International Women’s Day Festival 2022

By Sarah Harris

Young Women, Community Leaders and Businesses from across the Fylde Coast come together to make a difference.

The Washington Group held its 4th International Women’s Day Festival at the Blackpool Sixth Form College. The event was sponsored by the Mina Group, Beaverbrooks, Wyre and Fylde council, BIU, Blackpool Transport and Victrex.

Businesses, community leaders and young women from across the Fylde Coast attended the event on what was a fun, interactive day. Each young person attending received a goody bag and food vouchers.

Assembling in the theatre where the day began Deborah Terras, director of The Washington Group, opened the event with Jill Gray Principal of The Blackpool Sixth form college.

Deborah Terras explained “The IWD22 Festival summit was four years in the planning, we now have the foundations to make a difference on the Fylde Coast, to make it a kinder and fairer place to live. This youth-led 5-year strategy will be the connection between what is positive about the assets in our community and where the gaps are, linking to the amazing projects and strategies across all three areas Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. Today is just the start of having young women’s voices elevated onto the platforms that need to listen to young people to help shape their services. The plan requires businesses and organisations to help it succeed for all young people”.

Jill spoke of how she’d originally trained in hospitality management before unexpectedly changing direction to the world of education. Showing that the path you start down doesn’t necessarily mean it is one you will end up on. Jill is passionate about education and providing opportunities for young people.

After Jill’s inspirational welcome Musical theatre student Bethany Richardson captivated the audience with her magical opening number!

After which the workshops were opened and young women were directed by their teachers/chaperones to the five themed rooms;

1RAINBOW – a theme encompassing all the colours of the world! Let’s talk being the best we can, believing in yourself, making your voice heard and being counted for. How can we gain a new cultural visibility and ensure young women’s voices make a difference and have the equity that they deserve?

Workshops - The Lancashire Constabulary, Headstart, Ruth Cockburn and Little Voices.

2HAPPINESS – Happiness and Kindness make the world go round. Interactive workshops to explore how young women can support their own wellbeing and self-care through a variety of tools, finding what works for them to help influence their happiness.

Workshops - Sarah Harris Style and Colour, Melissa Toland of Time For You, Fylde Coast Women’s Aid, Vanessa Rodgers & Kip Education CIC.

3INNOVATION – Science is a woman’s best friend! A field with imagination, innovation, and exploration. Looking at what part women play in an ever-changing world of opportunities, digital, IT etc. Let us all be creators and not just consumers.

Workshops - Victrex, Code Galaxy, ICG Brandbuilders.

4THIS WOMAN CAN – The active theme supporting young women to explore opportunities in sport and physical wellbeing. What does it mean to be active? How can young women be leaders and change the world of sport, what part do we play and what part should we play?

Workshops - Dr Nicola Robinson of Liverpool John Moores University/North West Pentathlon Hub, Fleetwood Town Community Trust, Blackpool FC Community Trust and British Army. 5GREEN FIELD – Everything you ever wanted to know about how you can save the environment and so much more! Interactive workshops were held to explore how young women can participate in protecting our world and making small changes with huge impact.

Workshops - Blackpool Transport, Tracey Hope / Tossers in Lytham St Annes, Environmental Nanas UK), Pot Bound.

After lunch, TWG had invited businesses and organisations to play an active role in this part of the summit. Dame Julia Cleverdon opened the session recognising the need to have young people drive forward the development of the Fylde coast to make it a better place to live. Following Julia outstanding comedian Ruth Cockburn set the scene with her thought-provoking poem, afterwards, discussions were held around the room to find out what the young people of the Fylde Coast needed. The aim was to support and drive forward the identified needs of these young women to cement action for the 5-year strategy.

Baines English teacher Mrs H Gibson “Having been part of the International Women’s Day project for the last 4 years, I have left every event inspired, motivated and truly in awe of the incredible people we have along the Blackpool and Fylde Coast. Every year I have had the chance to bring a group of young women from Baines school and give them the opportunity to have their voices and concerns heard. Debbie and her team have continued to provide phenomenal workshops and place our future generations in front of some key decision-makers, really giving the young women the chance to adapt, enhance and develop the area in which we live. This year has been an incredible success, can’t wait to see what 2023 brings!”

Karen Cooper, organisational development director at Blackpool Transport “International Women’s Day festival is about empowering our young women of tomorrow and Blackpool Transport are proud to be part of that. Women growing up on the Fylde Coast deserve opportunities to prosper and thrive and the event is invaluable on so many levels, not least for the opportunity to gain first-hand understanding and feedback about our services, as well as supporting the journeys of multiple young women”

For more information on how you can sponsor or support the IWD 5 year strategy, please contact Deborah Terras:

E Deborah.terras@twguk.org

Photography with thanks to Susan Wood and Becca Terras:

E susanwoodphotography1@gmail.com