As we progress with the roadmap out of lockdown, signs of a return to normality are emerging.
This month, we reopen our office for client visits, welcome a new member of the team, and look optimistically to the summer ahead.
Find out who used lockdown to brush up on their DIY skills, and whose plans for the summer involve learning to snowboard!
You’ll also find out how you can book a face-to-face meeting with us this spring and learn everything you need to know about our new office manager, Joe Bretti.
A return to face-to-face meetings
After a challenging 12 months, Future Planning are delighted to be able to offer face-to-face meetings again.
Our Swindon office is open 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, and until 3.30pm on Saturdays.
Please email enquiries@futureplanningwm.co.uk or call 01793 575553 to book a meeting or to find out more about the Covid-secure measures we have in place to ensure your safety, and that of our staff.
Future Planning welcomes our new office manager, Joe
The last year has been difficult for many businesses, but Future Planning has been in the enviable position of continuing to expand and develop.
The latest member of our ever-growing team is Joe Bretti.
Joe joins as office manager and his main task will be looking after the running of the office. You’ll also find him supporting Future Planning’s team of advisors, as well as being the first point of contact when you call or pay a visit to us.
Outside of the office, Joe is a keen runner, and enjoys spending time with his family.
We would like to take this opportunity to formally welcome Joe to the Future Planning team. We are all excited to have him with us and look forward to working alongside him.
Lockdown reflections
As the country emerges from its latest set of restrictions and elements of everyday life resume, here at Future Planning, we have taken the opportunity to look ahead, while reflecting on what the last 12 months have meant to us.
What are you looking forward to doing as restrictions lifts?
Sanjay
“Playing football and tennis, seeing family and friends, road trips. And talking to people face-to-face, rather than on the internet and through apps like Zoom!”
Joe
“I am looking forward to being able to spend time with family and friends again. And being able to visit family members abroad.”
Ana
“Seeing my friends and eating food without the cooking and washing up!”
Cejay
“The summer’s coming, so sunny holidays. And learning how to snowboard!”
Edi
“I am very much looking forward to getting together with friends again, having a laugh, and catching up. I’m looking forward to people heading back out as the world starts up. It has been a really tough time for everyone, and we need human contact more than ever.”
Sian
“I can’t wait to be able to just pop for a coffee. Also looking forward to spending time with loved ones… and maybe think about a holiday!”
What are your plans for the summer?
Sanjay
“Time off work. The past 18 months have been quite full-on, and a break is definitely required. There’s also going to be a wedding party for those that were unable to attend due to restrictions last year. Finally, moving into the home once ongoing works are completed.”
Joe
“Spend a few weeks in Italy with my wife’s family.”
Ana
“Enjoying the outdoors and long dog walks in the countryside.”
Cejay
“Getaways in the UK. And cocktail bars!”
Edi
“My plan for this summer is just to enjoy it. Doing some travelling if it’s allowed under government guidelines and making memories with loved ones. I also plan to see some theme parks and take a break at Center Parcs.”
Sian
“I plan to take a few mini-breaks in the UK and enjoy time with my new little four-legged friend, Hugo.”
What are your reflections on the last 12 months of restrictions?
Sanjay
“It was important to take the time to focus on ourselves and lockdowns gave us that opportunity. Now, after the expected initial surge of people going out to pubs and restaurants, we can all see a return to some sort of normality.
“Hopefully, we can use the lessons of lockdown to return to normality with a healthy work-life balance.”
Joe
“A time to reflect, recognise, and acknowledge the important things in life.
“Life is just time. We often allow our judgment to be clouded by materialism and are inclined to measure success and wealth in monetary terms. A wise person once told me that he is rich in time and that for him is irreplaceable.”
Ana
“Although lockdown has been hard on all of us, I have enjoyed spending time with my husband and getting better at DIY!”
Cejay
“It’s given the time to reflect on the future – what I would like to study and different kinds of life progression. It’s also taught me to appreciate the little things, like seeing family and friends.”
Edi
“As a young adult, lockdown has been one of the hardest things to deal with, I think. But I know that everyone is feeling the same way. The UK has been really strong and dealt amazingly with such a huge global crisis. We’re heading in the right direction now and the only way is forward.
“I found staying at home boring and demoralising, but I think it has made a lot of us more creative, trying to find fun ways to fill time on limited resources. That said, hopefully, there’ll be no more lockdowns!”
Sian
“I found that it makes you appreciate everything you have around you and really reinforces that you just don’t know what’s around the corner. It’s so important to grab life by the horns and just go with it!”
Get in touch
If you have any questions or concerns about your long-term financial plans or you would like to talk to us about arranging an in-person meeting, get in touch. Please email enquiries@futureplanningwm.co.uk or call 01793 575553.
