In this inspiring episode of The Heart of Chelmsford, we sit down with Romany Whurr, a passionate member of the Community Engagement Team at Kids Inspire, a remarkable Essex-based charity that supports children and young people in developing their emotional wellbeing, mental health, and life skills.

Romany takes us behind the scenes of ‘The Voice’, an empowering group programme for 12–18-year-olds that creates a safe, supportive space for young people to connect, learn, and grow. From weekly check-ins and skill-building activities to real conversations and community trips, this programme is transforming lives and today, you’ll hear exactly how.

We explore:

• Romany’s personal journey into youth support
• What a typical session in The Voice looks like
•  Real stories of confidence, connection, and emotional resilience
•  The biggest wellbeing challenges young people in Essex face today
•  How Kids Inspire works with schools, families & partners
•  What the future holds for youth mental health programmes
•  Simple steps listeners can take to support young people right now

If you’re a parent, educator, community leader or simply someone who believes in the power of early support this episode is full of insight, hope, and practical guidance.

 Learn more about Kids Inspire:

Website: https://www.kidsinspire.org.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsinspire.org.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsinspire_uk/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kids-inspire/

🎧 Tune in, be inspired, and help us spread the message of support for young people across Essex.

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Heart of Chelmsford Podcast for more stories, conversations, and community spotlights!

Thinking about buying, selling, or letting in Chelmsford?

We love shining a light on local businesses, and if you’re ready to make your next move, we’d love to point you in the right direction, too. Reach out to @buggestates - a trusted local expert who truly cares about helping people find their perfect home right here in Chelmsford.

In this inspiring episode of The Heart of Chelmsford Podcast, host Danica Edge sits down with Tina Farndell, Business Advisor for the Steps2 Inclusive Employment project at Chelmsford College, a programme dedicated to helping individuals who face barriers to work gain skills, confidence, and real opportunities.

Tina shares the story behind Steps2, how it was born out of a need to make employment more inclusive, and the tangible difference it’s making in people’s lives. From helping participants build skills and find purpose to working closely with local employers to promote inclusive hiring, this episode shines a light on how collaboration can change lives.

You’ll hear about:
 - The origins and mission of Steps2 Inclusive Employment
 - How the programme supports participants on their employment journey
 - stories of individuals and employers making inclusion work
 - The challenges, lessons, and future goals of the project

Whether you’re an employer, educator, or community member, this conversation will inspire you to think about how small changes can make a big impact.

Tune in to discover how Steps2 is creating pathways to employment and inclusion — right here in Chelmsford.

You can contact Steps2 via email [email protected], or call them on 01245 26 56 11

Thinking about buying, selling, or letting in Chelmsford?

We love shining a light on local businesses, and if you’re ready to make your next move, we’d love to point you in the right direction, too. Reach out to @buggestates - a trusted local expert who truly cares about helping people find their perfect home right here in Chelmsford.

In this episode of The Heart of Chelmsford, we sit down with Kerry Keeble, Director of MGLB Contracts, to uncover the story behind one of the UK’s leading specialists in post-construction, commercial, and biohazard cleaning. Based in Maldon, near Chelmsford, Kerry and her team are the unsung heroes keeping some of the country’s most high-profile venues spotless, safe, and operational.

From the company’s humble beginnings to handling complex biohazard clean-ups with compassion and professionalism, Kerry shares insights into the challenges, innovations, and human stories behind her work. We also explore how MGLB continues to evolve, adapting to new technologies, changing regulations, and the growing demand for specialist cleaning in a post-COVID world.

Whether you’re in the property, construction, or facilities industry or simply curious about what it takes to run a business built on trust, precision, and care, this episode offers an inspiring look into the world of cleaning excellence.

Tune in for:

• The origin story of MGLB Contracts
• The reality behind high-pressure cleaning projects
• Insights into biohazard and trauma cleaning
• How Kerry leads with empathy, safety, and innovation

🎧 Listen now to discover how MGLB Contracts is helping keep our local communities clean, safe, and thriving.

Thinking about buying, selling, or letting in Chelmsford?

We love shining a light on local businesses, and if you’re ready to make your next move, we’d love to point you in the right direction, too. Reach out to @buggestates - a trusted local expert who truly cares about helping people find their perfect home right here in Chelmsford.

In this inspiring episode of The Heart of Chelmsford, host Danica welcomes Rich Lyman, the voice behind Chelmsford Community Radio’s wellness show. Known for his practical approach to wellbeing, Rich shares how small, everyday habits like movement, nutrition, and mindset can make a lasting difference in our lives.

Together, they explore what inspired him to take wellness to the airwaves, how radio creates a special connection with the community, and why Chelmsford is becoming a hub for open conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

Rich also discusses the crossover between radio and podcasting, the importance of collaboration, and the powerful listener stories that continue to shape his work. Whether you’re just starting your wellness journey or looking for motivation to stay consistent, this episode is full of grounded advice and local insight.

Tune in to discover:

• How simple lifestyle changes can transform your wellbeing
• Why Chelmsford’s wellness scene is growing stronger
• The role of storytelling and radio in inspiring positive change

Catch Rich’s wellness show on Chelmsford Community Radio and follow The Heart of Chelmsford for more local stories that uplift, connect, and inspire.

Thinking about buying, selling, or letting in Chelmsford?

We love shining a light on local businesses, and if you’re ready to make your next move, we’d love to point you in the right direction, too. Reach out to @buggestates - a trusted local expert who truly cares about helping people find their perfect home right here in Chelmsford.

In this insightful episode of The Heart of Chelmsford Podcast, we sit down with Stacey Holt, founder of Legacy Protect Wills & Estate Planning, to explore why planning for the future is one of the most empowering decisions you can make today.

Based in Chelmsford, Stacey has built her business around a simple but powerful mission to make estate planning clear, affordable, and accessible for everyone. From will writing and powers of attorney to business succession planning and probate assistance, Stacey explains how Legacy Protect helps families and individuals safeguard their loved ones and secure their futures.

We dive into the story behind LPWEP, the personal experience that inspired Stacey to start her journey, and how her bespoke, trust-led approach ensures every client receives care that’s as personal as it is professional. Stacey also shares valuable insights on common misconceptions, key steps to get started, and why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy; it’s for everyone.

Connect with Stacey

Website: www.lpwep.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574275190551

Thinking about buying, selling, or letting in Chelmsford?

We love shining a light on local businesses, and if you’re ready to make your next move, we’d love to point you in the right direction, too. Reach out to @buggestates - a trusted local expert who truly cares about helping people find their perfect home right here in Chelmsford.

In this episode of The Heart of Chelmsford, we sit down with Natasia Johnson, personal trainer, nutritionist, and founder of Engage Fitness Services. Since launching in 2016, Natasia has been helping Chelmsford residents achieve more than just fitness goals; she’s been building a community centred around wellbeing, connection, and holistic health.

From one-to-one training and nutrition coaching to her inspiring Walk & Talk club at ARU Writtle, Natasia shares how she blends fitness, mental health, and social connection into everything she does. We’ll explore her journey, the unique role Engage Fitness plays locally, heart-warming client success stories, and her vision for the future of wellbeing in Chelmsford.

Whether you’re looking to get active, join a supportive community, or simply be inspired by someone making a difference, this episode is packed with insight and motivation.

Connect with Natasia :

Website: https://www.engagefitnessservices.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EngageFitnessServices

Thinking about buying, selling, or letting in Chelmsford?

We love shining a light on local businesses, and if you’re ready to make your next move, we’d love to point you in the right direction, too. Reach out to @buggestates - a trusted local expert who truly cares about helping people find their perfect home right here in Chelmsford.

In this episode of The Heart of Chelmsford, we welcome Jackie Creak, Fundraising & Marketing Administrator at Home-Start Essex an organisation dedicated to supporting families through challenging times.

Jackie shares how Home-Start Essex provides practical help and emotional support to parents across Chelmsford and beyond, often at moments when it’s needed most. We explore her unique dual role in fundraising and marketing, the charity’s involvement in local events, and the vital community partnerships that make their work possible.

You’ll also hear inspiring stories of impact, how local businesses and individuals can get involved, and Jackie’s vision for the future of Home-Start Essex in Chelmsford.

This conversation is a heartfelt reminder of the power of community, kindness, and connection.

Website link - https://home-startessex.org.uk/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HomeStartEssexHSE

Thinking about buying, selling, or letting in Chelmsford?

We love shining a light on local businesses, and if you’re ready to make your next move, we’d love to point you in the right direction, too. Reach out to @buggestates - a trusted local expert who truly cares about helping people find their perfect home right here in Chelmsford.

In this episode of The Heart of Chelmsford podcast, we’re joined by the inspiring Vicky Labinger , networking mentor, coach, and Franchisee of the Women in Business Network (WIBN) groups in Chelmsford.

Vicky is passionate about helping business owners grow through meaningful connections. As the leader of multiple WIBN chapters, she has built a thriving community where female entrepreneurs can collaborate, support each other, and unlock new opportunities. Alongside her work with WIBN, Vicky runs Networking for Success, offering mentoring, accountability, and workshops that boost both confidence and business growth.

During our conversation, we dive into:

• The power of WIBN and why Vicky was inspired to bring it to Chelmsford.
• Her unique Networking Personality Types framework from Ninjas to Reluctants and how it transforms the way people approach networking.
• The local business landscape in Chelmsford, Southend, and Basildon, plus the unique challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face here.
• A sneak peek into her upcoming Future-Ready: 2026 Business Planning Workshop, blending AI, content creation, and customer experience to help business owners stay ahead.
• Stories from her clients, from accountability breakthroughs to practical workshops on creating impactful content using nothing more than your phone.
• Her take on the future of networking, from hybrid events to the resurgence of face-to-face connection.
• Actionable advice for anyone who feels nervous about networking but wants to start building confidence and real results.

Vicky’s honest, energetic, and empowering approach has earned her glowing testimonials from entrepreneurs across industries, and in this episode, you’ll hear exactly why. Whether you’re a seasoned networker or just starting, her insights will leave you motivated to step into the room with purpose and confidence.

To learn more about Vicky’s work, take her Networking Personality Quiz, or explore upcoming WIBN events, visit her website, and connect with her online.

Website: https://wibn.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIBNIntl

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/wibnintl

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to The Heart of Chelmsford podcast for more conversations with local leaders and entrepreneurs shaping our community.

Thinking about buying, selling, or letting in Chelmsford?

We love shining a light on local businesses, and if you’re ready to make your next move, we’d love to point you in the right direction, too. Reach out to @buggestates - a trusted local expert who truly cares about helping people find their perfect home right here in Chelmsford.