As you know, I teach Blogging as an aid to recovery for the Recovery Learning Community.

I am thrilled to announce my Blog Training for Business Fast Track Masterclass. It’s for anyone who hasn’t already got a WordPress.com blog for their business, and who would like to add one to their marketing mix. Anyone can create a WordPress blog in day and start growing their community right away.

If you know anyone who would benefit from this course, please spread the word. Places are limited to 5, so don’t delay, get them to book today. The event can be booked through Eventbrite by clicking on the link above, or direct with me on 01392 434202 or 07932 768970. As always, your support is most welcome.

My http://www.blogtrainerUK site is currently under construction, as there was a problem with the original theme and all of my media disappeared. I had to start redesigning it with a new theme. I am on Twitter as http://www.twitter.com/blogtrainerUK and http://www.facebook.com/blogtrainerUK

As always, embrace your quirky and write soon

Sandra

It’s Official – I am the UK Blog Trainer

Hi everyone

Today is the official launch of my new blog trainer business and my new http;//www.blogtrainer.co.uk site.

Teaching Blogging as an aid to recovery – How to start a WordPress.com blog, has been successful, and I thoroughly enjoy teaching it so much, that I now offer to teach blogging as a business.

I have been blogging for 4 years this year, and like a lot of you, I can’t get enough of it. I am still learning and evolving as a blogger and I always will be.

Including this blog, I currently have 4 blogs that I blog to as frequently as possible. Although this blog is always my priority because it’s my first love, I value your loyalty and like to give back to you.

I provide inspirational blog posts at http://www.beatredundancyblues.wordpress.com

I blog to give help, advice and inspiration, to people who have been made redundant on my http://www.beatredundancyblues.co.uk site.

I blog about events I have been to, about my interests, passions and businesses at http://www.sandrabellamy.co.uk

Two of my blogs are WordPress.com blogs, the others are self hosted WordPress.org blogs, so I can teach both, but the person I am teaching, would need their own WordPress.org site to do so. I can also create WordPress.org sites, using templates, widgets and plugins.

If I can take a business on a deep and meaningful journey to connect with its customers, I will be filled with joy. If I can help make just one more person’s life so much happier and more rewarding through blogging, I will be ecstatic

If you know of anyone who could benefit from me teaching them, please spread the word. I can teach one-to-one, or as part of a workshop for up to 8 people. As one-to-one teaching is bespoke, prices can vary, they start from £30 an hour, in the Exeter area, in the UK. If they quote this post on this blog, they save 10% off an hour, or on a workshop.

For anyone living outside the UK who wants training via Google Hangouts or Skype, please contact me using email in the first instance.

My business number is 01392 434202 for a free 20 minute consultation, or they can email me at blogtrainer@blogtrainerUK.

Catch me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/blogtrainerUK or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BlogtrainerUK

Thanks for your continued support. I couldn’t do it without you.

Write soon
Sandra

Things that go Wheek in the night!

Hi everyone

Just a quick post to let you know I finally got a new phone, plus compensation in the form of credit to my account. Here is a photo I just took on it.

Daisy and Cinnamon.

I don’t owe HMRC any money and my boss has paid me my wages owed from weeks ago, plus the expenses. Although the expenses have been given to me at an hourly rate and I have been taxed on them when I shouldn’t have.

I was told by HMRC that they estimate the figures when there is a gap in someone’s records. (Dare I say, they made them up. So beware. )

Tommorow is my last day of teaching Blogging as an aid to recovery for this term. I Shall miss it. Thanks to all of you who showed my blogging students some love, by Liking their page or post.

I am still working on the final edit of my Break through the barriers of redundancy book. If something is not quite right, it has to be changed and improved before going to print.

Write when I am able to
Sandra

Blogging as an aid to recovery – Their journey has just begun

Hi everyone

As you know, I teach Blogging as an aid to recovery. Check out one of my student’s “about me” page and show them some blogging love. Click the “About” link below.

About.

David studied journalism and has 8, plus another 3, kids. That’s a lot of kids. Click on the link to read more.

It’s my last teaching session on Monday 10th March for this term, and it has gone very well. Better than last time. The students ask me lots of questions, I am learning more about WordPress and I love the interaction. I am blessed to be able to teach and empower others and to learn from them.

Write soon
Sandra

Double awards – Dragon’s Loyalty Award and The WordPress Family Award

Hi everyone

I am catching up with my blog award nominations.

On the 2nd of June 2013, I was awarded The WordPress Family Award for a second time and a new award to add to my collection, the Dragon’s Loyalty Award, both from Sheri at sheridegrom.com. Please check out her awesome blog.

The rules for the Word Press Family Award are:

1. Display the logo on your blog.

2. Link back to the person who nominated you.

3. Nominate 10 others who have had an impact on your Word Press experience and family.

4. Let the 10 family members know you have awarded them.

My nominations are:

1. http://bluefishway.com

2. http://hutchagoodlife.wordpress.com

3. http://sherrimatthewsblog.com

4. http://blessedwithastarontheforehead.wordpress.com

5. http://mikesfilmtalk.com

6. http://babyjill7.wordpress.com

7. http://bookmust.wordpress.com

8. http://utesmile.wordpress.com

9. http://mischez2001.wordpress.com

10. http://friendlyfairytales.com

Thanks to all I’ve nominated for the Word Press Family Award for making my time on WordPress.com amazing. Thanks to every one who follows and comments on my blog, I appreciate all of you.

The rules for the Dragon Loyalty Award are:

Display the award certificate on your website.
Announce your win with a post and link to whoever presented you with the award.
Present the award to 15 deserving bloggers.
Drop them a comment to tip them off after you have linked them in the post.
Post 7 interesting things about yourself.

My 15 nominations are the 10 bloggers I listed above and the 5 new ones I list below.

Seven facts about myself:

I played the recorder whilst in primary school but stopped because I couldn’t keep up with the group.
I like listening to Floorfillers albums, morning and night.
Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue were my favourite singers when I was a little girl.
When I was a little girl, my favourite actor used was Fred Savage from The Wonder Years.
I have kept a dressing gown that I used to wear when I was about 15 years old – Why? Because I like the fact I can still fit into it.
Yeas ago, I was given a dog called Pepi by a man my dad did work for. His wife was not too happy.
My favourite flower is a rose.

Congratulations to all of my nominees, enjoy your awards and I look forward to reading more about you.

Write soon

Sandra

Sunshine and Versatile Blog Awards

Hi everyone

Well, it isn’t Snuggles this time, but me, that has been a naughty little girl.

Fortunately I have received a number of blog awards in the last week but unfortunately I haven’t made my nominations for other blog awards I received a long time ago.

Please don’t laugh. When I say a long time ago, I mean a long time ago. Okay – June 2013. ( Well, at least I said 2013.)

I am going to start with the Sunshine and Versatile Blog awards that I received from Gabriel Lucatero on 2nd of June 2013. His blog is inspirational so check it out.

The Rules:

Post the logo above
Accept the nomination and link back to the blog that nominated you
Answer the questions
Nominate blogs and inform them of the nomination

I accept these nominations and would also like to pass both of them on to the list of bloggers below:

Congratulations to all of you and don’t forget to put both awards on your blog, you deserve them.

Favorite color: Orange, although not in clothes.

Favorite animal: Guineapig – I have four.

Favorite number(s): 6 – Lucky number is 8.

Favorite (non-alcoholic drink): Pineapple Juice.

Favorite (alcoholic drink): I don’t drink any alcohol. If I am in a pub I have orange or pineapple juice or Appletiser.

Facebook or Twitter: I use both but have more followers on Twitter.

My passions: Writing, helping people, guineapigs, family, friends and films. I love visiting aquariums and zoos.

Giving or receiving gifts: I enjoy both equally.

Favorite city: London and Exeter.

Favorite TV show: I don’t watch much TV but like watching soaps. Neighbours, Emmerdale and Coronation Street. I watch Eastenders sometimes too. I like the X-Factor.

For the second award, apart from making my nominations, I need to share seven things about myself.

Seven facts about me:

1. I believe people can achieve their dreams, if they take action.

2. I teach Blogging as an aid to recovery – How to start a WordPress.com blog for the Recovery Learning Community on a self-employed basis.

3. I work full-time as the Fitted Bedroom Specialist in John Lewis.

4. I have visited London 4 times this year.

5. I met HM the Queen at St James’s Palace In July this year.

6. I am a night owl and prefer to write at night as I can focus more.

7. I love going on courses to improve myself.

Enjoy your awards and I look forward to reading more about you.

Write soon

Sandra

Blogging as an aid to recovery – How has it helped you?

Hi everyone

I published this post recently but it would seem that it has posted in the month that I first started to write it in draft form. This may have caused you to miss it in your reader and so here it is again.

( A huge thanks to Ralph, from bluefish way.com who left a comment on the original post. It will be a huge help to my learners.)

It’s official, amongst everything else I do, I am a Tutor for the RLC (Recovery Learning Community).

I will be teaching my first course, “Blogging as an aid to recovery” on the 18th and 25th of November and 2nd of December.

The RLC provides a range of educational, practical and creative courses, for students with mental health difficulties and their family and friends who support them.

I will be teaching students how to start a WordPress.com blog of their own, that they can continue to use after the course has finished.

I will be teaching students how blogging can make them to feel better and improve their quality of life through:

Building online relationships and friendships.
Communicating with like-minded people.
Improving communication skills.
Building confidence and self-esteem.
Giving them something to focus on.
Giving them a sense of purpose and a reason to get up in the morning.

Plus loads more fantastic reasons.

I would love for my students to know how blogging has aided your recovery. Please leave a message in the comments section so that I can share your story with them.

Thanks in advance.

Stay positive.

Sandra Bellamy

Launch of sandrabellamy.co.uk (quirkybooks.wordpress.com)
7 Reasons “Why I Blog”! (and why more educators should:) (edguy199.com)
5 reasons why you should consider blogging (zemanta.com)
Why Blog? Why Now? (championtutoring.wordpress.com)

3 year Blogging Anniversary of quirkybooks.wordpress.com

Hi everyone

Fantastic news. I got Daisy’s test results yesterday, her lumps were fatty tissues, not cancer. I am over the moon with joy.

Second piece of good news, it’s my 3 year blogging anniversary today.

Write soon

Sandra

quirkybooks has over 200 Followers – Thank you

Hi Everyone

I am pleased to announce that this quirkybooks blog has 201 followers.

Thanks to each and every one of you for your loyalty, support and contribution to this blog. It feels great to get to know you and your quirks.

Write soon

Sandra

♥ Bloggers and Awards ♥

Hi everyone

I met a fellow blogger recently, Ute, from http://utesmile.wordpress.com and she has done a post including a bit about our meet-up.

Ute is a wonderful woman with a great zest for life . She is bubbly too and very fun to be with.

Thanks Ute.

Write soon,

Sandra

Ute smile

How wonderful

I met another blogger last week. ♥

It is Sandra from Quirkybooks.

Sorry the picture is rather dark, but it was at night in front of a theatre in London.

It was lovely to meet Sandra, we had a great chat over a meal and got to know each other. She is such a bubbly, enthusiastic, busy lady and “quirky” in a “surprising” way as her blog name says. She is doing some fantastic work, so do checkout her blog.

☼☼♥☼☼

And now we have a drum roll for more awards!