Strong Manchester Women

For the last 20 years, this Strong Manchester Woman has been supporting Asian women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. It's a difficult cause and one that is made more challenging to address, by the cultural norms and traditions of the communities that she works in.  In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Priya Chopra, CEO of the Saheli Asian Women’s Project. She has campaigned for policy changes on forced marriage and honour-based violence amongst the South Asian community, and has highlighted the extremities of this issue on a domestic and international level Priya has spoke at the House of Commons and was part of the delegation to Prime Minister Theresa May’s consultation on the proposed changes to the Domestic Abuse Bill - ensuring that the issues faced by BAMER survivors of domestic abuse were highlighted to policy makers. In this episode Priya talks about,  The challenges of finding funding What it’s really like to work in a community where domestic violence is taboo How the women she supports, inspire her to keep going How this podcast has become as useful tool for her and her team Finding the courage to speak out against domestic violence Making people uncomfortable to instigate change The increased demand for the services she provides Her approach to risk taking Links and information Find out more about / contact the Saheli Project visit their website here (http://saheli.org.uk/) Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) .  Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) This is the last episode of this series of the Strong Manchester Women podcast Listen to the end of this episode to hear if they’ll be a Series 2.

This Strong Manchester Woman stands up proud to say,  “I’m really happy with who I am.”  She takes the lessons that she’s learnt on her journey, to help others to be comfortable with themselves too;, from the young LGBTQ people she works with, to the LGBTQ community she helps to run.  In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull Chloe Cousins, the voluntary organiser for Rainbow Noir, Manchester's social and peer support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex people of colour. The group celebrated their sixth birthday in 2019 and provide a vital space for people to find family and community, a place to be 100% themselves, something which isn't always possible in faith, cultural and LGBT communities. Chloe, who was born and raised in Birmingham ‘but grown in Manchester’, also coordinates the programme for LGBT young people of colour at The Proud Trust, Manchester's LGBT youth charity. Here she supports young people of colour and works within communities of colour to raise awareness and help build confidence and capacity to support LGBT young people within their communities.  In this episode Chloe talks about,  Starting and maintaining a thriving community Understanding and managing anxiety Getting comfortable with yourself Childhood ambitions (includes being lovely & catering!) Utilising her recognition as a platform to promote Queerness  The importance of achieving a better work/life balance What it’s really like being an LGBT+ woman in Manchester Why we need to start rephrasing questions around inequality  Links and information Discover more about Rainbow Noir on their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/rainbownoirmcr/)   Chloe works at the  fantastic Proud Trust (https://www.theproudtrust.org) , a LGBT+ youth support organisation Here’s (https://www.thepresentercoach.co.uk/the-one-way-to-stop-comparing-yourself-to-others/) Kate Cocker’s blog post about helping you to curb your ‘comparisonitis’.  Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) .  Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 23rd October

This Strong Manchester Woman was just eleven years old when World War II started. She saw first-hand the camaraderie and sense of community that the conflict sparked. It is no surprise then, that throughout her life she’s helped people in her community, whether that’s been as a nurse, or leading local projects such as Girl Guides and award-winning neighbourhood gardens. Now, at the age of 91 and a pillar of her local Manchester community, she continues to support and give strength to others.  In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Dena Murphy, a former nurse and the Chair of resident’s group NEPHRA Good Neighbours, which improve the lives of people in their North Manchester neighbourhood. Their community-run allotment, that’s managed by Dena, feeds over 50 pensioners at weekly luncheon clubs  and provides training and qualifications for volunteers. Dena is a passionate gardener and has won more than 40 awards from the Royal Horticultural Society. The huge contribution she’s made to life in her community was acknowledged in 2017 when she was nominated for the Pride of Britain Awards and in 2019 when she won the ‘Community Partner of the Year’ at the Pride of Manchester Awards. In this episode Dena talks about,  How she caught the gardening bug at aged just 3  How she’s set up multiple community garden projects ...and why lots of them stop blooming Learning to swear in Czech The secret to living to the age of 91 (includes vegetables & cigarettes) Talking leeks with Prince Charles How to get your local council on side What it’s really to working with offenders Why we’re losing a sense of community Links and information Find out more about Nephra, the organisation that Dena chairs and runs the allotment for - there’s info on here about how you can volunteer and donate too  NephraGoodNeighbours.org.uk (http://nephragoodneighbours.org.uk/) Edith Cavell Close (not street!) in Manchester is here (https://goo.gl/maps/UHsspPuw77M2UQ2Q9) if you fancy a pilgrimage, and Dena is right, it’s tiny! Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) .  Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 16th October

This Strong Manchester Woman has played football for England and is a championship boxer. For one person to achieve both of these in their life time is huge.  But because of gender, she’s received knock backs at every impressive milestone. It’s these experiences that have spurred this Strong Manchester Woman, to make the patriarchal world of sport more equal for the next generation of sports women who come after her.  In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Stacey Copeland a professional boxer and the first British female boxer to win the Commonwealth title. As a passionate advocate for women and girls in Greater Manchester, she presents a weekly show on BBC Radio Manchester and has spoken in the European Parliament and at the United Nations as well as delivering more than 100 talks to schools and businesses. She is also involved in a number of charity and community initiatives, including as founder of Pave The Way, a foundation to  challenge gender stereotypes and pave the way for girls and women in sport.  In this episode Stacey talks about,  Becoming a spokesperson for women in sport Not being able to compete in major sporting events like the Olympics  Nailing your why  Not dwelling on negativity and turning into an impactful, positive How a one-off project turned into a charity Fighting sexism to become the first British female boxer to win the Commonwealth title Why playing football for England started off on a sour note What it’s like to navigate a male dominated and designed sporting world. Links and information Follow Stacey’s boxing journey and what’s happening with Pave The Way on twitter (https://twitter.com/scopelandboxer)   Listen to (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06lnntx) Stacey’s weekly show on BBC Radio Manchester  Find out more about Caroline Criado Perez’s book ‘Invisible Women’ here (https://www.carolinecriadoperez.com/books) Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) .  Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 9th October

From a young age this Strong Manchester Woman felt that she wasn’t accepted into society. She grew tired of the narrative that went along her identity as a South Asian, Muslim woman. To put it simply, she wasn't having it. So she decided to fight back and write her own narrative, by becoming a performance poet and producer. In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Nasima Begum. When she’s not being a badass poet, Nasima works in youth development - with a focus on building the confidence and resilience of young Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee girls. In early 2019, she was awarded a prestigious Jerwood Creative Fellowship to make new work for that year’s Manchester International Festival.  In this episode Nasima talks about, Pushing back against stereotypes  Being a cat mum What really spurred her to become a performance poet Learning the hard way about the importance of looking after yourself Battling with self-doubt and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable Life after loss Being the most unorganised woman in the world How she’s #NotHavingIt and standing up for herself Links and information Nasima’s on twitter (https://twitter.com/nasimabee) This is the Bangleshi Women’s Organisation (https://www.facebook.com/anannambwo/) where Nasima works There’s more info about her involvement with Manchester International Festival here  (https://jerwoodarts.org/projects/manchester-international-festival/) Nasima’s a board member for Young Identity (https://youngidentity.org/) , a spoken word collective for young people in Manchester Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) .  Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 2nd October

Former drag queen gets handed babies in airports.  Sounds like a headline from a gossip magazine!  But this is life for this Strong Manchester Woman - well that is since she closed the door on her male privilege. In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to award-winning performer and writer Kate O’Donnell. Kate’s also the founder of the pioneering arts company Trans Creative, who make award-winning theatre and curate the Manchester trans arts festival, Trans Vegas. Trans Creative uses creativity to reach communities and organisations across the country, sharing trans experiences to help create trans allies.  In this episode Kate talks openly about, what it’s really like to live as a trans-woman fighting negativity with fabulous creativity making space for older women leaving a stable, well-paid job to follow her passion finding love in her fifties sobriety  why she looks up to Mary Portas Links and information Find out more about Trans Creative on their website (https://transcreative.uk/) (you can also get the ‘#StandbyYourTrans’ t-shirts here too) Kate’s on twitter here (https://twitter.com/kateodonnellx) Mermaids (https://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/) is the charity that supports young trans people, children and their families Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) .  Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 25th September

At 25 years old, this Strong Manchester Women decided to take action against the injustices she was seeing in society. This wasn't simply the signing of a petition, she wanted to tackle community issues and concerns right at their core, so she put herself forward become a councillor in her local community. In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Sarah Judge, Manchester City Council’s member for Woodhouse Park and the Lead Member for women. Born and raised in Wythenshawe, Sarah is passionate about ensuring young women believe in themselves and have the opportunities and support they need to achieve their dreams. She has worked as a community organiser developing grassroots campaigns and was the brains behind the ‘Scrap the Fee’ campaign, which opposes financial charges for women who need medical professionals to confirm that they are suffering domestic abuse.  She also helps to run Wythenshawe Safespots, a user-led domestic abuse charity. In this episode Sarah talks about, the shift from a normal 25 years old to councillor  how to be a resilient and  authentic public leader what it’s really like on election night dealing with public backlash balancing day jobs and being an elected council member  the reality of working alongside her councillor dad  the spark that instigated her desire to help people the long process of becoming a local councillor "Each problem that someone comes to you with is the most important thing in their world at that moment. So I have to make it the most important thing in my world at that moment." Sarah Judge Links and information SafeSpots (https://safespots.org.uk) is the charity that Sarah runs Sarah’s on twitter here (https://twitter.com/sarahjudge90) There’s a website that explains how to become a councillor, it’s (obviously) called BeaCouncillor.com (https://beacouncillor.co.uk/) Read the full transcript of this episode here (http://bit.ly/2L7pYiF)   Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) .  Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 18th September

In 1978, this Strong Manchester Woman’s life changed forever. It was the year her youngest son Geoffrey was born. Geoffrey has Down’s syndrome and Bernie struggled to cope. That was until she came across a unique support service, designed for especially for mums like her. In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Bernie Wood, the general manager of Talbot House, a brilliant, user-led support service for parents carers of children with severe learning disabilities. The service is based in North Manchester and is ran by Bernie, who’s 80 years old and has been doing this for 40 years - and shows no sign of slowing down! Trigger Warning - in this episode we discuss some sensitive issues, including suicide. So, if you think that this episode could affect your mental health, then please do skip it. Bernie talks passionately about, the reality of giving birth to a disabled child in the 1970’s what life’s really like as a parent carer using humour as a way to keep going the importance of staying healthy in order to be able to help others writing to the government to instigate change the human-side of caring for a disabled child hitting rock bottom and picking herself back up visiting Buckingham Palace and what winning awards really mean to her “Get Mam and Dad’s heads ok and the kids will be ok”.  Bernie Wood Links and information The amazing service that Bernie runs is Talbot House, they support families of people with learning disabilities. Visit their website here (https://www.talbot-house.org.uk/) for more info, including how to visit, donate or support.  If you’re not around the Greater Manchester area, there’s links to other services here (https://carers.org/article/learning-disabilities) Write to your local councillor, MP or MEP - this helpful website will tell you who they are and send the message for you WritetoThem.com (https://www.writetothem.com) Suicide Prevention helplines  Samaritans (https://www.samaritans.org/) – for everyone.  Call 116 123 or email  jo@samaritans.org (mailto:jo@samaritans.org) Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) (https://www.thecalmzone.net/) – for men. Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day or Visit the webchat page (https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/) Papyrus (https://www.papyrus-uk.org/help-advice/about-hopelineuk) – for people under 35. Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm, Text 07786 209697 or Email pat@papyrus-uk.org (email:pat@papyrus-uk.org) Read the full transcript of this episode here (http://bit.ly/2L7pYiF)   Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) . Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 11th September

From being a little girl growing up in India, helping people for a living was always the ambition for this Strong Manchester Woman, well that or being a train driver. In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Sharmila Kar, who’s the Director of Workforce and Organisational Development at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning. She is passionate about the development of people and organisations, and ensures that equality and inclusion are at the heart of what she does. She’s worked in the public and not for profit sectors, on a portfolio of human resources, operational development and equality related projects.  Sharmila talks Frankly about, growing up in India, in a mixed race family being encouraged to make her voice heard  navigating a new country as a young, gay woman the path to a career in the public sector via B&Q and hospitality change-making amidst the bureaucracies of the public sector role-modelling starting at home battles with self-belief and impostor syndrome finding your tribe “In the climate that we’re currently in, we have a duty to challenge. People forget history and if you’re not careful, you see history repeating itself and not in the best way.  You have to keep up the good fight.  Sharmila Kar Links and information The organisation’s Sharmila’s currently involved with are Manchester Health and Care Commissioning (https://www.mhcc.nhs.uk/) and the LGBT Foundation (https://lgbt.foundation/) Sharmila’s previously worked / volunteered for NACRO (https://www.nacro.org.uk/) and Amnesty International UK (https://www.amnesty.org.uk/) .  Get yourself to Alexandra Park (https://www.alexandraparkmanchester.org/) Sharmila’s on twitter here (https://twitter.com/karsharmila) Read the full transcript of this episode here (http://bit.ly/2L7pYiF)   Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) . Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 4th September

Supporting women fleeing violence, advising Channel 4 on their inclusion strategy, playing a key part in designing the most accessible city in Europe, influencing policy, campaigning for changes in the law, recognised as one of the most influential disabled people in the UK…  This Strong Manchester Woman lives and breathes equality and human rights and there’s not much she hasn’t done to create an equal, level playing field for everyone. In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Jackie Driver, who works full time in the field of equality and human rights and has been part of the leadership of the Equality and Human Rights Commission since it started. She's currently at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning to design and lead their inclusion and social value strategy. Jackie also chairs and advises a number of not for profit organisations. Jackie talks honestly about, getting people to look through a different lens when it comes to disability the impact of being taught in mainstream school as a deaf child taking advice from Will Smith  her journey from zero qualifications, to sculptor, carpenter and then activist and changemaker the myriad of ways to campaign effectively, with impact  changing campaign tactics, including freeing animals and influencing how she became the Head of Propaganda  the power of self-belief, resilience and Zumba  “I want to look back on my life and feel that I've done something I can be proud of. Making money doesn't interest me, wealth doesn't drive me. Love drives me, people drive me.” Jackie Driver Links and information The organisation’s Jackie’s currently involved with are, Breakthrough UK (https://www.breakthrough-uk.co.uk/) , Sign Health (https://www.signhealth.org.uk/) , Result CIC (http://www.resultcic.com/) and Manchester Health and Care Commissioning (https://www.mhcc.nhs.uk/)   Jackie’s previously worked at Disability Rights Commission,  Manchester Central Library and Manchester City Council Have some Will Smith’s wisdom here (https://www.youtube.com/willsmith) Watch Stella Young’s Ted Talk ‘I’m Not Your Inspiration’ here (https://www.ted.com/talks/stella_young_i_m_not_your_inspiration_thank_you_very_much) The inspiring female campaigners Jackie's credits in this episode are Greta Thunberg, Zianna Oliphan, Emma González and Malala Yousafzai. Read the full transcript of this episode here  (http://bit.ly/2ZbPYhW) Listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) . Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) || @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 28 August

Having a senior leadership role in the public sector can be demanding, especially when the decisions you make can impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. There’s nothing 9-5 about this Strong Manchester Woman’s job. In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Lynne Ridsdale, the Deputy Chief Executive of Bury Council. Lynne’s worked across the public sector including doing the rounds at other Greater Manchester councils such as Bolton and Manchester. Lynne’s also worked at the National Crime Agency and Capita Group, which is where her professional career began.  Lynne talks candidly about, what it’s really like to work in the public sector difficult pregnancies changing professions to accommodate a growing family life the power of mentoring  dealing with loss talking to yourself to boost your self-worth managing public-facing jobs as an introvert kindness “Ultimately you come in and out of this world by yourself. You’ve got to look after you as a best friend would.” Lynne Ridsdale Links and information Lynne on twitter ( https://twitter.com/LynneRidsdale) Read the full transcript of this episode here (http://bit.ly/2yQom7i)   To listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 21st August

The first 24 hours after an offender has been released from prison, are the most critical. It can be the start of a rehabilitated path or, the return to old ways. This Strong Manchester Woman recognised that a compassionate intervention was needed and that the best way to address this issue, came in the shape of fellow ex-prisoners who have lived and breathed similar experiences.  In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Helen Brown the founder of On The Out, a community interest company that supports prisoners right after they’re released from prison. Helen’s worked with marginalised groups of people with issues of homelessness, mental health and addiction,for almost 30 years. Helen talks from the heart about, the realities working inside a prison showing your vulnerability  being a mum identifying a problem and opportunity, then founding a business off the back of it what it’s really like when your workforce is made up of ex-offenders battling personal problems, whilst juggling a demanding work checking privilege how just £25 can save someone's life “It never feels like I’m going to work it, just feels like I’m hanging out with people who are lovely to be around.” Helen Brown Links and information On The Out’s website (https://twitter.com/OnTheOut_) & twitter (https://twitter.com/OnTheOut_)   On The Out’s Just Giving Page (https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helen-brown-870) Read the full transcript of this episode here  (http://bit.ly/2KpS20l) and to listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website,  https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Next Episode Released 14th August

Running a community centre can come with its challenges and rewards. Especially, if like this Strong Manchester Woman, you run one welcomes 300 people through its doors each day. In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Francess Tagoe, the CEO of the Tree of Life charity in Wythenshawe, Manchester.  Francess gives you an honest account of,  life behind the scenes at the centre her everyday role models how her faith plays a big role in her approach to leadership & life being written off as a failure at university the trials and joys of being a single mum  what to do if you're feeling down and without a support network her life outside of the centre, including her work as a preacher living up North “I dare you to rise up because there's an eagle inside of you that is waiting to soar and you can do it. If you dare to believe in yourself, you can do it. If you dare to believe in your future and the potential that lies within, you can do it.” Francess Tagoe Links and information The Tree of Life Centre (http://www.treeoflifecentre.org.uk/wordpress/ )   Francess on twitter (https://twitter.com/fran_tagoe)   You can read the full transcript of the episode here (http://bit.ly/2YyANTu) . To listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this podcast were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) Share, comment and show some love for the Strong Manchester Women podcast using the hashtag #StrongMCRwomen  Next Episode Released 7th August

Challenging perceptions and discrimination has been a running theme across this Strong Manchester Woman’s life; from being judged simply because of her ethnicity, to nursing children with learning disabilities. It’s these experiences that have influenced her values and approach to her award-winning voluntary work. In this episode your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull speaks to Denise Yuen Megson, a former learning disabilities nurse who came to the UK over 40 years ago from Malaysia. Denise now lectures at Salford University, volunteers at the Wai Yin society (who support minority groups) and presents a weekly radio show for the Chinese community to help breakdown barriers, especially around mental health. Denise lovingly talks about, growing up in a different country juggling school work, whilst working at the family’s roadside cafe challenging people’s misconceptions towards herself & others not speaking Cantonese, her ‘mother tongue’ using Tai-Chi to relax training to become a radio presenter  running projects to support, bring together and share stories of the Chinese community in Manchester straddling Western & Eastern culture with her family “I'm not conscious of ever thinking ‘because I'm a woman, I can't do this’. I'm quite happy with walking into a pub by myself and ordering a drink.” Denise Yuen Megson Links and information ‘Crossing The Borders’ (https://www.waiyin.org.uk/2019/07/crossing-the-borders/) project  Listen to Denise’s Radio show, Radio Sheunglok (https://www.mixcloud.com/radio_sheunglok/)   All FM (https://allfm.org/) (radio training & more)  For a full transcript of this episode and listen to other Strong Manchester Manchester Women podcast episodes visit, www.MICmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast (http://www.micmedia.co.uk/StrongManchesterWomenPodcast) Strong Manchester Women  The podcast is inspired by the annual Strong Women campaign. The 14 women profiled in this series were selected for the 2019 campaign. For more information about the women visit The Pankhurst Trust’s website (https://www.pankhursttrust.org/get-involved/events/strong-manchester-women-display) Credits  Produced, edited and artwork by MIC Media www.MICmedia.co.uk (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) @MICmediauk (http://www.twitter.com/micmediauk) facebook.com/MICmediaUK (http://www.facebook.com/micmediauk) Share, comment & love the Strong Manchester Women podcast using the hashtag #StrongMCRwomen Next Episode Released 31st July 2019

Manchester, has a history of very strong women. Women who are forces to be reckoned with; Women who push the envelope, start movements, smash glass ceilings, stand up for their rights and turn the wheels of progress. Join your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull, as she speaks to a selection of women who you may not have heard of before, the underground heroes who are changing lives and making a lasting impact in our communities. The first episode is released on Wednesday 24th July The Strong Manchester Women podcast is a MIC Media (http://www.micmedia.co.uk) Production.