Women Archives - Savour the Moment

27 February 202028 February 2020

Talking about ‘Carers Education’ with Gill Hinton

A black and white image of Gill Hinton, founder of Carers’ Education

Help and support for carers has never been easy to access… that is until Gill Hinton founded ‘Carers’ Education’. ‘Carers’ Education’ is a not-for-profit company that offers fully-funded, free training to anyone who works with clients in their own homes.

Back in the good old days

Looking back over the last 60-odd years, Gill and I would probably agree that we were both what might have been termed ‘bright girls’. We didn’t know each other back then. Having only recently met, we find that we do have a lot in common. Both of us come from a working-class background and of course, we’re girls! Back then, in the 1950s and 1960s, girls were not encouraged to follow an academic route when their male counterparts were. And of course ‘Equal Pay’ was still a long way off, not being introduced until the late 70s… an absolute age away.

A very clever lady

I met Gill at the Old Police Station in Retford https://www.kingsparkhotel.co.uk We shared a pot of tea andchatted for over an hour. It was nowhere near long enough to fully understand the achievements of this unassuming, unpretentious, clever lady.

Hard work pays off

Gill told me that she had worked as a nurse in the NHS for thirty years at Bassetlaw Hospital. She finally ended her career with the NHS as the ‘Education Lead for Nursing’ after a very long climb. During this time she introduced and developed the ‘Clinical Skills Training Department’ for an NHS Trust.

A passion for learning

Her passion for education grew as she worked with medical students. This bright girl who left school at 16 and had a baby at 17 went on to complete a Masters degree in Medical Education at Nottingham University in 2008. At the same time, she gained a rare distinction… quite an achievement! And in 2013 she was part of a team that won a Nursing Times award for training.

Two images of Gill Hinton holding Nursing Times Awards in 2013 — Gill Hinton, part of the team that won the Nursing Times Award for Training in 2013

Success

Research for her Masters involved the development and evaluation of an induction programme into the NHS, for doctors who had qualified overseas. The programme was a great success and the NHS Trust found itself with a waiting list of up to six months just to get a place on this course.

A growing client list

Since retiring, Gill has worked with a number of individual clients. She developed a range of bespoke courses for carers and registered professionals. Her growing client list includes the local Community Care Group, Nottinghamshire County Council, Mencap, Sheffield University and the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

First-hand experience

With a history of work in the public health sector of over 30 years, Gill recognised the challenges faced on a daily basis by carers. She witnessed the difficulties confronting the care industry when her daughter became seriously ill and sadly died. Gill experienced first-hand that it is a very difficult role to fulfil and also that good quality training and education support is very hard to find.

It’s never too late

Gill founded her own company ‘Carers’ Education’ when she retired in 2019. She felt the need to address the problem of ‘lack of proper training’. She wants to begin with the provision of fully-funded, appropriate instruction – to help carers, their clients and ultimately the care sector as a whole – free of charge! Work books are freely available from skillsforhealth.org for nurses to complete assessments. Gill has devised a programme for delivery to carers, which consists of 2 full days and 5 half days.

Free training

‘Carers’ Education’ provides access to free training courses to help with basic care, life-support training and first-aid certificate training. Carers who complete the fully-funded programme are then equipped to support their clients with confidence and competence. New and also prospective carers, are given the opportunity to acquire new skills to make them stronger, better-informed and safer carers. Gill said: ‘Our training builds confidence and competence in the carers with whom we work so that they feel more capable to deliver quality care to their clients. As confidence grows a positive attitude develops which is ultimately passed on to the client.’

Gill is currently waiting to hear if her application for funding from the Big Lottery to support the work she does, has been successful. Keep your fingers crossed for her!

To find out more about giving carers the tools to deliver higher standards of support to their clients or relatives visit carerseducation.co.uk

13 August 2019

The Cottage Vegan

Rachael Care – the face behind The Cottage Vegan

A cup of tea and a chat with Rachael Care – The Cottage Vegan

Although we live in the same, small North Notts village, I had never met Rachael – until the village plant sale at the Clayworth Memorial Hall. A few of us had taken homemade cakes to sell to help boost the proceeds. Rachael had made a selection of vegan muffins which looked eye-poppingly gorgeous.

Blueberry and lemon Chelsea buns drizzled with glace icing — Sticky blueberry and lemon Chelsea buns drizzled with glace icing

A gap in the market for vegan food locally

She and I chatted and it seemed that she was on the verge of starting up her own business ‘The Cottage Vegan’. Having done some research locally she discovered that there is a gap in the market for home-prepared, vegan food. After the plant sale we linked up on Facebook.

Such glorious cakes

The pictures she was posting of her glorious cakes gave me the idea that someone I know might appreciate one of her creations. I messaged Rachael and within minutes she responded saying that she was baking at that moment and would have a carrot cake ready for me that very afternoon. Now that is service! The cake went down a treat, it tasted divine and it didn’t break the bank!

A very col,our full Hummingbird cake decorated with edible fresh flowers — Hummingbird cake, decorated with edible fresh flowers

Cup of tea and a chat

I asked Rachael if she fancied a chat over a cup of tea and she kindly invited me to her cottage. And it is is exactly as you would imagine – a typical English cottage in a typical English village! She has over a hundred cookery books and her kitchen is all neatly laid out ready for the next baking session. It seems that ‘The Cottage Vegan’ (very aptly named) went ‘live’ on 1st July. One month in and business is already brisk. Simple word-of-mouth alongside social media and the orders are rolling in.

All set for afternoon tea with fresh flowers a cup of tea and an apple cram horn — Afternoon tea with apple cream corn

We made a connection

She and I seemed to connect, having much in common: a love of cookery, making things, creativity and ‘flavour’! I was bowled over by her determination and passion and asked her how she had arrived at this point in her life – on the cusp of a new business. It seems that she has taken a long and winding route to where she is now.

Buckwheat pastry with cheese, onion, tomatoes and homemade mango chutney — Buckwheat pastry patties with cheese, onion, tomatoes and homemade mango chutney

Back to school

Rachael has worked with various companies in administration and also at one point as a carer. But she had always harboured the desire to learn to cook, although she could already cook she wanted to learn to do it professionally. She was encouraged to follow her dream by her husband so gave up her job and started a vocational college course https://www.don.ac.uk/.

If you don’t ask you don’t get

With a need to keep some money coming in and also to get a foot into the catering industry, she took a job as a chamber maid at a local hotel with a fine dining restaurant attached http://www.mountpleasant.co.uk/ . One thing led to another and she dared to ask the Head Chef if he would give her a job. To her surprise he said ‘yes’! and he continued to be her mentor and oversee her progress… and her rise to pastry chef.

Satay skewers and rainbow salad — Satay skewers with rainbow salad

Home is where the heart is

Something that has always been on her mind is, like me, she loves to be at home. All those endless days spent staring out of someone else’s window with a longing just to be at home. Also like me, she enjoys her own company. All this points to where she is, developing her own business from where she loves more than anywhere else to be… her own kitchen.

Business is booming

Market research was to supply her husband’s colleagues with her first bakes, actively encouraging their feedback – and ultimately their orders, which began to gather momentum. She now finds herself very busy. Because she is flexible and open to suggestions she is constantly adding new lines and experimenting with flavours. She will even prepare a week’s worth of readymade vegan meals to people who don’t have the time to shop and cook. It’s a service that is clearly much appreciated.

Get in touch with Rachael at the Cottage Vegan

Have a look at The Cottage Vegan’s Facebook page and if there’s anything thing there that tempts you (believe me there will be whether you are vegan or not!) send her a message. https://m.facebook.com/thecottagevegan/

Variety is the spice of life

So, it’s not just cakes… it’s Jamaican patties, vegan lasagne, bean and vegetable casseroles, flatbreads, vegan burgers, the most amazing gâteux, muffins and cakes – and probably anything else you might ask of her. All her bakes and makes are made to order with top-quality, local produce… and lots of love.

19 March 2019

Coffee and Cake with Tracey Whitefoot, Photographer

A lavender field in France, row upon row of lavender plants in flower. The composition is symmetrical, with a lone tree on the mid-point of the horizon of the field. Taken by Tracey Whitefoot.

A stunning image

On my morning scroll-through Linkedin, a contact of mine, Susan Hallam of Hallam Internet, https://www.hallaminternet.com/ had posted an image that stopped me in my tracks. It was a simple image taken in my home town, Nottingham. It was predominantly the ‘Council House’, only slightly obscured by some Fothergill Watson architecture, which I visualised to be at the bottom of King Street.

This is the image that stopped me in my tracks. My home city as I have never seen it before. Nottingham in all its glory, taken by Tracey Whitefoot. — This is the image that stopped me in my tracks, beautiful Nottingham, taken by Tracey Whitefoot

My home town

I could almost be on a vantage point looking down into the city-centre, perhaps on the roof of the Royal Concert Hall? At least that’s how it made me feel. This image could have been taken anywhere in the world: Istanbul, Prague, Bruges but no, it was Nottingham. And how stunningly beautiful it looked too.

A popular post

I don’t usually share images, or any old article about marketing that I come across but this was different; this shouted ‘share me!’ It wasn’t long before my screen lit up with notifications. Almost 40 likes and over 1000 views in a very short space of time.

I commented on the post and within minutes the photographer, Tracey Whitefoot, had responded to thank me. I also noticed that she had replied to every single comment both previously and since.

This is Tracey Whitefoot. she is wearing a pink coat and is holding her camera. It is taken at the Victoria Embankment, Nottingham by Joseph Raynor. — Tracey Whitefoot, photographer.
Taken by Joseph Raynor.

I went to Tracey’s website http://tracey-whitefoot.squarespace.com and was blown away with her architecture and landscape images. I wondered if she would agree to a chat over coffee and cake, which I could feature on my blog. She didn’t hesitate, need any persuasion or even baulk at the 60 mile round trip either. Coffee and cake then at the Barrister’s Book Chamber https://barristersbookchamber.com/ in Retford, north Nottinghamshire.

Two hours just flew by

I had no idea what to expect – neither of us knew the other! I need not have worried. Tracey was easy to talk to and to listen to… she was relaxed and generously shared her story and her time with me. She has achieved so much – and she is on the cusp of more adventures and even greater things. It was clear that this was going to be no ordinary chat but a fascinating, rollercoaster ride!

This is an image of Newstead Abbey, bathed in early, frosty, morning light. Evocative and moody taken by Tracey Whitefoot. — Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire, the ancestral home of Lord Byron, taken by Tracey Whitefoot.

It started as just a hobby

Tracey is a Nottingham lass, born and brought up in Chilwell and currently living and working out of Carlton. Most of her work – the bread and butter – is marketing and PR photography, quite a bit of it for both the city and county councils and community-based stuff with colleges, theatres and the local press. It had always been Tracey’s hobby and she had already made the decision to take up photography professionally but an opportunity came through a colleague . She was pushed to get out and take some pictures for someone that her friend thought would be a good contact. It worked and she began to get paid photography work.

Anything that came in after that, if she didn’t have the skill level required, she would do lots of prep and dummy runs the day before!

An image of white tulips taken from an unusual angle. Looking into the sky from the base of the flowers. The light plays an import part in this picture taken by Tracey Whitefoot. — Tulips and light by Tracey Whitefoot’s

Around the world

Tracey went to Australia for the first time in 1998 and worked as a ‘Jillaroo’ on a cattle station. After which, much of her early career was spent in sales and then after selling the house she returned to Australia in 2004/2005. She has been all over the world with her camera. She has no formal training although she did think about it briefly but she was doing quite well enough without it.

I had questions prepared that I thought I should ask but they somehow seemed to be irrelevant. Like, ‘which photographers does she admire?’ She says that she has great respect for her peers and other female photographers making a living as a professional – like Birmingham-based Verity Milligan and Lincolnshire-born, wildlife photographer Chris Weston, who was a great help when Tracey started out, his books helped her with a lot of the technical aspects of photography.

The million dollar question

And then, ‘what makes a good picture?’ Her answer, I now see, is staggeringly obvious; ‘the light’ was her response. This is what makes her get up so early in the morning, this is what motivates her. It is clear in all her compositions and landscapes that this is the most important thing to her – the light! Sunrises, shadows, sunsets and shafts of light. She will go to any lengths for the right light to get the shot that she wants… and it shows. Visit her website and see for yourself! ‘The light’ is her motivation. It doesn’t really matter where, as long as the light is right.

Prolific and vibrant images

If today is stressful then treat yourself to a few moments of calm… look at Tracey’s images on http://Www.alamy.com search for lavender and you will be immediately transported to the lavender fields in France. You can almost smell the perfume!

A lavender field in France, row upon row of lavender plants in flower. The image is symmetrical, with a lone tree on the mid-point of the horizon of the field and of course, the light. Taken by Tracey Whitefoot. — French lavender and of course, the light, taken by Tracey Whitefoot.

Tracey’s enthusiasm and love of light and life are contagious, she has a real energy. She says she’s ‘bonkers’, I say she’s a genius!

The next big thing

Her next adventure in search of light will take her to Everest basecamp in 2020. I for one, can’t wait to see the what she captures there. But then I hope she soon returns to Nottinghamshire’s best kept secret that is Pilgrim Country, perhaps she will find light here too.

If it’s enthusiasm, energy… and light you want, talk to Tracey.

You can buy Tracey’s work to hang on your wall too, it will inspire you. Please visit her website, you will not be disappointed http://tracey-whitefoot.squarespace.com

10 October 2018

Still on the run!

Still on the run…

I actually made it. I did run the whole programme of Couch to 5K https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/get-inspired/43501261. Graduated and everything. Running was going to be my new thing to stop me from becoming a blob. But then a holiday got in the way. Yes, that meant not even one run for over two weeks. There was a lot of walking and healthy eating too but no runs. So I should have been right back into it but I hadn’t reckoned on the battering that jet-lag would give me. Many times I was wide awake at 3am and then solid-gone at 8am, couldn’t seem to get back into the circadian rhythm.

Up and running

The jet-lag faded eventually and I made it, up and out at 8am but it was so hard! My legs felt heavy, it was like running through treacle. I managed two runs before I was knocked back again. This time it was the ‘mother and father’ of all head-colds. It robbed me of a week of my life – and running!

Take a step back

Back with the programme again. The run this morning provided me with a moment of clarity. It came to me in a flash. Just start again. Well, not quite at the beginning but right back to week 5 of ‘Couch to 5K’. A major step backwards but it makes perfect sense! Take the pressure off, build it back up again.

Draw up a plan

However, it’s important that I stay focused as it is the local ‘Pilgrim Fun Run’ in six weeks. I rashly suggested to my daughter and daughter-in-law that we all do it together, we might even enlist the grandchildren. There are approximately 50 days to the ‘run’ – it is possible that there could be at least 20 training runs between now and then. This is a positive event to work towards. Although I do have more holidays that ‘might’ get in the way. I must try to incorporate some training into those periods too.

Trainers on — Memories of the first run – three months ago

The Pilgrim Fun Run

The Pilgrim Fun Run takes place in Retford, North Notts https://www.innorthnotts.co.uk/events-this-week/icalrepeat.detail/2018/11/25/79061/-/the-pilgrim-fun-run-2018-in-retford

The Pilgrim Fathers originated from this area and left for America almost 400 years ago. There will be an almighty celebration of that event around these parts in 2020 https://pilgrimroots.org/

1 September 2018

A visit to the Houses of Parliament

A surprise invitation

I was intrigued when I received a letter bearing the portcullis logo. I have no real political affiliation, I just know that I must vote whenever there is an election. So, it was a surprise to discover that I had been invited by John Mann MP http://www.mann4bassetlaw.com/ to visit the Houses of Parliament.

An opportunity not to be missed

It was an exciting prospect, especially as I would be in London the day before. (We had tickets for the Paul Simon and James Taylor concert in Hyde Park. But that’s a story for another day.) Of course I wanted to go, this was an opportunity too good to pass up.

Bassetlaw Women

I arrived at the appointed place with enough to time to clear security which, as you can guess, is rigorous. A group of women from Bassetlaw in North Nottinghamshire began to gather in Westminster Hall. The vast, cathedral-style space dated back to the very beginning of our demoncracy.

Votes for Women

Within the Great Hall was an area set aside for a special exhibition https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/vote-100/. The story of the suffragists and the first women in Parliament was completely absorbing. I could have spent a lot more time here but we were on a tight schedule.

Whistlestop Tour

We divided into groups and a tour guide took us, at speed, first to the House of Lords. Our guide was a bit of a character with a lilting Scottish dialect who explained that when seen on TV, the lords were not really asleep but in fact, ‘listening very intently’. From there we moved swiftly to the House of Commons. It was quite busy by now and I saw a few familiar faces in the crowds: Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, Iain Duncan Smith, Dennis Skinner and Diane Abbott.

Full Circle

Before very long we were back in the Great Hall and were taken to the Speaker’s House. This is a great privilege – not afforded to many. Canapés were served and the fizz flowed freely.

The Speaker’s Bedroom

It was a delight to see John Bercow enter the room. He addressed the group and amongst several anecdotes, he invited us to visit the Speaker’s Bedroom which although unused, housed a huge four-poster bed.

Eminent Women

Rose Josephine Hudson-Wilkin, (Chaplain to the Queen) Laura Keunssberg,(Political Editor of the BBC) Yvette Cooper (Labour MP), and Rev Kate Bottley from Bassetlaw, all addressed the group with some inspirational words on the role of women in today’s world.

And finally…

With just enough time to spare, John Mann gave me his last ‘entry to the House’ form. I was in awe. As I sat in the public gallery I saw the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, stand in for the Prime Minister. It was our democracy in action and an absolute privilege to be there, I enjoyed every second… and it all went by too quickly. To cap it all I was caught on camera which was shown in BBC Look North that evening.

It was fantastic!