Let’s support businesses opening during the pandemic | Cheryl Gibbs

Infections are rising, people are unable to support themselves, businesses are closing and people are unemployed.

It’s pretty dire, which is why I am overjoyed my brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Keshia Stewart, have managed to defy all the odds and open their eagerly-awaited wellness and retail store – JK Wellness.

The store, a beautifully quirky fitness, wellbeing and retail space, is testament to both their hard work and dedication despite all the adversity that has been thrown their way this year – like it has for everyone.

They’ve not had financial support from anyone, they just had a vision, one they shared with me many years ago and one that has finally come to fruition and I’m so proud of them both.

It’s been a tough year and it’s been hard on them too, but what their shop represents is a glimmer of hope that dreams can be made. And it’s not just their dream they’re building – their store is giving local craftspeople the opportunity to showcase and sell their products too.

Instead of the usual shop shelving, JK Wellness has little crates that various independent businesses showcase their products in. It’s just such a unique way of bringing in a lot of creativity into one space. Also the wellbeing studio offers various fitness and yoga classes and workshops – again from local trainers and coaches.

The shop is at Havant Road, Drayton. I popped along on Wednesday for their opening and I was just so delighted to see a steady stream of people coming in and out of the shop. It just warmed my cockles that despite this god awful virus and despite the difficult times we’re in, there is still this community spirit and strength to help each other out.

Joe and Keshia have done what few would dare to do even in ‘normal’ times, but during a pandemic? Some might call them bonkers, but I think they’re incredible and I’m beyond proud. They’ve got more guts than me. Good luck guys!

Is it unfair of Kim K to boast about a lavish party now?

Kim Kardashian celebrated her 40th birthday this week by sunning it up with her sisters and brother on holiday.

She’s come under huge fire from people who say that the posts, which clearly flaunt their lavish and luxurious lifestyle, is ‘tone deaf’ and ‘insensitive’ amid the global pandemic we’re all in.

On the one hand, I think she has every right to celebrate her birthday and if she wants to showcase that on social media, then that’s her prerogative.

But on the other hand I also think that when she has such a large following, the majority of those followers would have been impacted adversely in some way by Covid-19, so flaunting it is misguided and misplaced.

I get so sad when the clocks change and darkness begins

I swear I have seasonal affective disorder (SAD).Does anyone else feel like this, now the clocks have changed and it’s pitch black so early?

I say it every winter, but I absolutely hate it when it’s cold, dark and miserable.

I used to quite like the change in seasons because it meant a new wardrobe in terms of bringing out the autumn and winter gear that I had packed away.

But now I’ve had Harley and am massively struggling to lose the baby weight, wearing leggings and long tops or jumpers doesn’t quite have the same appeal. I am on yet another mission to lose the pounds (I know, I’m a forever dieter) but I just wish this miserable weather would go away.