Author: Tina Calder

Culture Night Belfast is set to go ahead with an online celebration of the arts that will include a rich mix of music, film, performance and much more on September 18.

Following an announcement in May that there would be no return this year to having the city streets packed with performers and the public due to concerns around Covid 19, the team behind Culture Night Belfast is determined to show resilience in the sector, despite the trying times.

Susan Picken, Director of Cathedral Quarter Trust, the charity behind Culture Night Belfast, promised that the 2020 programme will see a spectacular online display with the launch of CNB TV.

“Although this year’s programme will not be happening live on Culture Night we will be broadcasting over six hours of core programming free across a number of channels online.

“As every year this year’s core programming will promote arts and culture, diversity, inclusivity and accessibility for all.

“CNB TV will broadcast cultural diversity across a range of art forms including music, film, visual arts and arts for young people.”

Susan said everyone involved is determined to show that they are ready to rise to the challenge.

“The arts sector has been really badly impacted by this pandemic, but I think on the whole it has shown how determined people are to keep going,” she explained. “Resilience is a bit of the theme this year, almost like defiance when we are up against it.

“People have plugged away for years, and they’re not going to let something they’ve built be destroyed. People are creative and will always find a way to make things happen.”

With funding dramatically cut Susan says the backing of Belfast City Council and the Arts Council NI has been vital to make sure that they can take Culture Night on to the internet.

The full programme is set to be announced shortly, but it promises to be a packed series of events. Both the Oh Yeah Centre and the Black Box will be curating their own online events, Stephen Beggs is set to provide some children’s cabaret and the Graduate Show, delivered virtually by The Mac will once again provide a platform for students from Ulster University.

Whilst it will be a massive shift this year, requiring a lot of effort, Susan is determined that the core principles will remain.

“To me Culture Night is about celebrating the city and celebrating creativity in the city,” she said. “I love when you walk round the corner and there’s some weird performance or there’s something projected on a wall. It’s those types of things that I’d love to continue to bring forward to the future, but the online event will retain that at its core.”

With uncertainty remaining over when performances can return to venues and the streets of Belfast Susan hopes that they can deliver something in 2021.

“We’re still hoping to do something next September but it depends on a lot of things.

“Ultimately I’d like it to be an event where the creativity all comes together and shows the city at its best.”

Artists can still apply to get involved to share their ideas.

“Although our core programme is now complete we’ll still be able to give other artists and creators a platform to promote their work in the run up and over the Culture Night weekend.

“We’ll be launching a call for submissions for our online listings and promotional activity in the coming week and we look forward to doing whatever we can to support the wider arts sector during this turbulent time.

“We want to use this as an opportunity for people to fundraise for arts and culture. Maybe people won’t be out buying pints but hopefully they’ll donate what they would have spent to Culture Night and the artists and creators entertaining them.”For more information go to culturenightbelfast.com or follow #CNB20.

Burger Burger is back with a bang as diners return for its unique laidback dining experience, and its renowned delicious food choices and premium retro cocktails.

The £20,000 post lockdown cash injection comes just months after an initial investment of £60,000 which saw the company create seven new jobs in February this year.

With a menu already packed with multiple choices of burgers Burger Burger now offers the option of American whiskey infused meat.

Newly appointed general manager, James McErlean, said that the company was quick to adapt to changing eating trends in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown, and have put in place government advice on social distancing.

“Our aim is to make our guests feel relaxed, safe and in a great environment where they can really enjoy themselves,” he said. “As a business we are taking this new world seriously and are approaching it with a positive attitude and staff that are there to make every single customer feel at ease.”

The menu on offer promises a feast of delicious options.

“We are delighted to be taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out,” James explained. From Monday to Wednesday get 50% off their food bill up to the value of £10 per person.”

“Our lunchtime deal now operates from 12-5pm with a £7.50 deal with a limited menu, but if you want something from the evening menu, we can make that happen.”

“After 5pm the burger boutique kicks in. The lights go down and the vibe of the restaurant really kicks in with candles and a fully set table.”

All Burger Burger meals are homemade and locally sourced, but James promises that every diner will have the best of choices.

“Customers can choose from one of our new burger meats, original or American whiskey infused,” he said “And let me tell you it really is a mouth-watering experience.”

Like so many others in the hospitality industry Burger Burger have shown great resilience coping with extended lockdown and new safety measures.

But James is confident their investment of £20,000 in the restaurant over the last eight weeks will see them back on top again.

“We have adapted, but so has the rest of Northern Ireland” said James, adding: “We love our customers and we were so eager to get them back in to feed them.”

For the new Burger Burger menu go to https://www.burgerburgerbelfast.com/menu  and to book a table visit https://www.opentable.co.uk/r/burger-burger-belfast

Most people think about clothes in terms of style and design, but few really think about the actual fabrics that they wear and how it feels against the skin.

That, sadly, is not the case for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and autism, however. 

Meta Auden, founder of Spectra Sensory Clothing explained: “While some children will appreciate the tactile stimulation that some clothing will offer them, others will find that their clothing creates an unpleasant tactile sensation.

“Many children will appreciate a sensory-preoccupying layer of clothing that acts as protection against the outside world, other children with SPD and autism will find clothing stiff, itchy and, at times, almost unbearable.

“It’s not just about the materials used in their clothing, either, children can also be affected by the way in which an item of clothing fits their body.”

According to Meta, who is currently working with her customers to provide a range of sensory clothing for school uniforms, an unpleasant, tactile sensation can also be made even worse by accessories attached to the clothing, such as metal attachments and seams, which can cause a child to itch and scratch. 

She added: “The situation can be made even worse if a child is not very communicative and is unable to articulate their discomfort, so it goes without saying that finding the right type of sensory-friendly clothing can be an absolute lifesaver for a child.”

Sensory clothing

Sensory friendly clothing is clothing that is specifically designed for children with sensory issues. In general, it tends to be tagless, seamless and has accessories or fastenings that are much more pleasant against a child’s skin. A child, for example, who doesn’t like to feel the seam of their socks against their ankles will enjoy the benefits that seamless socks can provide. 

Meta said: “The ‘bottom layer’ of clothing is obviously the most important aspect of sensory clothing since it is the layer that is in direct contact with the skin. The right underwear, for example, can make the difference between a day of fun and a day of discomfort and irritation for a child.

“When it comes to the ‘middle layer’ – items such as shirts and trousers – it’s vitally important for a child to avoid materials that will irritate their skin. If the weather is fine, then loose, baggy shorts are a great idea, while loose-necked T-shirts are preferable to buttoned-up or ‘tight-necked’ items, such as polo neck jumpers or fitted shirts.

“Lightweight compression materials such as cotton are the best option for these items, with stretchy cotton a particularly good choice, since it enables easy, irritation-free movement.

“The’ top layer’ is the one which can feature heavier compression materials since these can be easily put on and taken off as required, and providing easy access for a child.”

How it can improve your child’s quality of life

Meta, whose daughter Kirsty is Autistic said: “Parents of a child with SPD and autism, will be only too aware of the problems that their child may be experiencing with their clothing. From refusing to wear certain items of clothing, to being visibly and audibly distressed while wearing others, the wrong type of clothing can be upsetting for both parent and child.

“Sensory clothing is one vitally important way in which you can help to alleviate your child’s distress and discomfort. Research has shown that sensory-friendly clothing can decrease a child’s stress levels, primarily since it greatly reduces – or removes completely – the irritation that ‘ordinary’ clothing can cause to their skin.”

Meta added that compression clothing can act as a type of weighted blanket for your child since it helps to make them grounded and to reconnect with the world around them.

“Children with SPD and autism have enough to deal with on a daily basis without having to cope with the discomfort and distress caused by their clothing. By opting for sensory clothing, you can help to remove the aggravation caused by your child’s clothing and enable them to feel comfortable both in their clothing – and in their own skin” said Meta.

Find out more about Spectra Sensory’s general clothing and uniform options at spectrasensoryclothing.co.uk

In recent years Twitter has got a bit of a bad reputation for being a ‘dying’ platform.

Not according to Lana Richardson, Digital Marketing Manager for PropertyPal. PropertyPal were early adopters of social media, and today boast over 200,000 followers across their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles. 

With over 10 million visitors to their website in 2019, the business has seen 6% growth month on month in their social following.

Lana shared her top tips on how to maximise Twitter at a Lunchtime Learning session facilitated by the Cathedral Quarter BID (Business Improvement District).

She said: “Facebook and Instagram are image-heavy platforms. Twitter encourages conversation and discussion, as well as debate and disagreement. It has a different purpose for each person who uses it – some are there for current events, some for sports news, and some to follow celebrities. The character limit forces creativity and Twitter is often where viral moments start.”

You might wonder if your business has any place on Twitter, but according to Lana, the statistics speak for themselves:

• The average Twitter user follows five businesses.
• 77% of Twitter users feel more positive about a brand when their tweet is replied to. 
• 80% of Twitter users have mentioned a brand in a tweet. 
• Companies using Twitter for customer service see a 19% lift in customer satisfaction. 

As the third most popular social media platform in Northern Ireland, Lana says all business owners should consider if Twitter could add value to your business. 

Here are Lana’s top 7 tips:

1. Establish a clear brand and a clear brand voice 

Lana said: “Your brand voice will dictate what you post, how you post it, and when you post. It helps to make your business memorable and creates trust through consistency.”

2. Find some inspiration

Research other company profiles and see what kind of content you enjoy looking at, how can you make this work for your business? 

Lana explained: “Check out other businesses in the same industry as you. Many brands treat Twitter entirely differently so see what others are doing and figure out what works for you.” 

3. What do you post?

Lana advises: “Optimise your bio – it’s the first thing people see on your profile so it should give a brief explanation of who you are and give followers an idea of what to expect. An average tweet has a lifespan of just 18 minutes, so you need to focus on quality over quantity and post engaging content that will grab the attention of your audience.” 

4. Engage in conversation with trending topics

Twitter gives you an indication of what topics are popular within the trending feed. According to Lana you can use this to your advantage if it fits with your business and your target audience. Don’t try to shoehorn your brand into a trend when it doesn’t fit, but you can be creative.

5. When do you post?

There really is no hard and fast rule of when to post to Twitter. 

Lana said: “Don’t post just for the sake of it – your tweets should have purpose or being engaging in trending topics. Only post when you have something to say. If a tweet doesn’t do well within the first hour, I’ll delete it from our feed and repost it at another time.”

6. Make use of tools to help you

Twitter Analytics and Twitter Advanced Search are free and easy-to-use tools that can give you an insight into how your profile is performing and highlight areas where you could make tweaks and improvements. 

TweetDeck is another free tool that is great for scheduling content. 

“Twitter is much more fast-paced than other social media platforms, so you will want to post some content ‘live’” said Lana, adding: “And make sure you always have quick and easy access to TweetDeck to stop any scheduled posts if they are no longer suitable. For example, if news is released about a celebrity death and you have scheduled a meme that features them, that probably isn’t the best time to post that content.”

7. Have posting guidelines for what your brand does and does not do

With Twitter, you really need to cut the red tape. 

Lana explained: “Things that land and perform well on Twitter are usually more off-the-cuff and timelier in nature, so if you have to wait three days for your boss to approve a post, it just won’t land the same. Having guidelines can help with this as you can work out what you do and do not post, for example is profanity OK? The use of slang? Whatever you do just remember that Twitter is there to increase awareness of your brand, not to generate direct sales. No one likes being sold to on Twitter.”

Check out Lana’s full Lunchtime Learning on the Cathedral Quarter website: https://www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com/whats-on/lunchtime-learning-twitter-for-small-businesses/ 

To see more Lunchtime Learning sessions go to: https://www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com/lunchtime-learning 

Creating and developing advertising on social media can be a minefield. When you get it right, great things can happen. But, if you get it wrong it can cost you a lot of money.

Gil David, Founder of Run DMG, has spent over 13 years in sales, marketing, and business management, as well as over five years running social media adverts for a wide range of clients, including beauty chains and ecommerce stores, online coaches, and nationwide fitness franchises. 

As someone who has worked with social media advertising budgets from a few hundred pounds to £150,000 plus, Gil has a wealth of experience and tips to share.

Gil delivered an insightful session on Facebook and Instagram advertising at a Lunchtime Learning session facilitated by the Cathedral Quarter BID (Business Improvement District).

Gil’s first point may come as a bit of a surprise to many, he said: “One thing I won’t focus on in this session is targeting. It’s talked about a lot but it’s pretty straightforward to do and it isn’t as important as some of the other elements. 

“If you have a smaller budget, targeting might be more important, or if your product or service is much more niche. But if your product or service would interest a wide range of people and your main market is within Northern Ireland, the actual size of the market is too small to overly benefit from very specific targeting. 

“For example, in comparison with running advertising campaigns in America where there are millions more people.”

With that out of the way, Gil went on to explain some of his key tips and tricks to running successful Instagram and Facebook adverts. 

1. Get the Facebook pixel installed on your website

Gil explained: “This is a simple piece of code that you may be able to install yourself using a plugin or app, but if not, your web developer should be able to do this for you very quickly. The pixel is good not just for monitoring your ad performance but also for optimising adverts.”

To comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) you should have a cookie policy on your website anyway, but if you install the Facebook pixel make sure to update this, along with any other Privacy Notices, so your website users know what data you are collecting and how you plan to use it. 

2. Don’t jump straight to the sales pitch

This is especially so if you aren’t a well known brand, consumers go through a process before making a purchase – they need to know who you are, they need to like you, they need to trust you, then they’ll make the decision to buy. 

“This process fits nicely into a sales funnel where your adverts aim to increase awareness of your brand in the first instance, then to encourage interest in your products and services, before leading to a prospective customer making a purchase” said Gil, adding: “From there you can retarget customers for more sales, or to cross-sell other products and services.”

It’s unlikely that you will achieve significant sales the first time you run adverts on social media. Potential customers should first become familiar with your company and understand the benefits that your product or service will offer them, before they make the decision to purchase. 

3. Get the creative right

When it comes to adverts on social media, it is estimated that the creative (or imagery) element used contributes 47% to the overall sales contribution (targeting is 9%). The image or still (if using video) needs to be eye-catching, with videos of 30 seconds duration generally being viewed as ideal. This depends on the complexity of the product or service you offer and the needs of your target audience. 

Square 1:1 ratio (1080×1080) or tall 4:5 ratio (1080×1350) works best on Facebook and Instagram and remember to include text or captions in the video because most people tend to watch with the sound off. 

4. Entice with good copy.

Gil said: “Your offer should state who you are, what you do, and give customers a reason for them to purchase.”

And he gave these examples:

• Bad Offer – We are NI’s biggest bed store. 20% off today!
• Better Offer – The widest range of beds in NI. 20% off today. 
• Best Offer – Say goodbye to sore backs and enjoy a great night’s sleep every time with our Snooze Guarantee. NI’s widest range of beds. Get 20% off when you shop today at Sleepys. 

5. Always be testing

Gil revealed: “Test as many versions of your advert as your budget allows for. Around seven out of ten ads fail. Check on your ad results regularly. You should know within 2,000 to 3,000 impressions if the ad is successful or not. Aim for a 1% click through rate, and around £1 cost per click. Though this can depend a lot on your product or service. Stop those ads that aren’t working and double down on those that are.”

Check out Gil’s full Lunchtime Learning on the Cathedral Quarter website: https://www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com/whats-on/lunchtime-learning-facebook-instagram-ads-doing-the-basic-well

To see more Lunchtime Learning sessions go to: https://www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com/lunchtime-learning 

Established over 50 years ago, Queen’s Film Theatre is Northern Ireland’s only arthouse cinema, showing a diverse range of films for a diverse audience.

In recent years they have relied heavily on their clever use of Facebook in order to drive audiences to the theatre.

Ellen Reay has been the Marketing Coordinator at Queen’s Film Theatre since 2019. She has an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy from University of London, and before returning to Northern Ireland to work at QFT, she previously worked in marketing for the Barbican Centre in London, the Independent Cinema Office, and London International Festival of Theatre.

Ellen delivered a Lunchtime Learning session about how businesses can maximise their use of Facebook facilitated by the Cathedral Quarter BID (Business Improvement District).

Ellen talked about her experiences of using Facebook to promote the theatre, as well as some tips and tricks she has picked up along the way.

She said: “When I started working for QFT I inherited their social media strategy, which aimed to pinpoint the focus of our social media efforts. 

“It focused on communication, information, and collaboration, but the overarching theme was community. 

“Based on this, I shifted our focus to encouraging the community (developing the brand), informing the community (generating sales), and helping the community (offering customer service via social media).” 

Here are Ellen’s key takeaways from the session:

1. Encouraging the Community (Developing the Brand)

Ellen explained that there was a massive spike in engagement on the QFT Facebook page when they celebrated the 50^th anniversary of QFT with the QFT50 campaign. 

“This campaign gave us the freedom to talk more about our organisation and our history. We created two new campaigns on Facebook – #TBT and #WeAreQFT. #TBT, or throwback-Thursday, is not a new campaign, but it gave us an easy and recognisable way to share our history with our audience. 

“We digitised our archive of programmes and image stock, so rather than them gathering dust, we were able to share them with our followers.

“#WeAreQFT was inspired by social media accounts like ‘Humans of New York. Every week a member of the QFT community is put in the spotlight. This could be a member of staff, a regular customer, or a special guest. 

“We created a questionnaire for the feature and then share the answers in the post. These posts perform exceptionally well for us, with roughly a 60% increase in reach and 670% increase in engagement compared to other posts on our page.

“The plan is to run these campaigns for a year and then take stock, with a six-month review in between. We are looking for what commonalities there are in the posts that perform well compared with those that don’t, as well as checking if there is a clear better time for QFT to post.”

2. Informing the Community (Generating Sales)

QFT have between two and 20 showings per week, and Ellen explained they rarely get a lead time that is longer than six weeks. 

She added: “To keep us agile and responsive, we have a weekly posting schedule and the rest of our content is directed by trends or business needs. We have a weekly marketing meeting, and currently post approximately every hour each weekday.

“Monday is ‘Monday Madness’ with £4 tickets, Tuesday is #WeAreQFT, Wednesday is the following week’s programme, Thursday is #TBT, and Friday is Fresh Film Friday where we talk about a new release. 

“We make a lot of our own content by putting our branding over film imagery, but we also share independent content such as reviews for films that can encourage debate.

“Facebook Events are really important to us. Special Screenings are added as events. Where a post about a screening might get 2,000 impressions, an event for the same screening would get around 32,000 impressions.”

3. Helping the Community (Customer Service via Facebook)

“We have a contact number and contact page on our website, but we are finding more and more that people are turning to social media to make enquiries or ask for advice” said Ellen, adding: “We use Facebook Messenger for customer service. We communicate in an automatic reply how long it should take to receive a response, and we also use automatic replies for frequently asked questions.”

QFT’s successful use of Facebook to market their business should inspire small business owners to try new things on the platform. 

When considering your Facebook strategy Ellen said: “Think about your strategy, your brand, personalising your content, using word of mouth, and make sure to evaluate and review performance and make tweaks based on the results. 

“A lot of marketers are short on time, but this step is important. Also, while Facebook is a key component of our marketing strategy and a lot of what we do is organic, to get your brand in front of a new audience, you generally have to pay for some Facebook advertising.” 

Check out Ellen’s full Lunchtime Learning on the Cathedral Quarter website: https://www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com/whats-on/lunchtime-learning-how-the-qft-uses-facebook-to-put-bums-on-seats/

To see more Lunchtime Learning sessions go to: https://www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com/lunchtime-learning 

Arguments for and against wearing school uniforms have raged since time immemorial. From ‘reducing peer pressure’ and ‘improving focus’ to ‘stifling individuality’ and ‘unaffordable cost for parents’, there’s no doubt that there are both pros and cons for uniforms. 

For parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), however, the list of ‘cons’ is never-ending. That’s because, in addition to the usual gripes that children may have with wearing school uniforms, children with ASD have their own specialised, individual issues with it. 

Meta Auden, founder of Spectra Sensory Clothing explained: “If you’re a parent of a child with ASD, you’ll be only too aware of how many problems your child can experience with regard to clothing, let alone the additional problems posed by having to wear a school uniform. 

“Your child may, for example, have a sensitivity to certain materials and labels. School uniforms may throw up a raft of extra problems, such as washing labels, itchy materials and seams. We recently heard of one child, who repeatedly developed a patch on her neck, which seemed to arise from wearing her school polo shirt. She has now become so sensitive to even the sight of the polo shirt that she is refusing to go to school

“Perhaps you have a child, who only wants to wear jogging pants and T-shirts? How do you persuade them to wear a shirt and more ‘formal’ trousers?

“Or maybe your child isn’t toilet trained when they first start school? Then you’re faced with the dilemma of how to fit nappies under traditional school trousers: trousers which, as you know, he won’t tolerate in the slightest anyway.”

According to Meta, the same goes for if you have a daughter, who refuses to wear the regulation skirt. How do you circumvent this issue?

The answer to many of the problems created by school uniforms can lie in a sensory clothing range, which also offers school uniform items: items which look like traditional uniforms, but have the added advantage of providing the most comfort and least sensory irritation to your child. 

These items contain special features, which may be the answer to your prayers:

• If your child is affected by certain types of material, for example, a sensory school clothing range can enable your child to wear soft clothing items, such as a T-shirt, under their school clothes as a ‘barrier’ to calm any potential irritation caused by the school items
• Autism-friendly socks, meanwhile, are completely seamless, therefore removing the need for your child to itch and scratch at seams throughout the school day
• Necklines on tops and shirts may also be worn inside or out, enabling your child to wear the top whichever way feels most comfortable to them and removing any potential embarrassment about having their T-shirt on ‘the wrong way round’.
• Shirt collars may have ‘soft collars’ for maximum comfort and may come with imitation buttons, meaning that your child can put the shirt on over their head instead of having to struggle with buttons.

“As a parent of a child with ASD, you’ll be only too aware of how difficult it is for your child to concentrate and focus for long periods of time” said Meta, “You want them to get the most out of their education and school experience – not having them spending the whole school day focussing on the discomfort and distress caused by what they’re wearing.”

For many families sensory clothing may provide both they and their child with peace of mind. 

Find out more about Spectra Sensory’s uniform options at spectrasensoryclothing.co.uk/product-category/school-uniform

For the first time ever the YMCA’s extensive Greenhill residential facilities in Newcastle, County Down will be available to the general public to book.

Prior to the Covid 19 outbreak, the national YMCA centre was only available to YMCA young people and community groups. But due to the restrictions on school and youth group residentials, it has cabins, chalets, and a guest house which can now be booked by families for a short time.

Centre manager at Greenhill, Kenny Baxter, said the work of the YMCA continues to be to support vulnerable young people as a core part of its mission, but now we have the opportunity to welcome families to our beautiful site on the side of the Mournes..

“We have a range of self-catering accommodation that is used and enjoyed by 10,000 young people every year,” he explained. 

“While that outdoor learning experience is part of our essential work that we hope to return to very soon, we are delighted to be able to offer the accommodation sited in beautiful surroundings to another audience.”

In Donard Forest Park, Greenhill has five cabins that would be the perfect location for a family staycation, and two large chalets ideal for groups such as walkers or cyclists.

“Greenhill is more than just accommodation, there are always a diverse group of volunteers here to welcome you,” said Kenny. 

“Opening up to the public and enabling them to experience what we have on offer is a key part of this move.

“Our mission is to develop a society where children and young people can freely explore, learn and develop. Making our facilities open to the public will allow us to make sure our excellent facilities are used for the benefit of young people in the future.”

“Our mission is to develop a society where children and young people can freely explore, learn and develop. Making our facilities open to the public will allow us to make sure our excellent facilities are used for the benefit of young people in the future.”

Any revenue generated will be ploughed back into Greenhill to help us through these difficult times to return back to doing the work that we have been doing on this site for many years.

Over the recent lockdown period staff and volunteers provided support for young people with significant additional needs, delivered food parcels in the community, and engaged in online youth work support with local and international young people.To find out more, or to book one of the facilities at Greenhill visit greenhill-ymca.org

Most women have a best friend group, the women closest to us in our lives that we share unforgettable memories with. 

“We all think we’re unique and special in our own way. But, every friendship group has a classic stereotype of characters” said artist and designer Kelsey Tyson, owner of Girl Limit, a home accessories and beauty brand.

I mean it would be pretty boring if we were all the same, right? 

Here are 8 types of friends we all have, which one are you?

1. The Organised One

Just like Monica from “Friends” you need to have a plan of action all the time. You’re probably the one who organised the Whatsapp group chat or the one who makes the dinner reservations. 

You’re smart, level-headed and always remain calm under pressure. So if you find yourself always organising the taxis home on a night out then you’re more than likely the organised friend of the group. 

2. The Funny One 

Just like Megan from “Bridesmaids” you’re always up for a laugh. 

You’re always making jokes even in awkward situations, always lightening the mood. You know how to cheer your friends up even on down days and you always look on the bright side of life.

3. The Photogenic One 

You always look picture-perfect, the “Kim Kardashian” of the group. You stand out in pictures, even in the dreaded tagged photos from the night before.

You’re the envy of all your friends. You’re always sharing your skincare routine with the group and beauty tips, much to their appreciation. 

4. The Mum of the Group

Always find yourself reminding the girls to bring their passport to the airport? Or on hand with the ice cream and wine when there’s a break-up? 

Then you’re more than likely the mum of the group. You always know what to say in tense situations and you’re wise before your years. Everyone looks to you for advice and you’re most definitely the “hugger” of the group. 

5. The Competitive One

Everything is a race with you. You’re always cheering your friends on and hyping them up to be the best they possibly can be.

You want your friends to win and achieve their goals. You always speak words of wisdom and refer to favourite motivational quotes to inspire your friends. You’re always the one hosting games night and 9 times out of 10 you’re on the winning team. 

6. The Tough Friend

Like Jen Harding from “Dead to me” you’re always telling it like it is. You give your friends tough love and always have their back. You don’t care what anyone thinks, whether it’s sticking up for your friends in a fight or sending back the wrong food in a restaurant, you most certainly won’t let anyone walk all over you- or your friends! 

7. The party animal 

You’re always ready to party and always the last to leave. You have the energy of a five-year old and you’re always positive. 

You can convince your friends in seconds to stay for “just one more”. Your friends can always count on you for a good time and to lift their spirits when they’re feeling down. 

8. The Social Media Savvy Friend 

You always want to take selfies, everywhere you go is a photo opportunity, the world really is your stage.

You’re always on the lookout for the perfect photo backdrop and you will stand for as long as it takes snapping photos of your friends to get the right angle. Your friends can count on you to make everything look perfect and be their professional photographer on day-trips or nights out.

Looking for the perfect gift for one of your girls? Check out the Girl Limit collection at https://bit.ly/girllimit 

Soulful Singer/Songwriter Jacqui Sharkey has released the second single from her E.P. Home, hot on the heels of the title track of the same name released last month.

Her beautiful arrangement and performance of the Dutch brothers, Cornelis and Thomas Tol’s song Just An Illusion was specially chosen by Jacqui, as the words resonated so much with her.

“Of the covers I have chosen to record on my new EP and album, I was really drawn most to this song as soon as I heard it,” she explained.  “I am all about lyrics, and for me, ‘Just An Illusion’ sums it all up, really.

“The Music Industry is a very hard and crazy business, and one which I will never understand. It can be cruel at times for musicians in different ways, but, regardless of the pitfalls, there is nothing like that feeling when you are creating or performing music. Then all the hard stuff almost fades into oblivion.”

Jacqui’s E.P. entitled Home is due for release on July 31st, 2020, and includes Until Then, one of Jacqui’s own original songs.  Jacqui recently shared a live performance of the track for Social Media, recorded from her home in Bunbeg in West Donegal, along with her friend, Musician and Music Director, Ray McLoughlin, who accompanied Jacqui on the recording on piano from his home in County Westmeath. 

The Donegal based Singer/ Songwriter, known for her soulful, deep tones, has three albums under her belt, and since her smash hit cover of The Waterboys’ Whole of the Moon, she has been taking time to reflect on her journey so far, as well as writing and recording tracks for a forthcoming album.

Jacqui hadn’t anticipated she would have so much time, given the current situation.

“At the moment, in these crazy times, the industry hangs in the balance, with gigs postponed and everything up in the air,” she said. As to what will happen next? Who knows?
I didn’t see this coming!  I don’t know what’s next other than to watch that space.

“I can’t go for long without writing, recording and performing. Music is truly my sanity and my peace, and I can’t imagine life without it. Music creates feelings and feelings create music. I am blessed to be able to do it, and I am looking forward to sharing Just An Illusion and quite a few new songs in 2020.”

Just An Illusion is OUT NOW and Jacqui’s E.P. HOME will be released on July 31, 2020.Find out more at  or jacquisharkey.com or connect with Jacqui Sharkey on social media.