young women with mentors
According to the Department for Health, 1 in 3 teenage girls now suffer from anxiety or depression. This shocking statistic, coupled with a passion for a happier, healthier planet, drove local sustainability leader Traci Lewis to set up Catalyse Change. Designed to support girls and young women to develop their skills and confidence to become effective changemakers,
Catalyse Change has already reached over 500 young women, empowering them to become the next generation passionate about healthy, happy and green communities, careers and planet.
“The UK has one of the worst records on gender equality at work,” says Traci, “and men continue to fill the majority of the highest paid and most senior roles. Catalyse Change is about inspiring, empowering and skilling up girls and young women – aged between 14 and 24 – who want to create a more sustainable future.”
For young women who are interested in a career in sustainability but aren’t yet sure how to achieve it, the Catalyst Bootcamp could be the answer. The three-day summer camp based at the University of Bristol offers workshops on career and education options for the sustainability sector. Central to the Bootcamp programme is a focus on helping young women understand their skills and develop their confidence, with simple tools for resilience at the core.
“During the course of our 2017 Catalyst Bootcamp, we saw an increase from 54.5% to 100% in girls who identified themselves as having the potential to make a positive difference in the world – we think that’s pretty special.” says Traci.
Young women at the Catalyst Bootcamp will hear from inspiring professional women who are already succeeding in the sustainability sector. They will also meet a mentor who can support their path towards a sustainable career.
Dominika took part in the Catalyst Bootcamp in 2017. She says “Since the Bootcamp I have become more organised and calm about my future. Also, I know how to deal with stress and anxiety due to the motivational sessions and I’m not afraid to speak up.”
The next Catalyst Bootcamp runs from 1st – 3rd August 2018 and you can save 20% on the ticket price using promo code CB18offer.
Or to win a free place tell us in in 100 words, or with an image or 1-minute video, why you want to be a #Catalyst4Change. Competition closes end of May 2018. Full details at www.catalysechange.com
To contact Traci Lewis Director, Catalyse Change CIC email her at traci@catalysechange.com
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Notes for Editors
Catalyse Change is a CIC founded in 2017 by Traci Lewis, Jenna Holliday, Rhian Sherrington and Julie Ellison. Its mission is to ignite the ambitions of young women with the skills and belief to catalyse the change they want to see in the world. It works with girls and young women aged from 14 – 24 to provide skills, inspiration and knowledge so the young women can become the change they wish to see in the world.
Since Catalyse Change was founded in 2017 it has reached over 500 young women through its Catalyst Bootcamp, a three-day sustainability focussed summer camp based at the University of Bristol, and through its outreach in schools and meet ups for young women across Bristol.
The first Catalyst Bootcamp was held in August 2017 and hosted 20 young women. Headline outcomes include:
Careers: 72% increase (to 100%) in the number of participants who agreed they were aware of potential careers in sustainability;
Change maker: 54.6% increase (to 100%) in participants who agreed they had the potential to make a positive difference in the world;
Team working: 36.4% increase (to 100%) in participants who agreed they felt confident working in a team and making decisions in a group;
Wellbeing: 32.1% increase (to 86.7%) in participants who agreed they had the tools that to manage their happiness and wellbeing.
See www.catalysechange.com for more information.
