Just a quick hello to you all out there!  Time to start planning and looking forward to what’s coming up for me and Mindful Housing over the next few months in work and play.  Does anyone else feel like Spring is coming?  I think the onset of an early Easter is well timed after the gloom of the dark winter months.  There is something about spring flowers and blue skies that really does set a change in mood I think so roll on the light nights, bring on the bright colours of the daffodils and time to make the house more spring like, I’ve had my crochet needles out and have started work on chicks and bunny bunting for the fireplace at home!

Work has been very busy (as usual)!  I’ve been up to my eyes in The People’s Pension, trying to ensure that all the people who work here at Mindful Housing are given the opportunity to save for their retirement.  I held a Pension day here at work for everyone to explain how it works.  It’s important to me that everyone who works here is in the know, and has the opportunity through work to plan for this.  At the end of the day, everyone who works here is just like family and it means the world to me that everyone is happy and taken care of.

Speaking of family, Julian and I had a fantastic week in Tenerife with my incredible mum and dad a few weeks ago.  The weather was amazing and even Julian managed to get his daily swim.  We stayed at the Hotel Vulcano in Playa de las Americas for a very restful week which I think we all needed.  My mum and dad even stayed on for an extra week.  Not bad for a couple of 80 year olds!

I can recommend this place for a bit of late winter sun!  http://www.springhoteles.com/en/vulcano-hotel-tenerife

My mum and dad are a massive inspiration to me and if it wasn’t for their support, who knows if I would have embarked on this amazing journey helping vulnerable adults in the local community.  I throw myself into my work 100% and we as a family have always been actively involved in charity work, which makes it all the more important to me that running this charity is done with heart, soul and dedication!!!

Last Saturday, I was lucky enough to attend the annual IRRV (Institute of Revenues Ratings and Valuation) dinner dance held at Haydock Mercure Hotel.  It was a decadent affair and a great opportunity again to talk about mental health and supported accommodation. 

IRRV

Julian and I

Joined by Julian, Sara (trusty Wing Woman) and her husband James, we made the most of the amaretto and prosecco cocktails (and paid the price the next day!).  It’s an honour to be invited to this event and we had an amazing time. 

Remember last time I wrote on my blog I told you about the NAWC (National Association of Women’s Club)?  Well, it restarted again after the Winter break with a fascinating talk about Andrew Carnegie.

It was so interesting to find out about this incredible man.  What I learned was that he gave away $350 million to charity in the last 15 years of his life.  That was about 90% of his fortune.  He wrote “The Gospel of Wealth” in 1889, calling on the rich to use their wealth to improve society which stimulated a wave of philanthropy.   If you are feeling Philanthropic then we are always looking for donations helping vulnerable adults who all suffer with a mental health condition, please help us if you can.

http://www.fortunatushousing.co.uk/fundraising-and-events/

This week was a talk about Transporting convicts, another really interesting evening.  I really enjoy being involved in this Club.  So much so, I am attending the NAWC’s North West annual day school learning how to paint Easter Eggs and make chutney.

If it’s any good, I’ll save you some! 

See you soon!

Catherine xx

Hello everyone, it’s been a long time and I’ve been pretty busy.  No time for the wicked running a supported accommodation housing association for adults with Mental Illness, that’s for sure!

I was thrilled to represent the IRRV (Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation) Lancashire and Cheshire Executive, at their annual Dinner Dance at Chesterfield in November.  It’s great to be involved in these events and to have the opportunity to talk about the great work we do here at Mindful Housing supporting vulnerable people so that they may live independently in the community.  I look forward to spending time with some inspirational people and to be involved with the IRRV is always a great thrill for me.

On the way to the IRRV Dinner Dance we went to Sheffield to see our eldest nephew David who is an architect, and his beautiful girlfriend Sarah.  We all went to a fabulous French restaurant in Sheffield City centre.  C’est formidable!  Always great to spend time with family.

Have you ever been to Dublin?  Have you ever flown to Dublin with an 80mph tail wind courtesy of storm Desmond?  Well I did, along with my husband Julian and my wonderful 80-year-old parents to attend my cousins wedding.  It felt like the flight was warp speed!  Dublin itself is a beautiful city and I can’t recommend it highly enough.  Situated in the mouth of the River Liffey, it’s Temple Bar is the best place to buy a pint of Guinness and if shopping is what you have in mind then Grafton Street and Henry Street would be a good start.  We stayed in a fabulous hotel – Brookes Hotel on Dury Street.  The concierge, Conor, made us feel like royalty.  He’s an asset to the hotel, he made us all feel very special.  I’ll be going back to Ireland in 2016.  There is so much to see and do in Dublin and we merely scratched the surface.  Didn’t find that pot of gold though….

http://www.brookshotel.ie/

Me & Julian

Mum & Dad

So back from Dublin, minus a bag of gold I was promised (could’ve sworn I’d seen a Leprechaun at the wedding), we were joined by Julian’s cousin Tracey and her husband Endy from Gibraltar who came to visit for a long weekend.  Another great opportunity to see family at a big get together on the Sunday.  I’m lucky to have such a close (& large), family!

The Christmas party season also kicked off at Mindful Housing with our annual Christmas party for staff & partners.  This year’s venue was Guy’s Thatched Hamlet near Garstang.  The local area had been badly affected by Storm Desmond and there was some heavy flooding, so badly in fact that we were concerned it would affect the hotel but luckily the water receded, ‘Slade’ was put on by the DJ and the party poppers came out.  There was great feedback from everyone on what a great venue it was and what an enjoyable night too.  http://www.guysthatchedhamlet.co.uk/

So it’s probably pretty clear to anyone reading this or any of my previous blogs that I am a pretty busy lady who could do with 28 hour days and an 8-day week. That said, I have joined another club! NAWG is the National Association of Women’s Groups. We meet every couple of weeks or so, we spend time together, listen to each other’s stories, help each other out and generally I have the most hilarious and inspirational couple of hours anyone could wish for with this incredible bunch of ladies. I even took along my 91-year-old neighbour, Audrey, to the NAWG Christmas lunch which was great. In my opinion, it’s great to get involved in these local community ran groups, especially running a charity like Mindful Housing who actively work in the community. http://www.nawc.org.uk/

So, Christmas & New Year was on its way and the home was looking amazing!  Our Giant Father Christmas took his place in the hall, the national grid was on the phone again when Julian switched the outside lights on, the tree in the living room gave the one in Trafalgar Square a run for its money and this year’s addition of a leprechaun bauble was pride of place.  Still no pot of gold though!?!?

The week before Christmas, I finally finished crocheting my Father Christmas throw which I’m extremely proud of ….

….. and we’re out again for the annual ‘Christmas Party at the Cottage’, hosted by our best friends Andrew & Neil.  Remember Andrew?  He is the General Manager for Nadler Hotel in Liverpool, a scream and my best pal.  We always enjoy his annual Christmas shin dig…. It can even get the Grinch in the Christmas mood!  I can see why he works in hospitality, he’s perfect for it!  Unashamed plug … http://www.thenadler.com/

New Year went with its usual bang!  Party night at the local Italian surrounded by good food, good friends and new beginnings!

So what does 2016 hold for me, Mindful Housing and my Mindful Housing Family? Well, this year is a big one for me turning 50!

I’ll have plenty of stories to put in my blog for you, whether it be holidaying in Tenerife with my parent’s end of February, going back to Dublin to find that pot of gold in April, off to the Cotswold’s for a country cottage stay with my in-laws in May, my Mediterranean cruise in July and my trip to Vilnius in Lithuania in September (my dad’s family are Irish and my mums Lithuanian), it’s going to be a busy year and my suitcase will be well used.

For the Mindful Housing family?  Growth.  I intend to grow this business in 2016 and focus on housing more adults and making them part of this family, giving them an opportunity for a more settled and happier life.  That’s my ultimate goal and I will be also focusing on more charity fundraising events so I would appreciate your support with that.  I’ve just come back from London where I have been invited to do some work this year with central government around the reform of funding of supported accommodation.  It’s going to be another busy year professionally and personally and I hope you’ll enjoy hearing about my adventures along the way!  And who knows… maybe I will find that pot of gold!

Speak to you all soon.

Catherine xxx

I was sat in work the other day and our Communications Officer spoke to me about Fortunatus and how we can raise our profile on social media amongst mental health circles.  She left that quandary with me so I mulled it over, within half an hour I’d solved it!  ”We’re changing the name” I’d told her, my lightbulb moment was so bright, I swear you could see it from space!

And so it was born…..  Mindful Housing – Fortunatus Housing Solutions.  Within the hour I had changed the name, created a logo and the domain was ours.  Why Mindful Housing you ask?  Because it’s exactly what we do.  Mindfulness is focusing on what is happening to you right at this moment and not worrying about the past or the future.  Yes, right now, you are reading this fantastic blog and enjoying it (hopefully)!  You are not stressing about money, you’re not worried that someone doesn’t like you and you’re not panicking about if you switched off your hair straighteners.  So we are focusing on what we are doing right now for our tenants, taking every day at a time and providing a safe, comfortable and stable place for people to live so they don’t have to worry.  Right now, they are safe.

Mindfulness has also been a buzz word within the world of Mental Health for the past year and has been all over the news as a positive tool for anyone who suffers with a Mental Health condition.  Mindful Meditation is practiced all over the world and it works.  Try it! https://youtu.be/6PMuOBGpMos

We are a housing provider who house vulnerable adults who all suffer from a diagnosed Mental Health Issue.  Mindful Housing…. Remember the name, we’ll be rolling it out gradually over the next few years.  Check out our new pens and mini torches!

Mindful Housing – A Mental Health Charity promoting Mindfulness, Well Being and Positive Thinking!  I think it has a nice ring to it, don’t you?

So, a couple of weeks ago Julian, Sara (Wing woman and Charity Fundraising Manager) and I, went to the annual Institute of Fundraising Conference in Grange over Sands.  I was thrilled to be asked to speak which I always see as a great honour, and I got some great feedback from the other delegates.  I think we all came away with some great plans for fundraising in 2016 and how we can harness the power of social media.

This year’s theme for the conference was ‘Silver’ to mark 25 Years of the IOF, so the dancing shoes where polished and we had a great time.

Last week I was in London with previously mentioned ‘Wing Woman’ Sara.  Why you ask?  Sara graduated from the Institute of Fundraising with a certificate in Fundraising!  Studying isn’t for everyone, so anyone who invests their spare time staying late in work, putting in study time during weekends and still working full time deserves a treat.  I went with Sara to celebrate this incredible achievement and made sure she had a great time, and received the recognition she deserves for dedicating herself to Mindful Housing.

We grabbed a train down to London and bumped into my good friend Andrew Marsh who was also on his way down to the capital.  I’ve mentioned Andrew before in my blogs, he’s the General Manager of the Nadler Hotel in Liverpool and he was off to London to project manage the new Nadler Victoria.  These hotels are amazing, take a look …   http://www.thenadler.com/

So off Sara and I went, booked into our 3 bed apartment…… ahem….. with a roof terrace…. It was beautiful. We were duty bound to have a good mooch around London while we were there and pay a visit to the world famous department store Liberty of London, where I bought a new Christmas Bauble and felt like Christmas was truly on its way. On that note, I have to dash. Lots to organise over the next few weeks here at ‘Mindful Housing’ to make sure Christmas it celebrated in style!

If you would like to start getting organised for Christmas and would like buy some of our fabulous Christmas cards supporting adults living with a Mental Health Condition then you can do this via our website!

http://www.fortunatushousing.co.uk/fundraising-and-events/charity-christmas-cards/

See you soon!

Catherine x

It’s been so long since we talked and I have so much to tell you all.  Something exciting has happened and I am bursting at the seams to share some incredible Fortunatus news!!  Remember I spoke to you regarding the IRRV Performance awards and how Fortunatus Housing Solutions became finalists in the ‘Excellence in Innovation’ category for our incredible app ‘Engage’?  WELL ……. we won a special ‘Highly Commended’ award for our work on the app and considering we are a new company who are very small compared to some of the organisations who were finalists, this is an incredible achievement for us and it’s still sinking in!  I’m so proud of what we are and what we do.

This award proves to me what a powerful resource this app is for our tenants and to receive this recognition from a well-respected organisation like the IRRV, is a huge compliment and means the world to me.  We have worked closely with Capita Software Services and put a lot of time and effort into developing this app so this award is a great motivator.  We are a forward thinking organisation and this is just one of many great idea’s I have for this company and I’m very excited for the future of the good ship Fortunatus ….and all who sail in her!!!

The awards were part of a 3 day annual conference that the IRRV hold and our app was showcased on the Capita Software Services stand which was great to see.  There were some really interesting stands, exhibitions and speakers at the event and we had a great time meeting people and talking about ‘Engage’ and how our business works.  It was also a great opportunity to talk about Mental Health and how rewarding it is knowing this app and what we do at Fortunatus, improves the lives of all our tenants and will continue to have a positive impact on the community.

Just before we headed down to Telford for this conference, we were privileged enough to be guests at the wedding of our great friends Rob & Tracey who got married at West Tower in Aughton.  The bride looked beautiful, and it was a fabulous day.  Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Fido and thank you for including us in your special day!

A few weeks ago, Julian and I were hosts for a few days for our lovely relatives Bev & Pete who stayed with us for 6 nights whilst touring the UK.  Bev & Pete are from Australia and we wanted to make sure that had a fabulous time with us so we decided to show them some of the great things our region has to offer!  A trip to Liverpool was a must including the Ferry across the Mersey, the Anglican cathedral and an afternoon in the famous Cavern Club.  Home of the Beatles!

http://www.cavernclub.org/

To be honest, an afternoon in the Cavern Club after all that sightseeing and several Gin & Tonic’s, I felt I needed some ‘Help, can anybody help?  You know I need someone… Help… Can anybody ……HEEEEELLLLLLPPPPP!’

It was a great afternoon and I really think we did Liverpool proud. I hope our Aussie guests had fun.  We also took them to get a really good view of where we live.  For that, you have to go to ‘Billinge Lump’, the highest hill in the county we live in, St Helens (I suppose it’s our own version of Ayres rock!).  From there, our guests could see 30 miles in the distance (on a clear day), spotting landmarks such as Blackpool Tower, Snowdonia, Manchester and even the Peak District.

Last week it was World Mental Health Day and Sara and I represented Fortunatus at an event that was held at Warrington Market focusing on this year’s theme of ‘Dignity in Mental Health’.  I think it’s very important to get involved in these local events, especially as it touches on exactly with what we are all about as a charity.  It’s a great opportunity for us to spread the Fortunatus message and thankyou to Sara for giving up your time and everyone who came to visit us on the day!

Remember in my last blog I mentioned my very talented friend from college, Cath Ford who came in to take photos of everyone for the company website?  I also squeezed in a visit to her lately as it was the last day in her shop.  I bought some great stuff from her for home and the office.  She is still doing great work in the community and always has an art project on the go. http://www.cathintheattic.com/

So all these awards, weddings, sightseeing trips and events I often wonder where I get the energy.  I think I know…. My mum and dad.  They both celebrated their 80^Th birthdays and they are a hard act to follow!  We’re having some big celebrations for them including a buffet, a lunch and a family trip to Keswick this weekend.  My parents are a great source of inspiration and with 160 years between them (their birthdays are only a week apart), they are always on the go…. And so am I!

See you soon,

Catherine xx

I really do have some amazing friends.  Last night, I went to see my good friend Andrew and all my other friends at NADOS (amateur dramatics), in their performance of ‘Honk’ the musical.  Another award winning performance by an incredible society who I am proud to be involved with.  The show is on until Sat 29^Th August and I recommend you go and see it.  A story of about being different, acceptance and forgiveness.

It was also great to see whilst flicking through the ‘Honk’ program our Fortunatus advert promoting our Unity Lottery and Christmas cards.  You can sign up for our Unity lottery via our website giving you a chance to win up to £25,000!  Half of the money raised by the lottery goes back to our tenants.

http://www.fortunatushousing.co.uk/fundraising-and-events/unity-lottery/

We are also accepting pre-orders for our new Fortunatus Christmas cards which feature some fabulous designs.  £3 for a pack of 10 and all proceeds go straight to our vulnerable tenants to give them a better life.

Get your orders in, they are already selling fast!

http://www.fortunatushousing.co.uk/fundraising-and-events/charity-xmas-cards/

So, remember on my last Blog I mentioned we were having a BBQ to mark our two year anniversary?  What a day we had!  I had some great feedback from my staff and guests on how much they enjoyed it and that really gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.  Not as warm as the Piri Piri sausages that Julian cooked on the day, they were pretty spicy!  I know now that if there was an alternative Olympics which included Swingball and Jenga, Fortunatus would have some medal hopefuls.  Our next event will probably be the Christmas party and if the BBQ was anything to go by, then we’re in for a memorable night!

Now as you know….. Fortunatus is in some ways a property ‘empire’!  Ok, we house vulnerable adults but after a recent experience with Julian I am considering expansion!  Picture the scene, a cosy cottage, a romantic evening, some candle’s, a glass of wine and me, being surrounded in money……and a look of despair from Julian.  Yes that’s right folks, on our recent trip to Pendle for our 11^th wedding anniversary, I beat Julian hands down at Monopoly (& Scrabble…)!!!  I am a property magnet, owning Park Lane and Mayfair (& all the stations)… oh hang on, I’ve just remembered it’s just a board game but the point is…. I WON!  (Sorry Julian) xxx

We had a great trip and stayed in the stunning village of Barley overlooking Pendle Hill.  The weather was sunny, warm and we stayed in a really beautiful cottage.  There’s not much in Barley (which adds to its charm), so on our actual anniversary, Julian and I went to Barnoldswick (Pronounced ‘Barlick’) by the locals and then off to Clitheroe castle.  The highlight of the day was the evening though.  Sitting together, on the patio of the cottage watching the shooting stars in the clear night time sky.  It was very romantic.

Check out our website soon folks for new photos of myself and the team.  My good college friend Cath Ford came into Fortunatus this week to take photos of everyone.  We got some great pics, they turned out really well.  Cath is a community artist from Blackburn and creates some amazing pieces.  You should take a look at her website to see where she exhibits and where you can buy some of her incredible work.  She’s a true talent.

http://www.cathintheattic.com/

Time to go, don’t forget to order your Christmas cards everyone.  I wouldn’t want you to miss out!

Bye for now,

Catherine xx

Would you believe it?  Two years since we set up at our current location here so we’re marking the event with a company BBQ this week.  It’s been a busy two years and I don’t know where the time has gone, it’s been amazing though!  So for the afternoon there will be beer, burgers, bangers and party games to celebrate with my incredible work family.  It will be a great afternoon!

I’d like to introduce you to a new friend of mine…his name is George … he’s only small, covered in spots and lives in the town hall with the Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington.  His full name is HashtagTeddyGeorge and he’s the faithful companion of the Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington and I had the absolute pleasure of meeting George along with other dignitaries and members of the local community at the Warrington Charities Trust presentation I attended with Julian a few weeks ago.  We were there to receive a cheque for £455 which has been awarded to us to go towards helping our vulnerable adults.  It was a great honour to be there and I really enjoyed myself and now that I am following HashtagTeddyGeorge on Facebook, I can see what else he is up to!

Remember in my last blog I mentioned about the possibility of becoming a finalist in the IRRV Performance Awards ‘Excellence in Innovation’ category? Drum roll please…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

WE DID IT!!  We are finalists!  This is amazing news for Fortunatus for our App Engage.  The awards will be held at the beginning of October and I am so excited about this.  The company is going exactly in the direction I want it to and I couldn’t be more proud.  I’ll naturally keep you all updated!  If you haven’t seen our App yet then take a look, I think you’ll like it!

http://www.fortunatushousing.co.uk/fundraising-and-events/engage-app/

So Julian and I are refreshed from our holiday in Corfu.  We had a great time and met some really nice people.  Just what we needed.  Two weeks of sun I can highly recommend and if you have never been to Corfu Town then it’s a must!  Julian and I particularly liked to go back to our favourite place in Parga which was Veneziano Restaurant (http://www.veneziano.parga.com/).  Sitting there on the harbour enjoying a glass of vino is bliss!

So back in the office for a while now but another trip on the horizon to celebrate our 11 year anniversary.  Seemingly steel is the traditional gift for 11 years and fashion jewellery is the modern alternative.  I really hope Julian gets it right!  We’re going to the Pendle Hills for a mini-break…. Scene of the Pendle Witch Trials in 1612.  The area is steeped in history with spooky places like ‘Gallows Lane’ to walk down, I think we better keep an eye out for any suspicious characters!  Mind you, I played the witch in the local amateur dramatics version of The Wizard of Oz so perhaps I can give them some costume tips!

See you all soon my pretties………..

Catherine xx

Have you ever been to Cloud 23 at the Hilton in Manchester City Centre? Julian (Finance Manager), Sara (Charity fundraising Manager) and I were lucky enough to be invited to the Hilton by Capita Software Solutions, who developed our app ‘Engage’, to attend their annual road show. It was a great experience and there were some very inspirational speakers. We all felt that we had learnt a lot that day and it was a privilege to be invited to this event.

One of the highlights had to be the cocktails in Cloud 23. What a beautiful place to sip a ‘cosmo’ or slurp on a ‘long island ice tea’, with views of Manchester as far as the eye can see. I would recommend it for anyone but what I would also recommend more than Cloud 23, more than crocheting, more than 12 hours sleep after a long flight is……… watching Sara on Karaoke which occurred later on that evening. She was THAT good that she developed her own ‘groupies’ in the shape of some Chinese tourists who actually thought she was famous and insisted on having their pictures taken with her. Now, I encourage anyone to follow their dreams BUT, I would hate to lose her to a new life as China’s biggest pop star. She was very good though!

http://www.cloud23bar.com/

Speaking of that app, what do you think? What do you mean you haven’t downloaded it??? It’s easy, just go to the app store or google play and search Fortunatus. I think you will be impressed. We are developing it all the time, adding news and information. I’m proud of this app and really happy with what Capita have done for us developing it.

We’ve had some ‘redecorating’ here in the office. I want to create a really positive culture here at Fortunatus. Somewhere that people feel inspired, happy and motivated. I’ve put up some new artwork throughout the building to increase the positive vibe we already have here. Also I have introduced Mindful colouring and motivational stickers. Check the colouring books out… Fortunatus…..calm, stress free, and relaxed.

A few of us also attended the ‘Smile’ motivational customer services course which was supplied by David West at Smile Motivation (www.smilemotivation.co.uk). We learnt that there is no such word as trying, you either do or you don’t. Listening is key to providing good customer service as is positivity. If you are a negative person then perhaps customer service is not for you. It was a great course with some great tips to work with here.

As for everything else, we’ve been dining alfresco quite a bit lately with this fabulous weather we have been having. It’s hard to stay indoors to be honest, and it was great to have a BBQ with mum and dad the other day to welcome them home from their holiday. They are great. 80 years old and nothing stops them!

Speaking of holidays, I have to sadly leave you all now… I have lots of packing to do for mine and Julian’s holiday, in Corfu. I will miss you all very much while I am away but I’ll be back with more tales to tell and hopefully no burns, injuries or lost luggage.

Bye for now!

Catherine.

Ever wandered round a hospital, past maternity, via A&E, through outpatients, along the corridor where they keep the coffee machines and past the x-ray department and ended up at the same place you started, wishing you had looked at the map when you walked in??? Well next time you are at Warrington hospital for an appointment, visiting a friend or looking for A&E after falling off one of the garden chairs you’ve bought your mother in law for her 75^Th birthday whilst modelling them in the office (Happy Birthday Mary – ahem), look at the directional boards which are situated throughout. Notice anything different?? YES, Fortunatus Housing Solutions now have some advertising space on 10 boards throughout the hospital and all the advertising on the board in A&E promoting our Unity Lottery. There are also leaflets available on four of the boards so that people can sign up to the Unity lottery. I’m made up! The more funds we can raise for our tenants via the lottery the better and Warrington is a big hospital with a lot of passing traffic!

Do you remember on my last blog how I mentioned the IRRV Performance awards and our entry in the ‘Excellence in Innovation’ award we have been shortlisted for? It’s for our App ‘Engage’ and I submitted the final application this week so I’m quite excited to find out how we do. It’s great for us here at Fortunatus and raises awareness of the app. I’ll let you know on my next Blog how we have done!

We had some great news too this week with Wigan Council. After a great meeting with them we are really hopeful that we will be housing more vulnerable adults in the Wigan area in the future. This is great news for Fortunatus and increases our profile in the North West. I am so happy and proud that more people who suffer with mental illness and learning disabilities will benefit from the great service we offer.

I also met with Amanda Speir at Compassionate Care to discuss working together in the future. I love developing business relationships especially when they are mutually beneficial.

Can I just point out that whilst all this incredible stuff has been going on with Fortunatus, I have crocheted a pram blanket for a little bambino who the stork will be bringing soon (not sure on the sex yet so gone for a beautiful lemon and white design). It helps me relax which I need to at the moment, it’s none stop!

I’m now officially on countdown for mine and Julian’s holiday in Corfu. I’m ready for a break to be honest but there are so many great things happening with Fortunatus I almost don’t want to go! These are great times but I’m sure that Julian will help me switch off at some point.

So I better be going now. Time for a pamper with my good friend, ‘wing woman’ and Charity fundraising manager Sara. I’ve treated her to a few spa treatments’ to thank her for all her hard work covering for maternity leave at the moment. She’s working really hard and I thought she deserved a treat. I better go with her though… you know… for support!

See you soon!

Catherine.

………. Fortunatus Housing for their amazing App ‘Engage’ which supports our vulnerable tenants, offers advice and promotes our fundraising events!

Now this is what I would love to hear when the winner of the IRRV Performance awards category ‘Excellence in Innovation’ is announced in October. We have been shortlisted for this category and the finalists will be announced in June. This would be a great leap forward for our Fortunatus family and not just the start of (more) great things here but also brings awareness to mental health issues which affects 1 in 4 people. We need to end the Stigma with mental health and by developing this app and encouraging our tenants to use this we are incorporating new ways to communicate and expanding our service, helping vulnerable tenants in their day to day lives.

So, how was the camping trip to Derwentwater you ask? Well if you can image 5 days of great weather, beautiful scenery, and long walks then it was a success. Julian and I wore the two hats I crocheted (Stag & Bear), and we stayed at an amazing site http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/cumbria/keswick/keswick which I can highly recommend! What I really enjoyed was Keswick market on the Saturday where we stocked up on some of the local breads and cheeses and spoiled ourselves. All we bought was delicious as were the BBQ’s that Julian did. We were so lucky with the weather, couldn’t be happier and we left two very happy campers indeed!

Remember on my last blog I wrote about Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley who I met at the Charity Finance Group conference in London a few weeks ago? Dame Shirley is one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK it is considered and is a great inspiration to me. She was so warm and friendly and made such a lasting impression on me that I sent her an email the other day to tell her a bit more about what we do and to express what a great pleasure it was to meet her. I was so pleased when she responded to me and was good enough to give me some great tips and advice regarding moving forward with Fortunatus. I was so grateful, she is an amazing person.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Shirley

Capita Software Services who developed the App have been good enough to fund our charity Christmas cards this year! They have been amazing to work with and I can’t thank them enough for the great work they did developing ‘Engage’. The designs of the cards have been chosen and they will soon be going to print. If you would like to buy some cards and support our vulnerable adults you can via our website http://www.fortunatushousing.co.uk/fundraising-and-events/charity-xmas-cards/

So what does this week have in store? More crocheting for ‘Honk’ the musical – swans and ducklings!! Best get cracking with those for my friends at NADOS!

See you soon,

Catherine.

Have you been to Liverpool lately? Some of the team caught the train there last week to the FACT Gallery (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), to check out an exhibition on Group Therapy: Mental distress in a digital age. It was really good and included some great exhibits including ‘The Black Dog’ which is an animation about depression and information on some new app’s that have been developed which help people who suffer with mental health issues. I particularly liked the opportunity to have a lie down on one of the exhibits which by attaching small monitor to my earlobe, transmitted colours and shapes on the ceiling ‘in-tune’ with my heartbeat. When I relaxed the colours were cool and serene, when I tensed, they were more vivid. It was great. Afterwards, we nipped into see my good friend Andrew who is the General Manager of the Nadler Hotel, Seel Street, who took us all for a look at some of the rooms there. What an incredible building and it’s great to see Liverpool being revitalised the way it is with somewhere as chic as the Nadler, right in the heart of the city with great access to the best bars, restaurants and shops. Check out the website and you can see the rooms, they are quirky, cool and luxurious! http://www.thenadler.com/liverpool.shtml?trkid=V1ADC237731-2935703932-k-36505083636-6679172912-e

We rounded up the field trip with lunch at Epicured. A really different experience of great tasting food served in a deli style. We all particularly enjoyed the picnic blocks with was a bit like antipasti, so you could try a bit of everything. http://www.epicuredliverpool.com/

So yes, there’s more. So far this was just one day but stay with me, it gets better.

We appeared in the local press highlighting the launch I mentioned to you all last time regarding our new ‘Engage’ App, website and lottery launch. I’ve been told through the grapevine the event will be covered in some of the trade press too by some of our partners. Any coverage is good for us, telling the world of the good work we do here, how we are growing as a business and raising awareness to mental health issues.

So jumping on a train a few days later, my wonderful husband Julian and I headed off to London to attend the Charity Finance Group conference and spent several days in great company and was lucky enough to hear some fabulous speakers from charities like The National Trust, Comic Relief and Click Sergeant. It was a good trip and I’ve come back from it feeling revitalised. It was an honour to also meet Dame Shelagh Shirley who kindly signed her autobiography for me, ‘Let it go’. If you get the chance, have a look at some of her achievements. She is a true inspiration and is considered one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK, a DBE and awarded the Mountbatten Medal for recognition of Information and Technology.

Whilst in the ‘smoke’, we caught up with our beautiful and extremely clever niece, Emma who lives in Clapham Common, she has just finished her masters in law. Always great to see her and hear about her job at CBI as a senior policy advisor and generally all the things she gets up to.

As you can appreciate, after all this travelling, we got home, had nothing in the fridge. So, Julian took me to the new Thai restaurant Chiangmai Bistro in Newton Le Willows which has just opened. It’s tasty, authentic and I love to support any new local business. We’ll be going back there, that’s for sure.

So, keep out of trouble everyone. It’s our camping trip this week and the crochet hats are packed as is the bite cream, tins of beans and sun tan lotion (well you can live in hope for a British bank holiday weekend!)

P.S – Don’t forget to vote for the Christmas card competition! We still need YOUR feedback on which are the best four designs out of the six! http://www.fortunatushousing.co.uk/news-and-blog/charity-christmas-cards/

Catch you later,

Catherine.