Moira woman in final of UK skills contest

Tina Moore, who launched her new business in Belfast at Culture Night on Friday, has won one of only 10 places in the finals of the Worldskills UK Aromatherapy Competition due to be held in Birmingham’s NEC later this year.

The 29-year-old, whose family home is on Backwood Road, wowed the judges at one of seven heats held in May by showing how her skills in aromatherapy and massage can help ease the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Accompanied by her mother Geraldine Moore, who suffers from the condition, Miss Moore used natural oils and massage to help relax her muscles.

Ahead of November’s final, the South Eastern Regional College (SERC) student has teamed up with the popular Belfast yoga community, Flow Studio, to offer people an alternative opportunity to wind down.

And she launched her new business, Natural Roots Holistic Therapies, based at Flow Studio’s Malone Road centre, during Culture Night on Friday.

Miss Moore, who now lives in Lurgan, said: “Unfortunately there is no known cure for my mum’s condition so it is encouraging that gentle massage and relaxation can offer her relief. I was surprised but thrilled to be asked to compete in the heat of the Worldskills competition by my tutor at SERC, but even more shocked to have won a place in the final.

“After I completed my course, I was approached by the guys at Flow Yoga and asked if I would like to join their collective in offering an alternative lifestyle to people who want to look after their bodies. There are so many health benefits to yoga. Like Aromatherapy, it contributes enormously to one’s physiological and psychological growth.”

“When I heard about Flow Studio’s plans for Culture Night, I thought it would be a great way to meet people and let them know what Natural Roots is all about.”