Please meet our latest We Are Wakefield members, Purple Pebble People Ltd, a People Development Consultancy based in Clayton West, Yorkshire.

 

• Founded by Ali Carruthers in 2011, they exist to create a world full of connected, inspired and relationship focused individuals, who have a desire to focus on how they are ‘being’ not just what they are ‘doing’.

 

• They offer you life changing leadership development programmes, coaching, team working, and people strategy consultancy.

 

• Their ethos is grounded in neuroscience, and organisational development theory which means you will feel we are working with the whole of you or system you are connected to – inside and out!

 

• Past clients have worked with Purple Pebble People to boost performance through the way people collaborate, lead and interact.  Others have also worked with them when they felt stuck, struggling to find purpose or wanted to enhance key relationships.

 

• They also offer a raft of personal preference assessments including Strengthscope, DiSC, Insights, Hogan and so many more, which they use on 1:1 or a team basis – hello! fun team working session.

 

Words used to describe Ali include: Positive, Creative, Intuitive, Brave, Challenging, Bright and Quirky. Nature lover, brew maker, music addict, Mum to an adult, dedicated friend, and daily dog walker with Sherlock the Beagle!

Make sure you say “Hello” at the WAW event at Yorkshire Sculpture Park on Monday!

On Tuesday 28th March we collaborated with Working Carers Champions and Carers Wakefield & District to deliver a very informative event on how employers can support members og their team that also have responsibilities to care for family members or companions who have special care needs.  This could be an elderly relative, a child with special care needs, a neighbour that has no one to support or a partner with an illness.

We explored the definition of a “Working Carer”: Carers are employees with caring responsibilities that have an impact on their working lives. These employees are responsible for the care and support of relatives or friends who are older, disabled or seriously ill who are unable to care for themselves.  We then discussed what support is available for working carers and what an employer can do to put measures in place to support and retain there staff who have these extra responsibilities and duties.

It was a very emotive event with lots of personal stories shared in honest, open conversations.  We definitely felt that a whole morning just wasn’t long enough as conversation flowed, we shared, we listened and we learnt!

Thank you to all that attended and shared their experiences.

If you would like any further information about the support that is available for individuals or for employers, please get in touch with Christine Edge at Working Carers Champions: Working Carer – Working Carers Champions

 

The Wakefield Business Lunch puts Wakefield on the Map – 15^th March 2023.

Wakefield College played host to the first Wakefield Business Lunch, which saw 80 diners come together to celebrate putting Wakefield on the map!  This wonderful event was delivered by We Are Wakefield and The Yorkshire Society with collaborative support from We Are Wakefield members,  Elis, Rhubarb Radio and Chris Whittam Photography.

Wakefield College catering and hospitality students gained hands on experience as part of their learning as they prepared and served welcome drinks, canapes and a stunning three course lunch to attendees from across West Yorkshire and beyond.

President of Wakefield Civic Society, Kevin Trickett MBE had the audience gasping at wonderful stories of how Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain here in Wakefield, and why we should always think of Wakefield when we see a rainbow.

Sir Rodney Walker then took guests on a journey of how an ordinary boy from Wakefield became a Knight of the Realm and continued to offer support and opportunities within the District by inviting local marketing companies to work within his latest exciting business venture.

The event was broadcast live on Rhubarb Radio with interviews from the attending businesses and organisers of the event.

The event photographs by Chris Whittam Photography can be viewed HERE

 

Thank you for supporting this event:

All Attendees

Sir Rodney Walker

Kevin Trickett MBE and Wakefield Civic Society

Wakefield College – Heart of Yorkshire Education Group  

Chris Whittam Photography

Elis

Rhubarb Radio

 

                                                   

                     

DAK TRAINING is managed by Dave Kitson, and created out of 30 years operational, training and managing experience with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and 13 years as an educationalist at an FE college.

DAK Training’s portfolio of training courses is expansive and growing. Courses include mandatory First Aid, Mental Health, Manual Handling, Fire Safety, Safeguarding, Food Safety,  and Health and Safety including IOSH Managing Safety.

Dave is an expert in all aspects of training, and he believes in sharing his skills and knowledge with delegates on his courses using first hand examples from his years with the emergency services.

Corporate events can also be organised by Dave which can include Navigation, Bushcraft, Archery, Axe Throwing, Shooting, Team Building activities, Zip wire, Low Ropes and High Ropes.

Make sure you catch up with Dave at the We Are Wakefield events!

 

Lagentium Insurance Brokers are an Independent Insurance Broker based in Castleford. The company was founded in 1972 as R Collins & Co by Robert Collins.

In 1985 Tracey Train started as a Saturday girl and over the years she worked her way up from Office Junior to Manager and in December 2015 she became a director.

When Robert wanted to retire Tracey was able to purchase the business and realise her dream of owning and running the business outright.

In 2019, the business was rebranded to bring it up to date with the changing insurance world but whilst also forging a stronger connection to the town and local people we serve.  From this Lagentium was born. Lagentium was the name of the Fort that protected the town in Roman times, and this fitted in perfectly with our ethos of protecting our town and our customers just as the fort did in years gone by.

“With years of experience and knowledge they have provided insurance solutions for thousands of businesses and individuals over the decades, and we are keen to expand on this and give something back to the local area which has supported them us well.

Part of this is their pledge to help support local charities, local businesses, and local sports teams.  We are extremely proud to say that we are the 2023 Sponsor of Club 5 for the Prince of Wales Hospice, we sponsor Castleford Tigers RLFC Head Coach and an Academy player and several of the local grass roots youth teams.

To expand on this, we can’t wait to become part of the WAW family and meet lots of new people so please come and see us at the next event in April to have a chat and join in with our free raffle to win a bottle of champagne.” Tracey Train, Director.

 

Pictured: Tracey Train, Director.

Tel 01977 558391

www.lagentiuminsurancebroker.co.uk

We are proud to announce that Thornton Jones Solicitors have become WAW Ambassadors.

Thornton Jones Solicitors were formed in Wakefield in 2007 by Clare Thornton and Claire Jones.  At that time they specialised in Family Law but soon expanded to become a “full service” firm which means they offer services for all the needs of your family and business.

Their growth really happened after Claire Jones retired and Clare Thornton took on 2 more partners -Liz Fyfe and Steven Eldridge. Together they decided to grow the firm by moving the Head Office to Bank House on Burton Street, Wakefield and opened their first branch office in Ossett, followed by Garforth, Sherburn-In-Elmet and now Mapplewell near Barnsley {opening April 2023).

“We are so proud of our team of people who all live by our values – a passion for excellence, trust and community and contentment. These values were created by our team and have been used to help us ensure we can provide the best service to our clients and to make TJ a really great place to work. They also underpinned our win at the Yorkshire Legal Awards in October 2022 when we became law firm of the year!” Clare Thornton.

Clare signed Thornton Jones up as a member of We Are Wakefield in March 2022 when she met WAW managing Director, Claire Sutherley. She quickly became a board member having seen how fabulous the concept was and has attended every first Friday event since!

Clare went on to say, “We decided to become Ambassadors because we absolutely believe in the power of local businesses working together to help and support each other. We are proud to be involved with We are Wakefield and it’s continued growth and success and hope our Ambassador level membership reflects our commitment to continue to support the fabulous work Claire and the board are doing to build local strength and partnerships for all our businesses.”

Pictured: Clare Thornton – Managing Director & Molly Thornton – Business Manager

Established in 2019, The Northern Badge Company are based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire and supply enamel pin badges and promotional items to customers spanning the UK & beyond.  Graphic designers at heart they have over 20 years+ design experience in creating custom enamel badges and other promotional products for a vast variety of clients such as Charities, Sports Clubs, Designers & Illustrators, Councils, Schools, Scouts & guides, Trade events, Business Promotion & lots more!

 

The Northern Badge Company provide a first class service with very competitive prices and a variety of ranges that suit any budget. They offer a good old Yorkshire service meaning that our clients get the quality they require. With their experience with promotional items they can be relied upon to ensure they offer all the help and guidance required for creating and delivering your perfect product.

 

“I created my company after being in the industry for over 20 years and wanting to do things my way! I understand the process of how pins are created and my knowledge helps to give correct advice to my clients avoiding complications in production. I’m a graphic designer by trade and also offer freelance graphic design services and understand layout – especially in relation to my pins. I’m a people pleaser I want you to be happy with your items, I reply to emails as soon as I can and understand the frustrations of waiting for quotes – I won’t leave you hanging.”

 

“I am thrilled to be a part of the WAW network – not being a seasoned networker, I have found the whole experience so far to be incredibly welcoming and inclusive.  I have already met some great connections and am looking forward to meeting lots more at the next event!”  Louise Parkin, Founder.

 

The We are Wakey Women celebrated International Women’s Day in style with a fantastic event at Albert’s Coffee Shop & Wine Bar on Northgate, Wakefield.

 

Kindly sponsored by Affordable Accountancy Solutions, the event saw the WAW women enjoy a toast to #embraceequity, gin tasting & prosecco, accompanied by a stunning afternoon tea.

Retail therapy was provided by Ossett based, The Style Attic, Temple Spa and Uber Rooms and a wonderful evening was had by all before leaving with a complimentary goody bag to enjoy at home.

 

Photo’s from the event can now be viewed on the WAW website here:

We Are Wakefield · Representing diverse sectors around Wakefield and Five Towns

 

Eitex, based in Castleford, provides IT support and services throughout the UK. With Eitex you will receive honest advice from a trusted IT Microsoft Gold Partner. Many of our clients have been with us since the beginning of 1997. They tell us it is because we care about their business, and they trust us to give unbiased guidance and support that’s right for them.

Eitex Managing Director Dean Spencer says, “It’s our aim to be the go-to IT services provider in the area. But we care, and we want to show we’re about more than computer systems. IT is our bread and butter, but we never forget that communities and businesses are people driven, and without the people, we’d be nowhere.”

We’re IT experts so you don’t need to be. We offer support and advice on all aspects of IT including managed helpdesk, Microsoft 365 licensing, Hardware supply, SharePoint design, Microsoft Teams/Voice, leased lines, IT training, and all-important cyber security.

Not every company needs or wants the same level of support, so at Eitex we don’t take a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Rather, we’ll tailor our level of IT support to your needs.

IT Support Webinars

Eitex regularly does online webinar events where anyone can join. Whether you’re wanting to get more out of Microsoft Teams, learn more about building a SharePoint, or train your team to protect your business from cyber threats there will be workshops available to you. Check out our upcoming events here IT Training, Events, Webinars and Workshops from Eitex

Joining the We Are Wakefield Community

It’s a good feeling when local communities work together. Our business at Eitex ranges across the country, but we never forget that our roots are here along with our main base of operations. We appreciate all our valued local clients and enjoy giving back when the opportunity arises. When local people come together, anything is possible for the greater good.

“Eitex was delighted to be given the opportunity to become a member of We Are Wakefield. We look forward to the new local connections we will make in this thriving community.” Jordan Williams, Sales Manager, Eitex

Pictured (L to R) are Sales Manager, Jordan Williams and Operations Manager, Mark Harris.  Look out for them on their pop-up at the WAW event on Friday 3rd March at Wakefield Cathedral.

 Check out the website for more information:
Microsoft 365 (Office 365) IT Support Yorkshire – Modern Workplace – Eitex

 

In our very first We Are Wakefield Podcast, in episode 1, we’re joined by two of our valued members and Board Members, Helen McDonald, General Manager at Solupak Ltd and Ben Dews, Managing Director at Stada Media. In this episode, we hear more about each business and its journey to where it is today; we also talk more personally about Helen and Ben’s journey to where they are today. Plus, they collaborated on a fascinating project by joining We Are Wakefield!