Autumn Talk with Hannah Edwards of Empowered VA Services

It’s the end of October and the weather has become colder, Halloween is almost here, Diwali has started and will last for five days and soon the clocks will go back and we’ll get an extra hour in bed.

Today we’re talking to Hannah Edwards of Empowered VA Services. Hannah is a virtual assistant and social media manager based in Swindon who has clients in the UK, US and Switzerland.

What’s coming up for your business/organisation in Q4?
Q4 is a busy one. I’m coming to the end of one charity auction for a client that finishes on October 28th and going straight into another that starts on November 1st. I’m also revamping a client’s social media and content for their app to encourage engagement and new users to sign up.

This is a month for harvest and Halloween? Are either of these important for you in your business or organisation?
Neither of these events are important for my business but they are events that are important for my clients. Personally, Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year!

If the previous question is not relevant – are you doing anything in October for charity or for a community or volunteer project?
I went to a business expo with a client and supported her to raise money for charity. I have been looking at ways that I can give back to my community, so I’ll be spending the rest of the year exploring that ready for 2023.

Did you know that October 10 was World Mental Health Day – how important is this subject in your business and in your life? Why:
It’s hugely important in my life especially after the events of 2020 onwards. I have some very close friends who suffer with their mental health and the events of the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis has caused them to have more bad days than they normally would. I also suffer with mental health issues that are a by product of other health issues and I try to make sure that I do things that don’t allow for the negative feelings to take over on those bad days.

I always make sure that I check in with my clients to see if they need any help or support. Even if it's just a chat on the telephone because of the day they're having.

What practical activities do you participate in at home or at work to protect your mental health and that of your staff?
I like to read, to write – especially is I’m having a bad day. I journal those bad feelings out of my head. I love to crochet, even if I don’t have anything or anyone to crochet for, I just get the yarn and hook out and get crocheting so that I can focus my thoughts. I try not to be around anything that will trigger me so I won’t have the news on all day or be around people who are negative in thinking, but I will check in and read some news throughout the day so that I keep up with what is going on.

Clocks go back this weekend, and we get an extra hour in bed. How do you feel about the darker nights etc?
I’m not a fan of the darker nights unless I’m at home under my blanket watching a good movie or reading a good book with a nice cup of tea!

And finally, tell us one thing you love about the autumn/winter months? 
I love being able to wear cosier clothing, I love having the lamp on and being curled up under my blanket reading a book with my cat curled up next to me or crocheting something while I watch a movie!

You can find out more about Hannah at www.empoweredvaservices.co.uk