14 minute read
BUSINESS
Dr Samantha Weld-Blundell was one of just six out of 4,800 entrants to be shortlisted at the recent Great British Entrepreneur Awards. She is the founder of an innovative, new online service providing easy access to psychological support
Ribble Valley-based educational psychologist Dr Samantha WeldBlundell is pioneering a new concept to support children and young people with mental health needs.
Having worked in the field of educational psychology for a number of local authorities, mum-of-two Sam always had a vision to work independently.
“The workload, level of need and pressure on local authorities is tremendous. I wanted to work in my own way,” explains Sam, who was working from her family’s home in Jersey, when the first lockdown hit.
“Working remotely really crystalised my thinking. I began to question why child psychology is not as accessible as other health services.
“While educational psychologists in the public sector do a fantastic job, there are long waiting lists that average about six months, sometimes longer.
“There are also barriers that prevent certain children, who don’t meet thresholds, from being seen as there are other children presenting with more severe needs. So, inevitably some children keep getting moved down the priority list.”
Seeing a pressing need for accessible educational psychologists, Sam, who lives in Waddington, went on to set up the Little Psychology Co.
The core online model of the Little Psychology Co works particularly well as parents can access a child psychologist almost instantly by booking a virtual consultation, much like you would book a table at a restaurant.
Sam then works via Teams with individuals including parents, teachers, schools and care-givers: “It gives everyone involved with the child or young person, including multi-disciplinary teams, direct access to a child psychologist.
“Working virtually means a lot of potential barriers are lifted. Parents can choose a time to suit them,” says Sam, who graduated from Leeds University, where she originally trained in Forensic Psychology.
Deciding to spend a year travelling, she moved to Australia and while in Melbourne Sam worked as an adult forensic psychologist in a mental health hospital: “It was a natural step, but it became clear from the offset that I wanted to change trajectory. When you learn about some of the traumatic experiences these adults have gone through in their childhood, I just knew my calling was to work with younger people.”
Sam volunteered and worked in the burns unit of a Melbourne children’s hospital as well as working with a charity supporting families with very sick children.
Applying to Kings College in London to study Child and Adolescent Mental Health, she and her husband relocated to the UK, where she completed a Masters degree.
“I think it’s very important to eliminate the stigma of mental health,” adds Sam, who went on to complete a three-year educational psychologist Doctorate at the University of East London.
She then worked with Lewisham Educational Psychology Services, during which time she was expecting her first child: “I was on maternity leave and we went to see my family in Jersey. We started to consider moving there as it’s a fantastic island and we were ready for another adventure.”
Moving to St John, Sam began working for Jersey Educational Psychology Services: “I was coming to the end of my year there and then that’s when the first lockdown happened.
“I am seeing a lot of anxiety-based cases especially children in the early teens,” she explains. “We don’t know the full impact of Covid on children and young people, but I am wondering whether this is the start of the fallout.
“During the various lockdowns children and teenagers only had the one, single environment to deal with and that was home, and for most of them that’s a secure, comfortable environment.
“For any child who experienced any sort of stress and anxiety associated with school, lockdown was possibly a positive experience.
“Returning to school meant they had to cope with masks and bubbles, which raises the level of anxiety.
“I think the lasting impact of this has yet to be seen,” adds Sam
Returning recently from Jersey to their home in Waddington after the birth of their second son, Sam and husband Kim Weld-Blundell are delighted to be back: “While Jersey was lovely, we were so looking forward to coming back to the Ribble Valley. We love the countryside, it is such an inspiring landscape.
“Working remotely is a new way of working, it gives you freedom. Over the past year or two I think priorities have changed – it is a special time and I feel very thankful that I can work and live in such a beautiful area.” n
FOR ANY CHILD WHO EXPERIENCED ANY SORT OF STRESS AND ANXIETY ASSOCIATED WITH SCHOOL, LOCKDOWN WAS POSSIBLY A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE WHILE JERSEY WAS LOVELY, WE WERE SO LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING BACK TO THE RIBBLE VALLEY. WE LOVE THE COUNTRYSIDE, IT IS SUCH AN INSPIRING LANDSCAPE
thelittlepsychologyco.co.uk
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MATTERS BUSINESS
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the thriving Ribble Valley, where business always matters
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RED ROSE AWARDS
The Red Rose Awards 2021 winners were named at a glittering awards ceremony held in Blackpool. Winners were as follows: Fox Group, Community and Business Partners, CUBE HR, Ascentis, Process Instruments, T Forrest, Silverwoods Waste Management, YOLO Wellbeing, Eric Wright Group, Sapphire Utility Solutions, Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, Red-Fern Media, Connect 2 Cleanrooms, Carnforth Pharmacy, Blackburn Youth Zone, Spencer Hayes Group, The Fun Experts, Luxus Design, Sundown Solutions, Barcadia Media, Tourism and Thornton Hall Country Park. TREE PLANTING
The Derby Arms at Longridge is one of five Lancashire pubs which has joined forces with the not-for-profit organisation, Tree-Nation, to plant trees in nominated plantations across Madagascar and Tanzania for every hot drink sold across the Oakman Group’s 36 venues in England. Incredibly, in less than four months since launching the collaboration, 250,000 trees were planted by Christmas. Oakman Group CEO, Dermot King, said: “We aim to run a business that we, and our customers, can be proud of. It’s important that we try to leave things a little better than we found them.”
REVITALISED BRAND
La Locanda has taken the opportunity to reinvigorate the restaurant’s brand identity with an elegant hand-crafted new logo, signage and interior styling that hints at an authentic simplicity. This is also reflected in a new website, which showcases the exceptional food and ethos at the heart of La Locanda. Owners Maurizio and Cinzia Bocchi are incredibly proud of their Italian roots and find their inspiration from the generations of culinary heritage and rich culture. Over the coming weeks, La Locanda will be hosting some very special events including an Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting Week and a week dedicated to truffles. FINALISTS REVEALED
Marketing Lancashire has announced the finalists competing in the Lancashire Tourism Awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held at Stanley House Hotel & Spa on Wednesday 2nd February 2022. Among the Ribble Valley finalists are Mrs Dowsons Farm Park, Browsholme Hall, Goosnargh Gin, Crow Wood Hotel & Spa, Foxfields Country Hotel, Mytton Fold, Stanley House Hotel & Spa, the Coach & Horses, Three Millstones Inn, Inch Perfect Trials, Thornton Hall Country Park, Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, La Locanda, Bashall Barn and The Out Barn.
SALE SHARKS LINK-UP
In a collaboration with Premiership rugby side Sale Sharks, Ribble Valley-based LANX has delivered more than 100 pairs of bespoke shoes to Sale’s Carrington Training Complex. International stars including Tom Curry, Faf de Klerk and Lood de Jager are among those to receive a pair of Heywood brown brogues – featuring an embossed Sharks logo. The deal means LANX and Sale will work together for a fourth consecutive season, but this year LANX will also support Sale Sharks’ women’s side. Following the launch of LANX’s first-ever women’s range, Sale Sharks’ England World Cup winning captain Katy Daley-McLean was one of the first players to try on the new sneakers. “We’re very proud of our ongoing association with a brand like Sale Sharks,” said Marco Vaghetti, LANX founder. “Our roots and our heritage are very much in the north of England and as a massive rugby fan, Sale is a club that fits well with the ethos and values of the LANX brand.” MP HERo
Speaking from Westminster, Nigel Evans MP announced that restaurateur Breda Murphy was his nomination as the Ribble Valley’s MP HERo. The MP HERo award scheme was created by Savvitas, a not-for-profit network established to positively impact the life-long development of women from all backgrounds. The nomination is intended to highlight grass roots women business-owners from a variety of sectors and backgrounds. Speaking of the nomination, Breda said: “I am truly honoured and it’s an even greater honour to be placed in such distinguished ranks as those who have also been championed by their local MPs.”
STRUGGLING TO RECRUIT NEW TALENT POST COVID-19?
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
If you ask any business in Lancashire about their current challenges, one key message emerges across all sectors
All businesses are sharing the challenge of recruiting new talent to their business in the wake of Covid-19. The challenges are varied – there’s flexible working challenges, skills gaps and a lack of local talent in key industries – to name a few.
At Blackburn College we are well aware of the challenges businesses face – it’s why our most recent Ofsted report comments: “Leaders have successfully fostered excellent relationships with local and regional partners and employers.”
The report states these partnerships have resulted in: “A curriculum that meets local and regional needs and provides high-quality work experience for students and apprentices.”
Given the challenges recruiting, Blackburn College is now working with many businesses to look at their workforce to assess how to nurture their existing talent, to meet future business needs.
Through these discussions, what many businesses don’t realise is how flexible apprenticeship schemes can be in developing a workforce. With apprenticeships available at different levels – and in disciplines as varied as Sewing and Textiles, to Customer Service/Team Leader and Digital Marketing roles, many businesses can use apprenticeships to retrain, retain and grow existing employees.
Gone are the days of apprenticeships being seen as an alternative, practical route to a job instead of university for 16-year-olds. These days a significant number of adults, who are in work use apprenticeships to upskill.
For those that have recruited someone new, many businesses don’t realise Government incentives and grants are available. So, if you’ve been involved and taken on an employee after 1st October 2021 but before 31st January 2022, you could be eligible for a £3,000 incentive payment when your new starter signs up to an apprenticeship training programme with Blackburn College.
Senior Business Development Manager Claire Shore says: “Blackburn College will work with businesses of any size across the Ribble Valley to help succession plan and
create a pipeline of future talent. We’ll listen to your needs and help grow your perfect workforce. We’ll help with the paperwork and try to make things as easy as possible for you to get an incentive payment.” n
IF YOU’VE BEEN INVOLVED AND TAKEN ON AN EMPLOYEE AFTER 1ST OCTOBER 2021 BUT BEFORE 31ST JANUARY 2022, YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A £3,000 INCENTIVE PAYMENT THESE IMPRESSIVE ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY BLACKBURN COLLEGE’S STRONG EMPHASIS ON EQUIPPING STUDENTS TO BE INDEPENDENT, RESILIENT LEARNERS READY TO TAKE THEIR PLACE AT UNIVERSITY OR GET STARTED IN THEIR CAREER
If you want to find out more about how we can help and support your business, call the Apprenticeship Team on: 01254 292500 or email: claire.shore@blackburn.ac.uk
A PERFECT TIME TO PLAN
FOR THE FUTURE…
Raymond James Investment Services’ Branch Principal, Wayne Hayhurst, talks about the importance of people taking stock of their financial objectives and life goals – and what better time to do it than as part of a New Year’s resolution
In the heart of Longridge, situated in the old NatWest bank building on the high street, Raymond James Investment Services offers a range of services and capabilities normally only found in big cities. Below are some ideas on what could be included in your 2022 financial plans, as well as how the Raymond James Ribble Valley branch could assist.
Make sure you’re on track to meet your financial goals
People often don’t know if they’re on track to meet their most important financial goals. In fact when asked, the answer to this question is typically ‘no’, or ‘I don’t know’. Financial goals are specific to each person and could be anything from making sure you are on track to fund a three-decade retirement without financial worry, planning an exit from your business, funding a child’s education, or perhaps making sure your estate will end up with the people you want it to, for the reasons you choose.
To get your financial affairs under control
It is often the case that individuals amass a variety of pensions, investments and policies over their lifetime. This can result in a bombardment of confusing statements and updates, leaving people feeling overwhelmed and not in control of their finances. At Raymond James, we can advise on all types of pensions, plans and policies, as well as help simplify and consolidate all these accumulated assets. Why not have 2022 as the year to get all the miscellaneous plans and policies reviewed, refreshed, simplified and back under control.
Review your pensions and retirement plans
Pensions are often people’s second most valuable asset after their home, but are frequently neglected. It is important that they are serviced and looked after accordingly, just like you would a car. For instance, such a considerable asset being invested largely out of line with your risk tolerance or an inappropriate asset allocation, could have a detrimental impact on your retirement plans.
How much will your pension provide in retirement? How much should you be saving? How many years will your pension last at your desired standard of living before running out? We can help you answer these questions and devise a smart plan to ensure you achieve your retirement income goals.
Educate yourself financially
Many people do not feel like they have a good understanding of the stock market or personal finance. A good way to increase your knowledge is to listen to a financial podcast or read a personal finance book. The book I would recommend everyone to listen to or read is Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.
Rebalance your investment portfolio
2020 was a year of extreme swings for virtually all asset classes. It is imperative you make sure your portfolio is well balanced and well positioned for whatever happens next, especially in the continuing uncertain economic and political environments we are currently in. At Raymond James, we may be able to obtain better investment performance with less risk.
How do we help people with their financial affairs?
We provide a high quality, independent, full-service solution for individuals and businesses. Having a wide range of experts here in the Longridge branch, allows us to help our clients meet their financial objectives and life goals. We help clients grow their wealth, live off their wealth, and pass on their wealth to loved ones. Our key service areas are savings and investments, pensions and SIPPs, taxefficient retirement income, stockbroking and estate planning. Our team of 20 in-house specialists enable us to provide bespoke solutions to match our clients’ individual financial objectives and circumstances. The specialist roles include: • Chartered Financial Planners • Chartered Wealth Managers • Pension Specialists • Detailed Cashflow Planners • Trust, Estate and Later Life Planners • Investment Analysts • Stockbrokers
• Discretionary Investment Managers
How are we different to other financial advisers and financial services?
My vision has always been simple – to build the most trusted and prominent wealth management firm in the Ribble Valley. We are able to offer the financial strength, infrastructure and resources of a large multinational financial powerhouse, with access to world class systems and research. But at the same time, we can provide the personable, quality service of an ownermanaged, local business.
We don’t subcontract out to other service providers or companies – we have the capabilities, resources and expertise to do everything in-branch in a full-service solution. This allows our clients to deal face-to-face with specific specialists and strips out layers of costs as clients aren’t paying several different companies for the solution they receive. n
Risk Warning: With investing your capital is at risk
Raymond James Ribble Valley 8 Berry Lane Longridge, Preston PR3 3JA 01772 780300 ribblevalley.raymondjames.uk.com
