Celia’s business The Wellbeing Farm established in 2013, was originally intended to be a corporate events venue focusing on wellbeing, but a difficult business journey, (which was published into a book in 2020 ‘Why Put a Bow Tie on a Llama? How a crazy idea can change your life and transform your business) resulted in The Wellbeing Farm turning into a multi award-winning wedding and events venue based in Edgworth, Lancashire.
Facing a wedding ban and no visits to show off her venue, Celia had to adapt. She sought support from Boost Business Lancashire; Lancashire's Business Growth Hub, and through this was introduced to Jason Kingston from Cube Thinking. What started as a virtual coffee shop chat has blossomed into a network of wellbeing providers based around Lancashire representing every element of wellbeing which are working to develop the brand #wellbeinglancashire.
Celia, a former NHS Director, has always been passionate about wellbeing, and through focusing on her own personal wellbeing project ‘100 Days to Wellbeing’ through lockdown, she has found time to reflect and think whilst on her daily dog walk and meditation that is now a part of her life.
Celia said: “Lockdown has been tough for so many businesses. The business landscape has hugely changed in a very short period – offices have closed, staff have had to adapt to home working, some staff have been furloughed while others have continued to work. Lockdown has affected everyone’s wellbeing to some extent.
“Teams and businesses need rebuilding – it’s almost that you’ve got to treat those staff who have been working and those staff who have been furloughed, like you are doing a merger and acquisition and start again with a new strategy and culture. As we emerge from lockdown it almost feels like in some cases you’ve got to start your business from scratch. Post COVID-19, businesses have to relook at their strategy against a very different business landscape.”
She identified emerging post-lockdown trends as: sustainability, wellbeing and fun. Celia then wondered, could these elements be combined and she went on to create the North West Centre for Business and Team Wellbeing idea.
The North West Centre for Business and Team Wellbeing in collaboration with #Wellbeinglancashire brings together the very best wellbeing providers Lancashire has to offer in a beautiful, purposefully designed centralised location.
Businesses will be able to select from a menu of activities and create their own bespoke event. Whether companies want to just hire the farm, plan a strategy development day, undertake some team building, or enhance their employee wellbeing or just have some fun. The access the North West Centre for Business and Team Wellbeing provides a great range of wellbeing and business providers.
Jason Kingston, Cube Thinking Partner said: “What Celia has dynamically developed is an amazing physical platform that provides not only a safe, but the right space that allows providers of wellbeing services to deliver bespoke solutions to clients that match their needs.
“This pivoting highlights the incredible foresight that Celia has to meet the growing need for wellbeing services in a changed world, at a venue that is perfect to meet the needs of the new client. We have seen many businesses and organisations looking for the right solutions to help their senior leadership teams and staff adapt to the future with the right toolkit – the North West Centre for Business and Team Wellbeing will do just that”.
The farm is COVID-19 secure, Celia adds: “During lockdown we’ve adapted the venue to implement one-way systems, removed tablecloths, purchased an NHS-approved sanitizer, implemented new cleaning processes. This work has meant that we have been awarded Meeting Industry Association accreditation which recognises venues who are committed to offering an environment that is healthy and hygienic as well as a professional approach to meetings and events business.”
Facilities at this sustainable venue include two meeting areas, one of which seats up to 170 or 300 standing; four break out areas, acres of outdoor space, full Wi-Fi plus three phase power and safe secure car parking for up to 100 cars.
Wellbeing and facilitation suppliers to the venue are still being added, but the venue has a new website and corporate brochure and is ready and open for bookings.
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