Turning a passion into a business
Social value comes in various guises, and it doesn’t have to be about big corporates shouting what they do from rooftops. Often, it’s small businesses where a proprietor is following a personal passion that allows them to fulfil their ambitions whilst making a difference to those with whom they work.
Michael Walsh - The Urban Apiarist
Michael Walsh started beekeeping in 2004. After a long hiatus he returned to the beekeeping world in 2015 after completing his studies at Trinity College, Cambridge. Born and raised in South East London, he has spent time living in the USA, Honduras and China. Michael advises and keeps bees for corporates and maintains his own apiary.
What do you do?
I’m a beekeeper working with companies as part of their ESG strategy. We offer environmental consultations evaluating a site’s viability as a pollinator habitat. Our report would provide recommendations as to how a company can increase biodiversity, ranging from installing honeybee colonies to creating pollinator friendly habitats.
If installing honeybee colonies is appropriate, we would then install and manage these. We also offer beekeeping and honey extraction workshops, and pollinator insight days where staff can get involved and learn more about the importance of honeybees.
Why do you do it?
I enjoy being outdoors and in nature. Beekeeping helps a species in need, increases biodiversity and contributes to the environment in a positive way.
How did you get into beekeeping?
I’ve always been passionate about the outdoors and nature. I grew up spending a lot of time in the garden growing fruit and vegetables and saw first-hand the importance of pollinators. I got into beekeeping when I was ten years old at a local club. I then had a long break from it before I returned six years ago to the same club I started at all those years ago.
What are the benefits and why should people get involved?
Planting pollinator friendly plants and beekeeping helps us all. There are proven mental and physical health benefits of being in nature whether that’s through gardening or beekeeping. Constructing pollinator friendly environments or beekeeping helps increase biodiversity and encourages the next generation of plants which rely on pollinators to reproduce. As a species, we also rely heavily on pollinators, with one-third of the food we eat being dependent on it.
“As we lead such fast-paced lives with work, financial and family commitments, we generate a tremendous amount of stress, fear, anger and anxiety. How we react has a potential to cause a stress reaction in the body with reduced energy levels and a weaker immune system.”
Nayana Patel – Effective Self Care
Nayana Patel worked for NatWest for 27 years before taking medical retirement in 1999. Since then – and due to a health condition – she learned Reiki healing and, after studying for two years at the Institute of Pranic Healing UK & Ireland, began teaching in 2018.
“I have a thriving clinic with clients from all walks of life, helping and empowering them to transform their lives. I experienced childhood trauma, and this affected me physically and psychologically later in life,” she says.
“I experienced Pranic Healing and went on to learn the techniques. The results were miraculous, and inspired me to continue learning, and to treat and teach others to help transform their lives.
“The teachings enabled me to balance and transform my life on every level with regards to my health, relationships, financial position, and even my understanding of spirituality,” adds Nayana
Pranic Healing combines ancient energy techniques with modern science and has been scientifically validated and formulated into a simple, concise modality any one can learn.
“Medical tests are often unable to find the origin of a problem and these can then end up being labelled as ‘stress related’ or psychosomatic. Medication may soothe the systems, but the original problem persists. These unexplained causes may cause many ailments both physically and psychologically.
“As we lead busy, fast-paced lives with work, financial and family commitments, we generate a tremendous number of emotions such as stress, fear, anger and anxiety. How we react to these situations has a potential to cause a stress reaction in the body with reduced energy levels and a weaker immune system.
“A physical or mental condition could then arise, each with a unique pattern. When the techniques of Pranic Healing are applied, one is able to alter or normalise this energy pattern. The body and mind then respond, resulting in the relief of the symptoms or even a full recovery.”
Nayana teaches basic level Pranic Healing, various self development workshops and runs meditation classes to help people experience calmness, inner peace and enhance mental focus and clarity by:
- Effectively managing stress and anxiety
- Nurturing a calm mind through meditation
- Embracing good habits for optimum physical health