Saturday 28 January 2017

Inspiration with Inspira!

I wonder how many students have a clear vision of what they want to do when they leave school or college.  My eldest two certainly don't, and it would be fair to say that with GCSE's and A-Levels looming it is causing some anxiety within our household.  I don't mind that they have no idea what they want to do, but I just want them to realise that the end of school/6th form is looming!

I consider myself one of those lucky ones, I knew from an early age what I wanted to do on leaving education, and I followed my dream and have forged a fantastic career.  

So with some bribing (I'm a great believer in a bribe!) we ventured to a skills fair organised by Inspira, a not for profit company who help with career inspiration.  We had a time limit as Master L was due at work in the evening, Miss I and her Dad had to get back for football training.  The bribe was extended to Miss C, who really did not want to go but with a lack of sitters we had no choice. Having experienced similar events in the health sector, I knew there would be lots of freebies, this was enough of a bribe for Miss C.

So off we went, arriving in good time, we split into two, I left the other half with Master L and myself, Miss I and Miss C set off on a mission to be career inspired and as an incentive to Miss C a competition for her to see how many freebies she could get. 
There was a whole host of County wide employers at the event.  Sellafield, Nestle, Pirelli, Cumbria Constabulary, the Army, and the NHS.  What a fantastic opportunity, to be in a room full of employers covering a wide range of sectors (or perhaps some might say a tad overwhelming!). However we embraced the challenge, Miss I stopped at at least 70% of the employers there.  I was so proud of her, she spoke with articulation and honesty, in the fact that she does not really know what she wants to do.  

Miss I came away with feeling inspired and with a handful of opportunities which she can now seriously consider.  Master L also came away with ideas, some of which he probably wouldn't have even considered.  Miss C came away with a huge array of freebies, she also had gorged on the sweets and chocolates available on the various stands.
Only some of the freebies


Did you know what you wanted to do when you left education?  Did it work out?

I don't recall any similar opportunities when I was leaving education.  What a fantastic opportunity to gain some advice and guidance, it was also great to see it teeming with students and parents.   

So for all those parents with kids who need some inspiration I can recommend a skills fair event local to you.  If nothing else its worth a look around and an opportunity to network with some of the big employers.

Happy days 😛😛


Thursday 26 January 2017

From Cumbria with Love - First Blog Post!!!

So I have sat and debated on what, how and when to write my first blog post.  Troubled over whether it will be liked.  Then I told myself, you just have to bite the bullet and do it.  I know it won't be perfect but its a starting point.  So here goes....

Who am I ?

So I am Kath, a 41 year old mum to three I(18), L(16) and C(9), and married to Simon.  I work full time as a Nursing Lead (and Registered Manager) for a Charity.  I love my job, so rewarding and a privilege to work with my client base.  I was born and brought up until my early 20's in Bury, Lancashire.  I went to Nursing College in Manchester, lived in "The Nurses Home"- loved it, made some great friends and gained some life experiences.  On qualifying I worked at the hospital where I trained, where I met my husband - a Physio.  A few years down the line and with our wedding looming, we made a decision to move to Cumbria, my hubby's home County.  We moved to the beautiful village of Caldbeck, close to my future in-laws whom farmed there (and still to this day).  Its funny I never imagined myself away from the City, in a village where everybody knew everybody, and I certainly didn't ever imagine myself helping out on the farm.  I never really did get the hang of milking cows, however I like to think I was a helpful asset to the thriving B&B.

I have lived in Cumbria now for 19 years (albeit not in Caldbeck), family and work life meant a move to Penrith, a beautiful market town close to the M6.  I had all my 3 children here in Cumbria, and I have climbed the career ladder, and to be honest wouldn't change any of it. Simon and I have our own hobbies, but we also enjoy time together, we especially love being out and about in the countryside, seeking out Geocaches, and sampling a pint or two on the way.  I am a novice crocheter finding my way around patterns, spending hours watching Bella Coco's videos.  I also admit that I am a brass band geek!!  I play with a local brass band, we mainly compete and I love it!  Simon is Manager of our local Ladies Football team (who I should point out are having a great season).

Simon and I with the kids

 

The Boundary Walk 2016

 

Why blog?

So why did I decide to blog.  I have spent many months reading other bloggers posts, it was actually my youngest daughter who got me hooked, herself being a fan of vloggers.  I'm a huge fan of The Ingham Family of Five, Mummy Daddy Me, Mrs Meldrum, Sprinkle of Glitter, Emily Norris, Attic 24 and Bella Coco, it made me think I could do that, share my life adventures and create an online diary as such.  

I made the suggestion to my family, I did think they might laugh at me, but I was greeted with only positivity.  I asked them to help with a name, having debated a few quite honestly they were naff.  'A Mum from Cumbria', 'Buried in Penrith' (a play on words) were suggestions which were played around with, until I pointed out that 'I wasn't just a Mum from Cumbria' and that as they say was that.  The blog name 'Not Just a Mum from Cumbria' was born, in a bid for me to attempt to show you all that high's and low's of my life


I plan to blog our adventures either as a family or not, lifestyle goings on and general family life.  I'll post pictures of our fun and games too

So that's me in a nutshell.  Let me know any comments you have. 

Thanks for reading, see you soon


Wednesday 25 January 2017

Follow me on Bloglovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin I have just claimed my blog on Bloglovin, so if you want to keep up to date with my blog please follow me
From Cumbria with Love 😁😁😁😁

How I Got Through the Last 6 weeks with a Fractured Ankle

So I have been quiet on here over the last few months, to be honest I thought I would have loads of time to blog having found myself...