Cherubs Magazine - Summer 2023

I can almost feel the sand between my toes and much-needed vitamin D gracing my body with its presence. With the arrival of the summer holidays and the infectious laughter of children echoing through the air, let us seize the opportunity to create precious memories with our loved ones.

Ah, the summer holidays – an enchanting period of adventure, discovery and endless possibilities. Whether you’re planning a seaside escape, embarking on a spontaneous road trip, or relishing lazy afternoons in your own backyard, it’s the perfect occasion to cherish quality time with your children. Dive into nature’s wonders, build sandcastles, chase butterflies and allow the sheer magic of summer to weave its spell.

Amid the joyful whirlwind of family adventures, it’s essential to remember the value of self-care and finding moments of tranquility for ourselves. While we dedicate our energy to nurturing and tending to our little ones, it’s equally important to recharge and nourish our own wellbeing.

So, take a deep breath, soak in the summer splendour, and remember to give yourself the gift of time to switch off and embrace the blissful moments of pure serenity.

We are dedicating this edition of Cherubs to our Health & Fitness Editor, the late Mary Huckle, who brought sunshine to all of our lives. Wishing you a summer filled with love, laughter, and cherished tranquility.

Peace, love and endless slices of watermelon.

Style

Healthy

Editor: Antonia Sanchez–Toomey

Food Editor: Christianna Karaolis

Webb

Designer: Chris

Printers: The Roma

Group

Mary

On the 3 June 2023, we sadly lost our Health & Fitness Editor, one of us and our dear friend, Mary Huckle.

In the hearts of many, she will forever remain an emblem of strength, courage, and profound love. Mary was an extraordinary, remarkable woman who touched the lives of countless individuals. Though she may no longer be physically present, her indomitable spirit continues to inspire, reminding us of the power of resilience and unwavering determination.

We remember Mary, an awe-inspiring force who faced the relentless battle against cancer with both grace and fire in her eyes. For years, she fearlessly championed the cause for better care and research, tirelessly campaigning for patients with secondary or stage 4 cancer. Her strong commitment to this cause left an indelible mark on the medical community and ignited hope in the hearts of those fighting alongside her.

One vivid memory that comes to mind is how she transformed North London’s Bush Hill Park into a sea of pink every September, bringing a wave of awareness and solidarity to the cause, radiating with hope and inspiring others to take action. Sadly, the untimely arrival of the pandemic interrupted this cherished tradition, but not before she made a profound impact on countless lives.

Passionate about fitness and Pilates, she took her vibrant exercise classes online almost immediately when the pandemic hit. Determined to continue spreading positivity and encouraging a healthy lifestyle, she used her virtual platform to inspire others to stay active and embrace wellness. Her energetic spirit transcended the digital realm, motivating participants to push their limits and celebrate the strength of their bodies.

Mary was never one to shy away from controversy either. Just a few months ago, she fearlessly questioned the efficacy of the pink campaign that had become synonymous with breast cancer awareness. Her thought-provoking post on her social platforms ignited conversations and prompted an examination of established norms. Her honesty in discussing her own treatment was not only part of her personal fight, but also her larger mission to ensure better care for all.

In the face of adversity, Mary embodied the true essence of a trailblazer. She dared to challenge the status quo, using her voice to shed light on the flaws in the system and advocate for transformative change. Appearing on many daytime TV shows, her tenacity and dedication to her cause serve as a reminder that progress comes from daring to question, daring to challenge, and daring to dream of a better future. Mary

knew that her fight was something that she would personally not benefit from, but hoped that in time others would be able to live a longer life, thanks to all her hard work.

Let’s remember her for the vibrant person she was, cherish her infectious laughter, her radiant smile and the vivacity she brought into the lives of those around her. Her relentless campaigning, her dedication to fitness and her fearlessly honest advocacy will forever be etched in our hearts and minds.

Mary, we express our heartfelt gratitude for igniting a fire within us and inspiring us to stand up for what we believe in. Your legacy will continue to shine as a beacon of hope for those fighting their own battles. May you find eternal peace, knowing that your fight for better care will be long-remembered and carried forward.

You made an unforgettable impression on the world and on our hearts, one that we will cherish forever. How lucky we were to have had you in our lives – we will truly miss you.

Until we meet again…

Sev & The Cherubs F y x

Honouring the remarkable life of a courageous woman, Mary Huckle.

All Things Bright & Beautiful

Bring colour and joy to your outdoor table this summer with the addition of some bright and bold touches –perfect for the summer season. Ross Cowie from Pure Table Top, gives us his top tips on summer tablescaping:

Don’t be afraid of colour

Commit! A half-hearted effort will lack the impact that you’re looking for. Think about how you want your colours to work together. Summer is all about joy and fun. You could go for complementary colours or clashing hues that make a statement. More is more.

Think about your layers

Adding different textures and heights to your table will add dimension. For example, charger plates can help to add a bit of drama and different non-matching glasses

can add a layer of personality to your table. Make sure you have enough room on the table for any plates and serving dishes that you want to add, there’s nothing worse than not being able to fit the food on the table.

Don’t forget your lighting

If you’re outside then you can create the perfect atmosphere with festoon lights and tea lights or candles dotted around your dining table. Inside, you might want to add some colourful candles and turn down the overhead lights – they can be a really costeffective way of adding happy colours to your decor.

Website: puretabletop.com

Think about the little touches to add more pops of colour

It might be some seasonal blooms in the form of gorgeous, colourful branches or some bright cut flowers from the garden, or perhaps personalised name places or handwritten menus.

Don’t stress

This is about creating an atmosphere of joy, happiness and fun, try to keep it simple and not overthink it. Your guests are coming to see you and enjoy themselves.

What’s On This Summer

Making Magic: 100 Years Of Disney

The BFI Southbank marks Disney’s centenary with a major summer season of screenings, talks and singalongs. Look out for screenings of early classic and contemporary favourites from across the eras, and a series of special IMAX screenings at the nearby BFI IMAX. The Making Magic season includes big screen outings for masterpieces from Disney’s early years like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Fantasia (1940) and Cinderella and beloved films from the 1990s such as Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Pochahontas (1995).

When: 6 Jul – 31 Aug 2023

Where: BFI Southbank southbanklondon.com

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Family Workshop

Bring A Midsummer Night’s Dream to life in this fun and practical workshop for children aged five to eight and their families. Start your day with a peek inside the Globe Theatre to hear about the history of Shakespeare’s London and the theatrical world he created. You’ll then visit one of our rehearsal rooms to take part in an interactive workshop for the whole family. Using a range of activities and games designed to draw out elements of the play’s language, characters and themes, the session will bring you together with other families to discover the joy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Workshops are led by one of the Globe’s highly experienced practitioners who include actors, teachers and directors. Please note that these workshops are designed for children aged five to eight and their grown-ups. Children must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.

When: 27 Jul – 26 Aug 2023

Where: The Globe Theatre, main foyer shakespearesglobe.com

Tall Stories presents The Smeds and The Smoos

A joyful tale of star-crossed aliens. Soar into space with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler – also seen in the BBC TV animation on Christmas Day. On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back?

When: 20 Jul – 3 Sep 2023

Where: Lyric Theatre nimaxtheatres.com

Summer of Invention

Did you know, 20 years ago Mail Rail, the miniature postal train, transported its last bit of post under the streets of London? This summer, join us for five weeks of hands-on family fun celebrating postal inventions, inspired by Mail Rail! Unleash your inner engineer and find out about innovations from amazing mini-railways to stamps, sorting machines and robot technology.

When: 27 Jul – 26 Aug 2023

Where: The Postal Museum postalmuseum.org

Festival 14

Canary Wharf will host over 50 live acts including music, theatre, dance, comedy and children’s activities. The majority of events are free to attend, and there are activities for all age groups. The festival will also offer a children’s disco and a brand-new comedy tent in Montgomery Square, hosting some of the UK’s top comedians from stage and screen.

When: 26-30 Jul 2023

Where: Canary Wharf canarywharf.com

The Battersea Games

The Battersea Games will be taking over Battersea Power Station –our biggest summer event yet! We’re inviting you all to take part or spectate in an exciting array of free and ticketed sports and games activities all summer long. Bring it on!

When: 1 Jul – 3 Sep 2023

Where: Battersea Power Station batterseapowerstation.co.uk

Paddington™ Lo-Commotion

Perfect for a day trip outside London, kids can meet their favourite characters from the Paddington stories and search for buried treasure on the grounds of the beautiful Blenheim Palace. Tickets are not included in the entry fee and must be purchased as an add-on.

When: 4 Jul – 3 Sep 2023

Where: Blenheim Palace blenheimpalace.com

Top Family-Friendly Festivals for Summer

By Recommended by Ana Sheppard @younglondonist – theyounglondoner.com

Are you ready to party? With festival season just around the corner, we’ve done our usual round-up to help you find your perfect family friendly festival fun!

Looking for a family-friendly festival in London or a musical extravaganza further afield? Look no further! Our selection of kid-friendly festivals has you covered with all the festi details you need to start planning your summer now. From free events to fancy extravaganzas, there’s something for everyone. So, grab your wellies, fancy dress, and some glitter and let’s make summer 2023 epic.

fantastic music and delicious food, the festival offers plenty of entertainment for children, including circus skills, sensory play, fire camp storytelling sessions, arts and crafts and even a swimming pool. The Woodland Tribe is also joining the festival, providing tree swings, adventure playgrounds, zip lines and other Forest School-inspired activities.

When: 20 – 23 July 2023

Where: Hertfordshire

How much: £225 for adults, £215 for young adults, £165 for teens £30 for kids and £5 for infants weekend tickets. More info and bookings at standon-calling.com/tickets.

Nozstock

Standon Calling

If you’re looking for a unique, boutique festival with a love for eccentricity, dressing up and families covered in glitter, look no further. This independent festival welcomes dogs, creating a playful atmosphere for both furry friends and humans. This year’s musical lineup includes exciting acts such as Madness, Gabrielle, The Subways, The Skints and Nadia Rose. In addition to

Nozstock was founded by a fun-loving family, their friends, acquaintances and anyone who loved playing music or telling jokes – just like the very best of festivals. The festival offers a wide variety of activities for young festival-goers, including arts and crafts, yoga sessions and a plethora of diversions that cater to all energy levels. Although this year’s lineup has not yet been announced, the 2022 festival had an incredible lineup that featured Sister Sledge’s soulful R&B, Andy C’s drum and bass, Gentleman’s Dub Club’s dub and Submotion Orchestra’s electronica, among many others.

When: 20 – 23 July 2023

Where: Herefordshire, West Midlands

How much: Full weekend tickets (from Thursday to Sunday) cost £197 for adults and £165 for teens with kids under 12 entering the festival for free. More info and booking via their website www.nozstock.com.

Bluedot

Bluedot festival is the perfect combination of raving and science, celebrating everything related to science, the universe and our planet. This family-friendly festival promises to amaze and entertain both kids and parents alike. With an exciting lineup and plenty of activities for the entire family to enjoy (including science experiments!), the festival’s location at the famous Jodrell Bank Deep Space Observatory, nestled between Manchester and Macclesfield, is sure to leave young ones in awe. This summer, combine science, music and culture to celebrate humanity with your little ones. The 2023 lineup boasts incredible acts like Grace Jones, Annie Mac, Roisin Murphy, Pavement and Leftfield.

When: 20 – 23 July 2023

Where: Cheshire

How much: £229 for adults, £104 for 11 to 15s and £38.50 for four to 10-year-olds, with under-fours going free. More info and bookings www.discoverthebluedot.com.

Penn Fest

Previous years have seen massive line-ups at this festival and this year is no exception. The festival boasts big names such as Noel Gallagher, Bastille, 24 Hour Garage Girls, DJ Luck, MC Neat, NOT3S, Musical Youth, Corinne Bailey Rae, Wes Nelson and DJ Fresh. Young Londoners attending can enjoy the Kids Zone, which is run by Bigtopmania from Camp Bestival and Glastonbury. The zone features a circus tent where visitors can participate in circus skills workshops, crazy bikes, inflatables, trapeze workshops, family circus shows, big balloon disco, big bubbles (with the kids inside them), stilt walkers and more circus fun. Additionally, there are hula hoops, diabolos, plate spinning, devil sticks, tightrope walking, toddler play, balloon twisting, coconut shy and side show games. Visitors can also expect graffiti workshops, arts and crafts and a variety of other familyfriendly activities.

When: 21 & 22 July 2023

Where: The Big Penn, Bucks.

How much: £112 for adults and £28 for kids under 12 – both need to pay extra for camping tickets. More info and booking via their site www.pennfest.net.

WOMAD

Known as the world’s festival, WOMAD presents an excellent opportunity to introduce children to the joys of travel and adventure. This year’s festival promises to surpass previous years, offering a diverse lineup of acts, including Bombay Bicycle Club, Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, and Kate Rusby. Discover new musical talents as you enjoy cutting-edge performances from world-class musicians hailing from all corners of the globe. The festival is spread across six stages, each equipped with top-notch sound systems. You can choose to soak up the sun on the open-air stage or enjoy a more intimate experience at the leafy Ecotricity stage. With over 200 kid-friendly workshops, including music, storytelling, physics and cookery, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The World of Children is a dedicated area for children under five, designed to provide a safe space for play and exploration.

When: 27 – 31 July 2023

Where: Wiltshire

How much: Adult four-day tickets from £260, teen three-day tickets £140, children under 12 go free – but there are lots of concessions available and day tickets too. More info and bookings via their website www.womad.co.uk.

Camp Bestival

Organized by Rod da Bank and his wife Josie, this award-winning festival is perfect for families and puts children at the forefront of the experience. There are plenty of exciting activities for kids of all ages, including the Wild Tribe area with mudslides, building areas and drumming circles, as well as the world’s largest bouncy castle for some serious bouncing fun. Other activities include go-karting, fairy tale storytelling from Cbeebies, Cosmic Kids Yoga, raves from Big Fish Little Fish, vintage fairground rides, a roller disco, bushcraft and much more. For those interested in science, the science tent provides an educational and captivating experience. Meanwhile, younger attendees can enjoy soft play and sandpits, as well as spectacles from Cirque Bijou to brush up on their circus skills or admire some latenight cabaret performances. The theme for 2023 is “Animal Snap!”, so expect to see plenty of leopard print, zebra stripes, tails, shimmering costumes, glitter and face paint, along with dazzling entertainment. Camp Bestival boasts big-name headliners and up-and-coming acts in smaller tents. This year’s lineup includes The Kooks, Rodigan, Craig David, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Dick and Dom, 24hr Garage Girls, Ella

Henderson, Mel C and more. Various camping options are available, including eco-camping and several glamping options. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

When: 27 July 2023 – 30 July 2023

Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset

How much: Adult tickets start at £220 and there are a variety of children’s options. More info and booking via their website www.campbestival.net.

Starry Skies

This festival was born from the realisation that going on holiday with kids can be an expensive battle of endurance. While festivals are fun for kids, it can be challenging once the sun goes down. Starry Skies blends the best of family-friendly festivals with family camping holidays. Despite being a small event, Starry Skies packs a punch with a packed program in stunning surroundings that allow everyone to get back to nature. The festival provides a space and program that encourages a connection to nature, community and togetherness through ceremony, art, craft, performance and play. It’s an opportunity for families to spend quality time together in beautiful surroundings away from the noise of everyday life. Starry Skies offers a wide range of activities designed to keep kids running wild all day, including stargazing, lantern-lit paths, wooden roundhouses and lush meadows. If you’re coming in a campervan, there is a dedicated campervan field with one tent allowed per pass. For larger groups, it’s best to arrive together to pitch tents in sequential order. When: 27 – 30 July 2023

Where: Herefordshire

How much: £202 for adults, children from £60. More info and bookings via their website www.starry-skies.net.

View more at theyounglondoner.com

The Disney Cruise is Coming to the UK!

By Nadia A Ramzan (@yellowbubblespace)

Hi everyone, my name is Nadia (@ yellowbubblespace) and I’m a huge Disney Cruise Fan! I want to share this wonderful experience with you all and hopefully entice you all to also step aboard because the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is coming to the UK for Summer 2023! Yaay!

The first time I stepped onto a Disney Cruise it was for our honeymoon back in 2013! Slightly an odd choice for a honeymoon but it was the perfect for us. Two kiddos later (Zakariyya aged seven and Aaliyah aged three), we have recently finished our fifth Disney Cruise in the Western Caribbean!

Let’s start with Destinations.

The Disney Dream cruise liner will be arriving in Southampton in July 2023. If you are new to cruising there are shorter and cheaper options of the three and four-night cruises. Destinations include La Rochelle in France, Bilbao in Spain and Zeebrugge (Brussels) in Belgium. Longer cruises, venture a little further and include destinations such as the Norwegian Fjords and the Mediterranean coast. These typically run from five to seven nights.

So why cruise with Disney?

Entertainment

If you or your kiddos love meeting characters but never actually get round to

it in the parks, the cruise has an abundance of Disney Cruise characters on board often without the long cranky toddler lines. It’s a quick meet and greet with your autograph signed.

Disney also offers age-appropriate kids clubs supervised by trained counsellors, so you can leave and enjoy some time alone in the adult-only dining and spa areas. Disney’s Oceaneer Club is a fleet-wide children’s activity centre where kids aged three to 12 years old can play in magical themed lands, enjoy games and meet Disney characters. Slightly younger sailors aged six months to three years can attend It’s a Small World. This is the only kids’ club on the Disney Cruise not included with the price of the cruise. You must make reservations and there is an hourly charge.

There is family-themed entertainment throughout the day with options suitable for all. These typically include arts and crafts, karaoke, family quiz time and finally the amazing Broadway quality theatre shows each evening. Big hits include Frozen and Aladdin which are 5-star productions from the enchanting lighting and imaginative props to blazing fireworks and actors who seem to just step out of the movie onto the stage. It really is a magical experience for all the family.

FOOD!

Disney Dream has a rotational main dining,

allowing guests to enjoy and experience three of the speciality dining venues abroad, including Animator’s Palate, which features the playful Nemo and his friends on interactive screens and the Enchanted Garden which is based on the picturesque gardens of Versailles. Disney cast members dress up and serve according to the theme of each restaurant, along with the menu following suit.

There is also free in-room dining available 24 hours a day if you do not fancy leaving your cabin and a buffet option in Cabanas. Located on the top pool deck for leisurely eating by the pool and a movie on the big screen showing Disney Classics.

Disney is great with dietary requirements and has catered to my family’s needs on every occasion.

Accommodation in spacious staterooms

Disney has designed each stateroom for families with extra space and storage into every nook and cranny. Including seating areas and a split bath, which allows more people to get ready at the same time. An absolute lifesaver with younger children!

The other great thing, and my absolute favourite, is that each day we wake up in a new country without having to move luggage and little ones. Time for breakfast and we are ready for the next adventure to begin!

Page-Turners For Summer

Writer Sara Bragg recommends the books you need to pack in your beach bag

Silent Waters

By L.V. Matthews Welbeck £8.99

Meet Me At The Lake

By Carley Fortune Little Brown Book Group, £7.99

The Girls of Summer

By Katie Bishop Transworld £12.99

For fans of Gillian McAllister and Lisa Jewell comes a chilling, beautifully written novel about family, secrets and murder. At 5am one summer’s morning, police diver Jen Harper wakes to find herself submerged in the silt of a river with no memory of how she got there. Forty-eight hours later, she’s called to dive in the same river in search of a missing woman, Claudia Franklin. But for Jen, this is no ordinary job. Her and Claudia’s families were entangled for decades – there is unresolved resentment between them, unspoken secrets. Jen hasn’t seen Claudia for twelve years now. Or has she?

The Dive

By Sara Ochs Bantam £12.99

The perfect summer read full of longing and lost love. A random connection sends two strangers, Will and Fern, on a daylong adventure where they make a promise one keeps and the other breaks, with lifechanging effects. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable. When Fern returns home to run her mother’s lakeside resort, Will arrives nine years too late. Though he might be the only person who understands what she’s going through. Yet how can she possibly trust this expensive suit-wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago

Carrie Soto is Back

By Taylor Jenkins Reid Cornerstone £9.99

A compulsive, sizzling debut that explores sex, power and consent. Rachel has never been able to forget the summer she spent with Alistair on a sun-soaked Greek island. But as dark and deeply suppressed memories rise to the surface, Rachel begins to understand that Alistair – and the enigmatic, wealthy man he worked for – controlled much more than she ever realized. Rachel has never once considered herself a victim – until now. Perfect for fans of My Dark Vanessa and Luckiest Girl Alive

This Family

By Kate Sawyer Hodder & Stoughton £14.99

The Guest List meets The Beach in this lockedroom thriller debut all about the dark side of paradise. Scuba diving instructor Cass leads her students out for their first dive off the beautiful coast of Koh Sang, Thailand’s world-famous party island. It’s supposed to be a life-changing experience, but things quickly spiral out of control. By the time she gets back to the shore, one of her students is dead, another badly injured, and she knows that her idyllic life is about to be smashed to pieces on the rocks. Someone has discovered Cass’s secret, and on an island as remote as this, accidents happen. Plenty of backpackers choose to stay here forever –but some are never heard from again.

From bestselling author, comes a story about the cost of greatness and the burden of fame. Carrie Soto is the greatest player the world has ever seen. But six years after her last match, she watches a young British tennis player steal her world record and Carrie knows she has to go back and reclaim her rightful place at the top. Even if the world doesn’t believe in her. Even if it almost breaks her. The fight for a place in history is about to begin.

A stunning portrayal of messy, complicated relationships. Wedding celebrations bring together a fractured family for the first time in years. Set over the course of an English summer’s day but punctuated with memories from the past forty years of love and loss, hope and joy, heartbreak and grief, this is the story of a family. Told by a chorus of characters, it is an exploration of the small moments that bring us to where we are, the changes that are brought about by time, and what, despite everything, stays the same.

Summer Yumminess with Squashed Pickle

By the snack queen herself - Neha Gandesha @squashedpickle

Fruity Froyo

Mini Eggs

A fun little snack for the little ones. These are perfect for sore gums and make a great snack for big kids too! My son loves these! - Simple Greek yogurt and mango purée can make the most delicious frozen treat!

Ingredients

• Greek yoghurt

• Mango/peach purée pouch

• Vanilla extract (optional)

Method

You can use plain Greek yoghurt or flavour it with vanilla. Both are delicious!

1. Take a plate lined with baking paper. Taking a spoon, spoon large pea size lumps of yoghurt onto the baking paper.

2. Spread slightly to resemble egg white. Now take your fruit pouch and make small orange dots to make the yolk.

3. Freeze the fried eggs for around 2 hours. Enjoy!

You can also sweeten the yoghurt with honey for kids over 1 years old. These can be made vegan by using a dairy free yogurt.

(Baby Friendly) Custard Cakes

Here’s a really simple cake the babies and big kids will love! They are super easy to make and have only a few ingredients. Let the kids make these. ‘Perfect snacktivity’ for all the family.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp Vanilla essence

• 2 heaped tbsp Greek yogurt

• 1 tbsp self raising flour

• Berries (any)

Method

1. Start by mixing the eggs, Greek yoghurt, vanilla and flour together till you get a yummy batter.

2. Pour into cupcake cases and top with your favourite berries. Bake for around 20 mins at 180C until they fluff up. So yummy!

Strawberry Kisses

These are the sweetest way to enjoy chocolate dipped strawberries. Less mess and less cleaning up! You can even do these in a cupcake tray if you don’t have an ice cube tray.

Ingredients

• An ice cube tray

• Chocolate (melted)

• Strawberries

Method

1. Melt chocolate and stir.

2. Pour evenly into an ice cube tray.

3. Push in the strawberries while holding the green stem.

4. Place in the fridge for an hour.

5. To take them out, hit the ice cube tray to loosen. It’s always better using silicone trays if you have them as they come out easier. Enjoy!

You can pop some lolly sticks in or mix it up by using bananas.

Banana Sushi

Here’s such a fun activity to do with the kids.! You can use any toppings which makes it so fun!

Ingredients

• Banana

• Peanut butter

• Toppings ( I used Rice Krispies, mini eggs, flake, roasted peanuts, biscuit and sprinkles, multi seeds)

Method

1. Start by spreading your peanut butter all over the banana and slice the banana.

2. Now roll your slice into the chosen toppings. It’s so simple, delish and so fun to make!

Green

Summer Swaps

By Alex Parrish - achievinggreenness.com

The Climate Crisis is here. The tipping point of 1.5 degrees celsius beyond which we can’t come back from is here. So, we all need to stand up, think differently, change our behaviors and take some action.

But summer is also here! Sun’s out, fun’s out!

The long-awaited break in the sun for so

Sunscreens

many of us is now upon us. Warm sunny days and balmy relaxed evenings spent in the garden, by the beach and abroad are beckoning.

So, the team at Achieving Greenness has been looking into some simple green holiday swaps we can all make this summer to start making a difference environmentally. There are now so many fabulous eco-friendly

options and alternatives to choose from,

that ‘greenifying’ your summer to help look after the planet becomes a much more enjoyable challenge.

Keep reading for a few of our recommended eco-friendly sunscreens, after suns, insect repellants, and sunglasses for you to check out. Give them a try and start being greener this summer.

Plastic-free, vegan, reef-safe sunscreen that actually works used to be nigh on impossible to find but now we have a range to choose from. First up we have an offering from Sun Bum, their aluminium spray bottle is not only really easy to use and apply, especially on wriggling little ones, but only has a small plastic spray lid which they are working on removing. It smells great, is water resistant, doesn’t contain any nasties and the vitamin E it contains helps enrich your skin. This easy to use, ultra sheer/dry touch continuous spray formula will protect your skin from harmful UVA/ UVB rays while enriching your skin with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to neutralise free radicals, which are the main cause of premature skin aging. sunbum.com

Another brand we loved in our testing was Upcircle, this upcycled raspberry seed SPF 25 Mineral Sunscreen is handmade in the UK, dermatologically approved, reef-safe, natural, vegan, and has just been rated 9/10 by the Independent. It is also completely plastic-free with its aluminum lid and glass jar.

upcirclebeauty.com

Our third sunscreen recommendation is from Coola who have an entire range of products dedicated to sun protection with either glass or recycled plastic bottles which adds to a much-needed range of eco-friendly sun care products. This SPF 30 is vegan, made from 70%+ organic ingredients, blends with your foundation or moisturiser, smells great and is dermatologically tested. plasticfreedom.co.uk

Aftersun

Following the long days in the sun your skin will need some nourishment and soothing so the team also tested some ecofriendly after sun. First up is another offering from Sun Bum, their After Sun Cool Down Spray is great after a long lazy day in the sun, its non-greasy formula is enriched with soothing Aloe and Vitamin E and is another one of their almost plastic-free products as it is in an aluminium bottle. Our team loved the spray as it cooled as it was applied and is great for little wrigglers. sunbum.com

Second up is a little bottle of goodness in the form of Amazinc Splash Aftersun. Amazinc are a range of natural and eco-friendly skincare, made in the Czech Republic using specially selected ingredients to care and protect our skin. This product is almost plastic-free with its aluminium bottle and plastic spray nozzle, smells delicious, and makes our skin feel soft and silky. peacewiththewild.co.uk

Insect repellant is a must in the warmer months as soon as the sun starts to set, even in the UK I seem to be a mosquito magnet! Burning a few citronella candles has never warded them away from my ankles and for years I’ve used highly toxic and stinky Deet based products until I discovered a natural alternative that works. This bottle of Neal’s Yard Citronella Spray is a winner! It smells amazing, is organic, vegan, cruelty-free, contains no nasties, is almost plastic-free in its glass bottle and really does keep the mosquitos away! nealsyardremedies.com

And lastly, a little summer essential bonus for you… a pair of more environmentally friendly sunglasses that not only look pretty damn cool but also help remove plastic from our oceans. These sunglasses by Waterhaul directly enable the expansion of ghost gear recovery from our oceans and turn waste into resources. They are made from ghost fishing nets recovered from the seas off Cornwall and are Italian engineered and hand finished. waterhaul.co.uk

For a greener and more environmentally friendly summer this year, give some of these simple swaps a try, we’re convinced you’ll love the products and results and be converted! a

How To Raise Your Own Little Forest Folk

Leanna Barrett is a pioneer of the outdoor education movement in the UK. She started Little Forest Folk, the UK’s first full time outdoor nursery when she couldn’t find the type of nursery setting she wanted to send her own children to. Her vision quickly grew in scope. The organisation now has seven full-time outdoor nurseries, the UK’s only fully outdoor primary and secondary school Liberty Woodland School in South London, it has received numerous accolades, won many prizes and has been presented with an award from the Queen for innovation as well as having the support of big names like Sir David Attenborough.

Here Leanna gives us her tips on how to help your children if they are suffering

from eco-anxiety and how to encourage them to love the outdoors.

Nature-based outdoor play is so beneficial for children, but it can be daunting to consider how you are going to encourage children outdoors. If your child hasn’t engaged in much free-play outdoors before, it can be helpful if you join in with them and plan out your first outings. First of all dress well and appropriately, and make sure you are modelling as a parent the great wonder there is to explore in the natural world. Plan out an area to go and explore, take lots of yummy snacks or plan an activity so you have a bag full of exciting incentives and challenges you can offer to children to extend their play. Another great way to get children playing in the

natural world is to take their friends. One of the easiest days out for me has always been to bring a friend and her children out with my own children, head to a forest and then sit and chat while the children amuse themselves for hours. It’s a strange aspect of parenting that often looking after six children is easier than just my own three!

Many parents are concerned about children experiencing eco-anxiety as they themselves are feeling the pressure of the climate crisis. We have to be careful as parents in how we choose to talk about our own anxieties to and in front of our children. Similarly to when the world was feeling anxious about covid and, as parents we didn’t pass on all the scale of those worries to our children, we need to choose our

words carefully when talking about climate change. For the majority of young children, they will be unable to comprehend the scale of the climate crisis, so they will form their thoughts based on what is shared by their parents and community. I recently learned about the work of child psychologist Caroline Hickman who believes we should reframe ‘eco-anxiety’ as ‘eco-empathy or eco-compassion’ as this is a healthy response to the situation we are facing, that shows awareness of the problem and a willingness to face the challenge of solving it. This generation of children are passionate about and aware of climate change. It’s important to acknowledge that children aren’t alone in their feelings. We should be having discussions in which we validate children’s concern, ensuring

we are giving age-appropriate answers to any questions they have and researching together when we need to find out more information.

I am also inspired by Kate Marvel, the NASA climate scientist, who said: “As a climate scientist, I’d like you to know I don’t have hope. I have something better – certainty. We know exactly what’s causing climate change. We can absolutely 1) avoid the worst and 2) build a better world in the process.” Let’s use this eco-empathy that young people have and turn it from an anxiety where young people can feel powerless and isolated into a collective force for good.

We need to equip these passionate young

people with the skills and knowledge they need to have a positive impact on the world and support them in taking positive steps to work on solutions to the problem. This can be from reading books to educate ourselves more, collecting litter, committing as a family to using fewer animal products and recycling more. There are so many small changes families can make. Taking action feels positive, it feels empowering and rewarding. I believe we can inspire and develop our young people to be the future custodians of the planet and be the generation that solves the problem of the climate crisis.

Leanna’s first Book, Little Forest Folk; How to Raise Happy Healthy Children Who Love The Great Outdoors is out now.

Money Matters

How to build wealth from what we already have

Former wealth adviser, Ayesha Ofori is the founder of Propelle, a game-changing new fintech investment platform designed exclusively for women to change the way they invest and build their own wealth. Through Propelle, women have the opportunity to connect, learn and invest regularly, with confidence, in a way which has never been available to them before. Here she gives us her top tips on how everyday women can start building their own wealth and start their journey towards financial freedom.

1. Take Action

The simplest and easiest thing you can do for your finances right now is to take small, habit-forming actions that will help you to achieve your goals over time. As women, we often think about money more than we care to admit, but the sense of being overwhelmed often leads to paralysis. We don’t know where to start, (plus we have so many other things on our plates) so we just put it off and it goes to the bottom of our to-do list. But nothing changes if nothing changes. I recommend starting now, today, with small actions. For example, setting up a separate bank account (or sub-account if your bank allows it) is a great place to begin. Set up a direct debit for a monthly amount (so £20/£100/£500 – whatever you can afford) to go out on pay day and then put that money to work by investing. It’s about getting your money to work for you, rather than it just being the other way around. Also, go through your bank account and make sure you cancel any direct debits you’re not using – do you really need all those subscriptions? What are you spending on that you don’t need? Future you will thank you for taking action.

2. Think outside your income

It’s hard to think of ways to make additional money when you have a fixed income coming in, set bills outgoing and you barely have enough time as it is, but this is where you can get creative. Rent your assets! There’s been a huge boom in the rental market recently (and we’re not talking about property here) – you can rent out pretty much anything and make money from it – your wardrobe, your driveway, your camping equipment, even a skillset you have. If you want to build your wealth then you need to start looking outside your income for additional ways to supplement what you already bring in.

3. Get used to investing

Some women may think investing is for other people, usually rich people, but they are wrong. Investing is for all of us and is particularly important for those of us who need to make more money. You don’t need pots of money in the bank to make investing work for you. You can start small and build on it. There’s a concept in investing called compounding which means that a small amount of money invested over time can grow into really sizeable amounts. That’s exactly why I started Propelle, to help women like you take action and start investing regularly, so you too can build wealth. Think of Propelle as your investment partner for life.

4. Prioritise what you spend

It’s not realistic to try and cut costs all in one go and there are everyday costs that can’t be avoided, but we can all be a bit

Website: propelle.io

more savvy when it comes to our spending (and therefore what we have left to invest or save). For example, my husband and I have stopped buying our children things they will grow out of quickly – eg we rent their bikes instead. We have also really cut down on the toys that we buy them too (they don’t need endless amounts of plastic tat) and we’ve started a sharing club with our friends who have kids the same age. So every month or so we rotate toys across households, so the kids feel like they have new toys (even when 6 months later they get back the toy that was originally theirs!). I am the same when it comes to things for myself. I still treat myself, but I often give myself a cooling off period before I buy something and if I don’t still really want it then I don’t bother.

5. Focus on your Financial wellbeing

We know so much about our mental and physical wellbeing and what we should be doing to take care of ourselves there, but how many of us think about our financial wellbeing? I encourage women to take control of their financial wellbeing because if we don’t it can end up as damaging to us as if we don’t look after our mental or physical selves. If you’re worrying about money constantly then I’d recommend working out a way to help yourself, and you also want to think about your future financial wellbeing and not bury your head in the sand. The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone if you don’t want to. You can always join a community of like-minded women ready to take action and improve their financial wellness.

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Style Ed

Celebrations & Special Occasions

The season for celebrations and special occasions is here! Pops of colour and neutral or metallic accessories will help you to pull off outfits that are stylish and effortlessly chic.

ia Sanch

Jumpsuit £199

Mint Velvet

Gold Bangle £22 Oliver Bonas

Nude Sandals

Bow Fascinator Headband

Green Maxi Dress £80 River Island

Silver Clutch Bag – Whistles £89 Selfridges

Lace Cut-out

Light Purple Mango

Long Raffia Earrings Blue Mango

Joy One-shoulder Midi Dress £149 Phase Eight

LK Bennett

Staw Half Moon Bag

Gold Rope Sandals

Gold Opentoe Heels £99 Phase Eight

Circle Long-drop Textured Earrings

Ted Baker Midi Dress £135 John Lewis

Suit

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Su er

Reading

Summer Stories: Dive into Adventure

Babies& Toddlers

Speak Up

By Nathan Byron and Dapo Adeola –3-7 years

Imagine if…Veggies

By Ayako Watanabe – 0-3 years

Veggies take on unexpected forms in this vibrant push, pull and slide book. The appealingly bright and sturdy design will add to any little one’s weaning experience. Asparagus become speedy trains; corn on the cob looks like busy apartment blocks; and a tomato is a shining sunshine. Lift, slide, push, pull and spin the wheels in this gorgeous interactive book, sure to be a hit with your little one.

Starting School

By Daisy Upton AKA Five Minute Mum – 3-7 years

Daisy Upton has written a starting school guide with both parents and children in mind. There are lots of five-minute games and activities designed by Daisy to help your child feel confident and excited about taking their next big step to school. Starting School gives you and your little one glimpses of all the learning they will do and all the fun they will have. It’s a perfect guide to use over the summer in preparation for September.

Rocket is back! This time she joins a peaceful protest to save her local library. Bookworm Rocket loves to collect new books on her weekly visit to the library, and to read all about inspirational figures like Rosa Parks. The library cannot possibly be closing down! Can she use what she’s learnt from Rosa and speak up to save the day? This empowering, heartwarming picture book is a love letter to libraries and the power of reading.

Signed copies with a free limited edition print available at Pickled Pepper Books, N8.

Early years

Max and Chaffy: Welcome To Animal Island

By Jamie Smart – 5-9 years

We love everything Jamie Smart does and here he is gifting us a great interactive adventure for younger kids. Max has just moved to Animal Island and it’s full of new friends: Orlando, Crumbs, Moose, Pedalo and a very special creature called a chaffy... Chaffy is lost! So it’s down to Max to find where Chaffy belongs... and you can help! A heart-warming, interactive adventure story, full of friendship and joy, from bestselling author/illustrator Jamie Smart.

Nic Blake And The Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy

By Angie Thomas – 9-12 years

Bestselling young adult author, Angie Thomas, has brought us a thrilling new adventure for children aged 9+. It’s not easy being Remarkable in a world where standing out is dangerous. Nic Blake is a manifestor. All she wants is to learn ‘the gift’, so she can be as powerful as her dad... until she discovers a shocking secret. Now she must find a powerful magical weapon, or risk losing him for ever. This would make a perfect summer holiday read for fans of Percy Jackson.

10 Middle Ln, Crouch End, London N8 8PL 020 3632 0823 • pickledpepperbooks.co.uk

Instagram: @pickledpepperbooks

Twitter: @pickledbooks

It’s never too late… …to give your daughter the BEST education

At Palmers Green High School (PGHS), we know that girls do better in an all-girls environment. Research has shown that pupils in single-sex schools are more confident to participate in lessons, and are more likely to reach their full potential. And for girls in particular, the benefits can be profound and last well beyond their school days.

A recent investigation into the effects of all-girls education found that alumnae demonstrated stronger academic skills, greater engagement with their studies, higher confidence in science and technology skills and stronger community involvement. Girls in same-sex schools have more opportunities to excel athletically and take on school leadership roles.

PGHS not only benefits from being an allgirls school – the only all-girls through school in the area – but also from small class sizes

throughout. In the Lower School (ages 4-11), there are a maximum of 24 pupils in a class and many specialist subjects such as Design & Technology are taught to half-class groups, ensuring far greater access to resources and adult attention. In the Senior School (ages 11-16), teaching groups are usually between 12-16 pupils, and often lower for the crucial GCSE years. The level of interaction between teachers and students is unrivalled.

Being a smaller school gives all children greater access to the many opportunities beyond the classroom, such as participating in a school musical production, sports team or chess tournament. Pupil voice is lauded and girls are expected to take on leadership roles that would usually be reserved for Sixth Form pupils. Student Council offers all pupils the chance to suggest changes that they would like to see.

At PGHS there are no such things as ‘girls’ subjects’; all subjects are for girls and ours excel across the curriculum, with a large number of pupils going on to study sciences and maths at A-level and pursue degrees and careers in STEM fields.

At PGHS, our three main points of entry to the school are Nursery, Reception and Year 7, although ad-hoc places may be available in other year groups. If you are as passionate as us about girls’ education and want to give your daughter the best start in life, please come and visit us. We believe all girls should have access to academic rigour and challenge in a supportive, nurturing environment.

If you are interested in joining our wonderful school, please call us on 020 8886 1135 or email office@pghs.co.uk to book your personal tour.

For the achievers of tomorrow.

Palmers Green High School (PGHS) specialises in educating girls aged 3-16 years old. We help pupils develop a lifelong love of learning from their early years at our Nursery, through to our Lower and Senior School.

PGHS is ranked Number One in The Sunday Times National League Table for Independent Schools with no Sixth Form.

The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements and personal development was judged as EXCELLENT by the Independent Schools Inspectorate 2022.

Outstanding GCSE results in 202265% A*/9/8 grades and 85% A*/9 to A/7 grades.

See us in action; book your tour today.

Learn, Persevere, Succeed.

Enfield Headteacher’s big plans to transform Broomfield School to Laurel Park School with new name, logo and uniform as she says ‘The kids are all lovely’

Adele Christofi’s vision is for Broomfield School in Enfield to be the first choice school for local children.

“This school at times in its history has had a poor reputation within the community but I’m going to launch as a brand new school later this year,” says Adele Christof, Headteacher of Broomfield School in Enfield. She took over the headship in September 2022, and now wants to rebrand the school for the better from September 2023 including a new name and uniform.

“There has been a perception that children here have poor behaviour,” Ms Christofi explains, “The perception is historic, but the conversations happen among families within the community. But, when I came to visit, I was greeted by children who were really lovely and really curious.”

“So, I said I would launch it as a brand new school in September 2023. New headteacher,

new school, and new expectations. That’s the reason why we’re doing it. I want to get the young people involved in the decision making, and for local families to want to send their children here,” the headteacher added.

Ms Christofi says the national recruitment crisis, where schools are struggling to hire new teachers, and the Covid-19 pandemic ‘has impacted children from different socioeconomic backgrounds’. “We’re working to improve exam results,” Ms Christofi continued.” And the most recent Ofsted wasn’t great, but I want to give a true reflection of what takes place here.”

The headteacher, who grew up in Enfield, has already made some changes in her first term in the role. “I rewrote the behaviour policy which was based on schools rated outstanding in the last few years, who had previously required improvement but made rapid changes. We now have consistent expectations for uniform, punctuality, equipment and reading book checks. The building is calm, children are engaged in their lessons and learning.

Students at Broomfield are thoroughly

involved in the improvement process. They have had the opportunity to compete in the ‘Name your New School’ competition. There are also student focus groups looking at the PE kit and uniform, creating mood boards and putting forward suggestions.

Ms Christofi also has plans to offer new vocational options to make sure that we meet the needs of all of our students. This will run alongside the academic pathway, we’re looking to include more options, like catering, business studies, health and beauty.

In the hopes of improving the school, the headteacher has invited parents in during the school day, to show them what it is like. She says “Some comments have been made, ‘I didn’t think it would be like this’, or ‘I didn’t think I would like it but I did. It’s a lovely working atmosphere’.

That’s the narrative that needs to change in the local community.

Laurel Park School opens on September 4th. A new school for Palmers Green and Southgate families.

Keble Prep Turns Co-ed In September

At Keble Preparatory School, we offer a dynamic and well-rounded education. High academic standards are combined with opportunities to thrive in Sport, Music, Drama and other extracurricular activities.

We are thrilled to announce that from September 2023, we will be co-educational across all year groups and will be introducing a Nursery setting for pupils ages 3+. The purpose and school values will remain the same; “Puritas, Veritas, Probitas” “being pure of heart, honest hard work and true to oneself”. It is with these values in mind that we will continue to value each pupil, nurture their talents and celebrate their achievements.

Perran Gill, Head said “This exciting change in our history will help the all-around development of our pupils and equip them for life both at Keble and beyond. I am excited to embark on the next chapter and journey ahead.”

Hands-on maths!

By Hari Neocleous @the_maths_nuts

Maths manipulatives in the primary classroom

For the summer edition of Cherubs we’re taking a little journey into the classroom to learn about maths manipulatives. These are resources that children use to develop a deeper understanding of concepts and methods.

When you’re doing practical maths you’re touching, exploring and manipulating maths objects. This hands-on approach allows children to have more meaningful learning experiences. Children use ‘maths talk’ to explore ideas and make connections, they’re actively involved and having fun. It’s also important that, as teachers and parents, we allow children to make discoveries themselves, giving them time to think and talk about what they’ve noticed. Silent moments = thinking time.

Conceptual and procedural understanding

I remember being a child in Year 6 and learning methods for adding and subtracting fractions. I memorised procedures but I didn’t really understand the methods or think in pictures. That was procedural learning with no conceptual understanding. In schools today we want both to happen. We’re developing curious minds and literate mathematicians. The emphasis is on discovery learning.

Please note, you don’t have to build a maths cupboard at home! There are some free and excellent websites with virtual manipulatives.

I use mathigon.org/polypad, the teacher tools section at toytheater.com and mathsbot.com

Ten types of maths manipulatives

1.

Numicon shapes are flat colourful shapes with holes in them. Each shape represents a number from 1 to 10. You can use them to build large numbers too. Children quickly learn to recognise numbers by the distinctive shapes and colours. Use them for counting, ordering, odd and even numbers, addition, division, multiplication, area, perimeter and more.

Favourite activity: adding fractions with numicon plates.

You may recognise Cuisenaire rods from your school days. Again, they can represent the numbers 1 to 10 but because these number rods are solid without any holes, children have to think about the sizes and compare. Use them to explore number bonds to 10, 100, bar models, multiplication, division, fractions and decimals.

children understand the magnitude of numbers. You have a tiny cube (these are called ‘ones’), 10 ones create a ten, 10 tens equal one hundred and 10 hundreds equal one thousand. Children build numbers, understanding the value of each digit. They’re also great for column addition and subtraction.

Favourite activity: use them with a number track to learn multiplication facts.

3. Base 10

Base 10 (or Dienes) are blocks that help children understand our number system. Think of a place value chart with the columns: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones. Base ten are different sized blocks that represent each column. They help

Favourite activity: modelling ‘exchanging’ in column subtraction. (We no longer use the term ‘borrowing’ when we go to the next column to take a ten. Instead we ‘exchange’ a ten for ten ones).

4. Place value counters

Children can use place value counters to represent numbers given to them. Alternatively, counters are given and

Numicon shapes

2. Cuisenaire rods

children identify the total. I play a simple game called ‘pincher’. Children ‘pinch’ counters from a pile without looking and arrange their counters in columns. They read and write the number they made. The greatest/lowest number wins.

Favourite activity: Use place value counters to explore short division and remainders.

5. Tens frames

Tens frames are rectangular grids with 10 squares. There are five squares above and five below. You can place counters on them, (double-sided counters are often used). Tens frames are great for subitising (instantly recognising numbers), counting and exploring number bonds.

Favourite activity: exploring different ways to make 10, 20, 100 by changing the value of the counters.

6. Bead manipulatives

In schools we have bead strings with 10 beads, 20, 50 and 100 beads. We also have the Rekenrek (twenty beads on a frame)

and the classic abacus. Great for counting, subitising and exploring calculations. I recommend watching the How to use an abacus video on Youtube. It’s fascinating to watch an abacus expert!

Favourite activity: subitising where I slide beads across and children say how many they see.

7. Money

When I introduce money, I’ll place each coin on the corresponding numicon plates to show the value of each coin. For example, 5p will be on the numicon red five, 10p on the blue ten. We live in a society where most money transactions happen by card but these early money experiences are the first step to being financially literate. We add, subtract, step count, solve word problems and learn about change. Pocket money, Monopoly and Pop to the Shops by Orchard Games help children understand money.

Favourite activity: shopping/cafe roleplay with money.

I hope I’ve given you some insight into the wonderful world of manipulatives. I have however left a unique manipulative off the list. Can you guess what it is?

It’s free, easily available to all. Guessed correctly? It’s our fingers. My feature in the autumn issue of Cherubs will be all about fingers aka the ‘human calculator’. So I’ll leave our hands for the next issue and hope that you’ve enjoyed ‘hands on’ maths.

In the meantime, don’t forget to play games, garden games, board games, dominoes and cards. Happy summer everyone!

8. Cubes and counting objects

In class we have cubes and a whole range of objects to count. Shells, gems, plastic fruit, little dinosaurs. Count beans being dropped into a tin, count ten pegs on a clothes hanger. Have 10 teddy bears and hide some of them with a tea towel, ask how many are hiding?

Favourite activity: counting squares on boardgames of course! Play simple number track games with dice.

9. Dice, playing cards and dominos

There are so many great card, dice and domino games, all of which develop number skills. Children perform better when they are motivated and use ‘maths talk’ as they play.

10. Number lines, blank number lines and hundred squares

Last but not least are number lines and hundred squares. We try to have a variety of these in schools. Use for counting, estimating, exploring patterns in multiplication facts and calculations.

Favourite activity: cut up a hundred squares to create a puzzle – how do children put it back together?

One Year to the Next

By Aimee Hart @hart_at_home

When we think about school transition we generally either think of children who are starting primary school or children who are moving from primary to secondary. But what about the transitions that happen in between? Primary school life takes children from just having learnt how to talk, listen, sit, share, build relationships and figure out their likes and dislikes… all the way to figuring out who they are as a person, learning about their mind and bodies, building independence and a maturity for the future. The primary school years are some of the most important years of a child’s life – and not just for the acad@hartemics. Each year they transition to a newer version of themselves and take on new challenges that will continue to prepare them for their life ahead. Seeing this transition is a privilege. The current Year 6 children at my own school were my class back when they were in Year 2! How they have grown and changed and blossomed, by taking on board the lessons each different year group offers them, responding to different adults around them and learning how to effectively communicate with them. My own daughter will be going into Year 4 and I look back on her previous year photos and see totally different versions of her. Year-on-year transition is just as important to ensure that children get the most from their time to grow. This time of year is key for children to prepare for their next year and feel excited and ready for the new challenge. As parents we tend to count down the days until the summer holidays, then count down the days to school starting again!

Here are some things to ponder as you begin to think about their next transition.

• Children need to feel successful at the end of each year so they can move forward feeling ready.

• Each year comes with an end point. Usually a parent’s evening or report that reflects each child in a variety of ways. There will be positives and there will be next steps. Celebrating the positives from across the year is vital to show them that it has changed them in some way and they have grown.

• Children need to have some element of excitement for their upcoming year.

This doesn’t mean they won’t be nervous (nerves can be a good thing).

• September is always a strange time. Freshness in lots of ways but changes can cause upset and anxiety. Schools will prepare children for transition between year groups by meeting their new teaching team, seeing their new classroom and getting a flavour for their new curriculum.

• Children need to see their journey as their own.

• The older children get, the more they compare themselves to their peers. Am I capable enough? Am I smart enough? Am I liked by others? With each year that passes children will realise that school is a bit like a pick and mix. Different things will stick with different children and their character changes. Celebrate this fact and remind them their journey is unique.

• Children may possibly change friendship groups as they move through primary school.

When children first start school – at the age of four – they are still learning about themselves and the prerequisite for friendship is someone who will share the glue stick and glitter or save them a turn on the trike. But as children learn about their own individual personalities they will gravitate to those who are like-minded. Don’t worry if this happens, it’s a natural part of the growing up process.

In summary, each year of a child’s life is important. Each year they have a journey that will lead them more and more to the person they are meant to be. Primary school is a place where children are given the opportunity to explore this in great detail and as the building blocks of academia happen around them they are learning to adapt and feel comfortable in their own skin. Ask your child what they’ve learnt from their current year, ask them what they have learnt about themselves and mirror that back to them, with comments like: “I’ve learnt that your creative writing is amazing and listening to what you read makes me happy.” Give them that inner voice because sometimes they can find it hard to compliment themselves. Enjoy the summer drawing a line under their current year and get excited about what’s still to come.

An Actor’s Life For Them

Actor Charlie Brooks, best known for playing Janine in EastEnders, left home in North Wales at 13 to go to drama school in London, so there’s not much about the industry that she doesn’t know.

Charlie, along with her brother Ben, who was a child actor and then worked in production, and his wife Emma, have set up iampro.com, an online platform offering world-class drama and production training on a mission to democratise the industry. They want to make it accessible for everyone, no matter their budget or where they live.

But what do you do as a parent if your child is showing signs they want to act? Where do you start if you don’t know the industry yourself? Here Charlie gives us her top tips on what to do if your little cherubs want to act professionally and how you as parents can help – and protect them along the way:

Be sure they want to do it

Navigating the acting industry can be really hard for parents, but the benefits for your child can be amazing, if this is something they enjoy and want to do. This is very important. I feel passionately about the benefits of drama for everybody, especially young people. Acting and drama classes can help your child thrive. It will build confidence, help them find a group of likeminded people, express themselves in a safe way and most importantly have fun! If it’s not fun for them, then maybe it’s not something you should pursue.

Make sure you child is heard, figure out if this is something they are genuinely interested in and want to commit to. Talk to them about their passion and commitment to the craft. It’s so important that they are genuinely interested and willing to put in the effort.

Find the right training and support

Look for reputable acting schools or classes in your area that are good for

young children. These can provide a solid foundation in acting techniques, improve their skills, and help them gain confidence and have fun! It’s also worth finding a talent agent or manager who specialises in representing child actors. They can guide you through the industry, provide valuable connections, and help you find suitable auditions and casting opportunities. We offer guidance and support around this on the iampro platform.

Don’t get hoodwinked

Be careful of scams! Sadly, the entertainment industry is not immune to them. Be wary of any offers that seem too good to be true, especially those that require large upfront fees. Do not pay large upfront fees. Research potential opportunities thoroughly and speak to a professional agent before making any financial commitments. You can ask any questions for free on websites, such as iampro and seek advice.

Immerse yourself in the Industry

Attend industry events, workshops, and seminars to network with other actors, parents, casting directors, and agents. Building relationships within the industry can provide massively beneficial insights and opportunities for your child.

Don’t forget their education

While pursuing acting, please make sure your child’s education does not get forgotten. Having a healthy balance between their acting endeavours and their academic and social development is super important.

Be Present – not pushy!

As a parent, it’s crucial to stay actively involved in your child’s acting journey.

Website: iampro.com

Attend auditions and performances, offer encouragement, and provide emotional support. But – be careful not to put too much pressure on or become overly invested in their success. Nobody wants a pushy parent!

Support them

Create a supportive and nurturing environment for your child. Encourage them to embrace the learning process, handle rejection positively, and celebrate small achievements along the way. Help them develop resilience and a healthy perspective on success and failure.

Manage expectations

The acting industry is extremely competitive, and success probably won’t come overnight. Manage both your and your child’s expectations realistically.

Safety first

Your child’s safety and wellbeing must always come first. Research any production or casting opportunity thoroughly. Be cautious of any situations that may compromise their safety or emotional wellbeing.

Remember you’re their parent

The acting industry can be challenging, and it’s important to approach it with a balanced perspective. Encourage your child’s passion while providing them with a stable and supportive environment.

iampro.com offers acting classes, as well as a supportive environment and community for actors of all ages from just £30 a month. iampro JNR is for 8-12 year olds and has been designed to encourage creativity and build confidence in children. It also prepares aspiring performers for further training and work in the industry.

From left to right: Ben Brooks, Charlie Brooks, Emma Brooks

CREATE THE CURRICULUM THAT SUITS YOU

Mount House Sixth Form offers a wide range of A Levels and Level 3 Diplomas.

LIFE SKILLS ACADEMIC & PRACTICAL REAL-WORLD CONTEXTS

www .mounthouse.org.uk

Mount House is an inclusive school in Barnet with small class sizes, supporting its students to develop as rounded indivi duals with exce llent results. Please contact us for more information.

Women Wise

Victoria Keith-Roach and Sarah Williamson are the founders of WomenWise, a game-changing new personalised at-home menopause service helping women to understand their midlife body, so they know how to support it through perimenopause and beyond. We caught up with them to find out more about their mission and why every woman deserves to have a positive experience through this transition.

Tell us about WomenWise and why you started the business?

Sarah: I’ve been a nutritional therapist for over 20 years – before it was fashionable! – I am fascinated by diet and the impact it has on our health. The foods we choose to eat or choose to avoid act as levers we can use to increase our vitality and wellbeing. Overtime I became frustrated and worried about friends’ difficult menopause experiences; the stories they told were very different, but often involved symptoms such as low mood, brain fog, anxiety and a loss of confidence leaving them feeling they were underperforming at work and at home. Some of them were thinking about leaving their jobs and long term

relationships mostly to reduce the sense of being overwhelmed. The devastating impact of menopause for these women and those closest to them ignited something in me –and I began to dig into the research. I asked myself- if menopause is a natural transition, so why is it hitting some of us so hard?

Victoria: We spent three years developing the WomenWise product and really understanding all the complex causes behind why we get symptoms. For us the key is hyper-personalisation; a one-sizefits-all approach just doesn’t work for the majority of women. Every woman is different and our service reflects that.

How does the service work?

Victoria: We wanted to make it super easy for women to access, so it’s all done in the comfort of your own home. You receive a special WomenWise box with everything you need to collect a little sample of blood, urine and DNA which you then send to our partner labs for analysis. You complete a detailed questionnaire that allows us to understand your health history, symptoms and lifestyle choices (what you eat, if you drink, how you exercise et cetera.

Sarah: We use the tests and questionnaires to assess underlying causes of the symptoms you are struggling with. We look at how your genetics may be playing a role in your mood; we can see the impact of the stress hormone cortisol on your body throughout the day; we can see if you are able to efficiently fuel your cells or tend to store energy as fat instead. Other tests unveil important nutrient deficiencies and how well your thyroid hormones are functioning. As you would expect, we assess your sex hormone levels too (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone) . Using all this information the team is able to determine the unique issues affecting your wellbeing.

You receive an in-depth report revealing the key factors contributing to your symptoms and tailored recommendations to help you manage them. Your science-backed report is built by our expert team of nutritional therapists and reviewed by doctors. What’s more, to help you take action and turn choices into habits, we provide 12 months of targeted knowledge and support focussed on the changes you need to make and a symptom tracker to see how those changes are working for you.

Victoria: This is such an important time in our lives; our offer goes above and beyond other options available to really get to the heart of what you need to know to thrive through midlife.

What about HRT?

Sarah: HRT can be very helpful but it’s worth remembering what it’s designed to do (and what it’s not). HRT replaces oestrogen or oestrogen & progesterone (depending upon whether you’ve had a hysterectomy). For women whose symptoms are principally caused by lower levels of these sex hormones, it can be very effective.

However, for symptoms caused by other factors (fatigue linked to low iron or weight gain linked to insulin resistance), HRT alone won’t be enough. This is why, for over half of women who take it, HRT can help but not completely. Women continue to suffer from symptoms that aren’t only caused by low levels of oestrogen and progesterone. For these women to gain back their vitality they need to look at other imbalances to piece together their health puzzle.

Website: womenwise.health

Why do you think it’s important for us to understand our mid-life health?

Sarah: There is so much more to our mid-life health than changing sex hormone levels. By understanding what’s going on with our underlying health, we can set ourselves up for a much better perimenopause and menopause experience. We believe that you’re never too young to start understanding your body and equip yourself with the knowledge you need to manage or even avoid those symptoms and have the best experience you can.

We believe that women don’t need to suffer or lose confidence and vitality during this time – menopause is a natural transition, not a disease. Our focus is on identifying and addressing their key imbalances and help women sail rather than stumble through the menopause. WomenWise is here to transform women’s midlife health, for the better and for the future.

The menopause has become a hot topic in the past few years, why do you think that is?

Victoria: It’s brilliant that people are talking about it, after all 50% of the population will experience it. People like Davina McCall, the brilliant team at the Menopause Mandate, MP Caroline Harris and many more have helped to make this something that people are finally discussing. We want women to feel empowered to have this conversation, but also know that there are a range of solutions out there that don’t just focus on taking HRT. If your daughter, sister or friend were struggling with these symptoms you’d urge them to seek out help and find a solution. As women we often put ourselves to the bottom of the pile. It’s time for that to change!

Does Nutrition Affect Our Hair?

With

Christianna Karaolis from Eat Happy Feel Good

Absolutely yes! We tend to think of hair as being cosmetic but it can be a reflection of our health. So if you want your tresses looking their best, I would definitely recommend paying attention to your nutrition. The truth is we all care about how our hair looks but it does needs a little more TLC than just an occasional cut and blow-dry.

Focusing on food, nutritional deficiencies can show up in your hair and result in hair loss, thinning, breakage or change in texture. Hair cells are the second fastest dividing cells in our body, which means they need a lot of energy and nutrients. But to our body, hair is not essential or a priority. So if you’re lacking nutrients, your body will prioritise the nutritional needs of important organs (as it should), which can then cause your hair to suffer.

Ultimately, what this means is that it’s important to have a nutrient-rich diet –give your body enough nutrients for all its needs, including your hair.

That being said, there are some nutrients that are particularly important for healthy hair, starting with protein. Hair is composed primarily of protein (a type called keratin), so getting enough quality protein in your diet is vital.

Insufficient protein could mean that hair won’t grow past a certain length and is more prone to breakage or becoming brittle and falling out. Aim to have protein with every meal; fish, chicken, meat, eggs, beans, quinoa, tofu, legumes, nuts or Greek yoghurt are all great sources.

Next there’s iron; a vital mineral for hair growth. Monitoring iron levels is especially important for menstruating women. If you notice changes in your hair, testing iron levels might be a good idea. To try and make sure you’re getting enough iron in your diet, include meat, liver, fish, beans, lentils, green leafy veg, seeds.

If you suspect you have low iron, do not take supplements without testing and the supervision of a health professional; it can be unsafe.

Linked to iron, is vitamin C because among its many functions, vitamin C helps our body absorb iron from plant foods and produce collagen; both are important for healthy hair. Our body can’t make or store Vitamin C, so we need to consume a source of Vitamin C daily. Good sources are citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwis, peppers, broccoli, kale.

It’s worth remembering that Vitamin C is water soluble, so it is easily lost from foods through overcooking. To make sure you’re getting the best from these foods, have them raw or lightly cooked.

Next we have Omega 3; healthy levels have been shown to help reduce hair loss; and most people don’t get enough. Make an effort to include Omega 3 rich foods from oily fish, chia seeds, walnuts and hemp seeds, or take a supplement.

Other nutrients that can have an effect on hair include zinc; we get zinc from meat, liver, kidneys, oysters, crab, peanuts, milk, cheese.

Vitamin B12 and biotin also support healthy hair, and research has shown that it can help reduce hair fall. CoQ10, vitamin A and vitamin E have also been linked to healthy hair, in part due to their antioxidant properties.

Hydration also matters. The scalp, just like the rest of the skin, can become dehydrated, which can affect hair growth, so stay well hydrated.

Times of hormone fluctuation can have a massive impact on hair; such as pregnancy and menopause; and by supporting the body during this time with the right nutrition, lifestyle and supplement interventions it can really help.

It’s also very important to say that, while nutrition matters, hair changes may indicate an underlying health condition that needs addressing, such as thyroid dysfunction, autoimmune conditions, anaemia, scalp conditions – all of which can affect hair. So when I see hair issues in clinic, depending on what other symptoms are also present, I would consider further testing or referring to a doctor. There are further possibilities such as alopecia and genetic influences can play a big role too.

And of course, lets not forget one of the most common causes of hair problems, stress.

Whatever the reasons, identifying why your hair might be suffering has got to be the starting point. In almost every case, there is a lot we can do, including optimal nutrition.

If you’d like to have a consultation with Christianna, contact her on 07851 680211 or christianna@eathappyfeelgood.co.uk

How Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Affects Young People

Written by Marilena Andreou, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition where an individual suffers with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Some children can display symptoms of OCD from six years old, but usually the onset is around puberty age or early adulthood. OCD usually consists of exhibiting recurrent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. The symptoms can worsen when you experience heightened stress levels (in young people this could be: school pressures, home life changes, friendship issues et cetera). The severity of the symptoms can vary throughout one’s lifespan.

Obsessions

With OCD an obsession is an unwanted thought, image or an urge that pops into your mind which causes anxiety, disgust or distress. These obsessions can be extremely difficult to control or remove from your mind. An example of an intrusive thought or image is about your hands being contaminated with germs and spreading them to others. This can evoke a lot of distress and anxiety so you try to push it out of your mind. Almost everyone experiences some of the intrusive thoughts or images that those with OCD have (for example worrying that the front door was not locked

or having an urge to push someone in front of a moving car). However, the main difference is that those with OCD give those intrusive thoughts (or images) a different meaning. Those who don’t have OCD, just see the intrusive thought as a thought and they take no further action.

Compulsive behaviours

A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour that you feel a strong urge to perform. These repetitive behaviours (or mental acts) are supposed to reduce your anxiety or distress in connection with your obsessions or to prevent something bad from happening. However, usually by performing the compulsions, this provides no pleasure and only gives temporary relief from anxiety, until the cycle reoccurs.

Compulsions tend to fall under the following themes:

• Washing and cleaning (for example repeatedly hand-washing until skin becomes sore).

• Counting (for example, counting in certain patterns, such as using only even numbers).

• Checking (for example, repeatedly checking doors and windows are locked).

• The need for reassurance (seeking reassurance from partner that you haven’t accidently put a cleaning product in food preparations).

• Orderliness (for example, ensuring that all tins in kitchen cupboards are facing the same way).

• Following a strict routine (for example, extreme eating habits).

When to seek help

There is a huge difference between someone who practises good hygiene levels (like showering daily) and someone who feels compelled to repeatedly wash hands until they are sore (because they have intrusive thoughts about germs and contamination). If the OCD symptoms are having a detrimental impact on your life and day-to-day functioning, then you could go and consult with your GP initially. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is proven to be very effective in treating OCD and reducing the symptoms. CBT aims to use exposure therapy and cognitive strategies to help to improve the overall symptoms. Don’t suffer in silence! With OCD becoming more widely recognised at early onset, you can seek professional help to improve the quality of your life.

Website: inspiring-minds-therapy.co.uk

Embrace The Change: Navigating The Menopause Journey

By Julie Hamshere

The journey through menopause can be a challenging time, both physically and mentally. Often it is difficult to recognise all the symptoms that lead up to menopause, and this can leave many women unaware of what they are experiencing. To help, it can be useful to see the menopause as not one single event but as a three-stage process: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

Stage 1: Perimenopause

Perimenopause will typically begin several years before menopause itself, it is at this time the ovaries start to produce less oestrogen. During this first stage, women may notice changes in their menstrual flow, such as lighter or heavier periods. But there are a number of other symptoms that accompany perimenopause, with hot flushes and night sweats being among the most well known. Hot flushes manifest as waves of intense heat coursing through the body, these flushes can occur unexpectedly at any time day or night. Weight gain, mood swings, headaches, anxiety, brain fog, aches and pains, and sleeplessness are just a few more examples of the many symptoms women may experience.

Stage 2: Menopause

Menopause, is reached when the ovaries stop releasing eggs, and there has been no menstrual period for at least 12 consecutive months. Aside from physical symptoms, this stage may also induce psychological feelings of worry or fear as women grapple with the realization of aging and the end of their reproductive capacity. Our bodies are transforming, and it’s natural to have mixed emotions during this time.

Stage 3: Postmenopause

Postmenopause is the stage that follows menopause. Even though a woman is effectively post-menopausal, it is possible to continue to experience some of these symptoms for a period of time after. While the menopause commonly occurs after the age of 40 as a natural part of aging, some women may undergo early menopause before reaching this age.

With menopause affecting over 50% of the population, it’s great to see that this topic is now finally out in the open. Recent news items have shed light on menopause, highlighting its misunderstood nature as a natural event that women experience at some point in their lives.

Celebrating a newfound confidence

Despite the negativity often associated with menopause, many women find it brings a newfound sense of confidence. Menopause is not an accident but a necessary transition that we should celebrate. It’s a significant phase in a woman’s life, marking her wisdom and growth.

Finding relief: Reflexology as a holistic approach

Women have various options to alleviate menopausal symptoms, and one of these is reflexology. Reflexology is a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that considers the whole person – spiritually, physically, and emotionally. This therapy aims to address both physical and emotional imbalances individuals may have in their lives.

Reflexology involves specific reflex points on the face, feet, or hands that correspond to organs, glands, or systems in the body. These points are connected to the respective body parts through zones or energy channels. When imbalances or illnesses occur, these energy channels can become blocked. Reflexology techniques unblock these channels, allowing energy to flow freely once again. The benefits of reflexology go beyond reducing tension and stress; it also aids in cleansing the body of impurities and toxins.

The Menopause Zone: Tailored reflexology treatment

I use a unique Menopause Zone toning facial, hand, and foot reflexology treatment designed to support women throughout

Website: feelthinkdo.co.uk

their menopause journey. This innovative plan combines facial, hand, and foot reflexology to balance the zones from head to toe. By targeting specific symptoms and utilizing research-based lifestyle, diet, and reflexology techniques, this treatment plan empowers women to make healthier choices during and after menopause. With regular tailored treatments and expert guidance, women can find support wherever they are in their menopause journey.

Mindful reflexology for mental wellbeing

As menopause can also take a toll on mental health, mindful reflexology offers an effective solution. This technique incorporates relaxing hypnosis followed by a full reflexology session, helping to calm the mind and alleviate anxiety. By acknowledging the interconnectedness of our mind and body, we can strive for balance during this pivotal phase of life. Taking care of our overall wellness is paramount, and reflexology and hypnotherapy can act as powerful tonics for menopausal symptoms.

Embracing the change: Live a comfortable menopause

Navigating the menopause journey can be transformative. By recognizing your symptoms and seeking appropriate treatments, you can embrace the change with confidence. Reflexology, alongside other holistic approaches, provides women with the tools they need to rebalance, reenergize, and rejuvenate their minds and bodies. Menopause is not a disease or an affliction, but an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. We must celebrate this incredible transition so that we can empower women to thrive during and after menopause.

To experience the power or reflexology or hypnosis please contact Julie@feelthinkdo. co.uk. Julie practices in North London/Herts area and details of therapies offered can be found here: feelthinkdo.co.uk. All readers will receive a 10% discount off their first booking, just mention Cherubs

EatHappyFeelGood

Veggie Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce

Salad Ingredients

• 4 blocks rice or egg noodles (360g)

• 3 large carrots, peeled and julienned or thinly sliced

• 1 large cucumber, watery core removed and thinly sliced

• ⅓ cup fresh mint leaves

• ⅓ cup fresh coriander

• ½ fresh chilli, thinly sliced (optional)

• 2 cups beansprouts

• Lime, unsalted peanuts and spring onion to serve

Dressing Ingredients

• ½ cup smooth unsweetened peanut butter

• Juice of half an orange

• Juice of 1 lime

• 2 cloves garlic, grated

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• ¼ cup honey

• ¼ cup toasted sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon sriratcha

Method

1. Cook the noodles according to pack instructions. You can cook the bean

sprouts in the same pan by adding them to the noodles for the last minute of cooking time. Drain all together.

2. While that’s happening, make the dressing by putting all the ingredients in a bowl and whisking well until you have a smooth consistency.

3. To assemble the salad, put the noodles, beansprouts, carrots, cucumber, mint and coriander in a large bowl.

4. Add the dressing and mix well so everything is coated and combined.

5. Add the peanuts, spring onion and extra lime. Serve and enjoy.

Miso Cod

Miso cod is a restaurant favourite you can easily make at home and its just as good. Served with rice and noodles it makes a delicious balanced meal.

Ingredients

• 8 boneless cod fillets

• ¾ cup miso paste (I use @clearspringuk sweet white miso)

• 2 tbsp rice mirin

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tbsp honey

• 1 tsp sesame seeds

• 1 lime thinly sliced

• Rice and veg to serve

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl mix the miso, mirin, soy sauce, honey and sesame oil.

3. Pat dry the cod filets and place on the baking tray. Spoon over the paste.

4. Put half a slice of lime on each piece and sprinkle on some sesame seeds.

5. Bake for around 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your cod and how well done you like it.

6. Finish under a hot grill for a few minutes to get a golden colour

7. Serve with rice or noodles and vegetables.

Raspberry & Coconut Pudding

This is so creamy and delicious it definitely feels like a treat but has added goodness from a surprising ingredient – silken tofu! And I promise you don’t know its there, other than the creaminess it gives.

Ingredients - Makes 6-8 portions

• 350g silken tofu

• 250g full fat coconut cream (cream only – keep the liquid for smoothies or porridge)

• 600g raspberries (fresh or frozen)

• 6 tbsp maple syrup

• 4 tbsp cornflour

• 3 tsp vanilla extract

• Fresh raspberries to decorate (optional)

Method

1. Blend the raspberries to a pulp and the maple syrup. Strain through a fine sieve to make a smooth coulis.

2. Add the coconut cream, tofu, cornflour, vanilla extract and half the coulis into a blender and blend until smooth.

3. Pour into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until it starts to gently bubble.

4. Remove from heat and allow it to cool a little.

5. Pour into small bowls or cups. Transfer to the fridge to set, about one hour.

6. Pour the other half of the coulis over the top. Decorate with the fresh raspberries and serve.

7. Keep in the fridge.

Website: eathappyfeelgood.co.uk

Instagram: @eathappyfeelgood

The Su er K chen

By Antonia Sanchez-Toomey

This summer we’re opting for playful pieces for your kitchen that will elevate your dining experiences and bring you micro-moments of joy each time you reach for that cup that makes you smile.

Cotton Table

Ceramic Olive Oil Bottle £18

Anthropologie

Wooden Bamboo Serving Spoons

£28

Spicer

Cool Bag Hand

Instagram: @antonia_sanchez_toomey

Pastel Blue Colander £18

La Redoute

Always Pan £130 Liberty

Gabriella Place Mat £20 Dress for Dinner

£39

Painted Plate

Napkin Ring

San Raphael Flower Bowl

& Wood

Artichoke Breakfast Spicer & Wood

Cloth

Nursery Rug Tips

By Ruggable Creative Director, Emily Simmons

How to Choose a Nursery Rug

Washability + Durability: Nurseries can be messy places so when it comes to selecting the right nursery rug, durability and washability are top priorities. All Ruggable rugs are water-resistant and stain-resistant so your nursery rug stays looking its best. When an accident or spill does happen, the Ruggable two-piece Rug System allows you to easily remove the Rug Cover from the Rug Pad and place it in the wash.

Materials: When it comes to materials, you want to feel confident everything is made from materials that are safe for babies and kids. For kids or nursery spaces, we recommend going with a thicker cushioned rug underfoot – as we know the floor is also your play space! For a softer feel you can opt for our Plush or Shag rugs. For extra peace of mind, you can pair any rug material with our extra-cushioned rug pads which add more buoyant cushion.

Non-slip: The last thing you need in the nursery is a slippery rug that won’t stay in place. That’s why our nursery rugs come in two pieces: a washable Rug Cover

and a non-slip Rug Pad. Our Rug Pad, which comes in Classic and Cushioned, is specifically designed to cling to the Rug Cover and the floor, keeping your nursery rug securely in place.

Colour/Style: We have a wide selection of fun, cute and colourful nursery rugs to choose from. If you’re looking to make a colourful statement, we have plenty of bold options, including safari nursery rugs and other fun patterns and colours. For those who prefer a more subdued look, neutral, grey or white nursery rugs are a great choice.

Size: The size of the nursery rug you choose will depend on how big the room is. Ideally, you’ll want to cover most of the floor to create a cohesive look and also provide a soft, padded surface for your mobile baby. Our 245x305 and 275x365 nursery rugs work great for this purpose. Alternatively, you can choose a large round nursery rug for a slightly different aesthetic.

How to Style Nursery Rugs

The nursery isn’t just for your baby. It’s

Website: ruggable.co.uk

also a place you’ll likely spend a lot of time, so it’s essential to decorate your baby or toddler’s room in a way that you’ll enjoy. When it comes to decorating your nursery, the rug is often the focal point of the space. If you have a larger room, you can opt for a nursery rug that covers most of the floor and will serve as padding for both you and your little one once he or she is mobile. With an extra middle layer, our cushioned rug pad is designed with plushness and comfort in mind - ideal for both parents on their knees, and little ones having somewhere soft and cushy to play.

A soft nursery rug in a smaller size is a great option for placing in front of a glider or sitting chair so you’ll have a nice place to rest your feet while holding your baby. You can even try a runner rug in front of the changing table to add some additional style to the room.

If you choose a fun pattern, like a safari, jungle or animal-themed rug, try keeping the rest of the decor simple so it doesn’t feel too overpowering. A neutral nursery rug, however, allows you to be more creative with your other decor and will easily go with a wide variety of colours.

Don’t Buy Her Flowers

When Cherubs met the founder Steph Douglas, from thoughtful gifting company Don’t Buy Her Flowers we were blown away by how she came up with the concept and set up this wonderful business. It just goes to show that anything is possible with a little perseverance.

Tell Us About Don’t Buy Her Flowers –how did the idea come about?

When I had my first baby 12 years ago, I was inundated with beautiful, well-meant bouquets from friends and colleagues. I was feeling massively overwhelmed and sore and flowers kept arriving, and it struck me as a really bizarre gift – to give someone who is doing more caring than they’ve ever done in their life another thing to care for. Our gifts are all about offering the recipient some encouragement to take a bit of time for themselves, something thoughtful, and that is still core to our brand.

How has the brand developed over the years?

Very quickly our customers told us that they wanted to send our gifts for other occasions than new mums – when someone is having a difficult time, for bereavement and miscarriage, as well as for men and kids. Birthday is actually now our number one ‘reason’ so our market is considerably bigger than the one we started with. We’ve also seen a massive growth in Corporate gifting, with businesses wanting to connect with employees and clients at a time when

it’s become more difficult because of hybrid working and not physically being in the same place. The core still remains the same though – customers create bespoke gifts and each package is beautifully wrapped with their message handwritten. Thoughtfulness remains our focus, whether that’s in the products and packaging, how we speak with customers, and how we treat each other in the warehouse.

What are some of your highlights from running the business?

Oooh! I think the team is up there – one of my brothers is our Ops Director, two of my oldest friends are in the team plus an old colleague who has become a good friend. I love building a team and while lots of people say you shouldn’t work with friends and family, I absolutely trust them and they’re not just employees, they are in this with me. They want Don’t Buy Her Flowers to succeed and that means so much. I would say that and then of course our customers and recipients – when you meet someone and they say “oh my god, I received one of your boxes and it was so thoughtful” – that is music to my ears.

What have the low points taught you?

That you have to be resilient to run a business, and that the people around you also need to believe in what you’re doing. When times are difficult – which a lot of retail businesses are seeing at the moment – you can’t wait and hope for things to improve, you need to diversify. We have started doing fulfilment for other small businesses – people who want to take their business to the next stage but feel nervous to outsource the fulfilment. I’ve been there and we have all the skills and crucially the care to do a brilliant job. That and corporate gifting has been our focus, as more and more businesses recognise they need to connect with their employees and customers. Basically, you learn more from the low points!

You’ve done some great collaborations –can you tell us more about those?

We’re working with some awesome charities. Stand Up To Cancer was a big one that started in 2016. We’ve also worked with a number of people who had been or were going through cancer, including Dame Deb James (Bowel Babe), to select

products that helped or would have helped them, and they each put together their own selections. Jen at the baby-loss charity Teddy’s Wish approached us a few years ago about creating packages for recently bereaved parents. I think the key is that we’re not saying we’re experts in every occasion – it makes more sense to work with credible charities and individuals who have lived experience of things and as supporters of DBHF, they think that what we do could offer comfort to people that they’re helping too.

You’re really honest about the highs and lows of running a business alongside having three kids and all the other things life throws at us – is it important for you to show it as it is?

Yes – I don’t think it helps anyone to pretend that it’s a breeze. I started a blog before I started the business and I wrote very honestly about motherhood and relationships and really that has just continued. I now have the Don’t Buy Her Flowers Podcast, which is an extension of that. It helps connect with customers and builds a community around the brand.

What tips have you got for anyone wanting to start their own business?

Be really clear on what it is you do, look around to view the competition but don’t let it sink you. The quicker you can get your business live, the sooner you’ll know what your customers think and want. You’re never going to start with the perfect product or service, but as a small business you can be agile so get going, listen to your customers, and evolve.

Website: dontbuyherflowers.com

What do you wish you’d known when you first started out?

That running a business has an emotional and mental undertaking to it that I had no idea about! I can work hard – I’ve always worked hard – but your connection with a business and the responsibility can feel very personal, so it definitely requires some work on resilience and the ability to compartmentalise.

HMOs: the common mistakes and how to avoid them

With over twenty years’ experience of property management, property conversions and HMOs, our MD Douglas Fokuo answers some of the most frequently asked questions about HMOs and outlines some of the most common mistakes people make when converting a property into a HMO, and also how to avoid them!

Q. Why do people consider HMOs as a profitable investment?

A. Well, that’s an easy question to answer. HMOs can provide significant financial returns for clients. It’s simple maths that a HMO with multiple tenants is more lucrative than one tenant in the whole house. More tenants equals more rent. We have seen cases when revenue has increased by 300% when compare to a standard Buy To Let. It makes perfect business sense.

Q. What property makes a good HMO conversion?

A. The good news is that most properties are ideal for conversion. This can be anything from a three-bedroom property, former police stations and fire stations, old churches, hotels and factories and halls of residences. The main point to consider after you’ve found a property ready for HMO conversion is that it is in the right location. Anything that is near to a university is ideal as this means that you have a ready-made audience in students. Also a property that is close to good transport links is worth considering for obvious reasons.

Q. What’s the thing that people often forget when they look at converting a property into a HMO?

A: At Reka we see people get really excited about a building that they’ve bought and the prospect of converting it into a HMO, but they often forget that there are tight regulations around conversions, and you need to comply with these. To convert a property to a HMO you need to obtain the correct license. This can be obtained from the relevant local authority. The property needs to be compliant with certain safety measures too. Sometimes this can be overlooked. We often help clients with this as we know most councils and because we know what’s required it can speed up the process and save them time and money.

Q. What do most people underestimate when they start a HMO conversion?

A. That’s an easy question to answer. It’s almost always budget. You have to be realistic about the costs involved. Being realistic about how much it costs to convert will pay dividends. The cost of construction and building materials has escalated since the pandemic and the rise in living costs. We always tell our clients that they need to factor in a 10% contingency and the importance of employing reliable workmen. We have an army of reputable craftsmen who understand budgets, timelines and good workmanship. So we are often asked to undertake this for our clients to facilitate a speedy conversion.

Q. What does success look like?

A. This is perhaps the most important consideration. When you start your conversion journey you need to have a clear vision of what the end product will look like. Plan and budget accordingly. And also we

Website: rekaproperty.co.uk

tell our clients that once the conversion has been completed, the real work starts! That means that you need to consider how you will ensure that you have the right tenants in your property. Again, this is a service that most clients ask us to implement once we’ve completed their conversion.

Q. Any take aways that people should remember?

A. Well, it’s easy for us to say as we do this for a living, but the main thing to remember is that HMOs are a great investment, however, they do require thought, planning, budget management and patience. However, as previously mentioned the return on investment can be very worthwhile, which is why we work with many clients who begin with one property and now have enviable property portfolios.

Q. How can Reka help?

A. Property Management and HMO conversions is our business. It’s what we’re passionate about and why we have a 5 star review listing on Google. We help plan, develop and manage properties for our clients and we think this is because we are landlords too, so we understand it from their perspective. We know the pitfalls, can negotiate with councils and workmen and also believe that everyone deserves a place to call home, so are able to understand what tenants’ requirements are too.

If you’ve struggled to find quality tenants, reduce rental vacancies or been frustrated doing the necessary legal compliance, repairs or maintenance, then maybe the REKA Property Home Finder Scheme can help you.

This FREE service helps landlords to immediately let their properties to good tenants while providing quality accommodation for Local Housing.

Benefits to Landlords:

• property let within 10 days

• a solid two-year assured tenancy period

• fast-tracked housing benefit within days of inspecting your property

• a cash incentive up to £1000

• fully vetted quality tenants

• receive the housing benefit payment directly to you, the landlord, not to the tenants

To find out more information, call us on 0203 286 6468 or email us at lettings@rekaproperty.co.uk and quote “rent my property.”

5 Minutes with Lauren Vaknine

They say everyone needs one person in life who will guide and allow you to be nothing more than your true, authentic self. That person is Lauren, an unbelievable coach who we’ve worked with first-hand and someone we would love to share with you all. Five minutes with her just isn’t enough.

Your bedside reading at the moment is…?

Unwell Women by Elenor Gleghorn. Absolutely fascinating insights into how women have not only been made to feel like hypochondriacs for daring to feel something, but how we’ve been made to be more ill by the medical system. I also just finished re-reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic, which I find helpful every time I need to immerse myself in creative work.

Favourite podcast when you have five minutes’ peace?

I’m such a huge podcast fan it’s very hard to narrow it down! My faves are The Aubrey Marcus Podcast, Expanded, The Life Stylist Podcast, my mentor James Wedmore’s Mind Your Business and I’ve always loved Desert Island Discs. Ooh, and How to Fail. Of course, I never listen to my own podcast, Reconditioned!

A ‘wow’ moment in your life so far?

There have been many. But I would say being completely head-to-toe disabled then healing myself from that and being able to live a full, able-bodied life as a mum and businesswoman is pretty wow!

Favourite hot drink?

My hot cacao (healthy hot chocolate) is my and my husband’s Sunday night ritual (recipe on my website), but during the week I drink Whole Earth coffee alternative which makes me feel like I’m treating myself to coffee, without the caffeine.

Ultimate food weakness?

Hummus! It would be my last meal. Also nothing like a chocolate biscuit dipped in tea.

If you had to choose, would you prefer cooking or eating out?

Both. I grew up in an Israeli home where home cooking was life and I love homecooked food, but as a mum, I really look forward to not cooking and I love a good meal out – but most of the time it’s homecooked for us.

What gives you instant calmness?

Breathwork. It takes your brain from heightened brainwave states to calmer ones. If I feel stressed, I instantly go to my breathwork practice.

Three things you always have in your glove compartment?

Homeopathic car sickness remedy for the kids, rose lip balm & an essential oil spray I made to make the car smell nice.

The next destination on your list is…?

Sedona, Arizona, to visit my shaman, Don Xavier. And my husband and I really want to do a long campervan trip around the states and end up in Hawaii for a week.

Which album will you have on loop and never be bored with?

Usher’s 8701 comes to mind, as well as Bon Jovi Greatest Hits. I’m weird with music and have everything from gangsta rap (and can rap along to most of them) to classical and Israeli artists, 50s hits, rock and musicals. Being in my car is an experience and we have dance parties at home most nights after dinner.

When you’re not coaching, you are…?

Creating amazing episodes for my podcast, Reconditioned, and writing, which is my ultimate passion and love. Oh, and raising my kids!

Favourite holiday memory?

Being in Israel in the summers, sitting in Netanya square where I grew up, with all my uncles and aunties and cousins, the music of my childhood playing from the cafes, my parents sitting with their friends, me running around freely because you just could there. No big event, just being in the sun with family, relaxed and feeling at home.

If you needed to hear a voice of comfort, who would you call?

My best friend Raine, who lives in South Africa, and my shaman.

If you could choose one superpower?

To click my fingers and have dinner made and everyone want to eat it.

What language would you love to learn?

Well, I am bilingual with English and Hebrew but also used to speak fluent French which I’ve all but forgotten and I’d love to re-learn it.

How would you describe yourself?

Passionate, intense, empathetic, sociable, driven, a bit crazy and need community more than anything to feel alive!

The mantra you live by?

Joy, ease, surrender. I remind myself of this every day to feel balanced. Everything else falls into place when we can live in joy, ease and surrender.

Lauren’s latest course, the Female Entrepreneur Academy, launches this week. It offers a step-by-step guide on how to make your small business more profitable – using both practical business tools (the masculine energy) and by teaching an understanding of the energetics of money and wealth (the feminine side) so you can start bringing in more clients, increase cash flow, and start being financially and geographically independent.

laurenvaknine.co.uk/fea

Photo credit: Chiko Photography