Hi there
We look forward to welcoming you to our Sparkly Christmas event at Mytton Fold where you will meet several of our members and guests.
We are here to help you meet business owners and decision makers, learn from each other to solve business challenges, build new relationships and opportunities and grow your confidence, your profile and your business.
11.15 – Welcome Drinks and Informal Networking
12.15 – Take Your Seats For Lunch
12.25 – Welcome from Karen
12.30 – Lunch
13.40 – Let the Fun Begin, Prize Draws & Auction
14.20 – In It To Win It -12 Months Membership and Monthly Event Fees Draw
14.25 – Cash presentation to our Charity Members – Advocacy Focus, Let’s Make A Difference, Rosemere Cancer Foundation and The Wish Centre.
14.30 – Close
Please don’t feel that you have to leave straightaway, enjoy a catch up and even more informal networking.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Karen
Poinsettia Centre Piece Sponsor
Thank You to Rachel Gill, Aspect Mortgages
Raising Funds for Our Charity Members
At our Christmas Event we raise funds to support our Member Charities – Advocacy Focus, Let’s Make A Difference, Rosemere Cancer Foundation and The Wish Centre. We ask you to bring £15 that you are happy to donate and be in with a 1 in 3 chance to win a fabulous prize. These are the projects that you will be supporting:
Advocacy Focus, Justine Forster
Advocacy Focus supports over 219 children that live in care. These children have been abused, mistreated, or neglected. They are often in placements that are miles away from their family and friends. Many of them are lost in an overwhelmed social care system. They feel forgotten about, ignored, and afraid. These children have missed out on so much and are missing the ones they love at this time of year. These children need you. Your kind donation will buy local children an activity of their choice or a gift to open on Christmas Day. So, will you help us to sprinkle a little bit of joy and Christmas magic?
Let’s Make A Difference, Stuart Lee
Any monies received, will go into our MAD Sponsors pot which is used to top up the difference between universal credit and private rental, to help get somebody in to long term accommodation, and we will then work with the individual and charity who refers them, to help with pathways to employment and funded training opportunities.
Rosemere Cancer Foundation, Daniel Hill
Complementary Therapy Treatments for Cancer Patients
Each year Rosemere commits funding for Complementary Therapy treatments for cancer patients treated at the Rosemere Cancer Centre. Funding for the next 12 months totals £34,560 and equates to 1,152 appointments every year (£30 a session) and enables patients to receive treatments such as massage therapy, reflexology and aromatherapy which all help alleviate stress and anxiety whilst they are undergoing their treatment plans. 24 patients a week benefit from this service which is delivered in a purpose-built studio in Higher Walton or at Chorley Hospital, so patients have a choice of venue and accessibility. Your support and generosity via the Business Network Christmas event will support this service during 2025.
The Wish Centre, Shigufta Khan
Building New Memories, One Activity at a Time: How Your Support Changes Lives
At The Wish Centre, we believe that healing from the trauma of domestic abuse is about more than just providing a safe place—it’s about helping people rebuild their lives and create new, positive memories. Whether it’s a day of fun for the children, a peaceful pamper session for the women, or a simple family picnic in the sun, every activity we arrange is a chance for the families we support to begin again. And none of this would be possible without you, our incredible supporters.
When someone arrives at our refuge, they’ve often left behind not just their homes, but their belongings, their friends, and sometimes even their families. They arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs and the hope of starting over. Over the past year, thanks to our doners generosity, we’ve been able to offer a variety of activities that help create those moments of joy and connection.
In addition to fun and relaxing activities, we understand that recovery from domestic abuse is a deeply emotional and psychological journey. That’s why, alongside these life-enriching events, we offer counselling and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) support for both women and children. These services are vital in helping individuals process their experiences, manage trauma, and rebuild their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Seminars and Speakers
Coming in 2025 …..
- How Much Is Your Jewellery Really Worth, Helen Dimmick, Ainsworth Jewellers
- Journey to Lancashire, Tim Mitchell, Community Foundation for Lancashire
- Empowering Businesses to Embrace Digital and Cyber Innovation. Gemma Collins, Cyber Foundry, Lancaster University
- One Alsatian, Three Women and an NHS Ward in Lockdown, Vicky Lomas, Adele Carr Recruitment
- How To Read Your Balance Sheet (And Those Of Your Competitors), Pauline Healey, Logical BI
- Fighting Life, Anthony Camm, +24
- How To Ensure A Steady Flow of Qualified Leads, Amal Loring, MBD Coaching Ltd
- Don’t judge a book by it’s cover – From Council Estate to the Boardroom, Kathryn Bistacci, Definition Consulting
- Recruitment – You’ve Been Doing It All Wrong, Neil Johns, MERJE
- When Is A Website Not A Website, Matthew Lincoln, Northern Monkey Creative Media
- What To Say, What Not To Say – How To Support Bereavement and Grief In The Workplace, Catherine Best, The Grief Recover Institute
If you would like to share your expertise with the group in the form of a learning event, please let me know, I would love to hear from you
Dates for the Diary
Remember that you can book or pass apologies for as many events as you wish, go to your Member Login area
2025
16 Jan
13 Feb
20 Mar
24 Apr
22 May
12 Jun
17 Jul
21 Aug
25 Sept
16 Oct
13 Nov
4 Dec
I have been attending The Business Network events for nearly a year now and look back with real pleasure on these occasions. Having only attended online events until August 2021, Karen’s events have played an important role in teaching me how to network virtually and I am impressed by the way her events have been run. Karen is skilled at hosting and putting people at their ease, and I felt immediately welcome to the network. The learning elements, delivered by a good mix of speakers, have been valuable and interesting – there are many chances to take part in these to promote your business. The networking in smaller groups is effective and enjoyable. I have connected with many members over the past year and business has been generated through these new relationships. I particularly enjoyed my first in person event last month; a fine venue, a tasty lunch and finally a chance to meet Karen and the many members I knew only virtually! For anyone wishing to connect with fellow decision makers in Lancashire, I’d recommend speaking with Karen and joining The Business Network.
When I think of great networking hosts, I think of Karen. Karen welcomes you before you even get to one of her events and you know exactly what’s going on and what the plan is!
I enjoy networking events that are managed well, I can learn something new at, and I can chat to other business owners and senior decision makers in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Karen and The Business Network Central and East Lancashire ticks all those boxes.
Karen is super welcoming, a great personality and is always happy to go that extra mile for any of her members or guests. She’s also great at understanding your businesses and helping make the right introductions.
When I attended as a guest the first time, the next day I signed up as a member, because it was the combination of a fab event, fab host and fab people, that made me join.
My business, DigiEnable are now in our 3rd year of corporate membership, and long may it continue. Seeing Karen’s bright and smiling face as you turn up, is always a comfort to see. Highly recommended!
Simply the best! I have been a member of Karen’s networking group for over ten years. I can honestly say that I have not attended more well-organised or enjoyable events. From the moment I first met Karen and other members I was welcomed with open arms. It is the perfect forum for exposure to other industry leaders. Not only have I met some fantastic business contacts, but I have also made some wonderful friends. I always look forward to the monthly events and the enthusiasm which Karen brings to the group.
The morning seminars are engaging, and you leave with lots of food for thought and actions you can apply immediately. The members are experts in their field, generous with their time and conversations around the table are interesting, giving you quality time to get to know both guests and members. I have developed a strong network of trusted specialists who I can call upon for our clients. The business has grown through referrals and direct business and I can’t speak highly enough of Karen Tems and the fantastic members who make up the Business Network.
The Business Network is an invaluable connection for me to a wide range of people and businesses in the area. Not only that but it’s like a business family, and that’s something I’ve never felt before with other networking groups.
The professionalism and fun that Karen brings to each event is impressive. Over the years I have attended many networks and The Business Network is by far and away the best! The clients we have gained through this group have been quality clients who have remained with us.
An excellent balance of listening, sharing and informing colleagues. and you really feel you are meeting the ‘person’ rather than the sales networker.
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