On this day we reflect on what has become and increasing issue in todays society.  Mental Health awareness.

I see from clients that things are being done and grants are available to companies that specialise in tackling the issue, but theres a lot more that can be done by ourselves to help others and ourselves.

As a business owner myself, I have to keep myself healthy and motivated as I have both employees and family as a responsibility to look after. Keeping them in their jobs, secure and safe environment to work and also keeping them motivated. It can be a lonely place being head of the company with all that responsibility.

We work with a few charities in the area that help others in the community to keep everyone healthy. Breathe Creative and Growing Green both serve the community in South Wales. Teaching services users carpentry, growing their own food, sharing recipes with mental health consultation, and art classes. They have done brilliantly over the past couple of years, actively helping their community with their innovative and supportive ideas.

We have signed to the Army Benevelant Fund this year, supporting our veterans who have come out of service and are back in the community, setting up their own businesses. Assisting owners that could have OCD, Neurodiversity issues.

For the Bridgend Area we are also supporting Mental Health Matters charity support for Mental Health, Crisis Management and Depression.

As a business owner myself I would like to share some tips that have helped me for years keeping myself healthy and motivated.

Getting enough sleep is usually my first step in having a very good day ahead. I tend to settle down before 10pm with low lighting and quiet sounds. After doing what is a very busy job, I find that it keeps me in the settling down mood when I am at home.

I might watch a little TV or listen to music. A bath with candles and sounds of the sea on the sound system another great way to relax. I drink a lot of water, keeping my skin clear and my body fully hydrated. I do love a coffee and tea, but try not to drink too much.

Exercise, I’m always a fan of dancing in the kitchen whilst preparing dinner, after a hectic day, it’s a fun way to unwind and load off the stresses of the day. Yes, I still have those 1990’s dance moves.

Gardening I have transformed my garden over the past couple of years, transforming it from an overgrown unloved space. To a full set up for outdoor dining and entertaining friends. To growing my own food, using organic methods. My neighbours still find it entertaining, as I’m out there rain or shine. If there’s a job to do I’m out there whatever the weather.

Food my great passion, I am known in my family for being a feeder, now I’m growing my own food, the family and friends are being put through the experimental stage of my food obsession. Making Jam, Chutney, and dried fruit to use all year round. To strange flavoured ice cream. Always an experiment, not always successful, but everyone tries them and gives their opinion.

Walks in the country and by the beach. Picking up fir cones, and foraging, making my own Christmas Wreath, I have friends who turn mirrors into art work, with foraged shells from the sea, or sea glass.

I keep a very close family and friend network. This great bunch of people have helped me through some very tough times, and keep supporting me in everything I do. Even if some of my ideas might be a little crazy. Having that loving network you can’t put a price on that.    Finding new networks with like minded people, they bring such positive energy.

I keep to my work hours. Whatever your work hours are for you, always build in that rest time. I have two full days off a week, would love to have three days off. The future goal for me.   Having proper rest doing something completely different to your day or night job, keeps you well and keeps  you motivated.

Holidays, even if I’m just having a few days and daytrip from home, I always have holidays, time away from the office. I do it every three months. The ideas and challenges I think of when I come back, having had that rest and destress really does keep us moving forward.

Friends of mine go to the gym, do dance classes, watching football, learning to play a musical instrument, learning to skydive. Whatever hobby and interest you like, it doesn’t matter, but try and build them into your week. You’ll be so surprised how much better you become at running your business, by taking that time out and reenergising.

Don’t just do it for Mental Health Awareness day, do it everyday.

Its your life. Make it count and live well.

Fresh from my time away over the summer holidays this year, with my two sons. I took two weeks off this year. I found that with such a busy job and life, which has so many deadlines and stresses that I needed a bit of r&r.

I found the time off rewarding as it gave me not only special time with my sons, but a way of decompressing from what is a very busy life.

I’ve come back to work full of energy, making a list of both personal and business plans to see us not only to the end of this year, but a wish list for next year too.

My garden on return had greeted me with lovely ripe produce, vegetables and fruit, getting me in the mood for harvesting and extending the life of the goods with preserving.    It reminded me of what I need to do with my business and life too.   

Feed it to preserve it for the future.

We’re currently invested in marketing and have a consultant helping us get those jobs off the desk that we have been putting off. Introducing us to new ideas and revisiting ones we haven’t tried in a while. The market has moved so much with the huge amount of legislation we all have to follow, the banks not being as helpful as they could be, and governments generally coming across as clueless of how to move our country forward.

Basically, it’s all in our own hands, if we are going to make it, it will be down to our working through ideas and plans and making it happen for ourselves.  Nobody is going to hand it to us on a plate.   Although that would be very nice.

I talk to business owners all the time and quite a few as its so up and down with getting work in, that they maybe not be taking the breaks they need, to maintain motivation and energy levels that they might have had when they started.

I find that having that break away, apart from giving me that time away to give me the revitalised energy levels back.   It allows me to focus on what is important and get work done that gives value not just to the clients but to me also.

I always find creating a wish list both personal and business really helps me focus on getting things done that provide me with reward and motivation.  It’s so easy to get lost in the noise of the day-to-day activities, we often forget why we're in business at all.

If you can take anything from this, always take your breaks.    Your sleep patterns should return, you will have more energy and definitely be more focused.    We all need this to keep our health in good order.

Not taking time off is one of the biggest reasons company owners give up self-employment, they suffer burn out.   Don’t let that be you.

I also find that having a hobby for when you’re not in work helps too.  Something to allow you to decompress after a long day.  Whether that be art, gardening, going for a two-mile walk.  Whatever you like, it can be anything.    Enjoy the life you have,  its all in your own hands.

Hello and welcome to April — the start of a brand-new financial year! As always, this time of year brings fresh updates from the Government and one of the most notable changes on the horizon is HMRC’s ‘Making Tax Digital’ for Income Tax Self-Assessment which is coming into affect from April 2026.  This is directly affecting small businesses trading through self assessment, and property landlords.

What’s Changing?

If you’re used to submitting a Self-Assessment tax return once a year, things are about to change. HMRC is moving towards quarterly reporting, much like what VAT-registered businesses already do. This means instead of sending in your figures once a year, you’ll now be expected to submit updates every three months, using Accounting software compatible with HMRC, the spreadsheet will become a thing of the past.

Who Does This Affect?

This will roll out in phases:

• From April 2026: If your total self-employed or property turnover is over £50,000, you’ll be required to comply.
• From April 2027: The threshold lowers to £30,000.

This applies to landlords as well as sole traders, so even if you're just renting out property and not running a business, this could still apply to you.

What Should You Do?

If you're likely to be affected, don’t panic. We’ll be in touch with you individually to discuss the best approach and make sure you’re set up well in advance.

It’s worth noting that HMRC has already changed the start date a few times, so we are still in the early days of implementation. Information is a little light at the moment from HMRC side of things, but we’ll keep you updated as soon as we know more.

Here to Help

We know this might feel like a big shift, and it’s perfectly normal to feel unsure about how it will all work. If this news has left you with questions or concerns, please call or message us — we're here to help guide you through it all.

Let’s make this new tax year a smooth one!