BUSINESS

Lynn Scholes, founder of Focus101, is helping businesses prosper thanks to her therapeutic skillset that gets the most out of the people they employ. Photography: Swirly Magnolia

Since setting up Focus101, Lynn Scholes has been overwhelmed by the response of businesses who need support with their employees’ development and wellbeing over the last year or so due to Covid.

“Workers are returning to the workplace after being furloughed or working from home and that’s presenting many different problems,” explains Ribble Valley-based Lynn, who previously worked in a senior managerial role for an international pharmaceutical company.

She went on to train as a Therapeutic Coach and Counsellor, giving her a unique set of people skills that helps businesses grow and prosper in a dynamic culture that focuses on the wellbeing of their employees.

“The weight of evidence shows that by supporting employees with their mental health leads to less sick leave, greater productivity and higher retention rate, all of which leads to greater profit and a more successful and sustainable company,” adds Lynn, who explains that the global pandemic has affected the wellbeing of many people – even those who thought they had dealt with the crisis well.

“When I go into companies and speak to people, those who are very positive about the future reported back that they found our sessions invaluable.

“Throughout the pandemic we have all experienced an extended period of fear – fear of catching Covid, passing it on, fearful for relatives, fear for our jobs, our homes, our finances and our children.

“Normally fear triggers the fight or flight response, which settles as the threat passes. But the pandemic caused hyper triggering – an extended period of fear which most people have never experienced before.

“While some people are naturally aware and cope well, for others it’s been much more complex.”

Through Focus101 Lynn offers various packages – tailoring them to each individual business: “I have a series of options available. Working with the client to determine a package that benefits their budget as well as their business, is all part of the service I offer.

“It may be that communication skills need to be enhanced or certain individuals may need resilience coaching. For others it could simply be giving employees the opportunity for an ‘emotional and wellbeing MOT’ to check they are coping and working at their optimum level.”

Having conducted more than 100 one- to-one corporate and private sessions over the past few months, Lynn has seen the huge impact the pandemic has had on people.

“It has been an enlightening experience, noticeably the different reactions people have had to the lockdowns and pandemic. For many it has left them anxious in various ways – after 15 months off work some are wary of returning to a work environment, for others who were previously accustomed to a lengthy daily commute, they have lost all confidence in driving. Every single case is different.”

Lynn has also discovered that while many people have coped well, when they see how their colleagues have been empowered by coaching and counselling, they too want to benefit from her therapeutic support.

“My passion is mental health support and making it normal and acceptable for businesses and their employees to talk about anxiety and stress. From big, burly men on the shopfloor to senior management, it’s important to discover what sits behind any issues and find out the underlying cause. It’s about people finding their own answers – suddenly they understand why they feel like they do.

“When a client comes to see me I don’t have an agenda – it’s whatever they want to talk about on the day. It may well be that part of the session is counselling dealing with past issues and that drifts into therapeutic coaching to deal with future development within a corporate culture.

“It is a seamless transition from counselling to coaching. My years as a senior business manager taught me that the best work is done when you can move between the two forms of support in any one session.

“I see businesses that have a brilliant work culture with a happy workforce that is listened to and valued, but that’s not enough. People may be reticent to show weakness, so discussing personal challenges with employers, managers and even colleagues may not be an option, so it makes it vital to have external support,” adds Lynn, who has been able to reach a far wider audience geographically with Focus101’s cost-effective services via Zoom.

“It works extremely well,” she says. “Over the last few months I have worked with a number of companies nationwide, who really understand that supporting the mental wellbeing of the people they employ not only meets their duty of care but is also the best insurance policy to ensure that the company thrives in these very challenging times.” n

IT MAY WELL BE THAT PART OF THE SESSION IS COUNSELLING DEALING WITH PAST ISSUES AND THAT DRIFTS INTO THERAPY SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH LEADS TO LESS SICK LEAVE AND GREATER PRODUCTIVITY

As well as working in corporate environments Lynn also offers confidential and private counselling and coaching to individuals

MATTERS BUSINESS

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the thriving Ribble Valley, where business always matters

If you have any Business Matters news items contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Fagan & Whalley’s new Future-bound scheme is a programme that provides exciting training opportunities for those looking to embark on a career in the logistics industry. Operating as a structured driver training programme, Future-bound will invite applicants with a full UK driving licence to work towards their professional HGV qualifications, beginning with one of two F&W 3.5T vehicles, which have been purpose designed and built to facilitate training in readiness for progression: “We’ve decided to launch this new scheme in an effort to make it that bit easier for those interested in a career in transport and haulage to break into the industry,” explains Fagan & Whalley Operations Strategy Director, Daniel Wood. EXCLUSIVE VENUE

It’s 20 years since Bashall Barn opened its doors to the public and it’s been an incredible journey. Now the next chapter of the business is here with the launch of Bashall as a wholly exclusive wedding venue. Still family owned, still based on the farm, still with the same amazing team but Bashall will now be able to concentrate all efforts on continuing to develop a unique offering for wedding couples. The next step in the development is starting to take shape with builders taking the old barn and converting it into fabulous bedrooms for wedding guests.

ENTREPRENEUR WINNER

North West Inspiring Women Awards have named Clitheroe-based Kushboo Soap’s founder Sarwat Jaleel Entrepreneur Award Winner 2021. Sarwat said: “I am proud to be recognised for promoting sustainability and donating to the vulnerable. I share this award with the Kushboo family – my husband, three daughters, friends and all my lovely loyal customers who have supported me from day one.” Sarwat has developed an ethical business that not only benefits the economy but also benefits the wider community with her ‘one sold, one donated to charity’ philosophy. Kushboo is a 100 per cent natural, multi-award winning soap and skincare business.

WOMEN’S COLLECTION

Having initially served a male market since they launched back in 2018, Lancashirebased LANX has now responded to increased demand from its rapidly growing audience of female followers to launch a women’s collection. Based at their designled warehouse shop at Mitton Road Business Park, LANX founder Marco Vaghetti explains: “When we started out we built our initial collections for men as this is where our primary expertise and experience lay. But the message was loud and clear from women who wanted to wear our shoes so we created a collection with a female-specific fit. We can’t wait to see how women style our new range of boots and shoes this autumn and winter.” FINAL SALE

Following the sale of the final house at the exclusive Deer View development in Lea Town, Lanley Homes have gone on to enjoy a successful 12 months with construction completed at their 22-home development – Bowland View at Great Eccleston. Work has also started on site at the exclusive Woodlands development in Leyland. This development will provide 14 family homes in a mixture of four and six bedroom detached houses. The site is situated in the much sought-after area off Langdale Road close to Worden Park. Neil McManus, Executive at Lanley Homes commented: “It’s been an impressive year for Lanley Homes, which is testament to the quality of the product design and the finishes within the properties.”

Napthens’ residential conveyancing team have looked after thousands of people moving homes over the years. And so, we understand that every situation is different. Whilst moving home is a major consideration for any family, when it comes to high value properties, those with complex land issues, or a transaction which requires wider project management, we believe there is a need for a more bespoke service.

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PRIME RESIDENTIAL

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offers the level of support you need for your complex, high value, residential property purchase. Tailored to your exact requirements, Prime Residential is a service for those that require something out of the ordinary. We understand that people have busy lives and that not everything can fit into Monday to Friday nine to five, so you’ll receive: • Senior level property expertise • Commercial and tactical advice • A bespoke support package • Out of hours access to your lawyer • Tailored, fixed-cost fees • Access to our ‘club’ of property professionals, which includes funders, property tax specialists, planners, surveyors, architects, developers and agents As Napthens Prime Residential is completely bespoke, costs are discussed and agreed personally with you to ensure our service is tailored to the specific needs of your project.

Our people

Our service is provided by partners, all of whom are specialists in the commercial or residential property sectors, with clients ranging from Plcs through to individual investors and home buyers. The team is headed up by partner Simon Ainsworth, a highly experienced residential conveyancing lawyer with a wide professional network across the property sector. Simon deals with high value and complex conveyancing transactions and personally acts for a number of business owners and company directors. Wider members of the Prime Residential Partner team include specialists in: • Rural and agricultural land, equestrian and renewable energy projects • Commercial and residential development and leisure aspects of property • Deal making – with strong professional relationships across the North-West real estate business community including architects, planning consultants, developers, development funders, banks, property tax specialists and private equity houses. n

For a confidential, no obligation discussion about your requirements please contact Simon Ainsworth: simon.ainsworth@napthens.co.uk napthens.co.uk

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When it comes to high value properties, those with more complex land issues, or a transaction which requires wider project management, Prime Residential - a bespoke service from our property experts – provides the tailored professional support you need. To discuss your individual requirements please contact: Email simon.ainsworth@napthens.co.uk

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY…

Give your family the best chance at preserving wealth from one generation to the next, advises Alastair Brown of Raymond James

As gloomy as it might sound, death and taxes are often described as the only two certainties in life, and inheritance tax (IHT) means they can turn up at the same time. *Almost £5.4 billion was paid in inheritance tax in 2018/19 – a record high.

With people living longer and enjoying more active lives in retirement, the age at which the next generation will eventually benefit and how tax efficiently the wealth is transferred can be a real headache. Whether your motivation is to support your relatives, protect vulnerable family members or to leave a legacy, passing on your wealth is a highly emotive and potentially complicated topic. Ensuring the tax man isn’t your largest beneficiary

What is Inheritance Tax (IHT)? Will you have an IHT liability? Can you reduce it? What can you give away in your lifetime? More and more people are likely to be impacted by Inheritance Tax. However, paying Inheritance Tax doesn’t have to be inevitable. In many cases this most unpopular of taxes can be minimised using allowances or exemptions, or potentially be avoided altogether with careful planning. How, when and to whom should I transfer my wealth?

When is the best time to give money away? If you have children should they be treated equally? Who do you leave your money to if you have no immediate family? Will your partner automatically inherit your wealth if you have no legal partnership? Deciding who should inherit and how best to transfer your wealth is rarely simple. Family dynamics are often highly complicated. You and your spouse or civil partner might have different views on how, or even if, any of your respective relatives should inherit your wealth. Whatever your goals, getting financial advice will help you pass on your money in a way, and at a time, that creates maximum benefit for the people that matter to you most. Estate Planning

Getting all your affairs in order, from deciding who should inherit your wealth to making provisions for vulnerable family members, can be an extensive but invaluable process. Known as Estate Planning, it ensures you eliminate uncertainty over the administration of your assets and aims to maximise the value of your estate by reducing or eliminating taxes and other expenses. From setting up trusts to mitigating Inheritance Tax, Estate Planning should also consider your needs in later life, including the potential cost of longterm care.

Could we help save you and your loved ones thousands?

Ready to have a conversation? Give us a call and we’ll help you understand whether IHT is likely to impact you, and whether you could take action to reduce it. If it looks like we can help you keep more money in the family, we’ll book your free, no obligation initial consultation with one of our in-house specialists. n

*Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/284325/ united-kingdom-hmrc-tax-receipts-inheritance-tax/ Published by D. Clark, Apr 29, 2021

Risk Warning: Opinions constitute our judgement as of this date and are subject to change without warning. With investing, your capital is at risk

Raymond James 8 Berry Lane, Longridge, Preston PR3 3JA 01772 780300 ribblevalley.raymondjames.uk.com