StairSteady

2012-01-31T13:14:00.000Z

At this time of year money can often be a little tight for us all. The StairSteady team have come up with a few hints and tips on how you can save some money:

* Make a Menu for the Week – make a shopping list with the ingredients you will need for your menu. This will reduce waste and stop you buying items that will go off before you will eat them.

* Buy Own Brand – Supermarkets own brand goods are much cheaper than more well known brands. Buy it for two weeks and if you don’t notice the difference then keep it!

* Try a Local Market – If you buy in season vegetables and fruit from a market they are usually much better priced than the big stores that bring their produce many miles.

* Reduce Energy Costs – Shop around for energy providers, the internet or an independent magazine such as Which? (http://www.which.co.uk/) Will help you decide who will best meet your needs.

* Save Energy at Home – Don’t leave appliances on standby they can use up to 80% of the electricity as being on. Try to switch them off at the plug when not in use. Use energy saving light bulbs they use a fraction of the power. When replacing white goods go for the best energy rated one you can afford, it will save you money on your bills.

* Sell Unwanted Items - Everyone has items they no longer want, instead of throwing them away or letting them gather dust, sell or swap them! Local Car Boot sales or online auction sites are popular ways. There are also local newspaper sales sections and places such as gum tree http://www.gumtree.com/sheffield and free cycle http://uk.freecycle.org/ that sell or swap locally for free.

* Try Charity Shops – Charity shops have a wide range of things including clothes, household items, toys and games and books. There is often a bargain to be had!

* Use Vouchers – Many places have discount vouchers or reward schemes. Make sure you shop around for the one that fits in with your usual shopping habits. Check online for cheap day out vouchers or group buying sites. Look in papers for discount vouchers too.

* Use a Library - If you only ever read a book once then check them out at your local library rather than buying them, it saves on clutter too!

* Grow Your Own – It is possible to grow fruit and vegetables in very limited spaces. If you can turn over a section of your garden then you may well be able to grow enough for your families summer needs. Things can also be easily grown in tubs, hanging baskets and window boxes. They are fresh, chemical free and very cheap to do.

* Cook Your Own Meals and Cakes – Supermarket ready meals are often expensive and not very nutritionally balanced. If you cook your own meals from scratch but in bulk you can then freeze individual portions to use as your own ‘ready meal’. Cakes and biscuits are easy to make and cost a fraction of bought ones; children and grandchildren love to help too!

Home Safety Tips

2012-01-24T13:06:00.006Z

The StairSteady team has done some research and come up with a long list of hints and tips to keep you and your property safe:

* Don’t walk around in socks or stockings on non carpeted floors. Try to wear rubber soled, low-heeled shoes when ever possible

* Get rid of small rugs as they are easy to trip up over.

* Make sure all of your carpets are properly fitted and all the edges are properly secured.

* Keep you home well lit using long life energy saving bulbs. Pay particular attention to stairs and walkways.

* Talk to your council, Social Services or local Independent Living Centre about having grab rails installed by steps, stairs, toilets and baths and showers.

* Get an anti slip mat for the bath and shower and replace it when it starts to loose its adherance.

* Avoid having any trailing wires. Try to group appliances next to power sockets if possible or consider having more sockets installed.

* Consider using a cordless phone or mobile to avoid having long telephone wires.

* Be tidy! Pick up anything that falls as soon as possible and think about putting small objects such as magazine racks and bins out of the way or beside large pieces of furniture.

* Wipe up any spills as soon as possible

* Never store heavy items or things you use often in high or hard to reach cupboards.

* Never keep anything on the stairs, keep stairs and walkways clear at all times.

* Take your time when getting up to answer the phone or door. Once you stand up take a second to make sure you don’t feel dizzy.

* Consider using nightlights for your bedroom and route to the bathroom or make sure you always switch the lights on before you walk across a room.

* If you need spectacles make sure you wear them at all times and get your eyes checked regularly.

* If you need a walking aid use it at all times and make sure you have one upstairs and downstairs so you don’t have to carry one on the stairs.

* Write out a plan if you fall so you know what to do as it is often difficult to think after the shock of a fall. You could also consider having a personal alarm system so you can get help if you need it.

* Install smoke detectors/fire alarms in your home. Some fire and rescue services in England offer free home fire risk checks. This involves firefighters visiting your home and offering fire safety advice for you and your household. They may be able to install your smoke alarm for free.

* Ensure your doors have adequate locks. Fit deadlocks to all outside doors and fit a security chain to the front door.

* Close and lock your doors and windows – even if you are only going out for a short time.

* Don’t leave valuables (handbags, keys, mobile phones, etc) in sight thought windows where burglars can see them.

* Remove keys from their locks and ensure they are put away, even if you are at home.

* Ensure that all ground and basement windows are fitted with locks.

* Never leave door keys under a doormat or plant pot outside.

* Use a security marker pen to mark your postcode on your property – this will enable the police to return any stolen property to you. Make an inventory and keep the list in a safe place.

* Light up inside your home – ensure that you have appropriate lighting and set some internal lights on timer switches, it gives the impression that a home is occupied.

* Secure important documents and valuable items in a safe place within your home or deposit them in a bank.

* Check all callers I.D. cards – all official callers from gas, electric, council, repair men etc all have I.D. cards with photographs and with a telephone number on and they should be happy for you to verify their identity.

Stay safe!

Beat the January Blues

2012-01-17T13:38:00.005Z

Christmas and all the excitement of December has gone any many people start to suffer from the January blues. I have been doing some research on how to beat these blues naturally and have come up with my top 7 tips.. Each of them alone can help you to feel better so why not try giving one or all of them a go and start 2012 off feeling good about yourself?

Tip 1 Eat Happy Foods!

Some foods can leave us feeling sluggish and down these tend to be fatty, sugary or processed foods so try avoiding these for a while and stocking up instead on some of these which actively promote feeling good and protecting the body:

Flax seeds or other foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids – These have been shown to reduce symptoms of low mood and aid sleep. Good sources of these include oily fish and nuts. Some products are now fortified with omega 3 too.
Bananas – Bananas contain tryptophan which the body uses to produce serotonin. They are also packed with potassium and vitamin B6. They also can help regulate blood sugars.
Complex Carbs – Complex carbs are found in things such as brown rice, oats and pulses. They give a sustained energy release and can help promote a feeling of wellbeing as they help produce tryptophan and serotonin.
Vitamin B, B6 and B5 – These are essential for the body’s conversion of food into energy and they aid mood elevation. They help support the adrenal glands which help support the body’s response to stress. B6 is essential for serotonin synthesis.
Immune strengthening foods – garlic, onions, beetroot, peppers, chillies, sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, nuts, seeds, honey and blueberries. There are many more and they tend to generally be the raw and colourful ingredients in our diets.

Tip 2 Find out what’s making you feel down.

Ask yourself what is making you feel down in the dumps and rather than trying to push these feeling aside allow yourself to acknowledge them and then resolve them. To help to do this you can use the wheel of life, a tool used by many life coaches. The wheel of life is a circle divided by 8 spokes. Each of these spokes represents an area of your life:

1 – Health 2 – Money 3 – Social life 4 – Partner/relationship 5 – Work/career

6 – Friends and family 7 – Physical environment and home 8 – Personal growth/spirituality

For each of the spokes give yourself a score out of 10. Where you score less than 5 this is an area that you need to focus on and write out any problems that you feel are in this area and then try to find solutions for. Set yourself goals for these areas and problems. Try to double at least one of your spoke scores within a set amount of time e.g. I will spend more time with my family by the end of the month etc.

Tip 3 Set short and long term goals

This helps you have a purpose in life and helps you to keep focused on this purpose rather than concentrating on the negative aspects of your life. The sense of achievement that reaching your goals gives you helps to raise your confidence and self esteem. Make sure that your goals are all SMART (see the New Year’s Resolution blog for more information on this).

Tip 4 Socialise and build or maintain relationships and friendships

When you feel depressed or down you can start to isolate yourself, this increases the feelings of depression. Mixing with people does help to left the spirits!
Close relationships affect how we feel, so nurture them and if there is problems try to resolve them. If you need some help try organisations such as RELATE http://www.relate.org.uk/home/index.html
Friendships also affect how we feel, just having a friend to listen and talk to can make a huge difference. Make sure you devote some time to maintaining or making new ones. Remember it is quality of friendship that matters not quantity!
If you are having trouble making new friendships why not try: Joining a health club or gym, Joining a class at a local centre, Joining a team or a club, Joining a book club, Volunteering at a local centre or charity, Learning a craft, Joining a local Women’s or Men’s group, Joining a local drama club, Attending reunions or Joining a church. These are just a few suggestions!

Tip 5 Exercise

The effects on mood of exercise can be instant. Whether it is a workout at the gym, a simple walk in the sun or as a member of a team, exercise can be uplifting. This effect is partly due to the body releasing its mood boosting and pain killing endorphins. These are a drug free way to feel better. Exercise also has many other benefits including a healthier body and increased self esteem from looking and feeling better. There is lots of research that shows exercise is depression beating.

Tip 6 Sleep

Sleeping well can have a big affect on how we feel, look and perform on a daily basis. Sleep directly impacts upon our overall quality of life. Good quality sleep leaves our mind and body ready for a new day by enabling muscle repair, memory consolidation and the release of hormones regulating growth and appetite. It helps concentration and allows us to better make decisions and participate fully in activities. To help you to get better sleep make sure that you give yourself a regular bedtime routine that includes a wind down period with no food, caffeine or alcohol. Having a hot bath or shower and a milky drink can help relax the muscles and allow you to drift off to sleep naturally.

Tip 7 Ask for help.

If you still are feeling down and can’t seem to shake the negative thoughts and feelings then ask for help. There is no shame in admitting that you need some help and turning to others to get it. Try your doctor or organisations such as MIND http://www.mind.org.uk/

I hope that this January and the rest of 2012 is a happy and healthy one for you.

2012-01-09T13:30:00.005Z

New Year’s Resolutions

Every year many people set themselves New Year’s resolutions that begin on the first of January and if they are lucky carry on till mid March! I am just as guilty as most, so how can you make sure that the resolutions you set are ones that can be kept for the whole year?

The top ten resolutions set each year are:

Spend more time with family and friends
Increase fitness,
Lose weight,
Quit smoking,
Enjoy life more/reduce stress,
Quit drinking,
Get out of debt,
Learn something new,
Help others
Get more organised.

The reason so many of these resolutions fail seems to be that there are life changing and it is incredibly difficult to go either cold turkey or break long ingrained habits. So how could they be changes to make them achievable?

By breaking each resolution down into manageable and observable goals rather than rigid resolutions they become far easier to tackle. Goals can begin by being small steps that build into increasingly difficult ones as you become accustomed to the change. By breaking the resolution down you get the feeling of achievement and accomplishment as each small step is met. Rather than seeing any setbacks as huge failures new strategies can be found to meet that small part of the goal.

If you take one of your resolutions and then break it down into a series of goals that are to be met in a specific amount of time such as: a daily to do list, this week I will.. by the end of the month I will.. in 3 months I will.. in 6 months I will... By the end of the Year I will.. This allows you to regularly see if you are still on track to meet your final goal and re adjust your plans if not.

Goals should be SMART, that is:

S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Attainable
R – Relevant/Rewarding/Realistic
T – Time bound

Specific is the What, Why and How of the goal. Ensure the goals you set are very specific, clear and easy. Instead of setting a goal to lose weight or be healthier, set a specific goal to lose X cm off your waistline or to drop a dress size or to run X miles in X amount of time. Then review the goals and make sure they are still manageable steps towards your main resolution.

Measureable - Choose a goal with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur. How will you see when you reach your goal? Be specific: “I want to lose 1kg before the end of the month, 5kg in 6 months and 7kg in a year” shows the specific target to be measured. “I want to lose weight” is not as measurable. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that motivates you to continue the effort required to reach your goals.

Attainable – Goals you set which are too far out of your reach, you probably won’t commit to doing. A goal needs to stretch you slightly so you feel you can do it and it will need a real commitment from you. For instance, if you aim to lose 5kg in one week, we all know that isn’t achievable. But setting a goal to lose 1kg and when you’ve achieved that, aiming to lose a further 1kg, will keep it achievable for you. The feeling of success which this brings helps you to remain motivated. Be sure to set goals that you can attain with some effort! Too difficult and you set the stage for failure, but too low sends the message that you aren’t very capable. Set the bar high enough for a satisfying achievement!

Rewarding – When your goals are rewarding for you, it is much more likely that you will stay focused and motivated. By making the goals and resolutions personal to you rather than what other people ask of you it is far more likely that you will stay on track. When you achieve each goal towards the main resolution take the time to enjoy the satisfaction of having done so. Take time to see how the goal has taken you closer to meeting the resolution and look at the progress you have made. Reward yourself appropriately for having met your goal and it will help build your confidence and motivation towards meeting the next goal in your plan.

Time bound - Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, in three months, by the end of the year etc. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards. If you don’t set a time, the commitment is too vague. It tends not to happen because you feel you can start at any time. Without a time limit, there’s no urgency to start taking action now. Time must be measurable, attainable and realistic.

Some other Hints and Tips for meeting your resolutions and goals are:

State each goal as a positive statement rather than as a negative eg I will, can, regularly, rather than I won’t, can’t or never

Set priorities – if you have more than one resolution then decide which one is most important to you and work on that one first it is easier too easy to feel overwhelmed by having too many goals to reach at once.

Write goals down – if you have no record of your goals it is much easier to give up on them.

Make sure your goals are small and achievable if things seem too large and difficult it is far harder to stay motivated.

Set goals over which you have as much control as possible. If you set goals based on personal performance rather than outcome you can keep control over your achievements rather than being dispirited by external reasons beyond your control.

Keep re assessing your goals to make sure you are still working towards your over all resolution and if not alter your goals to make sure you can still achieve what you set out to do!

Good luck!

Quote of the Week

2012-01-02T10:43:00.000Z

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quote of the Week

2011-12-26T10:43:00.000Z

The best way out is always through. – Robert Frost

Quote of the Week

2011-12-19T10:42:00.000Z

Men’s best successes come after their disappointments. – Henry Ward Beecher

Quote of the Week

2011-12-12T10:41:00.000Z

Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. - Johann Gottfried Von Herder

Household Hint

2011-12-08T10:50:00.000Z

To open tight jar lids wrap an elastic band several times around the edge of the lid and it will be much easier to grip and open.

Christmas Opening Times 2011

2011-12-07T15:35:00.003Z

Happy Christmas!
StairSteady Christmas office opening times:
21st December-open as normal (9am-5pm)
22nd December-Closed

23rd December-closed
24th December-closed
25th December-closed
26th December-closed
27th December-closed
28th December-emergencies only (answer machine)
29th December-emergencies only (answer machine)
30th December-emergencies only (answer machine)
31st December-closed

1st January-closed
2nd January-closed
3rd January-open as normal (9am-5pm)

We are not open much over Christmas as our manufacturers and fitters have a well deserved break, however we will have the phone on and answer machine (which we will be checking from the 28th-31st). we will also be checking our emails so you can email on either info@stairsteady.net

We hope you have a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

From Ruth and the StairSteady Team

2011-12-05T13:30:00.003Z

Reducing Stress at Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be a happy time but with so much pressure to have a ‘perfect family’ or a ‘perfect day’ it can be a stressful time for many people. BA AM has a website with some really good tips on how to reduce your stress this Christmas. http://www.beatinganger.com/12-tips-for-a-stress-and-anger-free-christmas
Here are some ideas on how to reduce your stress levels.

Manage expectations - The build up to Christmas is exciting, especially for young children. However, this is also a time when financial stress can build and if the items on Father Christmas’ list aren’t feasible, it’s important that the surprise isn’t saved until Christmas morning. Be open with your children about the cost of presents and give them an idea of what is affordable. Also manage your own expectations. If you make a list of three things that are really important for you to happen on Christmas day eg. Nice food, family, games etc then make sure you include those in the day and let some of the other aspects slide.

Queue jump - Avoid the last minute chaos of the high street and shopping by thinking ahead. Make a list of the items you need to get and delegate if necessary! Make use of home delivery and internet shopping. Stock up on the basics and only shop in person for the important ‘extras’.

Cutback commitments - If the thought of a drinks party with the neighbours or mince pie with old friends adds to the festive headache, politely decline. Be sensible about the amount of time you can commit to entertaining and being entertained! If the Christmas break provides a welcome opportunity to relax then take it. Be aware of these additional costs to your budget too as hidden extras can cause stress later on.

Share - If the Christmas build up leaves you feeling overwhelmed, share your concerns with someone close. Confiding in someone else will help you to rationalise your worries. Plan to also share the responsibility for the day itself, so that its success does not rest on your shoulders and in your mind. People will be happy to contribute.

Healthy mind - Exercise will help clear the mind and often, remove you from the immediate and often chaotic environment of home. Children often welcome the chance to run around and release all the pent up excitement too.

Be better, not bitter - It’s inevitable at some point over Christmas – we’ll be stuck in a corner with or sat next to the person we spend the rest of the year trying to avoid. Resorting to rudeness will only add to the build up of stress and anger. Avoid lowering your tone to their level and instead, diffuse the situation with polite, respectable behaviour. Try to remember it is only for a short amount of time. If it is too much then offer to help with something in a different room or go get some air etc. removing yourself from the situation can help.

Keep perspective - Remember who and what is important at times of intense stress. The moment will pass and you’ll find comfort in letting it do so without the build up of emotion. Taking some deep breaths and imagining a calm place can help too. Saying something positive to yourself either silently or out loud may help too.

Avoid excess - Alcohol is responsible for many an argument as drinking lowers your defences and can change your mood. It can be more difficult to keep a perspective while under its influence. Consuming too much food, particularly of the rich and sugary nature can also lead to mood swings and dips in general wellbeing. Watching what the children eat is also important, eating a whole selection box isn’t going to lead to a quiet and well behaved afternoon!!

Think ahead - What normally sets you off at Christmas? Are there recurring conversations or arguments that you could avoid or change in the way you handle them. Identifying the sources of our anger and what triggers it is key to responding to a situation. Can you change the situation to something that would be easier to handle? Small changes may make a big difference to your stress levels.

Find some calm - If you find yourself getting angry, remove yourself from the situation. Walk away and find a quiet place if you can – this will give you important time to calm your mood and think about the bigger picture. If you need an excuse, tell others you are getting some fresh air or going for a walk as you’ve eaten too much.

Learn to listen - Listening is a skill, but one that is easy to master and useful for avoiding arguments. Listen carefully to the other person is saying and show you understand their point of view – even if you don’t agree with it. Choose your words carefully to avoid the build up of emotion e.g. avoid “you always…” and instead use “you sometimes…”. Speak at a normal volume, don’t shout; don’t argue, instead discuss.

Relax - Don’t give yourself a hard time about making Christmas perfect. The responsibility doesn’t rest with one person and it’s worth always remembering that for most, it’s just one day of the year. Try some of the relaxation tips from the BBC on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/mental_health/coping_relaxation.shtml

We hope that these hints and tips help you to have a happy and stress free Christmas!

Quote of the Week

2011-12-05T10:40:00.000Z

Storms make Oaks take roots – Proverbs

2011-12-02T16:22:00.006Z

Christmas Traditions.

Christmas traditions vary greatly from country to country even within Europe. Even the way we say Merry Christmas is widely different. Here are a few examples:
Dutch: Zalig Kerstfeast, English: Merry Christmas, French: Joyeux Noel, German: Fröhliche Weihnachten Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie, Polish: Boze Narodzenie and Spanish: Feliz Navidad.

Denmark
An old Danish tradition is the Christmas plate. This was a tradition in the early days where rich Danes gave plates biscuits and fruit as presents to their servants. These plates were the nicest and best kind and were not used for everyday use, this is the reason why they became so collectable.
These days the Danish take great pride making their own decorations with bright paper, bits of wood and straw. The parents secretly decorate the tree, and children are not permitted to see the tree until dinner on Christmas Eve. The tree is then lit up and families gather around to sing carols and hymns.
In Denmark Christmas Eve is called Juleaften and is the biggest occasion of the year. Parties go on all night, with traditional prune-stuffed roast goose, red cabbage, fried pastries, and cinnamon-laced rice pudding called Grod.
The Christmas elves called Julenisse are appeased with rice pudding, and dishes of seeds are placed outdoors for wild birds.

France
Christmas in France again has many different traditions. On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree. In cathedral squares, the story of Christ's birth is re-enacted by both players and puppets.
Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or crèche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The crèche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or "little saints."
Food is served in great abundance at the grand feast of the season, which is called le reveillon. Le reveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition, but can include goose, turkey with chestnuts, oysters, pat de foie gras, poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit and wine.
In France it is a time for the whole family to come together at Christmas time to holiday and worship. On the eve of Christmas beautifully lit churches and cathedrals, ring out Christmas carols with the church bells. Once dinner is over and the family has retired to bed, they leave a fire burning and food and drink on the table in case the Virgin Mary calls in. Children leave their shoes or wooden clogs called sabots in the hearth for the Christ Child or Pere Noel to fill.

Germany
In Germany the Christmas preparations often begin on the eve of December 6th. People often set aside special evenings for baking spiced cakes and cookies, and making gifts and decorations. Little dolls of fruit are traditional Christmas toys. Germans also make beautiful gingerbread houses and cookies. The German Christmas tree pastry, Christbaumgeback, is a white dough that can be molded into shapes and baked for tree decorations.
In parts of Germany, people believe that the Christ Child sends a messenger in Christmas Eve. He appears as an angel in a white robe and crown, bearing gifts. The angel is called Christkind. There is also a Christmas Eve figure called Weihnachtsmann or Christmas Man, he looks like Santa Claus and also brings gifts.
Some homes in Germany have several Christmas trees, and in all towns across Germany, they can be seen glittering and glowing. T hey may also have advent wreaths of Holly with four red candles in the center. They light one candle each Sunday and last on Christmas Eve.

Italy
The Christmas season in Italy goes for three weeks, starting 8 days before Christmas known as the Novena. During this period, children go from house to house reciting Christmas poems and singing. They are given money to buy presents.
Children wait until Epiphany, January 6, for their presents. According to tradition, the presents are delivered by a kind ugly witch called Befana on a broomstick. It was said that she was told by the three kings that the baby Jesus was born, she was busy and delayed visiting the baby. She missed the Star lost her way and has been flying around ever since, leaving presents at every house with children in case he is there. She slides down chimneys, and fills stockings and shoes with good things for good children and it is said leaves coal for children who are not so good

Poland
Traditionally, Advent is an important season in the Polish year, with special church services, known as Roraty, being held every morning at 6am. The four Sundays of Advent are said to represent the 4,000 years of waiting for Christ.
Special tasks carried out during Advent are the baking of the Christmas piernik or honey cake, and the making of Christmas decorations. Pierniki are made in a great variety of shapes, including hearts, animals and St Nicholas figures. Traditional decorations include the pajaki, which are handmade mobiles, stars and decorated egg shells. Pajaki are traditional decorations, colorful paper chains and lots of electric lights.
Beautifully lit Christmas trees are placed in all public arenas, outside churches and in homes. Traditionally the trees are decorated with shiny apples, gift walnuts, beautifully wrapped chocolate shapes and many homemade decorations and candles. On the top of the tree is a star or a glittering top piece. In many homes, sparklers are hung on the branches of the trees giving it a magical air.
Christmas Eve, Wigilia, is an important part of the Polish Christmas. Oplatek is served on this day it is a piece of bread pressed with a holy picture on the surface. Oplatek is more symbolic than real food. People once carried these oplatek from house to house and wish their neighbors a Merry Christmas. Nowadays, the bread is mostly shared with members of the family and immediate neighbors. As each person shares the bread, they would have to do two things: forgive any hurts that have occurred over the past year and to wish the person all the happiness in the coming year.
Christmas is celebrated with at least 12 different vegetarian dishes like: mushroom soup, carp, cabbage with pea, stuffed dumplings, and shells macaroni with poppy "makielki". In some homes some hay is put under the tablecloth to symbolise Christ's manger.

Spain
Christmas is a deeply religious holiday in Spain. In Spain it is a very festive time at Christmas. On Christmas Eve, as the stars come out, tiny oil lamps are lit in every house, and after Midnight Mass and Christmas Dinner, streets fill with dancers and onlookers. There is a special Christmas dance called the Jota and the words and music have been handed down for hundreds of years. They dance to the sound of guitars and castanets.Most homes have a manger; these are complete with carved figures. Children think of the Three Wise Man as the gift bearers. Tradition has it that they arrive on January 6th, the date the Wise Men gave gifts to Jesus. The Spanish especially honour the cow at Christmas because it is thought that when Mary gave birth to Jesus the cow in the stable breathed on the Baby Jesus to keep him warm.Christmas Eve is known as Nochebuena or "the Good Night." It is a time for family members to gather together to rejoice and feast around the Nativity scenes that are present in nearly every home. A traditional Christmas treat is turron, a kind of almond candy. Christmas Eve is the most important part of Christmas in Spain and dinner that day is the biggest meal of the year, people eat 'well' lobster is very common, and a roast of some sort is essential (usually lamb or suckling pig). In addition to all this, most families will also have soup (usually fish), and an abundance of other seafood, cheeses, hams and pates. Dinner starts late, at about 10pm and will go on for a couple of hours. Shoes are filled with straw or barley for the tired camels that must carry their riders through the busy night. By morning the camel food is gone and in place of the straw or barley are presents. Shoes also may be placed on balconies on the night of the 6th January in the hope that the Wise Men will fill them with gifts.

World AIDS Day 2011

2011-12-01T12:54:00.004Z

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
More than 90,000 people are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 33.3 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus.
This year’s theme is Act Aware. But before people can act aware they need to be aware of the facts. There are two really excellent websites that give you a lot of facts, information on how to stay safe and ways in which you can help raise awareness and funds. They are:

http://www.hivaware.org.uk/
http://www.worldaidsday.org/about-hiv.php

HIV Facts:
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body's immune system — the body's defence against diseases.
HIV can be passed on through infected bodily fluids, most commonly via sex without a condom or by sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment.
There are now more people than ever living with HIV in the UK — more than 90,000 — with around a quarter of those unaware they have the virus.
Here are a few more facts about HIV in the UK:
· Over 90% of people with HIV were infected through sexual contact
· You can now get tested for HIV using a saliva sample
· HIV is not passed on through spitting, biting or sharing utensils
· Only 1% of babies born to HIV positive mothers have HIV
· You can get the results of an HIV test in just 15-20 minutes
· There is no vaccine and no cure for HIV

There are many myths about HIV too just because people aren’t properly educated. HIV isn’t a disease that only gay men have, it is true that they are particularly affected by it BUT it is found in heterosexual men and women too. In 2010 the majority of new cases of HIV were acquired heterosexually. Once you find out the facts it will enable you to act aware.

So this year why not Act Aware? It is about taking action and making commitments to help improve understanding about HIV in the UK, prevent HIV transmission and stop prejudice. You can do this by:

·Find out the facts about HIV and bust the myths

Take the quiz on http://www.hivaware.org.uk/act-aware/how-act-aware.php
to find out if you've put yourself at risk of HIV and have an HIV test if recommended

·Talk to your partner, friends or children about HIV and point them in the direction of this website: http://www.hivaware.org.uk/act-aware/how-act-aware.php so they can learn the facts

Find out if your local school has a comprehensive sex and relationships education (SRE) programme, and teaches young people about HIV and explain why it’s important.

If you learn something new about HIV, share it with others who might be less informed

Check whether your employer has robust policies to ensure people living with HIV are treated fairly at work

Always use a condom when having sex with a new partner

Challenge people who hold misconceptions about HIV by telling them the facts and encouraging respect and understanding

Organise a fundraising event to raise awareness of HIV in the UK

By finding out the facts and acting aware we can reduce the number of new cases of HIV and improve the lives of people already living with it. There is a current campaign to ensure that future generations do not grow up ignorant of the facts of HIV and how to prevent its transmission. This is so important as New HIV diagnoses among young people are on the increase. Since 2000, they have risen by nearly 70% among the 15-24 year olds and among young gay men they have more than doubled. Reliable HIV information for young people has never been more important. Education in schools has a crucial role to play in this but the current standard of HIV education is simply not up to scratch. To support this campaign to get this issue brought into the classroom please go to: http://www.hivaware.org.uk/act-aware/support-campaign.php and follow their instructions!

This World AIDS Day do something that will make a difference!

Household Hints and Tips

2011-12-01T10:49:00.000Z

- To get burned on food off of baking dishes soak over night with warm water and a little fabric softner, rinse the following morning and it will just wash away.

- To improve the look of a scratch on wooden surfaces rub it with a brazil nut.

- To help keep drains flowing properly try 2 tbsp of Bicarbonate Soda and half a cup of vinegar it bubbles up but removes minor blockages, always make sure the pipes are toghtly screwed together first!

Public Speaking Workshop- 21st January

2011-11-28T13:57:00.005Z

Do you have to do presentations as part of your job? Do you want to be able to present with confidence? Want to communicate effectively and enhance your personal impact?
Understand what makes a good public speaker and learn to control nerves and deal with common fears. Develop confidence when speaking in front of an audience and learn how to develop ideas.
Learn how to plan and structure a presentation or speech and have actually enjoyed the experience!

-How to tell your story
-Basics of public speaking
-Tips to captivate your audience
-one to one help and advice

21st January 2012
10am-3pm
Ages 16+

Free lunch
Free parking
Held 5min from the M1

Christmas Offer ONLY £50.00 per person.

Lead by Ruth Amos, Ruth has been public speaking since the age of 16 and has spoken at events all across the country. Ruth speaks with room54ltd.

Held at Westthorpe Innovation Centre, Killamarsh, Sheffield S21 1TZ

to book tickets http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2569344980

or email info@stairsteady.net for more info

Quote of the Week

2011-11-28T10:39:00.000Z

Words do two major things: They provide food for the mind and create light for understanding and awareness

Household Hints and Tips

2011-11-24T10:47:00.000Z

- Don’t put Daffodils in with other cut flowers they release a toxin which kills them.

- Marks left inside cups and mugs from metal cutlery can be removed using either nappy powdered cleaner or toothpaste.

- To bring back the fluffyness in pillows put them in the tuble drier with a new tennis ball on cool for a few minutes.

Children in Need

2011-11-21T11:49:00.005Z

Children in Need has just been broadcast but did you know that it first began in 1927? It was first a broadcast appeal for children that constituted a five-minute radio broadcast on Christmas Day in 1927. The response was phenomenal and it raised £1,143 18s 3d which was split between 4 prominent children's charities. The first televised appeal was the 1955 'Children's Hour Christmas Appeal', presented by Sooty and Harry Corbett. The Christmas Day Appeals continued on TV and radio right up until 1979, raising a total of £625,836. In 1980 the appeal was broadcast on BBC One in a new telethon format, hosted by Terry with Sue Lawley and Esther Rantzen for the first time. It has continued up to this day and has so far raised in excess of £600 million.

Pudsey has been the mascot since 1985 but he first appeared as a cuddly brown bear, he took on his more familiar appearance in 1986 when he became yellow with a spotted bandage and he stayed like that until he was revamped again in 2007 this was to made him brighter and more appealing.

Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a childhood which is:

· Safe
· Happy and Secure
· Allows them the chance to reach their potential

They provide grants to projects in the UK which focus on children and young people who are disadvantaged. They operate all throughout the UK and give grants to both small and large organisations four times a year. They help such a wide range of children and on their website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/ there are so many wonderful and tear jerking stories of how people’s money has gone to help those really in need.

So this year try and spare what you can or get involved in any way you are able to raise money for this fantastic Charity that does so much to help those who otherwise would be living without the things most of us take for granted.

Portage Wins Charity Bands

2011-11-21T11:33:00.005Z

Portage is one of StairSteady’s favourite charities and we particularly support the locally based Rotherham service. Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families. The National Portage Association was established in 1983 to offer support and information to parents and professionals involved in Portage, and have been at the forefront of developments in support to very young children and their families since then. The Association became a charitable company in 2001.

Portage aims to:

work with families to help them develop a quality of life and experience for themselves and their young children in which they can learn together, play together, participate and be included in their community in their own right

play a part in minimising the disabling barriers that confront young children and their families receiving Portage services

support the national and local development of inclusive services for children

Through our involvement with this charity, StairSteady has become aware of the invaluable help and support that Portage provides to families within the community. Most services are reliant upon donations and funds raised through events and initiatives to maintain their work. Rotherham Portage Service recently entered a competition run by Steel City Marketing, who are based in Sheffield, and were the proud winners of 100 charity bands.

The charity bands are white with blue writing and have the words Rotherham Portage Service on them. Portage is offering a band for a minimum donation of £1 each to raise much needed funds for them to carry on their valuable work within the local community. StairSteady employees were amongst the first people to buy these unique bands! If you too would like to buy one of these bands or make a donation please contact Ruth on 0845 652 88 04. All donations will provide resources for the Rotherham Portage Service to help home visitors working with local families with children with additional needs. Please do what you can to keep this important service going.

Quote of the Week

2011-11-21T10:39:00.000Z

The reason why most people face the future with apprehension instead of anticipation is because they don't have it well designed.

Household Hints and Tips

2011-11-17T10:45:00.000Z

- To get rid of cooking smells from your hands rub your hands over a stainless steel spoon under warm running water.

- To get crayon off of walls either warm with a hairdrier and wipe with a damp cloth or spray with WD40 and then wipe over with a damp cloth.

- You can clean your kitchen surfaces with equal parts cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle, it works just as well as cleaners and has no chemicals in.

Quote of the Week

2011-11-14T10:38:00.000Z

Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing.

Household hints and tips

2011-11-10T10:36:00.000Z

- To clean a toilet pan put cheap cola in over night and then flush in the morning and it will have dissolved any residue.

- To clean your toilet use two denture cleaning tablets over night

- To get rid of cooking smells from your microwave but some lemon juice in a bowl of water and cook for 5 minutes, then wipe the surfaces over with a clean hot cloth.

Stress!

2011-11-07T12:07:00.003Z

Stress is something people seem to take for granted as just one of the daily facts of living we forget that it can have a real effect upon our lives. It isn’t something that can simply be shrugged off as one of those things it can cause some really damaging symptoms for our bodies and minds. It is however something that we can each do something about. There are many simple changes that can help reduce these harmful aspects of daily stressors.

The symptoms of stress can be divided into four separate areas: Body, Mind, Emotional and Behavioural. If we look at each of these areas in turn we can see that stress isn’t just a feeling it has tangible effects on our physical health, mental health and our ability to do tasks and interact with others.

Body: Headaches Taut Muscles Fatigue
Frequent infections Skin irritations Breathlessness
Increased blood pressure Slowed digestion Increase sweating
Higher heart rate

Mind: Worrying/anxiety Muddled thinking Nightmares
Impaired Judgement Indecisiveness Negativity

Emotional: Depression Loss of confidence Irritability
Apathy Apprehension

Behavioural: Insomnia Loss of appetite Accident Prone
Increased coping behaviours e.g. Smoking or drinking alcohol
Restlessness Loss of sex-drive

As you can see from the above lists there are many negative and harmful effects on our lives from Stress all of which can leave us feeling ill and unable to cope with our daily lives as well. The good news is we don’t have to suffer from these and we can take simple steps to reduce the way we react to the stressors in our lives.

Activities like taking regular outdoor exercise such as walking or running can help, especially if we can take the time while doing these to concentrate on our environment around us. Making a stress reducing relaxation routine part of your day or night can have really positive effects; it can include aspects such as deep breathing, aromatherapy, listening to soothing music or sounds, meditation, yoga or affirmations. Many people also find that massage can also act as a stress reliever. Self massage on hands, arms and face can be done anywhere and only takes a little practice and a few minutes.

Deep breathing is one of the simplest things you can do in times of stress. As seen earlier one of the effects of stress is breathlessness, this reduces the amount of oxygen being taken into the body and increases the feeling of being unwell. Once you start to feel this happening you can halt it by consciously slowing down your breathing and concentrating on each breath. If you try to breathe in for a count of 4, and then hold your breath for the count of 4, and then breathe out for a count of 4 and repeat the process you will start to feel calmer and more able to cope with the situation.

Many people find the natural stress relieving of yoga and meditation works for them. Spending just a few minutes each day focusing on calming the mind and energising your body can really help beat the effects of stress. Combining this with other natural remedies such as herbal treatments and aromatherapy often helps to soothe and reduce stress. There are many guides for yoga, meditation and natural approaches to stress relief on c.d., d.v.d. and book form out there that may help you to learn and then integrate these practices into your arsenal of defences against daily stressors.

Although stress is something that can’t ever be completely removed from our lives we can use the above techniques to help limit its effects on our bodies and minds and help us to lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.

Women's Institute

2011-11-07T11:58:00.004Z

As winter is approaching are you feeling down in the dumps, wondering what you can do with yourself as the nights become longer? Why not consider joining your local W.I.? They offer friendship, laughter, a chance to be creative if you wish and a great way to broaden your mind. Our local W.I. has had a series of very interesting speakers, a dancing demonstration which was great fun to join in, the opportunity to try curling (no ice required!), cycling, walking, food tasting competitions and much more. You can take part in as much or as little as you wish and mix with ladies of all ages. Trips to the theatre etc are a real bonus.
If all this sounds as if it might appeal to you why not find out more about your local groups, I’m sure there will be one to suit you.

http://www.thewi.org.uk/ General information on the W.I
http://www.thewi.org.uk/federations.aspx?id=83 Find your local W.I.
Or contact the W.I. at: NFWI 104 New Kings Road,
London
SW6 4LY T: 020 7371 9300

Quote of the Week

2011-11-07T10:31:00.000Z

One person caring about another represents life's greatest value

Household Hints and Tips

2011-11-03T10:33:00.000Z

- To sharpen a pair of scissors cut through a brillo pad and they should be much sharper after.

- To clean hard to reach areas around taps etc use an old toothbrush or an old electir toothbrush, they are slim enough to get around most areas.

- To clean chrome appliances rub with a very small amount of baby oil on a clean cloth or rub with a fabric softner sheet from the tumble drier.

Quote of the Week

2011-09-26T10:23:00.000+01:00

Happiness is the art of learning how to get joy from your substance.

Quote of the Week

2011-09-19T10:23:00.000+01:00

Happiness is not an accident. Nor is it something you wish for. Happiness is something you design.

Quote of the Week

2011-09-12T10:22:00.000+01:00

Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want.

Quote of the Week

2011-09-05T10:20:00.000+01:00

Average people look for ways of getting away with it; successful people look for ways of getting on with it.

Quote of the Week

2011-08-29T10:19:00.000+01:00

Success is 20% skills and 80% strategy. You might know how to read, but more importantly, what's your plan to read?

Quote of the Week

2011-08-22T10:18:00.000+01:00

Success is not so much what we have as it is what we are.

Simple Healthy Breakfast

2011-08-17T10:44:00.000+01:00

This is one of my favourite breakfasts to do and it’s really good for you.
I
ngredients
Frozen blueberries (found in the freezer section of the supermarket)
Half a mango
Kiwi
Low fat yogurt
Cinnamon (optional)

This can be done with other fruit and is really simple, cut up the mango and kiwis into small pieces and add to blueberries straight from the freezer into a container. Add 2 tablespoons of low fat yogurt and cinnamon to taste. Gently shake to mix and pour it all into a bowl. Yummy and healthy!

‘The StairSteady was once a tool for rebellion’

2011-08-15T16:54:00.001+01:00

Hello, this is Fionn C. Wills, I've been working for StairSteady as a temp for the past two weeks and I think I can shed some light on an unexplored aspect of the StairSteady's history. Believe it or not, the StairSteady was once a tool for rebellion. This seems strange for a mobility aid but to a small group of boys in Eckington Comprehensive School it was an instrument used for mischief. Let me show you. If you go to Eckington Comp and sign in at the reception you will notice a small waiting area to your right in situ with many of the projects and accolades that award the school its status as a specialist engineering college. There are books, glass cases, certificates, the whole nine yards of academic achievement. Of all these displays the StairSteady demonstration stand takes pride of place, complete with rail, grab-handle and stairs. Ready to use and seduce any passing Ofsted inspector.
So here is your dare, your small act of defiance. The game is to enter the reception waiting area as if you are in fact waiting for something, then use the StairSteady to ascend and descend the steps as many times as possible, before being told to get out. Extra points are awarded for pretending to be the Headmaster, or 'Ted' as he was affectionately known. Simple, yet effective. It certainly passed the time on a few lunch breaks years ago but the significance of that time to me is that it highlights the oddity of now being part of the StairSteady office, dealing with the day-to-day things that make the business tick.
In the interest of honesty, and maybe also not to offend the Managing Director of StairSteady, Ruth Amos, who also invented the product, that 'game' was played twice, three times at the most before everybody’s bravery was cut short by an evening detention. Karma was restored and rightly so because it’s now obvious having seen the benefits the StairSteady brings to so many that while me and some daft friends were annoying humanity Ruth and the StairSteady company were doing a much better job at helping it. Admittedly, it feels better to be on the winning team.
To anybody who has ever started a new job there is nothing more equally nerve-racking and exciting than familiarizing yourself with exactly what your job entails and before I declare myself part of the winning team I need to earn my keep and impress while doing it. This is daunting to someone who has never answered a phone with anything more sophisticated to say than ‘Hello?’. When your job is temporary it is like the training, working and retirement has been distilled into an essence. You get a short, sharp taste of everything. My training is brief, succinct but thorough, as soon as work begins and becomes routine it ends and as for ‘retirement’ a picture of myself is commissioned (twice) by Abigail and Nathaniel Dye. Which, as I said when presented with them, are far more heart-warming than any gold watch.'The full bag of mashings’ as my dad would say.At first, this feels as though you need to learn everything with the kind of speed Muhammad Ali described when he said 'last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark'. And despite that initial overwhelming feeling, it is soon relaxing, my heart doesn't pound at the sound of the telephone and I remember the documents lay out off by heart.9-5 quickly becomes a cathartic exercise and keeps my mind away from looming exam results and a hopeful move to University. Also, who doesn't enjoy work that offers a chance to be creative?
Overall, it’s been a learning experience and without getting too emotional, I’ve learnt a lot about what can be done to help people on every level. The phone manner is sorted but more importantly I’ve learnt that StairSteady isn’t something to be messed with; it’s a genuine commodity.So in the future if you're offered a job at StairSteady go for it, it comes with my recommendation.I hope that with this post I have shown the versatile roles of a StairSteady from unlikely entertainment to employment and maybe one day who knows I might need one... not yet though, eh?
Finally, I’d like to take the chance to thank Ruth and Rachael of StairSteady for the opportunity and kind guidance throughout.

Quote of the Week

2011-08-15T10:16:00.000+01:00

Be like a sponge when it comes to each new experience. If you want to be able to express it well, you must first be able to absorb it well.

Rosemary Chicken with Oven Roasted Ratatouille

2011-08-10T10:36:00.001+01:00

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients
1 aubergine , cut into chunky pieces
2 courgettes , sliced into half-moons
3 mixed peppers , deseeded and roughly chopped
2 tsp finely chopped rosemary , plus 4 small sprigs
2 large garlic cloves , crushed
3 tbsp olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
250g cherry or baby plum tomatoes , halved
Method
1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In a large roasting tin, toss together the aubergine, courgettes and peppers with half the chopped rosemary, half the garlic, 2 tbsp oil and some seasoning. Spread out the vegetables in an even layer, and then roast in the oven for 20 mins.
2. Meanwhile, mix remaining rosemary, garlic and oil together. Slash each of the chicken breasts 4-5 times with a sharp knife, brush over the flavoured oil, season and chill for 15 mins.
3. After veg have cooked for 20 mins, stir in the tomatoes. Make spaces in the roasting tin and nestle the chicken breasts amongst the vegetables. Place a rosemary sprig on top of each chicken breast. Return the tin to the oven for 18-20 mins, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are lightly caramelised. Serve with some new potatoes, if you like.

Quote of the Week

2011-08-08T10:16:00.000+01:00

It's easy to carry the past as a burden instead of a school. It's easy to let it overwhelm you instead of educate you.

Iced Orange Cake

2011-08-03T10:29:00.000+01:00

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Serves: 6

Ingredients
For the cake
· 100 g butter
· 2 eggs
· 1 orange, finely grated zest only
· 100 g caster sugar
· 100 g icing sugar, sifted
· 125 g plain flour
· 1 tsp baking powder
For the topping
· 100 g icing sugar
· 1-2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4. Butter and flour the sides of a 20cm cake tin and line the base with greaseproof paper. 2. For the cake: melt the butter gently in a saucepan and set aside. 3. Using a hand-held electric beater, whisk together the eggs, grated orange zest and caster and icing sugar for a few minutes until light and slightly fluffy. Stir in the melted butter and sift in the flour and baking powder. Fold it all together gently. 4. Pour the cake mixture into the prepared tin, smooth the surface and bake in the oven for 35–40 minutes or until golden and set in the centre and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. 5. Place the tin on a wire rack and allow to stand for about ten minutes before removing the cake carefully from the tin. Allow to cool on the wire rack. 6. For the topping: sift the icing sugar into a bowl and stir in just enough orange juice until it is soft but not runny. 7. When the cake is cool, place it on a serving plate or cake stand and spread the icing over the top. Serve in slices.

Quote of the Week

2011-08-01T09:30:00.001+01:00

Don't let the learning from your own experiences take too long. If you have been doing it wrong for the last ten years, I would suggest that's long enough!

Homemade Burgers

2011-07-27T11:30:00.000+01:00

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Serves: 4

Ingredients
· 10 g butter
· 75 g onions, finely chopped
· 450 g minced beef, or minced lamb
· 1/2 tsp thyme, chopped
· 1/2 tsp parsley, chopped
· 1 eggs, beaten
· pinch fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
· 4 tbsp olive oil, for frying
To serve
· 1 ciabatta
· 4 leaves lettuce

· Tomato slices
· Cucumber pickle

Method
1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, and add the onion. Fry over a gentle heat until the onion is soft and very pale golden. Leave to cool. 2. Mix the mince with the herbs and egg, and then season with salt and pepper. Add the onions, and mix. 3. Fry a tiny bit of the mixture in the frying pan to check for seasoning, and then shape into hamburgers. Heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the burgers for several minutes on each side. 4. Split the ciabatta horizontally, and toast under the grill. Fill the toasted ciabatta with lettuce, the tomato and some cucumber pickle. Pop the hot cooked burger inside, and serve immediately.

Quote of the Week

2011-07-27T10:12:00.000+01:00

Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.

StairSteady Home Safety Tips

2011-07-22T12:13:00.004+01:00

-Don’t walk around in socks or stockings on non carpeted floors. Try to wear rubber soled, low-heeled shoes when ever possible
- Get rid of small rugs as they are easy to trip up over.
- Make sure all of your carpets are properly fitted and all the edges are properly secured.
- Keep you home well lit using long life energy saving bulbs. Pay particular attention to stairs and walkways.
- Talk to your council, Social Services or local Independent Living Centre about having grab rails installed by steps, stairs, toilets and baths and showers.
- Get an anti slip mat for the bath and shower and replace it when it starts to loose its adherance.
- Avoid having any trailing wires. Try to group appliances next to power sockets if possible or consider having more sockets installed.
- Consider using a cordless phone or mobile to avoid having long telephone wires.
- Be tidy! Pick up anything that falls as soon as possible and think about putting small objects such as magazine racks and bins out of the way or beside large pieces of furniture.
- Wipe up any spills as soon as possible
- Never store heavy items or things you use often in high or hard to reach cupboards.
- Never keep anything on the stairs, keep stairs and walkways clear at all times.
- Take your time when getting up to answer the phone or door. Once you stand up take a second to make sure you don’t feel dizzy.
- Consider using nightlights for your bedroom and route to the bathroom or make sure you always switch the lights on before you walk across a room.
- If you need spectacles make sure you wear them at all times and get your eyese checked regularly.
-If you need a walking aid use it at all times and make sure you have one upstairs and downstairs so you don’t have to carry one on the stairs.
-Write out a plan if you fall so you know what to do as it is often difficult to think after the shock of a fall. You could also consider having a personal alarm system so you can get help if you need it.

Rachaels Comment

2011-07-01T10:57:00.001+01:00

I have been making Hints and Tips for the StairSteady website but one particular one recently really struck a chord. Everyone at present seems to be having more money difficulties so I decided to do a piece on saving money. All of the hints and tips I put together in themselves were relatively simple but all together they could make a big difference to your monthly outgoings. Some of the tips were even fun to do!
The money saving tips I found can be broken down into three main themes: Food, Energy and Utilities and Activities. Food is a good one to start with as we all have to eat! I discovered that there are lots of things you can do to reduce your weekly bills. The first idea I came across is make a menu: this seems like quite a time consuming thing to do but once you get into the habit of it before you go shopping then you can save yourself lots of money and wastage. I started by making a list of the meals I regularly make, I was surprised how few dishes actually featured on my list, about 10 in total. I then broke the dishes down into ingredients, store cupboard essentials, fresh vegetables and meat/fish/dairy and bought the store cupboard essentials in larger bags to save money. By making double sized portions of some of the dishes like Bolognese sauce, curry, stews, pies etc and freezing them I was able to use them as my own ready meals when time is short, again saving lots of money. Another way of saving money is to use stores own brand store cupboard essentials such as tinned goods, rice, pasta etc, I found they are often just as good as expensive named brands and are a fraction of the cost, there are a few exceptions as no one in my house would eat home brand beans! Home baked cakes and biscuits also save money and it’s something I can involve my children in, they like to ‘help out’ with the stirring and decorating our treats.
Another fun way to save money on your food bills is to grow your own produce. You don’t need a large garden or big greenhouse to get started, tubs on a patio or window boxes and hanging baskets can still produce good crops of fruit and vegetables. This year we have tried tomatoes, cucumber, courgettes, potatoes, beans, peppers, sweetcorn, cabbages and pumpkins. We also have raspberries, apples and plums growing quite happily outside in tubs. They always seem to taste nicer when you have grown them yourself! Salad leaves, herbs and chillies will all grow on a kitchen windowsill so you can have fresh all year around, if you manage to water them better than us!
Utilities are also a big drain on people’s finances, it is really worth shopping around and making sure you are getting the best deal possible. There are lots of independent sources to look at I tried Which? Online site (http://www.which.co.uk/switch/?m=home&cid=carousel). Often you can get a better deal for taking out multiple utilities with one company, I have got all of my electricity, gas, broadband and telephone with just one company and it seems to be much cheaper than when I had them apart.
Saving energy around the home can also cut down on the amount you spend. Simple measures such as swapping all your bulbs to energy savers can, I found, actually reduce your bills by quite a lot. Always make sure at you turn appliances off when you aren’t using them as leaving them on standby can actually use up to 80% of the energy they use when running. When you replace your white goods always make sure you go for the best energy rating product you can afford, some products now are A++ rated meaning you will save money on your bills, this isn’t always an option for some people though, me included! Another simple tip is to only boil as much water as you need in the kettle, completely filling it each time can waste energy.
I also found that by using vouchers and rewards you can save quite a lot of money on days out and other items. Lots of supermarkets offer a reward scheme for just doing your normal shopping, by using these tokens you can pay for days out, meals, hotels, holidays etc with money you have already spent in store. I have managed to take the whole family out on day trips to Zoo’s, aquariums, activity centres and the cinema for free with my vouchers. They also come in really handy at Christmas for presents! Local and National papers and tourist booklets also quite often have vouchers in making your trip out a little cheaper.
I hope that this will inspire you to just make some small changes to your daily routines and that it saves you money too!

Mentoring Slots

2011-06-24T11:31:00.002+01:00

I am currently offering a limited number of mentoring sessions to start-up and small businesses, focusing on anything and everything, from start-up to the dilemma of ‘what next’.
Having been in business myself for a number of years, with my company Stairsteady, I have experienced the ups and downs of growing it from a GCSE project in my front room, into an organisation that operates in the international marketplace.
Why am I doing this? Quite simply because I understand that bringing a consultant into your business can not only be expensive, it can be a daunting experience too.
Rather than getting bogged down in the obvious, I offer a new approach and a sounding board for those looking to move on to the next stage with their business, or those wanting to start up. You just tell me where you want to go and we will plan the route there, it doesn’t get much simpler than that.

The sessions can be one off, or on a regular basis and can take place either in Sheffield City Centre or in my offices just off J30.

All conversations are of course fully confidential and NDA’s can be provided on request.
Prices:
£15.00 for 30min £25.00 for an hour

The usual terms and conditions apply. This offer is only open to companies either under 1 year old or with a turn over less that £25,000. However, if you are a larger company and would like to discuss my business consultancy services, please do not hesitate to get in touch for a free consultation. If you would like to be considered email ruth@stairsteady.net

Balance

2011-06-13T13:45:00.002+01:00

I am sat writing this post as I wait by my phone for a couple of phone calls- well you have to be productive- this post came out of the blue and I think is more of a response to the fact that I am ill.

I find that I use the word ‘balance’ as a kind of mantra in life. For me ‘balance’ is what I’m aiming for, whether its balance in work and home life or in time in the office and time spent out of it. I see ‘balance’ as being somehow the perfect medium. Now Balance has a lot of meaning or uses (thank you Wiki) but to me balance is all about not falling down, about a bit of everything and keeping in control. One of my favourite definitions of balance is

‘A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.’

I love the idea of being neutral. I think that the link to emotional stability is vital for me (I tend to work on the edge of stress a lot better, but I know that it’s not healthy.) just because I like to think I’m balanced does not mean that I am J we all have to aim for something. I am just very aware that I’m a work-a-holic I love getting involved with things and making things happen, and that can often be detrimental to many aspects of life, health being a vital one. Balance however is not an excuse for me to be lazy or not work, but it’s a reminder of a bigger picture. For many, business and work can get all consuming and I often need a reminder that the world and life itself is a lot bigger than that. For me my mantra is about reminding myself that to be my best and achieve what I want to achieve, I cannot focus solely on one aspect of life and forget the others. So that’s my current saying :)

Also things that have happened in the world of Ruth-
-crashed my car, thankfully no one was hurt, but I currently have a courtesy car while they fix mine
-I have been accepted as one of the 50 UK Female Enterprise Ambassadors
-The first StairSteadys have landed in Ireland- so exciting and I will hopefully put up some pictures when I get them
- I am currently living in an exam obsessed household and my brother does his GCSEs and my sister her A levels. I am so glad I don’t have to do them again.
- We installed a demo unit in Wiltshire, which meant I was lucky enough to spend a few days down there last week, great view, great food and great business.
- I officially have the most horrific coldy flu thing. Having so much vitamin c and Echinacea, I just hate being ill. (not enough balance)

So all in all an eventful week.

Does anyone else have a mantra?

Want to be part of something special?

2011-06-09T17:18:00.003+01:00

Want to be a part of something special? Love F1 or racing? want to support young talent?
than this is for you. I have known Russ for quite a few years now (and anyone that follows the blog will have seen him mentioned in a past post) he has been called 'the next Hamilton' and is a very talented driver and now he is offering a really unique oppurtunity, not just to businesses but to individuals.

The Russ Danzey 500 Club

About the Club
We are delighted to welcome you to the 'The500Club', whether you are a regular race fan or you’ve never set foot on a race circuit. Join us to share the journey of one of Britains finest talents on his progression through the motor sport ranks. Get closer to the thrill of real motorsport action, play a part in a young driver’s career and enjoy all the benefits top flight motorsport has to offer.
The Cost
£500 is all it takes to become a member of Team Danzey. We can bring you into the action for a fraction of the real cost of competing, as well as playing a pivotal role in a driver’s career and providing a great platform for corporate use.
You won’t find a better value corporate option in motorsport.
By joining the 'The500Club' you and your guests will enjoy sharing the ‘buzz’ when Russ competes, as well as the atmosphere and camaraderie of a full race weekend.

The Racing Program
In 2011 Russell will race in an exciting program of events in the UK in Formula BARC the proving ground for many successful. The BRDC race championship has proven to be incredibly successful over the years with many F1 and Indy car stars progressing through the series on their way to the top.

Members Benefits
'The500Club' management has put an attractive package of member’s benefits together which are listed below. We are always interested in feedback from our members to help us maximise their enjoyment. Once you’ve joined you’ll receive an exclusive ‘The500Club’ member’s pack.

Exclusive Members Pack
'The500Club' welcome letter outlining your benefits and also a branded T-Shirt and cap,
• www.russelldanzey.om The website is designed to give you up to the minute news on Russell, his training and activities, post race analysis. Give us your email address and stay in touch via regular e-bulletins.
• Company or Individual Branding You will be able to have your own company logo/web address or individual branding on Russell's website for the season.
• Race passes Members can ring and book tickets for all races.
• Meet the Drivers and Team As members of the 'The500Club', you will have the chance to go behind the scenes at all race events by meeting the driver and race team and enjoy a guided tour of the race car.
• Corporate/Personal Track Days Members would have the opportunity to book a personal Trackday with Russ at some of the best UK's circuits.
• Recommend 4 members Introduce 4 new members and get your annual membership and
2 tickets for all races!
Recommend 10 members and get full corporate logo on car and suit
• Signed Framed Photograph An end of season signed photograph to enjoy at home or at work.
• Race Video You will receive a DVD of selected races throughout Russ's season, the on-board camera shows spectacular footage – just how Russ sees the track, a true driver’s eye-view!
• Club Magazine An end of season publication will be produced to include a season review, articles of interest, opportunities for members to promote their services and details of all members of the 'The500Club'
To optimise the benefits outlined above we seek a complete understanding of our members goals, whether you are a company or a private supporter. We aim to make sure that all associated benefits and rewards exceed your expectations, ensuring you enjoy an amazing experience whilst sharing Russ's incredible adventure.
Annual membership
Minimum investment of £500
‘The500Club’ will be delighted to discuss how your investment can be "tailor made" to ensure maximum benefit for you, your company and your guests.

so there is all the info you need, but on a personal note Russ is one of the most dedicated people i know and one of the most talented.
for more info email russ.danzey@mac.com

Thanks,
Rx

First Vlog

2011-05-31T13:29:00.004+01:00

I hope everyone has had a restful bank holiday, we had my little cousin over to stay and had a lovely Sunday at my auntys. on the Monday we started on the Demo for a Daily Living Centre in Wiltshire. Me and Phil were very proud of our handy work (thank you Andy for giving us a guide on how to make it).
So i have been carrying around my flip camera and trying to record bits and bobs, im hoping to make this more of a habit. also Phil has got a lovely sparkly camera so im hoping for some better quality and more interesting pictures.

Independent Review?

2011-05-17T11:53:00.000+01:00

Over the last few months I have noticed an increase in people selling me marketing in a rather bizarre (and what I feel as unethical) way. It started off by being offered a place to go talk to top level, government decision makers. This was an event aimed to make healthcare better and more cost effective for the tax payer. That sounded a really exciting opportunity; however we and many of the fantastic products out there that make everyday life simpler would not be joining them, because the cost of this was just too much. I was shocked that a chance to show and effect local government spending was being auctioned off to the highest bidder, meaning that smaller companies that could make a valuable and cost effective pitch were pushed away. This meant that the end user would not necessarily be offered my product because we could not fork out thousands of pound on a one day event. There was no assessment of the product (apart from careful flattery by the sales team).

The next incident that spurred me on the write this post was a phone call I got from a company saying that they were writing an independent review of a show that we had recently attended. Our stand had been put forward as one of the top 20 best stands and for a small fee we could be included and have our logo and contact details. I was shocked; I asked the women if we didn’t pay what would happen. She was silent. ‘An independent review’ I told her ‘was not independent if we were essentially paying for a spot in the top 20 list’. On moral grounds I declined her offer.
I understand that there is marketing and product placement and that in the world of marketing companies pay for exposure, however in these instances companies paying for an independent review, or to help governments offer tax payers the best products is not paying for coverage, it’s paying to influence the outcome. The end user does not gain, they do not get an independent view on a product, and we as tax payers do not get the best products and services, only the ones where the companies have paid to get in front of the right people.

A small rant for a Tuesday morning and maybe it’s the fact that I am naive and have too a strict moral code, but to me that doesn’t sound reasonable for the end user, that would use that information to buy a product or who wouldn’t get the product they needed because it wasn’t on the list...

Rant Over,
Ruth x

In and Out

2011-05-16T08:34:00.001+01:00

In-
Friends- I am so lucky to have so many supportive friends. Thanks :)

Start Up Saturday- I am very excited to be starting to lead a ‘start up Saturday’ workshop at Staples on the 21st may. It’s a 12 week course that will help and guide someone to start a business. The course is written by the very talented and knowledgeable Emma Jones who is heavily involved with ‘Start up Britain’. I can’t wait to see other people take the first step in business.

The Tudors- I know many people discovered this TV series a while ago, but my sister got me into it and I LOVE it. I’m fascinated with history and having read ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ this time period is intriguing, I would really recommend it.

Ireland- its coming very close to people in this lovely country being able to buy The Stairsteady and I can’t wait! I am so excited, watch this space.

Out-
Blogging- ok that’s a lie really, it’s not ‘out’ I have just been really busy, I am hoping this will be the start of more regular posting. I have some ideas for new posts and vlogging but it all relies on time.
Being able to walk- I did the Sheffield Half Marathon on Sunday and my feet are not impressed with me. I however am very pleased that I managed to complete it in 13.1miles in 1hour 51minutes.
The weather- it seems that we have had our summer; I’m finding it very hard to dress in a morning with the ever changing weather. Hopefully it’s not the last of the sun this year.

Have a good week,
Ruth x

Rachaels Comment: A different perspective

2011-05-16T08:32:00.002+01:00

I recently have had to use a wheelchair because of my M.E. and it has brought with it a whole different outlook on everyday things. There are so many things that this experience has brought that I had never even thought about. I have used crutches on a long term basis so I thought I already understood many of the accessibility issues that come with day to day life but how wrong was I!!
One of the main things I have noticed is how much of my day to day life is dictated by how other people provide access to buildings. So many places have car parks with only one or two dropped curbs and those all seem to be positioned at the entrance where all the cars are driving in and out not near the place that they are serving. Supermarkets have always put everything well above my head height (I‘m only 5 foot 1!) but now anything above the first three shelves and I need to get help. The height of door handles and post boxes are also so variable. I have found that I now have to pick shops and hairdressers etc not on their services or stock but on whether I can actually get into them. Looking for a day trip or holiday also takes on a whole new focus; only places with suitable paths, lifts, facilities are doable. The last time we went out for a walk and a picnic the table was at shoulder height, the list is endless!

It’s not only out of the house that there are new challenges I had strange shaped biscuits the other day as I couldn’t see far enough back onto the work surface to see if there was dough under my cutter, my beautiful circles turned out more like I’d bitten each and every one of them.. I’d only tested one or two! Sinks are also not just the thing of purpose they once were, now they are something to be battled with I have lost count of the times I have only been able to reach one tap or I’ve not been able to retrieve what I’d dropped into the bowl, or worse still been unable to switch the tap off again so emerged covered in spray from trying! My cooker also no longer has four gas rings but two as only the front two are reachable now.. Cooking for a family is interesting with only two pans!

One of the really unexpected things that I found was that my tastes SHOULD have completely changed the minute I got in a wheelchair... If Supermarkets are to be believed since I can only reach the first three shelves I’m no longer able to enjoy spicy curry, Thai, or chilli that’s on at least shelf four, instead I must love Korma, casseroles or sweet and sour instead! Dark Chocolate is out only white or milk is in reach; mild cheddar and double Gloucester are ok but no Haloumi, goat’s cheese or brie!
It’s not just supermarkets either, no matter how much I trawl the internet looking for an attractive solution to getting soaking in the rain there really is nothing out there unless I want a poncho, now surely just because someone is in a wheelchair they don’t lose all sense of fashion? Holidays are the same if I look for accessible holidays everyone seems to make assumptions that I would like a nice quiet cottage somewhere, what about all those wheelchair users out there that want an active, exciting break?

Although this sounds like me letting off lots of steam and frustration what I really wanted to do was just to get people to think about how easy it is to take for granted that you can just choose what you do and when. Please please don’t assume that just because someone is in a wheelchair that they have particular tastes and desires. Everyone is different whether they are in a wheelchair or able bodied, please try to see beyond the metal to the person sat in the chair. Maybe you could take some time to look around you and see if you too can see things from another perspective?
Keep steady,
Rachael

Rachael's Comment

2011-04-26T15:01:00.001+01:00

The weather has recently picked up after another long cold winter and finally spring seems to be in full flow. The sun is shining, the trees are in blossom, and the birds are singing everyone is making the most of the sun. People’s routines can change dramatically now the sun has appeared, they no longer wear layers upon layers of clothes that cover every inch of flesh but instead they appear to take on the challenge of finding ones that expose the absolute most flesh that they can get away with! People flock to local parks or open areas and begin to do previously unheard of things like cook their teas on the ground on portable BBQ’s or spend the afternoon sunbathing in the back garden with a long cold drink. Children run around chasing Frisbees, playing in streams, riding bikes and eating vast quantities of ice creams. Everyone suddenly becomes more alive and happy, even researchers seem to suggest that the sunshine and increased temperatures help to dispel peoples bad moods.

I’d like to suggest though that it isn’t the same for everyone: sun brings lots of pressure too, to look good, to do more active things and to have the garden looking nice. This just isn’t possible for some people.

I have M.E. and while winter does bring many challenges such as negotiating the icy roads with crutches, it is at least acceptable for people to finish work and go home, eat tea and then get snuggled up with a cuppa watching TV or reading a book. Suddenly once the sun comes out this is no longer OK, people instead should be mowing lawns, chasing children around the park or going on long walks admiring the scenery.. Now don’t for one minute think I wouldn’t love to do any of those things, there is nothing I would love more than spending the day hiking through the Peaks with my children, eating a picnic on top of a hill, dipping our feet in a stream and just generally surveying all that Mother Nature has to offer! Sadly for many people with any sort of physical difficulty this is not always an option, instead all our energy and strength goes on the mundane tasks that we all have to do and take for granted, such as getting out of bed, getting dressed, making and eating food and for some working or doing the school runs. Life becomes about weighing up these options and trying to balance out what energy you have for that day, everything has to become a choice between things rather than an as well as.

As examples of this I often have to weigh up if I go to bed early, stay in and rest all the day before and conserve all my energy will that be enough to allow me to make a picnic and sit on a rug on the grass while my children play the next day? If I really push it so I won’t be able to do anything the day after will I be able to squeeze a walk in there too?

I’m not writing this in order to garner sympathy but instead so people actually look around them and see if there are people who maybe aren’t able to enjoy the new sunshine as much as they would like to. Maybe you have an elderly relative or neighbour who is no longer able to do their garden or get out and about, or maybe you know someone who for whatever reason is not as physically capable as you? Maybe instead of spending one afternoon in your own garden or Local Park you could see if there is anything you can do to help them enjoy the sunshine too? It might be as simple as just helping them to get a chair, drink and a book outside or maybe you could spare an hour to help tidy their garden so they can enjoy the bright spring flowers too? Mostly it doesn’t have to be huge gestures or big expense to make a difference to someone’s day.

Be Good, Be Beautiful: The Fashion Show

2011-04-15T11:54:00.002+01:00

The words ‘Fairtrade Fashion’ often conjure up images of hemp sacks and tie die, but the world of Fairtrade fashion and beauty is far from that. With beautiful jewellery, on trend fashion and fantastic choice the Fairtrade community is bursting with vibrant produce. ‘Be Good, Be Beautiful’ events aim to promote this. This year Sheffield’s Blue Shed will be the home, for two nights only, of ‘Be Good, Be Beautiful: The Fashion Show’ a night of local and national fair-trade goods. Hosted by Sophie Mei and Ruth Amos this will be an event not to be missed, with partners such as People Tree, Ethics Girls, Bishopstons Trading, The Body Shop, The Co-operative Society and The English Rose Bakery. Live music from Hayley Toothill and other live acts. All ages are welcome and all proceeds raised will go to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity works around the world with volunteers from all backgrounds, races and religions to build homes together with families in need.

Yes you read correctly, Be Good Be Beautiful is having its first ever Fashion Show!

27th and 28th April The Blue Shed, Sheffield 7.30pm-9.30pm

if you would like to be involved, their are three ways:

Attend- come along, bring friends and family and enjoy :)

Have a Stall- If you have your own FairTrade business and would like to be involved, please email me.

Model-We are looking for about 20 volunteers to act as models for clothes and accessories over the two evenings. Previous experience preferred, though not essential!

You must be: · Over 18 years old · Enthusiastic · Able to attend both evenings (7.30 – 9.30 p.m), a walk through meeting on Saturday 23rd April and a rehearsal from 3.45 p.m on the afternoon of Wednesday 27th April · Willing to follow direction and wear allocated outfits and accessories · Able to provide plain black top and trousers/leggings for yourself

If you are interested in taking part please contact Ruth Amos by email at ruth@stairsteady.net and we will get back to you with further details. There will be no payment for taking part, but an entry ticket for one evening will be given so that a friend or member of your family can come along for free!

All proceeds from both evenings will go to the charity ‘Habitat for Humanity’

Tickets are £5.00 they can be bought from http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1570961789 please spread the word and please attend :)

Thank you and hopefully see you soon,

Ruth

Lily Allen’s-Riches to Rags

2011-03-23T17:13:00.001Z

I was going to blog about this last week, but wasn’t quite sure what I thought about the show, but watching last night’s episode, I have to say, I’m a fan. Now for those that haven’t seen the show it follow Lily, her sister Sarah and there ‘brand manager’ as they set about opening a rent and buy vintage clothes shop in London.

Now before I go on I must say I have read a lot of the negative comments in the press about Lily not wanting Fame and then doing the show, and about how much of a success the shop really is, HOWEVER the this is not what interests me, yes Lily is being very honest, but the thing that I like about the show is the business. They are starting with a lot of Lily’s own money, but the chemistry between the girls and they ins and outs of starting a business is something that I think makes great TV. It isn’t easy for anyone starting a business we all have to put in hours and I was impressed (in this week’s episode) with Sarah’s real dedication to the business. Yes they were pitching at Coutts which is a lovely environment to pitch, but she is still pitching.

The programme is a little backwards, but that for me is one of the things that make it watchable. You are seeing two sisters embark on a journey, doing something that they have no previous knowledge in and giving it a go. Personally I think that that is refreshing and courageous. Having started a business myself with no past experience, I can really feel for the girls. I know that they are starting from a different point than most businesses but the fact that they want to do something that takes guts and time (not just invest it in someone else’s business) shows the passion that they both have for this venture.

I know that many people have different views on this programme, but I wish them all the best of luck and look forward to tuning in next Tuesday night at 10pm after Katie: my beautiful friends (which deserves it own blog post) .

IN and OUT

2011-03-23T14:57:00.005Z

IN
Manufacturing- As its drawing to the end of the Global Manufacturing Festival, Manufacturing is in at right at the top of my IN list!

Uggs- I am currently living in mine, they are SO comfy. Have nothing more to say on the topic.

Hulluimi- one of my new discovery’s, along with Rice ilk in tea, and you can grill it. I must say I’m a fan.

Radio1- it seems weeks ago, but this time last week Chris Moyles and Comedy Dave started there 50hour radio stint. I loved every minute of it. It’s not an easy thing to do, it’s not just talking (although Dave was struggling with that towards the end) it is all the clips that need playing and the ‘mixing’ of the show. Fearne did her bit by wearing a swimming costume and helping to add over half a million to there total of nearly 2million. Well Done lads!
Here is a video of Fearne in here costume from the BBC Youtube channel.

Rugby- I was kindly invited by Smith Cooper to join them at the Nottingham V Bristol match. It was such a good afternoon, good company, good food and a good win! The match was really exciting and I’ve already been checking out the next matches at Sheffield.

OUT

VAT- Yay! It’s gone, all done sent off, round of applause for me. I am usually dashing round the last few days of the month, but it went off on Monday and I am more than a little chuffed (can you tell).

Head Colds- I’m fed up with this head cold, it will not shift and I’m sat snuffling around the office

Dry Skin- on a shallow note, I have been using Garnier intense 7day body lotion for the past week and a half and it’s a winner!

Bank cards- I managed to lose my bank card on a night out and the last few days have been very frustrating without my card, but it’s scary how much I rely on it. It’s nice to have my replacement, but we forget how much we depend on these little bits of plastic.

Rachael's Comment

2011-03-18T14:57:00.001Z

As today is Red Nose Day I thought I might look at one of the issues affecting the UK as much of the media for today is focused on the issues faced by other countries. While there is no doubt at all that other countries face terrible hardships and poverty there is also many similar issues much closer to home.

Following some research I found that there in England in 2007 the number of households officially recognised as newly homeless was 99,500. While this in its self sounds quite high I found that Government statistics do not include people who satisfy the legal definition of homelessness but have not applied to be classified as such, nor people who were officially recognised as homeless in previous years but were deemed 'not in priority need'. The charity Crisis has estimated that there are around 400,000 additional hidden homeless people that would need to be included in the above figure.

These figures really shocked me the actual level of homelessness is almost 4 times the governments published figures. As I carried on reading I realised that there are many different types of and definitions of homelessness. Crisis has the following definitions:
· Legally homeless: A household is legally homeless if either there is no accommodation that they are entitled to occupy or they have accommodation but it is not reasonable for them to continue to occupy this accommodation.

· Officially recognised as homeless: Those who are both legally homeless and have successfully applied to their local authority to be classified as such in the current year. A household can be legally homeless but not recognised by the state as being homeless because they have not applied to be classified as such.

· Statutory homeless: Households that have been found to be eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and falling within a priority need group and thus owed a main homelessness duty by a local housing authority. In 2006-07, 73,360 households were accepted as statutory homeless in England. Local Authorities made 159,330 decisions on homelessness applications.

· Hidden homeless: This refers to homeless households, which may or may not have applied to local authorities for homeless status, but are not entitled to any accommodation. Crisis estimates that there are around 400,000 such 'hidden homeless' adults at any point in time.
These definitions go some way to explain the way in which the figures are so misleading. The Government only recognises people in its statistics as homeless if they are considered to be vulnerable. Looking closer it appears that 72% of acceptances are people with dependents or pregnant women, which would suggest that if a person is single or has no dependents then they are unlikely to be officially recognised as homeless and therefore will not qualify for any government assistance. Since the largest percentage of homeless people are male (61 percent), white (51 percent) and not suffering from any chronic illness or substance abuse, it is clear that the governments current method of classifying people are excluding the highest numbers of people in need.

I found another Charity, Thames Reach, again had very similar figures for homelessness. They had the following breakdown:
Statutory homeless: 74,690 households in temporary accommodation (up to June 2008)
Around 16,000 people annually are found to be homeless but not in priority need
Over 8,000 people annually are found to be homeless but not entitled to housing as a result of being intentionally homeless.

Rough sleepers: 483 people sleep rough on any one night in England (June 2008)
200-300 people sleep rough on any one night in London
3017 different people sleep rough over a year in London (2007-08)

Hostels: 16,686 hostel bed-spaces in London
40,000 hostel bed-spaces in United Kingdom
At least 75,000 individuals use hostels over a year

Hidden homeless: Estimated at 400,000.
Once all the categories of homelessness are included in the figure it shows that nearly (approximately 574,000) 1% of the population could be classed as homeless. To make that easier to visualise it is about the number of people who live in Sheffield or Glasgow. It is significantly more people than live in any of the following cities: Edinburgh (450,000), Liverpool (440,000) and Manchester (420,000).
So although I would still love to encourage you to do all you can for Red Nose Day today I want to ask you to also consider getting involved in a local charity to help some of the people in this country who equally need your help and support.

Global Manufacturing Festival

2011-03-18T12:31:00.006Z

14th - 24th March 2011

Sheffield has had many events over the past few weeks to celebrate Global Manufacturing and Sheffield’s place in that. I was lucky enough to attend the Education and Business Leader Dinner at The Cutlers Hall. It was a fantastic event to help schools and business work together, discuss and plan towards making education and business work hand in hand to get our young people ‘work ready’. It was a really inspiring event and I met some really passionate head teacher’s and business leaders.

More recently I attended the ‘Get up to Speed Event’ at my favourite venue ‘The Blue Shed’. It was an afternoon and evening event that had some world class speakers and demonstrations. Along with Made in Sheffield, designed in Sheffield, Bloodhound SSC and many others, the event was open to the public and had a session particularly aimed at children and parents.

One of the most exciting speakers was the very talented Russ Danzey, I have known Russ for a few years now and even had the pleasure of speaking alongside him at a Pecha Kutach Event. In 2005 Russ won his first Cadet novice race and since then he is one of the UK’s up and coming young drivers KF2 Kart Formula 2, he competed in UK Series and was the youngest competitor to qualify for the European Championships. In 2010 after winning the John Surtees Scholarship Russ took the opportunity to step in to single seater cars and raced in Formula Young Guns taking first podium in only his third weekend of racing. He really is someone to keep an eye on and I caught up with Russ at the event and he told me a bit about his car and sponsors.

The Global Manufacturing Festival is a real platform for Sheffield to really show everyone what we do and why we are world-renowned!

IN and OUT

2011-03-15T12:49:00.000Z

Science and Engineering- after leaving the Big Bang Fair with so many ideas, science and engineering are defiantly IN at the moment.

Women- after International Women’s day reminded us how FAB women are they had to make it in my IN list!

Friends coming home- a good friend of mine has come back from being away and it’s so nice to see her, the girls all hit the town and it was such a fantastic night!

Nails- loving playing around with my nails, and now the screw in kid. This look was achieved with ring binder strengtheners.

Sleep- I think I must be fighting something off, last night I got twelve hours sleep! Can’t remember the last time I got that much sleep!

Writing- it’s so nice to have time to write and be creative, I love blogging more and over the last few weeks have started to get creative again writing plays, prayers and stories.

OUT

Pancakes- after Pancake Day, were now into lent. I love lent, I find it helps to focus me, not just on my faith but on my life, so this year I’m trying to be balanced and healthy.

The gym- having not been to the gym for over 2 weeks I am managing surprisingly well, mind you that hasn’t meant that I haven’t exercised, just not in a gym.

Emails- having reached 500 unread emails on my phone I spent a few hours Saturday night clearing out my inbox on my blackberry. It took a while but it’s great to be up to date. I must add that I read and deal with them on my computer but it doesn’t always re-sync that to my phone. I didn’t have 500 emails that I hadn’t dealt with.

Breaking my laptop- since cracking my laptop screen just over a year ago I get very paranoid about my laptop, also the fashion conscious side of me is fed up of carrying around flight cases, so I got myself a knomo laptop case, they had a few of their bags reduced and I jumped at the chance. They are gorgeous, I love mine.

The Big Bang Fair and a bang of a more dangerous type.

2011-03-15T11:52:00.002Z

So Friday morning on a crowded train down to London through the’ All Seeing Eye’ that is twitter I found out about the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The few links and pictures that would load on train just showed the amount of ‘real time’ damage. As the days have gone on we have learnt and seen more, even now as we watch the nuclear power stations, we are reminded of how powerful our planet is.

This video and pictures really affected me:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-japan-before-and-after-tsunami.html?hp?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB (NYTimes)
http://vimeo.com/20989521 (Jean Labelle)

Images of radiated people having to talk to loved one through glass, it’s like a very bad film. We are all thinking of everyone in Japan.

The reason I was on the crowded train to London, was a very exciting, slightly spur of the moment decision. The 10th, 11th and 12th of March were massive days in the STEM calendar, London’s Excel centre were the hosts of The Big Bang Fair- Launched in 2009, The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair is the UK’s biggest single celebration of science and engineering for young people and aims to celebrate and inspire them.

www.thebigbangfair.co.uk

And what an inspiring event it is, like I said it was a last minute decision, having seen the tweets and realising it would be the first time since 2006 (when I myself was Young Engineer for Britain) that I hadn’t attended either the Big Bang Fair or the Young Engineer Awards (as they were formerly) Thursday I bought a train ticket and Friday morning headed down to London. I adore the train journey from Sheffield to London St Pancras, the scenery, the speed, but most of all it’s the stations. I tweeted with @JonatECS about my love for stations and Sheffield (not just because I’m local) and St Pancras are two of my favourites, I could spend hours in St Pancras and the food you can get there is lovely. If you’re passing through you must try Peyton and Byrne Bakery....mmmmm delicious.

Anyway I’m getting sidetracked, so I arrived in London and after topping up my Oyster Card I headed out to the Excel Centre, it’s not a short journey tubes, then the DLR out to the docklands, it was a lovely varied journey.

So just over three hours after I left Sheffield I arrived at the Big Bang Fair and after getting my pass and dumping my coat I headed along to the Young Engineers drinks reception. It was lovely to talk to sponsors, trustees, past winners and of course teachers and students. I always find talking to passionate students and teachers so inspiring, this time it was no different! Some of their projects were so exciting and the best part was that it enthused them too, I know the significance events like this make and it was so nice to be a part of it!

Then having met up with Shawn Brown (UK Young Engineer 2010) and Chris Jefferies (UK Young Scientist 2009) we headed down to watch ‘the bang goes the theory’ live tour. These were the sort of things that made science and engineering fun for me as a child; it was full of bags, flames and Jem’s fantastic inventions. All finished off with ‘the symphony of bang’ it really is quite catchy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VblqcRvN7-Y

Afterwards we went backstage to say hi to Liz, Dallas and Jem to congratulate them of such a good live show. I must admit I’m very jealous they have such fantastic jobs. We spent most of the afternoon with one of more members of the team as they met fans, filmed bits and discussed the Japanese earthquake. The team had done an earthquake and tsunami episode and were currently sorting out how to add the information about Japan. This special episode was shown yesterday (Monday) so the team had two days to film new bits. They did a really good job and even used some of our ideas. You can watch it here-

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lwxj1

by this time we had been joined by Peter Hadfield (UK Technologist 2009) Tom Hearing (UK Scientist 2010- specialises in Geology) along with Peter Girlfriend we made an interesting group who spend most of the afternoon quizzing Jem about his past and present work. It was really inspiring, and we almost missed the start of the award ceremony.

The Award show was started off with a BANG by the Braniac guys abusing science and the Kate Bellingham and Professor Brian Cox did a fantastic job of presenting all the many awards. All the projects were fantastic and with entrants from all across the UK (even Sheffield) we were surrounded by the best of the best. Read more about Connor Plant our Sheffield entry on MoreFrom’s blog

http://morefrom.blogspot.com/2011/03/young-sheffield-engineers-career-set-to.html

The main two awards are UK Engineer 2011 and UK scientist 2011 and this year Andrew Cowen was out UK Engineer and for the first time a girl, Hannah Eastman, was our UK Scientist! Well Done and love a bit of Girl-Power! See the moment that they won.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftQ5AURq5Rg

Pictures from the Big Bang Fair are up on there facebook page http://www.facebook.com/TheBigBang4U

Have a look, it really is such an inspiring event, I found this video on you tube and loved it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Kxecx42r4&feature=youtube_gdata

So I left London that evening to travel back to Sheffield having been enthused, inspired, informed and revitalised and what’s more... I managed it all in heels :)

International Women’s Day, Pancakes and the Adjustment Bureau

2011-03-09T11:41:00.002Z

Yesterday was International Women’s Day- a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future- as well as one of the nation’s best loved celebrations –Pancake Day! Unfortunately I had meetings and prior engagements (doesn’t prior engagements have such a lovely sound to it) for most of the day and so I couldn’t attend any of the International Women events I was invited too (I wish I could, they all sounded great).

Instead I helped my Mum put on a Pancake Party and then collapsed in front of the film ‘Adjustment Bureau’ after eating far too many nutella pancakes....and WOW what a film! The concept was really interesting and as a Christian I thought it tackled some interesting questions, on a non-religious level it is also a very thought provoking film. Considering the way so many of us have 5 and 10 year plans, it really turned made me think about why we do thing, the way we strive for certain things and the thought process behind decisions. I obviously do not believe in the ‘Adjustment bureau’ in the manner that it is portrayed in the film, but I do believe in God and Angels.

I do not want to give anymore away, but I would really recommend that if you get the chance to see the film then do, I hope that you are all still feeling slightly sick from the amount of pancakes you have eaten (that being a fairly good indicator of how good your pancake evening was) and that all the Women out there are feeling stronger, prouder and a little bit taller that they are an amazing, incredible and world changing Women!

Also I would recommend readying http://onlyhumantoo.wordpress.com/ this is my blog of the week.

Keep smiling,
R x

More Blogging

2011-03-07T15:45:00.002Z

I have been getting lots of emails and texts from people saying how much they like the fact that I am posting more. I am hoping that Rachael (our StairSteady Coordinator) will keep blogging her 'Rachael’s Comments' post; we got lots of positive feedback from her first post. This is a chance for her to comment on anything that she thinks about, experiences or just wants to share with you. I am also hoping to do regular In and Out posts, as well as the regular posts about what we are doing. I am also playing with audio and hoping to add some more audio posts.
I know that the pictures on the blog are usually very basic and I am looking forward to trying to document more events and also to film more.

Thank you so much for your support so far, and please tell your friends :)

In and Out

2011-03-07T14:37:00.003Z

Flowers and Bears- the Gym that I worked at sent me some lovely flowers and a Bear to say thank you, they are so lovely and as my sister has some flowers as well our house smells wonderfully fragrant.

Lemon Water- I love hot water and lemon at the moment, nice, simple, easy to make and tastes good. Thumbs up all round.

Anti-Bacterial hand gel- weird I know, but I was given one by SSl Scotland when I visited them this week and it smells so nice and I feel all germ free.

Swimming- I’ve swam competitively since I was in primary school, but the last few years it’s been really on and off, but now with more free time I’m hoping to get back into it. After yesterdays training session I’m really looking forward to being able to train more often.

Train journeys- I went up to Glasgow last week and I really enjoyed spending a day on the trains, I love people watching and it was so relaxing to be able to read and relax.

OUT

Cold Offices- The heating has finally been fixed and it’s all toasty again.

Winter weather- it seems to be getting brighter and maybe a little warmer (don’t want to jinx it), the mornings are defiantly lighter earlier, and it’s a big plus for all us morning runners.

Fat free foods- I watched the truth about fat free foods and it really put we off processed foot, especially aspartame, out with the diet coke, in with the water!

My dislike of fish- I love fish...as pets, but eating them, well that’s another matter. I love fish shop fish and prawn cocktails, but it’s really frustrating, because I wish I like fish. The fact that it is full of omega 3 and so good for you, I have decided that it’s time to expand my seas, sorry horizons, and just eat it! So I am trying to eat at least two portions of fish a week.

Have a good week,
R x

Technology Day

2011-03-07T13:47:00.004Z

Sorry for the quality of pictures, all taken on my Blackberry

I was invited over to Queen Elizabeths Grammer School, Ashbourne on Saturday for their Technology Day.

http://www.queenelizabeths.derbyshire.sch.uk/About-Us.php

It is a really picturesque school set in some of the most beautiful countryside, I love old buildings and the main entrance is so grand and what I think of as a ‘proper’ school. The school is a Technology College and the whole morning event was designed for parents to see the school. With fundraising and department demonstrations, to workshops and a hall of industry stands from JCB, Derbyshire University, Fripp Design, Moy Park and of course StairSteady to name just a few. The aim of the event was to encourage, inspire and inform students about the opportunities in technology.

It was a busy morning with so many activities, I fell in love with Moy Parks little new born chicks (hatched that very morning) and the school had done a on mass school dance- which was really impressive, and funny, and must have took them all a lot of time. I did a bit of promo for the Bloodhound SSC land speed record attempt. It’s an exciting project and so many people there, young and old were energized. I mean who wouldn’t be! Take a look

http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/

It was so nice to spend time in a school where everyone was so supportive and wanted the best for everyone, the students, the teachers and the parents. Everyone was so welcoming (and they even had a BBQ) I left feeling really positive about the link that School and industry can have, I know that it’s a problem that in Sheffield we are trying to address with the work-wise intuitive, and it need business and education to work together. Events like this are a really good place to start, the students were so enthusiastic and had lots of questions to ask everyone.

More pictures of the little chicks

Well done Mrs Tynan these events only happen when someone puts in a lot of hard work!

Rachael's Comment

2011-03-07T13:42:00.002Z

I thought for my comment this week I would do something topical and since it is Pancake Day tomorrow here it is!
Shrove Tuesday is part of the Christian calendar, Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter and was traditionally a time of fasting. On Shrove Tuesday traditionally Christians went to confession and were "shriven" (absolved from their sins). Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients.

Shrove Tuesday is not just an English tradition, it is celebrated in many different ways around the world; the Brazilians samba in Rio and the people of New Orleans throw their most famous party of the year - Mardi Gras.
An interesting fact for you now though: The largest cooked pancake was 15 metres in diameter and weighed 3 tonnes. It was cooked in Rochdale in England and was estimated to contain over two million calories.. I’m hoping that it wasn’t eaten by just one person though!

Throughout the UK pancakes differ slightly region to region. Welsh pancakes are made with buttermilk, sour cream or cream and have tiny holes in their cooked surface, in Gloucester pancakes are made with suet and fried in lard before serving with golden syrup. Scottish pancakes are much smaller and thicker.

Now for my favourite bit, the recipe and toppings:

Pancake Recipe
100g Plain Flour
Pinch of Salt
1 Egg
300mls Milk (I use semi skimmed)

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly together; you can use a food processor if you want.
Heat a small amount of oil in a frying pan until it is really hot and put two good ladles of the mixture into the hot oil, keeping it moving around until the entire bottom of the pan is coated with the batter. Allow the batter to cook until you can easily slide a spatula under the edge of the pancake. Then either use a spatula or toss the pancake and cook for a couple of minutes on the other side.
It’s as simple as that!
Then you can add your favourite toppings, they don’t have to just be sweet things like chilli or creamed mushrooms go well with pancakes.

A few suggestions for sweet pancake toppings:
Lemon juice and brown sugar Golden syrup Strawberries and cream
Apples, raisins and cinnamon Bananas and chocolate sauce Maple Syrup
Enjoy!

IN and OUT

2011-02-28T16:07:00.003Z

Weekend Breaks- I have just got back from a weekend away in Southampton, it was lovely, my brother and sister were already down there and my mum, dad, Phil and I had a wonderful weekend. We even went over to the Isle of Wight.

Lush- I LOVE Lush, the products are so nice and all the staff in the shops are always so helpful. It smells so lovely and they have a fair-trade range of products.

Music- I sit in the office and listen to music, I like such a range of music, last week it was Disney scores. And when we went to see One Sound the choir my brother and sister are in it just reminded me how much I like live music and especially an orchestra and choir, they way they all work together to create such an amazing sound.

Audio books- another secret passion (or not so secret) as I drive a lot and miss reading audio books are a way to keep up my love for books, lately I have been re-listening to some of my favourites- The Truth by Terry Prachett, Perfume by Patrick Suskind, the Harry Potter Books and The Other Boleyn Girl by Philipa Gregory.

Jewellery- I have such an array of jewellery and I currently seem to be wearing a lot more. I finally got one of my charms sorted for my charm bracelet and I have a very cool scrabble ring which is a current favourite.

White Tea- while we were away I tried white tea and pomegranate, now I love my herbal tea, especially green and white tea, but this blend is lovely and Whittards do a box of 50 tea bags, so this is definitely flavour of the month.

OUT

Straightners- I love my GHD’s but I am trying to cut down on the amount of heat I put on my hair. I think more out of laziness than anything. I love to wash my hair and just leave it to dry naturally, it’s just so simple.

Mess- although it may not seem like it judging from my desk and room, but I am trying to stay less clutter free. Honest.

Fake tan- after layering it on for a night out, I can’t be bothered to keep applying it so I’ve got to the patchy stage. Not a fan.

Lie ins- after a weekend of lie ins I was back up at 5.30am, I’m not a morning person but find I get the most out of my day when I’m up early.

Moments

2011-02-28T11:26:00.002Z

Moments shape our lives, some moments are at the time that they happen seen as big moments, but later they are forgotten. Others pass us by unnoticed and some moments, only with hindsight become critical.

Today is the end of an era for me, for almost three and a half years tonight I do my last shift, doing a job I started while still at school, in a local gym. This job has progressed alongside my work with the StairSteady from just a lifeguarding post, to being able to teach classes, create programs and give advice to people about their fitness. Health is something that I am very passionate about and this job has become a big part of my life, shaping many of my days. I would work around my StairSteady day, starting at 6.30am and working through till 9.00am then the 3minute drive to my office. A StairSteady day till 5.25pm and then heading back to the gym for the evening 5.30pm to 8.30pm. It is a job that I have found a help and hindrance over the years; it shapes and controls my day, but helps me use my time to the best, to be organised. My car would often be full of many different items of clothing and equipment, different pairs of shoes and would seem to anyone who looked in it like I was away for the week, but despite all this I loved the job. I loved the members, the team, the place where I worked, but probably most of all the classes. I loved to teach and to see others get the most out of their time in the gym. Even my weekends were organised around my shifts, runs in the morning before and 8.00am start, spending journeys planning my next circuits or fighting fits. So many days I have seen the sun rise over the running track and it has made me feel so glad to be there, in that moment, in that place.

Today however it is my last shift and I thought that it was only fit the mark this ‘moment’, which even without hindsight I can tell is significant for me. I am thankful for all the things that the gym has taught me about life, the industry and about myself. I know that I can be a morning person- even if I am not one naturally. That I like to be busy, have structure and to be organised, but that I need moments to ‘pause’ and ‘think’- some of my best ideas come when I am folding towels. I have learnt what it is like to work for someone (something my parents were very keen that I do) and I have seen firsthand the benefits of a healthy body and mind set. Why are you leaving, you may be thinking? Well that bit is not in my power to change, they gym is changing the way that it works and it is time for me to move on and I am seeing this as an opportunity.

I always knew that 2011 would hold great things and this is just one of them. I need to walk away from my security blanket of structure and create my own structure. To trust in myself to provide the organisation and inspiration and to find my own moment of ‘pause’. This is a challenge that I am very excited about. New doors are opening, new projects that I am very excited to be involved with. I will be able to commit more time to some of the things that I already do but I am hoping to expand my horizons, just as the StairSteady is doing, so I hope that my life both personally and in business will move on from this ‘moment’ in a positive and creative way. This moment for me is a new start....and boy am I excited!

Rachaels Comment

2011-02-28T10:11:00.002Z

Having spent all day researching the governments Health Surveys 2005 and 2007 I have been amazed how many health problems and conditions are thought to either be preventable or greatly improved by simply eating healthily and leading an active lifestyle. Surely there must be more to staying disease free than not eating fried food and joining a gym? If it is honestly as easy as this then why are there so many people with lifelong conditions and illnesses?
Reading the research today it would appear that the so many of the health problems that affect people are directly caused by people’s lifestyle choices. We all know that smoking and drinking to excess causes harm to our bodies and that we should all eat a healthy diet and get an adequate amount of exercise to stay fit and healthy. We hear so much about how a huge obesity epidemic is sweeping the UK and the world at large, and how binge drinking is suddenly a huge problem for our teenagers and young adults. What is going to happen to all these people and to our healthcare system if these choices really do cause so many conditions later in life?
I always thought that a healthy lifestyle was mostly for external appearances and that it would probably at best give me nicer skin, hair and figure and allow me to keep up with my children now. Reading the reports today though it would appear that a whole lot more is at stake and that my ability to reach old age with my wits about me, my body intact and my ability to care for myself depends on what I eat and how much I exercise now. Maybe it is time to re-evaluate my lifestyle now before it is too late for me? I always try to eat healthily but that is more for vanities sake! If my ability to see my children grow up and be able to live an independent life in the future are at stake maybe I need to dig out those trainers now?

Christmas Opening Times 2010

2010-12-14T13:16:00.001Z

StairSteady Christmas office opening times:
21st December-open as normal (9am-5pm)
22nd December-open as normal (9am-5pm)
23rd December-closed
24th December-closed
25th December-closed
26th December-closed
27th December-closed
28th December-emergencies only (answer machine)
29th December-emergencies only (answer machine)
30th December-emergencies only (answer machine)
31st December-emergencies only (answer machine)
1st January-closed
2nd January-closed
3rd January-closed
4th January-open as normal (9am-5pm)

We are not open much over Christmas as our manufacturers and fitters have a well deserved break, however we will have the phone on and answer machine (which we will be checking from the 28th-31st). we will also be checking our emails so you can email on either info@stairsteady.net or stairsteady@hotmail.co.uk
We hope you have a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

From Ruth and the StairSteady Team

Meet Rachael (yes another Rachael!)

2010-12-06T14:01:00.003Z

1. Name
Rachael Dye, although outside of work I’m mostly Rae
2. Age
Sadly 31

3. What are you doing at StairSteady?
I’m working part time 9:30 till 3:45 most days although I do get to go on exciting trips to Glasgow and Birmingham for meetings and Exhibitions! I take care of most of the day to day office jobs and StairSteady sales as well as finding new leads for Ruth to follow up, as she is fabulous at the training, presentations and trade side of things J I’m also involved in developing a press pack and advertisments at the moment.

4. Why did you want to work at StairSteady?
I worked at StairSteady on a temporary basis after Rachel Kent left, it was only supposed to be until a replacement was found but i fell in love with my job! I wanted to work for a company that didn’t just care about making money out of people. I have a background in the NHS and wanted to do something that was working with people and as corney as it sounds making a difference to peoples lives. I also love how no one day is the same here, I can be answering phones and sending emails one day then at an exhibition and researching leads the next.

5. What do you want to get out of it?
I want to be a part of a team where each person is valued for what they bring and here at StairSteady that feels like it happens each day. I also want learn new skills, I love the challenge of doing new things. Last week i designed my first ever advert for a magazine, and although there was a fair bit of cursing my computer, I could sit back at the end of the day and see what I had acheived. I also get to meet some really genuinely interesting and nice people.

6. What are your strengths?
I think probably my dedication and perseverance are probably two of my strengths, I give 101% to everything I do. I’m also good at communicating with others and dealing with people in stressful situations.

7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I have two young children at the moment so in 10 years time i hope that they will be at an age where we can do some travelling, there is so much of the world i would like to see. Career wise i’d love to be with StairSteady having watched it transform from the small company it is now to something much larger, I know though with Ruth as a Manager and Me here too it will still keep hold of all those things we both feel are so important such as the customer focus and the ethical and moral ideals with both value. Who knows maybe we might have trade partners in the
far- flung places so i can combine my two goals! J

8. How would your friends describe you?
As someone they can turn too when they need to be heard or need a hand with something, hopefully just as a good friend.

9. Describe yourself in three words
Reliable, dedicated and caring
10. Do you like to go to the gym? (queation courtesy of Eamonn Hunt)
I’d love to have the time and energy! With two young children and work I don;t get chance any more but when i get opportunity I love to go out into beauiful places and walk or climb.
11. What do you do in your spare time
Haha see above! No seriously when i get chance I love being outdoors walking and camping etc but I also love music and creative things like making my own jewelery.

12. What is your favourite thing about Sheffield?
I love the fact that there is something for everyone, whatever you are into. The botanical gardens and various parks and green spaces are beautiful. I spent some time near Endcliffe park and Eccleshall Road and just the variety of things on offer there are fabulous, I could shop have a cup of real coffe and organic food then feel virtuous by walking through the park afterwards!

13. Do you like cheese? Which ones? (queation courtesy of Eamonn Hunt)

I have to confess that cheese isn’t my favourite food but Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Red Winsor Cheese and Stilton with apricots and cranberries.

14. Favourite Film

These days its mostly Disney with the kids, but some of them are quite good! I do like a good Murder Mystery or Cop drama though. I’m really looking forward to seeing The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo now its out.

15. Favourite food

I’m Vegetarian and I love berries, nearly all fruit and vegetables and things like cuos cous, brown rice, quinoa etc. I cook quite a lot so i often make stir fries, roast meditteranean vegetables and tagines etc.. as long as its fairly healthy then i’m happy!

16. Favourite Band

I love loads of different kinds of music, at the moment i’m listening to a lot of Pink, Florence and the Machine, Lady GaGa, My Chemical Romance.. but i’m also into the Beetles, Queen & Classical. All sorts really J

17. Favourite Shop

Oh hard choice.. I love Lush. For Clothes I have to go where they do a short range! I do like Top Shop, River Island and Next but you can’t beat Primark and New Look for a Bargin

18. Favourite Place

I fell in Love with Granada when i went out there for a relatives wedding, just to be able to walk on a deserted beach and snorkle before breakfast was amazing, it was also the one and only time I have seen the rainforest which I loved. Closer to home though i love the coast at places like Whitby, I like Manchester and Leeds for city life but nothing beats the peak district for the scenery and walking.

19. Favourite Sweets

Flying Saucers! Oh and a really high cocoa solids Dark Chocolate, Fair Trade though.

20. Tell us something that we would never think about you.
Ooh now what to tell when my boss will read this..! I have a little box full of earings as I only ever wear one of each set.. I also have Grade 5 Piano.

Rachael is our new StairSteady Co-ordinator so many of you may be speaking to her on the phone,

Hope everyone is keeping warm in this horrible weather,

Looking for a Job?

2010-11-25T12:50:00.002Z

A good friend of mine Will is looking for a someone to joing his team. Could this be for you?

Community Manager Job Description

We seek a highly motivated individual with experience and fanatical-passion for blogging, micro-blogging and community participation leadership. Is building social community so ingrained you just can’t stop? Do you take pride in customer service excellence and fancy yourself as an entrepreneur?

We are a youth engagement company with a Crowd Community website launch in January. You’ll work directly with co-founder Emily Cummins, Barclays Woman of the Year, and be based in either our London or Leeds offices. This position is full time salaried with benefits, including attending mainstream and niche’ conferences. The successful candidate will hold an integral role, be a key marketeer and will contribute to corporate objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Take a strategic, metric based approach to achieving positive ROI.
Use data-base segmentation within your targeted strategy to grow user numbers
Interact with our customers to align unselfish service of their needs, with our corporate objectives
Be the eyes and ears of our brand as if your own reputation depended on it
Build and maintain our network by way of social media channels
Minute by minute participation in conversations that surround our content and brand, answer comments, be a mediator.
Identify threats and opportunities in user generated content surrounding our brand, report to appropriate parties.
Crisis management, extinguishing the flames of uproar
Interact with client and corporate agencies.
Create content for feeds and snippets in various social media sites.
Participate, as yourself and white hat avatars, on our behalf
Optimise tags, on our feeds, sharing sites like YouTube/Flickr and search engines through copywriting, creative & keyword optimisation.
Tag and title content, with an understanding of how the word’s chosen impact natural search traffic and rankings
Manage and track link building campaigns
Create and update daily, weekly and monthly reports

Our ideal candidate will be able to tick many of the below;
Has a degree in music, advertising, marketing, graphics, web development, communications, English, IT, theatre or anthropology.
Excel at research, possesses excellent writing skills and the ability to crank editorial and technical writing output without brooding.
Has work experience in advertising, PR, online marketing or similar
Dedicated to blogging and use of Facebook
Demonstrated creativity and documented immersion in social media
Demonstrated some ability to map out a marketing strategy and then drive that strategy proven by testing and metrics
Ability to jump from the creative side to analytical side
Ambitious
Understand organic optimization (SEO), social media optimization (SMO) and paid placement (PPC).
Understand libel, defamation and copyright infringement.
Discretion to identify threats and opportunities in user generated content
Understands social media universe including YouTube, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Flickr, Twitter, Wikis, blogs, etc…We’re looking for a social media addict who maintains a personal mix of participatory expertise from among these channels.
Knowledge of name and tagging posts
Has excellent verbal and written communication skills and an ability to work individually on a project or in a team environment
Is eager to meet and exceed objectives and take on more responsibility
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines
Ability to communicate results to management and in a fast paced environment

Leeds Round Foundry Media Centre, Foundry Street, Leeds LS11 5QP
London 16 Old Town, Clapham, London SW4 0JY
Surrey Lawster House, 140 South Street, Dorking, Surrey RH4 2EU

08444 774 100

Keep Smiling,
R

Inspirational Magazine

2010-11-05T09:40:00.004Z

i was asked to write an article for Inspirational Magazine,

you can see it on pages 36-37 http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1oavn/InspirationalMagazin/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F185185%2FInspirational-Magazine-revised-version

and for those that cant see the link, here is the text:

You never hear a man being asked what it’s like ‘being a man in business’ and yet in interviews people always ask me what it’s like being a woman in business or engineering. I don’t mind them asking but often it’s asked as if it was a hindrance, as if because of this reason I must find everyday a struggle.
At the age of sixteen when I first started my business I found that odd. For me living with my mother, who is a true representation of all things inspiring, meant that I never experienced any sort of gender inequality. Growing up in a world where my mother could keep down a job, clean the house, cook the tea, study for a master (and then a doctorate), run us around to our various hobbies and still have time to be a pillar of the community meant that by the age of sixteen I was in no doubt that it was a woman’s world.
This all meant that when, while doing my GCSE resistant materials, I got entered into the Young Engineer For Britain competition and then won I was thrown into a world of gender stereotyping. My first experience of being treated differently came the morning after I won the award. With no sleep and a lot of adrenaline I was doing a morning of interviews (which to a sixteen year old was bizarre to say the least). My first interview was with radio5live ‘the money programme’ and as I entered the studio and realised I was not only a) the only woman, but b) the youngest by at least two decades, I should have been prepared for a little bit of gender bashing. This however did not even cross my mind, I was on a real buzz after winning the award. The question that shocked me was one of the first of my three minute interview, that went along the lines of ‘so Ruth, why engineering? You look like so many others that want to media studies’. Well! I was shocked by such blatant bit of stereotyping and after what seemed like five minutes (although when you listen back it is only a couple of seconds) I fought my corner for women in whatever field they wanted to succeed in.
After my first encounter with these opinions I encountered many more from, being too young for business banking to comments about dressing too much like a woman. However, as the years went on I learnt to embrace, as my mother had, the joys of being a women in what was perceived by outsiders and the media as a man’s world. I found I had a lot more media attention, I relished in the comment ‘you don’t look like an engineer..’ or ‘ you run your own business, at YOUR age..’
I found that in my own little way I was breaking down barriers. I make a conscious decision not to change the way I dressed to fall into step behind the men and to enjoy the fact that I was a women doing what I enjoyed. Being a women in whatever field you choose to work in does not change that fundamentally that you are a women, I find that companies run by women are often run in slightly different ways to male led organisation, and I like that, it does not mean that they are any less successful. Oh and just because I think women should embrace being women does not mean that I think we should trample and stamp out all the men, I just like it when there is a balance.
Although I am sure there will come a day when men are asked ‘How do you find it being a man in business?’.

Hope your all having a good day,
Ruth

I am a very bad blogger...

2010-11-03T15:00:00.003Z

I really need to blog more... whoops

So all has been busy in the StairSteady Office:

-We have a new leaflet and logo by printing.com, read all about it

http://growyourbusinesswithprintingcom.blogspot.com/

and look how pretty it looked when we did some filming for the Manufacturing Diploma

- We have taken on another Rachael, this time on a more permanent basis, blog intro to come.

-Up to Christmas we are running a scheme that any new orders that we receive we will create a Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child on behalf of the customer.

-We had a very product logistics meeting (I love my flo diagrams).

-Next week we have a meeting with Handicare (formally Minivator) who do our fittings for us.

-Revenue and Customs are doing some filming....more to come I promise.

Here the link to the other videos
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1081994865&type=ONEOFFPAGE

and

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1084616829&type=CAMPAIGN

-I may have an announcement to make this week or next... so follow me on twitter to be the first to hear @RuthAmos

Short post I know but my aim is to blog more, it’s good for the soul.

Bloodhound SSC: Doncaster College

2010-09-13T12:58:00.004+01:00

I am very proud to say that I am a Bloodhound Project ambassador, now ‘what is the project?’ I hear you say; well the Bloodhound Project is the engineering adventure for the 21st century. They are pushing the limits and inspiring young engineers and scientists by building incredible car, driven by Andy Green, capable of 1,000mph. That’s right the Bloodhound Project is about breaking the land speed record (sexy right?) and so it is a big honour to be one of their ambassadors.

Lead by Richard Noble the Project is all about celebrating British Engineering at its finest. The Project team consists of some of the world’s most revered engineering talent the individuals involved have been hand picked to ensure BLOODHOUND SSC is a global success, bringing together previous partnerships and fostering new talent in one of the most exciting engineering adventures that the world has seen for many years.

So where do I come in? Well Jonathon Ellis is the Ambassador Director and with Jo Finch was holding a two day education event at Doncaster College, and this is finally where I come in. The days are to encourage, inspire and inform and I go under the heading on inspire. We two days were full of talks, time to see how the car would look, look at the spec, have a go at driving it (in the driving simulator, I wish I could drive the real thing!). We even got a visit from the Mayor.

The BLOODHOUND SSC project is unique when compared to other ground breaking engineering ventures in that all the information about the research, design, build and testing of the car is available to teachers and students, and of course to anyone that wishes to visit the website

The website is full of information, ideas and videos please take a look http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/

Or drop them an email to request an education day for your school, college or group http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/education.cfm

So you’ve had the information and links, now for the pictures (and all my silly faces, the photographer told me after ‘your very ...er....expressive’)

Im not the only one who is 'expressive'

Jonathon explains the features of the car 'it goes very fast'

Jo talks about where Andy be sat

The Mayor tries the fantastic driving simulator

And Finally.... my expressive talk

.....Aspire.....

...er...surprise?....

... and explanation

Job Vacancy

2010-09-13T10:12:00.004+01:00

We are looking for someone to join our small local company on a temporary, part time basis.
Working Hours/ 5days a week
Mon-Thur 10.00-15.00
Fri 10.00-13.00

Applicant needs:
· Excellent Phone Manner
· Office Skills including- Word, Excel, Basic Finance and Email
· Willing to work independently
· Confident in dealing with all age groups
Hourly Rate £6.00
Applications by the 30th September 2010

To Apply Please Send Your CV To:
StairSteady Ltd
Westthorpe Innovation Centre
Killamarsh
Sheffield
S21 1TZ

Or Email info@stairsteady.net

Any queries please call
08456528804

TEDx Sheffield

2010-09-10T16:32:00.001+01:00

TEDxSheffield
Yesterday was my first, but I hope not my last TED event I spent the afternoon at the showroom Sheffield for an afternoon of ideas, thoughts and me trying to sit still.

I have used the TED website before so when I heard that TEDxSheffield was on a day I was free and a friend had a spare ticket I jumped at the chance to have the ‘TED experience’ first hand. Now any of you that hasn’t heard of TED or have heard but never explored (shame on you),
TED is:

‘TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader.’

The TED website http://www.ted.com/ is filled with days worth of talks on many subject, many that inspire and inform. I would highly recommend that you have a look.

TEDxSheffield is about:

‘the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)’

So how was TEDxSheffield?....thought provoking, exciting, generally fantatastic (apart from the fact that I don’t do the sitting sit thing very well).

Chris Anderson welcomed us and introduced us to our first speaker Cennydd Bowles who talked about the beauty of the web, or lack of beauty in the web, the potential that was there for art and beauty and how functionality doesn’t create beauty. The fact that trying to please everyone often pleases no one. Very Thought provoking and he used a gorgeous font for his text.

The next talk was a TED Talk introduced by Jonny Douglas of Jonny Douglas Design (http://www.jonnydouglas.com/) or @JonnyDouglas on twitter. This was a talk about gross national happiness, another talk to make you think.

Then on to our second live speaker Richard St John, now this guy was a professional, but not in a *yawn* he does this talk times a day, he was lively and talked on ‘success’ he had talked to over 500 successful people and he talked about the values of success (he has a book too, 8ways to be successful). The main thing about Richards talk was his obvious love to push himself and he had climbed many mountains and ran many marathons (I may wish to follow in his footsteps after seeing the photos). Here is a small extract of his talk http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success.html

Then it was time for a break to stretch our legs, then on with the afternoon’s entertainment.
To get us back into the swing of things they showed us ‘Terrible Terry Tate, Office Linebacker’ if you have never seen it please google it, its a good giggle.

Our next talk was from Alex Graham, CEO of Wall to Wall, a media company responsible for creating shows like, Who do you think you are, The 1900’s house and Man on Wire.
I found him interesting, it’s obviously not his day job, but he had some good stories and the pretence of, “5 ways to kill creativity” was a good framework. Being a fan of the 1900 house as a child I was very excited to hear the man who had produced one of the first TV series I remember watching as a family.

Then was my favourite speaker, Tom Scott (although his time slot was a shorter one) with his amusing and thought provoking take on social media. He was very good, funny, I was taking notes. It was more of a show than a talk and after an afternoon of trying to find it you can see a recording of his talk
http://www.tomscott.com/mob/

Then we saw a famous TED talk about not being a leader, be the first follower a short but neverless entertaining talk by Derek Sivers titled’ hoe to start a movement’
Then we went onto the penultimate speaker Andy Hanselman, who as a friend of mine was one of the main reasons I wanted to support. Having heard Andy speak before he always keeps motivating me and today was no different.

And so onto the last speaker of the day Doug Richard and with an open letter to Mr Cameron, I found it thought provoking, sensible and ...funny. I don’t know why I wasn’t expecting the humour, but I found that he made me think, question things and smile.

So as the afternoon drew to a close, I was sad it was over, looking forward to next time, loved the constant tweeting...oh and knew that I would be spending most of my free time finding other inspiring talks on the TED website.

oh an a shameless twitter plug follow me @ruthamos

Meet Rachel!

2010-07-05T11:51:00.002+01:00

This summer we took on our first Intern, so we thought we would give her a grilling so you could all learn more about her.

1. Name
Rachel Kent

2. Age
20

3. What are you doing at StairSteady?
Im on a summer internship with StairSteady. I started at the end of June and Im working until September (taking full advantage of nice long university holidays!) I met Ruth whilst taking part in a competition at the University of Sheffield called ‘The Intern’. Basically it was similar to The Apprentice but on a much smaller scale! Ruth was one of the judges in the penultimate round.

4. Why did you want to do an internship at StairSteady?
Because StairSteady is a small company I knew that I would not just be making cups of tea(!) and that I would be taking an active role in helping the company progress. Also, unlike with larger companies and their internships, I knew I would be able to discover all the different elements and challenges that a business faces rather than staying in a particular department. This has definately happened already! In my first week I went from meeting potential customers to actually being in the factory heping make the product!

5. What do you want to get out of it?
My main aim is to increase my knowledge of how a business runs on a daily basis and their future projections. I am also keen to work on my own project within StairSteady, focussing on fixed/variable costs and the impact on StairSteady while hopefully helping Ruth and the team!

6. What are your strengths?
I would say that my strengths lie in my social skills! I would like to think that I am easy to get along with and truelly believe that ‘two heads are better than one’. I am also very hard working and do not like to leave a job unfinished (this might also be incase I forget the task the following day!).

7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years time I will (hopefully!) have completed a degree and be well underway in my career. I am not sure what I want to go into yet, but ideally I would like to work for a charity. In 10 years time I would also like to be on my way to owning a house and possibly have a family.

8. How would your friends describe you?
I would like to think that they would describe me as caring and considerate and generally just a good friend!

9. Describe yourself in three words
Honest, Lively, Inquisitive

10. Do you like to go to the gym? (queation courtesy of Eamonn Hunt)
I would like to say yes but, no! Although my house for my 3rd and final year at university is very close to the gym and so I have no excuse not to join up in September!

11. What do you do in your spare time
I love spending time with my friends, whatever we are doing. Particularly like meeting up with my friends from home in the holidays as I dont get to see them as much as I would like in the term time. Im a member of Sheffield badminton club and like to play regularly (despite being pretty appauling!). I also like to go clubbing and to watch bands. Oh and of course, shopping!

12. What is your favourite thing about Sheffield?
Coming from a village, I love the variety of people in Sheffield and the ‘buzz’ of a city but also Sheffield seems to have the friendliness of a town or village. In my second year I lived very close to the centre of Sheffield and I enjoyed having so many things to go and see 2 minutes from my doorstep.

13. Do you like cheese? Which ones? (queation courtesy of Eamonn Hunt)
Haha! I like most ‘normal’ cheeses but I stay well clear of any blue cheese! My favourite is mature cheddar; melted cheese makes a meal!

14. Favourite Film
That’s a tough one! It would have to be between The Holiday, Pride and Prejudice and (embarrassingly) Save The Last Dance.

15. Favourite food
King prawns!

16. Favourite Band
I like a few, and it often changes but I would have to say Kings of Leon. I saw them play last year at a festival in Ireland called ‘Oxegen’ and they were unbelievable. Despite terrential rain and strong winds they still made the atmosphere amazing.

17. Favourite Shop
Topshop! Or if my bank balance is a little tight, New Look and Primark.

18. Favourite place
Edinburgh. Id really like to live there for a while when I’m older.

19. Favourite Sweets
Skittles

20. Tell us something that we would never think about you.
Another tough one! You would probably never think that I would be the only person in the whole of Sheffield university doing my course, Economics and Social Policy. Despite common questioning, this doesn’t mean that I have one-to-one lecturing as it’s dual honours, meaning i sit in Economic and then Social Policy/Sociology lectures.

Please follow me on twitter @rach_kent and hopefully we will meet soon :)

Naidex 2010- Ruth Diary

2010-04-24T15:06:00.008+01:00

Day 1- Monday- set up
Today starts early with a trip to TNT to send off this week’s StairSteadys, then on to Birmingham, the car piled high with the stand. We arrive to a mass on half built stands and tools and machinery everywhere. After a sandwich the lads get to building the stand.

Video- before we start

Picture- making a start
Picture- starting to take shape
Picture- and were done
Video- how big the show is!

We leave at 6.30 ready for some food. I’m almost asleep into my rice.
Its a long day and I’m asleep by 8.30 as its going to be a long week!
Day 2- Tuesday
The day begins at 6.15 with a shower and a cup of coffee for mum breakfast at 7.00
Picture- mum and Phil enjoy breakfast
Picture- my Wheatabix
.... and were all ready to meet Matt at 8.30. We arrive at the show at 8.45 and the finishing touches are made (leaflets are put out, caffeine is pumped into the body) and at 10.00am the show opens and the people pour in (literally). We have a busy day demonstrating and handing out leaflets.
1300
Huntleigh’s demonstrations break up the day nicely and its fascinating seeing their bariatric equipment. Putnam’s vibrating pillows are selling like hot cakes and the contacts we are getting are fantastic. The guys next door let me stand on there AMAZING gel when me feet hurts...

... and cosy feet are doing a roaring trade.
1600
People have started heading home and the show is starting to get quiet.
1700
The show ends and the quiet StairSteady team decide to give the post show drinks a miss as we are all on our last legs.
1830
A debate about where to eat is taking place, we have ended up just driving around looking for food.....we have found an Ikea! Meatballs it is. (I know not the most normal thing to have, but very yummy)
1930
After getting very lost trying to find out way out, we decide to join the coach trips in the bar... one drink later and were all ready for bed!
2100
I’ve done well, managed to stay up an extra 30min J night all.
Day3- Wednesday
It’s a frantic rush this morning as the hotels electricity runs out. So they guys beat us to the NEC. (Dad bringing my supply of frozen juice- I’m mostly drinking liquids because of having my wisdom tooth out so it was a careful plan of who was bringing me up my homemade juice so it stayed fresh- it seemed a good idea at the time)Today we have got so much help on the stand! Mum, Dad, Peter, Phil, Matt and Reg are all there to help me. We have our new black StairSteady Shirts and they all look very smart.
It’s busy again and I leave the team in the afternoon for a meeting with Mike Lord (Minivator). Mike spends a few hours with me looking at how we are going to be moving forward. It’s a very thoughtful meeting, but hopefully the outcomes will help StairSteady go from strength to strength.

1830
After another long day Mum, Reg and Phil head back to Sheffield and Matt, Dad, Peter and me all hit the Chinese (I know my second Chinese in a week)
1930
By now we are running low on leaflets so in true StairSteady style I spend a couple of hours printing off and folding a couple of hundred leaflets.
Day 4- Thursday
Last day and the guys all look very smart in there suits. The show is not quite so busy today and Russ (Matt’s Dad) joins us at lunch before taking Matt home to do some revision. Today we get to visit some of the other exhibitor’s stands; I am always amazed with how many brilliant ideas are out there!
Mike joins us for a bit in the afternoon and quizzes the OTs on how we can get the StairSteady into more council. Minivator even let me have a go on one of there Stair Lifts!
The day ends at 1600, but the work is only just beginning as after a quick change its time to take down the stand.
I learn how to use the power tools and Dad, Peter and me get the stand down in record time.
Were on our way home by 1930
2100
I arrive home and collapse onto the sofa while Phil makes me a cup of tea, my Mum brings me my tea (they look after me well) and I can barely keep my eyes open.
Day 5-Friday- unpacking and sorting out
Friday is usually spent unpacking the stand and storing it, sorting out leaflets and lists and working out where ‘this thing’ used to live.
Suitcases fill the house and someone always manages to fall over a bit of a StairSteady. It chaotic, but it’s a team effort and that’s what I love. The StairSteady team all pulling together and working hard.
Thanks Team
Ruth x

Naidex 2010

2010-04-18T20:48:00.002+01:00

I cannot believe it was a year since the last Naidex; it’s the night before the week of..... Well sleep deprivation, madness, excitement, tired feet and fun.
Naidex is big on the StairSteady calendar, however tiring it is it will always have a special place in my heart. It was the place that I launched the StairSteady, where I first met Mike Lord and the Minivator team, it’s also a week I get to spend with my family, they take time off to help man the stand and the time we spend together is fantastic!

Don't get me wrong it’s a lot of preparation and (as I’m still not finished working at 8.50 on a Sunday night having worked a lot of the day) its hard work, but I LOVE IT! Naidex is a chance for everyone to get together, trade, the public and healthcare professionals. It the biggest show of its kind within the UK, and although it’s not cheap, it is worth every penny.

Now I’m saying all these fantastic things, and I’m not even there yet (I may be blogging with a different tone tomorrow) but this is my past experience.

Tomorrow (Monday) is set up day and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the doors are open and we take down Friday. It’s a full week.

I find tomorrow a really interesting day- I think it’s the engineer in me- three big empty halls get turned into a miniature village, for three days halls and the NEC, Birmingham become the mobility and healthcare centre of the UK. Filled with members of the public wanting to find out how to solve there everyday problems, healthcare professionals wanting to find out the newest developments in the marketplace and the trade looking for the next big thing.

It’s one of the most organised shows I have ever done, visitors badges are colour coordinated, online manuals are available for exhibitors, and the accessibility is second to none.

I would urge you, if you want to know more about what is to offer, how to solve a problem or just to see how a StairSteady works, then come to Naidex. More details can be found at www.naidex.co.uk including information on the workshops and demonstrations that are lead each day.

And remember, if you are visiting, come visit us at stand A52, we would love to see you!
Ruth x

Where have i been?

2010-04-18T20:24:00.007+01:00

I have been so busy with talks, a meal at James Caans and a trip to Downing Street to name a few (selection of pictures to follow).

A Celebration of Womens Contribution to BritainMr Brown welcomes all the Ladies
Sarah Brown talks Duffy
I have also been talking a lot as well as judging at the Big Bang Fair (very fun and exciting) where I made new friends and caught up with old. I was very privileged to sit on a fantastic panel of judges, catching up with some old friends (Kate Bellingham) and made new friends (Jim Al Khalili and Liz Bonnin). Incidentally Kate and Liz are on the Museum of Life programme on the BBC- it is FANTASTIC, so well shot and Liz and Kate are as fantastic as ever. Kate BellinghamLiz Bonnin
Jim Al Khalili
I also got to meet the rest of the ‘Bang Goes the Theory’ crew, very talented people. The Big Bang was hold in Manchester and was a fantastic 3days and they let me talk at the sponsors dinner, a real privilege.
The Bang Goes the Theory Team
Young Engineers will always have a special place in my heart, without them StairSteady would not have taken off as it did and for that I will be forever grateful.

So as well as these amazing opportunities I have been working harder than ever, we have been spending a lot of time trying to get the StairSteady to be the perfect product. We have a possible new powder coaters ‘Apple Aluminium’ a local company in Sheffield, they have been fantastic and I had a meeting with Adam who runs it and its seems like it will be a fantastic working relationship (there turnaround time seems to be unbelievable) but only time will tell.

We have been looking into new packaging, TNT seem to like to play Basketball with our StairSteadys and so we have been trying a lot of new packaging and it seems promising.
I will try and blog more, next week we are at Naidex, so I will try and get some picture, video and possibly blog (depending on time). However, please follow my tweets @RuthAmos

More to come sooner.....
Keep Moving.......
Ruth x

New Price List

2010-04-18T20:18:00.002+01:00

Prices as at 1st April 2010

Standard rail (fitted) £500.00 +VAT

Total (without survey) £587.50

Survey £50+VAT

Total (with survey) £646.25

....

Dog Leg rails (fitted) £650.00 +VAT
(Includes a Standard rail and a smaller one for the Dog Leg)

Total (without survey) £763.75

Survey £50+VAT

Total (with survey) £822.50
....

Extra handle £30+VAT

....
Survey is on the property (not the user) and can be done by the purchaser. However, should we not be able to fit due to any inaccurate information given or an inaccurate wall survey, then an aborted fit cost will be charged at £50+VAT.
Price quoted is for an individual order of a standard powder coated steel rail and handle in cream colour. A range of handles, alternative colours and bespoke hardware are available at additional cost

Fitting is compulsory
There is an aborted fitting fee cost of £50+VAT

There may be additional discounts available for multiple orders
Grab rails are not supplied with the product although we can recommend suppliers.

Prices are per fitting of a standard StairSteady within most mainland areas of the country, there is a supplementary cost for some outlying areas.
For the cost of multiple fittings at one site please contact Ruth Amos

Easter Opening Times 2010

2010-03-26T10:24:00.003Z

29th March 09.00-17.00
30th March 09.00-17.00
31st March 09.00-17.00
1st April 09.00-17.00
Good Friday Closed
3rd April Closed
Easter Sunday Closed
Easter Monday Closed
6th April Normal Hours Resume

Hope you all have a Happy Easter!

Christmas Opening Times

2009-12-21T11:47:00.003Z

Happy Christmas!

StairSteady Christmas office opening times:

21st December-open as normal (9am-5pm)

22nd December-open as normal (9am-5pm)

23rd December-closed

24th December-closed

25th December-closed

26th December-closed

27th December-closed

28th December-emergencies only (answer machine)

29th December-emergencies only (answer machine)

30th December-emergencies only (answer machine)

31st December-emergencies only (answer machine)

1st January-closed

2nd January-closed

3rd January-closed

4th January-open as normal (9am-5pm)

We hope you have a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

From Ruth and the StairSteady Team

Well Done Charlotte!

2009-12-14T14:17:00.003Z

Just a quick post to congratulate my best friend Charlotte who has been voted a student Trustee of Hallam Union.

I am so proud of her (she did an amazing speech and used a quote from Legally Blonde)

What a Star!

PR Personal Training

2009-12-09T18:40:00.003Z

Why do people always wait till January to get into shape?!

I am a bit of a gym bunny (actually a big gym bunny) i love training and i'm even considering doing a half marathon in April....

...but i have no need to worry about gaining weight over the Christmas period as a friend of mine has started his own personal training company in chesterfield, specialising in personal training and sports first aid.

His prices are really reasonable and even offers a special buddy-buddy rate so you can train with a friend.

To me that sounds like fun and at £30 for the buddy-buddy session its a steal at £15 per person!!!

Check out there website www.physiorooms.co.uk

Newport, Wales

2009-12-08T22:46:00.002Z

On the 20th November (yes I’m very late writing it but all I can say is I’ve been very busy) I talked at a 6th form conference held by Newport business school. i travelled down after my Look North interview and stayed overnight so I didn’t have to get up mega early.
It was such a quiet journey in, hardly any cars!!! Phil came with me to keep me company- and drive- it was so beautiful, with lovely bridges (its the engineer in me :-))

The students were all very lovely, I even got proposed to!
Some of the questions I got asked were really good and some of them were even considering setting up their own business. I really enjoyed the day and everyone was so friendly. Thank you for such a warm welcome J
Just a note to say thank you to Betina Skovbro for the photos (http://www.skovbro.com/)

London Metro, Daily Mail, Look North.......the List Goes on

2009-11-23T14:56:00.004Z

After the Women of the Future Award i have been getting alot of really good PR about StairSteady (thank you, every little helps!).
it has been madness in the office (yay!) and we have all been working really hard to answer all your calls and emails.

Thank you... and here is my Look Nort interview

Women of the Future

2009-11-23T14:25:00.005Z

It may have been over a week since it happened, but the publicity ripples are still going.

On the 12th November it was the Women of the Future Awards, sponsored by Shell.
I took my friend Tanya who nominated me (Thank you Tanya) and it was a really special event.
This amazing night started with a champagne reception where we could network. I met with some of the other girls in my category; Nikki Cusworth from Rolls-Royce, Georgia Groom from ‘angus, thongs and perfect snogging’, Alice Powell the best female racing driver I know and Mishka Rushdie Momen a very talented pianist.
The night started with us all up on stage and a welcome speech from Pinky Lilani OBE-who started the awards with Caspian Publishing. This was followed by a welcome speech by David Cameron (who was sat between Cherie Blair and Tessa Jowells) who promised “I will not let the quest for equality die. Women are more likely to become MPs in Rwanda, Belarus, Burundi and the Seychelles than in the UK. Frankly, that’s a disgrace. That is not progressive. And I will not let this problem rest until I’ve fixed it.”
It was....interesting, but I got a mention so that was exciting!
The special guests were Her Highness Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Cherie Blair who are patrons of Women of the Future. Also in attendance was novelist Salman Rushdie and actress Anna Chancellor (Spooks, Four Weddings and a Funeral) to Her Royal Highness Princess Badiya Bint El Hassan. (who is the loveliest person EVER!!)
A big highlight for me was that Phyllida Lloyd (who directed Mamma Mia) presented an award!!!
The food was lovely (even if I don’t really eat much fish, it was really nice!) and the company was ace!
Alice (and her manager) and Tanya entertained me all night... and I won the ‘Women of the Future’ ‘Young Star’ Award.
Thank you very much Women of the Future, lovely night, amazing award and ALOT of publicity (which always helps when getting a new product on the market :-)).

so long so much to tell you!

2009-11-23T14:10:00.005Z

okay so i have been really busy, but in a really good way because i have had alot of people to call and email (and i am still calling and emailing people)

So last time i blogged i had seen Lord Sugar.... well i had the honour of being one of the speakers at the Bring Out the Branson event at the Gateshead Hilton Hotel AND what an event it was!
There were some really inspiring speakers James Murray Wells, founder of glassdirect.co.uk, Chris Taylor, Director of Superkrush Films and the amazing Alexander Amosu, mobile ringtones entrepreneur! It was hosted by Casper Berry who was really good at holding the show together!!

I love my dodgy foot on this one

It was run by the Entrepreneurs Forum they said about the event:
'In recognising the future potential of tomorrow's entrepreneurs in our region, the Entrepreneurs' Forum's annual student conference brings together a range of leading business men and women, as well as our own home-grown talent, to share their learning's and experiences with delegates from the region's Univerisites and Colleges - which for many delegates, could just make the difference to them between success and failure.'

It was an amazing event and everyone was so so lovely and i felt at home as my dad is from Gateshead.
Thank you for inviting me!

How To Buy A StairSteady!

2009-11-14T15:02:00.005Z

Purchase Guide
This is a simple guide on how to buy a StairSteady:

Step one- which type of StairSteady?
Call us on 08456528804 or email us at info@stairsteady.net to place your order.
• We need to know if you are purchasing a standard or dog leg StairSteady. A dog leg has a 90 degree turn in it. (When it comes to dog legs if it is only two or three steps I recommend a standard with a handrail, if you can manage, as it works out cheaper)
• We will want your details- name, address and telephone number.
• We will ask for 50% of the total cost to be sent by cheque or bank transfer.
Our postal address is 42 Ashley Lane, Killamarsh, Sheffield, S21 1AB.

Step 2- What type of assessment?
The next thing you need to decide is who you wish to carry out the assessment.
The assessment is on the property (not the user) and can be done by the purchaser at no cost. A form will be sent to you should you decide to do this yourself.
We will need some basic information about sizes and placing, but mostly it is about your wall type. The wall is crucial because it means that we know what to bring to fit the StairSteady, but also if the wall is stable enough to hold the weight required. You may need to do some minor investigation to find out what type of wall you, for example a light switch may need to be removed (please do this carefully). (However, should we not be able to fit due to any inaccurate information given or an inaccurate wall survey, then an aborted fit cost will be charged at £50+VAT.)

Alternatively we can arrange for the assessment to be carried out at a cost of £50+VAT.

Step 3- what do I pay?
You send us a cheque for the initial payment (50% of total cost), and we send you an order confirmation with an unique order number, confirming the price and assessment arrangements, (if you want us to carry out the assessment, we will then arrange to send out an assessor).
When we receive your cheque or bank transfer we will call you to confirm it has arrived and then again once it has cleared.

Step 4- How do I arrange fitting?
Once payment has cleared and we have your assessment details we will then arrange for your StairSteady to be fitted. One of our trained StairSteady fitters will contact you to come out and fit your StairSteady at a convenient time to you.

Step 5- what about final payment?
You will pay the outstanding balance on the StairSteady after fitting, by cheque or bank transfer, our postal address is 42 Ashley Lane, Killamarsh, Sheffield, S21 1AB.
Any questions please email info@stairsteady.net or give us a call.

see our new price list on the post made on the 18th April 2010

Bdaily TV

2009-11-09T10:12:00.001Z

Im on BDaily TV, check it out, i'l do a proper blog on the event when i have a little more time, enjoy!!!
http://bdaily.info/tv/news/06-11-2009/bring-out-the-branson/

Your Fired!

2009-11-02T10:38:00.003Z

So last week was a busy week, on Wednesday afternoon i went along to Nottingham University to take part in a question and answer session with the one and only Sir Alan.... I mean Lord Sugar.

It was an opportunity to ask the Entrepreneurial Czar his opinions on our businesses, and although I didn’t ask a question I found it very informative. Sir Alan Lord Sugar was very informative and straight talking.

Here are just a few pearls of wisdom:
· Editorial is worth its weight in gold
· Recruit using staff you have, they know people with the skills set you want
· Look at the money weekly be focused
· Never have just one customer
· Play to you strengths (he was very blunt about his own successes and failures)

A few funny sayings from Lord Sugar that I found particularly amusing, useful or interesting:
· Ten to fifteen years ago we lived in a Mickey mouse Disney world with the banks
· At one time anyone with his top button undone, a bottle of Evian and a sheet with ‘.com’ at the top was given 5 million from the banks, that can’t be right!
· This is your wakeup time!
· Deal with it!
· Play the game in this moment
· Can we get to the question!
· Show me the Money!
· I Literally wouldn’t give up your day job! (to a guy setting up a business)
It ended up being like the apprentice meets dragons den, I found it a very interesting insight into business but especially Lord Sugar, and I left wondering how a man so down to earth had ever been persuaded to do a TV show.

Helping Will at Sheffield Uni

2009-10-27T12:13:00.002Z

Last night I had the pleasure of being asked to come along to Sheffield University and help my friend Will, from Speakeasy for Schools, teach some of the students about business and being an entrepreneur. It was a lot of fun and the topics we covered were Networking and Negotiation. Very important topics!
I met some really nice and talented people and contacts... its all about the Networking! :)

12 Hour Cardio Marathon

2009-10-27T11:36:00.002Z

On Saturday the 24th October, me and my brother, my boyfriend and my dad took place in a team 12 hour cardio marathon (a charity event for the South Yorkshire Community Fund), the aim was that in teams of four or more, you completed 12hours on either a spin bike or treadmill, for 12hours there must always be one of your team members on your piece of equipment!

The challenge started at 7am and we would finish at 7pm, it had been organised by a friend of mine called Becky and she did a wonderful job! There were four teams on sin bikes and one treadmill team, each group slit the time differently, 1 hour slits, half an hour splits, my team opted for 20min splits. This meant we had 20min on the bike and an hour to recover, the 20min on the bike was 20min sprinting as the other aim was to do as many KM as possible in the 12 hours! As a team we managed 405KM in 12 hours and all the teams on the bikes managed 1624KM- that’s from junction 30 on the m1 all the way to Villanova Marconi in Italy!

When we weren’t on the bikes we had snacks provided and we watched films (some were very appropriate such as ‘Run Fat Boy Run’). It was a tiring day and at times quite painful as anyone who regularly rides a bike will know, getting back on the saddle is the hardest bit! But it was a good laugh and Becky organised it really well!

Let’s hope we raised a lot of money for the South Yorkshire Community Fund!

Be Good Be Beautiful!

2009-10-27T11:12:00.005Z

On Wednesday 21st we had our second Be Good Be Beautiful night, this is an event that we put on once a year to promote fairtrade fashion, makeup, jewellery and anything that would appeal to a female audience looking to be more ethical. It is held at my church, but we set u the hall to have a cafe feel with little stalls around the side.

This year we had, a Tradecraft stall, Bodyshop, Exclusive Roots jewellery, Ethical Girl clothing, Banana Bobs fruit and veg boxes, a selection of ethical books, Tradecraft and Tearfund jewellery, a meadowhall map with fairtrade shops marked, and a ethical lookbook for autumn and winter.

It was a lovely night, with a chilled atmosphere and lots of chocolate!!!
Also we have just signed u for the 90 kg Rice Challenge as a circuit, The challenge, to sell 90 kilos of fairly traded Malawian Kilombero rice, represents a great way to make tangible the impact we can have on Developing World producers by buying fairly traded products.
If a Malawian rice farmer sells 90kilos of rice at a fair price he/she makes enough money to send one of their children to high school for a year. Only 1 in 3 children can currently afford to go to high school in Malawi and as education is a vital tool in overcoming poverty, any increase in this statistic is extremely valuable.
This is an ongoing challenge and on the night we sold about 20bags, but we are hoping to continue this and maybe do an event or meal especially for it!
......Also a big thanks to the men, who sent the night in the kitchen doing drinks!

Now its time to start organising the next one!

Sponsered Walk

2009-10-21T09:40:00.006+01:00

Yesterday I did a walk with my mum for Portage.
Portage is Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families.
The first such scheme was developed in Portage, Wisconsin, USA in the early 1970's to meet the needs of the young children living in rural communities. Since its introduction in the UK, the success of the approach has lead to an increasing number of services being developed nationally. There are now 140 services registered with the National Portage Association in Britain.
The aim of Portage is to support the development of young children's play, communication and relationships and to encourage full participation in day to day life within the family and beyond the home. Portage services are committed to securing inclusion in the wider community for all children and families in their own right. Support offered through Portage is based on the principle that parents are the key figures in the care and development of their child and Portage aims to help parents to be confident in this role whatever their child's needs may be.
In order to do this the Portage Home Visitor works alongside parents offering practical help and ideas to:
make learning fun for all the family;
encourage a child's interests;
and address problematic situations.
In Rotherham the Portage workers salaries are funded, but other outreach activities aren’t. So yesterday I did a sponsored walk around the children’s centre in Rotherham with my Mum, it was a really nice day (apart from the weather was horrible, very wet!). We managed and hopefully we will have raised a lot of money for the service. We walked about 11miles, I never realised that Rotherham was that hilly!!!!

Micheal McIntyre Was Amazing!

2009-10-21T09:36:00.002+01:00

You can probably tell by the title that i was ver impressed by Mr McIntyre! he was so so funny, Loved Him! i would recommened going to see him, his show was adapted to the audienceand at times he went off his 'set' list of jokes, but this made his so much better and well worth the money!

Michael McIntyre

2009-10-18T15:59:00.001+01:00

I am very excited tonight to be seeing Micheal McIntyre! I am going with my boyfriend and we are both very excited, I will give you a full update tomorrow.

Women of the Future Award

2009-10-16T09:32:00.003+01:00

I am very privileged to have been shortlisted for a ‘Women of the Future’ Award (thank you very much Tanya Budd for nominating me!). I am in the Young Stars category and last Friday I went down to London to be ‘judged’. This was not as scary as it sounds, more of an interview. My category is really nice as we all come from different industries and we are all there for different reasons there is Mazeda Begum who is a student (unfortunately I didn’t get to meet her) but I did have the pleasure of meeting Nikki Cusworth a young engineer for Rolls-Royce, Georgia Groom who is an actress (some of you will know her from Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging), Alice Powell a racing-driver who races with Manor and last but not least Mishka Rushdie Momen a pianist.
It was so nice to meet everyone and we all found we had a lot in common (some of even lived quite close to each other). Luckily for us we have all achieved great things in our chosen area, so the judges have a hard job. It is a lot nice that in other categories there are friends that I met at the Management Today events (we were all on the 35 women under 35 list together) were also up for awards.
It was especially nice to see Laura Stevenson of Sadler’s Wells and Jade Tong of DTZ who are also up for awards, good luck everyone!

For more infocheck out the Women of the Future website http://womenofthefuture.co.uk

Keeping this up to date

2009-10-16T09:29:00.002+01:00

Ok, so i have had this blog a while now and have only done one post so i am going to try and do some more blogging. I am going to blog about whats going on in my life, its very hectic at the moment, but i will try and keep this up! :)