Yet, from what Nicholas and Kim Darceuil have observed in Bermuda, the stigma surrounding it often does.

Numerous people choose not to get the help they need simply because they’re so afraid that their condition might become common knowledge, according to Mr and Mrs Darceuil, who run the Dignity House treatment centre in Pembroke.

“Many people find it challenging to discuss their experiences with health, particularly when it comes to mental health issues,” Mr Darceuil said.

“The stigma surrounding mental health crises remains a significant barrier, especially in close-knit communities like Bermuda.

“In this environment, individuals often hesitate to share their struggles for fear of being identified, as describing a situation without divulging names can easily lead to recognition within the community.

“Many of our clients decline to share their progress due to the lingering stigma, which can result in the loss of friendships, limited job opportunities, decreased social integration and a decline in social status.”

But while one individual might feel they’re the only person suffering in silence, the figures emphatically show that they’re not.

More than 9,000 people – about 14 per cent of the Bermuda population – were estimated to suffer from mental disorders in a report from Public Health England and the Pan American Health Organisation in 2019.

Only 16 per cent of the people who needed treatment, however, were actually getting it. For many, it is the stigma that holds them back.

“Much of the stigma associated with mental health is tied to misconceptions about severe psychotic disorders, such as hallucinations and delusions,” Mrs Darceuil said.

“However, mental health encompasses a broader spectrum of issues, including marital problems, job stress, financial difficulties and relationship challenges.

“These factors can lead to inadequate coping skills and, if left unaddressed, can evolve into significant mental illnesses, such as anxiety, substance misuse, depression, psychosis, and personality disorders.”

The PHE report found more than 3,000 people in Bermuda suffered from anxiety disorders, more than 2,000 with depression and more than 1,000 with ADHD.

Mrs Darceuil explained how, when unaddressed due to fears about stigma, these mild forms of mental health can escalate.

“Take, for instance, an individual who lost his brother at a young age,” she said.

“Despite the trauma, he resorted to self-medication with substances to numb his feelings, ultimately facing anxiety and psychosis from THC.

“He struggled to maintain a full-time job and relied on welfare and his mother’s support, yet he refrained from seeking help due to the stigma, opting instead for the culturally accepted method of self-medication.”

Historically, many illnesses have carried stigma within society – yet in some cases this has been dismantled through an intentional effort for the community to talk more openly and make people feel comfortable to seek support.

Cancer, for example, was such a taboo subject 50 years ago many people would only refer to it as “The Big C”. Decades of awareness campaigns have not only helped improved the recovery rate, they’ve also allowed patients to confront their illness without the fear of being whispered about.

Today, thousands of people turn out for Bermuda’s regular cancer awareness events, at which survivors and family members are championed for their courage.

Mental health awareness campaigns are at a comparatively early stage and, while support has grown for events such as the Mental Health Awareness Expo and Steps to Mental Health Wellness Walk, the issue is still playing catch-up.

“The community often rallies around individuals diagnosed with visible illnesses such as cancer, encouraging them to seek help and support,” Mr Darceuil said.

“In contrast, mental health stigma perpetuates silence and isolation.”

Light at the end of the tunnel emerged, however, when mental health issues came more visibly to the fore during lockdown.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has shifted perceptions around mental health, illuminating our mortality and forcing many to confront the feelings they may have previously avoided,” Mrs Darceuil said.

“Isolation, loss, anxiety and various forms of abuse have underscored the importance of mental wellbeing.

“For some, this period provided the first opportunity to truly engage with their emotions rather than relying on distractions or numbing mechanisms.”

Mr Darecuil, an experienced mental health nurse, and Mrs Darceuil, a public health nurse who worked for the Department of Health, opened Dignity House in 2022 after observing an alarming number of repeat patients at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

Dignity House aims to break the cycle by providing a residential rehabilitation service to prepare people with mental illness for life in society, with a team of psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, occupational therapists, medical support workers and a case manager.

Mr and Mrs Darceuil were not alone in recognising the shortcomings of the island’s mental health services.

After the PHE report, MWI acknowledged there was a “revolving door of clients being institutionalised” and launched a five-year plan to improve services in 2021.

This includes copying the US and UK models of a community-based approach to mental health, instead of institutionalising patients.

The Bermuda Government also announced this September that it was spending an extra $2.29 million on mental health support, aimed particularly at addressing stigma, including recruiting an expert from Britain to train guidance counsellors and educational therapists to support youths with mental health issues.

The Ministry of Health also pledged to run a comprehensive mental health awareness campaign aimed at “striking down stigma”.

Dignity House is helping to bridge the services gap.

“As a private, therapeutic facility, we prioritise mental health rehabilitation over traditional hospitalisation,” Mr Darceuil said.

Services include inpatient and outpatient counselling, with a focus on dialectical behaviour

therapy, psychiatric care, psychology and family support.

“This approach offers individuals access to localised care, minimising the need for travel abroad,” Mr Darceuil said.

“Additionally, our strong commitment to deinstitutionalisation fosters enhanced community support, ensuring that individuals receive the care they need in a compassionate and accessible environment.”

The couple have observed that wealthier people, and those with access to greater education, are more likely to be willing to discuss their emotional challenges.

“People who have obtained this greater level of education are more understanding, sympathetic and can advocate for themselves and others, adding to the reduction of stigma,” Mrs Darceuil explained.

To improve mental health in Bermuda’s community, Dignity House advocates for education about mental health conditions and offered the following advice for anyone who might be suffering in silence:

• Encourage open discussions about problems – don’t fear reaching out to mental health practitioners.
• Acknowledge that feelings are normal and should not be avoided.
• Prioritise adequate sleep.
• Practise mindfulness.
• Engage in regular exercise.
• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Learn to tolerate distress.
• Practise radical acceptance.

“Ultimately, we encourage individuals to embrace vulnerability and seek help from someone they trust,” Mr Darceuil said.

“Remember, experiencing feelings is a fundamental part of being human, and everyone needs support at some point in their lives. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”

Visit www.dignityhousebm.com for more information.

The post Breaking the mental health stigma appeared first on RG Magazines.

According to one physical assault survivor, the Centre Against Abuse picked him up at his lowest ebb, coaxed him through his immediate trauma and then guided him back to a better place.

The man had suffered head injuries in the attack in his own home.

“As a male victim this was a crazy ordeal,” he recalled.

“I had to control myself and practise restraint while the attack was occurring. Afterwards, I spoke to the police, then I had to get to the hospital myself to get my wounds checked, and then back to the police station to give a report.

“It was very traumatic because I had to do it all by myself. That whole process took eight hours. I didn’t leave the police station until 1 in the morning.”

The survivor said he felt it was unsafe to return home, so he stayed at a friend’s house overnight. 

“I didn’t go to work the next day,” he said. “All I kept saying was I need help. A liaison officer from the police gave me a call and put me in touch with Laurie Shiell from the Centre Against Abuse.

“After that, I have been so much better, from the first meeting in a safe location which allowed me to express my understanding of what happened.

“They’ve done everything to assist me. I’m very grateful to her and the Centre Against Abuse.”

The Centre Against Abuse helped the man obtain a Domestic Violence Protection Order against his assailant and was given regular counselling sessions to deal with the trauma.

“The hardest thing is living with it, trying to go about your day-to-day and be the best you can,” he said.

“The best thing they said is that, being a male victim, I had to remove the male out of it and say I’m a human being.

“My counsellor has been phenomenal. I don’t miss a session. It’s the best thing every weekend. We talk about an array of things. We talk about the incident. She has given me the tools, making me know it’s OK and I’m not alone. I love counselling. It allows me to function and understand it’s OK to feel.”

The man encouraged any victims to consider the Centre Against Abuse as a safe place to put your life back together. 

“I wouldn’t be able to function day-to-day if it wasn’t for them,” he said.

“I’m grateful for Laurie and her team. They have made me feel human. I’m very grateful. Very grateful. 

“Abuse is not normal and one can’t normalise it, whether it’s mental or physical. You just need to seek assistance immediately, regardless of whether you are male or female.” 

The post Survivor Story: “I feel human again” appeared first on RG Magazines.

One mother recalled that she had nowhere to live when she separated from her husband because she was non-Bermudian with no family on the island.

“My relationship did not work out as I planned as a woman. I had my child. He was 3 by then,” she said.

“So someone got me in contact with the Centre Against Abuse. They talked to me and they sheltered me. They showed me how to resolve the problem, how to cope physically and emotionally.

“They clothed and fed my child. They asked for financial aid to pay for a lawyer to proceed my divorce and helped with everything I needed at the time.”

The woman stayed at the shelter for about six months.

“There were about five ladies in the shelter,” she said. “It’s unbelievable. They said, ‘You are one of the family.’ I never felt like I was in trouble. I felt I had found a family. 

“They were really and honestly trying to help me out in any way possible.”

This included providing emotional support and boosting her confidence, as well as assistance with paperwork and transport.

“They even took me to the beach – they make sure you live the normal life,” she said.

“It was not a good time for me, but they created good memories. They are truly kind. For them, it’s not a job. They are there for you. They make themselves so vulnerable so it’s easy to communicate with them about how you feel. You feel like you are in a safe place.” 

Her son even got to celebrate his birthday with a fun castle and other entertainment.

“They really made his birthday as special as a kid can imagine.”

Eventually, the woman was integrated into the Bermuda community and now has a job.

“I’m doing good where I’m at and I’m happy,” she said. “I reside with my child here in Bermuda. This is home. This is his country. I’m not a person who keeps crying about yesterday. I’m thinking about tomorrow.”

She advised anyone in need to seek help.

“Do not be ashamed to be vulnerable and open up for help,” she said.

“Even if you don’t, you are not in a dark place. Do not fear. 

“There are people out there who are kind and willing to help. That moment when you are in the darkest place, just reach out for help. We carry a lot of emotions. It’s very important to speak out for help.

“The people that came to be a family at the Centre Against Abuse are for a lifetime. They made a remarkable change in my life.” 

The post Survivor Story: “They became my family for life” appeared first on RG Magazines.

Laurie Shiell, executive director of the organisation since 2008, recalled one survivor who recognised she was in a mess – but was in love with that mess. 

“We had a client who would come to us for help because her partner was abusive,” Ms Shiell said. 

“A church member or family member would call us and ensure that she came to us for support, but she would always leave and go back to the abuser, who was her children’s father. 

“Then one day she said she had a lightbulb moment.” 

That epiphany came when the woman recognised her three children were being impacted by the abuse – and realised she loved the youngsters more than she loved the “mess” of her relationship. 

Thanks to the Centre Against Abuse, the woman was finally able to move away from her abuser. 

“The Centre Against Abuse put seeds in her to know she has a space to go,” Ms Shiell said. 

“Every time she came back to us, she was loved in the same way as if she was brand new. We had reached a place where she trusted us.

“Sometimes survivors leave someone abusive, but then three or four weeks later they want to go back to that person. That’s when the Centre Against Abuse provides a space for you and is still there for you.” 

Since its foundation under its original name the Physical Abuse Centre in 1979, the Centre Against Abuse has offered vital support to thousands of abused women, men and children. 

Centre Against Abuse statistics show more than 130 cases of abuse are recorded in Bermuda every year. 

In the past five years, 721 cases of abused women have been recorded, and 35 cases of abused men. In 2023, 126 women were abused and 7 men. 

The Centre Against Abuse’s mission is to eradicate intimate partner abuse and sexual abuse in Bermuda. It may sound like an ambitious target, but aiming high is vital because the impact of abuse is so far-reaching. 

Ms Shiell said: “Abuse is linked to gang violence. Abuse is a cause for difficulties with children’s behaviour in school. It leads to lack of self-esteem. It leads to the continuation of abuse. When a child’s parent is abused, it affects the mental health of a child at a far higher rate than a child who is being abused directly. 

“It might show up in school, where someone might be labelled as the naughty child. But that’s because they have all this stuff that they can’t express or explain. They don’t know if it’s right or wrong, but it feels wrong. 

“It shows up as disruption. It shows up as not doing work. Nobody’s asked me or talked to my mom and dad.” 

The Centre Against Abuse advises abused parents to let teachers know when their young child might be impacted by abuse. 

“Just let them know what’s happening so they don’t penalise him or her,” she said. “We need to love on him or her instead. Love can conquer this.” 

The Centre Against Abuse has led the fight against all kinds of abuse, including emotional, financial, physical, verbal, sexual and social. 

Ms Shiell said abuse can happen to anyone. 

“It can be with intimate partners, it can be between someone who is elderly and their caretaker, it can be between someone and their child, or a child and an adult,” she said. 

“It’s about power and control and someone who is some type of relative who is using behaviours to control you, to gain and maintain that power and control.” 

While there is a long way to go, Ms Shiell believes mindsets have shifted for the better. 

Regarding sexual abuse victims, she said: “I’ve seen some survivors say my family has ostracised me, but I’m not going to let what happened to me happen to my child. 

“I have seen people’s mindsets change. I have seen people say I want to out my family members. People are becoming more aware of the importance of supporting victims and not blaming victims. 

“We are now seeing historical cases come before the courts at an unprecedented rate. We’re seeing that once a year. We are seeing positive results from that.” 

Colleagues from similar agencies in the UK and Caribbean have been impressed that Bermuda has secured convictions through the courts. 

Ms Shiell said better education from groups such as Saving Children and Revealing Secrets has encouraged survivors to come forward; the Department of Public Prosecutions office does an excellent job speaking with clients when they report cases; police officers, in particular the Vulnerable Person’s Unit, are well trained to handle these issues. There is also better collaboration between all these groups, as well as the Government Departments of Child and Family Services and Ageing and Disability Services, so that everyone is on the same page. 

Ms Shiell praised Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, as well as Police Commissioner Darrin Simons for offering tremendous support and making tackling abuse a top priority. 

Eradicating abuse will require all of society playing its part: talking openly to children from a young age and working with the abusers themselves. 

“Our biggest challenge is ensuring that abusers are not only held responsible but there are services readily available for them as well,” Ms Shiell said. 

“This starts from young. When you see those bad behaviours in school, those supportive services must be readily available. 

“A child might just be labelled unruly at school. But we might be also seeing some of the behaviours that are a sign that something is going on – the child may not smell nice, may smell of urine. 

“It could be that the child has something internally and it’s not that something is happening at home. But us not addressing it does not help the child.” 

To make abuse a thing of the past, people need to speak up about it. 

“If you’re not sure what to say, contact us,” Ms Shiell said. 

“If you’re not sure what’s going on, contact us. If you’re not sure what you’re feeling about what someone said to you, contact us. Help is available for you. 

“If you feel you have abusive ways and you want help, help is available for you. Before it becomes too late, come now.” 

Items on the agenda in future include pushing towards legal change to provide more support and protection for children and victims in the courts, as well as a national plan on domestic abuse. 

“The unfortunate thing is that abuse is nothing new,” Ms Shiell said. 

“But we want to make it old. We want to make it a thing of the past.” 

The post Love can conquer the evils of abuse appeared first on RG Magazines.

“In Bermuda, people got away with so much,” said Mrs Dyer, who helped form the charity back in 1979. 

“Women were going to the hospital beaten and nothing was being done. They were sending women back into the situation to be killed or half-killed before anything could be done, and that wasn’t acceptable.” 

Mrs Dyer was speaking as the Centre Against Abuse celebrates its 45th anniversary and reflects on the thousands of women, men and children who have benefited from its crisis support services. 

Today, the CAA provides a 24/7 helpline, counselling, court advocacy and safe housing assistance for victims of abuse when they have nowhere else to turn. 

Yet half a century ago, abused women would frequently find themselves in the uncomfortable situation of being interviewed by male police officers. Their case would often fail to get off the ground. 

“As a woman, it’s very difficult to talk to a man when you’ve been constantly beaten by a man,” Mrs Dyer said. 

Breaking point was reached with the horrifying rape and murder of 11-year-old Connie Furtado in Warwick, one of Bermuda’s most infamous crimes, in February 1978. 

Connie had been on her way home from Paget Primary School when she was sexually assaulted and strangled with her school tie by Chesterfield Johnson. Her body was found near the Ord Road bus stop. 

“I had a daughter that age,” Mrs Dyer said. “As a mother, I thought that we needed to be more instrumental in getting help for people and to show these girls how to get help. My daughter was involved with me. For me, that was a motivation, as a mother of a child that age.” 

Mrs Dyer, an all-rounder who took on various roles including secretary and later became a board member, was among a group that took part in a walk to raise awareness. 

“There were a few things going on at the time which indicated that people were just sick and tired of this type of thing going on along with women being abused, and that came to the forefront,” she said. 

“Women were feeling insecure and they had nowhere to go to get help. All the physical abuse came to light that women and children were basically dealing with silently.” 

The seeds of collective action had already been sown, when the Business and Professional Women’s Association of Bermuda had organised a seminar on rape at the Bermudiana Hotel in early 1976. 

This was followed up in June 1977 when two counsellors from Ontario, Canada, led a five-day workshop where volunteers were taught how to provide telephone and person-to-person counselling for abuse victims. 

There was a growing sense that it was time to step things up further. 

“A group of us decided we wanted to do something but not necessarily just about the rape crisis. We wanted it to involve all sorts of abuse,” Mrs Dyer said. 

“That’s basically how we got started. Half a dozen or so of us got together and talked about what we could do and how we could make a difference. 

“We were all volunteers, but we did a lot to raise awareness and fundraising. We needed a safe house for these women to go to, and we needed support for them. We needed to get them counselling to break the cycle. 

“So we attracted a lot of doctors and all sorts of people in the helping professions who were willing to come on board.” 

The fledgling group had no elected officers except a treasurer and corresponding secretary but were uplifted by support from the Business and Professional Women’s Association, led by Audrey Brackstone and Annabella Gaye Fraser. 

According to Mrs Dyer, the word was spread “just through talking to people”. 

“We had flyers, we held a fashion show and a dance at the Sonesta Beach that attracted a lot of people,” she said. 

“People became aware of what was needed. We had a real cross-section of the community that wanted to get together to make this happen.” 

By October 1979, the first of the goals was realised when a safe house for women opened on the corner of Victoria and King Streets, Hamilton. 

In its first six months, 11 women and 15 children took refuge at the Physical Abuse Centre, as it was originally called, but many more had to be turned away because it only had capacity for six women. 

A hotline was set up that same month, when the Salvation Army agreed to transfer calls from any physically abused people to the Physical Abuse Centre’s on-call counsellor. Twenty trained counsellors worked on the hotline and helped 52 women within the first six months. 

Society was slowly evolving and attitudes were beginning to change. 

“I think we became more aware of what is acceptable and what’s not,” said Mrs Dyer. 

Women were urged to call the helpline whenever they felt threatened. 

“A lot of women, no matter what their situation was at 4 in the morning, were encouraged to call us, and we would go out and meet them,” Mrs Dyer said. 

“I don’t know if we’d do it today because it was unsafe! But we would go out and meet them and tend to their needs. If they needed to go to the hospital, we would go with them. We did eventually have a safe house that we could take them to. 

“For the longest while, people didn’t know where the safe house was, so it was quite effective. We housed a lot of women and children and a lot was donated in the way of food and clothing and furnishings. We were encouraged by the results of our efforts to help women.” 

In 1982, the agency was relocated to a Salvation Army-owned property in Warwick, which allowed for an office as well as accommodation for seven women and two children. Dr Mary Busby became the first executive director and provided in-house counselling for those in need. 

The safe house later moved to a larger facility at Mount Faith in Smith’s, and by 1984 it had handled 160 cases. The organisation adopted a more structured format with a constitution, enabling it to apply for grants from the Ministry of Health and Social Services and created a board of directors, initially headed up by chairman Choy Aming. 

In May 2010, the group changed its name to the Centre Against Abuse to better reflect its purpose within the community, and five years later it linked up with the Sexual Assault Response Team to provide help for sexual assault survivors. 

In 2016, another milestone was reached when the charity became accredited under the Bermuda National Standards Committee. 

Now under executive director Laurie Shiell, the charity’s mission is to provide services to adult victims of intimate partner abuse and sexual assault and offer awareness to the community, as well as its hotline, other services for victims and numerous community programmes. 

The Centre Against Abuse can be contacted through its 24-hour hotline 297-8278, [email protected] or Facebook and Twitter links. 

The post Offering Hope To Those in Desparate Need appeared first on RG Magazines.

Allen Ferreira is The General Manager and co-owner of Atlantic Cleaning and Maintenance, a one-stop-shop for all cleaning services and an award-winning company he founded with his brother, Ellison, and father John, in 2009. Together, they have decades of cleaning experience. 

In addition to the regular cleaning of homes and offices, their team of around 50 staff have worked at the hospital, tackled post-construction clean-ups, mould decontamination, post-hurricane flooding and they can even clean-up crime scenes. They also do steam-cleaning, window cleaning and power-washing. He talked us through the different cleaning services available to help keep your house spick and span. 

HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES 

For routine housekeeping, their cleaners can be hired as frequently, or infrequently, as you need. For example, weekly, bi-weekly or just once a month, and rates start at around $38 per hour, dependent on location. This may be a premium on hiring individual cleaners directly, but Mr. Ferreira explained that they always provide an alternative cleaner when staff members are away, and they are insured. If one of their cleaners breaks something, Atlantic will pay for it. Also, you don’t have to sign a contract. 

There are two options for their housekeeping services. The homeowner can supply their own cleaning products and equipment or Atlantic can provide it all. The latter, however, will be added to the cost. 

“I do a site visit, I speak to the clients and I get to understand what they’re looking for. From there we work on a schedule and what the plan of action is,” said Mr. Ferreira. 

If you want the cleaner to bring their own equipment and supplies, they will adhere to your product preferences: “When it comes to the chemicals, it depends on what the client’s looking for. If they want an organic touch to it, or if they just want regular cleaning products,” he said. 

For wooden floors, for example, a client might want the Boma cleaning system instead of regular mopping, “for that nice wood finish”. 

If clients need help finding the right cleaning products, Mr. Ferreira has a list of recommended items and directs them to D.E. Mortimer on Harvey Road, Paget: “I’ve worked with them for years,” he said. He also advised against cordless vacuum cleaners: “I don’t trust those batteries. For longevity, you’re better off with cords,” he said. 

To make cleaning more efficient and to help prevent mould, he also recommended washing the cleaning cloths regularly, ensuring enough air flow throughout the house by opening windows, arranging for air-conditioning units to be deep cleaned by a professional once or twice a year, washing dishes daily, and using pest control measures around the outside of the house. 

Even if you have a regular cleaner, Mr. Ferreira recommended paying for an occasional deep clean: “It’s good to get a team, once a year, to go into your house, clean your windows inside and out, clean your ceiling fixtures, move furniture out to clean behind the furniture, because there’s only so much someone can do for three to four hours.” 

MOULD REMEDIATION 

Should you get a build-up of mould in your home, this would require a “mould remediation technician” and the amount of work involved will depend on how bad the mould has become: 

“It can be just a slight wiping of the surface with a mould decontaminate or it can be construction work, where you have to put air scrubbers and commercial dehumidifiers in place,” he explained. An example of the latter would be if the mould has got underneath the floor: “You have to rip up the floors, treat the mould underneath, put new floor down. That’s where we have to get an indoor air quality specialist to come in to test before the project takes place, and after the project takes place.” 

Mould isn’t always obvious, but warning signs include the smell or, he added, “if you find that something’s off with yourself. You’re getting rashes and you don’t know why.” 

Mould can be treated with regular or plant-based decontaminants. The latter is, he said, “a bit more expensive,” but is recommended if there are children or pets in the home. 

POST CONSTRUCTION CLEANING 

Anyone who has had construction work done on their home will be familiar with the very fine dust particles that linger for weeks, even after the work has finished and you have cleaned the house from top to bottom. Doing a post-construction clean-up, said Mr. Ferreira, is actually a three-step process: 

“We’ll clean it and the next day you’ll still find that little fine dust so it’s best to do it in stages. You clean, the movers come in. You then clean again, and then once the person’s finally in, you go clean again.” 

STEAM CLEANING 

For rugs, curtains, sofas and other furniture that can’t be easily washed, steam-cleaning is an excellent way to launder them. Smaller items can be dropped off at their Pembroke office or, for a similar price, Atlantic will send someone to your house, with all the equipment. 

FLOOD CLEAN-UPS 

Some of the most difficult cleaning jobs Mr. Ferreira has ever dealt with have been as a result of hurricane-related flooding, especially basements, which he described as “mould central,” adding, “dehumidifiers need to be put in place, air blowers need to be put in place. We have to make sure there’s sufficient air flow.” 

Flooding may also require immediate action: “If someone calls me – ‘I have my elderly parents, I have a baby and it’s flooded’ and your heart goes out to that person. If no one can do it right now, I will grab the truck and go out and do it myself.” 

For more information visit atlanticcleaning.bm or call 236-4051 

The post Keeping a Clean House appeared first on RG Magazines.

Buying fewer groceries, driving the car less, and eating out less are some considerations – but perhaps, one of the more feasible options is to cut down on our electric bill by taking advantage of the many energy-saving opportunities that now exist. 

Apart from simply turning off the lights in rooms you are not in at the moment – or turning down, or off, the A/C, there may be value in considering a home equity loan from the Bank to renovate or upgrade some of the areas in the house that need attention. 

I chatted with Teresa Gibson, Vice President, Consumer Credit at Butterfield about seeking such a loan. 

“A home equity loan is a consumer loan allowing homeowners to borrow against the equity in their home. It can be used to consolidate debt or fund a child’s education, but it can also be used to make home improvements,” Ms. Gibson explained. 

One of the more useful uses of the loan is to insulate part of the home such as ceiling areas, window frames, or outside doors. It is amazing how much energy can be wasted when air circulates freely around the home – both inwards and outwards. 

Extra heat seeping in during summer can easily result in your A/C unit having to work harder to keep the room cool, and that can cause the electric bill to increase significantly. 

Probably the first place to look at will be the attic. We rarely go up there to check if there are any gaps or holes in the roof areas, etc. Perhaps if we see some uninvited guests with four feet, we might be tempted to climb up to check them out – but otherwise, we probably haven’t been up there in years. 

Likewise, if there is a basement in the house, there may be many sections of floorboards – and wall joints – needing some padding or re-lining. 

Similarly, hot water pipes can be insulated to prevent excessive heat loss. 

It is probably advisable to have any improvements be carried out by professionals. Self-improvements may seem cost-effective in the short term – and indeed may be worthwhile. However, to be sure of an effective and long-lasting job, the professional approach may be the best way to get the job done properly. 

“Another way to use a home equity loan could be to purchase and install solar panels, which may significantly reduce energy bills in the long term. This is an investment for the future as the savings from the reductions in energy bills will only be felt over many years – and of course, the cost of the loan, by way of repayment and loan interest, must be factored in. A long-term view is essential,” said Ms. Gibson. 

You may also consider buying more energy-efficient appliances when replacements are required. Today’s advanced technologies – in a variety of cases – have significantly improved overall energy use – washing machines, refrigerators, hot water tanks, heaters, and so forth. 

“There is an application process for a home equity loan which can include insulation and installing solar panels”, according to Ms. Gibson. 

“We will need information regarding current borrowings from the Bank, the purpose for the loan, the amount, with accurate costs – and of course additional information regarding personal finances.” 

It should also be noted that most of the measures mentioned above – especially solar panels – will also add to the value of the property. 

Call the Bank for an appointment to discuss this with their customer service representatives at 298 4799. 

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The Bermuda cedar tree, renowned for its distinctive appearance and historical significance, is arguably Bermuda’s most beloved endemic plant and has played a critical role in the development of the island, but it is by no means our only endemic plant. 

Our island is composed of a wide range of natural habitats considering it is only 54 square kilometers in size, and our ancestors walked daily through coastal forests, meadows and wetlands populated with a unique mixture of endemic plants including Palmetto, Darrell’s Fleabane, Yellow Wood, Royal Fern, Turkey Berry and St. Andrew’s Cross. 

Despite their importance as the foundation of our eco-system however, several of these original inhabitants are now rarely sighted due to human development and encroachment from imported invasive plants such as Casuarina and Brazil Pepper. 

Even worse, some of these plants are now so rare that the few remaining specimens are in danger of being uprooted by well-intentioned homeowners who don’t know what they are, or don’t recognize their importance to the landscape around their house. 

IDENTIFYING AND PROTECTING ENDEMIC PLANTS 

The Bermuda Plant Finder – An illustrated guide for Bermuda’s Indigenous and Invasive Plants which was developed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, contains color photos and a lot of helpful information regarding which plants will most likely thrive in the diverse variety of soil and weather conditions that are found around the island. 

“These rare plants are listed just like old Bermuda houses,” says endemic plant specialist Robin Marirea. “Before you start cutting back old bushes on your property it’s a great idea to look them up in The Bermuda Plant Finder, to identify exactly what they are, because there are certain ones (like cedar trees) which you are not supposed to cut down,” he explained. 

It goes without saying that it is important to ensure that you have correctly identified each of your plants to ensure that it really is an endemic species because it can be confusing to distinguish between endemic and naturalized (non-native) plants. 

This is particularly true when it comes to cedar trees as there are currently several species of ornamental Juniper in Bermuda that are often confused with the Bermuda Cedar because they are particularly similar in appearance. 

According to the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources only about 5% of the original Bermuda cedar population survived the juniper scale insect attack that occurred between 1946 and 1953, meaning that these particular plants are resistant to scale. 

In consequence, growing cedars from the berries of these same trees (or their descendants) will ensure that your seedlings will also be resistant to the scale and develop a strong tab root (deep root system) that will help them withstand hurricanes. 

While it is possible to clone cedar trees from tip cuttings, Mr. Marirea cautions that this form of propagation tends to produce plants with a much shallower root system which makes them vulnerable to the ravages of high winds. 

DECIDING WHICH SPECIES WILL THRIVE ON YOUR PROPERTY 

Ms. Lisa Green, Co-Author of A Practical Guide to Garden Management in Bermuda, recommends taking a drive around your own neighbourhood to see what is growing well in your area of the island and then checking with commercial nurseries and private growers to see what is available. 

Asking friends and neighbours for permission to take cuttings or gather seeds is another way to introduce endemic plants to your garden that are likely to thrive, provided you have the time and the patience to propagate them yourself. 

As tempting as it might be, however, it is important to resist the urge to tamper with or remove plants in our National Parks, Nature Reserves and Micro-Forests as these are all resting on protected land. 

GROWING ENDEMIC PLANTS TO SHARE 

“The local nurseries do stock some of the more common endemic plants,” says Ms. Green. “But the nurseries just can’t keep up with the demand – we really need more individuals who have space to propagate endemic plants on an individual basis.” 

“Even if you already have all the plants that you need for your own landscaping, growing these plants as a pastime and sharing them with friends or donating them to the National Trust’s Annual Plant Sale is a great way to help ensure that these species will survive by making them more accessible locally,” she explained. 

Church sales, House Sales and even Emoo and Facebook Marketplace are also great places to keep your eyes peeled for endemic plants that people have grown at home. 

PROPAGATION TIPS 

“The key thing to understand is that you can’t just plant one endemic plant (or source all of your cuttings from one plant) and expect it to thrive,” cautions Mr. Marirea. “Ideally these plants need to be planted in clusters of 6-8 because some species generate both male and female plants, and you need both to be present in order for them to flourish.” 

Additionally, it’s important to understand that some endemic species have a longer lifespan than others and you will need a garden management plan just as you would for any landscape project – a Bermuda Olivewood tree, for example, which can grow to a height of 25 feet will last lifetime, while a St. Andrew’s Cross shrub, which seldom grows more than 18 inches high, has a much shorter lifespan. 

Resources: The Bermuda Garden Club has published three comprehensive books on gardening in Bermuda which turn up regularly at The Barn and Jumble Sales. 

A Practical Guide to Garden Management in Bermuda, can be obtained free of charge at Waterville and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo – contains both information regarding how to rid your garden of invasive plants as well as tips for replanting with endemic species. 

The Plant Finder Guide contains lots of helpful information regarding the best method and time of year to propagate each species http://www.gov.bm/sites/ default/files/plantfinder-april-2016.pdf . 

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Due to Bermuda’s small size and limited number of dwellings, you might be tempted to think that any property on the island would sell easily but even when the market is “hot” nothing could be further from the truth. 

A home’s location, condition, pricing, seller’s attitude and even the behavior of existing tenants can all influence the amount of time that it takes to attract and secure a qualified buyer. 

I sat down with two of Bermuda’s most experienced realtors, Cesa Edwards of Bermuda Longtail Real Estate Ltd. and Judy Maybury of JBM Realty & Associates, to get their insights regarding some of the most common reasons that homes sit on the market and how to make these properties more appealing to potential purchasers. 

How has the Internet impacted Home Sales in Bermuda? 

Thanks to the internet, both ladies agree that today’s purchasers are savvier than ever before. 

Gone are the days when the only way to gather any accurate information on a property was to make an appointment to view it in person. Potential purchasers can now tour the inside of a home from the end of a laptop and sellers need to ensure that their virtual listing contains high quality images that accurately depict the features of a property as well as a detailed written description. 

Failing to create a compelling online listing can dissuade potential purchasers from ever going to see a property – costing the seller both time and money. 

How Does the Asking Price Influence the Likelihood that a Property Will Sell? 

An overpriced home, no matter how appealing, will struggle to attract buyers. 

These days even cash buyers will usually pay for an appraisal to determine a property’s fair market value and listing a home with an inflated asking price can cause a deal to fall through – either because the purchaser walked away, or because the bank refused to mortgage a property for more than it was actually worth. 

“Everywhere in the world real estate is all about price,” says Mrs. Maybury. “It is critical to price a house in alignment with the current market conditions and comparable sales.” 

Mrs. Edwards agrees. “It might be tempting to put a high listing price on a property to see what happens, but sellers need to ask themselves if they would ever agree to purchase that property at the price and terms they are asking for,” she said. 

“Not only does an unrealistic asking price increase the amount of time it takes to secure a sale, but a subsequent price reduction can actually make some buyers suspicious that there is something wrong with the property,” Mrs. Maybury said. 

OTHER COMMON REASONS THAT HOMES DO NOT SELL 

There are lots of reasons that a home can be challenging to sell including the density of the neighbourhood, proximity to a major road, exposure during hurricanes, privacy and safety concerns, distance from Hamilton and proximity of amenities such as grocery stores and transportation. 

While these location related challenges are not things that you can really change about a property that you are selling – there are many other fixable issues that can make a property less desirable if not addressed. 

Minor flaws and peeling paint can make a big difference in how a property is perceived and they need to be remedied before a home is put on the market. 

Even small issues such as mildew and clutter can be very off-putting to a buyer who is seeking a “move-in ready” property. 

“Home staging is not necessary in every situation,” says Mrs. Edwards, “but ensuring that a property is clean and free of too many personal possessions can make it easier for a purchaser to visualize themselves living there.” 

“Especially if a property is vacant, it is very important to cut the grass and maintain the landscaping – both to make a property feel welcoming and to make it easier for potential buyers and their agents to gain access to the property,” says Mrs. Maybury. 

How Important is the Marketing Strategy? 

Effective marketing can make all the difference in selling a challenging property. 

“In Bermuda we are experiencing a seller’s market in some price ranges, but we also have a buyer’s market in certain other price ranges and situations,” says Mrs. Maybury. 

Both women agreed that it is important to make sure that your marketing is directed toward the right audience because what one person might consider a challenge, might well be a desired feature for the right buyer. While city living, for example, might be off-putting to some people due to noise or congestion, it might be the ideal lifestyle for a young professional who wants to walk to work and enjoys eating out. 

How Important is it to Choose the Right Realtor? 

Particularly if you are selling a challenging property, you need to make sure that you are working with an experienced realtor who has a good business reputation with colleagues, banks, lawyers, and property surveyors alike. 

Tactfulness and professionalism are also essential. 

“Every real estate transaction is like a marriage – in order for things to work, neither party can feel compromised, neglected or disrespected,” says Mrs. Edwards. “Both parties need to leave the table feeling satisfied in order for the sale to go through and this is particularly true when you are selling a challenging property.” 

Selling a challenging property requires a strategic approach that considers all the factors influencing the sale. 

By thoroughly evaluating the property, setting a realistic price, creating a strategic marketing plan, and effectively networking with other real estate professionals, even the most “unsellable” homes can find the right buyer and transition from sitting on the market to sold. 

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But while this age-old resourcefulness remains impressive even in today’s rapidly advancing world, it’s far from perfect for the modern-day homeowner. 

If it doesn’t rain for weeks, our tanks run dry – meaning we have to join a sometimes lengthy queue for the costly water trucking service. 

That’s where, for many residents, Watlington Water comes in. 

“Our customers just have to check their tank levels. If they need water, they don’t have to call the trucker, they don’t have to wait for the rain, just open a valve and top up their tank,” said Jon Burull, CEO of Bermuda Waterworks Limited, which operates Watlington Water. 

“You can top up your water tank for $34.31 per 1,000 gallons compared to $120 for a trucked load.” 

Watlington Water was founded on the back of a dream by Sir Henry Watlington, early in the 20th century. 

Sir Henry, also known as Harry, had a vision of tapping groundwater sources to supply the island with fresh water to help it cope with the burgeoning demands of the tourism industry. 

According to Harry’s Dream, a book about Watlington Water’s history written by Jonathan Bell and Roger Crombie in 2008, Sir Henry faced a long battle to set up his water supply company. 

His plan to test Bermuda’s groundwater resources was rejected by the House of Assembly in 1924, so he ended up testing the water himself. The results were so pleasing, he formed a new plant on Parsons Lane at the personal cost of £80,000 in the 1930s. 

Water was processed at the plant before being piped to a reservoir at Prospect, and was then transported via pipelines to Hamilton, the Princess Hotel and Elbow Beach Hotel on the South Shore. 

A network of pipelines was developed throughout the city and along the South Shore. 

As the company continued to expand, a reverse osmosis plant was set up in 1994 on the North Shore, Devonshire, abstracting water from seawater wells and removing the impurities to produce drinking water. 

The company originally focused on supplying hotels, who had great need for water as the tourism industry started to boom. 

Roger Todd, CEO designate at Bermuda Waterworks, said: “Over time, there has been a shift in tourism and some of the major hotels have closed. At the same time, condominium developments, Airbnbs and guest houses have increased.” 

“Expanding on the mains piping that was originally to the city and west hotels, now we are servicing a lot more residential customers.” 

Several more reverse osmosis plants have been added to the Devonshire complex over time, while a 3-million-gallon storage tank has been built in Southampton to cope with higher demand; pipes and other infrastructure have been continuously upgraded. 

The company now supplies about 3,200 customers from its base in Devonshire all the way west to Somerset Village. The Bermuda Government operates a separate pipe-water network that covers the eastern parishes of the island, using water from their production plants at Tynes Bay and in St George’s. 

Mr Todd noted that many water tanks are not big enough to meet people’s needs without a top up water service. 

“If you have a ranch-style house, or maybe a small Bermuda-style cottage, your catchment is probably sufficient,” Mr Todd said. 

“But as land has become a premium and condos have become a staple in Bermuda, now you have multi-level, multi-occupancy dwellings with a single catchment. 

“With most condo developments built today, the size of the roof catchment is not sufficient to service all the residents from rainwater alone. Some condominiums rely on Watlington Water on a weekly basis as a top-up service.” 

Many people have invested in brackish water wells on their property, to supply well water for laundry and flushing toilets. 

“But those wells, you have to pay to build them and to maintain them,” Mr Todd said. “If the well collapses or the pump fails it can be a costly repair.” 

“With Watlington Water, you don’t have to do that. You just subscribe to the service, and you open your valve at the meter when you need it.” 

Bermuda Waterworks Ltd is continuously expanding its metered water network by connecting private estates to its piped mains supply. 

While Watlington Water is a high-quality drinking water, homeowners must also ensure their roof and tank are clean, particularly after a storm. 

“Watlington is only a top-up supply and blends with the water in your tank,” Mr Todd explained. 

“Prior to a storm, some homeowners take precaution and plug their roof drains to prevent salt spray and vegetation from entering their water tank. If you don’t plug your drains before a storm, you could end up with foliage in your tank. 

“Decaying organic matter in you water could create bacterial issues. So, you have to be very careful to maintain you roof, storage tank and plumbing system according to Public Health guidelines and best practice. 

“Contrary to some old wives’ tales, a slate roof does not filter water.” 

This is one reason for the success of another division of Bermuda Waterworks Ltd: bottled Pure Water. 

Mr Todd said: “People may have potable water that is safe to drink but has an undesirable taste. You’d be happy to shower with it, do your laundry, flush the toilet, but when it comes to drinking, they prefer the taste and assurance of our premium quality bottled water.” 

This doesn’t necessarily mean lumbering those heavy water bottles across the grocery store car park. 

Bermuda Waterworks offers island-wide delivery service to homes and businesses, a drive-through service, and a self-service refill station open 24 hours a day at its Devonshire headquarters. 

To set up an account for Pure Water, visit bwl.bm or email purewater@bwl. bm. Specify the frequency and volume of bottles you want delivered and you’ll be added to the delivery route. Simply leave your empties outside and they will be replaced by new ones. 

To sign up for Watlington Water, visit bwl.bm and fill in the application forms to see if your area is included in the network. 

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