Latest news with #Barwick
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
'I swapped the bustle of London for a slower pace in Shetland'
Ms Barwick said: 'That first holiday was a bit of a reset. The landscapes, the wildlife, the sense of calm – it all just made sense. We came back a few times and realised, we don't actually want to live in a big city any longer.' The move marked a total lifestyle shift, and before long, Ms Barwick's background in textiles caught the attention of her new community. READ MORE: Glastonbury 2025 was my first ever festival - here's what I thought That encouragement sparked the idea for Shetland Stitch Club, a roving sewing initiative offering sociable, skills-based sessions in community venues across the isles. The first to pilot was the Lerwick Sewing Social, a weekly evening meet-up where people could work on their own sewing projects with guidance from Helen if needed. Open to everyone from complete beginners to seasoned stitchers, the sessions are designed to bring people together over a shared creative interest. Ms Barwick added: 'There are so many talented knitters in Shetland, but not many places focused on sewing. People told me they'd love to alter or customise clothes but didn't know where to start, or didn't have the right equipment. Others just wanted a space to sew with company. "Sewing often needs a lot of kit and space, so it's not easy to do at home. Shetland is an amazing place, but it can feel isolating – especially in the winter – so I hope the stitch club helps people to connect.' Shetland Stitch Club (Image: Supplied) The Lerwick Sewing Socials are currently on pause for the summer and will resume on Monday evenings at Islesburgh Community Centre from August 25, with bookings open via the website. To help get her idea off the ground, Helen secured a £3,000 loan from BizBritain through the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme, using the funding to buy a fleet of sewing machines. From autumn, Shetland Stitch Club will grow its offering with six-week courses and more sewing socials in different locations. Alongside her business, Helen also works part-time as a front-of-house supervisor at Mareel, Shetland's arts centre. In the future, she hopes to run classes for children during the school holidays and eventually establish a permanent base. Barry McCulloch, Senior Manager, UK Network, Scotland at the British Business Bank, said: 'Helen has clearly spotted a gap for sociable, skills-based sewing sessions in Shetland – and her story shows how small businesses can make a big difference locally. The Start Up Loans programme exists to support ideas like this that boost local economies and help communities thrive across Scotland.'
Scotsman
04-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Textiles teacher sets up Scottish isles sewing venture after ditching London rat race
'There are so many talented knitters in Shetland, but not many places focused on sewing' – Helen Barwick Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A former textiles teacher has launched a sewing initiative in Shetland after trading the bustle of London for a slower pace of life. Helen Barwick, founder of Shetland Stitch Club, moved to the area's North Mainland with her husband and rescue dog in November 2024. After years as head of textiles at a busy London secondary school, she visited the islands during a particularly stressful period at work, with that break leading to a 'bit of a reset'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Her venture is described as a 'roving sewing initiative' offering sociable, skills-based sessions in community venues across the isles. The first to pilot was the Lerwick Sewing Social, a weekly evening meet-up where people could work on their own sewing projects with guidance from Barwick if needed. The 'roving sewing initiative' offers sociable, skills-based sessions in community venues across the Shetland Isles. To help get her idea off the ground, she secured a modest loan from BizBritain through the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme, using the funding to buy a number of sewing machines. From this autumn, Shetland Stitch Club will grow its offering with six-week courses and more sewing socials in different locations. Barwick said: 'That first holiday was a bit of a reset. The landscapes, the wildlife, the sense of calm - it all just made sense. We came back a few times and realised, we don't actually want to live in a big city any longer. 'There are so many talented knitters in Shetland, but not many places focused on sewing. People told me they'd love to alter or customise clothes but didn't know where to start, or didn't have the right equipment. Others just wanted a space to sew with company. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Sewing often needs a lot of kit and space, so it's not easy to do at home. Shetland is an amazing place, but it can feel isolating - especially in the winter - so I hope the stitch club helps people to connect.' Alongside her business, Barwick works part-time as a front-of-house supervisor at Mareel, Shetland's arts centre.
Scotsman
04-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Textiles teacher sets up Scottish isles sewing venture after ditching London rat race
'There are so many talented knitters in Shetland, but not many places focused on sewing' – Helen Barwick Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A former textiles teacher has launched a sewing initiative in Shetland after trading the bustle of London for a slower pace of life. Helen Barwick, founder of Shetland Stitch Club, moved to the area's North Mainland with her husband and rescue dog in November 2024. After years as head of textiles at a busy London secondary school, she visited the islands during a particularly stressful period at work, with that break leading to a 'bit of a reset'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Her venture is described as a 'roving sewing initiative' offering sociable, skills-based sessions in community venues across the isles. The first to pilot was the Lerwick Sewing Social, a weekly evening meet-up where people could work on their own sewing projects with guidance from Barwick if needed. The 'roving sewing initiative' offers sociable, skills-based sessions in community venues across the Shetland Isles. To help get her idea off the ground, she secured a modest loan from BizBritain through the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme, using the funding to buy a number of sewing machines. From this autumn, Shetland Stitch Club will grow its offering with six-week courses and more sewing socials in different locations. Barwick said: 'That first holiday was a bit of a reset. The landscapes, the wildlife, the sense of calm - it all just made sense. We came back a few times and realised, we don't actually want to live in a big city any longer. 'There are so many talented knitters in Shetland, but not many places focused on sewing. People told me they'd love to alter or customise clothes but didn't know where to start, or didn't have the right equipment. Others just wanted a space to sew with company. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Sewing often needs a lot of kit and space, so it's not easy to do at home. Shetland is an amazing place, but it can feel isolating - especially in the winter - so I hope the stitch club helps people to connect.' Alongside her business, Barwick works part-time as a front-of-house supervisor at Mareel, Shetland's arts centre.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Special hotel booking service launched for 18-year-old travellers
US-based Hotels for 18 Year Olds has launched a service targeting young adults who often encounter difficulties when booking hotel accommodations due to age restrictions. The platform aims to simplify the process by providing information on age-friendly hotels across the country. The service specialises in collaborating with hotels that welcome guests who are 18 years old, addressing a gap left by traditional booking sites, which frequently omit clear age requirements. This oversight can lead to last-minute cancellations and complications for young adults, who, despite being legal adults, face age-based barriers in the hospitality sector. founder Randall Barwick said: "Too many 18-year-olds are being turned away at hotel front desks or having their reservations cancelled simply because of their age. "We're bridging this gap by creating the first platform specifically designed to solve booking challenges for young adult travellers who are legally adults but still face age discrimination in the hospitality industry." The platform provides details about each property, encompassing specific age requirements and any other policies that might impact young adult guests. Barwick added: "We're seeing strong interest from both travellers and hotel partners who recognise the value in serving this demographic. "College students, young professionals, and other 18-year-old travellers deserve the same booking confidence that older guests enjoy." The service caters to different travel needs common among young adults, which include internship relocations, college visits, gap year trips, and early career travel. The platform is now live and features properties in major US destinations, with plans to broaden its network of partner hotels and include international destinations. "Special hotel booking service launched for 18-year-old travellers" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Historic landmark process given tick
The community trust instrumental in the revival of historic Oamaru over the past 35 years has now formally signed its assent to a process to achieve National Historic Landmark status for the area. The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust yesterday gave Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZ) formal assent to include its 15 buildings in the Harbour St-Tyne St area — forming the Oamaru Victorian Precinct — in a proposal for National Historic Landmark status for historic Oamaru. If the government approves, the area will join the ranks of the Treaty of Waitangi grounds. Waitangi at this point is the sole site with the status. The trust's approval follows the formal tick this week by the landowner behind the trust's buildings, the Waitaki District Council. "We weren't sure if it would get over the line with council," trust property manager Jacob Barwick said yesterday . The district council is also a significant heritage stakeholder for Oamaru, its holdings including its headquarters in the former Oamaru chief post office and the Waitaki Archive and Museum, and it administers the Oamaru Victorian Harbour. Mr Barwick said the next step to achieve landmark status over the entire area was for HNZ to present the case to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage. A decision was expected by next year. "It is an important document for us because it actually means that HNZ can get on with it. "Now that we've signed it the procedure is it goes to HNZ to be signed off then on to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage." Mr Barwick said it recognised 40 years "of hard work" in the community. The trust formed its subsequent work to preserve and promote the significant heritage fabric of the town. "It was the civic trust that started the preservation of Oamaru when the trust bought this part of town." Trust chairman Richard Vinbrux said they were excited the council had finally approved and again underlined the crucial value of the trust's work. "Without the work of the trust Oamaru would be a very, very different place." Trust vice-chairman Graeme Clark, involved for the trust's entire 35-year life, said personally signing off the landmark process was for him "very significant". It really recognised "a legacy" of countless hours and effort by many volunteers and staff over more than three decades to enhance what now put Oamaru on the map. "It is a legacy for the work." Mr Barwick said the landmark status process had been under way since November 2022, HNZ, the trust and the district council driving it. He paid particular tribute to council heritage adviser Dr Mark Smith and Sarah Gallagher of HNZ for their work to advance the application.
