Hello Wakefield!

The 1st March 2024 marked another successful edition of our First Friday Events, this time at Pontefract Town Hall. Despite the chilly morning, the warmth of the We Are Wakefield family shone through as we gathered for our monthly catch-up.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Pontefract Civic Society for hosting us and enlightening us about the incredible work they do for our beloved town. It’s always inspiring to connect with organisations dedicated to making a positive impact on our community.

The event was enriched by Sharon Batty from The Prince of Wales Hospice, who shared an exciting update on the ongoing transformation of the hospice gardens to make them accessible to all patients. It’s heartening to witness such dedication to creating a welcoming space for those in need.

A special shout out to The Caring Kitchen from The Prince of Wales Hospice for catering our breakfast. The hot sandwiches and fruit platters were not only delicious but also a testament to the care and dedication they put into their work. It’s a true pleasure to support local businesses with such a meaningful cause.

The morning was beautifully captured by the talented team at KRA:FT Media. The stunning images from the event can be found by following the link below.

We would also like to express our gratitude to Dan Smith at DSM Productions for accommodating last-minute changes to the tech rider. Your flexibility ensured a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone present.

A big thank you to all who attended – your presence added to the warmth of the event. We’re already looking forward to our next First Friday in April at The Education Exchange in Knottingley. Get booked in, and let’s continue to build connections and foster a supportive community.

Until next time, stay connected, stay warm, and keep making Wakefield an amazing place to be!

Warm regards,

The We Are Wakefield Team

 

VIEW IMAGES HERE

We are proud to announce The Nostell Estate as  Ambassadors of We Are Wakefield for 2024.

With over 350 years of history in the Winn family, The Nostell Estate stands as a testament to tradition, innovation, and community spirit. Covering 40,000+ sq ft of award-winning office space, thriving farm businesses across 4,000+ acres, and over 40 residential lets, we are honored to be part of the vibrant Wakefield region.

Owned by Lord St Oswald, who transformed the business park in 2004, The Nostell Estate is a hub of like-minded individuals working towards making Wakefield an even better place to work and live.

Peter Molyneux, Director of The Nostell Estate, shares his excitement: “The Nostell Estate is honoured to become We Are Wakefield Ambassadors. We’ve hugely benefited from discussions with various members, and having the We Are Wakefield HQ right here at Nostell Estate is a testament to our commitment to collaboration and community support. We’re thrilled to embark on this new journey as Ambassadors and contribute to the thriving business community of Wakefield.”

 

Connect with Peter HERE

 

 

Meet Ryan Cooper of Metal Depot.

Based in Castleford, West Yorkshire and servicing the whole of the UK, Metal Depot are manufacturers of Street Furniture and Metal Fabricators.

Over the years, Metal Depot have developed a reputation for manufacturing high quality products for their clients. Their experienced team provide a wealth of knowledge and expertise in product design and metal fabrication.

Metal Depot are passionate about making the concepts and ideas of their clients come to life and guide them through the entire journey, from concept, design, and drawings to manufacture, supply and delivery. They strive to provide the best service possible that is tailored to the needs of their clients.

Connect with Ryan HERE

On the crisp evening of Tuesday, 21st February, the We Are Wakefield networking event took flight at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance base, bringing together 40 enthusiastic members for an unforgettable experience. Against the backdrop of the sprawling air base, attendees not only had the opportunity to network but also gained insights into the vital lifesaving work carried out by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

 

The evening kicked off with a unique and awe-inspiring visit to the £9 million helicopter that serves as the lifeline for those in critical conditions. Accompanied by the skilled pilot, paramedic, and crew, WAW members witnessed firsthand the precision and dedication that goes into their lifesaving missions. As Chris Whittam Photography captured the group photo, an unexpected twist unfolded – the alarm sounded, and the crew swiftly leaped into action, a stark reminder of the urgency and importance of their work.

 

After the adrenaline-filled helicopter experience, attendees were led to explore the simulation suite and dispatch desk. The behind-the-scenes glimpse into the operational hub of Yorkshire Air Ambulance provided a deeper understanding of the coordination and efficiency required to respond to emergencies swiftly and effectively.

 

We Are Wakefield members showcased their diverse services on trade stands, creating a vibrant atmosphere within the venue. The room buzzed with the unmistakable WAW family spirit, fostering connections among long-term and new members alike. Against the winter chill, a hearty stew warmed both hearts and bodies, creating the perfect setting for meaningful conversations and relationship-building.

 

The mood of the evening was nothing short of wonderful, as WAW members shared their experiences, aspirations, and insights from their respective businesses and organisations. The event not only served as a platform for networking but also as an opportunity for members to learn more about each other’s work and foster a sense of camaraderie.

 

Beyond the enriching networking experience, the We Are Wakefield community rallied together to raise awareness and funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The organisation, which had graciously hosted the event, undoubtedly left a lasting impression on attendees, garnering newfound support from those who witnessed their dedication and commitment.

 

As the We Are Wakefield networking event at Yorkshire Air Ambulance concluded, it left an indelible mark on the attendees. The shared moments, the thrilling helicopter experience, and the newfound connections forged a sense of unity amongst WAW members. The event not only exemplified the power of networking but also showcased the profound impact that collaboration and support can have on organisations like Yorkshire Air Ambulance, reminding us all that together, we can soar to new heights.

 

  Thanks to Chris Whittam Photography for capturing this memorable event:

Thank you to the following members for supporting this event:

Pink Dragonfly Consulting

Crest Commercial Finance

Dak Training

GRK-VA

Dark Cherry Creative

Diana Holden Bid Writing Service Ltd

IMS Business Solutions Ltd

Perrys Peugeot Huddersfield

Good Fundraising Co. Ltd

Wordsmiths Unlimited

Community Foundation Wakefield District

Chris Whittam Photography

Purple Pebble People Ltd

Ridley & Hall Solicitors

Cleaner Ev Ltd

KRA:FT Photo services

Sales Geek

Velway Limited

PW Creative Artwork

SPC Cars

SoluPak ltd

Affordable Accountancy Solutions Ltd

The Yorkshire Broker LTD

The LinkedIn Lady

Juice Personnel

Roth Read Photography

Camphill Wakefield

Prosura

Postify Ltd

Get Ahead VA

 

Please welcome Disability Sport Yorkshire (DSY) to the WAW family.

Disability Sport Yorkshire, legally known as the Federation of Disability Sports Organisations, was established in 1993. This organisation brought together four existing regional disability sports organisations under one umbrella. The primary mission of DSY is to address the inequality in access to sport for disabled people.

Over the years, DSY has worked tirelessly to engage disabled individuals in physical activity and enable their participation in sports at various levels. Whether it’s local settings or regional, national, and international competitions, DSY strives to create opportunities for disabled athletes. In 2014, they established their operational base in Wakefield, where they are developing the Denhale Active Recreation Centre as a centre of excellence for disability sport in Yorkshire. Their vision includes making Yorkshire the best place in England for disabled people to improve their well-being through physical activity, play sports regularly, and even become sporting champions.

As a regional organisation, DSY collaborates with leisure and sports providers to promote and deliver physical activity for disabled children and adults. Their commitment to enhancing health and well-being ensures that participants have the best possible experience. Additionally, DSY provides information, guidance, and training courses to empower disabled individuals and strengthen their voice in the sporting community.

For more info click here: Home – Disability Sport Yorkshire

Connect with Craig Shepherd (Pictured) HERE

 

Celebrating Tileyard North & Ian Wallace Podcast Winning Collaboration

Ian Wallace, IWTC Ltd & Counselling Wakefield:

For the past 27 years I have been a self-employed Counsellor, Trainer, Supervisor and Business coach and I joined WAW from its conception. As a member of WAW my company is registered as IWTC ltd, but I also own Counselling Wakefield, and deliver the work we do from our offices in Horbury. We work with both individuals and companies to deliver Counselling and well-being packages to employers in the area. I also specialise in helping to smooth the transition of change in organisations and cope with conflict in the workforce.

I attended the WAW event at Tileyard North in July 2023, I met the Tileyard studio team, and had a tour of the podcast studio. I had been keen to share my considerable experience in the counselling field via a podcast project, and having met the team at Tileyard North, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to launch this new venture. I discussed my podcast idea with George Riley, studio manager at Tileyard North, and “The Messed-Up Counsellor” podcast was born.

George and his colleagues at Tileyard use their expertise and advice to help me to produce the podcast. They advise on the content and delivery, they take care of editing and distribution, and they developed a logo and branding.  I couldn’t have done it without them, and highly recommend them to anyone thinking of producing a podcast, any promotional content, or of any kind of recording. The facilities at Tileyard North are second to none, the staff are experienced and helpful, and it has been a pleasure launching my new podcast venture with Tileyard Norths help and guidance.

 

George Riley, Tieyard North:

Having met Ian at the WAW networking event at Tileyard North, Ian and I discussed his idea to launch a podcast, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity for The Tileyard North Studios team to produce a podcast with Ian. It has been a pleasure working with Ian to develop his ideas, help with branding, a logo and a production, release, and distribution schedule.

We offer a range of options with podcast production at Tileyard North: Many of our clients simply hire the studio and an engineer, and deal with the overall production themselves, but we also offer full consultation and production services, and it has been a great opportunity for some of our team to garner more production experience working with Ian.

“The Messed-Up Counsellor” is a valuable and helpful free resource for people to use to help them navigate the modern world, and it has been a satisfying creative endeavour helping Ian bring his idea to fruition. I am grateful to Ian for his trust in the Tileyard North Team, he has been a pleasure to work with. We have been discussing recording his many books as audiobooks, another service we offer at Tileyard North, and I am looking forward to developing further ways that we can work together in future.

 

George & Ian win tickets to see Featherstone Rovers RLFC demonstrate how collaboration is key on the rugby field!

 

The Podcast can be found at https://linktr.ee/themessedupcounsellor

 

Meet Natalie, a dedicated Personal Trainer and Online Fitness Coach on a mission to empower women to prioritize their well-being over societal body standards.

Natalie embarked on her own transformative journey when she realized that conventional weight loss methods weren’t contributing to her happiness. Her life used to revolve around diets, intense workouts, and her weight, a realisation that resonated with many of her personal training clients.

In the past decade, Natalie has passionately delved into topics like diet culture, mindset, nutrition, and holistic health, crafting a lifestyle that emphasizes a well-rounded approach to overall health and wellness.

Over the last four years, she has extended her expertise through both online and in person coaching services, offering free walks, fitness classes, small group PT sessions, and personalized one-on-one training in Altofts and Wakefield. For those beyond these locations, Natalie provides dedicated 1-1 online coaching.

Natalie’s mission is clear: liberate women from the restrictive diet mindset, so they can live a lifestyle aligned with their individual goals.

Click here to find out more about The Wellness Mentor.

 

Please welcome Andrew Bodle of Hygieia Group Ltd, your premier destination for professional cleaning supplies!

Founded by Andrew, a seasoned expert with three decades of experience in the cleaning industry, Hygieia is committed to offering only the finest cleaning equipment available.

At Hygieia, they understand the importance of quality and reliability when it comes to cleaning products. That’s why each item in their inventory has been personally curated by Andrew and his dedicated team. They believe in providing their customers with market-leading solutions that deliver real results.

Their extensive selection features innovative and environmentally-friendly cleaning products that are built to last. From efficient machinery to sustainable solutions, we strive to meet the diverse needs of their clientele.

We firmly believe that investing in high-quality cleaning equipment not only enhances performance but also saves both time and money. With minimal downtime, reduced breakdowns, and increased efficiency, their products ensure optimal cleaning results every time.

As the top distributor in Yorkshire for WAW Ambassadors,  Solupak, Hygieia is proud to offer sustainable products that align with their commitment to environmental stewardship. Visit their website today and experience the difference with Hygieia – where quality meets innovation in professional cleaning wholesaling.

 

Connect with Andrew HERE.

 

 

Distributor of sustainable commercial cleaning products.

In Episode 8 we are joined by Katie Hopkins, Head of Community & Marketing at Tileyard North and Dan Smith, Managing Director of DSM Productions.

We talk about the rise of Tileyard North based on its sister-site at Kings Cross and DSM’s views on the challenges faced by the events industry. 

Conversation leads to how these two businesses collaborate to create some exciting new events never seen by Wakefield audiences before!

Hear Katie and Dan’s Top Tips for 24. 

Please welcome new member of the WAW family, Graham Summerscales from All About Change.

Graham was diagnosed with ADHD aged 53 and since then has set up All About Change, coaching other adults within the neurodiverse community.

It’s not always easy for neurotypical people to understand how ADHD people think and Graham’s approach is to coach and co-coach the neurodivergent and neurotypical to encourage and help develop successful outcomes for both parties.

He completed his studies in Executive Coaching and Mentoring at Oxford Brooks University and achieved the highest coaching qualification possible at the time.  He then moved into the learning and development sector, bolting on various other qualifications including psychometric profiling, having trained as a practitioner in MBTI and 16pf.

Graham has coached and trained clients from middle management to board level, conducted C-Suite recruitment programmes and led team development work that has taken him to all corners of the world such as America, Thailand, Brazil and all across Europe. He’s worked with individuals and teams across the globe, supported organisations through mergers, acquisitions and redundancies, and provided outplacement support and career coaching for employees.

When he’s not helping ADHD clients reach their potential, an avid sportsman, having played Rugby for Great Britain at amateur level, he still continues to chase perfection on the golf course.

Connect with Graham HERE