Tag: #community
Your Alternative Guide to the World Cup
Can’t stand football? Wouldn’t dream of tuning into this year’s World Cup in Qatar? Here’s a list of four things you can do instead. If you’d rather watch paint dry than the World Cup, then we’ve got you covered. Here’s a guide to tuning out when the tournament is on. Blitz your Christmas shopping This is your chance to be one of those smug people who has all their Christmas shopping sorted weeks before 25 December. The football kicks off on 20 November, with the first two rounds of matches taking place at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm [...]
How to Spread Love Not Hate on Social Media
Over the years, social media has become a major part of our daily lives. We post status updates, like pics, create videos and reels, learn hacks to clean or decorate our homes… the list is endless. Unfortunately, as social media has grown, so has the number of trolls and keyboard warriors. Nasty comments, abusive messages and online bullying are all common complaints for young, old and famous social media users. The issue of toxic online behaviour is in the spotlight this week due to Social Media Kindness Day – a movement set up in memory of late TV [...]
Tips for Keeping Manchester Pets Happy on Bonfire Night
Remember, remember the 5th of November… when the sky lights up, the bangs and booms of fireworks disturb your TV time, and your poor pets are driven to distraction by noise and flashing lights. Yes folks, it’s Bonfire Night and whilst we all enjoy oohing and ahhing at pretty fireworks, spare a thought for pet owners who have to work extra hard to keep their little (or large) loves calm. Here’s our quick guide on keeping your pooches and other pets safe and sound during the festivities. Doggy den Before the noisy night, create a safe space [...]
How to Prevent a DIY Fail at Your Manchester
Will your next home improvement project end in success or a desperate call to the DIY SOS team? Here are five tips to avoid bungling the job. Repairing and refurbing your own home can be immensely satisfying – and save you lots of money. But not every DIY task finishes well. One in eight ends in a mishap, while half of all DIYers confess to calling in a professional to rectify a mistake.* From crooked countertops and fudged fireplaces to botched bathrooms and dodgy driveways, it’s amazing how – even with the best intentions – things can go [...]
Five Reasons to Eat Chocolate
Once you’ve read these five facts, you won’t feel quite so guilty about indulging in chocolate again. A two-minute read. Humans have enjoyed the delights of chocolate for thousands of years, starting with the Mayans, who drank it as a hot liquid (and even used it in wedding and baptism ceremonies). Fast forward to today, and chocolate is a 120 billion pound global industry. The Germans are the top chocolate consumers per capita, followed by the Swiss, Estonians and Brits.* But there’s no getting around it, chocolate gets its fair share of bad press as it is high [...]
Grow Your Own Veg in Manchester
Grow Your Own Veg in Manchester Growing your own veg might sound like a lot of work, but it’s actually a great way to save money and enjoy a healthier diet. And as this month is Organic September, there’s no better time to dig out that trowel and start sowing some seeds. Organic September is 30 days dedicated to chemical-free, totally natural, eco-friendly farming. Its aim is to raise awareness of why buying organic produce can really make a difference to the climate. So, what better place to start than your own garden/herb pots/windowsill? This quick read [...]
Back-to-School Guide for Manchester Parents
As term time approaches, those endless days of trying to entertain your bored and restless kids are almost over. No more surly teenagers sleeping until 2pm, no more grumpy children hounding you for snacks – it’s time to get ready for school. This back-to-school guide looks at some easy ways to get the September term off to a good start. Reduce screen time When there’s nothing to do, or it’s raining outside, screen time quickly becomes a way to keep the kids entertained (and out of the way). But as school looms ahead, getting them into a [...]
International Dog Day: Let’s Celebrate Our Canine Companions
It’s International Dog Day next Friday – a chance to celebrate our cute, cuddly, devoted and dribbly four-legged friends. From loyal Labradoodles and plucky Pointers to cheeky Chihuahuas and dinky Dachshunds, the UK has a long and proud history as a nation of dog lovers. There are 13 million pooches in the UK, up from 7.6 million in 2010, thanks to a massive rise in dog ownership during the pandemic*. And famous canine admirers include Henry VIII (who favoured Spaniels, Beagles and Greyhounds) and Winston Churchill, who was a Poodle man. And then there’s Queen Elizabeth II [...]
Style Your Manchester Home with Instagram
In this quick read, we’ve pulled together some of the most popular interior design profiles on Instagram to give you some inspiration. Are you fed up with bland magnolia walls, wilting pot plants and tired kitchen cupboards? Then grab your phone and click onto Instagram. It’s a hotbed of aspirational interior design, décor on a budget and tips on how to make the most of small spaces. Here are six of the best accounts to follow. @budgethomedecor_uk The name of this profile gives it away – beautiful home ideas that are affordable and easy to get hold of. [...]
The Safe Way to Let Manchester Children Play in Your Street
We all know that kids these days spend more time indoors (often on screens) and less time running around outside. If you’re a parent or carer frustrated by this trend, read on to learn how some parents are fighting back through a scheme called Playing Out. What is Playing Out? Playing Out was set up in 2009 by two mums dismayed that their kids couldn’t play out on the street like they did when they were growing up. The pair asked their local council for permission to temporarily close their road to traffic to allow the children to [...]
How Manchester Homeowners Can Take Their Garden to the Next Level
If you’re planning to entertain friends or family at home this summer, check out the latest must-have garden gadgets and accessories. A two-minute read. Spending time in your own garden, be it pottering around alone or entertaining family and friends, is one of the true joys of summer. And there’s a host of products on the market to help you make the most of the experience. Here’s a list of what is proving popular at the moment. Garden fireballs – Fire pits were a hit last summer, but this year, it’s all about the fireball. Like a [...]
Why We Can’t Get Enough of Property Shows in Manchester
Hands up if you’ve ever lost a couple of hours sitting on the sofa watching a property show? Whether it’s a 30-minute fix or a full-on binge, programmes about other people’s homes are fascinating. Entire cable channels are dedicated to home renovations, property sales, flipping houses and so on. We just can’t seem to get enough of them. In this quick read, we look at some firm favourites and why they’re so good. Homes Under the Hammer (BBC 1) Daytime TV is like a warm, snuggly blanket. It’s easy watching and seemingly endless. Homes Under the Hammer [...]
Manchester Food Banks Need Your Help
The cost of living crisis is affecting more people than ever, and sadly, it’s set to get worse, as more and more households are turning to food banks to supplement their supplies. Research by the Trussell Trust – a support network for food banks across the UK – found that 2.1 million emergency parcels were distributed between April 2021 and March 2022, a 14% rise from the previous year. With these statistics in mind, what can you do to support your local food bank? In this quick read, we offer a few ways to help. Donate [...]
Don’t Try This at Home: Three of the Dumbest TikTok DIY Hacks
The DIY hacks you see on TikTok may be entertaining to watch, but they can also be dumb and even downright dangerous. A three-minute read. TikTok is awash with amateur handymen and women dishing out tips, but just how practical and accurate is this advice? When confused.com asked an expert handyman to rate the quality of DIY videos on TikTok, he deemed 39% of the content to be ‘rubbish’ or ‘poor’. Meanwhile, Toolstation surveyed 100 experts – professional plumbers, carpenters, painters and the like – who also raised eyebrows about the standard of the advice on offer. [...]
How to Smarten Up Your Kitchen on a Tight Budget🔨
Discover how to make your kitchen look fresh and modern without spending a fortune in this two-minute read. Smartening up your kitchen is an excellent way to wow buyers and add value. If you can’t afford a full-scale high-end refurbishment, try these cost-saving DIY tips. Before you start When we’re emotionally attached to a property, we often gloss over its flaws. But it’s important to think about the impression your home will make on buyers. Remove all clutter and analyse what your kitchen really looks like. Is it warm and welcoming, or washed out and a bit grubby? Identify [...]
Top Tips to Keep Children Safe at Home
Make child safety a priority in your home by following these useful tips. A two-minute read. Children are bundles of energy, who love to run, jump, touch and taste. Unfortunately, sometimes this curiosity can lead to accidents at home. Each year, about 450,000 children aged under five attend A&E due to an accident at home*. With Child Safety Week starting on Monday (6 June), the Child Accident Prevention Trust has some handy advice for parents and caregivers. Button batteries These small lithium batteries, found in household products like calculators, remote controls, watches and toys, are about the [...]
Why Manchester Parents Should Support Walk to School Week
Find out why it’s time to ditch your car and walk to school with your children instead. A two-minute read. Want to reduce carbon emissions, traffic congestion, and the risk of childhood obesity? Then step right up and out for Walk to School Week (16 to 20 May). Next week’s event, organised by the charity Living Streets, encourages children and their carers to leave the car at home and do the school run on foot instead. So, why all this emphasis on swapping four wheels for two feet? Here are just a few benefits associated with walking [...]
All You Need to Know about Double Glazing for Your Manchester home
Before you were a property owner, chances are windows were something you just looked out of to take in the view. You probably didn’t give them much thought and you might have cleaned them occasionally. That was it. Now, as a homeowner, your single, double, or triple glazing means so much more. And if you’re about to renovate a property or upgrade your windows, it’s worth diving into the fascinating world of double glazing to find out more. (Honestly, it’s pretty interesting.) In this quick read, we look at different types of windows and why they matter, especially [...]
Is the Internet Frying Your Brain?
What impact do constant scrolling and swiping have on your ability to focus, reflect, and connect? A two-minute read. If you can’t read two pages of a book without getting twitchy or struggle to go for an hour without checking social media, then you’re not alone. A recent study by tech giant Microsoft found that the human attention span has shrivelled by 25% in just a few years. It’s just one of a growing number of studies suggesting that in the digital age, our ability to focus is decreasing. Over the past two decades, the internet has [...]
Breaking News – What do we all think about this agent aiming to take over the Manchester property market
Real Estate Entrepreneur Promises a 'French Revolution' to Property Marketing A French billionaire who made his money from estate agency is promising to take over the UK property industry with his unique approach to marketing homes. Today, Gerard Michel-Lyon launches his company Lyon Estates in all four capital UK cities. His agency grew to dominate the French market with its near the knuckle advice and painfully honest assessments of properties it is selling. Michel-Lyon spoke via an interpreter and outlined his ultra-ambitious plans while on his superyacht Le Duper Magnifique with an open letter to property owners. The man nicked [...]
International Women’s Day: Let’s Celebrate Four Influential Brits
To mark International Women’s Day next Tuesday, we look at four British women who made history in their respective fields. A three-minute, fantastic females-themed read. They may not be household names, but these four pioneering British women deserve our admiration and respect. Helen Sharman – Britain’s first astronaut The Sheffield-born chemist was working at Mars (the makers of those chocolate bars) when she responded to an advert for volunteers to embark on a space mission. After a rigorous selection process, Sharman was chosen from 13,000 candidates to spend 18 months training with cosmonauts in Russia to prepare for the [...]
Wellbeing Podcasts and Other Wellbeing Ideas
This two-minute read has a look at some of the things you can do to help keep you feeling well and positive. Life, as we knew it pre-pandemic, is gradually looking more like it used to, as Governments across the UK relax Covid-19 rules. This is exciting for many but it can also feel a bit overwhelming as activity levels rise. It’s important to take responsibility for looking after ourselves so we don’t tip over into post-pandemic burnout. Here are some suggestions of tools to try. MEDS This acronym stands for Meditation, Exercise, Diet, and [...]
💰How the Mega-Rich Live: The Latest Must-Haves for the Super-Wealthy💰
In this two-minute read, we look at the swanky features the rich and famous have in their homes. Scroll through the Instagram accounts of the rich and famous and you could be forgiven for feeling a mild dose of property envy. As you would expect, the mega-rich have swanky homes, with all manner of mod cons (although let’s face it, money can’t buy style and they’re not always decked out in good taste). As it doesn’t hurt to daydream, let’s look at some of the extravagant features you’ll find in ultra-luxe properties. 🏊 A pool (or [...]
Maintaining Balance in Your Life in Manchester after Lockdown
This three-minute read looks at ways to ensure you don’t go from suffering with lockdown lethargy to suffering from post-pandemic pressure. Things are starting to open up again. It turns out the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t an oncoming train. It could even be some weak UK sunshine. Transitioning from lockdown to all your usual activities may feel like a shock to the system. Use these tips to help keep your mental health well during this new chapter. Start the day right🌞 If you’re waking up to a whole new schedule, the routine change can [...]
Six Tips for ⛺ Camping Success
In this three-minute read, we share six top tips for successful camping trips for Manchester Residents Friday 2 July sees the start of the UK’s National BBQ Week – one of the Great British public’s favourite pastimes. Whether it’s bangers, halloumi burgers or spicy cauliflower steaks on the menu, BBQs are the number one meal option when it comes to camping trips. We’ve put together a list of essential items for a successful camping trip. Freeze your meat 🥶 If you’re short on ice packs, freezing your meat is a great way to keep it safe until you want [...]
A Rundown of Weird and Wonderful Events for Manchester Residents
In this three-minute read, we celebrate the eccentric events that unite and delight. Whether it’s bog swimmers in mankinis or Vikings brandishing burning fence posts, Britain can lay claim to some of the world’s weirdest and most wonderful events. And while each is unique, they all have one thing in common: they’re rooted in the community. In an increasingly globalised, homogenous world, local festivals and traditions feel even more special. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, many of these headline-grabbing annual fixtures won’t take place this year. Ditto for many of the low-key fetes, fun runs and fairs that are typically [...]
Seven Ways Manchester Residents Can Avoid Cowboy Builders 🤠
We look at how Manchester homeowners can protect themselves from unscrupulous builders. We’ve all heard the renovation horror stories. The builder who does a runner halfway through a job, leaving a homeowner out of pocket and living in a construction site. The messy contractual dispute that winds up in court and ends in tears. Or the new roof that leaks at the first drop of rain. The good news is that by following a few simple steps, Manchester property owners can avoid getting ripped off. Jonny Greve, an experienced builder who runs the respected construction firm Greve and Son in [...]
Being a Landlord in Manchester: The Risks and How to Avoid Them
Having a rental property can be a great way to earn some extra income. Like anything, there are a variety of things that can go wrong. We break down five of the most common ones. 🏚️ The wrong property Being a landlord means running a business. You’re not buying a property for you to live in. Tenants often have very different expectations when looking for a rental property. Don’t turn down a great opportunity because you wouldn’t like to live in it. 🤼 The wrong tenant(s) Choosing a good tenant is the second most important decision you’ll [...]
👨⚕️International Nurses Day: How People in Manchester Can Say Thanks 🙏🏼
We celebrate those working in the noblest of professions – nursing. As it’s International Nurses Day next week, we thought we’d share this brilliant quote with you: “Save one life, and you’re a hero. Save 100 lives, and you’re a nurse.” International Nurses Day is on 12 May (the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing). It’s a chance to thank a profession that has given so much during the pandemic. Nurses have served on the Covid-19 frontline for more than a year, delivering high-quality professional care along with unstinting compassion and kindness. This was most apparent at [...]