Autumn Talk with Dave Southby of Dave Southby Financial Planning

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 Dave Southby of Dave Southby Financial Planning. Dave is a financial advisor based in Swindon.

What’s coming up for your business/organisation in Q4?
On the 18th of October it was my businesses 1 year birthday! It's been 12 months of hard work, persistence and living outside my comfort zone but I wouldn’t change it for the world! This quarter I am excited to announce I will be launching my new look website & refreshed branding. I have also agreed to be the main kit sponsor for one of the Wroughton Youth Football Teams which I’m very proud of as it’s something I have wanted to do since starting my business.

This is a month for harvest and Halloween? Are either of these important for you in your business or organisation?
Halloween was around the time I started thinking about making the career change into financial services and it’s the anniversary of my business launch going forward, so it’s always going to be an important time in the calendar for me.

Are you doing anything in October for charity or for a community or volunteer project?
It’s not in October but next month I will be running another free drop-in clinic with another local business – Martin Baker Estate Planning in Wroughton. We run a few events throughout the year giving local people and businesses the opportunity to drop in and ask any questions they have. We have always had a good turnout!

Did you know that October 10 was World Mental Health Day – how important is this subject in your business and in your life?
World Mental Health Day is incredibly important, especially with the current cost of living crisis. I think the awareness of mental health is helping more people, particularly men, open up and talk more. Throughout our lives we may experience periods of difficulty, and often we are not alone in the feelings or emotions that come up as a result. By sharing and being open, we can help others feel less alone. I personally have experienced anxiety and severe stress so I know how tough it can be.

Mental health and financial wellbeing are very closely linked. Finances can cause a lot of stress and anxiety which affects everyone and anyone. One of the reasons I wanted to change career was to help people make their financial world easier to navigate and understand. It’s easy to lose track, so I want to encourage people to talk because there is support and help available. 

What practical activities do you participate in at home or at work to protect your mental health and that of your staff?
For me, exercise and sleep are the two best ways to help manage my mental health. I try and do one form of exercise a day, usually around lunch time. I’ve recently started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes in Old Town and that has been amazing for breaking up the day and blowing off some steam! When you’re busy with work it’s sometimes hard to fit exercise in but even a small walk can help clear your head. 

The clocks go back this weekend, and we get an extra hour in bed. How do you feel about the darker nights etc?
I don’t know where the time has gone this year! It’s going to take a little adjusting to the darker nights I think, especially after the sunny September we have had. I won’t be having an extra hour in bed though because the 31st of October is National Pension Tracing Day, raising awareness about the amount of unclaimed pension pots in the UK and the importance of knowing where they are. If anyone is wondering what to do with their extra hour, this might be a worthwhile activity!

And finally, tell us one thing you love about the autumn/winter months? 
I love coming in from a dog walk, putting the log burner on and having some good hearty food when its cold outside.

You can find more about Dave at www.southbyfinancialplanning.co.uk