Wirral Well-Being Magazine Spring 2026 by Mouse Media

Heswall Building Services was established in 2001, with a philosophy of providing all of your building needs and never compromising on quality. We wanted to create a service that focused on excellence, speed and convenience. We are fully insured so you can be assured that all of our work is carried out safely, whilst respecting your property.

We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and continue to earn repeat business from our clients, many of whom have been coming back to us many years. At Heswall Building Services, we can carry out any building task no matter how big or small. Our experienced builders and tradesmen will carry out the work you require to a high standard and in an efficient manner.

We are registered contractors with The Guilds of Master Craftsmen, so that you can rest safe in the knowledge that our work is of the highest standard. The Guild of Master Craftsmen assesses, promotes and supports excellence in workmanship - bringing you tradesmen you can trust.

We are fully insured to give you peace of mind and we will tidy up after ourselves to cause you the minimum amount of disruption.

We provide a wide variety of services to match all of your builing needs, including: and more...

Welcome to the Spring edition of Wirral Well-Being Magazine

Laura Seymour, Editor/Creator

Spring has arrived on the Wirral, bringing lighter days and a renewed sense of energy to our communities. It’s the perfect time to celebrate the people who quietly make a difference to our collective well-being.

We’re delighted to announce that nominations will soon open for the upcoming Wirral Well-being Awards. From the coast at West Kirby to the heart of our communities around Birkenhead Park, there are incredible individuals and organisations supporting mental, physical and social well-being every single day.

Now we need your help. Do you know a volunteer, carer, teacher, health

professional, young person or local business owner who goes above and beyond? Someone who has made a real difference to others? We want to hear their story.

Recognition matters. It shines a light on kindness, dedication and community spirit, values that make the Wirral such a special place to live.

Keep an eye out for nomination details coming soon, and please get in touch if you believe someone deserves a Wirral Well-being Award.

Let’s celebrate the people who help our community thrive.

FIRST-TIME BUYERS ‘INCREASING ACROSS MERSEYSIDE’

Liverpool city region conveyancing lawyer, Stephanie Williams of Gregory Abrams Davidson, claims the number of local first-time buyers is growing amid a small improvement in housing affordability.

House prices in the UK are continuing to rise presenting growing affordability challenges for those looking to buy and rent.

Major mortgage lender Halifax reported average UK house price jumped to a new record high of £299,862 in October after rising by £1,647 month-on-month.

However, according to Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax: “With house prices rising more slowly than incomes for almost three years now, we expect the trend of gradually improving affordability to continue.”

This analysis is backed by Stephanie Williams, a conveyancing solicitor at Liverpool city region law firm, Gregory Abrams Davidson (GAD). Stephanie told LBN that while affordability remains a major barrier, there are signs of subtle changes.

“There has been a noticeable increase in first-time buyer activity across Merseyside with many areas being seen as affordable and offering entry points for buyers looking to get onto the property ladder, sellers looking to downsize or investment property opportunities,” said Stephanie.

“Sellers are increasingly favouring buyers who are ready to move quickly such as those who are chain free or firsttime buyers. For areas such as Birkenhead there is also an increase in property demand due to ongoing investment and regeneration projects.”

Stephanie added she had also observed that the supply of houses coming onto the market at present appears to be higher than buyer demand. Increased supply not only offers choice but may also lead to prices cooling, although not quite falling.

“House prices in Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area have continued on a modest upward trend but there are definitely significant regional differences,” explained Stephanie.

“While the North East/ North West of England and Wales are appearing stronger, London and the South East have seen more subdued momentum.

“There is a lot of speculation about the upcoming autumn budget in November this year and potential property tax changes that has caused a slowdown more noticeable in the higher value areas, which correlates.”

During COVID there was an observable flight from urban centres to the suburbs and, five years on from the pandemic, Stephanie says this trend has continued.

She said: “There is growing demand for homes in the more suburban and semi-rural areas with buyers being seen

West Kirby Office, Upper Floors 19-25

The Crescent, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 4HL

E: info@gadlegal.co.uk

T: 0151 625 0000

to be prioritising outdoor space, parking, and proximity to schools or transport links.

“There is also still demand for quality rental properties and the Liverpool rental market still remains competitive due to good yield on investment in areas like Edge Hill and Kensington in the city centre, and student areas predominantly in the south of the city.”

Another frustration for homebuyers, according to Stephanie, is long transaction times for buying a residential property in the UK, compared to other countries.

Figures show the average transaction time for buying a home in the UK is 179 days – that is almost six months. In the US the average is just 53 days, Canada 90 days and Australia 95 days.

She says factors feeding the delays include short-staffed local authorities taking time to return search results and new legislation such as the Building Safety Act, as well as complex rules around stamp duty.

“Most mortgage offers are valid for six months and extended delays can mean the offer expires before completion,” said Stephanie.

“The longer the process takes the greater the chance that a party withdraws. In England and Wales, until exchange of contracts, any party can pull out without penalty which results in wasted legal fees, survey costs and emotional stress on clients.”

GAD, which has now been in business for 45 years, is looking to increase its market share in the Merseyside conveyancing market.

Stephanie added: “We have a large property team with a wealth of knowledge and our firm’s clients know what it means to have advice not only technically sound but combined with professional insight and practical guidance so they can make informed decisions.”

Stephanie Williams, a lawyer at Gregory Abrams Davidson

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVICE

A Second Chance and a Different Way to Give Advice

How one Wirral financial adviser rebuilt his life, and his business, around people, not products.

On Banks Road in West Kirby, the pace of life feels a little different. Independent shops still open their doors each morning. People still stop to talk. And for many local families, financial advice is still something that happens across a desk, face to face, rather than through a screen. It is here that Richard Jones has chosen to build his business. Not in a city tower, not behind a call-centre headset, but in the community where he grew up, and where the meaning of trust is still personal. That decision says a great deal about the adviser he has become. But to understand why Richard works the way he does today, you have to begin much earlier, with a life that has been reshaped more than once.

Living with uncertainty

Richard’s adult life has been marked by a reality most people never have to contemplate: the fragility of health and the value of time.

He has received three kidney transplants. Each one, in a very real sense, saved his life. The first came from his father. The second is from a donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register. The third, and ultimately life-restoring transplant, from his sister.

Experiences like this change a person. They alter priorities, sharpen perspective, and bring a quiet clarity about what truly matters. For Richard, they also reshaped the way he thinks about money. Because when you have faced the possibility of losing everything, financial planning stops being about numbers on a page. It becomes about security, family, and the freedom to live without constant worry.

That understanding now sits at the heart of the advice he gives.

Returning to life, one length at a time

After his most recent transplant restored his health, Richard returned to something he had loved since childhood: swimming.

What began as a personal milestone gradually became something more. Training sessions led to competitions. Competitions led to medals. And medals led, unexpectedly, to representing Team GB.

At the UK Transplant Games, he won five gold medals. At the World Transplant Games in Germany, competing against transplant athletes from across the globe, he brought home four silver medals.

Yet when Richard talks about these achievements, he rarely speaks about winning. Instead, he speaks about gratitude. About donors. About second chances. About the responsibility to use that second chance well. That sense of responsibility extends beyond sport and into his work.

Choosing independence

Richard began his career in financial services in the traditional way, working for major high-street banks including HSBC and Santander. He gained experience, qualifications, and more than two decades of professional knowledge.

But as banking changed, something else changed too. Branches closed. Advice became centralised. Conversations became shorter, more transactional, and less personal.

For Richard, this raised an important question: If financial decisions shape the most important moments in people’s lives, shouldn’t the advice behind them feel personal as well?

In 2018, he made the decision to leave the corporate environment and establish his own independent practice on the Wirral.

It was not the easiest route. But it was the right one. Because independence allowed him to offer something increasingly rare: time, conversation, and genuine longterm relationships.

Advice that begins with listening

Today, as a Chartered Financial Adviser, Richard provides guidance across retirement planning, inheritance tax, estate planning, investments, and family protection. But the technical side of the profession is only part of the story.

What clients notice first is something quieter. There is no rush. No scripted sales conversation. No pressure to make

immediate decisions.

Instead, meetings begin with listening, understanding families, priorities, worries, and hopes for the future. This slower, more thoughtful approach reflects Richard’s belief that:

“Good financial planning isn’t about products. It’s about people and helping them feel secure about the life ahead.”

For many clients, particularly those approaching retirement or thinking about their legacy, that reassurance matters more than any chart or forecast.

The value of being local

Operating from a high-street office in West Kirby is a deliberate choice.

In an increasingly digital world, it would be easier and cheaper to work remotely. But Richard believes something important would be lost.

Because financial planning often happens during life’s most emotional moments:

• preparing to retire

• supporting children

• coping with illness

• losing loved ones

• deciding how to pass on wealth

At times like these, people rarely want an online form. They want a person they know, in a place that feels familiar. Being local makes that possible.

It means clients can drop in, talk things through, and build trust gradually, sometimes over many years. That continuity is something Richard values deeply, particularly after his own experiences of uncertainty.

A family perspective

Away from the office, Richard’s world is centred on family life with his wife Emma and their four children. Parenthood, like illness, changes perspective. It shifts attention toward protection, stability, and the long term. Those realities shape the advice he gives every day. They also inform his growing interest in inclusion, particularly in areas such as children’s access to swimming and confidence-building activities.

For Richard, community is not an abstract idea. It is something lived through school gates, sports clubs, and everyday conversations on the Wirral. And that lived connection feeds directly into the way he runs his business.

Building relationships that last

Many financial advisers speak about long-term relationships. For Richard, the phrase is literal. Some clients he advises today are families he first met years ago. Others have been introduced by relatives or friends, a quiet chain of trust built slowly over time. Moments like retirement, bereavement, or inheritance planning cannot

be handled through quick transactions. They require care, patience, and understanding. That is why his practice is intentionally relationship-led rather than volume-driven. Growth, for Richard, is not measured only in numbers. It is measured in people who feel more secure because of the guidance they have received.

A different definition of success

From the outside, Richard’s story contains obvious milestones:

• three life-saving transplants

• international sporting success

• a respected independent financial practice

But success, as he describes it, is quieter than that. It is seeing a client retire without fear. Helping a family organise their affairs after loss. Giving someone clarity where there was once confusion. In other words, success is measured in peace of mind.

Using a second chance

well

Second chances are powerful things. They bring gratitude, but also responsibility. Richard’s journey through illness, recovery, sport, family life, and independence in business has shaped a simple guiding principle: Time matters, relationships matter, and the future is worth planning for carefully.

From a small office on a Wirral high street, that principle now helps other families look ahead with greater confidence. And perhaps that is the most meaningful achievement of all, not the medals, not the milestones, but the quiet knowledge that a life given back has become a life spent helping others protect theirs.

WIRRAL CHARITY LAUNCHES FREE ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Wirral charity Autism Together is partnering with a number of regional attractions to offer relaxed activities for children or teens with autism, or who are on the pathway to receiving a diagnosis, free of charge.

The specialist autism charity, based in Bromborough, has launched a twice-monthly series of ‘Family Adventures’, new for 2026.

A wide range of family-friendly attractions have already signed up to be part of this new initiative, which will create relaxed and autism-friendly activities for parents and children to attend.

The aim of the sessions is to aid families in enjoying inclusive time together, with the assurance of a relaxed and supportive environment, all facilitated alongside someone from Autism Together who can offer advice and support, where required.

Colette Griffiths, Head of Business Development for Autism Together, said:

“We’re excited to launch Family Adventures, a brand new series of family events from Autism Together. This is an opportunity for families to enjoy time together, while feeling supported and relaxed. It’s also a great chance to meet other families, make new friends and new connections within our charity.”

The locations of each of the charity’s Family Adventures events will vary each month and, although tickets are limited, they aim to reach as many families as possible throughout the year.

Some of the local venues already signed up to take part include Activity For All, Jumpin’ Josephs, Bulwark Games, Inflation Wirral, Kraken Comics, and Monkey House. Each month there will be an event aimed at younger children, and another event for older children and teens.

Colette continued: “Sessions are free and people can register their interest at our Trybooking page. Spaces at our events are limited, so, in order to ensure everyone has a chance to attend, if we exceed the number of places available we will allocate places via a lucky dip and confirmation email.

“However, we will ensure that families who have not yet had the opportunity to attend will be prioritised in future selections, to ensure the process is as fair as possible.”

Autism Together’s new Family Adventures sessions will be supported by their Advice and Support Officer, Amy Jones. Along with Family Adventures, Amy will also be leading other events aimed at families, as she explained:

“I look forward to meeting families and supporting them in a variety of ways over the coming year. Alongside our new Family Adventures scheme, I’ll be leading advice and support coffee mornings for parents and carers of autistic adults and children, and Rainbow groups for children under 5 years.

“I am very excited to see how we can develop the service further, to offer an inclusive and supportive environment where families can enjoy themselves and make connections with others.”

The charity’s Coffee Mornings will run weekly in one of the four locations across the region – Benricks Café in Birkenhead, Bridge Community Farm Café in Ellesmere Port, Quirky Café in Hoylake, and Bromborough Pool Café in Bromborough Pool Village.

For more details about Autism Together’s events for families in 2026, or to reserve a place at any of their upcoming Family Adventures, please visit their website: autismtogether.co.uk/advice-support/

For general information about the charity and its events, visit its website autismtogether.co.uk or Facebook page facebook.com/AutismtogetherUK

Autism Together’s new Family Adventures sessions will be supported by their Advice and Support Officer, Amy Jones (pictured above).

The missing piece of your retirement plan

We’d all like to make the most of our retirement, and it’s important to think about the whole of your ﬁnances when planning for the enjoyable retirement you are looking for. Funding for later life is becoming more and more of a concern, with many pensions falling short of expectations and people living longer than in previous years.

Interest-only mortgages are becoming a real issue for many who are ﬁnding they have no means of repayment, and increasing numbers of over-55s are looking towards a lifetime mortgage as a way of securing ﬁnancial stability in later life.

Equity Release could help pay o existing debts or allow you the funds for home improvements. You could a ord that special holiday or help your family ﬁnancially. There’s lots to consider but ﬁnding the right plan to suit your needs could provide the solution you’re looking for. You can choose between one lump sum payment or smaller amounts to draw down as and when you require them, with no repayments to be made, and we’re here to help with tailored advice for the choice that’s right for you.

The retirement landscape has changed considerably and it’s time to consider the role that housing wealth could play in planning the retirement you deserve.

Many over 55s are now funding their retirement with tax-free cash from their home

If you’re over 55 and own your home, you could be eligible for a lifetime mortgage.

We’re here to help by advising you on all the options available to you.

For qualiﬁed and impartial advice, call us on 07980 823678

This is a lifetime mortgage To understand the features and risks please ask for a personalised illustration. Our typical advice fee would be 0.5% of the loan amount you receive.

Our typical advice fee would be 0.5% of the loan amount you receive. A lifetime mortgage may impact your entitlement to means-tested beneﬁts and the inheritance you may leave

A lifetime mortgage may impact your entitlement to means-tested beneﬁts and the inheritance you may leave.

Ainsworth Mortgages Ltd is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority number: 428802.

With thanks to For qualiﬁed and impartial advice, call us on 07980 823 678 or visit our website: wirralequityrelease.co.uk

www.ainsworthmortgages.co.uk

Ainsworth Mortgages Ltd is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority number:428802.

With thanks to s and risks please ask for a personalised illustration

Equity release trends in Q1 2025

The variety of reasons given for releasing equity with a Lifetime Mortgage highlights the ﬂexibility and accessibility of modern products, allowing people over 55 the ability to enjoy their retirement in a way that suits them.

More than 1 in 3...To clear an existing mortgage 36%...To make home improvements or adaptations 27%...To support their day to day living 19%...Gifting to family members

Other notable reasons including a holiday (22%), consolidating unsecured debts (20%) and purchasing a new property (12%)

The Equity Release Council’s Q1 data reflects the rising number of homeowners accessing their property wealth to support their financial needs in later life. It also highlights the ongoing challenges may retirees face with rising living expenses and the need for sufficient income in retirement.

In addition, the proportion of people using equity release to gift to family has doubled year-on-year, this indicates a growing desire among older homeowners to provide intergenerational ﬁnancial support. For a FREE copy of a Guide to Lifetime Mortgages please contact: Michael Ainsworth on 07980 923678 or ainsworthmortgages@hotmail.co.uk

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING MUM GIVES BACK TO CHILDREN’S WARD THAT CARED FOR HER FAMILY

A Wirral mum whose children both needed neonatal care at Wirral University Teaching Hospital is giving back to the Children’s Ward that supported her family during some of the most challenging moments of her life.

Kirsty Lewis, 36, from Wallasey, is a Women’s Health and Fitness Coach who has spent the past two years fundraising for WUTH Charity, driven by her own experiences of living with Crohn’s disease and becoming a mum.

Kirsty’s connection to the hospital runs deep. Both her son and step-son were born on the neonatal unit, at Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital at the Trust’s Arrowe Park site, and she also required hospital care when her baby was just three months old. The care and compassion her family received left a lasting impression.

She said: “When you’ve been through hospital care yourself, you never forget it. Those early days were overwhelming at times, but the staff on the Children’s Ward were incredible. They looked after my children, and they looked after me too.

“These are the hospitals that supported my family during some really vulnerable moments, so when I was able to give something back, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.”

Living with Crohn’s disease was a turning point in Kirsty’s life and career. After discovering how strength training, nutrition and mindset practices such as yoga and meditation transformed her own health, she moved into the fitness and wellbeing industry with a health-first approach focused on long-term resilience rather than appearance.

Kirsty added: “Crohn’s disease completely changed my relationship with my body. Movement and nourishment didn’t just make me feel stronger physically, they gave me my quality of life back. That’s why everything I do now is about long-term wellbeing, not quick fixes.

“That confidence and resilience doesn’t just help you cope, it puts you in a position where you can give back too.”

Over the past two years, Kirsty has taken on a number of fundraising challenges, including a 10k run and the Wirral Santa Dash. Through her work, she also supports and trains a community of women from her gym, many of them busy mums, who regularly come together to take on fundraising events in support of WUTH Charity.

Her next challenge will see Kirsty and members of her gym community take part in the Wirral Coastal Walk on Sunday 7th June 2026, continuing their commitment to raising

funds for local hospital services.

Kirsty added: “I work with a lot of mums who put themselves last. Helping them prioritise their health isn’t just about feeling stronger or more confident, it’s about being there for their families.

“I want our sons and daughters to grow up seeing women caring for their health as something normal and empowering. Fundraising for WUTH allows me to align my personal story, my values and my work, while supporting the hospitals that supported me when I needed it most.”

Phil Crawford, Fundraising and Events Fundraiser at WUTH Charity, said: “Community fundraisers like Kirsty are absolutely vital to what we do. Her story is incredibly powerful, and the commitment she and her gym community show year-round makes a real difference to patients and families across our hospitals.”

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “Kirsty’s fundraising journey is a wonderful example of how personal experiences can inspire positive change for others. The funds raised through WUTH Charity help us enhance care and improve experiences for patients and families, and we are incredibly grateful for her continued support.”

Funds raised through WUTH Charity continue to support projects that matter most to local communities, helping to enhance care and improve experiences for patients, families and staff across Wirral University Teaching Hospital.

To take part in the Wirral Coastal Walk, fundraise, donate or find out more about supporting WUTH Charity, please contact the charity team at wuth.charity@nhs.net.

Kirsty Lewis

DRIVE WITH PEACE OF MIND - PRIORITISING YOUR SAFETY AND WELLBEING ON THE ROAD

MORE THAN JUST TYRES

We know that life on the Wirral can be busy. Between the school run, the daily commute, and family adventures, your car is your sanctuary. At Tyres 4 U Wirral, we believe that wellbeing starts with safety.

Reduce Driving Stress:

A smooth, quiet ride starts with precision wheel alignment (£48). It eliminates steering vibrations, making every journey calmer and more enjoyable.

Confidence in Every Turn:

Our expert checks ensure your tyres provide maximum grip, giving you the confidence that your family is protected, whatever the weather.

WE BRING THE GARAGE TO YOU

Why spend your precious free time in a garage? Our Mobile Fitting Service is designed to make your life easier.

Reclaim Your Time:

We fit your tyres at your home or workplace, so you can focus on what matters most—whether that’s a morning coffee or a productive workday.

Emergency Peace of Mind:

If you’re stuck, we’re your local "pit crew," arriving quickly to get you back to your routine without the drama.

HONESTY YOU CAN TRUST

As a local family business, we value relationships over sales targets.

No Jargon, No Upselling:

We provide clear, honest advice. If your tyres are safe, we’ll tell you. Our goal is your long-term safety, not a quick sale.

Free Wellbeing Checks:

Pop into our Wallasey Hub anytime for a Free Tyre Health & Pressure Check. No appointment necessary— just total peace of mind for you and your passengers.

YOUR LOCAL PARTNERS IN SAFETY

Visit Us: Kelvin Road, Wallasey, CH44 7JW

Call for Peace of Mind: 0151 638 0906

Book Your Stress-Free Slot: www.tyres4uwirral.co.uk

A Family Business Helping the Wirral Stay Safe, Calm, and Connected.

THE BENEFITS OF HOT STONE MASSAGE

Hot stone massage is a deeply relaxing therapy that combines traditional massage techniques with the use of smooth, heated stones placed on key points of the body. The warmth of the stones penetrates deep into the muscles, creating a soothing experience that offers both physical and emotional benefits.

One of the main benefits of hot stone massage is muscle relaxation. The heat helps to loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow, allowing the therapist to work more effectively on areas of tension without using excessive pressure. This makes it especially beneficial for people experiencing chronic pain, stiffness, or stressrelated tension.

Beyond the physical effects, there is something very powerful, spiritual, and almost ritualistic about working with stone. Stones have been used in healing practices across cultures for centuries, valued for their grounding energy and connection to the earth. When combined with holistic therapies like massage, the stones create a sense of ceremony and intention, helping clients feel deeply held, centred, and supported throughout the treatment.

Hot stone massage is also highly effective for stress and anxiety relief The comforting warmth of the stones, paired with slow, flowing movements, calms the nervous system and encourages the body to enter a state of deep relaxation. This can reduce stress hormones and promote a lasting sense of balance and wellbeing, as well as comfort.

Another key benefit is improved circulation. Heat encourages blood vessels to expand, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach muscles and tissues more efficiently. This supports natural healing, reduces inflammation, and enhances overall vitality.

Many people experience improved sleep quality after a hot stone massage, as the treatment helps quiet the mind and release built-up tension. The result is a feeling of deep rest, clarity, and emotional grounding that lingers long after the session ends.

Overall, hot stone massage is a holistic therapy that nurtures both body and spirit, offering relaxation, healing, and a profound sense of connection.

GAS FIRE AND LOG BURNER SERVICING Protect Your Home. Protect Your Family. Enjoy Total Peace of Mind. A fireplace is the heart of the home - but it also requires regular professional care to remain safe, efficient, and reliable. Our Fire and log burner servicing is designed to give you complete peace of mind, year after year.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN OUR SERVICE :

• Annual professional inspection and maintenance

• Thorough cleaning and full component checks

• Comprehensive safety tests to ensure correct operation

• Chimney sweeping to remove creosote build-up ( SOLID FUEL FIRES )

• Inspection of firebricks and all essential internal components

Every service is carried out to the highest standard, ensuring your fireplace continues to perform safely and efficiently.

WHY IS OUR SERVICING ESSENTIAL

• Keeps your manufacturer's warranty valid

• Helps prevent costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns

• Improves efficiency and performance

• Extends the lifespan of your fireplace

• Most importantly, protects your home and family from potential chimney fires

STAY SAFE WITHOUT LIFTING A FINGER

After your first service, we’ll place you on our yearly service schedule and send you a friendly reminder when it’s time to book again. Think of us as your fireplace’s diary manager — making sure nothing gets missed and everything continues running safely and efficiently.

GET STARTED TODAY

If you'd like to learn more or arrange your first service, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Our team is here to help and looks forward to providing you with lasting peace of mind for years to come.

Located at 136-140 Wallasey Road in Liscard, Wirral, Centreline Business Hub is fast becoming one of the most sought-after business centres for local entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing companies. With a focus on helping businesses thrive, the hub offers a range of flexible workspace solutions designed to support productivity, collaboration and professional growth.

The hub’s serviced offices are its cornerstone offering. These fully furnished workspaces come complete with high-speed broadband, secure 24/7 access, and all the amenities modern businesses need — from shared kitchen areas to breakout spaces and on-site reception support. Whether you’re a freelancer seeking a professional base or a small team looking for a permanent location, the serviced offices provide a plug-and-play environment ideal for focus and expansion.

Alongside physical office space, Centreline Business Hub

also offers virtual office packages — perfect for startups or remote businesses wanting a prestigious Wirral address without the cost of a physical lease. These packages include mail handling, parcel management, and optional call handling, giving companies a professional presence while keeping overheads low.

Meeting rooms at the hub are another key feature, available to book by the hour, half-day or full-day. Equipped with reliable Wi-Fi and refreshments, these spaces are ideal for client meetings, team workshops or presentations, ensuring businesses have the facilities they need for success.

Situated just a short walk from Liscard’s main commercial centre — with excellent transport links into Liverpool and across the Wirral — Centreline Business Hub offers an appealing mix of convenience, professionalism and flexibility. From new ventures to established enterprises, it’s a community-focused space where businesses can grow and succeed.

Prestigious Workspaces in the Heart of Wallasey

Fully serviced, furnished offices

24-hour secure access

Prestigious business & postal address

Virtual office & virtual receptionist services

Professional telephone answering

Daily mail handling & invoice collection

Secure printing facilities

Large conference & meeting rooms

Card payment facilities

Free high-speed Wi-Fi

Spacious kitchen & diner

Friendly, on-site professional support

a Thoughtful and Sustainable Farewell

At Robert Quinn Funeral Dircectors we are proud to be the first in Wirral to offer our community an enviornmentally-friendly way to say goodbye.

Our electric hearse offers a quieter, more serene ride, providing a smooth and gentle procession for your loved one's final journey. Honouring tradition while embracing modern technology; it is the ideal choice.

Let’s talk about Direct Cremation...

Hounouring the past, investing in the present to protect the future.

Direct cremation omits the process of visiting the person, which can be emotionally important to some.

A memorial service or celebration of life may be planned; however, as it is the responsibility of the bereaved at a challenging time to plan this it often doesn’t happen.

Family and friends do not then gather together to share stories and comfort each other, therefore limiting the opportunity for closure.

As an independent funeral director we are able to offer alternatives that can balance the wishes of those who have gone with the needs of those remain; empowering families to make the right choice for them.

Karen and Robert

www.robertquinnfuneraldirectors.co.uk

WHAT IF YOU CAN’T PICTURE IT? UNDERSTANDING APHANTASIA IN COUNSELLING

Emma Bennett, BSc (Open) MBACP Meadowbrook Counselling

Late last year, I completed Aphantasia Therapist Training. For many people, it’s a term they’ve never encountered, yet it describes a way of thinking that has shaped their experience of the world. Like many others, I first came across the term on social media, and it suddenly made sense of experiences I hadn’t previously been able to explain.

What

is Aphantasia?

Aphantasia refers to the inability to voluntarily create mental images. When someone says “imagine a sunset” or “picture your childhood home,” a person with Aphantasia does not see an internal image. It’s estimated that around 2–4% of people experience this. It isn’t a disorder, and it certainly doesn’t mean someone lacks imagination or creativity. It is simply a difference in how the mind processes information.

Is it only about visual imagery?

Not necessarily. People’s internal experiences vary widely. Aphantasia can affect any voluntary access to sensory memory; perhaps they can’t recall music or voices, or imagine the taste of chocolate. A closely related condition, Anendophasia, describes experiencing little or no inner monologue. Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory (SDAM) describes an inability to recall personal experiences vividly. As visual memory plays such a key

role in how we revisit experiences, it makes sense that Aphantasia and SDAM often overlap. These differences sit within the broader landscape of neurodiversity, and may co-occur with other neurodiverse conditions.

Why does this matter in counselling?

Many therapeutic approaches assume that we can access mental images or internal dialogue. Clients may be invited to visualise a safe place, picture their younger self, or identify automatic thoughts by “listening” to their inner voice. For someone who cannot visualise or who does not experience an internal monologue, these exercises can feel confusing or inaccessible. At times, this can lead to frustration or the sense that they are “doing therapy wrong,” when in fact the model simply may not fit their way of processing.

Can Aphantasia be treated or cured?

Aphantasia is not an illness, just a difference in thinking. The focus is on understanding how someone’s mind processes information and adapting accordingly. Adapted therapy might involve working more with spoken or written language rather than imagery, focusing on bodily sensations instead of mental pictures, or exploring meaning through metaphor and narrative rather than visualisation. It may involve slowing down assumptions about how thoughts appear and being curious about how memories are accessed. The aim is to work together so therapy actually fits.

How might someone know if this resonates with them?

If you’ve ever felt puzzled when asked to “picture” something, or frustrated by visualisation exercises that rely heavily on imagery, it may be worth exploring how you experience your internal world.

Differences in thinking are more common than many realise. Counselling can help you explore the unique way your mind works and understand how this has shaped your experiences.

Meadowbrook Counselling emma@meadowbrookcounselling.co.uk www.meadowbrookcounselling.co.uk

THE SMALL THINGS

When you have a baby, your world changes.

When she had a baby with an ultra-rare genetic disorder, Jayne Hughes BEM, changed the world.

The Small Things is a book about one woman’s fight to get her daughter the help she needed. From the struggle to get a diagnosis, to doctors who didn’t care, to the daily battles caused by Cockayne Syndrome.

And Jayne didn’t stop there.

In 2007, in the Wirral, together with her daughter Amy, she set up Amy and Friends, a charity that cares for children and families dealing with Cockayne Syndrome, Trichothiodystrophy, and related DNA repair disorders. It’s a charity that offers support, medical advice, and lots and lots of fun for children who are going through the worst thing imaginable.

When you look different, people can be heartless. Jayne chronicles the staring and the brutal comments, as well as the moments of kindness Amy experienced throughout her life. Through Amy and Friends, she created a community that understands the day-to-day challenges and the importance of finding joy in the small things. Through this charity, Jayne holds a conference every year, where families come from all over the world just to find a place to fit in. It’s also attended by some of the world’s most eminent scientists who are working together to find new treatments and the possibility of a cure.

But she didn’t stop there either.

After years of watching children slip through the cracks of the NHS, she helped set up a specialist clinic in London, where children can get the multi-disciplinary help they need.

Some DNA repair disorders cause children to undergo a kind of rapid aging. As these children grow up, they’re bombarded with every illness old age triggers; it’s an horrific cacophony of Parkinson’s, cataracts, dementia, deafness, and much more. Things that many of us will undergo in old age. So, if and when a cure is found, it won’t just transform these children’s lives; it will transform the lives of all of us.

The Small Things will take you on a journey like no other, as you follow Amy, whose courage and biting wit never falter for a second. It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s uplifting. Because when life is short, the highs and the lows just hit harder.

It’s a cliche to compare a book to a rollercoaster, we all know it, but Amy adored rollercoasters, so let’s allow it just this once:

This book is a rollercoaster of the best and the worst moments of Amy and Jayne’s lives as they navigate a disorder most specialists haven’t even heard of. It holds nothing back as it tells you about the doctors who were cruel, the doctors who were kind, and the doctors who have dedicated their lives to helping children with DNA repair disorders.

In this book, you’ll find nothing short of the good, the bad, and the NHS.

Get your copy on Amazon: The Small Things by Jayne Hughes BEM, https://amzn.eu/d/0egOaW4z

Find out more about Amy and Friends: https://amyandfriends.org/

Want to write your best business book? https://writingdr.com/

TRAVEL WRITER, BUSINESSWOMAN, MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER JULIET BOULTON

Travel is so important for our wellbeing, especially when so many of us work from home and live lives full of juggling families and deadlines. Often , ‘leaving the building’ is the only way to decompress and feel more relaxed. Sometimes I have to push myself out there, but I never regret it.If you have a hard time putting yourself first, try and set aside at least ten minutes a day to ‘travel’ outside into your garden or down your road, taking in the sights, sounds and earthy smells of the great outdoors.

Mental health experts say even just a few minutes like this can really boost your mood and wellbeing. “Why am I here?” is something I sometimes ask myself, like when Ive driven down to Wales in search of dolphins, only to miss them, or I’ve arrived in Rome after a thirty year break to be reminded how squashed in I am at the Trevi Fountain… I’ve always found the allure of travel intoxicating. I know exactly when and how that became a thing.

I was six years old when my parents took me to meet my grandparents and cousins at Gatwick. They’d be landing after a twelve hour flight from Zambia where my grandfather had been working in the oil industry for a year. Now, this was the early seventies and it seems almost impossible to believe what happened next, given all the airport security we have these days…when I said ‘’meet them from Gatwick” I actually meant “walk through the Arrivals lounge, outside onto the shiny black tarmac and watch as the plane lands and parks up”. After a short period, steps were manually dragged to the plane door which opened to let out weary passengers.

Then, my teenage cousins appeared and we walked to the bottom of the steps to meet them. Their usually yellow blond hair was almost arctic white after all the sunshine, brightly contrasting against their bronzed skins. These

goddesses were full of exotic tales of Africa and clutching wooden elephant statues. From then on, I was smitten and couldn’t wait to explore the world.

So, when it came to studying, I chose down south, not because of Heathrow and Gatwick (what student can afford to fly?) but for close proximity to the English Channel and what lay beyond.It’s fair to say that I managed to hop over to Europe more than several times a year. In the eighties there wasn’t the Channel Tunnel but there were ferries to Calais and Boulogne, as well as a hovercraft service, would you believe.

After graduating, I started using my degree at least a bit by compiling statistical comparison tables of my various experiences, trialling hotels and resorts, a kind of early mystery shopping really. A chance encounter with a magazine editor in a sauna in Nice led me to starting to write travel articles, focusing on travelling with children, as by now I had a toddler and a baby on the way. The rest, they say, is travel history…

Over the coming issues I will be writing about places to relax in new surroundings, both near and far. A change really is as good as a rest. Travel doesn’t have to cost the earth either. I can get the same joy from cod and chips in a chalet in Wales as I can from nori in Nobu (even though I confess I do particularly like Nobu in Monte Carlo, extra special occasions only…)

On that note, I’m off to review some of the wonderful spas we have within a short commute from Wirral. How lucky we are to live here.

“Juliet has left the building”!

Spring time are you wanting to blossom?

Real people, real results. Serenity Clinic leading the way for nearly 30 years!

Next Generation lifting, sculpting, tightening, firming face and body

Serenity Clinics approach to anti-aging is still unique even after 28 years. For face or body, male or female we have the experience, know-how and a plethora of treatments, state of the art equipment, contouring, lift and sculpt from jaw line, neck, tops of arms, tummy, bottom and inner thighs.

Unsightly lesions

Skin Tags, Millia, warts, verruca’s, blood spots, can all be treated quickly and easily by clinical diathermy, freezing or laser. Our lead Therapist has over 28 years’ experience in removal of lesions.

Two of Serenity Clinic’s delighted clients

Relaxing deluxe pedicure including all the trimmings. Why not Include a reflexology treatment?

Back massage, full body massage with oils to warm and soothing to deep tissue or hot stones

Advanced hair removal treatments

Consultation

INSPIRATION ON THE MENU

Local charity, Wirral Mencap, is inviting the local community to come together for a very special celebration this spring, as it hosts a fundraising lunch in honour of International Women’s Day.

The event, aptly named “Inspiration on the Menu”, promises an afternoon of great food, heartfelt stories, and conversations that champion the strength, resilience, and creativity of women across the Wirral and beyond. It is set to be one of the most uplifting dates in the local social calendar, bringing people together in support of a cause that touches many families in the area.

The lunch will take place at Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa on Sunday 8th March, beginning at 1pm. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of fizz on arrival, offering the opportunity to relax, mingle, and enjoy the surroundings of one of Wirral’s most loved venues. After the welcome drinks, guests will sit down to a beautifully prepared threecourse lunch

A highlight of the afternoon will be the opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers such as Nisha Katona, renowned local chef and founder of the hugely popular Mowgli Street Food restaurants. Nisha has become a familiar and much-admired figure both locally and nationally, known not only for her vibrant cooking but also for her passion, drive, and commitment to empowering others. Guests will hear about the challenges she has faced in her journey and the lessons she has learned in building a successful career while staying true to her values.

What makes this event particularly meaningful is the involvement of Wirral Mencap’s own members, who will take to the stage to share their experiences of womanhood and the women who inspire them. Their contributions will remind guests about the importance of inclusion, representation, and opportunity for all women.

Visit our website www.wirralmencap.org.uk,

Registered Office: Wirral Mencap, 42-44 Market Street, Birkenhead, CH41 5BT A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (08668735) and a charity registered in England and Wales (1153742) Wirral Mencap takes the privacy of your personal information very seriously. View our new GDPR compliant Privacy Statement here. If you would like to stop receiving information from us simply respond to this email or call us on 0151 666 1829. Wirral Mencap.

Two of Wirral Mencap's members

Recruiting Now

It’s time to care

• Flexible Hours

• Rewarding Work

• Full & Part-time

• Training & Support

• Competitive Rates of Pay

• Career Progression

She's my lovely blue angel

Care in your home, just as you like it.

You love your home and you feel safe there. Needing additional care and support shouldn’t change that.

With our well-trusted care service, you can remain at home surrounded by loved ones and beloved pets and still enjoy your home, garden and community.

You may be in a situation where you need an extra pair of hands to help with daily chores, or you may have complex needs that require more dedicated care. We build our care packages around you and your individual needs which means that you and your family can rest assured you’ll receive care and support exactly as you need.

With such a personal service, you’ll want to engage with people you can trust, who are highly trained, who listen, understand and show compassion. Our team deliver all of this and more.

WHEN FAMILIES BREATHE AGAIN: THE POWER OF THE VOICE OF THE CHILD

Separation is one of life’s most emotionally complex transitions. It can feel like standing in the middle of a storm—legal processes unfolding, practical arrangements shifting, and beneath it all, the quiet question: Are the children really okay?

Mt name is Heen Pittard, and I’ve been helping families manage separation and family conflict for over 30 years. My work centres on guiding families through this storm with compassion, clarity and care. Yes, we address arrangements and practicalities—but just as importantly, we focus on wellbeing. Because when children feel safe and heard, parents feel reassured and empowered. And when parents feel steadier, children thrive. This is backed up with many years of independent research, but I have also witnessed this first hand through the work I have done with my clients over the last 30 years and the very reason I set up 174 Family Law, a boutique family law and mediation service to create bespoke packages of support for our clients outside of the constraints of the legal process.

Happy children make happy parents. And happy parents help children flourish.

Child-inclusive mediation creates a structured, emotionally safe process where children’s voices can be heard appropriately and respectfully—without placing decision-making responsibility on their shoulders.

It is not about asking children to choose between parents. It is about:

• Giving them a safe, confidential space

• Allowing them to express feelings openly

• Exploring their wishes and aspirations

• Ensuring they are not carrying adult burdens

• Helping parents truly understand what is happening beneath the surface

Often, parents believe they know how their child is coping. And sometimes they do. But at other times, children protect their parents by saying what they think is expected rather than what they genuinely feel.

Sometimes parents are navigating post separation Co parenting and can see their children struggling many years after the event.

That’s where this work can be transformational.

Recently, I worked with a young teenage girl who completely fell within this remit. There was a court order in place outlining the arrangements. Both parents felt they had to adhere strictly to it— fearing legal consequences if they didn’t.

Yet their daughter had quietly “voted with her feet.” She had shifted the arrangements in practice by gravitating toward one home more than the other. On the surface, it looked like defiance or confusion. In reality, it was emotional overload.

She was carrying a heavy burden. She knew her choices were troubling both Mum and Dad. She worried deeply that she was hurting one of them.

Mediation provided her with a safe space where she had explicit permission—from both parents—to speak her full truth. She wasn’t trying to choose between parents. She wasn’t rejecting anyone. She was trying to cope.

With her consent, her voice was carefully relayed to Mum and Dad. What happened next was powerful. Rather than defending positions or clinging rigidly to the court order, both parents paused. They listened. They acknowledged her genuine feelings. Most importantly, they respected them.

Together, we reshaped the arrangements around her emotional needs and aspirations—not around fear of “getting into trouble.”

At a subsequent check-in meeting, her parents told me their daughter’s life had changed forever. She felt her voice had been heard and respected, and described a renewed confidence in their daughter. A lightness. A contentment they hadn’t seen in a long time. The whole family had regained autonomy, and they felt empowered to make the best decisions that suited their own changing needs.

And in doing so, everyone benefited.

Happy child. Happy parents.

Separation does not have to define a child’s story negatively. With the right support, it can become a chapter of growth—where resilience is built and relationships are reshaped with care. Because when we prioritise wellbeing—truly prioritise it—everyone stands taller.

And sometimes, all it takes to change a family’s trajectory is a safe space, an open conversation, and the courage to listen.