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DATES FOR THE TRAIN THE TRAINER COURSE ARE:  TUESDAY OCTOBER 18TH AND 19TH.

A  2-DAY INSTITUTE OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT COURSE AIMED AT  EXISTING AND NEW TRAINERS, FACILITATORS, BUSINESS COACHES AND PRESENTERS IN ANY SECTOR.

 THIS 2 DAY INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP CAN ALSO BE USED AS A FOUNDATION COURSE FOR THE PTTLS QUALIFICATION. ( COMING EARLY IN 2012)

INVESTMENT IS £175 PLUS VAT WHICH INCLUDES ALL COURSE MATERIALS, REFRESHMENTS AND LUNCH.

 FOR  DETAILS OF VENUE WHICH IS SET IN  A  BEAUTIFUL RURAL LOCATION WITHIN A 5 MILES RADIUS OF SHREWSBURY TOWN CENTRE  PLEASE CONTACT ALWAYS CONSULT ON 03334 442467 OR EMAIL : carol@alwaysconsult.com

 Some sound advice on how to keep the brain healthy as we grow older!

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Use It or Lose It, you probably know that it’s important to keep your brain active as you get older – the phrase “use it, or lose it” is often applied to mental fitness, just as it is to physical fitness.

But recent brain research indicates that it’s important to learn new activities, rather than just repeating activities you’ve already mastered.  Bearing this in mind, if you want to keep your brain alert and functioning in the best possible way, then you should try to engage in activities that :

• Teach you something new

• Are challenging and require your full attention

• Are progressive, so that they start easy but get progressively more difficult.

• Give you a sense of achievement

• Are novel and surprising in some way

It’s not difficult to find activities that meet these criteria. Learning a new language, taking up a musical instrument, trying to juggle,  or  trying your hand at cryptic crosswords  are all examples of activities that fit the bill.

Maintaining a healthy brain requires a little work – but when you think about the alternative, it’s well worth it.

Does What We Eat Affect Brain Function ?

The Verdict: Many scientists believe that eating healthily may be as good for the brain as it is for the body—but figuring out what is the best “brain food” is still a matter of research. So far, fish seems to top the list.
The Evidence:
Fish studies—A 2005 study published in the Archives of Neurology showed that normally aging people who ate fish once a week experienced a 10% slower decline on cognitive tests. A previous study in the same journal concluded that people 65 and older “who consumed fish once per week, or more, had 60% less risk of Alzheimer disease compared with those who rarely or never ate fish.” Some scientists think the omega-3 fatty acids in fish make it brain healthy by reducing in?ammation. This evidence is not yet conclusive, but suggests a possible connection.

Vitamin studies—Over the last several years, vitamins have been the central focus of several studies about brain health. These studies have conflicting results.

• Some studies have suggested that getting enough folate and vitamins B6 and B12 can stave off decline and dementia. Yet a more recent study has shown that too much folate can increase the risk of cognitive decline.

• While some studies suggest that antioxidants, especially vitamins E and C, can combat the oxidative stress of older brains, others show that consumption of these vitamins makes no difference.

Other foods and supplements—Green tea, gingko biloba, blueberries, spinach, apple juice, garlic—the benefits for cognitive health of these foods and others are continuing subjects of scientific study

 Taken from Meditations, Mind matters Oct 4th 2011

According to The People newspaper last week, one in four people out of work for more than two years is over 50 and faces the bleak prospect of never working again. They suffer low morale and a poor standard of living, says a report on the long term unemployed by the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Chief economist Tony Dolphin says; “The longer someone is out of work, the more they lose motivation and confidence. they also miss out on vital training and work experience”.

In some cases self employment may be an option, but many people do not know what is available to them or where to go for help and support.

 Business Enterprise Support on 0845 6787826 has a variety of FREE workshops throughout Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire  and Shropshire to support budding entrepreneurs of any age.

  Mentoring, coaching  and workshops are facilitated by accredited SFEDI Business Advisers and Coaches.

This month two businesses in Shropshire opened their doors after receiving the benefit of the workshops and support.

 Always Consult is an associate of BES and is proud to help  many of these businesses such as:

Mr C’s based in Oswestry, Vehicle Technicians  e-mail mrcs1@hotmail.co.uk

Little Pixies Nursery based in Kinton, near Nesscliffe, Shrewsbury email info@littlepixiesnursery.co.uk

  At a recent HMRC workshop we were informed that  new business owners no longer have the 90 days they once had before registering themselves as self-employed.  Once marketing starts this is deemed as the start date and  according to the HMRC representative self-employment starts. Don’t get caught out! If in doubt contact the HMRC through the  www.businesslink.gov.uk website.

Remember- Class2 NIC is now £2.50 weekly.

Remember-VAT registration is mandatory once turnover hits the £73k  threshold.

Managing Director of Always Consult, Carol Ewels with Emma Heathcote-Jones (centre) and Associate Sheila Henshall, Candsbusiness Coaching

Everyone who attended, agrees we had another great night on Wednesday, May 11th at the Young Enterprise Awards evening.

It even surpassed last years fantastic event.

It was the 11th celebration of achievement awards event for the Young Enterprise Company Programme, which celebrates the achievement of young people aged between 15 and 19 who have successfully run a company over the past year.

 The event was held at the Greenhous Meadow Stadium who provided a great menu as well as venue.

The guest speaker, Emma Heathcote-James from the Little Soap Company was inspirational and humorous which appealed to the audience.

Over 14 awards were presented in all, the “Best Overall Company” award went to Novelty from the Grove School-plenty to celebrate, I am guessing the next day!

Always Consult is proud to be involved in Young Enterprise and sponsor the “Best Customer Interaction” award, which this year went to Novel Tea ( not be confused with Novelty) from Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology.

Well done to all and to Dave Barker and the Young Enterprise team based at Harlescott Barns, Shrewsbury-you did everyone proud and I am sure you will new business advisors queuing up to help!

Recent update  from Business Link states the Director Development Programme is coming to an end in December 2010.

All clients need to have been through the Business Link process and received confirmation of funding by 17th December2010.

Even more important to attend the FREE workshop on 10th November 2010.

9am to 11.30am at Telford Space Centre, Halesfield Business Park, Telford, TF7 4QN

To discover the benefits of a bespoke appraisal system for your business and for eligibility for funding through DDP before it disappears book your place through our website or e-mail carol@alwaysconsult.com

 Telephone 07981  182531 or 07984 022039

Welcome to the first Always Consult blog of 2010.

A belated Happy New Year to everyone. We hope your personal and professional life brings you happiness, health and success in this new decade.

We are happy to report, Always Consult has gone from strength to strength in our first trading year. After eight months of working with the Job Centre Plus in Devon, Cornwall and Birmingham, we will be taking on new exciting challenges in March. We have enjoyed every minute of working for the JCP, training their many new recruits in customer services and anger management- however, we look forward to working on new adventures and contracts this year.

We are currently developing a stress management workshop for managers and business leaders on all levels. This will be launched in early Spring. Watch this space for more details.

The weather here in Shropshire continues to be very cold, which in turn leaves the roads very icy and slippery. Not good travel conditions. Thank heavens for the rail service! Personally, I have come to rely on trains for early morning commutes to Birmingham to ensure I get into New Street with plenty of time to spare before training commences at 9.30 am each morning. I look forward to Spring and a long awaited holiday somewhere hot and sunny. In my opinion it’s better than any tonic to keep the symptoms of stress at bay. More about that in our next newsletter and blog.

I hope you all approve of our web-site developments. Some small changes, which we hope will make a big difference to the look and style. We have opted for a one- look colour, which ties in with our brand blue. After your feedback, gone are the confusing greens and browns. We hope you approve and agree it’s gives a more professional look to the web-site. All feedback is appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read our first blog.

Always Consult wishes you all every success as we climb our way out of the recession.

Best wishes

Carol