The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast is brought to you by:

Takeley Chiropractic – Helping local families move better, feel better, and live pain-free through expert chiropractic care.
https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/

Ellie Sturgess – Social Media Manager and UGC Content Creator

Ellie is a 22-year-old Bishop’s Stortford resident, university student and small business owner working in social media management and user-generated content creation.

In this episode, Ellie explains how she turned a hobby of posting on TikTok and Instagram into a growing business. She creates UGC (user-generated content) for brands, producing short-form videos that companies can use in their advertising campaigns, helping products feel more authentic and relatable to audiences.

Alongside this, Ellie manages social media accounts for small businesses that don’t have the time to run their own platforms, creating content and helping them showcase what they do online. She shares how she started by reaching out to brands for collaborations, how opportunities grow through persistence, and why social media has opened the door for a new generation of young entrepreneurs.

https://www.instagram.com/ugc.elliemaesturgessx

Stortford Spotlight

Billboard in Jackson Square

“Don’t just fly. Soar.”

A reminder to give things your full effort and not be afraid to try something new.

Secret Spot

The Coffee Lab – A calm and welcoming café on the high street, perfect for getting some work done while enjoying great coffee and matcha.

https://www.coffeelab.co.uk/

Local Legends

Sue Tillett – Founder of All About You.

Recognised for supporting women’s confidence and encouraging young entrepreneurs in Bishop’s Stortford, including helping Ellie as she started her business.

https://allaboutyou.uk.com/

Support the Podcast

You can support The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast through The Giving Lottery.

Every ticket helps fund equipment, recording time, and the ongoing work of telling local stories, while also supporting good causes.

Support here:
https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/the-bishops-stortford-community-podcast

The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast is brought to you by:

Takeley Chiropractic – Helping local families move better, feel better, and live pain-free through expert chiropractic care.
https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/

Jools Abrams – Professional Writer and Ghostwriter

Jools has lived in Stortford for around 30 years and is a professional ghostwriter, having written around 40 books for other people and more than 10 of her own. She specialises in memoir and life stories, helping people capture their experiences in their own voice for publication.

In this episode, Jools shares how she moved from teaching into writing, completing an MA in Children’s Literature and Creative Writing at Birkbeck, and building a portfolio career rooted in creativity and community. She talks about the empathy required to write someone else’s story, the therapeutic nature of memoir writing, and the privilege of hearing stories that have never been shared before.

Jools is currently crowdfunding her own memoir, The Sibling, which explores her experience growing up with a brother diagnosed with autism in the 1970s, and the evolving responsibilities of sibling care as parents age. The project connects closely with SIBS, the UK charity supporting siblings of people with additional needs.

She is also an active member of She Who Dares, contributes to local publications including The Bish, writes memoir through Book of My Life, is part of the Talliston Writers Group, and co-hosts food experiences through Hello Food Tours.

Jools Abrams Website:
https://www.joolsabrams.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joolsdares/

The Sibling – Extract and SIBS feature:
https://www.sibs.org.uk/jools

SIBS – Supporting siblings of disabled people:
https://www.sibs.org.uk/

Book of My Life (Memoir Writing):
https://www.bookofmylife.co.uk/

Stortford Spotlight

Billboard in Jackson Square

“She who dares thrives.”

A call to step out of your comfort zone and embrace opportunity at every stage of life.

Secret Spot

The Micro Bakery at Grandey’s Place – A welcoming, independent bakery serving excellent coffee and fresh bread just on the edge of town. https://www.microbakery.co.uk/

Local Legends

Woosh Canoe Club – For their regular river clean-ups and environmental work along the Stort. https://whooshexplore.co.uk/

Rachel Hewlett, Hello Food Tours – For celebrating independent food businesses and bringing people together through guided tours in Bishop’s Stortford and beyond. https://www.hellofoodtours.com/

The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast is brought to you by:

Takeley Chiropractic – Helping local families move better, feel better, and live pain-free through expert chiropractic care.
https://www.takeleychiropractic.co.uk/

Philip Mallourides – Business Coach, Mentor and Speaker

Philip is a local business coach and mentor who works with small business owners to build resilience, clarity and confidence in both business and life.

After building multiple businesses and becoming a millionaire by his mid-30s, Philip’s life took a dramatic turn when he was convicted in connection with a VAT fraud case and served 39 months in prison. Following his release in 2014, he rebuilt his life from scratch and eventually launched his coaching business, Activate Your Success.

In this episode, Philip shares his journey through adversity, the lessons learned from losing everything, and why mindset, resilience and self-awareness are critical for business owners. He talks openly about mental health, the pressures facing small business owners today, and the importance of connection and honest conversation.

Philip also runs a men’s Walk and Talk group, creating a safe, non-judgemental space for men to connect, talk and support each other.

Website:
https://www.activateyoursuccess.co.uk/

Stortford Spotlight

Billboard in Jackson Square

“Don’t worry. You are not alone.”

A reminder for anyone struggling that support and connection are closer than you think.

Secret Spot

Welcome to the Jungle Soft Play – A family-friendly soft play area with great coffee, perfect for young parents looking for a relaxed space. https://www.welcometothejunglesoftplay.co.uk/

Local Legends

Philip Mallourides – For launching a men’s Walk and Talk group in Pishiobury Park, creating space for honest conversations around mental health and connection.

Support the Podcast

You can support The Bishop’s Stortford Community Podcast through The Giving Lottery.

Every ticket helps fund equipment, recording time, and the ongoing work of telling local stories, while also supporting good causes.

Support here:
https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/the-bishops-stortford-community-podcast