LIVVE – the new online pharmacy set to lead the menopause revolution
“I am beyond excited to be able to utilise my skills and experience to create something that can make a difference, that’s affordable and can help women.”
Leeds entrepreneur has launched an online pharmacy dedicated to improving access and treatment options for women going through menopause.
In the lead-up to World Menopause Day on 18 October 2022, a Leeds entrepreneur is using her personal experience and medical knowledge to help others going through menopause.
A qualified prescribing pharmacist, 42-year-old Melissa Sookia knows all too well about the lack of support and affordable treatment available for women suffering from menopausal symptoms.
It was whilst offering a menopause service at her clinic that Melissa noticed a huge gap in the market after seeing the significant improvement in patient wellbeing, mood and sex drive within a matter of weeks of receiving treatment.
Speaking about the reasons for setting up LIVVE, Melissa said: “With 13,000,000 menopausal women in the UK, it’s time to cut through the deafening silence on this topic and get past the shame society has placed on it.
Image: Supplied
“I went through perimenopause when I was 40 and after a few appointments with my GP was left feeling underwhelmed and frustrated by the treatment options and advice I received.
“There was so much more I could offer with the knowledge I had about menopause and my role as a prescribing Pharmacist that no one else was doing.”
Within just a few months, Melissa had completed her training with the Marion Gluck Academy and became a member of The British Menopause Society.
LIVVE launches later this month and provides treatment for all 48 symptoms of menopause. Patients can access all the information and support needed to live an empowered life, as well as the freedom to talk openly about their feelings and concerns.
The platform will provide both a consultation service and an online pharmacy all in one place, users can enjoy just one point of contact, enabling patients to receive a more tailored, personal approach to their menopause care and medication.
Being online, the costs and time for consultations is kept down and thus allows for treatment to be more readily available for those in need.
Ahead of the launch, Melissa said: “Pharmacists are a key part of the solution. They are experts in offering practical help and making decisions about which medicines to prescribe and dispense. The online nature of LIVVE enables us to offer a responsive and cost-effective service
“I am beyond excited to be able to utilise my skills and experience to create something that can make a difference, that’s affordable and can help women.”
To find out more about LIVVE, take a look at their website.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Clementine Hall -
18th October 2022 
