ReachOut! Shortlisted for International Women's Day Award

Last Friday ReachOut! volunteer Polly Rusby and I were invited to Manchester City Council’s Grand Hall to celebrate InternationalWomen’s Day and to represent ReachOut! who had been shortlisted the Women’s Champion in honour of Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw.

As we enjoyed our meal of curry followed by sticky toffee pudding and coffee the event was opened with entertainment from Dr Katie Steckles. Katie is part of the team at Think Maths who visit schools and engage pupils in Maths through the medium of magic!

Susan Woodward, OBE, then gave an enthusiastic opening speech thanking all the guests for their hard work and commitment to the city of Manchester and more so to the women of Manchester. As the awards unveiled, Manchester is a city full of dedicated individuals and organisations who are all striving and succeeding to support their community. Susan’s speech did take a more sober tone however, as she relayed stats that highlighted ever present gender gap faced by women;

Only 22.5% of MPs are women

Only 17% of the cabinet are women

Only 5% of editors for national newspapers are women

There are no women represented on the Bank of England Monetary Commission.

Then came the moment we were all waiting for – The Awards!

ReachOut! was nominated by Charlotte Smailes (2^nd year Manchester volunteer) for our Junior Mentor Programme. Shortlisted for the Women’s Champion in honour of Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, we were up against two other nominees, Angela Lawrence and her work with women and gang violence and Annie Emery and her work with bisexual women.  

Polly and I waited excitedly as they talked about the work we have done and showed a short video clip from each nominee. Then the moment of truth – and the winner is…..

Angela Lawrence. A well-deserved winner.

Although disappointed not to win, it was fantastic to be shortlisted. We would like to say thank you to Manchester City Council for recognising the hard work and commitment of our volunteers, without whom, the ReachOut! Junior Mentor Programme would not exist.

Heidi Hinchliffe