Parent and Baby Awards 2020

www.lux-review.com Page 45 Page 44 www.lux-review.com LUX 2020 Parent & Baby Awards LUX 2020 Parent & Baby Awards Mum of three, Jeanie Bird was so frustrated at trying to find a changing mat on the high street that was anything other than flimsy and tacky, she decided to create her own. Gone were the pastel teddy-bears and ABC blocks and in their place came unique, hand-painted designs. Teaming up with a graphic artist and a watercolour painter, Jeanie set out to create something different that would stand out in any room of the house. The Gilded Bird mats certainly have the ‘WOW’ factor, but a product can’t rely on looks alone, it has to have substance too. Jeanie’s mats are luxurious, durable and build for comfort. Designed and manufactured in the UK, each Gilded Bird mat is filled with two layers of thick, high-density foam wrapped in soft, non-toxic PVC. They’re hygienic and totally wipeable. And because Jeanie is so passionate about sustainability, her mats are made to last from birth, to potty training and beyond. “I really stand by the quality of my mats,” says Jeanie. “Yes, you can get a cheaper mat on the high street, but my experience with those is that they tear within weeks. For me, it’s really important to be sending out a product that will last. As a mum myself, I know baby products need to be dependably hard wearing. By not having to buy multiple mats over the years that your child wears a nappy, it’s better for your wallet and the environment too.” Backing up the product’s luxurious quality is an excellent approach to customer care. Despite a huge increase in attention for her range, Jeanie maintains a close connection to Unlike many institutions for performing arts, New London Performing Arts Centre (NLPAC) offers a child-centric approach that puts enjoyment and learning first. Catering to almost a thousand children aged three to nineteen, the registered charity provides affordable and accessible classes in dance, drama, singing and one-to-one musical instrument tuition, all in a supportive and uncompetitive environment. Whether it be ballet or breakdance, hip-hop or musical theatre choir, piano lessons or drama lessons, there is something to feed every child’s passion for performing arts. The organisation offers holiday workshops as well as dance teacher training and education outreach, continually trying to increase accessibility to the Arts. Founded by Emily Byron MBE twenty-five years ago, NLPAC is a charity that invests all profits into providing workshops and classes for students, as well as assisting in local schools by providing education outreach programmes to primary and secondary schools in order to increase engagement with performing arts. In addition, the London-based, five-storey studio also provides free rehearsal space and administrative support to young dance companies, fledgling theatre troupes, mother- “I want to frame it, not wipe bums on it”- the ringing endorsement from one of The Gilded Bird’s many satisfied changing mat customers. Parents who’ve got their hands on these gorgeous mats say they no longer hide them away between changes and instead make them the focal point of the nursery. The unique and beautiful designs from this luxury brand, along with exceptional quality have secured The Gilded Bird the coveted prize of Best Changing Mat Company – UK. New London Performing Arts Centre provides affordable and accessible classes in dance, drama, singing and musical instrument tuition in a nurturing, non-competitive environment. The registered charity, founded by Emily Byron MBE 25 years ago, is dedicated to breaking down barriers surrounding performing arts, believing every child deserves access to exceptional standards of tuition, regardless of background, gender or race. Aug20324 Aug20381 The Gilded Bird Best Changing Mat Company - UK New London Performing Arts Centre Children’s Performing Arts Charity – London & Excellence Award for Extra Curriculum Activities – London her customers. “My email address is on every mat that goes out. My customers know they can contact me if they need to and because of that they tell me they buy with confidence knowing I’m here to help.” The Gilded Bird changing mat reflects the trends we’ve seen in the parenting market in recent years, with mums and dads becoming increasingly aware of their ecological footprint and looking for products that are luxurious, but also sustainable. The other big shift has been a growing desire for nurseries and children’s rooms to be as stylish as all other areas of the home. Garish colours are softening and the mountains of plastic toys are being replaced by more sustainable options, creating a gentler environment for both parent and child. Jeanie’s vision for a stylish, luxurious children’s room doesn’t stop at the changing table, with a whole host of new product lines in the pipeline – or production. By the end of 2020, The Gilded Bird plans to add fitted cot bed sheets and toddler duvet sets to the range. These will be produced using sustainably sourced organic cotton and eco- friendly printing techniques and dyes. In early 2021, comes a line of drapery and wallpaper. And in a bid to meet demand globally, The Gilded Bird is expanding into Asia, the Middle East and North America – meaning parents there will also be able to change their standard nurseries into something stunning. Company: The Gilded Bird Contact: Jeanie Bird Website: www.thegildedbird.co.uk and-baby groups and special needs support meetings. Through performing arts, NLPAC is able to give back to its local community. Each year, NLPAC also gives a vast number of scholarships and financial assistance to hundreds of children. In a sector that can cost hundreds in uniforms and membership fees, many children are unable to pursue their dreams within the Arts. NLPAC believe this is wrong, and that there should be no barriers in front of developing skills, talents and interests. Every child should have access to an excellent standard of tuition, no matter their background, gender or race. NLPAC is an Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) accredited dance centre, as well as a Recognised School with the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre, which has been awarded the Council’s certificate of good professional practice. Schools awarded CDMT’s Recognised School Award demonstrate to students, parents and guardians that they adhere to the standards demanded by the industry; standards designed to protect and safeguard young people whether dancing for leisure or with an eye to a career in the profession. NLPAC and its team of around eighty-five are therefore able to guarantee only the highest standards of tuition. Many of their teachers have worked or continue to work professionally in the performing arts industry, providing a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a strong pedagogical approach. Classes are frequently evaluated and customer feedback regularly sought so that NLPAC is able to develop and adapt to the ever-changing needs of their children. In this way, NLPAC is able to guarantee affordable excellence for all children with a passion for the Arts. Most recently, NLPAC has had to demonstrate its adaptability as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, which put a halt to face-to-face classes. The organisation was able to successfully move their classes online, as well as extend scholarships and financial assistance to help retain a sense of normality and progress for children, even throughout unprecedented and confusing times such as these. Although classes are now beginning to return to normal, NLPAC has realised what a vital asset the online resource is and will continue to offer this online learning platform alongside regular classes. Having already helped thousands of children develop and adore the performing arts over the past twenty-five years, NLPAC continues to prove how vital the work they do is. We look forward to the next twenty-five years of excellence. Contact: Emily Byron Company: New London Performing Arts Centre Web Address: www.nlpac.co.uk