Leading businesswomen support local charity for York International Women’s Week

Local charity Kyra, founded in 2013 by Yvonne Copley began as a support centre for women, run by women, providing encouragement, companionship, information, training, and importantly, a sense of belonging. The charity supports women to help overcome challenges and make change in their lives.

There is no such thing as a typical Kyra woman, so to mark International Women’s Day 2019, Kyra’s event, ‘Every Woman Heard’ will give all women a unique insight into the work and impact of the charity.

Dr Rebecca Biggins from York Business School at York St John University and Kyra Trustee is part of the team hosting the day where the University will be holding a stall and running sessions. “This is a fabulous opportunity for women from all walks of life to be inspired by Kyra’s achievements and celebrate their life-changing work.” 

Visitors will be able to take part in activities, visit stalls, discover mini-courses, therapy tasters, talks, poetry, fabulous food, plus ways to get involved and meet others in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, including:

Resilience workshop, 2pm

Dr Frances Dodd, Head of The Advantage at York St John University. This interactive workshop aims to help women understand what resilience is, reflect on their own resilience and learn strategies to strengthen it.

Women in the Workplace, 3.15pm

Whether you’re looking for work, starting a new role or leading a business of your own, this is your chance to ask a panel of experts for their advice, insight and expertise. Dr. Rebecca Biggins will lead a conversation on the challenges faced by women in the workplace and answering questions on leadership, entrepreneurship, mentoring, work-life balance and achieving career goals. The panel includes inspirational business women from across the city of York, including Michelle Mook and Leigh Jagger.

Michelle is the founder and Managing Director of Pro-Development (UK) Limited based in Yorkshire providing support in all aspects of employee engagement and people development. Michelle will share her story of how she left a large corporate firm to realise her dream of running her own business.  She will share the highs and lows, what it takes to build a business and how important it is to surround yourself with the right people.  Michelle also recently became Chair of York Professionals and was awarded York Press “Business Personality of the Year” in November 2018. 

Leigh Jagger, Former CEO of Banks Sadler (part of AMEX GBT), a global event management company is currently acting as a Non-Executive Director for a number of organisations across the city and achieved great success leading Banks Saddler, growing the company from 30 to 300 people and from one UK office to four, with overseas offices in France, Germany, the US and China before being acquired by AMEX in 2017.

Please come along to Kyra on Friday 8 March to take part in as many sessions as you choose, women are welcome to stay for the whole day, or to just come for the session that interests them.

‘Kyra: Every Woman Heard’ women only event, Friday 8th March  9.30 – 16.00

Central Methodist Church, St Saviourgate, York, YO1 8NQ

Contact: contact@kyra.org.uk (01904 632332)

Admission is free of charge but donations are requested. Tickets available in advance vie Eventbrite and on the door subject to availability.