carving out some me time...
Speaking from experience here, finding ways to look after yourself when you have children is very, very difficult and some days feels absolutely impossible! In fact, some days, it’s a struggle for your hairbrush to locate your own head, but, it’s so very important. A friend said to me recently,” The way I look at it is, if you don’t have a thing left in your pot for yourself, how on earth can you expect to keep giving parts of you out?”. Okay, I hear you cry, how do we do it then? How do we bank some me time in order for everything else to feel better? The key is to plan out some time for yourself as if you don’t plan it, it’s unlikely to happen and so tell your partner or family members the time you want to have to yourself and how important it is to you, that way they can help take over some of your duties. So, what could you do with this time? Lots! Take some time out for a fitness class or adopt a healthy eating plan, get those exercise endorphins going and feel clearer and more energised. Aim to simply feel better from these things, rather than with an aim to lose weight. Adopting a healthier lifestyle for the long term is likely to help you to lose weight and keep it off rather than yo-yo dieting, remember our aim is to feel better here. Of course, how you feel inside shouldn’t have any bearing on what you look like on the outside, but that said there’s no harm in a nice haircut or a facial to help things feel a bit better is there? Visit a beauticians, create an at home natural spa, or become acquainted with your local holistic therapy centres to get a bit of a boost. Another way to take some time for you is to rediscover your hobbies, whether it’s something crafty or something active get back to it or create a new one. Whether it’s yoga, knitting, swimming or anything else you can think of, rediscovering the things you did before babies came a lot can really help rejuvenate. You don’t need to do these activities alone, in fact, spending this time with like minded women can really help you feel like you again. Whatever it is that makes you feel like the old you again and allows you to have a little breathing space is never going to be a bad thing for you, your children or your home. It may feel like there is no time for you, but if you make sure there is and restore yourself you might find a happier home will follow....
www.thebodyshop.co.uk
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Taking inspiration from nature the Seaweed Collection from The Body Shop is affordable and smells delicious to boot. Designed for combination skin, the seaweed helps to restore balance and control excess oil. Start with the soap free facial wash and finish with the moisturiser with SPF to protect from the sun. www.thebodyshop.co.uk
top tip If you are a mum looking to return to the world of work then take a look at www.workingmums.co.uk for a vast and varied look at all you need to know, including contracts and working hours info.
DIY Corner We love a good, natural solution to most things these days and our beauty regime is no exception. There are some great companies out there producing affordable, luxurious natural products and we love those too but wanted to share with you a DIY beauty recipe we have been concocting recently in our very own kitchens to help you get your glow on for the summer months! Sunshine always means you will be bearing more skin, legs are no longer hidden behind tights and trousers and the summer dresses require smoother skin so this issue we think a good body scrub is required. DIY Body Scrub If you are new to DIY beauty then a body scrub is a great place to start, you can typically find the ingredients in your kitchen and really it’s pretty tricky to get it wrong!
You can experience some at-home luxury from Ragdale Hall Spa with this exclusive range available at M&S. Deigned by the spa’s own award-winning beauty professionals they are just what you need for a spa in the comfort of your own home leaving you feeling pampered and rejuvenated. www.marksandspencer.com
First up, get yourself a good air tight container, a pretty kilner jar is perfect. Then, pick your grain, sugar or salt. We usually go for a brown sugar for a gentle yet effective scrub. Next up choose an oil, coconut is a good one as it is so readily available and has lots of skin benefits. Then add your scent with an essential oil. The combo we are loving lately is brown sugar, ground coffee and coconut oil! Coffee is a great cellulite buster we hear, plus, it smells yummy! There are no hard and fast measurement rules but aim for a ratio of half the oil to the grain and add your essential oil or coffee until it smells as you want it to. Easy. Of course, as there are no preservatives added it does have a shelf life, but it’s likely to be used up by the time it would have a chance to go off anyhow. Achieve 33
COLLEGE OF AYURVEDA www.ayurvedacollege.co.uk
The College of Ayurveda offers you the opportunity to learn more about Ayurveda and receive hands on practical knowledge and skills from experienced Ayurveda physicians, practitioners and therapists. We have put together a range of seminars and workshops which can be held throughout the year at various venues in the UK.
Our seminars and workshops are conducted by qualified Ayurveda physicians and practitioners. If you are interested in attending any of our seminars or workshops, or if you would like us to conduct a seminar or workshop specifically in conjunction with your organisation, please email us using our contact form with your request. Please Note we are unable to offer permanent teaching positions for overseas applicants at this time.
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Achieve 35
STYLE
Style With spring and in the air and our Royal Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s birthdays both coming up, we decided it was time to celebrate in Royal style. The warmer months often bring lots of lovely occasions and for those occasions you will want your children to look their best. Take a look at our style section this issue for inspiration from some of the finest clothing and accessory retailers in the country fit for Royals! 36
riverisland.com
STYLE
Spruce up their spring wardrobe With the warmer weather comes cuter children’s clothes. Hurrah! Sure, we love a good knitted jumper as much as the next person but, there is something wonderful about the change from winter to spring wardrobes isn’t there? Less layers before you get them out of the house, brighter colours and a more fun vibe all comes with this lovely change in season. So, what should you be looking out for when it comes to kitting out your kiddies this spring and summer? We like the look of so much, whether online through independent boutiques or on the high street this spring and summer is full of
colour, the usual pastels are around but there are also some great clashing, fun prints and lovely ochre and turquoise colours too. Nature is a prevalent theme, which is perfectly fitting as everything starts growing outside and coming full bloom and Interestingly there is a great 70’s vibe which is shown through the adultwear this season too. Think nature, brights and retro and your tot will be perfectly in season. With spring/summer it’s likely you will be attending more events which will call for children’s occasion wear and this is actually quite a tricky area to get right. Whether it’s for an outfit as one of the wedding party or simply a family event which requires a smarter look, shopping for something that is right is never an easy task, particularly when you consider that you want them to look extra special and be comfortable too. Thankfully, designs have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, particularly in the independent design sector with many special occasion outfits now ticking all
www.next.co.uk
the boxes and being unique too. Shopping this season is all about adding a fun element to their wardrobes and we have a feeling that with what the shops have to offer this season they will love to wear your finds.
Arte Ideas aims to bring you an inspiring collection of Fashion and Lifestyle products which do not compromise ethics or style, whilst helping to make worthwhile contribution to the planet.
www.arteideas.co.uk
info@arteideas.co.uk
01274 288 727 Achieve 37
Clothes by www.littlebevan.co.uk Accessories by www.thesparkleclub.co.uk Face paint by Hi5Faces www.facebook.com/hi5facepainting
Clothes by www.littlebevan.co.uk Shoes & Accessories by www.thesparkleclub.co.uk Face paint by Hi5Faces www.facebook.com/hi5facepainting
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Clothes by www.littlebevan.co.uk
KEEP CALM AND BE ROYAL
Clothes by www.littlebevan.co.uk
Achieve 39
rocking royalty
Clothes by www.angels-face.co.uk Shoes & Accessories by www.thesparkleclub.co.uk Face paint by Hi5Faces www.facebook.com/hi5facepainting
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rocking royalty
Clothes by www.jellyrollskidswear.com Face paint by Hi5Faces www.facebook.com/hi5facepainting
Clothes by www.jellyrollskidswear.com Face paint by Hi5Faces www.facebook.com/hi5facepainting
Clothes by www.angels-face.co.uk Shoes by by www.thesparkleclub.co.uk Face paint by Hi5Faces www.facebook.com/hi5facepainting
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Clothing by www.jellyrollskidswear.com www.angels-face.co.uk www.littlebevan.co.uk Shoes & Accessories by www.thesparkleclub.co.uk Face Painting by www.facebook.com/hi5facepainting Photography by www.walkerimages.co.uk
Clothes by www.jellyrollskidswear.com
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Organic everyday essentials for your kids wardrobe. The Poco Rosso range is made from hemp and organic cotton blend and you can mix and match the collection with the array of funky colours. The fixed dyes used means no nasties next to your childs skin and you can wash them in the washing machine at 30 degrees. Prices range from £9.95 up to £16.95
www.bohohemp.com info@bohohemp.com
MASIEL BEBE IS A BABY & CHILDRENS BOUTQIUE OFFERING A FABULOUS RANGE OF SPANISH CLOTHING & SHOES FROM NEWBORN TO 12 YEARS OLD. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BUT AT GREAT PRICES LOOK NO FURTHER.
www.masielbebe.co.uk 020 7998 7006 56 Abbey Gardens London NW8 9AT
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Fashion forward baby couture Tutakids, the perfect place to pick up everything you need to complete the latest head-to-toe look for mini-stylistas, has launched their Spring Summer collection for babies. The adorable collection, full of bold colours, quirky prints includes pieces for boys and girls from 6 months to 3 years. Whether you’re looking for playsuits, mix and match casuals, brilliant partywear or cute girls’ dresses, Tutakids will make a delightful addition to the season.
Find a beautiful, hand-picked collection of lockets at The Locket Tree
Adorable marine themed baby Pretty pure soft cotton body babysuit with an applique bag and dress is perfect for sunny days. A leopard details is a stylish easy to stylish asymmetric shoulder with wear option for your little girl £53 adjustable strap, cute belt and the sweetest print creates a gorgeous look. £71
This pretty dress with a cheerful red print skirt and front fixed bow is perfect for stylish summer fun. A bodysuit inside will cover your little one in comfort. £53
www.thelockettree.co.uk 01202 331 675 44
Our playful babysuit is one of the cutest items this season. With a backpack print on the back, separate beret all made from deliciously soft fabric is perfect for your newest arrival. £39
The babysuit with applique tie and straps is a classic look for your little gentleman £42
A sporty hooded jacket in a choice of two easy styles – sunshine yellow or playful sail print - is the ultimate everyday summer outwear. £71
We have always believed in respecting our environment, being socially responsible and taking care of ourselves. Based in the heart of Greenwich Baby specialise in Fairtrade and organic clothes from newborn to age twelve and toiletries for the whole family amongst many other products. Careful research goes into sourcing every product and every member of staff is knowledgeable about all of our products www.greenwichbaby.co.uk
top tip Fearful that the special milestone days with your baby will slip away unnoticed? Discover Milestone Cards and take a picture of your baby with the right card to ensure the memories are stored forever!www.greenwichbaby.co.uk
DIY Corner! Capsule wardrobe Ever find getting all the kid’s dressed in the morning a challenge? We certainly do, especially on nonuniform days! Here is our short guide to help you create a capsule wardrobe for your little people that will help get them up, dressed, out and stylish in an instant! Keep it simple, try not to go out and buy one of everything and opt for carefully considered buys. Sure, that skirt is cute but what does it go with and what will she wear it to? Everyday clothing is easy as long as you consider carefully. A good place to start is with the basics. Spring and summer requires dresses and skirts, trousers and shorts, hone the look you are going for by choosing these pieces in a colour scheme and find the tops to match in a similar colour or pattern, the idea is to create a mix and match situation. Invest in a neutral sandal, nothing too crazy so that they go with the rest. Have fun with the accessories, a few well placed accessories in the shape of summer hats and belts makes all the difference in a streamlined wardrobe.
Bright
Blazers Riccione Firstline knitted coral jacket is the definition of trendy. Your little boy will be a show-stopper with this smart and comfortable jacket. Coral Knitted Jacket £67 from www.tutakids.co.uk
Try and find pieces that will be easy to put on and wear for your child, whatever their age ensure it is comfortable, consider whether you would feel comfortable in it first and remember they do a lot of active things, can they move freely? A capsule wardrobe needn’t be boring, it’s just better for the purse strings when you think a little about the bigger wardrobe picture. This way you banish those still-got-thetags-on pieces that were cute but nothing more than that! Achieve 45
Party perfect
Organising a children’s birthday party is no easy task whatever your child’s age and having hosted a few so far there are some things we would love to share with our readers that we have picked up along the way that might even make your party prepping more enjoyable!
Home or away
Consider carefully where you want to hold your party, do you want to have it at home or at a venue? There are clear advantages and disadvantages to both. The advantages being if it is at home you can prep in advance and its lovely and personal for them and the disadvantages being that your whole house will feel a little chaotic for a short while, then there is the clearing up! Advantages of seeking out a venue is that there is less mess and chaos in the family home. There are lots of great venues who charge reasonable prices for hire, or, lots of places do party packages where they take care of the whole thing, including party bags! All you need to do in this case is turn up, which is pretty appealing.
The Sparkle Club is an on-line store selling beautiful girls party shoes and bags exclusive to our website. From party to bridesmaids make your little girl feel like a princess.
www.thesparkleclub.co.uk enquiries@thesparkleclub.co.uk
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Entertainment... help!
Getting outside entertainment in for the children is a great way to keep them amused allowing you to get on with the other million and one things. We highly recommend the skills of Hi5 Faces, not only can she face paint like a true creative, but she is also great with the kids too and her designs go way beyond your average face paint visions. Or, hire in a magician, get a disco or children’s party host to ensure the party goes off in style and you don’t feel as frazzled trying to do everything.
Get them party ready
Whether it is fancy dress or special dress the usual jeans simply won’t do for a celebration of the birthday kind, seek out those sparkly shoes and costumes to make sure the whole theme and look is party perfect.
www.greenwichbaby.co.uk
Summer spells adventure for families doesn’t it? Suddenly play dates are made outside, picnics are had, holidays enjoyed, parks frequented, ice creams consumed and days are filled with fun until the sun goes down...can you tell we are excited for the summer?! The range from M&Co is full of this sense of adventure, with its floaty dresses and action ready comfortable pieces. Let their spark for adventure rub off on you and enjoy plenty of adventures this summer as a family, it is how the very best memories are made. www.mandco.com
DIY CORNER! Easter Crafting In our houses, any occasion warrants some crafting with children, whether it’s Valentines, Halloween, Christmas or Easter, we love to empty the recycling box, get out the tissue paper and let the kids use their imaginations and get creating. Easter is the perfect time to get your craft on and here are a few of our tried and tested Easter craft ideas to get you started…
top tip Planning a party or special occasion? Get on Pinterest to gain inspiration and gather your ideas together, build mood boards of food choices, outfit inspirations and much more. www.pinterest.com
Comfortable clothes this summer spells the freedom for your children to get out and about and playing until they are exhausted making memories. Opt for clothing that will stand the pace, clothes they don’t have to worry about that allow lots of movement and resistance against the mud and ice cream stains! Next’s summer range offers the stylish and robust clothes you need and have come to expect, so we say let them get out there and do their worst, dirty clothes mean a happy day! www.next.co.uk
The big one...the Easter bonnet! The Easter bonnet is a great way to get their creativity flowing. Find yourself an old hat, gather all the sparkly things, tissue paper and paints that you can find and go for it. The shops are full of crafty bits to attach but we like to make our own, sure they might be a bit rougher around the edges but they are from scratch made with love and that’s how we like it. Painting eggs is another winning idea, hard boil half a dozen, let them cool and let the children loose with the paints! Adorn further with glitter, if you like a sparkle. 3 Daffodil pictures are a new one for us in 2016 but they work a treat. Save the egg boxes in the run up to Easter, cut carefully around one egg casing and attach to card bottom side to paper, cut or colour in shapes around the attached egg case then paint yellow. Add a green straw stalk and set the scene by painting or colouring the background. These make lovely Easter cards too. Whatever you decide to create we are sure the kids will love to get messy in the process!
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All About Animals
Nice Lion Children’s Organic Wool Felted Lion Slippers Hector & Queen’s award winning organic wool felt slippers are beautifully handmade from compressed wool and finished with exquisite attention to detail.
Animals Wallpaper by Studio ditte £110 www.nubie.co.uk
£24.95-£26.00 www.hectorandqueen.co.uk
A sweet set of 10 Rusty and Friends design nesting alphabet blocks complete with a carrying box. £12.95 www.dotcomgiftshop.com
I SPY..... Kids can get crafty with this Make your own 3D Woodland Scene set. It contains a forest landscape and 16 pieces, easy and fun to put together they make 12 super cute animals from foxes to ducks to squirrels. £4.95 ww.dotcomgiftshop.com
A great alternative to costly footmuffs or cosy toes, this cosy waterproof cover fits snugly on to all buggies, bike seats, rear facing car seats and carriers/slings. Opens out flat as a travel picnic rug or play mat. Fits all ages from newborn to 4 years+. £29.99 - 20% off with code ACHIEVE www.bundlebean.com
Zebra cuddley toy £23 www.dragontoys.co.uk
Monkeying Around
The multi Award Winning Wheely Bug range of fun animal ride on toys are guaranteed to provide hours of fun. The small version is suitable for children from 1 to 3 years old who can walk unassisted. WheelyBugs can be ridden, pushed, pulled, kissed and cuddled! These colourful ride on bugs, great for both boys and girls, almost have a magical mind of their own. They are designed to offer hours of robust fun and help to promote selfconfidence, spatial awareness and gross motor skills. £49.99 www.babe-equip.co.uk
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Mattie Monkey is the King of Jungle! With his long gangly arms and legs and curly wurly tail, you’ll find him swinging through the trees looking for his next banana snack (or his best friend, Cottontail Bunny). Mattie is a lovable, cheeky chappy with a heart of gold and the softest, snuggliest coat we have ever seen. £19 www.bobbyrabbit.co.uk
These Skip Hop backpacks from Dotty Hippo have a roomy main compartment, mesh side pocket and insulated front pocket. The backpacks are available in 12 fun and cute designs and are firm favourites with parents looking for good quality backpacks. These great designs can also be found on insulated lunch boxes, water bottles, trolley cases, tableware and cutlery sets. £19.50 www.dottyhippo.co.uk
Adventurous Tiger
A classic and a best selling Buggysnuggle cosytoes! The cutest sheep design in cuddly sherpa fleece lined with plain fleece. This Buggysnuggle footmuff has cute white sheep on a red background lined with soft plain red polar fleece. £65 www.buggysnuggle.com
Studio Matryoshka Nesting Animals. This fun and colourful Russian doll animal set includes a bear and a squirrel, a lion and a tiger and an owl and a penguin. Hide them away inside each other or line them up on the shelf in height order... But whatever you do, don’t let that bear eat them all! £19 www.bobbyrabbit.co.uk
Terrible tiger tail by Telltails £15 www.telltails.co.uk
S is for Snuggly… … And for Sleep
Award winning Sleeping Bags for toddlers and children. Use code ACH10 at checkout for a 10% discount (before end March 2016) www.snugglesac.com
Little Cheeky Chewy
This fancy dress tail is totally tiggerlicious. Gobble this, gobble that, the terrible tiger tail is for those with a ferocious appetite. When the tiger is around no snack is safe, best hide that packed lunch.
Bath time is so fun with these Babies’R’Us garden squirtees! Designed as a bird, turtle, frog and flower, the rubber bath toys can suck up water and then squirt it out with a simple squeeze. £4.99 www.toysrus.co.uk/babiesrus/
Meet Chewy the hippo teether, complete with attachable strap that can be clipped to any harness. Made from soft natural latex rubber, this innovative toy provides a unique sensory experience – with tactile, textured features, soothing smell and audible squeak to stimulate all the senses, Chewy is 100% safe to chew. £10.99 www.cheekychompers.com
Happy Hopperz Ride On – Pink Cow. The Happy Hopperz are a fun solution for keeping your little one active and are one of the only Hoppers that are suitable for children of 12 months and upwards. From £22.50 www.uberkids.co.uk
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HOLIDAYS
Holidays Get excited readers it’s nearly holiday time! As we turn our thoughts to finding a lovely warm climate for our July fortnight break we also bring you our top finds and handy packing tips. Holidaying with the family is so much fun, getting prepped for their holiday wardrobe and getting them all thrilled for a break away is wonderful and creates happy memories for you all to cherish. mandco.com
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HOLIDAYS
Travelling with little ones
Holidaying with the family is fun, fun, fun but, packing so you are prepped for every eventually is not so much, right? Well, we have put together a few hints and tips that have helped us when we have been on our travels with the little folk in tow to see if our snippets of help can assist you with making your happy holiday even happier.
Plan in advance The key is all in the planning. A good way to ensure you have everything packed for every household member is to start early. Leave open a suitcase in each bedroom and add potential holiday clothes and accessories to the suitcase as you go along. Then, when it actually comes to the packing part you can filter out the non-essentials.
Keep them entertained
Right, now you are packed, make sure you enjoy yourselves!
The dreaded words, “are we nearly there yet?” are all too common aren’t they? Pack plenty of entertainment items to prevent this constant question. However you are travelling to your destination, set up a mini bag for each mini person with some toys and colouring things and ensure they are kept away and out of sight until holiday day. Oh and snacks…. pack lots.
Mini first aid kit...in fact mini everything
All the toiletries needed for the whole family can create quite a bulky addition to your luggage. Consider those handy mini tubs or travel versions of your favourites, or even better try and all get on board with the same shampoo, conditioners and shower gel! One of each is far easier than separates. This is a real mum’s one here, don’t forget to pack a mini first aid kit too.
www.cuckooland.com
Villa for 4, 2 minute walk to the beach and good discount on twilight golf
A short drive from Faro airport, two minute walk to sandy beaches and almost at the front of the delightful Aldeamento village in Vale do Lobo. Accommodation comprises two double/twin bedrooms, two bathrooms, open plan kitchen with dishwasher and microwave, dining and living room with open fireplace and satellite TV. There is a spacious roof terrace, recently extended with awning, suitable for extra people june- september and a small shaded garden ideal for summer lunchtime. Free use of tennis courts, pool and gym at Vale Do Lobo Tennis Centre, good discount on twilight golf.
01935 891 241
peakevenetia@rocketmail.com
www.1valedolobo.co.uk Achieve 51
Bring the family to...
CORNWALL
Spectacular self catering retreats in the superb surroundings of St Ives, Cornwall
Get 15% ith Discount w code ACH1
SWIM SAFELY WITH JAKABEL Jakabel has a stylish, eye catching and easy-to-spot range of UV50+ swimwear and accessories, including the highly acclaimed Swimsafe floatsuits- the only ones with an anti-tip neck ring. High- quality, resilient and chlorine-safe, they look good on all the family! Sizes from 0-13yrs plus adult sizes. Delivery 2-3 days all year round.
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Hand-picked family holidays that are perfect for children and their parents too!
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The The travel travel
suitcase suitcase essential... essential... As your holidays get ever nearer, so too do thoughts of what to pack, and with the seemingly endless list many of us forget one key thing that will make the travel part all the easier… flight socks. Ever felt that all consuming nag of restless legs on a flight or after long periods of sitting down? It’s not pleasant is it? But, the good news is it is not necessary! With Pebble UK’s flight socks gone are the uncomfortable legs and risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Their medical grade flight socks not only make travel more comfortable (whether plane, train or auto-mobile), but they also help prevent DVT as well as leg fatigue, swelling and those dreaded varicose veins. Pebble UK, a family run business, was born out of a desire to make flight socks more readily available. Initially, the company’s aim was to help prevent DVT for those travelling, but as time went on they soon realised the effectiveness of
the socks, tights and leggings in other areas of people’s lives. Today, the range has expanded to include a variety of high quality, compression support hosiery including, socks and tights for men, maternity tights, leggings, arm sleeves and stockings, with various levels of compressions, and a choice of closed or open toe designs. At unbeatable levels of quality and effectiveness, an abundance of support and advice from the experienced team and something for all levels of need, Pebble UK will have the right product for you. Suitable for all, the flight socks are your must have holiday essential! Visit www.pebbleuk.com or call freephone 0800 433 4757. If you are diabetic, suffering with (or have suffered from) any Heart disease, or Arterial problems, you should always seek advice from your Doctor before wearing compression hosiery.
Tips for teaching your child to swim… for every mini shark adventure! Children love to swim and generally as a rule the earlier you get them into the water the better. When teaching your child in the water make sure your eye level is the same as your child's and always maintain a smile – kids pick up on negativity so remember to reinforce the positive and never use negative comments. Lavish your child with praise in the water and you will see their confidence grow immensely. A fun way to teach children to breath properly in the water is to use phrases like “talk to the fish” by blowing bubbles in the water, or “listen to the fish” by turning the head with an ear in the water and breathing in. If your child really doesn’t want to get into the water then don’t force them – play it down and suggest they sit on the side with their feet over the edge so they can kick and splash the water instead. Just sitting will increase their confidence – not every child wants to jump straight in! SwimFin aims to provide and encourage a fun learning experience for children and family members of all ages and abilities without being restrictive. Most importantly ensure your child is safe at all times – whether it be during a lesson, for recreational use at the weekend or on your summer holidays in a pool or down at the beach!
For more information or to buy please visit
www.swimfin.co.uk
RRP
£21.99
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FAMILY LIVING
Family Living The family home is the hub of your family, the place where you all gather as a unit at the end of a busy day and the place where you can truly relax and unwind. This issue we tackle the children’s bedroom and give you some hints and tips on how to get the tricky balance of practical and stylish, plus, we highlight how a family pet can really help make your house a home and teach the little ones some important lessons in the meantime. homesense.com
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FAMILY LIVING
Freshen up your home for spring... Time for a spring clean? For us it is. There is nothing like the promise of spring with its new beginnings, fresh air and the hibernating feeling subsiding to make us all create changes in our living space. We love a good spring clean and with de-cluttering gurus promising us a happier, healthier and more positive outlook a good sort out has never felt so appealing. Now, in the family home a de-cluttering is not as easy as you would first think, I mean, the mere mention of cleaning out the toy cupboard makes most of us shudder, but there is hope people and it comes in the form of storage! There are some great storage solutions these days, unfortunately they won’t sort them out for you, but they will keep them tidier in the long run. If your children are old enough talk them through what storage is for what, a good trick is to use some sort of colour code
Joyous shopping for your little ones Butterfly Occasions.co.uk is possibly our favourite online shopping experience for the little ones in our life as it’s the perfect place to discover high-quality toys, gifts and games that we just won’t find on the high street. The experienced-parentsthemselves team have sourced the globe to find and bring you their unique and stylish toys, furniture and gifts and the collection features toys that offer years of fun and educational play. The shopper will find wooden toys, beautiful dolls and playhouses, puzzles, books, instruments and lots more besides on the attractive and easy to use the online site. A modern design feel and high-quality craftsmanship are
labelling system so they can at least attempt to understand how tidying will be made easier. Next, it’s the rest of the house. Tackle the cupboards and out of reach places that feel like they niggle at you first, as this will at least give you that satisfied feeling as you go which always helps to motivate. Try to see the sorting as a long-term job rather than attempting it in one afternoon then feeling rubbish when you don’t achieve it. Now, time for a big dust and hoover and to sit back and admire your new organised home. Why not go the whole way and give the decor a freshen up, pop a few plants around and choose some accessories which give a brighter, fresher feel as a reward and the icing on the spring home cake. Karcher WV2 Handheld Window Vacuum Cleaner £47.99 www.homebase.co.uk Bentley English Heritage Dustpan Set £12.99 www.homebase.co.uk
Laundry Basket £10 www.tigerstores.co.uk
what ties these lovely things together, and any piece is truly built to last. For the outdoors you can find more of the modern, stylish designs that you would hope for which includes playhouses, ride ons and trampolines to encourage your children to get out there in the fresh air to play this spring and summer ahead. A toy from a Butterfly Occasion helps your child use their imagination, encourages solo play and with their friends as well as harnessing their motor skills.
Butterfly Occasions don’t stop with the stunning designs for toys, they also embrace all that a child’s world needs and that includes the play room and bedroom decor. Featuring Nordic-inspired designs, the website is home to wall décor, soft furnishings and finishing touches. The furniture is well made, attractive and fun, meaning their bedrooms can be an exciting and adaptable space to suit play, storage and lots of zzz’s. All this, as well as gifts for all ages and tastes, are catered for, making shopping for the little ones in your life easy!
What stands out with Butterfly Occasions is the high quality, attractive and different designs that you just can’t find on the high street, this combined with their excellent customer service, makes them our pick for online shopping. www.butterflyoccasions.co.uk Achieve 55
How to create a harmonious space for your children Every child deserves a beautiful bedroom! Don’t know where to start? The Children’s Curtain Company has everything in place for you turn a kid’s room into a room inspired by all things childlike! To achieve this look, choose from over 500 fabrics for blackout curtains to avoid those super early wake-up calls, fancy blinds and all soft furnishings. Introduce the great outdoors with wild animal print curtains or encourage their curiosity with an around the world print custom made blind. The founder of the Children’s Curtain Company, Vivienne Parker has made sure you can spread the look around the room with bedding, wallpaper, storage boxes and even more accessories to compliment your chosen theme. With 35 years of interior design behind her, Vivienne gives guidance and advice if you’re stuck for ideas.
Send Chocolate, Champagne & Strawberries without the calories!
are inspired by their surroundings.
Shaline Mitra in her book, ‘The Art of Successful Parenting’ (2005), tells us that kids
Having a harmonious home teaches little ones many good behaviours so sprucing up their own bedroom with imaginative furnishings could stimulate and encourage their natural curiosity and provide a peaceful retreat at the end of those long hard days of learning.
Beautiful clean burning beeswax blend candles, 100% natural skincare, artisan foodie gifts, bags & scarves, jewellery and lots more inspired gifts from inspiring creators.
www.pinkboxboutique.co.uk Free Delivery on orders over £40.00 56
From tiny tots right up until the teens, everyone can enjoy a gorgeous child-like bedroom. All of Vivienne’s items are handmade so they are safe and sound for nurseries and allow you to get everything just so. Corners are mitred and weighted with no machine stiches visible on Roman blinds and you can choose a style of headings: pencil pleat, eyelet pinch pleat or tab top. Get five free fabric samples when you call Vivienne on 01635 871168 or email on sales@childrenscurtaincompany.co.uk Take a peek … www.childrenscurtaincompany.co.uk
fly away Butterflies Albany Kids by Albany. An all over wallpaper design featuring cute, delicate stylized butterflies. £20 per roll www.wallpaperdirect.com
DIY CORNER! Stylish and practical child’s room
top tip Stuck for where to start when designing your child’s room? Check out www.remodelista.com for some seriously stylish bedroom inspo.
Sweet
dreams Truly a designer kids bed to ‘aww’ over, the R Toddler Bed is the perfect combination of safety, style and functionality for your little prince or princess. Conforming fully to all EU safety regulations, the bed’s raised sides with stylish peep holes will keep your little one securely in bed at night, whilst its low height is easy to climb onto, encouraging independence, and its funky design will help stimulate growth through play. R Toddler Bed £525.oo from www.cuckooland.com
Creating the perfect bedroom for your children is such a fun task, in fact, come to think of it, we think it’s the most fun room to decorate in the whole house. It needs to be a calm and relaxing space for sleep yet a fun and practical space for play too. This is easy to achieve though, especially with the stylish and fun products available these days. Here in DIY Corner, we take a look at just some of the ways you can pull off a great childs space. Start with the bed, if you have a small space you are working with then try to source a bed solution which incorporates space that you can use underneath. Choose your furniture to work with the remaining space you have with as much storage as humanly possible, in our opinion you can never have too much storage where children and toys are concerned so max out on drawer space and add stylish boxes and baskets for easy tidying at the end of the day. Next for the fun bit…..painting and accessorising. It can be tempting to go for whatever character/film or TV show that your child is currently enthralled by, however, this can be risky long term as all too often this changes doesn’t it? Opt for fairly neutral walls which aren’t age specific and bring in the fun with accessories, posters, wall paper wall, bedding and soft furnishings. Et Voilà! A stylish room that is both practical and a lovely place for them to spend time.
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Our unique experiences include... One hour visit The pig enthusiast USE PROMO Piglet spa C ACHIEVE ODE 16 FOR Pigs in mud experience 20% OF F THE 1 Pampering pigs HOUR V ISIT AND Pigs in blankets MINI PIG KEEPING Take the muddy boots off Courses on pig keeping School visitsand Micro pig parties For further information and prices visit our website www.kewlittlepigs.com
Our micro pig farm in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire is by appointment only and is open from 10am - 3pm Tuesday - Saturday.
info@kewlittlepigs.com www.kewlittlepigs.com
LovingPets_Tough Dogs_Layout 1 03/06/2015 11:19 Page 1
Family Pets
Ruff N’Tough Diamond Plate Bowls • Stainless steel • Dishwasher safe • 5 sizes - 0.5L to 4.7L
Bella Spill-Proof Mats • Anti-skid feet prevents slips and floor damage • 2 colours and 2 sizes • Easy clean
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A family pet is a welcome addition to any home. Whether it’s a small fish tank, a hamster or dog having an animal around the house can really help make it feel like home. The impact a pet can have on a child’s upbringing is pretty big too. Having a pet to care for helps your children to understand about what it means to look after another being. From feeding and grooming to affection, if your child is old enough giving them some responsibility for their pet is a great way to get them thinking about caring for others and developing their compassion. There are, of course, lots of things to consider before you get a pet for your home amongst them, can you afford the costs attached to pet care in particular. The other major factor is the level of care that the pet requires, especially if you are looking at getting a dog, are you away from home a lot of the day? How much walking does the breed need? If you take into consideration the lifestyle that you and your family have and get the pet to suit you can ensure many years of happy pet home life and teach your children a wealth of invaluable lessons in the process too.
Do You have a Dog whos not comfortable in their own skin? Dogs who suffer allergic reactions often show it through skin condition. Pruritus (itching) is the hallmark sign of allergies and is often exhibited through the many symptoms: licking or chewing on feet, rubbing their faces, scratching their sides and belly and recurrent ear infections. The skin itself may get dry and crusty, reddened, or oily and it is very common to get secondary bacterial infections and sores, which usually are the result of self-mutilation through chewing and scratching. www.leucillin.co.uk
top tip Leucillin is instantly soothing and calming, for fast results spray liberally onto dry, itchy, flakey, smelly or broken skin! Leucillin is suitable for all mammals, birds and reptiles; from Cats to Cayman, Dogs to Degus, Hamsters to Horses. www.leucillin.co.uk
Happy Healthy Pets From the Outside In
Winner of PATS Petcare Product 2015, Leucillin is an incredibly versatile easy to use solution, specially formulated for the health and skincare of animals. Leucillin is a new approach to animal healthcare, giving animal owners and petcare professionals an infection control solution that just works! www.leucillin.co.uk
Healthy Pets! Topical Allergy Management and Relieving the Symptoms of Allergy Suffers It is important to keep in mind, Atopy can be managed but not cured, is vital that veterinary and nutritional advice is sort and the dog is receiving nutritionally what it requires to support its immune system from the inside out. Leucillin supports the skin from the outside in, its soothing formula helps calm the symptoms of allergy suffers and works as a preventative against secondary infection. Mirroring and supporting the body’s immune system, Leucillin replicates the leukocytes (white blood cells) naturally produced chemical used to fight infection caused by invading pathogens (germs). Leucillin is a natural antiseptic, destroying harmful germs on contact allowing the skin to heal naturally. Leucillin provides you with a safe, skin pH neutral, non-toxic, nonirritant solution for use on all skin types. Leucillin is reliable skincare with excellent results, out-performing other products with its incredible Log710 99.99999% results. Leucillin kills germs that can cause infection, irritation, dry, itchy, flaky or smelly problematic skin, associated with allergies and provides you with a powerful solution to combat all types of infection. Leucillin, helping to maintain healthy itch free skin keeping pets healthy happy from the outside in. www.leucillin.co.uk info@leucillin.co.uk www.facebook.com/leucillin Twitter: @Leucillin Achieve 59
KIDS CORNER
Kids Corner Our Kids Corner this issue brings you some great gift finds from books to bears for the children in your life, for special occasions and for everyday. Easter is suddenly round the corner and our super easy traditional Easter biscuit recipe helps you enjoy some fun kitchen with tasty results and we bring you some fun ways to fill your summer holiday days, whether indoor our outdoors, ahead. marksandspencer.com
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KIDS CORNER
At home
holiday fun! Keeping the children entertained for the weekends and summer holidays is no easy feat. Sure, you will want to go outside on adventures but there is something to be said for things that can keep them happy and entertained at home too. Here are some of our ideas for keeping your children amused for those staying in days over the holidays and weekends.
Make use of your outdoor space
Discover ways to make your outside space as interesting as possible. If your budget allows there are some great ways to spruce it up fit for warmer weather
fun. The classic swings and slides of course are great options but, there are loads of other things to get them out in the garden, from budget friendly frisbees and ball games to large inflatables and even assault course style games.
Get crafty Let’s face it, the British summer isn’t all sunshine and flowers some days the rain will just fall and the key to tackling these days is to be prepared. Stock up on the craft supplies and you will always have something for them to do! Plus, there are some great tutorials online for rainy day crafts, so if it’s not your strong point then fear not.
Bring the cinema to you Another one for the rainy days is to gather in the living room for a movie afternoon. We do this lots in our house and like to find ways to make it more of an event by getting the popcorn in,
moving the sofa round and drawing the curtains to up the cinema ante! We have even ventured into crafting our own cinema tickets and have torch assisted seating services before - it’s all good fun and doesn’t cost a lot either. So, with these hints and tips there needn’t be a bored holiday day again!
E-Bop.tv are on the search…… New Digital tv channel is on the search for kids and grownups for two of their new programmes.
The channel launches this Spring and you could be part of it. e-bop.tv will be the first digital FREE to view dedicated preschool channel in the UK. So are you a grownup who proclaims to be a cooking star, and that your dishes always get the thumbs up from the kids of the house? Are your sprouts super, your mushrooms marvellous, your spinach splendid, your peas perfect? If so our Kitchen and panel on Don’t like it, Won’t eat it await you…if you dare! Looking for grownups to present dishes and kids for the panel. Children need to be aged 3-6 and confident in front of a camera. We are also looking for 3-6 year olds for our Track Attack programme. A fabulous new series offering youngsters the chance to test their skills on a purpose built track in a 24v electric off-road car. The track presents some fun challenges including the Wobbly Bridge, Dragons Tail Corner, The Pit of Doom and Munch & Crunch Corners.
For a chance to appear on either of these programmes please tweet @ebop.tv #contestant or email vicky@e-bop.tv
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Perfect play at home
or away... Keeping the little ones in your life entertained when you are out and about is no easy feat. Whether you are out for a coffee with friends or attending an appointment, there comes a point when whatever you can find in your handbag to keep them occupied for a few minutes doesn’t do the job! For such times, Achieve would like to introduce you to The PlayBag Company. A business whose owner and designer was savvy and creative enough to bring parents everywhere a portable play mat which allowed for plenty of imaginative play for kids, and, therefore, a few moments of respite for their parents! The PlayBag Company was the invention of designer and mum of two Debbie who knows first hand the challenge of out and about play time, she told us over a cup of tea, “I was planning on a rare trip to the hairdressers, but knew I would have my two-year-old in tow and figured that could be pretty disastrous without the proper toys packed. The idea just came to me that if I could have a comfortable play mat that was portable and allowed and encouraged imaginative play my hairdressing trip would be a whole lot more enjoyable for all parties involved. So, I got out my fabric bag and set about making just that. Soon, others were approaching me to make them something similar and the rest is history!” Each unique playmat comes complete with features your children will just love, such as tunnels, bridges, water areas, paths, tracks….all things which are perfect for your little ones to inject their own imaginative play into. Your 62
children’s imagination will run as wild as it should do with scenes such as a Beach, Garden, Fairyland, the Arctic, and even space is within their reach at The PlayBag Company. Every playmat is housed in its own strong, attractive bag, is machine washable and folds away quickly and with ease. If you have something specific in mind Debbie is more than happy to accommodate your ideas with a customised version unique to you. Size-wise there is the maxi for both home and away play where space is no problem, and the mini for when space is a little more limited, yet both provide the perfect play backdrop for your child to enjoy. There are exciting things ahead for The PlayBag Company with the launch of a playmat aimed at young people on the Autistic Spectrum. With designs and features, all tailored to each individual likes and dislikes, the PlayBag Unique is already causing excitement...watch this space!
To shop the range visit www.theplaybagcompany.co.uk
Get Get outside! outside!
As the weather gets warmer (hurrah!) don a jacket and some wellies and get outside in that fresh air to discover the joys of spring. After spending the winter inside doing countless film days, baking days and crafting days spring allows us to get outside and take in the season without some much needed Vitamin D. Wearing the family out for the day with some fresh air is one of the best ways for them to get out in nature away from the technologies at home for a bit and run wild for a little while. Here are a couple of ideas to inspire you and the family to get outside this spring…. Egg Hunt We know, a bit obvious, but we have an idea to put a twist on it. We like to incorporate a nature hunt in the mix. Set out clues which will keep the bigger kids entertained too with tasks which get them gathering seasonal things complete with fun facts. Of course, you will need some easier things for the little ones, but the extra clues add a bit more fun for the older ones in the group and pleasing the kids of all ages with one hunt is always a winner. Into the woods Seek out some woodland. Your local woodland provides so much in the way of getting out into nature and lots of nature reserves provide wildlife fact sheets and even woodland exploration tours and workshops so do some enquiring!
• BOOKS • GAMES • TOYS
PIONEERS OF LEARNING THROUGH PLAY SINCE 1972!
25% OFF EVERYTHING! Use the promotional code “ACHIEVE” at the checkout Minimum order value £15
Offer expires 1st July 2016
BENEFITS OF BABY SIGNING
• Strengthens the bond between baby and parent • Can help the child to speak earlier than usual • Helps to develop a wider vocabulary • Leads to a higher than average literacy level Scan this QR code to learn more!
www.childs-play.com
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Achieve at the movies... Each issue we bring you our mini movie reviews for upcoming DVD releases. Yes, we know the TV isn’t the third parent, but there is nothing wrong with a cosy family movie afternoon every now and then.
Goosebumps PG This is one for the older kids as it is a little scary in places. Based on the books of the same title, Goosebumps is a great family comedy drama. It starts out with teenager Zach Cooper and mum moving to a small town which gets better as he meets Hannah, a beautiful girl next door. Hannah’s dad is an odd character who warns Zach away, which of course only encourages Zach’s intrigue for the girl….. the story unfolds as we discover her dad is a famous author of the spooky Goosebumps books and the monsters which he writes about come alive, for real! We follow the funny gang in their attempts to rid the town of the monsters. It’s a great family film but probably not for the under 5’s as there are a few scenes that may bring on a few night terrors (unless that is just me being a scardiecat!) Blazer Bears are wonderful bespoke and handmade keepsake bears made from old school uniforms or any memorable clothing
www.blazerbear.co.uk
10% off with code ACHIEVE until 1st June 2016
theplaybagcompany
@ThePlayBagCo
The award winning PlayBag is your own portable play station which quickly transforms from a practical toy bag to an enchanting play mat – perfect for keeping little ones entertained whether you are at home or away. Each one is lovingly handmade in Northamptonshire, and CE marked. See the current range at www.theplaybagcompany.co.uk
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The Good Dinosaur Disney Pixar’s latest offering doesn’t disappoint. It’s full of the highs and lows that Pixar usually portrays and as we join lead character Apatosaurus Arlo on his emotional and literal journey through harsh landscapes as he confronts his fears and finds out just what he is capable of. Pixar is never afraid to show children an array of emotions and our new friend Arlo’s lessons are perfectly portrayed. It’s one for all ages and brings light and shade in all its forms, you will be laughing and crying in equal measures and of course it’s animation is world class, but then, you would expect nothing less from Pixar.
Speeeeedy! The Chad Valley Super Loop Speedway Track Playset is a must have for all budding motor enthusiasts. With 10m of track and 3 different layout possibilities, all you need to do is choose your car and off you go. The Chad Valley Super Loop Speedway Track Playset features Porsche GT3 licensed cars. £19.99 www.argos.co.uk
top tip If you are really struggling to find that perfect new baby gift create a hamper of new mum and baby essentials, pack it full of lovely toiletries and treats for both and tie it altogether in a hamper with a bow.
My My friend friend Freddy Freddy
Your new friend Freddy really knows you! Download the app, type in details about your child and family and pair with your device. The app includes activities with three levels of learning to grow with each child. £19.99 from www.argos.co.uk
DIY CORNER! Create and capture the memories... The weeks, months and years just fly by when you have children don’t they? One of the strangest feelings as a mum is to experience nostalgia for a time that is happening now, definitely something I personally experienced second child around. It’s only now that I wish I had made a way to document things, a blog, scrapbook or box. The photos have been copious of course, but to have kept some sort of blog or diary to document the little things would have been even better. So, here are a few ideas to help you hold onto those fleeting memories a little bit longer. Set up an email account for the baby. Obviously not for them to start their own correspondence but a friend did this and sent photos, first words and even letters to her daughter through it with the view that they can look back on it all when she is older. Create your own scrapbook and box to keep all the little things that were their favourites, a baby grow, teddy and a record of first in. Milestone cards are another great and easy way to keep track of all the firsts, all you have to do is place the relevant card next to baby and take a photograph and the moment in time is captured for keeps. Take photo’s all the time, of you in the picture too. It’s easy to keep snapping away with the children as they always look camera ready, but you do too...food stains and no make up is all part of the real motherhood picture and your children will enjoy looking back and images of you together when they grow.
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CARROBEARS...
A GIFT FOR LIFE The craft of making teddy bears is a pretty incredible one and is a skill that requires a great deal of time and passion. Caroline of Carrobears is one such creative. Caroline started Carrobears at a time in her life where teddy bears became not just a hobby, but a kind of saviour too. Based in Sweden, we caught up with her by telephone to find out more… How did you first come to start making teddy bears?
“Well, I was in London visiting family at the time and fell in love with a bear I discovered in Harrods. From here, I started looking into the teddy bear world and taught myself how to make my own from existing patterns. Then, I started to design my own patterns and that is where we are with things today!”
What is the design process like for you? “It is continuous really. I am always thinking of new bears to create and get inspiration from everywhere at all times, even in the middle of the night! I have a book to jot my ideas in so there is method to my design process as it could easily get out of control. I am one for starting projects all at once, they do get done so it is a process which works for me at least!” Is it hard parting with a bear?
Wow, so it really started as a hobby? “Yes initially, then I discovered that people in the UK really liked my designs, I love coming to the big shows in the UK and attend a few a year! Teddy Bears have really changed my life, they came at a time when my illness started which left me finding many things very difficult to do. I could create my teddy bears in a workshop from home and they really became how I spent my time!” 66
“I never see it that way, of course each one takes a lot of time and love, but I really enjoy the concept that my bears get new homes where they are appreciated and loved. Each one is unique and therefore very special, but the people who buy from me realise that and treat them with that in mind. Both collectors and people buying bears as gifts seemed to really enjoy them and that’s all I can ask for really!”
How can we buy from your collection? “You can contact me via my facebook page or email me and I will be more than happy to match you with a bear!” Caroline’s bears make the perfect gift to others and yourself, so visit www.facebook.com/CarroBears or email ackermann@telia.com.
it! I was hooked on hooping and I have hardly put it down since.” Pretty soon he was sourcing and selling high-quality hoops for adults online, performing routines set to music to entertain and hosting children’s parties which included an array of skilled hoop action, juggling and much more besides.
HOOPS OF FUN FOR YOUR SCHOOL! Professional Hula Hooper John the “Hoop Guy” aged 62, and with 12 Grandchildren, has an infectious passion for all things hoop shaped, yet more than that he has a passion for helping the young people of today to get fit and active whilst having fun. Having picked up his first hoop in the 1950s and struggling somewhat, he was shocked when he decided to have another go aged 53 and loved it. “I started out juggling and after founding a juggling club in my local town I met a member who was also a Hula Hooper, she showed me some tricks and that was
Not wanting to stop here though, John started to visit schools for special one-off day experiences, armed with hoops for all, plenty of music and an itinerary, he led workshops for students which got them learning to hoop, do tricks, build hoop structures and have heaps of fun which all got them active, taught them fine motor skills, numeracy skills and got them working in teams. Needless to say, schools and students have been thrilled at the workshops and John is now working up and down the country bringing hoop fun and smiles to schools everywhere. If you would like to see the many benefits that a workshop with Hoop Guy can bring to your students visit www.hooping4schools.org.uk or call 07946 413 452 for more info.
s w e e t a p p l e publishers
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recipe
Easter Biscuits that are easy peasy to do with the children‌. This is a really basic biscuit recipe and one that you can do together. Sure, the flour gets everywhere but it’s easily cleaned up. To make these I set the oven to 180 Degrees, lined a baking tray and measured all the ingredients out into bowls so that my girls could pour the ingredients into the bowl easily themselves. The Ingredients are; 225g Self Raising Flour 100g Caster Sugar 115g Butter 55g of Currants 1 Egg Beaten Get them to pour the flour and softened butter into a big bowl and mix together well but not too much, just so it is all combining. Then pour in the currants and sugar, stir. Tip the beaten egg in a combine with a wooden spoon. With hands now form a ball with the mixture. Roll out on a floured surface and cut into your chosen shape. Place on the lined tray and put in oven for around 6 minutes or until slightly golden in colour. We sieved some icing sugar over some, you could also sprinkle a bit of caster sugar over and devoured the lot! You can easily adapt this recipe by adding mixed spice or cinnamon for a fruit cake vibe too!
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EASTER
uide G ft i G
Lanender Yankee Candle £21.99 www.yankeecandle.co.uk
Peppa Pig Weebles Wobbily Figure and Base - Princess Peppa £4.99 www.character-online.com
Teksta Newborn Robotic Puppy £19.99 www.character-online.com
Comotomo baby bottle £14.99 www.amazon.co.uk
Ravensburger My First Pets Jigsaw Puzzle £7.99 www.amazon.co.uk
Rabbit Leggings £10.00 www.bladeandrose.co.uk
Choc on Choc’s Egg on Toast £12.00 www.choconchoc.co.uk
Kippins organic comforters £19.80 www.cinnamonsue.co.uk
Bunny Cake Yankee Candle £21.99 www.yankeecandle.co.uk
Little Live Pets Duck and Baby Shelley Family £19.99 www.toysrus.co.uk
Grand Ferrero Rocher 125g £5.24 available from all major retailers
Little Live Pets £9.99 www.character-online.com
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THE CHARITY CASHBACK SITE A charity cashback site that allows shoppers to raise free funds for the causes that matter to them. Shoppers simply sign up, nominate up to four causes which they wish to benefit – including national charities, local PTAs, scout groups etc. – and then every time they shop online each purchase generates a donation for their chosen group or groups. TheGivingMachine currently supports almost 210,000 different causes – a figure which grows daily as shoppers nominate their favourite organisations as beneficiaries. Last year was a great year for TheGivingMachine Charity. They reached the milestone figure of £1 millions pounds being raised in free donations for UK schools and charities by people shopping on-line via their site and they also received two awards, of which they are extremely proud. They were voted Most Trusted Social Enterprise by The Trust Awards and also won the Hertfordshire Business Award 2015 for Social Enterprise of the Year. GiftAid was introduced in 2015 to allow UK tax payers to unlock even more free cash for the causes they support when they shop via the site, and a product search facility was introduced on their website to make shopping even easier.
But they want to make 2016 an even better year and enable even more companies, customers and communities to thrive together. CEO and founder of The Giving Machine Richard Morris said: “We were thrilled when we hit £1million last year. We know from our supporters that they think it’s an excellent way to give to charity and so this year we really want to focus on spreading the word and getting even more donors on board. It really is the simplest way to give and it literally doesn’t cost a penny.” Off to a great start they are the Achieve Magazine Charity of the Year, and Founder and CEO Richard Morris is delighted with this accolade. They want to give more people to chance to unlock even more cash for the causes they care about, launching a “Be The Key” campaign asking people to spread the word about TheGivingMachine, join and get involved in this free and easy way to raise unrestricted funds. A new Shop&Give reminder has been launched which people can download onto the laptop or computer to ensure they never miss to opportunity to generate a donation. A mobile app is currently in develop to allow users to raise donations “on the move”.
“TheGivingMachine plays an important role in the fundraising at Birchfield School. All parents are constantly reminded to register and shop through TheGivingMachine at no extra cost to them. An incentive scheme that has recently been introduced is that of the fundraising thermometer, which stands for all to see by the school gate. Parents are aware that once the target of £1000 has been reached, the Friends of Birchfield will be able to purchase new indoor and outdoor sports equipment; and there is even talk of them hosting a Movie Night for all pupils as a thank you to them and their parents!”
Jade Colton, Social Media Representative for the Friends of Birchfield
They shop You benefit The free and easy way to raise money from everyone’s daily online shopping. TheGivingMachine is a fast growing online community that generates cash donations every time someone shops online. Getting involved will mean that your school or organisation will benefit from these generous donations.
Join us today for free and start benefiting from our growing community.
Find out more at
www.thegivingmachine.co.uk/we-benefit
• From toy bag to play mat • CE Tested for Safety • Quick and easy to use • Encourages imaginative play, wherever you are. • Machine washable www.theplaybagcompany.co.uk theplaybagcompany @ThePlayBagCo