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
12.20 – Welcome from Karen
12.30 – Lunch
13.40 – Let the Fun Begin, Prize Draws & Auction
14.15 – In It To Win It -12 Months Membership and Monthly Event Fees Draw
14.20 – 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 Jean Atkinson, Jean Atkinson Marketing
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
This Christmas, you can help bring joy to looked after, cared for children and young people who have missed out on the simple things many of us take for granted. Some have never played in a park, eaten out, or been to the cinema. Many have experienced a childhood filled with gaps instead of memories. Your donation will give a local child the chance to choose an activity they will love or a gift to open on Christmas Day.
Let’s Make A Difference, Stuart Lee
Any donations received in December will go towards facilitating this journey for the families, and ensuring the houses are warm, the families are secure and Christmas is a time of celebration for these two families, particularly the 3 children involved.
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 2026 …..
- How To Get Fantastic Results From Your Networking, Karen Tems
- Cam Cream to Charity Queen (Beastings, Bullshit and Lessons in Leadership), Justine Forster, Advocacy Focus
- Gift Of The Gab?…How Really to Sell Snow to the Eskimos! Guy Shackleton, Guy Shackleton Growth Solutions
- Finding Your Joy at Any Age, Sally Ashworth, Healthful You
- How to Develop People Through Everyday Conversations. A whistlestop tour of giving feedback and ‘on the go’ coaching of team members and colleagues, Briony Platt, Lean Into Learning
- Resilience From Rooftops to Retirement, Angelo Kornecki, AKORN Advice Ltd
- AI and Automations for Boosting Productivity (Saving Time, Energy & Money), Liz Hardwick & Darren Jenkinson, DigiEnable
- The Confident Professional: Staying Safe Online and On the Move, Christine Morrison, CMA Training (UK) Ltd
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
2026
15 Jan
11 Feb
19 Mar
16 Apr
14 May
18 Jun
16 Jul
27 Aug
24 Sept
15 Oct
12 Nov
10 Dec
An excellent balance of listening, sharing and informing colleagues. and you really feel you are meeting the ‘person’ rather than the sales networker.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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