techtimeout ambassadors

Sophie is a Digital Account Manager at Shropshire PR agency, J&PR. She knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a writer. In her current role as Digital Account Manager and Digital Lead, she uses her writing skills and interest in social media and digital growth to help businesses increase their online presence.

Why are you passionate about techtimeout?

I've loved techtimeout ever since Stephanie Henson first told me about it. I’m passionate about self care and prioritising our wellbeing, but before techtimeout I never really practised what I preached.

After completing the techtimeout10 challenge earlier this year with J&PR, I fell in love with taking a techtimeout!

From taking the tto10 challenge to now, my screen time has dropped from well over 8 hours. Last week, my screen time was 3 hours and 12 minutes. A record for me!

Hollie Whittles is an award winning TEDx speaker and Director of two digital companies. Spending more than 5000 hours speaking to audiences across the UK, she has helped hundreds of business owners to grow their businesses.

Why are you passionate about techtimeout?

Techtimeout is a fantastic initiative that I am passionate about being a brand ambassador for. I have always worked in the digital space. However, I have been very aware for some time now about the need to look after our mental health and well-being in an ever demanding digital society. I deliver talks on digital detox on how we can make the best use of our technology to encourage people to be present in the moment and enjoy some time out from tech overload.

Sarah runs a nationally award-winning events business called Sarah Belcher Events. Through this business, Sarah has since launched the successful brand of racing events called Krazy Races. The events bring a unique and memorable experience to communities across the country.

Why are you passionate about techtimeout?

As a mother of a young family I have always been concerned about the impact of technology of the next generation. I feel that if we can demonstrate positive attitudes and highlight some of the issues towards the use of this amazing technology, we will be setting the next generation up to be better prepared of some of the traps of mindless scrolling we have fallen into.

Founder and Managing Director of PC Net Solutions, Katy and the team look after the IT for many small businesses in Shropshire. Established in 1998 and still going strong due to a focus on customer service. Katy is also an Executive Committee Member at Shrewsbury Business Chamber.

Why are you passionate about techtimeout?

There is no doubt that more can and should be done to raise awareness about the issues and encourage people to come forward and seek advice, guidance and support which will help address the problems and find a way through them.

It has never been more important for people to ensure they have interests away from work to prevent becoming obsessed or addicted to the job they are doing. IT is a fascinating job and an exciting industry to work in but it can and does take a terrible toll on many people who have no other interests.

It not only provides another interest to focus on but also gives the mind a break, going a long way to improving productivity at work, refreshing and reinvigorating the thought processes.

Managing Director and Co-Founder of MyWorkWear, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of personalised workwear and uniforms to businesses of all sizes.

James is also an active member of FactoryNow, MAKE UK, Made In The Midlands, Training Manufacturing Group & UKMfgUnite.

Felicity is the founder and Managing Director of results-focused reputation management, PR, and copywriting agency. Felicity is one of the UK’s leading experts in the applied psychology of language, using the art and science of persuasion and influence to achieve truly exceptional results for her clients.

Why are you passionate about techtimeout?

Working in PR and communications, and running a business, both see me super-reliant on technology. It's rare that I'm away from my phone, my laptop, or my tablet (sometimes working on all three!) techtimeout is a great reminder of the power of switching off, of bringing my presence back to the moment or to the person or people I'm with.

Why are you passionate about techtimeout?

I’m convinced the tech industry has modeled its business plan after a four-year old king-crazed on Cadbury Fudge Bars and Red Bull, who keeps tugging on our legs screaming, “Look at me!”

And look we do – constantly. So much so distraction has become our accepted default mode at the unpardonable expense of agendas, goals, aspirations, experiences and time.

In other words, we’re treating life like a cheap approximation.

Life is meant to be lived, mashing our carpe diem pedals to the floor, pursuing new experiences that expand our comfort zones. And this can only occur from unplugging, adopting techtimeout practices, so that we, ultimately are controlling our devices, rather than having our devices control us.