We were given this indoor bonsi by my husbands old company at christmas but I dont know what type of bonsi it is or how to look after it. The old leaves have fallen off and now it is growing shoots all over the place.
Please help me to look after it and save it.

The type is mallsai: www.growingbonsai.net/glossary/mallsai .

The species is probably a ligustrum.
In winter trees loose their leaves when it gets colder. When spring comes they start growing again. It is normal for trees to drop their leaves once the temperature drops below a certain temperature. I am surprised it has started to grow already. In western europe we are still deep in winter.

Thank you for naming my bonsi, now my attempts to keep it alive are more likely to be successful. I have no idea why it has started to grow we are in the UK and have more snow forcast for the next few days and another cold snap on its way. Do you think I should leave the trimming for a bit until the winter is over.

SammyP wrote: Thank you for naming my bonsi,

It is not a bonsai

SammyP wrote: I have no idea why it has started to grow we are in the UK and have more snow forcast for the next few days and another cold snap on its way.

Why on Earth would you think that the weather OUTSIDE has anything to do with your plant kept INDOORS.

Sammyp,

Please try to read as much as possible about your Ligustrum, a very common shrubbery used for bonsai.
There are tons of information here in this website, very useful.
Good luck with your little tree!

Ficus microcarpa Buddha’s Belly Fig & Fortune Fig

Those leaves look like they could also be a chinese elm. They seem to have jagged edges. ligustrum are usually round.

tubaboy wrote: Those leaves look like they could also be a chinese elm. They seem to have jagged edges. ligustrum are usually round.

In that case I'd say Sageretia, not elm, and we need a better photo.

tubaboy wrote: Those leaves look like they could also be a chinese elm. They seem to have jagged edges. ligustrum are usually round.

Tis could be.

York wrote: Ficus microcarpa Buddha’s Belly Fig & Fortune Fig

This absolutely not.

I do admit I went mostly by the overall look of the plant. But yea, an elm growin in very dark circumstances could look like this. Indeed, a good picture could help. For sure this plant is nearer to death than survival though.