Romantic relationship coach Sharon Kell is warning that trying to find true love should not be regarded as the 'magic potion" that will transform a person's life and make them totally happy.

The words of caution, from Sharon, Managing Director of bespoke and discreet introductions agency Coco Moon, come as people's thoughts turn to love and romance with the impending arrival of Valentine's Day.

She says that the lead-up to February 14 can trigger a whole series of lifestyle choices. This can range from people deciding to lose weight to improve their health and looks or to start actively seeking a partner.

In Sharon's experience people deciding what they want in their personal relationships is the catalyst for them beginning to examine what they can do differently to increase their chances of meeting a special person and welcoming them into their life.

She said: "It may sound obvious, but knowing why you want to share your life with another is key. Giving some thought to what you want from a partner and why will help you understand where you have been and where you need to go when it comes to romance.

"Looking for a partner and building a romantic relationship is all about confidence and self-esteem.

But, she warns: "Trying to find true love should not be regarded as the 'magic potion" that will transform your life and make you totally happy.

"Finding a partner cannot fulfil you in every way. If there are gaps in other areas of your life then you will still feel there is something lacking.

"We recommend that people also try to expand their horizons in different ways. This will not only benefit them personally, but a rounded fulfilled person is also more attractive to other people whether in a romantic or general social setting."

Coco Moon advises its members that being prepared to push themselves out of their comfort zones by welcoming new social experiences and being more open to invitations can all play a part in helping them find romance.

Sharon said: "We tell them to consider joining a club, enrolling at night school, or doing that "thing" they have always promised themselves they will do

"I strongly believe that when people live a full and balanced life and actually like what they stand for then finding Mr or Mrs Right is not as difficult as it may initially seem."

Coco Moon finds that people often spend a great deal of time focusing on their careers, making sure they are successful in their chosen field.

However, when it comes to their personal lives, they often leave meeting their ideal partner to chance.

It introduces members through personalised expert and confidential processes rather than computer driven checklists. This includes staff holding personal consultations with potential customers prior to offering and accepting membership.

Coco Moon, based in the North East of England, is an introductions agency offering a bespoke and discreet service to busy single professionals.

The company was founded by Sharon Kell, who is educated to degree level in business and finance and is qualified in relationship, business and executive coaching.
Coco Moon introduces members through personalised expert and confidential processes rather than computer driven checklists. This includes staff holding personal consultations with potential customers prior to offering and accepting membership.

Coco Moon also provides both professional and romantic relationship coaching.
For more information log onto www.cocomoon.co.uk.

The Society, which has been 'looking after local interests' since 1856, won the accolade specifically for its support for the armed forces in the region.

It has recently been awarded the prestigious Mortgage Finance Gazette's Community Services Award for Small to Medium Sized Lenders with the presentation taking place in London.

The Awards are open to all mortgage lenders throughout the country and this latest award brings the Society's collection of MFG Awards to nine, more than any other mortgage lender of any size.

Darlington Building Society was commended for the launch of its exclusive affinity mortgage designed specifically for armed forces personnel who often have problems obtaining a mortgage as they struggle to satisfy lenders' requirements in terms of status, residency etc., particularly if they are stationed abroad.

The Society is also on track to raise between £12,000 and £15,000 for the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Memorial Appeal which is aiming to raise £75,000 for a lasting memorial to the regiment at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

In addition the Society incentivised its members to vote at its Annual General Meeting by donating 50p for every online vote cast and 35p for every paper vote cast. The Society also launched a DLI affinity mortgage where for every completed mortgage, £250 was donated to the appeal.

Rebecca Johnson, Office Manager at the Society's Middlesbrough branch said, "Darlington Building Society is dedicated to looking after local interests and we feel this includes supporting our local communities in whatever ways we can."

She added, "There is a large number of armed forces personnel based in our region and we wanted to try and help them get a foot on the housing ladder by recognising their unique circumstances and needs. To receive this award in recognition of our efforts is a huge bonus."

Darlington Building Society is dedicated to "Looking after local interests" and has been a community based and community focused organisation since it was formed over 150 years ago in 1856.

With 13 full branches and three community branches throughout County Durham, the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, Darlington Building Society is the region's only local building society.

Visual artist Karin Walland, who transforms the base material of discarded glass into extraordinary artwork and one-off jewellery through kiln firing, is to open a studio where she can work and exhibit.

Karin draws inspiration from past experience, textiles, printmaking and alternative photography.

"I'm delighted to be launching my new studio in Python Studios and excited to showcase my creations at the opening evening. Fragility, loss, brokenness, death and new life in both nature and human experience are expressed through the medium of fragile, broken, regenerated and recycled glass.

"The glass is collaged and patch-worked, laminated and bolted together like memories overlapping, fragments of life and faded images coming and going in the glass. The process of getting it right is long and laborious, and many firings and trials can go into each piece of work."

As well as exhibiting around the country, including showcasing her jewellery ay the Laing Gallery, Sunderland Museum, Winter Gardens and Mima, Karin has also exhibited her work throughout the world. Most recently Karin took part in a touring exhibition in South Korea.

Python Studios, which was developed by Middlesbrough-based Python Gallery, supports artists by providing them with a space to work and exhibit art.

She will also be running courses and master classes in glass as well as teaching printmaking and photographic techniques at her new studio gallery.

For further information about Karin and her artwork please contact 07709907199 or email KBAWalland@hotmail.com. Alternatively visit Python Studios at 46 Montrose, Middlesbrough, TS1 2HU.

44 year old Angela Johnson, who lives in supported housing in Stainton near Middlesbrough has Down's syndrome and has recently become co-chair of Middlesbrough 1st, a charity which promotes advocacy and self advocacy for adults with a learning disability and their carers through awareness sessions, advocacy training and personal development.

Angela is also co-chair of the Middlesbrough Partnership Board, which requires her to arrange training packages for nurses and doctors to enable them to care for people with learning difficulties whilst in hospital.

She still finds time to volunteer as a receptionist and administrator at the West Middlesbrough Trust and is also involved in a drama partnership group, IMPACT, which performs around the UK delivering positive messages about living with learning difficulties. The group has recently been liaising with local police to produce a play focussing on hate crime.

Specialist social care and support provider ubu enables Angela to lead an active and fulfilling life. ubu works with people with learning, physical or emotional difficulties, and supports around 100 people across the Tees Valley as well as throughout the north of England.

Ashley Bullock, ubu team leader, said: "Angela is an inspiration. She has so much drive, determination and energy she puts us all to shame!

"Taking on so many roles has increased Angela's self-confidence and she feels she has a purpose in life. Her ambition is to secure paid employment and I am sure she will realise this dream and be a credit to any employer.

"ubu is all about helping those who need it to flourish in all aspects of their life and helping them to become as independent as possible. Angela is a wonderful example of what can be achieved."

Dave Lowe from Middlesbrough 1st said: "Angela has been a member of Middlesbrough 1st for eight years and has proved herself to be an asset,
Her enthusiasm knows no bounds, she is an excellent Ambassador, for both Middlesbrough 1st and for adults with learning disabilities in Middlesbrough"

ENDS
CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Hand your entry, with your contact details, into your local branch or email Jessica_Christie@middlesbrough.gov.uk by Monday, January 30. You and a friend could become a library VIP for the day, which would include a tour of Central Library, Middlesbrough, access to the non-public historic collection, tea, cake and a goody bag.

January is a month when the fallout from crumbling romances reaches a peak, according to relationship expert Sharon Kell.

The start of the first full working week after the New Year is when warring spouses are most likely to instigate divorce proceedings against one another.

This year, D-Day falls on January 9.
Evidence suggests that for many families, far from being a relaxing break, the Christmas holiday is a time of immense stress. Instead of fixing troubled relationships, it can push couples further apart.

The financial strain early January brings with the arrival of Christmas credit card bills, the reality of returning to work, and the thought of more long cold dark nights can all put an intolerable pressure on relationships.

After putting a brave face on during the festivities, whether for the sake of the children or visiting relatives, more couples seek to end their marriages in early January than at any other time of the year.

Too much Christmas togetherness, with people being in each other's company for days on end, can prove disastrous for those whose relationships are already rocky. This long holiday often serves to heighten rather than mend the cracks in the relationship.

Sharon, who runs Coco Moon, a bespoke and discreet introductions agency for busy professionals, said: "There are a multitude of reasons why people wait until January to decide to split up, but what I hear from many clients is that they were struggling with the marriage or relationship before the holiday season."

Sharon, who is also a qualified relationship coach, added: "With it being a time for year-end reflections and resolutions, unhappy spouses or partners weigh-up their situation and decide they cannot take another year like the one they have just had.

"The Christmas and New Year holiday also are a time when emotions run high and if you are discontented or angry in your marriage, the holidays may push those feelings to breaking point."

Established in 2008, Coco Moon, which recently extended its services in to the Tees Valley area, offers a sophisticated alternative to internet dating by introducing members through personalised processes rather than computer driven checklists.

This includes its expert staff holding personal consultations with potential customers prior to offering and accepting membership. The business uses a complex methodology, which looks at all elements of a person's life to really understand them as an individual.

They work with clients to understand what they want to achieve in relationships and then support them through their membership period, monitoring progress to ensure members have the very best probability of finding and keeping fulfilling long-term relationships.

Extreme snow in recent years has seen many company executives having to work from home.

With the weather having turned much colder over the weekend, Sharon, the managing director of bespoke introductions agency Coco Moon, fears a tough emotional time could be ahead for professionals.

In Sharon's experience, many business executives concentrate on perfecting professional rather than personal relationships.

If snow traps them in the house and they are isolated from the companionship of work colleagues, it gives them time to think about their success - or lack of it - when it comes to relationships outside of work, particularly if they are single.

Coco Moon, which recently extended its services to the Tees Valley, finds that those in executive roles are very focused on how to be successful commercially. However, they are poor at putting in the time and effort needed to nurture relationships outside their career.

Sharon said: "The extreme winter weather we have experienced during the last few years has seen people snowed up in their houses and unable to get to work.

"While a prisoner in their own home, feeling isolated and away from the busy work environment and colleagues, those without partners can start to fixate on being single and how they, unlike other people they know, are not enjoying a romantic relationship.

"It is not unusual for professionals to hide their loneliness, not only from colleagues and friends, but from themselves, by becoming immersed in work.

"However, if they find themselves stuck at home alone because of the snow, they suddenly find themselves having to face-up to the lack of romance and a meaningful relationship in their lives.

"Coco Moon finds that this situation is a trigger point for executives beginning to think about looking for expert help in finding romance.

"However, we would advise that people need to be realistic and, if they seriously want to find romance, they need to address this issue in a calm and composed manner and not just as a knee-jerk reaction to being holed up in the house because of the weather."

Coco Moon's members are busy professionals who work long hours and, therefore, find it difficult to meet potential partners due to lack of time or opportunity.

Established in 2008, it offers busy, single professionals looking for a loving relationship, an alternative to internet dating

It introduces members through personalised processes rather than computer driven checklists. This includes its expert staff holding personal consultations with potential customers prior to offering and accepting membership.

Its methodology is in-depth and complex and looks at all elements of a person's life to really understand them as an individual. It works with clients to draw up a profile which includes what values are important to them in a relationship.

The aim is to take the time-wasting and hassle out of trying to meet a potential partner and to help people avoid uncomfortable mismatches and meetings.

Another key factor which differentiates Coco Moon from internet dating is members, should they wish, can access bespoke relationship coaching sessions.

Coco Moon, based in the North East of England, is an introductions agency offering a bespoke and discreet service to busy single professionals.

The company was founded by Sharon Kell, who is educated to degree level in business and finance and is qualified in relationship, business and executive coaching
Coco Moon introduces members through personalised expert and confidential processes rather than computer driven checklists. This includes staff holding personal consultations with potential customers prior to offering and accepting membership.

Coco Moon also provides both professional and romantic relationship coaching.

In company founder Sharon Kell's experience, many business executives concentrate on building professional rather than personal relationships.

Yet, during Christmas when many companies close down, they are unable to fill their hours with work or go into the office and find themselves home alone.

Coco Moon, which recently expanded its services into the Tees Valley, finds that many people in executive roles put in a lot of effort learning how to be successful commercially, but fail to spend time mastering the art of nurturing relationships outside work.

Sharon Kell said: "Christmas time can be a very lonely time for those without partners in their lives, particularly when they see other people enjoying a romantic relationship during the festive season.

"Many professionals hide their loneliness, not only from colleagues and friends, but from themselves, by burying themselves in work.

"However, at times of the year, such as Christmas, when business comes to a halt they suddenly find themselves confronting the lack of romance and a meaningful relationship in their lives.

"In the run-up to the holidays, people are also bombarded with images of happy families and couples experiencing an idyllic Christmas as well as constantly being asked with whom or where they are going to be spending the festivities.

"Coco Moon is expecting an increase in membership applications as busy professionals begin to realise they are facing Christmas alone.

"However, we cannot guarantee a quick fix for the festive season. People need to be realistic and, if they seriously want to find romance, they need to address this issue in a level-headed manner not because they find it is a certain time of year."

Coco Moon's members are busy professionals who work long hours and, therefore, find it difficult to meet potential partners due to lack of time or opportunity.

Established in 2008, it offers busy, single professionals looking for a loving relationship, an alternative to internet dating

It introduces members through personalised processes rather than computer driven checklists. This includes its expert staff holding personal consultations with potential customers prior to offering and accepting membership.
Its methodology is in-depth and complex and looks at all elements of a person's life to really understand them as an individual. It works with clients to draw up a profile which includes what values are important to them in a relationship.
The aim is to take the time-wasting and hassle out of trying to meet a potential partner and to help people avoid uncomfortable mismatches and meetings.
Another key factor which differentiates Coco Moon from internet dating is members, should they wish, can access bespoke relationship coaching sessions.

Coco Moon, based in the North East of England, is an introductions agency offering a bespoke and discreet service to busy single professionals.
The company was founded by Sharon Kell, who is educated to degree level in business and finance and is qualified in relationship, business and executive coaching
Coco Moon introduces members through personalised expert and confidential processes rather than computer driven checklists. This includes staff holding personal consultations with potential customers prior to offering and accepting membership.
Coco Moon also provides both professional and romantic relationship coaching.