Hello, my name is, Ashley Greggans

I was the winner of the 2019 respect award.

I won this award because of my dedication and commitment to my business.

I left my full-time NHS job to pursue my lifetime goal of becoming a cosmetic nurse,
working three jobs to finance my education.

Since the 2019 awards, the pandemic really affect my business
and I had to shut my clinic down.

I was finically crushed and really deflated
after everything I had worked so hard for to be taken away from me.

I knew I had to divert my business to survive, I created lock-down facial survival kits
with the spare stock I had leftover in the clinic which sold well using social media.

This inspired me to work with a biosciences lab to create my own skincare range
Cosmetology with Elegance.

I launched it in April, and it has been successful and finically saved my business and my passion.

I also enrolled and qualified in VCTC NVQ level 3, teaching and education.

I opened EA training recently and taught my first student.

I love my job.
It's my passion.
to be nominated for all achievements is everything! 

Occupation: Artist, designer and founder of GoGairy Hand Painted Leathers.

I came through a very difficult time with my kidney and pancreas transplant and mental mental health. And staying positive when the whole world seemed to be against me. 
What's your proudest achievement?

Getting GoGairy Hand Painted Leathers off the ground and being able to employ some incredibly talented artists who are all struggling in their own way. The fact that so much creative talent is literally going to waste is a crime. I would like to see more of these wonderful creative minds doing what they love to do and, in the process, earn a living and make the world a more beautiful place. I’ve tried to start the ball rolling in a small way and hope to be part of something bigger. 

How do you inspire others?

It breaks my heart when I hear that kids are leaving creative courses from college and university, only to find work in a dead end low paid job. I believe this is the foundation for many creative people suffering from problems with their mental health. By our very nature, creatives are sensitive to negativity and if symptoms are noticed, action needs to be taken. 

It’s been very difficult to be patient when you are told you have a life-threatening illness. That was the cherry on top of the illnesses, the depression and caring for my dad and dealing with his depression and his self-medication. I look after and care for my disabled uncle with learning disabilities. 

I try to look at the good things that could happen in the future rather than dwell on the crap that’s going on right now. It can be quite difficult. I locked myself away for over twenty years, not physically but into my own world.  I was given a new hope and the chance of a new start after my life saving transplant. 

A special thank you to the perfect human being and his family who donated his kidney and pancreas after his death so that I could carry on. Much of this new life and venture is for him!

How do you keep focused?

The gratitude I have for the help and support I have received and continue to receive is like a drug. Knowing that people really do care is a beautiful feeling. After going through twenty something years of thinking nobody cared or loved me and that people even hated me for no reason, this new feeling is so empowering and gives me the drive to do the same for others and help people in pain realize that they are not alone, even when all the evidence around them supports the opposite.

​Difficult and sometimes nearly impossible but if you can somehow muster the strength which is in us all, you can accomplish almost anything!

“The pandemic meant that quite a few new furry friends were introduced into households .
However, being a pet owner can be extremely expensive.

To keep the cost down, we are recommending nine do it yourself hacks for the owners of cats and dogs.
​
The best thing about these tips is they are value for money, kinder to the environment and probably nicer for your pet too.”

Furry friend furniture 
Making pet furniture at home couldn’t be easier, especially if you have old blankets or pillows lying around. Old suitcases can be turned on their side to make a boutique pet bed with a special pillow, shallow cardboard boxes can be wrapped in blankets to make a chill spot, and old clothes can be wrapped to make pillows with familiar scents.
 

Bad breath
Pets’ diets aren’t the nicest on the nose! When a particularly stinky meal is planned, think about adding a small amount of fresh ground mint or parsley to their food. If it’s already too late and your pet has had their dinner, think about giving them a small treat to hide the mint in.
 

Dog flea preventer
A cheap and safe way to keep fleas away from dogs is by mixing bicarbonate of soda with scented oils. Rosemary, lavender, and eucalyptus are popular, but they can be anything you prefer. Work the powder into the fur, keeping it away from your dog’s nose, mouth, eyes, and ears. Start at the collar area, as this is where fleas congregate. Leave the solution on for at least ten minutes before brushing thoroughly. The beautiful scent is a treat for both pampered pooch and owner.
 

Cat flea preventer
Cats can be very sensitive to flea treatments, so it’s always good to do a small patch test on the kitty’s tummy before applying anything to their fur. A great at0home flea treatment and preventer can be made for next to nothing. Mix six drops of lavender essential oil and three teaspoons of baby oil into a small bottle and shake to combine them both. Warm the bottled mixture up by hand and then massage the oil into the neck and base of the tail where fleas tend to congregate on the cat, being careful to avoid contact with the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth
 

Dog toys
Toys and accessories can be very costly, even when purchased from a discount store. A dog tug toy can be made easily, for the fraction of the price at home by braiding strips of material from a shirt, denim, dish towels, or an old scarf. To double it up as a chew toy, poke two small holes in a tennis ball and slide the braid through. Dogs that love destroying things will enjoy and kind of plastic container, but for a bit of extra crunchy fun, cover a water bottle in a sock.
 

Cat toys
It is easy to get creative when thinking of ways to keep kitties amused. If there is any corrugated cardboard around the house after a delivery, fold it down and tape it in place to make the perfect scratching post. Catnip infused unravelling yarn balls cost next to nothing and will keep cats transfixed. Simply glue yarn around a foam or ping pong ball and spray or rub with catnip!
 

Dry shampoo
Bath time can be a stress on owners, so if your pet dislikes baths or becomes smelly in between grooming, a waterless shampoo might be a good option. Cornflower, mixed with the same amount of mixing bicarbonate of soda is a good base that it friendly to both cats and dogs. Lemongrass essential oil can also be added for a fresh scent. Shake a small amount of the powder over your pet, keeping it away from sensitive areas.
 

Baby-fresh litter
Luckily, the most effective way to prevent cat litter odour is also a great way to save money. Between full litter box changes, you can keep even the cheapest brand of litter smelling fresh with this simple, baby-safe recipe. Litters often suggest filling the box up to the top, however, a shallow layer can work just as well. Use two or three inches and sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder over the top and give it a stir.