CAN! GIRLS THESE

WORDS REBECCA EWING

Davina McCall

Davina McCall

A presenter and fitness entrepreneur who championed menopausal women with her documentary Sex, Myths and the Menopause.

‘Campaigning just sort of happened to me. I was interviewing women for my fitness platform, Own Your Goals, and it occurred to me that there was this huge part of women’s health that I wasn’t talking about. I didn’t want to admit that I was going through the menopause, but I realised I was just going to have to suck it up.

Interviewing Dr Louise Newson, the UK’s leading menopause specialist, I realised most women don’t know a lot about it . How is that? We are 51% of the population and 100% of us will go through it, so how come so little is known? Even if it means saying the same thing over and over again.’

Nadiya Hussain, MBE

The television chef, author, presenter and winner of The Great British Bake Off, once baked a cake for the Queen.

‘Going into The Great British Bake Off, I never thought about the influence I might have on other people. But having stepped into the public eye, it became a given. Being a daughter of a brown Muslim immigrant family, I realise the importance of representation in a public space where there are not many people like me. Being told I have done more for British Muslim relations than 10 years of government policy is a wonderful way to describe my presence. It was a tough decision to talk about my anxiety but one that felt absolutely necessary. I wanted mostly to understand my own anxiety and how having a mental health illness fits into parenting. I’m not the best at taking care of myself, and much prefer to take care of others.’

Menopausing by

Davina McCall and Naomi

Potter,

(Harper Collins, £11).

Katie Piper, OBE

The bestselling author, inspirational speaker, charity founder and TV presenter has dedicated her life to campaigning.

‘The Katie Piper Foundation has been devoted to changing the lives and landscape for those with burns and scar injuries, which makes me very proud. Of course, we still have more progress to make, but I do think it’s important to recognise how far we’ve come and reflect on the positive change that has been made. Let’s keep our commitment to having open and honest conversations to drive awareness, education and funds. It hasn’t necessarily been easy to use my life experience as the driving force, but I find faith a great tool. Faith can be whatever it means to you, religion, spirituality or just the belief in yourself and others around you.’ @katiepiper

Baroness Floella Benjamin

An actress, singer, Play School presenter, author, businesswoman, campaigner and politician who really lives life to the full.

‘One of my first jobs was at a bank. I wanted to be the first black woman bank manager but realised in 1960s Britain, this was going to be mission impossible because of attitudes at the time. I realised I had to change tack and set my sights on entertainment. I didn’t have any formal training but I could sing and dance, so I went for it. When an opportunity in television came along in 1974, I thought, “I can do that” and the rest is history.

‘But I noticed the lack of diversity both on the screen and behind the scenes. I asked why Black, Asian or minority people couldn’t play the parts of doctors, accountants or professionals, or why people who looked like me weren’t writing scripts or stories. How could we get a true reflection of society on the screen if these people were missing? I was told to shut up, back off or I wouldn’t work again. But I’m not the type to shut up and I’ve never been afraid to speak out, so I found a way to navigate it. I don’t see myself as a game-changer but as someone whose mission is to make a difference for others and exude unconditional love.’

Anna Williamson

Anna Williamson

The author, relationship expert and fierce mental health campaigner who oozes liquid sunshine.

‘My introduction to the world of mental health came in my early twenties while hosting a kids’ TV show. I was in a toxic relationship and ended up being diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. I was thrust into this world of mental health at a time people just weren’t talking about it. I decided to speak out. At the time, I was joining a pretty small pool of people who were vocal about it. It was Ruby Wax, Stephen Fry and me, a children’s TV presenter. But we were able to say to people, “Hey, we’ve suffered, we haven’t been locked away. It’s OK.” After acknowledging what was going on and making the change, I’ve never been healthier or happier physically or mentally.’ therelationshipplace.co.uk

If You Only Do 1 Thing

1For Katie relaxation means exercise: ‘I love to work out and go running – that’s my therapy.’

2Davina walks every day: ‘My kids call it “walking for no reason”, or I try to grab 25 minutes working out in my kitchen. It’s so good for my brain and sets me up for the day.’

3Queen of self-care, Anna is all for getting it down in writing: ‘Diarise your self-care as you would a doctor’s appointment or work meeting.

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to tell everybody you’re not available because you’re taking time out for you. So build self-care into your routine and encourage all your friends to do the same.’