THE ABLE LABEL: DRAGONS DEN PANEL

Our founder Katie was invited along to Canterbury Christ Church University on Monday. She formed one of four on the panel of the Occupational Therapy (BSc) Hons final year group assessment day for their Innovation and Entrepreneurship module. The module aims to utilise the group’s knowledge of occupation to investigate and respond to emerging opportunities for service development and entrepreneurial practice. The course enabled students to develop abilities in collaboration, negotiation, planning and presentation within deadlines. 

Katie said, “This module is fantastic for the students as it really encourages them to think outside the box and think practically as to how they can solve problems faced by their industry. They're able to take what they have learnt from the course and what they have experienced working in industry and take it one step further. They can apply it them in a way that they perhaps would not have been considered otherwise”. 

Sat on the ‘Dragons Den panel’, Katie was seated between the Universities Student Enterprise Manager, helping students with career development and also an Occupational Therapist specialising in mental health.

Canterbury Christ Church University Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)
students presenting for the Innovation and Enterprise module

Katie said, “The standard of the studens work was extremely high. The attention to detail was very apparent and it was evident that these students had put great thought and effort into the module, which they all clearly enjoyed. They all generated business plans to support gaps in the market they had identified, encouraging them to take ideas to the next level considering how to make them a feasible business”. 

So much consideration had gone in, the groups has no issues with answering questions that the panel through at them after their presentations as they’d all clearly done their homework!

Katie concluded, “It is so great to see young talent being encouraged to think entrepreneurially. There were so many brilliant ideas in the room. Bringing groups together to encourage group working and also start considering how to make feasible businesses from the ideas was wonderful to see and be involved with”.

The students will find out how they did in a few months time and Katie looks forward to sitting on the next panel in May.

If you would like to find out more about Canterbury Christ Church University and the Occupational Therapy course, you can do so by clicking on the links below:

Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University – Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons) course

THE ABLE LABEL: WINTER WARMERS

With temperatures falling into the minus this week  and the cold snap set to continue, make sure you keep warm this winter.

Knitted Wraps

You can now wrap up in style with one of our wraps - available in a large range, there seven different designs to choose from. The chill-busting wrap comes in one size and without armholes, is an easy-on, easy-off alternative to layering. This makes them particularly helpful not only if you feel the cold but if your temperature can fluctuate.

The Lianne Knitted Wraps (1504), Lorna Knitted Wrap (1503) and Leah Knitted Wraps (1506) are the heaviest and warmest wraps available. Laura Knitted Wraps (1502) are mid weight and contain mohair for extra warmth and lustre.  The Liv Knitted Wrap (1505) is slightly lighter, ideal if you have reduced strength and more sensitive shoulders.

Wraps are very on trend at the moment and being reversible too, the printed designs allow you to create different looks. Give them a try – we are sure you will love them as much as we do!

Shop wraps here >>

Knitted Capes

Available in a choice of three colours, our Lilly Knitted Cape is a great solution to keep the chill off. With its collar that sits high on the neck and super soft and warm fabric, this is a hero winter warmer. With no armholes to contend with, this style is easier to get on and off. It may appear that this cape fastens with a button at the neck however the button is just for decoration – the cape actually fastens with Velcro meaning no fiddly fastening.

Shop capes here >> 

Bed Socks

The thick knitted socks are not only warm but practical too with a non-slip sole making walking safer. Our onw size Cheryl Bed Socks are striped and have a pretty pom pom detail. At only £5 a pair, they are a real mist have winter warmer for yourself or a treat for someone else. 

Shop bed socks here >>

Hot Water Bottle

Still cold? Our cute hot water bottle that is made in the UK is sure to heat you up in the home. As well as keeping you warm, a hot water bottle can give you many hours of relief from aches and pains and a wide variety of injuries and ailments. Measuring 17 x 24 x 6 cm, it is an ideal size being easier to carry.

Shop hot water bottle >>

To see the full range, take a look online at www.theablelabel.com

WINTER IS HERE BUT SO TOO ARE THE ABLE LABEL WINTER WARMERS!

I think we can safely say, winter is well and truly here now.  The clocks have gone back and there is now a real coldness in the air. But fear not, we have just got our new in range of ponchos and capes in to take the edge off that chill and keep you cosy and warm this winter.

  

Meet our Lilly Knitted Cape!

1501 Lilly Knitted Cape: Seaspray, Charcoal, Pink Peony

All £39.95 (£33.29 exc VAT)

1501 Lilly Knitted Cape

£39.95 (£33.29 exc VAT)

Lilly is already proving a huge success being an ideal ‘throw on’ to keep the chill off. The high collar keeps your neck warm and the fabric is very warm yet super soft feeling lovely against the skin. With no sleeves, our Lilly Capes are easier to get on as there are no armholes to battle with. Not only that, the button at the top of our Lilly Cape is for display only – she actually fastens with Velcro meaning no fiddly fastenings but no one would ever know! She comes in three attractive colours – seaspray blue, pink peony and charcoal, the choice is yours!

Hello Lovely Warm and Stylish Ponchos!

All £55

Laura Knitted Poncho, Charcoal and Black

Ponchos are the must have item this year but are a staple that will stay on trend for many more years to come. It really is an investment piece.

Lianne Knitted Poncho, Dragon Red

Our range of ponchos are great for layering and extra warmth. Without sleeves, they can easily be taken on and taken off as and when needed. We have several designs of ponchos for you to choose from ranging from our plain Laura Knitted Poncho that contain luxurious Mohair to our stylish Lorna and Lianne Knitted Ponchos which are in on trend colours, right through to our more feminine Leah Knitted Poncho in pretty lilac and cream colour.

Leah Knitted Poncho, Sugar Lilac

The great thing about all of our ponchos is that they can be worn both ways – they are reversible making them extra versatile! We hope you love them as much as we do.

Shop our full range of winter warming cardigans and wraps online at www.theablelabel.com

INTO THE DRAGONS DEN

Canterbury Christ Church University

Canterbury Christ Church University has been around for over 50 years and based in Kent, plays a huge role in making a positive difference to peoples lives.

Katie our founder was fortunate enough to be invited along to the Occupational Therapy (BSc) Hons final year group assessment day for their Innovation and Entrepreneurship module. The module aims to utilise the group’s knowledge of occupation to investigate and respond to emerging opportunities for service development and entrepreneurial practice. The course enabled students to develop abilities in collaboration, negotiation, planning and presentation within deadlines. Katie said, “What I liked so much about this module in particular is that it has really encouraged students to think outside the box. It is encouraging them to take their learning’s and apply them in a way that they perhaps would not have considered previously”.

Sat on the ‘Dragons Den panel’, Katie was seated between the Universities Student Enterprise Manager, helping students with career development and also the business manager who leads several business modules at the University.  

Canterbury Christ Church University Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)
students presenting for the Innovation and Enterprise module

Katie said, “We were all overwhelmed by the extremely high standard amongst the four groups of eight we assessed. There was a real buzz in the room as each group stepped up to give their presentation. The attention to detail was fantastic and it was evident that these students had put much thought and effort into the module, which they all clearly enjoyed. Some groups had even gone to the effort of creating prototypes and websites to support their ideas. This was all within the six weeks timeframe they were given! They all generated business plans to support gaps in the market they had identified, encouraging them to take ideas to the next level considering how to make them a feasible business”.

So much consideration had gone in, the groups has no issues with answering questions that the panel through at them after their presentations as they’d all clearly done their homework!

Katie concluded, “It is so great to see young talent being encouraged to think entrepreneurially. There were so many fantastic ideas in the room and bringing groups together to encourage group working and also start considering how to make feasible businesses from the ideas was wonderful to see and be involved with”.

The students will find out how they did in a few months time and Katie looks forward to sitting on the next panel in May.

If you would like to find out more about Canterbury Christ Church University and the Occupational Therapy course, you can do so by clicking on the links below:

Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University – Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons) course

THE ABLE LABEL AT THE OT SHOW 2015

The OT Show
The Able Label will proudly be showing alongside Access Independent at The OT Show next week on stand B34. We will also be showcasing the clothing at the Innovation Centre at 10:15am each day so hope to see you there.

Exciting Opportunity for OT's!
If you are an OT wanting more from your role, keen to learn and develop and seeking a fun new challenge - we want to hear from you! See below flyer for more...