Our first Happiness Hub Podcast, so we need to introduce ourselves, it would be rude not too.Find out all about our podcast and our hosts Liz & Keds. What brought them to this point in time, deciding to record a podcast and things that make them happy.We hope this podcast makes you happy and we want to know what else does! (Keep it clean) So listen in, get involved and be happy!Come join us on The Happiness Hub facebook Group to interact with our hosts, happiness tips and news about the latest episodes and guests.Weekly episodes uploaded every Sunday morning.

In this episode, Liz & Keds talk to TV writer and published author Mark Bickerton about the creative process of writing and how it can help with your mental health.Mark also shares his experiences as a writer, a volunteer and someone who's mental health has led them to darker places.Mark's book Day Return to Cocoa Yard was published on 28th August 2020 and available to buy from Amazon Waterstones, Barnes&Noble & W H Smith. For more about Mark and to purchase his book visits Mark's site here: markbickerton.comIf you're local and would like to know more about the volunteer group, Nantwich Buddies, talked about in this episode visit the buddies website here: www.nantwichbuddies.orgCome join us on The Happiness Hub facebook Group to interact with our hosts, happiness tips and news about the latest episodes and guests.Weekly episodes uploaded every Sunday morning.

This week Keds & Liz talk to SJ Hudson who's launching her first children's book next week on Friday the 13th of November.The ‘Lion who Longed for Spots’ is a rhyming story promoting self-belief and emotional well-being. It follows an adorable young lion cub, named Lottie. Lottie has doubts about her appearance and opts to confide in her mum about the way she is feeling. Together they venture into the savannah on a journey to improve the way Lottie feels about herself. By confiding in someone she trusts, Lottie can begin believing in the cub she really is. You can find Sarah at:Facebook - @SJHudsonAuthorInstagram - @sjhudson_authorTwitter - @SJHudsonAuthorCome join us on The Happiness Hub facebook Group to interact with our hosts, happiness tips and news about the latest episodes and guests.Weekly episodes uploaded every Sunday morning.

Liz & Keds talk to special guest Rachel Sinden about how she's helping families in lock-down. She's an author, classroom teacher, Theatre Director and outreach practitioner with over 16 years experience. Plus a recent winner of the Santander Venture Pitch 2020.We talked about lots of different things with Rachel including the impact of COVID-19 on childrens, young peoples and family's mental health and what her company Play Pizzazz which Rachel set up in lockdown is doing to combat it!Here's a bit about Play Pizzazz Ltd... Play Pizzazz provides arts-led coaching and learning experiences for teaching professionals, children/ family services, and child-focused business owners. Rachel and Play Pizzazz are your ‘go-to’ for advice and activities to support children’s wellbeing in fun, accessible ways.And you can find out more and contact Rachel at these places:www.playpizzazz.comhello@playpizzazz.comwww.facebook.com/playpizzazzwww.instagram.com/pizzazzplaywww.youtube.com/channel/UCyhAbm_3Come join us on The Happiness Hub facebook Group to interact with our hosts, happiness tips and news about the latest episodes and guests.Weekly episodes uploaded every Sunday morning.

Our guest this week is Laura Bounford, Slimming World Consultant and Team Developer for the Congleton and Bidduph team in Cheshire.Laura has lost 6st 11lb herself through being a member, loves food and is passionate about helping local people change their health, lifestyle & mental wellbeing.We talked to Laura about how Slimming World changed her life and how she helps her members change their habits to improve both their physical and mental health. Oh and why Blueberries make you happy.You can find out more about Laura and her groups here:Slim with Laura B Slimming World WebsiteCongleton Slimming World Wednesdays Facebook PageSlim with Laura B on InstagramSlim with Laura B on TwitterSlimming World has over 50 years experience in weight management for men and women, and is the most advanced and effective weight loss organisation in the UK.Come join us on The Happiness Hub facebook Group to interact with our hosts, happiness tips and news about the latest episodes and guests.Weekly episodes uploaded every Sunday morning.

Janie is a Nutritional Therapist and talks about ways in which we can improve our diet for better physical AND mental health.She gives some top tips on things to look out for in our food and foods that can benefit our health.Liz also talks about her experience of working in a Health shop in the 1920's????!!!If you've any questions you'd like to ask Janie, or would like a free 15 minute consultation you can contact her on: 07866 482873 or email her at: janie.bishop1@icloud.com.You can also get in touch with Liz and I on our Happiness Hub Podcast Facebook Group and request to be a guest on our Contact form below.

This week Liz & Keds talk to Life Coach Annie Taylor, she describes herself as...Mum and a Wife. Then I'm a Life Coach, Personal Stylist and Writer. Skills in the kitchen are a bit hit and miss; as a Coach I'm an absolute Pro!Annie covers how she helps her clients plan and achieve their goals and how building confidence and self belief is a big part of the process.And of course Annie shares with us what makes her happy and what she does for her own mental health.Annie is also a sylist and writer, more about these things in future podcasts when we invite her back on the Happiness Hub.You can find out more about Annie on her website, Annie Taylor Coaching and via Linked In and Facebook.You can also watch Annie's How to be at your best workshop which she delivered for the Nantwich Buddies.Join Liz & Keds and other Happiness Hubsters on The Happiness Hub Facebook Group to interact with the hosts and ask questions.

During this episode, Liz & Keds talk to Hannah about the best ways to improve PCOS through weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.Hannah was diagnoses with PCOS when she was 17 and has been learning over the last 13 years how to manage her condition through physical and mental exercises and learning.She has also become an ambassador for promoting awareness of the condition to help others. She is passionate about sharing her experiences with others due to the lack of information and support she was given when she was first diagnosedYou can following Hannah and find out more about her journey on the following channelsInstagram @hannahsjourneypcosweightlossTwitter @hannahguthpcosHannah also wanted to share details of the charity Verity who offer info and support groups for women with PCOS and you can find up to date research and info on the Daisy project Hannah talked about at Daisy PCOS.

This week Liz & Keds talk to Nigel Keegan, hypnotherapist and fellow Nantwich Buddy about how hypnotherapy can help with anxiety, phobias, and confidence. and dispelling the myths and mysteries around hypnosis.Nigel is a fully qualified and experienced hypnotherapist, psychotherapist, and Mindfulness practitioner & teacher, committed to improving the lives of others in need of help. He is trained in a wide range of therapies and interventions and offers a personalised, totally confidential service.Hypnotherapy isn’t the answer to all of life’s problems, but it has been proven beyond doubt to be highly beneficial for a vast range of conditions.You can find out more about Hypnotherapy and Nigel at Right Minds Clinical HypnotherapyOr contact him directly on 01270 666442 and email: nigel.keegan@rightminds.org.uk

In our last podcast of 2020 we invited Mindset Coach Benjamin Stubbs to tell us about this new App and how he can help you have a fresher, positive, and more proactive mindset.We loved talking to Ben as you can tell from this episode, his energy was contagious. Ben shared some great tips on how to be more positive and everyday things we can all do to help ourselves when we're feeling overwhelmed especially by the news.You can find more about Ben and his App on his website www.benjaminstubbs.com and follow him on Facebook @BenjaminStubbsMindsetCoach and Instagram @BenjaminStubbs_mindsetcoach.We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we did making it!

In the last episode of the first series of the Happiness Hub podcast, Liz and Keds reflect on the year that's been and what 2021 holds.The duo also answers your questions, some of which will shape Series 2 of the podcast, and read out the lovely feedback we've had since launching the Happiness Hub along with the tips you've shared with us on what makes you happy.You can comment and post questions to Liz & Keds on our Happiness Hub podcast facebook group and also find out more about the Nantwich Buddies volunteer group Liz and Keds co-ordinate on the Nantwich Buddies website.

Liz & Keds kick off Series 2 which is all about local mental health charities with an in-depth interview with Simon Koefman who has been volunteering for the local Samaritans branch in Crewe, Samaritans of South Cheshire for 7 years.Simon is fundraising manager of the local mental health charity, he's also a listening volunteer, a mentor, and has previously been a treasurer for the charity too.We asked Simon about how he came to be a volunteer for Samaritans, how people can get in touch with the charity if they need help, and how you can become a volunteer yourself.The Samaritans is a free service for those struggling with their mental health and offer a 24-hour confidential phone line, you can contact them on 116 123 or email them at jo@samaritans.orgIf you want to make a donation to Samaritans of South Cheshire there are various ways to donate:Bank Transfer. Payments can be made directly to their Branch current account (Cooperative Bank ) Sort code 08-92-99 Account number 65826766Branch website /Virgin Money giving . Via the main Samaritans website, navigate to "Crewe Samaritans " using the search engine for our secure donation portal. Alternatively via Virgin Money Giving, using " Samaritans of South Cheshire" as the search term. Donation link below  https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1018368Cheque Payments (Samaritans of South Cheshire ) can be made by post, marked for the Branch Treasurer, and sent to our Branch at 2 Hall O’Shaw Street, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 4AECash. Our least favoured option due to the "hassle factor" but can be paid over the counter via the Post Office or any Co-op bank, account details as above Text to Donate Simply text CREWESAMS to 70085 to make a £5 donation, collected via your mobile phone providerIf you are fundraising for Samaritans and would like any help and support, get in touch with Simon on simon.koefman@btinternet.com You can also follow the local branch on Twitter for the latest news from the branch and Samaritansas a whole @CreweSams

Liz & Keds chat to Tim Dougill about what he's been up to during lockdown last year whilst being furloughed from work.Tim tells us about his experiences of volunteering for Nantwich Buddies AND how he's raised nearly £4,000 from home for national mental health charity Mind.Tim also shared with us his own challenges with mental health and the things he did and still does to look after it.If you've been inspired by Tim you can still sponsor him on his JustGiving page here, as he's keen to reach £4,000 and you can also find out more about Mind and donate directly to the charity here.Don't forget you can join Liz & Keds and other Happiness Hubsters on The Happiness Hub Facebook Group to interact with the hosts and ask questions.

In our third episode of our second Happiness Hub series, Liz & Keds talk to the very talented and motivated creator of Cheshire's Mental Health Hub You in Mind, Kate Carney.We spoke to Kate about how the idea came about and how she worked at setting the platform up back in 2017 and how she keeps it up to date, which is no mean feat.YouinMind.org is an online platform helping you find mental health and wellbeing services in Cheshire.Simple in design and easy to use, YouinMind.org is designed to connect those with mental health needs with local providers and online resources that they would otherwise be unable to find.Whether you're looking for professional support like counselling or wish to join a community group to improve your wellbeing, there's something for everything on the website. Simply search by condition and postcode to discover suitable services near you.Kate's goal for YouinMind.org, was to make mental health services in Cheshire more accessible. Finding the right support can be a challenge; that's why she created this platform dedicated to signposting you to relevant services.

This week Liz and Keds talk about self-care and what they've both do to take care of themselves. This week's guest Emma Dechoux from Inspired Learning couldn't join us, however, we took a leaf out of Emma's book to do a little bit of self-pampering and create a home spa experience!We talk about Tropic as Lizzie is an ambassador for the brand and the products we're using and how they make us feel. It's so important to remember that the things we put on our bodies are just as important as the things we digest in our bodies.We also talk about the anti-inflammatory diet we have both been following, mindfulness, making time for yourself, and setting goals to help you create new healthier habits. Whether that's improving your diet or moving a little more every day.You can find out more about Tropic and the skincare range by contacting Liz through her Tropic Skincare with Liz Parkin Facebook page. If you'd like to know more about the Anti-Inflammatory diet we are both following and the lovely grub we're eating to help with our physical and mental health, visit Jo's Nutrition for Health Facebook page.

This week Liz & Keds talk to Ryan Smith and Zoe Brown who run Speak Up Space and The Maccas Project. Both services run under local mental health charity North Staffs Mind support young people across Stoke and Staffordshire with their mental health.Speak up Space is an Instant Messaging Service run 7 days a week through the Speak Up Space Website which also contains lots of self-help information and advice.The Maccas project runs a weekly online group for young people, where they can talk about whatever is on their mind. The Maccas team also works closely with local schools offering training and support to children. Speak Up space is celebrating its second birthday this year on the 14th of February and as part of the celebrations, the team is asking young people in the area for help with designing an Instagram post for them to post that day. To get involved use your imagination to design an exciting post to celebrate. How to do this: Either draw your design on paper or on your computer Take a picture of your designSend us a private message on Instagram or Facebook with your photo attached The best one will be posted on our Instagram page! To find out more about Speak Up Space and access the service visit the Speak Up Space website and for daily self-care tips follow both the Maccas Project and Speak up Space on their social media channels below:FacebookSpeak Up SpaceThe Maccas ProjectInstagramSpeak Up SpaceMaccas Project

Continuing with this series theme of local mental health charities and Children's Mental Health Week Liz & Keds chat to Sam Ruck, Head of Therapeutic Services at Visyon.Visyon is a local children's mental health charity that has been supporting the emotional health of children, young people, and their families in the Cheshire and Staffordshire moorlands areas since 1994.Sam told us about the services the charity offers and how the current pandemic has changed how they operate. And of course what makes her happy and her tips for better mental health!Visyon is celebrating its 28th birthday this year and to celebrate, the charity is asking people and their employees to come up with a fundraising activity based on the number. Find out how to get involved and ideas on what you could do on Visyons Facebook Page, Instagram and Twitter accounts. It could be anything from doing 28-star jumps every day for 28 days or cooking 28 cupcakes and giving them to friends and family for a small donation. You decide.You can also find out more about the services they offer on Visyons website and book a consultation with one of the team to find out more about their services and if any of them would be right for you or your family.You can comment and post questions to Liz & Keds on our Happiness Hub podcast facebook group and also find out more about the Nantwich Buddies volunteer group Liz and Keds co-ordinate on the Nantwich Buddies website.

This week Liz & Keds had the pleasure of talking to Jan Harrison who runs a local mental health service called Harbour, helping people across Crewe & Nantwich with their mental health and well-being.Jan told us how she was motivated through personal family experiences of mental health services and support in the area or, rather, the difficulties in being able to find high quality, flexible support and services that led her to set up Harbour.The group have lots of exciting things lined up this year starting with a 12-week Kintsugi Well-being Course.These well-being groups offer safe and supportive spaces for people to explore issues and skills to maximise mental and emotional well-being. The courses are free and will help attendees develop skills and resilience for positive mental health and well-being.  The courses start on Thursday the 25th of February and you can register for the course here on Harbours website or email jan@harbour-cheshire.uk.You can also find Harbour on Facebook and contact Jan if you'd like to know more about the Mental Health First Aid courses that are running in March or register your interest here.

Liz & Keds talk to Emma about how she's helping create conversations on mental health in the workplace.Passionate about helping individuals be the best they can be, Emma set up Inspired learning to inspire people to achieve the results they want through engaging and interactive workshops, programmes and coaching.Adding to the suite of training the team do, Emma who's a mental health First Aider has included a series of wellbeing and resilience face to face and e-learning workshops. The aim of these workshops is to provide learners with the knowledge to identify suspected mental health conditions whether it's their own or colleagues and the skills to start conversations and be able to signpost the person towards professional help.Many business and workplaces have mental health help included in their health care package, although many employees don't know they can access mental health services like counselling through their work.If you'd like to know more about Emma and the work that Inspired Learning does, you can find all links and details on Inspired Learning's Link Tree Page which includes links to the Inspiring Leaders facebook group Emma talked about, and links to their website and social media.

Ruth Williams Founder & Treasurer of Smile Group, mum to Amber, and Freya shared with us her experience of post-natal depression after having her first child 11 years ago.Ruth's experience along with meeting up with co-founder Natalie who experienced a traumatic birth led the pair to set up The Smile Group to provide help and guidance to families experiencing perinatal mental health illness.The group has been running for 10 years now and is supporting families in Sandbach, Macclesfield, Congleton, and Nantwich and will be starting their weekly walks again around Nantwich Lake from Monday the 15th.If you would like to know about the group and how you yourself can get support, email Ruth and Natalie at hello@thesmilegroup.org or visit their website for the latest news.You can also find The Smile Group on facebook and Twitter.