Small Business Story Thu, 05 Mar 2026 03:55:29 -0500 https://www.smallbusinessstory.uk/ en-gb © 2026 Small Business Story yes United Kingdom 645d47ad-c294-5b81-8069-6c330ff90c36 Mark Blunden episodic false Celebrating brilliant independent enterprise, the people and company's evolution.


Work with me: smallbusinessstory.co.uk

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Mark Blunden https://storage.buzzsprout.com/es1fdifa1smc66k6420q0ohwu7z2?.jpg Small Business Story https://www.smallbusinessstory.uk/ Tails & tiaras: Hypo Hounds charity gala countdown Tails & tiaras: Hypo Hounds charity gala countdown Tickets are selling out fast for Kent’s glitziest black tie fundraising gala and awards night to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hypo Hounds diabetic assistance dog charity. Hypo Hounds, whatsoninkent.com's charity of the year, promises an evening of fun and surprises as they honour volunteers, service users and assistance dogs on Friday 13 April at Ashford International Hotel in Ashford. The “small but life-changing charity”, based near Maidstone, trains specialist canine diabetes detectives to pair with children with Type 1 diabetes.

In this episode:

  • Countdown’s on for Hypo Hounds 10th anniversary black tie gala
  • Charity's founder and CEO Jane Pearman on crucial fundraising
  • Meet Bolt the golden Labrador being trained to sniff out diabetic emergencies
  • Assistance dog trainer Jason Asling on animals’ technical training

For tickets and more information, please visit the Hypo Hounds website.

]]> Tickets are selling out fast for Kent’s glitziest black tie fundraising gala and awards night to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hypo Hounds diabetic assistance dog charity. Hypo Hounds, whatsoninkent.com's charity of the year, promises an evening of fun and surprises as they honour volunteers, service users and assistance dogs on Friday 13 April at Ashford International Hotel in Ashford. The “small but life-changing charity”, based near Maidstone, trains specialist canine diabetes detectives to pair with children with Type 1 diabetes.

In this episode:

  • Countdown’s on for Hypo Hounds 10th anniversary black tie gala
  • Charity's founder and CEO Jane Pearman on crucial fundraising
  • Meet Bolt the golden Labrador being trained to sniff out diabetic emergencies
  • Assistance dog trainer Jason Asling on animals’ technical training

For tickets and more information, please visit the Hypo Hounds website.

]]> Mark Blunden Buzzsprout-18780681 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 401 full false Drama alert: how theatre teaches youth confidence Drama alert: how theatre teaches youth confidence A youth theatre is equipping children and young people with crucial life skills.
Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication specialises in teaching not just the art of treading the theatrical boards but also teamwork, confidence and the knack of public speaking.
Student actors have graduated to the Brit School and Rada, with the company’s donation-funded bursary scheme aiming to ensure all children can “access the dramatic arts regardless of their financial circumstances”.
In this episode:
* Report from Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication’s south-east London HQ, the Maker Space
* Behind their drama-for-all ethos and accredited Lamda syllabus
* Co-director Jo Wilson discusses acting’s transferable skills for life and future work
* Workshop leader and actor Stephanie Stevens on focus, communication and inspiration in sessions
* Meet the students bringing team improvisations and monologues to life

Learn more: Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication
Tell your company’s story: smallbusinessstory.co.uk

]]> A youth theatre is equipping children and young people with crucial life skills.
Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication specialises in teaching not just the art of treading the theatrical boards but also teamwork, confidence and the knack of public speaking.
Student actors have graduated to the Brit School and Rada, with the company’s donation-funded bursary scheme aiming to ensure all children can “access the dramatic arts regardless of their financial circumstances”.
In this episode:
* Report from Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication’s south-east London HQ, the Maker Space
* Behind their drama-for-all ethos and accredited Lamda syllabus
* Co-director Jo Wilson discusses acting’s transferable skills for life and future work
* Workshop leader and actor Stephanie Stevens on focus, communication and inspiration in sessions
* Meet the students bringing team improvisations and monologues to life

Learn more: Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication
Tell your company’s story: smallbusinessstory.co.uk

]]> Mark Buzzsprout-17364575 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:00:00 +0000 639 full false Sparking young creativity in the smartphone age Sparking young creativity in the smartphone age HOW often do you reach instinctively for your smartphone?
Studies suggest being glued to a screen can limit mental capacity for creativity - so, what’s the trick to sparking organic artistic processes in the iPhone age?
The answer for Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication in south-east London is ensuring their after school youth theatre sessions for seven to 16 year olds are phone-free zones.
In this episode:
* Co-director Jo Wilson on how tucking devices away is helping fuel a wave of creativity and IRL connections
* Why going phone-free in sessions helps memory for monologues
* Student actors on being in the moment to focus on their craft

Learn more:  Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication
Tell your company’s story: smallbusinessstory.co.uk

]]> HOW often do you reach instinctively for your smartphone?
Studies suggest being glued to a screen can limit mental capacity for creativity - so, what’s the trick to sparking organic artistic processes in the iPhone age?
The answer for Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication in south-east London is ensuring their after school youth theatre sessions for seven to 16 year olds are phone-free zones.
In this episode:
* Co-director Jo Wilson on how tucking devices away is helping fuel a wave of creativity and IRL connections
* Why going phone-free in sessions helps memory for monologues
* Student actors on being in the moment to focus on their craft

Learn more:  Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication
Tell your company’s story: smallbusinessstory.co.uk

]]> Mark Buzzsprout-17364564 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:00:00 +0000 209 full false Focus, memory & staying cool: stagecraft to try at home Focus, memory & staying cool: stagecraft to try at home How is the digital era shaping our thinking and public interactions - particularly if the conversation turns heated?
We look at how young actors at Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication learn resilience and emotional intelligence.
Plus, memory tips to help retain information in the age of the doomscroll.

In this episode:

  • How to learn and communicate artistic work
  • Focus and make your point with confidence
  • Co-director Jo Wilson on the art of conversation, debate and valuable IRL skills taught as part of Lamda syllabus
  • Actor Stephanie Stevens with expert tips for memorising text to try at home

Learn more:  Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication
Tell your company’s story: smallbusinessstory.co.uk

]]> How is the digital era shaping our thinking and public interactions - particularly if the conversation turns heated?
We look at how young actors at Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication learn resilience and emotional intelligence.
Plus, memory tips to help retain information in the age of the doomscroll.

In this episode:

  • How to learn and communicate artistic work
  • Focus and make your point with confidence
  • Co-director Jo Wilson on the art of conversation, debate and valuable IRL skills taught as part of Lamda syllabus
  • Actor Stephanie Stevens with expert tips for memorising text to try at home

Learn more:  Lighthouse School of Speech, Drama and Communication
Tell your company’s story: smallbusinessstory.co.uk

]]> Mark Buzzsprout-17364546 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:00:00 +0000 296 full false