Making Blackpool and the Four Nations a better place for young women to live, work, be educated and be inspired.
On 4th March 2023, young women from the Four nations, England (Blackpool & Fylde Coast), Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, came together to have one collective voice and share lived experiences, as well as solutions to the impact of being a young women in 2023.
The event is part of the 5-year Fylde Coast IWD Strategy – a commitment to create opportunities for young women, improve social mobility, and make the resort a better place to live, work, learn and be inspired. This strategy has been endorsed by Dame Julia Cleverdon.
Wyre Youth Mayor Hannah Mullin opened up the Festival.
[the festival] is about embracing and encouraging young women to want more for their futures. Often young women are trapped in the cycle of self-doubt and insecurity which prevents us from achieving all our hearts desires. I truly believe women achieve best when they are supported by other women and so IWD is about reminding young women to believe in themselves and others so that we can pave the way for a brighter future for all. “
Blackpool Transport talked to pupils about designing the new electric buses to make the resort a greener place to live. Jane Cole, Managing Director for Blackpool Transport, said: “You can really see there’s a want to engage with the social and economic framework of the town. They are very forward thinking and visionary.”
Jane highlighted that it’s a ‘progressive industry’ that now employs women in a range of roles. “We’ve had two of our female technical engineers showing some of the skills they use on the trams. The industry is changing now, when you think about what’s happening with buses becoming electric, driverless buses and drones, the future is theirs.”
The event included a cross section of female leaders, businesses, Lancashire police, HMP Kirkham, schools, colleges and business and community volunteers alongside young women from the Fylde Coast and the other three nations coming together to deliver a variety of career and aspirational workshops and be part of an all-women Question Time event, co facilitated by young women from Northern Ireland.
The panel included: Blackpool Sixth Form, Pot Bound, Dalvis restaurant, Blackpool Cllr, Kirkham HMP, Blackpool Transport, ICG, Coastal Radio
Deborah Terras, The Washington Group Director and founder of International Women’s Day Festival, said: “There is a reawakening of approaches to targeted girls-only work, and The Washington group aimed to readdress the social discourse and media representation through the festival activities and partnership working. Here on the Fylde Coast, we are now able to lead on this best practice and become a centre of excellence for gender parity, encompassing a common, joined up approach.”
Click here for the full report of the day and the 5 year strategy. https://twguk.org/project/iwd-2023/
If you want to know more about the strategy and how your organisation can be involved please contact Deborah.terras@twguk.org