We welcome Penny Nicholas to our April Live Laugh Love event and really looking forward to her talk on Mindfulness. Penny lives locally in Colehill and comes highly recommended by some of our members who've experienced the workshops and retreats that Penny runs. Here she is explaining a little about her work and practice.

‘Life is precious and goes by quickly. Before we know it the day has gone, the week, the month, the year and during that year I wonder if you find that you have taken time to pause and be present? Have you taken time to count to ten in times of difficulty so that you respond rather than react to a situation? Have you taken time to pause and smell the roses, to really savour the food you are eating, the glass of wine, the hug, the sunset?

The interest in mindfulness has exploded since I first came across it ten years ago. Research across the world is showing that mindfulness can improve our level of health and well-being. Today mindfulness is being taught in all areas of society, from the time of pregnancy, through life and is recognised by NICE for its benefits and with the increase of poor mental health that we are experiencing it has many applications.

But what exactly is it and how can you do it? Join me to explore just what mindfulness is. The short practice that I will show you will help you to savour the joys in your life and to cope more effectively with the difficulties’

 Change a Habit - Change your Life - Richard Winterbourne

 At this evening's event we welcome Richard Winterbourne who has recently written a fantastic book and working journal 'The Habit Changer'  Richard has been a practicing therapist working with children and adults for more than 20 years and trained in Transactional Analysis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

'I have spent many years working in a clinical setting with people from hugely diverse backgrounds and issues from depression and anxiety to addiction'. 'I believe that anyone who truly wants to change, whatever their circumstances, can change but few of us can do that alone. I have built my ethos around the concrete belief that whatever hand life deals you, you have the choice how to respond. Nobody and nothing can take that away.

I have two great passions in life, working with people, seeing them change and grow and sailing. I have lived on the Dorset coast for coming up for ten years and I am delighted to call it home. The sea and the beach at whatever time of year is a great comfort and friend.

I have children and stepchildren and have therefore survived more than my fair share of teenagers but I delight now in seeing them create their own lives'

We all have daily habits and things we would like to change, eat less or healthier, drink less, nail biting, no matter how large or small a habit you want to change there are steps to achieve this  - think this is going to be another fascinating interactive evening, come along to find out more.....

 Ladies - come along and join us for a fabulous day to Royal Ascot on Ladies Day - we have a fabulous 49 seater Executive coach to take us there and bring us safely home. Entrance to the wonderful Village Enclosure with its live entertainment and wide array of exhibitions to indulge in some retail therapy if you like and of course the races - maybe have a flutter and come home with the winnings. You can also choose to bring your own picnic which we will be setting up tables for or you can go into the enclosure and enjoy the wide array of food and drinks available. We have secured parking close to the enclosure with just a couple of minutes walk so no worries about footwear. It will be a great opportunity to all get together and have a great day out at Royal Ascot for a special day. We do only have a few places left so be sure to book soon to secure your seat. Booking and payment for this event is seperate to the website so please disregard the fact it looks like it is sold out, please call me on 07803 630418 to secure your place.