Her Story Magazine Issue 7 - November 2019

issue #7 • december 2019

MINDSET

Identifying Programs That Block Success

HER STORY...

Feranak Amid

Crete –

the scenic, natural pearl of Greece

Fit Inspiration

by Eszter O’Donoghue

Beware the Imposter...

her story

what’s inside...

ISSUE NO 7

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MINDSET Biohacking Your Mind for Success

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Her Story: Feranak Amidi

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Beware the Imposter...

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Sam Tank’s Story

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Markella Papadouli

Fit Inspiration

Avril Hitman: 29 Magpie Dance

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Crete – the scenic, natural pearl of Greece

Changing 34 African Scene

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Women in the Police

Kathie Bowden

a letter from

THE EDITOR

This year has been Extraordinary for women all over the world. There is much to celebrate globally as our voices are being heard and acknowledged bringing great change and opportunities for all.

We are making great strides in humanity and overcoming limitations in such a magnificent way, rapidly propelling the younger generations thinking and mindset.

This edition has been one of the most challenging ones for me purely because of the remarkable women’s stories I have been gifted to share. One cannot remain the same after experiencing such deep wisdom which stirrs within a hunger for enlightenment.

The stories featured are not only compelling and life changing but they also provoke one to search within and allow strength, endurance and purpose to shine forth owning our truth.

Everyone story featured is every bit of every woman’s battle and triumph. In our day to day life we conquer and allow our warrior spirit to inspire others, shining the light within allowing others to find theirs and shine.

I want to thank all the contributors who made this happen and all the readers who keep us on our toes to bring more authentic stories.

Please send your views, comments and questions to publication@herstorymatters.com Much love!

Harriet Khataba - Editor in Chief

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We know, this topic sounds kind of interesting right? Well, it’s all true and incredibly effective. We are about to show you how you can literally hack into your mind.

Our minds are so complex that the majority of us can’t begin to describe its vastness or comprehend how to direct it towards a desired outcome.

As we go throughout our daily lives, from work to running errands to caring for our families, we are on overdrive most of the time with little time for anything else. So the question is, “How can we BIOHACK our minds when we are constantly in overdrive mode? By making a conscious disrupt in our normal routine and removing yourself from the chaos to settle your mind! Let’s dive into how it’s done.

Our subconscious minds, through daily habits, form a pathway that’s predictable.

Our days ahead become predictable because of the patterns that are running in the background. When we recognize this, we are on our way to making drastic changes to our lives.

Our rising in the morning and retiring in the evening are based on 4 wave cycles: Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta. Here is a breakdown of the different brain wave states: 5 |

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• Beta Brainwaves - Awake conscious & reasoning (Conscious mind) • Alpha Brainwaves - Deep relaxation brainwaves (Gateway to the subconscious mind) • Theta – Deeper meditation, approaching sleep (Subconscious mind) • Delta – Deep sleep and restful slumber Simply explained, from our waking moments until we are asleep at night, our bodies experience each of these brain states and we have the ability to travel through them during the day but we must be intentional.

Our bodies are also regulated by two very important chemicals, Serotonin and Melatonin which go hand and hand with the different brainwaves. Serotonin helps you feel awake, contributes to your wellbeing and happiness and is known as the ‘Happy Chemical’. Melatonin levels are boosted when it gets dark and helps you sleep at night. When we wake up in the morning and the sun starts to shine, serotonin is released which is involved specifically in wakefulness.

Your body is then coming out of the delta and theta wave states. As we get along with our day and go to work, our wave states goes from alpha to beta.

All brain waves are important but beta

waves play a significant role in getting things accomplished and increases our level of productivity but in this state, we must be careful. Beta brain waves dominate our normal waking state of consciousness and awareness. Beta is a fast activity and is always present when we focus on mental activity, judging things, in problem solving mode, decision making, attentiveness and alertness. It is in the high beta brain wave state where we deal with anxiety, stress, the inability to relax and very high arousal.

When the body goes into this state, very little can be accomplished as poor cognition is experienced. Getting in the high beta realm is easy when we become overworked and stressed.

In order to BIOHACK your mind for success, you need to be able to recognize which state you are in and take action to get into the subconscious state. During your normal daily grind, you need to figure out a way to disrupt your normal flow by intentionally taking maybe 10-15 minutes to meditate.

If your job or business is demanding where you find it impossible to disrupt your schedule, perhaps you can find the time during your lunch. If these options don’t work, it is imperative that you figure out a way to meditate. The ideal environment is one where you can get quiet, close your eyes and begin to focus. Your next action will be to proceed with a breathing technique to help you gain a sense of calm. Breath work is extremely beneficial. Taking deep breaths allow the body to fully exchange oxygen that comes in and carbon dioxide that goes out.

Deep breathing slows the heartbeat, has the ability to lower and stabilize blood pressure and stress. Your breathing should be slow and deep through your nose which causes your abdomen to rise and greatly expand.

The following example is one we use from 6 |

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time to time that’s very effective in changing brain wave states: Breath in deeply through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds and release for 4 seconds.

Repeat this rhythmic breathing for a period based on your time frame. Whether it’s 5 or 10 minutes, this will be effective. What happens in this process is you are literally shifting your state, through breathing, from one brain wave state to the next. Through repeated breathing, you will enter a state of relaxation.

As your mind begins to become less and less audible from outside things, you are entering into a relaxed state, the subconscious state. In the subconscious state, absolutely nothing matters including your work demands, your emails, your coworkers, your cell phone ringing or even your boss needing something. You have entered the theta brainwave state where you can input a thought, a vision, and a picture of what it is you want to accomplish. As you make this a common practice, you will begin to manifest what it is you want much faster. The process is not only scientific but guaranteed to happen following the steps above. Think about it, your normal day to day grind will only produce the results you have always gotten. In order to do something different, you need to disrupt your current pattern by BIOHACKING your mind for success.

Through repetition of this practice and vividly focusing on what it is you want in your subconscious state, you will be amazed at the results you will get.

As the Upgraders, we are committed to everyone we come into contact with to help them find their successful place. If you would like to connect with us, visit www.srtglobalcoaches.com to sign up for a complimentary 30 minute session. Once

you are registered in the system, scroll down to our bio and simply sign up to get on our calendar. If you are interested in our one on one coaching program, you can email us at: info@yourupgradeteam.com and in the subject line, type “Coaching”.

About Authors Dexter and Tonya Scott known as “The Upgraders” and Mindset Development Experts, have spent years motivating and inspiring audiences upgrade their mindset, get out of their own way or comfort zones, and instead; get a front-row-seat in life. After starting their careers in Government, they are now seen as the go-to couple for helping people shift their paradigm from limited thinking and limited beliefs.

HER STORY...

Feranak Amidi Faranak is a multimedia Journalist working on different digital platforms, radio and television. She is also a public speaker who focuses on gender equality on Farsi speaking social media networks such as Instagram. Faranak is also a social media influencer trying to create a safe microclimate for Iranian and Afghan women to exchange ideas and talk about their 21st century goals and challenges.

Tell us about your early years...

I was born in Los Angeles in 1979 and lived with my family there until I was six years old. While I was in California I had a normal childhood just like any other average American kid. I had a Cabbage Patch doll and watched regular cartoons other kids watched on TV. But when we moved to Iran everything changed. It was the early years after the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and right in the middle of the eight year Iran-Iraq war. It was a time of food rations, bombings, morality police and patrols on every street and revolutionary anthems on full blast.

It was a completely different world from California. I remember when we landed in Tehran my mother covered her hair with a black scarf and wore a long black coat; she was covered from head to toe with no makeup or nail polish. It was the first time I had seen my mother like that. She was crying as we drove through the streets of Tehran. My mother had left Iran before the revolution and the Iran she had returned to was nothing like the Iran she remembered.

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I think my mother and her resilience had a great impact on me. I saw my mother resist the new limitations, which were imposed on her because she was a woman. Showing a strand of hair, Wearing lipstick, nail polish or any bright colours in those days could get you arrested. But I saw my mother and aunt put on their red nail varnish and wear their makeup and leave the house every single day. It was an act of defiance. I didn’t know it back then but I know it now and respect her for doing it. Although my mother married young and didn’t have financial independence she had a strong independent personality and she was very progressive compared to average women of her generation.

My father has also had a great influence on me. Although he was quite a patriarchal figure and in many ways bund to tradition he was also open minded in many ways. My father kept me exposed to western culture he encouraged me to read and gave me freedom to choose my own path. Unlike many of my friends’ fathers he never pushed me to get married on the contrary he always encouraged me to work and have a career.

Without the support of my father I wouldn’t be able to be where I am today.

Music also had a great role in my life. Punk and Grunge in my teenage years opened my eyes to a rebellious subculture, which appealed to me a lot living in a conservative religious society like Iran. Later on also electronic music and the inclusive rave culture really influenced my views on gender and sexual orientation.

I guess these are just some of the main things that shaped my personality and views.

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What was your career journey?

When you grow up in a patriarchal, conservative and religious society like Iran you realize from a very young age that personal and financial independence are very important otherwise you will always be under the guardianship of a man. Even with financial independence you are still legally under the guardianship of a man but it gives you more leverage. This said, it is important to note that it is difficult for women to gain this kind of independence because the necessary infrastructure is not there to allow women to have roles beyond mother and wife. But as I mentioned I was lucky, my parents were very encouraging and supportive. I left Iran to go to university in 1997. I came to London to go to SOAS. I didn’t finish my studies and went back to Iran after a year. But while I was in London I worked. My first job was waiting tables in an Iranian restaurant. It was such a joy to me. Back then it was very taboo for women to do such jobs in our culture. Women didn’t wait tables in Iran. I found it liberating. It was my first taste of financial power. When I went back to Iran I was the only one among my girlfriends who had had experience of working. I went to university in Iran and started working immediately. I was teaching English in a number of well-known language institutions and also doing private tutoring.

My career journey has been very interesting though. I have taught English, acted in short films, translated books, trained as a kickboxer and taught kickboxing, I even made and sold ice cream! I tried everything and through it all I had my parents’ support. But it was in 2006 that I started TV journalism and I just fell in love with it. I always liked storytelling and there is a strong element of storytelling

in journalism, which quenched my thirst. I must add that back in Iran the media is state run and that meant I was working for an English language state run channel. It was very challenging for me. The whole system I worked for stood against my values. But I looked at it as a launching pad and did my best not to compromise my values. In 2009 after the disputed presidential election results I resigned from the channel. It was time for me to move on.

What’s the most challenging thing you have encountered and how did you overcome it?

This is a tricky question! I have had many challenges in my life. But I guess immigration was one of the most challenging things I had to face and deal with. I left Iran in 2009 a month before my 30th birthday. I left with a single red suitcase and a heart full of hope that things would calm down I would go back to Iran in a few months. I have not been back ever since.

After the 2009 disputed presidential election I left my job at the state run TV and joined protesters on the streets. This lead to a series of events, which forced me to leave the country.

At the age of 30 I was now in London starting from scratch. It was very difficult. I had to make new friends, find a job and deal with the fact that I was not going to be able to go back to my country and family for the foreseeable future.

Not being able to go back to a country I grew up in where all my family and memories 10 |

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live means I live in exile. The psychological pressure one has to deal with under such circumstances is immense. I have had nightmares of losing my parents and not being able to say goodbye to them. After a few years of living in London, I knew I needed help to be able to cope with this pressure. I started therapy. I take mental health very seriously and have always talked about it openly. Because of my work and social media activity also I am targeted quite frequently by anti-feminists, Iranian proregime groups and also political opposition groups outside Iran. Through therapy I was able to look at the limitations which exile has forced upon me in a different light and accept these limitations. It has given me the tools and mental capacity to work with and around these limitations instead of allowing them to paralyse me with anxiety. Therapy, fantastic friends and one hell of a supportive partner have all been important elements in my healing journey.

If you had the power and authority to change 3 things in the Middle East what would they be?

This is a tough question. I had to sleep on it for a few nights in order to be able to narrow my long list down to three!

I guess one of the major things I would change would be the role of religion in politics. I think lack of secularity in many Middle Eastern countries is a huge obstacle on the path of equality. In many instances the people and nations are ready for the change but it is the leading religious authorities who want to stick to the inequalities and ancient social structures to maintain power. In this case probably the most tangible example would be the mandatory hijab in Iran.

The male guardianship is another issue, which holds women back in many countries in the region. Probably the most extreme form of male guardianship is witnessed in Saudi Arabia but it legally and culturally exists in many other countries of the region to different degrees; including Iran.

Another things I would change would be laws on violence against women and a complete overhaul or better said dismantlement of the patriarchal and misogynist judicial systems in the region. In many instances women who are victims of the most brutal violence at home, seek justice but they are chewed up by the misogynist justice system that spits them back into that initial violent environment. In some cases the misogyny of the justice system causes women their lives.

Let’s debunk a few myths about refugees.

In todays’ world there is so much misinformation about refugees and migrants.

It is as if we are trying to find a scapegoat for our problems. We are told that refugees are a burden and that they come to abuse our welfare system. We are fed this fear of “others”. Refugees unfortunately have just become mere numbers; stripped off of humanity. I know Iranians and Afghans who came to the UK as refugees; hard working, educated people who left their countries not to come here and live a lazy life or promote extremism but to work hard and become the people they couldn’t become back home.

There is this misconception about Middle Eastern and Muslim women that they don’t have a voice. It is true that in many Middle 11 |

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Eastern countries including Iran women experience inequality and oppression but that doesn’t mean they are voiceless. Middle Eastern women have a voice and they are finding new ways to get their voices heard. We have seen really inspiring activism by Saudi women against the driving ban and male guardianship in the past few years. Iranian women have taken their protests against mandatory hijab to the next level through social media platforms. In Afghanistan there are various campaigns run by women such as the #WhereisMyName, a campaign fighting against the social norm that doesn’t allow women to be identified by their first name.

I guess what I want to say is that women in the Middle East might be oppressed and expected to be subservient but that doesn’t mean that women in the region have given up on being emancipated. They are fighting one step at a time and sometimes for every step they take forward there are setbacks but they continue to push forward.

What is your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement! I don’t know if I can call it my greatest achievement, I don’t tend to measure my work and life in that way. But one thing I am proud of is my Instagram page. I have worked hard on it every day for the past two and a half years.

I have put a lot of time and energy into creating a microclimate in which everyone especially women and LGBTQ+ in Iran and Afghanistan can familiarise themselves with feminism and have meaningful debates.

When I started focusing on feminism on my page more than two years ago I had around 9K followers today I have 218K. We have 12 |

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become a community. I love witnessing this camaraderie among women; supporting each other, encouraging each other and voicing their dissatisfaction. I see more and more Iranian women talking openly on social media about taboo subjects such as sexual harassment, body shaming, domestic violence, sexuality and sexual desire. It is absolutely refreshing and I am proud to know I have had a tiny part in all this.

Markella Papadouli:

Europe Litigation Coordinator, Registered European Lawyer Markella is a UK Registered, Greek qualified, European lawyer and AIRE Centre’s Europe Litigation Coordinator.

In this capacity she coordinates the AIRE Centre strategic litigation team, specialising on taking asylum, and trafficking cases before the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the EU. She leads the AIRE Centre’s asylum, law of the sea, and trafficking work, providing free legal advice and representation to victims of trafficking, the delivery of training to relevant stakeholders and the representation of the AIRE Centre at conferences and meetings worldwide on both issues of interest. Markella represents the AIRE Centre in the Frontex NGO Consultative Forum and the EASO Consultative Forum.

Markella is a Lecturer at London South Bank University for the Msc in Refugee Studies on European Asylum Law and Policy and International Refugee Law since 2013. She studied Law at the University of Athens and holds an LLM degree in Maritime Law from the University of Southampton and a Master of Arts degree from the University of

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Warwick on International Relations and Human Rights. She further holds a Diploma in Grants Management and has completed the Odysseus Network Summer School in European Law and Policy on Immigration and Asylum.

Markella was the National Expert on Greece for the European Database on Asylum Law in 2013 and has also worked for the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, the International Rescue Committee and UNHCR Greece.

Tell us a bit about your early years.

I was born in Athens, Greece. My parents were both working, my mother is an independent lawyer and my father was an economist. As most Greek children, my brother and I were raised with the help of my grandparents who lived nearby. I was blessed with a very happy childhood and good education.

When I turned 14, I was selected by my school to be a part of the Greek delegation in a teenagers’ conflict resolution programme called ‘Seeds of Peace’, in Maine, USA. This programme aimed to bring together youth from areas which face conflict, like Greece and Turkey, Israel and Palestine, Cyprus, and India and Pakistan. My parents ( especially my mother ) did everything in their power to enable me to go. This experience taught me that things are not always black and white, that history can have two sides. The experience lasted 3 summers and drilled into me values of tolerance and harmonious co-existence, which has informed my personal and professional development ever since.

What influenced your decision to pursue Law? My mother’s family were Greeks living in Asia Minor, Smyrni (now called Izmir) who had to flee the city during the destruction of 1922. To escape the war and persecution, and probably death, they had to swim to the neighbouring Greek island of Chios. Even though they were Greek by ethnicity, they were treated in Chios as refugees. However, with the help of the local community they managed to start a new life on that beautiful island and make the place their own. The harrowing stories of flight, narrated by my grandmother, must have created in me a natural empathy for people who have to flee war and violence in their home countries. I started my career in law with a legal 14 |

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internship at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Athens. Only a law student at the time, it felt immediately natural and right, albeit I have also tried other jobs and areas of law, which is important, to help test what suits you best and where you can make a difference.

Are women empowered in Greece?

How do we measure empowerment? If we refer to access to education and the ability to work, Greek women are increasingly empowered. More and more women have access to and complete higher and tertiary education. However, in the field of equal pay and discrimination in employment, Greece is still behind compared to other European countries. Discrimination against women in respect of pay, promotions and advancement is still present, especially within the private law sector; such circumstances are institutionalised and not very often reported due to women being afraid.

And away from Athens, some areas of Greece still

adopt a ‘traditional’ way of life, in which roles and opportunities for women are still limited.

What challenges have you faced in your career and how did you overcome the challenges?

Women are often judged in the workplace more by the way they look than their performance, especially at the beginning of their career. There are multiple challenges to overcome, especially for trainee lawyers and in the human rights sector.

As a young lawyer in the corporate setting I, like many women in my shoes, faced harassment and sexist comments such as demands to change the style or colour of my hair or other comments about how my clothes fit me. Judged by appearance, women in the corporate legal world are vulnerable as they are often viewed as “less smart” or more problematic than their male colleagues.

In the human rights sector, the biggest challenge I faced was finding paid employment. Like many qualified young professionals in the sector, I went through a number of unpaid or poorly paid internships, in the hope to gain experience leading to a paid position. This meant 2-3 years of hard work without regular financial income, which was very challenging both for me and my family.

I overcame both challenging situations with the assistance of a very supportive network of family, friends and partner who helped me believe in myself, encouraged me to be who I want to be and pursue my dreams. With their support, I gradually became stronger and gained faith and confidence to dress or look how I feel like and apply for positions that are commensurate with my experience and qualifications.

What has been the most fulfilling moments in your life and why?

My principle is to rejoice and celebrate every 15 |

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victory – no matter how big or small and I have been blessed with many fulfilling moments in my life to date. From the day I learnt that I had secured a place into Athens law school, to the graduation ceremonies of my postgraduate degrees (albeit my name was usually pronounced wrong when read out to the audience!) and my admission to the Law Society in England & Wales as a Solicitor.

The moments that resonate the most, however, are those that I share with the people I work with: the day we won a first deportation appeal for a client, positive feedback or remarks received after training sessions with communities, a recent nomination by my students at University for my teaching, or by my office colleagues as “rising star”. These moments light up my day and give me strength to push forward even when things are tough.

In your experience why do people have such negative attitudes towards refugees?

I think people, especially in culturally homogeneous societies, fear the element of “different” and “change”. I was reminded of this when I saw the movie “Dunkirk” last summer and the wonderful response by British people with boats to go out at sea and rescue their nation’s troops, stranded at the French coast. I thought “why nowadays don’t we go out proactively and rescue those whose lives are in danger, crossing the Libyan sea, the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean, with the same collective zeal to avoid catastrophe?” The question needs to be asked and answered, by reference to our common humanity.

Human Trafficking is a huge challenge in the world are we winning? What can the reader do to help?

Trafficking is an organised crime and as such, in order to be addressed effectively, it needs an organised and coordinated solution. One case, or the efforts of one individual, are not enough despite being a step in the right direction. It is difficult to make an assessment on whether we are “winning” or not, while there are still individuals in exploitation or at risk of exploitation. I am certain, however, that the legal tools we have at our disposal nowadays are better suited to address the phenomenon of modern slavery and in the hands of the right practitioners can help improve the situation and eradicate the problem.

Any person, with or without a legal education can play a vital role in the early identification of victims. Suitable training, to help recognise signs of trafficking, timely referral and access to legal and social assistance are some key things that we can all be part of if we choose to open our eyes to this “invisible” crime. The recent Essex lorry deaths, where 39 people were found dead in a refrigerated container, were heart-breaking and surely confirm to everyone that the stakes could 16 |

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not be higher.

Let’s debunk a few myths about refugees - mention 3 things that are not true about Refugees and mention the actual truths.

The most common myth about refugees is that they voluntarily leave their country of origin.

According to the Geneva Convention 1951 on the Status of Refugees, a refugee is a person who is forced to flee due to fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group. People who get on a boat in search of a better future generally only take the risks of doing so because their fundamental rights are in danger and they are out of options.

Another myth about refugees is that they come to the country of refuge and “steal our jobs”. This is a very problematic myth, used with varying degrees

of subtlety in anti-migrant campaigns. Even though, in line with the Reception Conditions Directive, asylum seekers can have access to the job market, in reality they have to overcome many administrative and social hurdles in order to get a work permit. In addition to this, consistent research has proven that recognised refugees in employment contribute significantly to the host state’s economy and assist the development and growth rather than increase unemployment for the host’s nationals. Sometimes, due to their entrepreneurial spirit, they are more likely to create jobs for locals rather than the other way round.

Last but not least, asylum seekers and refugees are thought by many to be leading parasitic lives at the expense of the host State. This is clearly a myth. Refugees and asylum seekers often live under inhuman or degrading conditions, such as the Moria Refugee Camp in Lesvos, or destitute on the street. Some asylum seekers and refugees receive nominal assistance from the State which is in no way luxurious. Refugee and asylum seeking children are often desperate, separate from family members and waiting for their claim to be processed, which makes them particularly vulnerable to human traffickers or criminals who take advantage of this vulnerability.

How do you relax or unwind?

The job of a lawyer can be very intense both physically, as it often involves long hours and a lot of travel, as well as psychologically. I try to practice Yoga when I have some spare time, as I find its impact on the body and mind therapeutic.

I like to also help my mind change gears from reading long legal texts by taking photography courses, which has become my new hobby during the last two years.

What advice would you give women interested in law?

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I have three pieces of advice to offer to women interested in law. The first one is , find your own identity and voice, in other words find the part of law that suits you and makes you get up every morning happy and be yourself. The second one is, be prepared for a long road to success. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Work has to be sustainable.

Don’t exhaust yourself and don’t take rejection and other obstacles personally. Last but not least, believe in the power of women networks and relationships and don’t be afraid to seek help from other women. Some of the best human rights lawyers and bosses I’ve had so far are women and I couldn’t have come as far as I have without them. You will not find a good mentor if you stay working under a boss who does not treat you well or invest time in you.

What’s next for you?

My most recent project pertains to providing legal assistance and tailored training to those involved in Search and Rescue (SAR) in the Mediterranean. I fly to Greece and Italy to help train and coordinate professionals who work onboard civil society operated SAR vessels, who in turn save lives in the Mediterranean. We have put together a team consisting of a domestic criminal lawyer, a human rights and data protection lawyer and myself. We provide legal training for frontline rescuers on the applicable rules of the law of the sea, data protection and criminal law, so that they can avoid criminalisation by the coastal state authorities. We also provide human trafficking identification training so that victims on board vessels can be identified as soon as possible and have easier access to protection. This is a project which is very contemporary and I feel very passionate about it, since the Mediterranean Sea has already claimed 994 victims this year. If you wish to support The AIRE Centre in this effort please get in touch through our website or email.

Beware the Imposter...

About 15 years ago now, I was recruited into what was then my dream job at the time.

During the handover period, I observed my predecessor at work, noticing her great relationships with colleagues. She had kept immaculate records of everything she had done and, to top it all off, she had a startling resemblance to the late Lady Diana. In comparison, I felt that I was coming up short. I know that I shouldn’t have been comparing myself to her – after all, they had recruited me – but I couldn’t help it.

We live in a competitive world where comparison is everywhere. Think about the advertising of products, services, jobs and education. To make a discerning choice, we make comparisons, so it inevitably follows that we also do this with people. It would be naïve to think that comparison could ever totally disappear.

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So can comparison between people ever be a good thing? Healthy comparison in the workplace can sometimes be useful.

Observing a colleague who has secured a senior leadership role and learning from their journey and experience can provide shortcuts on your career path.

However, sometimes we compare negatively.

For example, comparing your lack of confidence in meetings with someone who thinks on their feet, or your need for balance with someone who works 24/7.

You may have come across the term Imposter Syndrome, it was introduced by doctors Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, it’s is a psychological pattern in which you doubt your accomplishments and have a persistent inner fear of being exposed as a

“fraud�. Despite external evidence of your

syndrome, you have to become better

competence. People experiencing imposter

at acknowledging your success and

syndrome are convinced that they are frauds,

internalising it. A good way to do this

and do not deserve all they have achieved.

is to be better at sharing your successes

They incorrectly attribute their success to

with others. e.g. If you receive positive

luck, or as a result of deceiving others into

customer feedback you could share it

thinking they are more intelligent than they are.

Imposter syndrome is more prevalent when you are a visible minority, such as women in a male-dominated environment or a black or minority ethnic person amongst predominantly white colleagues, however it can impact anyone, for example a white male colleague shared that he experienced imposter syndrome, being working class, and the first in his family to attend university, amongst his middle-class Cambridge graduate colleagues.

When we are in the grip of imposter syndrome, like I was when I got my dream job, we usually compare ourselves unfavourably to others, we think we need to work harder and do more than others to be good enough, and we worry that we will be found to be lacking.

with senior colleagues to show them the impact you make, or you could create a monthly newsletter about the successes of your department, or go for an award to show how the work that you do compares to others. This is likely to have a positive impact on your career also, as it will improve your profile.

If you currently or have ever felt like that here, are some steps to overcome it.

Blow your own trumpet

Define what success looks like for you The only person that you should be

Not to deafen others but so your

comparing yourself to is you. We never

music is heard. To overcome imposter

truly know anyone else’s story, and if we

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are comparing ourselves to them, we are

looking for the lesson.

comparing how we feel inside with how others appear on the outside which isn’t a like for like comparison. Ask yourself am I better than I was yesterday, six months ago, a year ago? What does success look like for me, and how will I measure it.

List key accomplishments from the last 2-5 years

Don’t make Confidence Queen My final tip is one for those in organizational life. We seem to celebrate confidence over competence at times. How can you help encourage an environment where we can all voice, acknowledge and listen to healthy selfdoubt?

When you are travelling home from work, do you think about what has gone well, or do you focus on what you could have done better and what’s unfinished on the to-do list? It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate your many successes, but they usually occur when you are working from your strengths and are things to do more of and build on.

If we only focus on our weaknesses that doesn’t energise us, build our confidence levels or maximise what is working well for us. Spending some time listing your achievements, daily, monthly, annually can really help minimise your imposter syndrome and help you to acknowledge that you are enough.

Celebrate your failures Failure can be painful but it’s one of our greatest teachers. No product or service was ever developed without experimentation, and ultimately many of those experiments fail. Each failure is a step closer to success, it teaches you something if you are open to

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About Jenny Garrett Award-winning coach, author and developer of leaders, Jenny Garrett uses her 13 years of experience in coaching & leadership development to inspire and motivate people, working with them to deliver career and lifechanging results beyond expectation. Recent clients include MasterCard, EY and NHS.

Sam Tank’s Story I have been a Personal Trainer since 2015, having previously been a listening volunteer for the Samaritans, I knew that I wanted to work with people to see just how amazing we can all be!

I am a lover of life and enjoy a challenge, pushing myself and others to reach various goals. I very much believe in whole body fitness and health -my mission is to inspire you to become the best version of yourself and make every day count.

I was born in Skelmersdale, a place in between Manchester and Liverpool, moved to a relatively rough part of Manchester when I was 3. I have one brother who is 18 months younger than me, My parents would foster children, through the years we had 22 young brothers and sisters Our family didn’t have a lot of money but we always had what we needed. My parents enjoyed walking so we spent time visiting parks and scenic places.

We often visited our extended family that lived in London, Essex and Cardiff.

I was a very confident child but also seeked attention a little. As the oldest child I was usually the one ‘in charge’, deciding on games to play and creating plays and dances for us to do. My parents divorced when I was about 15, which improved my relationship with my dad, as up until that point I was the typical bratty teenager trying to avoid being around him!

The first time I got drunk I was around 15 and I’d stolen some of my mum’s rum. I remember running down the road to my friends feeling free and confident. They found it hilarious... I was so funny and entertaining, something that soon 21 |

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became my role in the group as alcohol was introduced regularly.

We would hang around ‘down the road’ as you do as a teenager, getting one of the older kids to buy cider, beer or alcopops. The leftovers were usually given to me so that I could be the drunk one entertaining the crowd. The same ‘friends’ were the ones that, as we got older, pretty much controlled my life. I was a very self-conscious, depressed teenager, I had been made to believe that I was the fat, ugly one of the group and would be nothing without them.

I would do anything for them and it almost drove me to suicide. Nights out were easier to cope with if I got pre-drunk as they would always end in some sort of drama - fights, boyfriends of friends getting beaten up, arrested or hospitalised and usually included many tears.

My life was unbearable and with all that going on within, I dropped out of college and was told by my ‘amazing’ pals that I was a failure - they once dropped me off at the Samaritans in Manchester while they went to the cinema because they were fed up of me being miserable all the time.

When I wasn’t drinking I was incredibly self

loathing and shy. When I was drinking I felt confident and ‘happy’ for a short while but then it would be pushed to extremes, until I threw up or passed out. My so called friends ruled my life and I didn’t see any way out.

Despite all this going on in my life, I qualified as a holistic therapist and at 18 I moved away, escaping the clutches of the people I thought were responsible for my misery. But I couldn’t run away from who I had become - I was already a heavy drinker and it continued for years, wherever I moved to and whatever friends I made the old cycle would repeat itself.

excited I hardly said goodbye to my mum! I have good memories of primary school. I was already a big reader and thrived on praise when I did well in class. I rarely got into trouble and it really played on my mind if I did, like it was the worst thing that could possibly happen! I had a mix of friends from different ‘groups’ and also enjoyed time to myself.

I began to dread nights out and adopted the ‘get as drunk as possible’ technique often ending the night in tears, in arguments with genuine friends, or in one potentially dangerous incident, wading in a lake (don’t ask!).

After I left Manchester I didn’t visit often, which suited me well.

When I was going through some of my life changing issues I didn’t feel that I could confide in my parents and it took me a few years to accept the fact that families look different to every person! My dad had a major stroke as he wasn’t looking after himself very well. Up until then we got on well, but didn’t see each other very often. Me and my brother hadn’t been particularly close but looking after our dad brought us together that little bit more. These last few years we have both lived in London and are making the effort to see each other more. I always thought that we are like the opposite from each other but the more time I spend with him, the more mutual pride and respect we seem to have for each other!

What was school like for you?

Apparently on my first day of school I was so

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Once in High school things changed a little. I was ‘labelled’ one of the clever kids, for which I was bullied for. It was the sort of school where it was cool to not care about getting good grades.

I made friends with some girls who were my ‘best friends’ for a while, however, because I was so desperate to fit in, I allowed them to control me into becoming as much of a clone of them as I could be, something I didn’t realise was happening at the time. I was not allowed to wear certain clothes, or to go to certain shops, or even talk to certain people. This carried on and got worse after school was over and I was controlled by these girls for 3 more years before I left Manchester.

What has been the biggest turning point in your life and why?

My single biggest turning point was 19th March 2009. The day I had the lightbulb moment that I can never drink again. I had been fighting for years against the fact that I had a problem and had been trying and failing to ‘be good’ or to cut down. The more I fought against it the worse my problem became. The turning point was my rock bottom and the only way to get out of it was up!

I had an assignment due, I was at work but already planning my first drink of the day... I had a ‘rule’ not to drink before midday but I already had decanted my first bottle of wine spread between two empty ribena bottles to have on my lunch break.

I left the office early to get more “studying” done, stopping on the way to stock up on alcohol, for some reason I bought 4 bottles, A dangerous move knowing that if it’s there I will drink it.

And of course I don’t remember quite what happened next but remember waking up and Jonny, my then partner telling me I needed to move out.

I saw the 4 empty bottles that he had discovered from my not-so-genius hiding place. I felt awful!

And I had the hangover from hell!

I got in my car and drove towards work trying to plan what to do, I got a friend to accommodate me for that night, whilst still figuring out my next steps I opened my glove compartment and found that in my drunken haze I had decanted half a bottle of wine into a plastic container and without thinking I downed it... It was 8 o’clock in the morning... I had finally hit my rock bottom and I knew I had to do something about it.

I made my way to the Swindon alcohol and drugs service and poured my heart out to one 23 |

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of the guys there and from that day, I knew that I couldn’t drink again. It was the simple answer that I had been dodging for years!

We made a plan for me to come to the group sessions. I stayed with my friend that night and the following day called my line manager requesting a meeting, when I went to see my manager at the time was open about what had been going on and I realized then that talking to her and opening up to her helped me.

Jonny allowed me back home and it took a while to build the trust back, understandably! The group sessions were invaluable, I understood how alcohol and drugs affect people in different ways and how we cope in different ways.

I feel like I should be saying that the struggle was really hard for me at this point, but after making the decision to never drink again there was a weight lifted from my shoulders.

I started telling work colleagues about my situation and found that by sharing what was going on solidified my commitment more and more. After a few weeks I stopped going to the group sessions and slowly started to see that I had gained control of my life again. I could finally start to see more clearly and appreciate what I actually had.

Four months later I took a trip to climb Snowdon.

The friends that I should have been going with had dropped out so I was with a group of work colleagues I didn’t know very well, they are now some of my closest friends. Climbing that mountain represented a lot for me in my head, If I can climb the tallest mountain in Wales I can do ANYTHING! Just a few months after I gave up the booze, my dad had a major stroke. It was touch and go as to whether he would pull through or not but after 10 months in hospital he was released to a nursing home. The stroke has affected

for and so ended up leaving Swindon, leaving my stable job, packing my bags and jetting off to India and South East Asia for a year

What have you discovered about yourself?

his speech and his ability to use his legs and one arm. His lifestyle was one which I feel I would have been heading towards knowing this cemented my need to stay sober and not have my life cut short.

I’ve re-discovered the confident child inside. I have discovered that I am so much stronger than I ever thought I was. I’ve discovered the power of acceptance is so strong! I’ve discovered a lust for life that I did not have before and that I have a very practical and logical approach to most situations. At my rock bottom I almost lost

The next few months I became a ‘Do-er’ organising events and going through with them… climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell pike, walking the length of Hadirans Wall. My confidence was on the up and for the first time maybe ever I started to feel good about myself.

After being sober for a year and a half I joined the Swindon Samaritans as a listening volunteer.

It is such an amazing organisation helping so many people talk through how they are feeling when there is nobody else they can talk to.

The last 9 years I’ve achieved and experienced so much; dropping 5 dress sizes, taking up running, saying YES to new experiences such as Glastonbury festival. Life has become about fun, friends, challenges and helping others find the best version of themselves. Within this period of growth, it became apparent that me and Johnny were no longer right for each other and so after 10 years together we split amicably and I moved in with some of my awesome friends. The same year I ran my first ever marathon, channelling my energy into a positive challenge.

Post marathon I needed something new to aim

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everything that was dear to me. My partner, my lovely house in the countryside, my stable job, my health, my car… just 5 years later discovered that none of these things were actually that important for my happiness – well, except for my health!! I took my healthy body and went travelling, where I discovered, in telling my story that I could inspire other people. Most importantly discovered that my friends make me so strong but that I can also be strong alone when I need to be. I realised that I can be and do great things in this world and so this is my purpose going forwards!

Tell us about your achievements and what’s next in your life.

While I was drinking, I started an Open University Degree, which I stopped when the drinking stopped. When I returned from travelling, I picked it back up again, studying social sciences whilst also studying to become a personal trainer. This year I finally graduated 14 years after my first module! This year also marked the 10 year anniversary of me giving up the booze, so of course I celebrated with a big fancy dress party, with the theme ‘be your own hero’! I feel like a 10 year celebration was the last milestone that I’ll recognise for now. After I made the decision it’s become ‘easy’. I’ve never been tempted to drink again and I don’t think I ever will be. My life has improved so much that it doesn’t even cross my mind as an option! (I wish the same could be said about chocolate!).

Two and a half years ago I started a wellness business, SMASH London, with one of my best friends, Ash. We discovered that our outlook on life and vision for inspiring people were very similar, so we sat down (on a beach in Valencia) and planned a trial of a class where we aimed to combine physical and mental health. We are now running a variety of classes which are slowly spreading around London, mental health workshops for businesses, mindful spin classes, birthday/stag and hen parties with a fitness twist and next year we aim to get a step closer to launching SMASH wellness retreats!

For me, my immediate plans next in my life are to bring SMASH London to the masses! Get the message out there of strength in body AND mind!

Share Your Story

Have you always dreamt of impacting the world? Or simply helping someone else with their journey? Do you have a story to share?

Well this is your opportunity to be part of our exciting media productions. Her Story Matters is inviting you to partner with us by sharing your story.

Send us your story written or video not longer that 10 minutes and via email on stories@herstorymatters.com by 30th June 2019 Please include the following in your submission: 1. Where you were born 2. A bit about your background 3. Share your story 4. Where you are now

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Fit Inspiration “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes When I look back at high school, there was no doubt I was a chubby teenager. Whilst I wasn’t chubby my whole life, I was for as long as I can remember.

I was very active as a child, at age 3 my mum decided I should learn how to swim which I enjoyed doing for 10 years – going as far as competing and winning medals.

When I went to High School, I made a decision to focus on studies and preparing myself to go to one of the best universities in Hungary, so swimming had to go.

What I did not know then was, due to the high activity level that my body had gotten used to, going sedentary and eating the same was a recipe for disaster.

Whilst I was studying hard to get accepted into the university I wanted, the pounds slowly started to pile on and before I realised I was close to 180 lbs (I am only 5.5 inches).

I got into the university I wanted which was undoubtedly a huge success. At the end of my first year I was headhunted for a job I wanted, I loved the job had great support from my boss which helped when I wanted to switch to weekend study.

I graduated with a degree in media and communication and at the same time became the chief editor of the newspaper as well as media spokesperson.

I was happy with what I have achieved in my career but with how I looked, I decided to do something about it. I Signed up to the gym, started attending exercise classes and decided to

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change the way I was eating.

At the time I had no knowledge of nutrition neither had a personal trainer who would help me in the gym. I did not want to drastically change what I was eating so decided to change when I was eating.

I had my breakfast and lunch as usual and my dinner earlier than usual (sometimes as early as 4 pm). Little did I know that this was indeed one of the best things to do when it comes to fat loss. We call it intermittent fasting, and despite the fact that intermittent fasting isn’t new it is still very controversial in the fitness industry.

The weight started to fall off, had a lot of energy to exercise and in under a year I looked better than I ever did. I continued with this routine for about 4 years when I moved to London.

Moving to London had its challenges, I had to start from scratch.

I didn’t speak English making getting a job in the Media impossible. I spent the first 6 months

of learning English and getting accustomed to London life. My eating habits completely changed, I wanted to try different foods including sweet treats and fast foods. My lifestyle had changed as well I was going out in the evenings which resulted in me gaining back all the weight I had lost and more.

enough courage.

I had a fantastic trainer assigned to me who completely changed the way I was looking at training and fitness, and of course eating. I learnt that lifting weight as a woman is actually helping me to get a nice shape – and contrary to popular belief it does not get a woman bulky (we do not have enough testosterone for that). All I knew was swimming, running or classes, I believed cardio was the holy grail of fat loss I had no idea how wrong I was.

Introducing weight sessions into my weekly routine started to change my body in ways I never expected. I had a couple of weight sessions a week with my personal trainer for about a whole year and tried to learn and soak up all the knowledge I could from him.

After 6 months I was brave enough to interview for my first job in a hotel and I got the Job! I was originally interviewed for a position to work as a receptionist at the main reception, but during the process they asked me how I felt about working in their gym.

The hotel had a lovely spa with swimming pool, gym and provided various exercise classes for members and guests. Accepting that position led down a new career path to achieve things I have never even dreamed off. I remember as a receptionist I often found myself admiring the trainers who were helping their clients reach their fitness goals. Being in that l environment made me face the facts even more – I needed to do something about my health.

I gave myself time to get confident in my new role, then decided to look up the closest gym to work (I was too embarrassed to work out in front of our regular guests) and I signed up for a membership. My start up package conveniently came with 2 personal training taster session which I eventually booked after plucking up 27 |

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At that point he had years of experience in the fitness industry as well as transforming his own body - he had this immense knowledge about diet, training and fat loss. He inspired me and still very much does, as our professional relationship slowly developed into a friendship, our friendship then turned into a beautiful relationship and has resulted in us now being married for a wonderful 2 years. But that is another tale to tell.

Meeting him however truly transformed my professional life too. I wanted to be able to do what he was doing. I wanted to help people,

especially the women around me, to help them be successful in the battle of losing weight and keep it off. To make them feel strong, encourage them, show them that being fit and healthy is not a battle you’re damned to lose.

He pushed me and encouraged me to change my job and get one with a fitness centre which as long as I worked for, helped me with getting qualifications in fitness. The following year I ended up becoming a fitness consultant and a spinning instructor. I loved it so much that I saved up and got my personal training diploma as well as completed a nutrition course. During that time I was also working full time in the gym, became a manager and actively taught classes. I even went as far as competing in fitness competitions to see how far I could push my body. I left the manager position to teach and train people full time, I created my Instagram profile to motivate and help people that wanted to follow my journey.

you’re eating regime needs to be good, 80% of your success depends on it.

I help people make wiser choices, helping them on what, when and how to eat. Whilst educating them that big diet and starvation is not the way.

The business is only in its start-up stage, but it is crystal clear to me this is what I want to do full time one day. I do not want women to struggle

A caterpillar girl with no English developed into a butterfly. Was the transformation easy? No it was not. Was it a straight line upwards? Not at all, it never is and never will be. You see the fitness industry is huge, the trends are always changing, the information that you read about aren’t necessarily always true. As a fitness professional my studies did not end after I got qualified and today I am still all about research, learning and developing.

I had to learn the hard way that there is a life beyond that “chicken, rice, broccoli and oatmeal “diet, that we don’t need to diet all of our lives, neither going low carb, keto, Atkins or pick up the latest diet plan to achieve goals. I also learnt that we don’t need to eat small meals 6 times a day, neither consume insane amounts of protein to keep us on track.

Fitness always was and always will be a part of my life, but I did realise that most of the people fail because of the bad nutrition advice they get.

their way through dieting, I don’t want them to make the same mistakes I did. I want everyone to be a winner and feel good in their own skin.

Being confident, feeling empowered and smile back at the mirror when they look at themselves.

About Author

Eszter O’Donoghue Is a level 3 qualified personal trainer, fitness model competitor with years of experience in health and fitness, passionate about healthy living and training. She has a degree in communication and journalism and has been working in that industry for 5 years. She loves to motivate

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people around her to adopt a better, healthier lifestyle, and look after their body.

Avril Hitman BEM, FRSA Lifetime Achievement Award, National Diversity Awards 2017 In 1985 Avril founded Magpie Dance, an organisation working with individuals of all ages with a learning disability, from ground zero against all the odds.

Qualified as a dance teacher (Dip LCDD) in 1975, Avril worked with non-disabled adults and young people teaching ballet, modern dance entering children for dance exams. Seeking a new challenge in her life in 1985 she began delivering a 45-minute weekly inclusive dance session in a social service centre to a group of adults with a learning disability. There was very little creative arts activity for people of any age

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with learning disabilities in which to participate, let alone perform. Avril’s work was based on the social model of disability, meaning that it is up to society to find a way to be inclusive. The core value is that there is ‘not a one size that fits all’ Magpie’s Dance work is founded on unlocking potential in the individual, recognising that we all have different learning styles and requirements.

Avril fundraised for the workshops, regular sessions and performances, including venues e.g. The Royal Albert Hall, Southbank Centre, Sadler’s Wells, Gulbenkian Canterbury amongst others. She applied to charities/trusts and

challenge assumptions and stereotypes across the UK. Avril led workshops in Bangladesh on three different occasions for young people with a learning disability and their teachers. The British Council supported the project. Avril led a practical workshop for professionals in Malmo Sweden on inclusive practice, supported by the Arts Council of England.

Avril’s considerable experience and expertise enables her to share the learning from her career as Artistic and Executive Director of Magpie Dance, offering insights into the process of developing a highly successful startup, its longevity and resilience. Avril’s work has included the performing arts, diversity, inclusion, lifelong learning, and health and well-being agenda.

foundations, despite having had no experience of fundraising.

Avril raised in the region of £450K in the early days to enable the charity to develop and grow before a professional fundraiser joined the team, along with finance and general managers. Throughout the 32 years she has grown, nurtured and developed the organisation with an entrepreneurial approach, as it has not received regular funding from any one source.

Reaching Communities (lottery) has supported Magpie over a period of 12 years (by March 2019) with £1.2 million of investment.

Avril developed the infrastructure from scratch, set up a board of trustees/Directors; in 1996 applying to the charity commission for Magpie to be recognised as a registered charity.

Under my leadership I grew the organisation to becoming a nationally recognised model of good practice, which delivers over 350 sessions annually to over 300 people of all ages with a learning disability. Magpie Dance continues to 30 |

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Before she stepped down from her role as Artistic and Executive Director in July 2017 the turnover of the charity was c. £350K with a successful programme of performance, participation and training delivered across the UK to a range of clients and venues.

Tell us about your early years…

I was born in Eltham ( a home birth), South East London, where I spent my childhood and early adult years. From an early age I was drawn to ballet; I started learning from the age of 4 and my love of dance continued throughout my formative years. I always knew that I wanted to do something involed with dance. It started as wanting to be a performer on stage; however I realised that as I grew older, the competition to become a professional dancer was very tough.

I was the only one of my two siblings to follow a career in the arts; I remember at school finding the ‘science’ subjects more of a challenge. I was more comfortable with and had a better apitude for arts subjects such as Music, Art and English.

As a family, we travelled in a dormobile (caravan on wheels) to other countries. It was exciting to see some of the world and other cultures, and to stay in natural surroundings. I did an ‘A’ Level in Sociology, which reflecting on, I believe

ignited my questioning about individuals and communities who are more disadvantaged in society.

What prompted you to start Magpie Dance?

I left college in the early 70’s, wanting to persue a career teaching dance. I graduated from London College of Dance and Drama (LCDD) having trained in ballet, national, tap, modern and natural dance movement. I also experienced some contemporary dance and pas de deux work which I really enjoyed. I graduated in 1975, after which I entered young people into ballet exams and choreographed work for dance festivals. I also taught adult ballet for 10 years and while I enjoyed the work, I decided that I wanted more of a challenge from my work…

In the early 80’s the long stay institutions were closing down as more people with disabilities came to live in the community, through national government policy at that time. 10 years after graduating from teacher training at LCDD the origins of Magpie Dance were founded. I began working with different groups of people (youth and adult) with learning disabilities in social service centres, community venues, special schools and a health authority. There was a very open honesty from each person, which I respected and wanted to experience more of.

One place that I worked was at a social service day centre called the Astley Centre in Bromley.

The group, comprising of 10 adults with learning disabilities, was called ‘The Astley Dance Group’. Magpie Dance’s first logo was designed by a member of staff from the Astley Centre.

In 1985 I began as a volunteer, delivering a 45 minute weekly session on my own in the dining room of the Centre. Not long after I was joined by two amazing volunteers, Shirley and Ann, who stayed with the group for seven years during the early development. This was the birth of Magpie Dance – called the Astley Dance Group until we found a quieter space in a youth club 31 |

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(five minutes walk from the day centre) called the ‘Magpie Youth club’.

The aim from the outset was to encourage all people, regardless of their ability, to take a full and integrated part in the artistic life of the community. Over 30 years ago, there was very little inclusive creative arts activity in which people of any age with a learning disability could participate, let alone perform.

Magpie’s values and approach were founded on the social model of disability – it is up to society to find a way of including people rather than excluding because of disability. Since the beginning, the aim was for the dancers to have as many opportunities as possible to perform and collaborate with different companies and artists. This remains vital to Magpie Dance today and was part of my core values for the organisation.

What challenges have you faced in your career and how you overcome it?

Fighting and advocating for rights and equality of opportunities for people with learning disabilities; breaking down perceptions and boundaries have been huge obstacles to overcome; as well as the limited pots of funding that are available to Magpie Dance.

In the beginning as the sole volunteer leading workshops with no staff, support or funding with a group of adults in a social service setting was a huge challenge. I had few role models to look to as the work was pioneering. I initially began with no training in fundraising, management, leadership development, governance and other areas that are required to start an organisation.

However, I have always had an entrepreneurial approach to my work along with a profound belief that people who are disadvantaged by their disability should have opportunities to make a valuable contribution to the cultural life of society, and reflect the makeup of the communities in which we live. After several years with the

You have worked with people from diverse cultures, what has this opened your eyes to or taught you?

It has taught me not to have preconceived ideas or assumptions about individuals. Celebrating difference, diversity and neurodiversity is a positive.

Who & what is your greatest inspiration?

group, I set up projects and fundraised for Magpie to deliver projects as there was no one else to do this. Over my 32 years with Magpie Dance, I had to seek funding from a variety of sources, including trusts, foundations, and more to ensure that Magpie Dance’s important work could continue.

Throughout my career I have had to overcome preconceptions and negative assumptions that other people have regarding individuals with a learning disability; sometimes the barriers are from the parents and careers or teachers who may have low expectations of what can be achieved. Through my work with Magpie Dance I continually challenged these assumptions to encourage people to think in a more open way about the valuable contribution from a range of people in society. Dance is a wonderful medium as it does not require verbal communication.

However the flip side of this is that the dance industry and audiences can have specific ideas about what a dancer should look like. Magpie’s dancers challenge these assumptions when dancers take leadership roles on stage in professional arts venues with no non-disabled support on stage.

From starting out completely on my own, over the years I was very fortunate to build a strong loyal and committed team around me; this is always a challenge when the funding required to deliver the work is not secure.

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Without a doubt Wolfgang Stange inspired me to start working inclusively with individuals with a learning disability. I contacted SHAPE (still operating today) and they put me in touch with Wolfgang, who was working at City Lit and some other places at that time. Wolfgang has a company, Amici that performed at Riverside Theatre, comprising adults with a learning disability and non – disabled performers on stage together.

Seeing these productions spurred me on to develop my work in Bromley and surrounding areas.

The dancers who access Magpie’s programmes have been a continual inspiration to me and have taught me to have open expectations of what can be achieved by unlocking individual potential through the medium of dance.

What has been the most fulfilling moments in your life and why?

Meeting my life partner, who has been incredibly supportive throughout my career from the early days. Seeing Magpie Dance flourish and develop over a period of 32 years. Watching the dancer’s choreography and performing on stages, e.g Royal Albert Hall, Sadlers Wells and many others, has seen my vision fulfilled and beyond against all the odds. On a personal side, close family and our two children and who have always supported my work and our six grandchildren, in two different countries are a constant source of enjoyment. In 2017 receiving a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s

New Years Honours and a Lifetime Achievement Award in the National Diversity Awards were very fulfilling moments – recognition of a long career working to develop and open up more arts opportunities for individuals disadvantaged by their disability.

What does success mean to you? What has been the key ingredient for your success?

Success has meant Magpie Dance continuing when sometimes it looked as if would not.

Success has been overcoming those obstacles which made me even more determined to continue. I believe passion and reslience are a key part of success, believing in what you are doing, the ability to be flexible and listening to those around you. Having a fantastic and fully committed team who are all passionate about what they do. Seeing the dancers perform, choreograph work for public performances to critical acclaim and standing ovations from audiences.

What advice would you give young upcoming dancers or anyone interested in dance?

A dance career is not an easy road to follow.

You must be passionate about what you want to do and achieve, be tough, resilient and learn to take knocks and get up again. If you believe in something enough then it can happen with a lot of grit and determination.

How do you relax or unwind?

I enjoy walking in the countryside, appreciating the beautiful nature we are surrounded by. I love the opportunity to visit other countries when I can, experiencing different cultures. I find the sea a very calming influence, which gives me space for reflection and relaxing. I also enjoy theatre and of course seeing dance!

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What’s next for you?

Since stepping down from my full- time role with Magpie Dance, I set up Avril Hitman Consultancy, offering bespoke projects to benefit individuals and organisations. Some of the projects I have been involved in are; mentoring individuals, leadership development, supporting charities with their trustee, recruitment and induction processes, delivering training on managing volunteers, growing teams, advising charities regarding what route to take for their development and growth, developing teams to ensure everyone has a voice. I am excited to be able to utilise my extensive skills, experience and knowledge from my career of over 30 years with Magpie Dance, by continuing to support others.

Changing African Scene There is an ebullition of the minds, a pacific rebellion taking place in the hearts of African children. From all parts of the continent, young African leaders are taking action to implement change. Featured are 3 young African leaders who are changing the African scene through their respective organizations.

The first time I met Anthea Thyssen-Ambursley, we did not have an appointment. I happened to be in Johannesburg for a business meeting and had finished earlier than expected which meant I had time to spare.

A little voice told me to call Anthea. Did I listen to the little voice? Yes, I did. I contacted her and she dropped everything she was doing to meet me within 30 minutes. We sat at a coffee shop and spoke for hours. I fell in love with her vision for the African child.

Anthea

is

a

mom,

wife,

serial

entrepreneur,

published author, international motivational speaker, entrepreneurial coach and the founder of AfriCAN child your time is now. She is promoting ordinary people’s stories that are changing people’s lives to become extraordinary. She wants to share stories

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“We need to make sure that our children are confident about their identity, that they are represented and that they are included.”

Anthea Thyssen-Ambursley

of healing, unity, and restoration and she seeks to

I met Bertha Letsoko at the Breaking Down

dismantle superficial boundaries. She promotes the

Borders Africa Youth Summit, which took place in

spirit of Ubuntu, humanity and is a fervent defender

Johannesburg in May, I was invited as a Speaker for

of kindness and love.

the panel on Protecting the Girl Child.

How is she changing the African scene?

Bertha is a young black woman from Soweto who is passionate about bringing actual change to the

She is coaching 13 gifted young leaders from the ages

community she comes from. She is a public relations

of 6 to 25 years to become impact entrepreneurs

graduate who has an interest in researching the

and leaders. She is creating young authors in order

social sciences in order to better understand the

for our children to change the African narrative. She

world she lives in. A go-getter, modern-day traditional

empowers them through skills and mindset training

healer, philanthropist and has hopes of being a

which is important to achieve ultimate success in all

social entrepreneur, lawyer, and influencer.

spheres of life.

She is the Director of Thari Entsho whose vision is to Her vision for African youth is to become innovators

overturn the status quo of the marginalized black

and

leadership

child, rewrite our collective story and spark a brighter

challenges right now. We are the richest continent in

future of multi-generational success for the black

the world and yet our people are so poor. Our youth

community.

solutions

leaders

for

Africa’s

should drive the process of real transformation on the African continent. We need liberated minds to

How is she changing the African scene?

unleash the full potential of Africa and its people.

Africa is slowly rising and Bertha interlinks with organisations that are focused on changing the narrative of what it means to be African. As the Director of Thari Entsho, she makes sure her programs enable the black African child to function as a Global Citizen at any point without fear of being intimidated.

These workshops are tailored and run for focus groups, she does not believe in one size fits all solutions.

Her vision for the African Youth is for them to be torchbearers and drivers of actual change by “The African youth has a lot of potential despite the challenges we are faced within today’s world. My contribution to the youth is by serving them through empowerment and development workshops, career guidance, science, and technology workshops just to mention a few”.

Bertha Letsoko

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bringing solutions for our socio-economic issues. We will be opening doors for higher quality education and health care.

“The African Child should stand out as a Global Citizen and Advocate for change and actually bring it to our communities here in Africa.” Bertha Letsoko.

Eva Arissani overcame a challenge that led her to serve the community and work towards the implementation of SDG 4 and 5.

She is the Founder of Transcentral Pty Ltd, a company specializing in language services; the Co-Founder of She Phoenix Femme Phoenix, an NPO aimed at helping the girl child, teenage girls and young women deal with a daunting range of obstacles such as teenage pregnancies, Education and empowering existing teen mothers.

She is the Founder of www.newmoi.org, a spiritual award-winning

blog

aimed

at

inspiring

and

motivating people to unlock their true potential and the Published Author of New Moi New Life : Five Ways to Build a New You and Live an Extraordinary Life, a motivational book, aimed at creating a spiritual awakening that would encourage the African reader to willingly make the necessary changes and move towards a fulfilling life.

Over the years, she struggled to make sense of what happened to her, juggled parenting, studying and

“While poverty is a cause of teenage pregnancy in Africa, it is also a consequence of teenage pregnancy as a child born in a poor household is, unfortunately, more inclined to perpetuate the cycle of poverty. Empowering the African girl child, African teen moms and African young women is a way to implement SDG 4 which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, SDG 1 which is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere and SDG 5 which seeks to achieve gender equality.�

Eva Arissani

making a living. A few years ago, she found her life purpose and realized that it was her destiny to

version of herself. It has a theoretical and practical

empower and take a stand on issues surrounding

aspect that can be applied anywhere.

the Girl Child, teenage mothers, young women and most particularly tackle head-on the issue of

Her vision for the African youth is to have more African

teenage pregnancy.

daughters empowered, educated, and freed from the shackle of poverty. She dreams of seeing them

How is she changing the African scene?

live a better life and become successful women they can be.

Over the years, Eva thought of a way to use her life story to make a positive difference in the lives of the African Girl Child, African young girls and African young women. She came up with the OSEEFK Programme that aims at equipping them with the right tools to rise up and build a better life for themselves. The Programme consists of 6 important steps that each play a crucial part in helping the girls, teens and young women become a better

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Article written by Eva Arissani Nkoulou Ella Contributor (Her Story Matters) Blogger (award-winning blog www. newmoi.org), Translation expert, Entrepreneur, Social entrepreneur, International speaker, Published author, Advocate of positive change, most specifically for the Girl Child and teenage mothers, Accredited Webfluential Creator

Kathie Bowden Kathie started her career at BP Minerals Kathie leads on Skills and Careers

(now Rio Tinto), establishing their remote

Development for the UK Space Agency. She

sensing unit before moving to the National

is a geologist (UCL) with a postgraduate

Remote Sensing Centre (now Airbus Defence

diploma from the University of Northern

and Space, Geo-intelligence). Following this

Arizona where she specialised in remote

she set up a successful consultancy which

sensing applications, and has over 30 years’

delivered the highly acclaimed ‘Windows on

experience of the application of space

the World’ CD ROM which was distributed

data in industry. Additionally she managed

to over 1.6 million households via the

a team that delivered 4 major public

Sunday Times. The CD was a powerful

understanding of science projects (Windows

tool to educate the general public to the

on – the World, the UK, the Universe and

benefits and potential value of earth

Life) whilst consulting more broadly across

observation. This was followed by 3 further

industry sectors. Kathie now concentrates

public science projects delivered through

on skills issues across the space sector

the Sunday Times – ‘Window on the UK’,

and is closely involved with Space Growth

‘Window on the Universe’ and ‘Window on

Partnership activities.

Life’.

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More recently Kathie has been instrumental in the skills agenda for the space sector. She is working in collaboration with the Satellite Applications Catapult and industry to address the skills gap. One of the initiatives she leads is the national Space Placements in INdustry (SPIN) scheme which connects bright and motivated students with placements with companies and other space sector organisations.

Kathie is a member of the Geological Remote Sensing Group, of which she was the founding Chair and is also a Fellow and past Chair of the Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society, awarded the Founder’s Medal for Services to the Society in 2008, and was awarded the

encouraged to question ‘why’.

What prompted your Interest in STEM? I will always remember our first physics lesson, investigating changing states, where we blew glass. Truly miraculous, and an experience which has left me with a fascination for the beauty that glass artists are able to create. I wouldn’t describe myself as a grade A scientist, but I wanted to understand why things happened, why things worked. Geography and the science side of it, physical rather than human geography, was what really intrigued me but that (as I went on to study geology) meant understanding physical processes and chemical reactions and increasingly means some element of maths and statistics and programming.

British Interplanetary Society’s Arthur C Clarke award for her SPIN activities in 2017.

Tell us about your early life…

I was born in Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) and my parents moved around central Africa quite a lot, so I experienced lots of different schools, learned to adapt and fit in and make friends pretty quickly. It was a very outdoor life and as kids we were taught about risk, but could be pretty feral during the holidays, free to explore the local area and constantly ‘investigating’. When I was 10 we came to live in England, the weather was a shock, but I found myself educationally a year ahead of my peers so I had a very easy first couple of years. I went to an all-girls secondary school, where I loved the sport (representing school and county) and pretty much all subjects especially sciences where we all wore lab coats and always did hands on experiments, actively

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What challenges have you faced in your career?

Our careers advice at school revolved around what our parents and grandparents did! Pretty useless in my view. My father was an estate agent but had worked for an airline, my mother worked for my Dad, grandparents – business in the mining sector and CocaCola. But I knew

I wanted to travel (preferably at someone else’s expense), to work outside and be able to do something that I’d be able to develop further as I got older and had a family. I studied geology at university, where I was the only woman in my year (there were none in the year above), which definitely taught me not to take any rubbish from colleagues. I was the only one of us to land a summer job using my studies where I worked for a mining company based in London, and that led to a job offer (before my colleagues had anything lined up).

I went on to work for the company all over the world, they trained me to use satellite imagery to support the exploration programmes and I subsequently ran their facility to provide data to all the offices around the world. I got involved with learned and professional society activities, organised conferences and field trips and delivered speeches (which horrified me at first and if I’m honest, still do). Knowing how to use the data gathered in space has meant that I can talk to people from a very wide range of sectors about how they might benefit from using space derived data, be that imagery or position, navigation and timing. I was headhunted to work for a supply company and then consulted and managed projects for a range of companies when my children arrived. I now work for the UK Space Agency, within the Education Team, but working with industry and academia to understand the issues they face recruiting people and the skills they find hard to source, and then working with academia and other training providers to make sure that the right training can be found to plug those gaps.

What barriers in your view do we still have to overcome in ensuring girls and women involvement in STEM? The world has changed a lot. I know there was

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some unconscious bias and pay rates could well have been an issue when I started working, but I was doing exactly what I wanted to do and loved it. Now, the saddest thing I see are girls self-selecting subjects and not keeping their options open, they can be turned off science by the stupidest things at a time when they really don’t know where it could lead them. I was a confident and self-assured student, I came from a family where we were encouraged to discuss things and make our own points. If I hadn’t had that early confidence and determination, able to stand alongside my peers that might have been very different. Girls need to be able to see where science might take them, the cool things that lots of us do, before they get sucked into making decisions that will affect what they can do. That said, it is never too late, if you are passionate about following a course you can make it happen, but it is much easier to do things in the ‘right order’ and not waste time.

Who or what’s your greatest inspiration?

It’s hard to pick out one inspiration: there have been many people who’ve challenged my perceptions and encouraged me. Being open to that challenge is really important. From the doctor friend who highlighted that what we don’t know scientifically far outweighs what we do know, to the astronaut friend who reinforced that just because an activity didn’t work 10 years ago doesn’t mean that in a different knowledge and business environment it wouldn’t work now or in the future.

What has been the most fulfilling moments in your life and why?

I’ve been lucky enough to work on some fantastic projects, and those that give me the greatest buzz now are those that have made

the biggest impact on other people’s lives. I managed a number of educational (public understanding of science) CD ROM projects which brought the use of space, and the science of DNA, to the front cover of a national Sunday newspaper – delivering 1.5m CDs into people’s homes and ensuring that the don’t compromise their computers gave me a few grey hairs. Now I run a programme to broker summer placements for university students across the space sector, which gives them all the experience and confidence to work in this truly exciting and growing sector.

What does success mean to you?

For me, success means doing something I love and that I passionately believe in. It’s not about money but is about respect. Both your own and from other people, knowing that I am doing a good job, and well, is very important to me. It also doesn’t come easily, working hard for what you want to achieve doesn’t come in 5 minutes.

How can we support young women interested in Sciences?

I try to support young women in a range of different ways, the UK Space Agency has supported the development of WISE’s www. myskillsmylife.org.uk Portal, and I’m a STEM Ambassador and also volunteer through the Careers and Enterprise Company’s (CEC) ‘Give an Hour’ Programme. I am the delivery lead for the Space Growth Partnership on People, Skills and Culture where I am seeking commitment across all space sector organisations to sign up to the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter (UKSA is already a member) to increase diversity across the sector, and for all organisations to engage with our One Million Interactions Programme, supporting the work 40 |

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of the ESERO-UK, STEM Learning and the CEC. Next year will also see an active change in Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) where all advertisements will be evaluated to ensure that they are gender neutral and don’t discourage women from applying.

How do you relax or unwind?

I’m not entirely sure I ever do relax or unwind, there never seems to be enough time in the day for all the things I want to do! Our Labrador ensures that I have to walk him every day around the fields near our home, but work thoughts often interfere, walking with friends is better, and gardening sometimes demands more concentrated thought. You’ll have noticed that being outside is still important to me – I am looking forward to a week in the Lake District where I am reliably informed there is no mobile signal and no WiFi – will I be able to cope????

What’s next for you?

What next? A new concept for skills development for the space sector, both for those developing kit, but also for those who want to develop new businesses based on the data and information we get from space. The sector is growing so fast that it’s a challenge for businesses to find the people they need with the right science background and skills, through this, and One Million Interactions, I want to make sure that they can grow and that young people looking for a career that will give them as much fun as I’m having will be able to join in.

Crete –

the scenic, natural pearl of Greece I’m on a mission: I want to showcase incredible destinations that you haven’t heard of just yet. Paris is cool, but have you been to Chania? These hidden gems often provide WAY better value for money and you have a much more intimate experience without the crowds.

Why should you have to fight for a photo of the Mona Lisa on your holiday anyways?

and churches from the Byzantine Empire scattered around the island – all adding to the unique Cretan culture traditions found nowhere else on this planet.

When to Go High Season: July – August

25 – 30°C (77 – 86 F)

Moderate Season: September – October 12 – 24°C (53 – 75 F)

Why Crete?

Crete is the scenic, natural pearl of Greece. There are incredible gorgeous, snow-capped peaks, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Low Season:

Crete’s natural beauty is only equalled by its incredible history and culinary scene as well. There is nothing you can’t find on Greece’s largest island.

There are Venetian fortresses, Turkish mosques,

Chania

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November – March 8 – 15°C (46 – 59 F) Warning: Many things will be closed during this season!

Pronounced as ‘Hania,‘ is a vibrant city with a diverse history. Enjoy the Venetian Quarter with

Accommodation: You will want to be in the middle of the action so you can access all of the incredible restaurants and the Old City easily.

I would absolutely recommend staying with Fileas Art Hotel. The hotel is located in the center of the Old City so you can walk to the harbor in under 5 minutes and float between the Venetian Quarter and the tourist hubs, it’s also incredible value for money.

For 60 – 80 Euros per night, you’ll be living in a spacious room or suite with breakfast included.

narrow lanes and hidden boutique shops on the east side of the city (east side).

The Venetian Harbor is perfect for a summer stroll and the path is lined with restaurants and bars for you to enjoy all day long. You can enjoy unique Cretan cuisine (that is uniquely Cretan – not Greek) that was developed from Crete’s long and diverse history.

The Old City is likely where you’ll spend the majority of your time as the west side is more residential.

Hot Tip: When you reach the harbor, turn right and explore the Tavernas about 5 minutes down the edge of the harbor. These are less touristy and you’ll experience better food with better prices!

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Fileas Art Hotel is good for: Couples and families (and pets!) It is part of a bigger collection of accommodation options called – Aria Hotels.

Aria Hotels has years of experience and specializes in delivering authentic Greek hospitality during your stay in any of their hotels. They have multiple hotels in different locations across Greece (like Athens!) so be sure to check out their other options.

For my tour of Chania, I chose to go with Alma de Creta, which is run by two incredible locals, Aliki and Roussos.

What started as a normal tour experience, turned into a transformative Cretan experience and dialogue through the streets of the Venetian Quarter and the Old Town. (See on Trip Advisor) 43 |

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Aliki and Roussos were incredibly friendly, hospitable, and accommodating; whatever type of Chania experience you’re looking for – they have the perfect agenda and local knowledge! We opted for a more well-rounded experience (with delicious nibbles along the way) and we ended up at their ‘kitchen extension‘ – aka a local restaurant they frequent – for two hours as we debated current events, culture, and dived into INCREDIBLE local food.

I’ve unofficially dubbed Roussos ‘Prince of Crete’ as he is a Cretan local and either knows or is related to 1/4 of the people on the island (mild exaggeration – but not by much!).

We happened upon multiple siblings, friends, and even his mother; and this is testament to the incredible experience that Aliki and Roussos planned for us.

Things To Do Thalassino Ageri Go for dinner when the sun is setting (around 7:30). The ambiance and food was one of the most incredible eating experiences of my life! Bougatsa Lordanis – This is the infamous, flakey Cretan breakfast pastry that has chaniot mizithra cheese in the center. A Greek coffee & pastry will run you about 5 Euros. What a steal!

Kousina LTD This is Aliki and Roussos’s ‘kitchen extension’ (mentioned above). It has a warm family friendly feel to it and cannot be missed. Come hungry as the portions are large. You can also ask for half portions so you can sample a bit of everything.

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About Author Vanessa Menchaca is a B2B Global Launch Manager at Hotels.com and an accomplished travel writer behind the blog: wanderonwards.co.

Originally from Los Angeles, Vanessa has spent the last decade bouncing between Beijing, Boston, and London pursuing a career in tech whilst exploring over 40 countries. When she’s not on a plane, she enjoys learning languages, developing her skills, and cooking with her husband and cat.

Women in the Police It has been a landmark year for women in the Met Police as they celebrate 100 years of women in the police.

A century has seen historical moments recorded from Edith Smith setting the pace in 1915 walking the beat in Lincolnshire with the power to arrest, to the inauguration of women being allowed to join the Met police in London with 21 women initially pioneering this change being the first female police officers walking the streets of London in 1919. It has also seen the first ever black female officer in 1968 Sislin Fay Allen join the force to the first ever female commissioner Cressida Dick, appointed in February 2017.

Once upon a time the introduction of women into the Met Police was considered an ‘experiment’. They were called ‘women patrols’ without the power to arrest waiting 4 years later to have their job titles changed and be acknowledged as ‘constables’ in the same regard as their male peers and finally been given the power to arrest. They’ve dealt with unequal pay not recognised on the same level as their male counterparts and no pension scheme in place waiting until 1974 when equal pay was introduced.

Gender equality is a critical agenda being driven across all industries and the Met Police is no different. As part of the celebrations the Met Police launched a campaign called ‘Strong’ to drive the recruitment of women into the force. The campaign aims to highlight the challenges and stereotypes faced by women and give them greater access and understanding of the opportunities available to them.

To date there are around 8,000 female police officers in the Met Police accounting for 27% of the workforce which to further highlight BME female police officers only make up 3% of this figure. Cressida Dick has expressed a desire to bridge the gap and gain equality with a ratio split of female to male police officers at 50:50 and increasing the amount of female BME police officers to 20%.

I believe our desire for safer communities must be matched with better gender balance in the workplace. Having more women represented in the Met police broadens the scope of intelligence and solutions that can help to build safer communities. I believe that is evident through some of the experiences and stories of success faced by the women featured in this edition.

Although 100 years has brought many firsts for women in the Met Police it has not been without its challenges in breaking down the barriers faced by women in a profession regarded as male dominated. Although inroads have been made more work is to be done.

We hope that by reading about the experiences of these women it will encourage you to go for the things you want no matter the obstacle. These women have shown that the opportunities are endless, and you can have a fulfilling career.

To acknowledge this important milestone, we’ve featured the stories of some amazing women in the force. These women represent strength, courage, agility, determination and fierceness. It’s an honour to stand in such a position of power and to be a part of shaping the communities we live in. As a result, we want to highlight the important role these women hold and the passion and drive in which they care for the community and help daily to fight injustice. We want to use this opportunity to show how these women not only work hard to protect people but the creativity and diversity in skillset that they use to execute in their job roles.

These women show that there is no limit to what you can accomplish and in turn the positive impact you can have in transforming a community.

If you would like to find out more about the Metropolitan Police and potentially joining visit: www.met.police.uk/women

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Article written by Salome Asabre

Barbara Gray

Assistant Chief Constable Crime Operations with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

Barbara is currently the Assistant Chief Constable Crime Operations with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) She has just over 30 years’ service and currently the most senior ranking female officer in Northern Ireland. By the nature of her service profile she has been the ‘first’ female officer in several roles including Head of Specialist Operations and ACC Crime Ops. As Operations Manager for North and West Belfast (2011-2014) she was responsible for the delivery and management of policing services in one of the most politically sensitive areas of Northern Ireland. She was Commander for numerous complex, large scale operations which resulted in ballistic attack and serious disorder. Barbara always remained conscious of the need to develop a transparent and flexible policing strategy that reflected the needs of the divergent community beliefs with the fundamental objective of protecting those members of the public and police officers impacted by such events.

As Superintendent for the border area with the Republic of Ireland (2009-2011) Barbara had the responsibility for the development of strategic partnerships, service delivery (including neighbourhood policing). In a District, where some of the worst terrorist atrocities had occurred pre and post ceasefire the question of police legitimacy was a particularly vexed one. As part of the Northern Ireland peace process, policing had experienced an emerging community confidence following the withdrawal of military

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personnel from Northern Ireland. Due to the Dissident Republican threat at this time this new confidence was being eroded. The challenges policing experienced from those in transition following a long conflict were accompanied by significant opportunities.

She led a determined development and focus on community based policing building new partnerships and engagement in areas that had traditionally been opposed to policing.

A community based model of policing created the opportunity for engagement and partnership working that previously had not existed.

Her current portfolio includes responsibility for Intelligence Branch, Terrorist Investigation Unit, Major Investigation Teams, Serious and Organised Crime, Specialist Operations Branch (including specialist firearms and surveillance) and Public Protection Branch.

protect individuals and the community.

Tell us about your early life experiences...

People

continuously inspire me. I am encouraged and energised by those positive people I meet every day;

I was born in a rural area close to the border between

whether they are police officers/staff, multi-agency

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. My

partners or members of the community who step

childhood memories are of a happy family life

forward and seek to do good things. Positivity is a

growing up on a small farm with a pet cow and

force for good!

labradors. Those happy memories and experiences shine brighter than the memories of an environment where there was a sustained campaign of terrorism.

What kind of support did you receive in your career?

Murder, shootings and bombings were common place for many during those early years in the 1970s.

I haven’t had formal mentoring support networks throughout my career but I have had so much informal

What experiences led you to your career

support and encouragement from colleagues of all

I never remember a time that I didn’t want to join the

ranks and grades and community and statutory and

police. Perhaps because of the terrorist campaign

voluntary bodies. I have applied and been selected

in Northern Ireland, and due to the values instilled in

for several different academic and vocational

me by my parents; I felt an innate desire to try and

courses over the years. These have all allowed

make things better for others and protect people.

me to develop personally and professionally. The

To join the police seemed a reasonable way to do

police service has offered fantastic development

so. A point that strengthened my resolve was when

opportunities and it is important to recognise when

a police officer was murdered outside my family

something is an opportunity and grasp it with both

home when I was 14 years old. It was one of many

hands!

brutal murders in Northern Ireland’s history that left a mother and father without a son, a wife without a

How does it feel to be the most senior ranking

husband and a baby without a father.

female officer in Northern Ireland?

What challenges did you overcome as a pioneer in

It is a pity that gender is a point of reference as

the roles you have held before?

women are underrepresented at senior ranks. I am very proud of the police service in Northern Ireland

Some of the challenges I have faced have been

and very privileged to be in this position. My aim is

balancing personal and professional responsibilities

that I continue to be acknowledged as a competent,

especially when my two children were young. Early

capable and caring police officer who got to this

career experiences were shaped by the fact that

rank for those reasons.

women were not routinely armed - this somewhat restricted what we were tasked to do, as did only

How do you schedule self-care?

being allowed to wear a skirt for the first two years of service!

Pretty poorly!

By the nature of my service profile I have been the

What advice would you give young women who are

first female officer in many roles.

I can honestly

considering careers in the police Service?

say that in the majority of those roles I experienced fantastic support and respect from all of colleagues.

Do it!

Policing is a fantastic vocation which offers so much

What drives you?

variety. It is tough, it is challenging but it makes a difference to people’s lives. It is one of the most

The sense that I can still make a difference and

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fulfilling careers you could choose!

Tell us about your life growing up, the experience and emotions you had, living with your parents…

Haley Sanderson Constable, Northern Ireland

Growing up for me was a very different story to most “Normal” childhoods. My parents were Foster carers for many years and it was a regular occurrence to be woken up in the middle of the night as another new child was put into my bed beside me. More often than not there would be 2 or 3 children sharing

I am currently in Collision investigation Unit.

Our unit covers all of NI. We investigate all fatal road traffic collisions.

not only my bed but my sisters too. I am the youngest of a large family with 4 brothers and 4 sisters, yet we didn’t live in a large house by any means. From the age of around 7, I have memories of my parents drinking, albeit my Mother more so than my

I joined the PSNI in 2005 and my time in the PSNI massively increased my confidence and self-esteem. I run a successful business outside of my job and still to this day, I do not dread going into work.

Father, nonetheless both were alcoholics. My parents were in and out of the local mental hospital (as it was known back then), and we had regular visits from social workers, however they never seemed to question how we lived.

My Dad was a coal miner and would be away from home for long periods.

When he’d return for a few days, we saw a very angry and violent man. It wasn’t unusual to see my Mum with bruises and marks on her face and arms.

The rest of us got hit with a broom or a slipper so we did our best to stay out of his way, but the sense of fear you felt when he came home was so real. We grew up fending for ourselves; my brothers would collect us from school and we would feed ourselves most days with whatever was in the cupboards. Or if we really got lucky we got to go to a friend’s house from school for some proper dinner.

Following a serious violent outburst from my Dad which hospitalised my Mother, eventually their marriage ended when I was 9 years old. Whilst my older brothers and sisters were able to move out and get on with their lives, I had a year or so of moving between Hostels and shelters with my Mum. Mum then remarried but her new husband was also an alcoholic, consequently I would avoid going home more and more, staying at friends’ houses for a quiet life, or just finding a quiet place to spend my days alone.

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I can honestly say my foster care experience was a When I was 11 years old I got to stay at a school

positive one, I was very lucky and we still remain in

friends’ house for the entire summer holidays, her

contact.

parents often joked about my Mother not being in touch to see if I was ok or coming home. Indeed

The path to growth is not always filled with light…

they’d often say how they’d love me to be part of their family permanently. They contacted social

Arriving in Northern Ireland. 16 years old. I didn’t go

services and as a consequence, being the youngest

back to England.

I was taken into foster care.

I stayed in Northern Ireland and got to work straight How did living in foster care impact your life?

away. I met a man and fell pregnant. We married and had another child. He was very possessive,

When first put into my foster home, I struggled to

controlling and violent. It was a pattern I’d seen

adjust to ‘family’ life again, for example being in a

before in my parents.

house where everyone sat together for meals, and just having regular meal times. Having to go to school,

It was a very difficult position to be in. At work no

and people questioning my whereabouts, what I

one knew. I carried on like everything was normal. I

was doing etc. I ran away at every opportunity.

did my best to try to make the marriage work for my children’s sake.

My foster carers were amazing people, they had more patience than I’d ever known and their love

I joined the PSNI in 2005. I thoroughly enjoyed it from

was unconditional. With no violence, evidently they

day one. I felt like I had a genuine purpose. I felt free. I

clearly loved each other and me, it was such a

threw myself into my work and took on every overtime

calming environment. With their love and guidance

opportunity going. I got involved in everything, and

I was able to settle in, my school life had suffered

got to know everyone. I found being in the PSNI

greatly as I had barely been at high school since

helped my self-confidence grow and in 2009 I found

the first year. At the age of 14 it was agreed with the

I was mentally strong enough to leave the marital

school and social services that I was unable to catch

home. This ended up being a very public matter

up and instead of being put back a year or two they

when my ex-husband was arrested for assault and

allowed me to leave school completely. I had no

criminal damage when I tried to leave. My sergeant

GCSEs.

and Inspector was there and it was all heard over the radio. It was genuinely a mortifying experience. But

I did get a job in a hairdressers at 15 after completing

the support I received from work was unbelievable. I

a course through a foster children’s youth group, and

didn’t feel alone. My colleagues helped me through

despite the fact that I had not yet reached the age

it and I soon found my way. I have used OHW and

of 16, I was set up in my own flat and working.

received counselling and support all the way.

My foster mum was brilliant support for me, she taught

What’s the biggest challenge you had to face in your

me how to pay my bills and to cook basic meals. I

role at work? How did you overcome it?

eventually got a 2nd job in the evenings working in a bar, but I drank a lot which was to become quite

I have had a few challenges over the years in my

the norm for me. I was working in this bar that I met

career, my biggest challenge has to be in February

some friends who were from Northern Ireland. One

2019 when I was moved from my home under threat.

weekend they were heading back home to see their

I had to leave my home, change my car and move

families and they invited me along, so I jumped at

into a hotel with my two children. I wasn’t allowed to

the chance to get away.

return to my old house. I changed my appearance completely and tried to stay out of the way.

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her stor y matters

incredibly hard. But I did it.

I got through this by staying positive and having the most amazing support network in my friends.

How can women use their stories and experiences to build an alternative path for themselves?

What are your proudest achievements?

I don’t feel my past is anything to be ashamed of, It is very hard to say what my proudest achievement

I feel that talking openly about my experiences,

is. But for me, coming from the background I did, I

showing that there is more to life than alcohol abuse

think just getting into the Police has to be one of my

and domestic violence. I don’t know where I would

proudest achievements. If you could ask any one

have been if I didn’t join the Police. Women can

of my old friends in England where they thought I’d

use their own experiences and stories to show how

end up, being in the Police would definitely not be

strong you can be if you get the right help. It is really

their answer. It changed my life. In so many ways.

important not to feel alone or weak for coming

For someone who didn’t really get through school

forward and asking for help.

and exams, to get through the initial process into the Police college and to then go on to pass my exams

No-one should ever be subjected to violent

and becoming a Constable. I did that. It could have

controlling behaviour. There is always help out there.

been so different for me.

If I can help one woman seek the right help through sharing my experiences I will be happy.

How are you able to balance your day job and running a business?

I have worked alongside social services and foster care teams and shared my story. There is a genuine

I run a full time business outside of my PSNI role. I do

interest when you speak to foster carers and social

this with very little sleep! I work long hours and put

services when they hear how I grew up. They also

everything into it. If you want anything enough you

want to learn from bad experiences others have

will work for it. I want my children to have what I didn’t.

had. Talking about it helps me too. It normalises it.

And having a business outside of work teaches them that if you work hard there are rewards. We have had

What do you do for fun?

holidays abroad and day trips away because of this.

I really enjoy my work, both in the PSNI and my home

I spend time with my children. Go bowling and to the

business too. That makes all the difference.

cinema. Being there for them while they grow up is the most important thing for me.

What advice would you give to young women with similar experiences to yours?

Don’t let your past ruin your future. Don’t keep things to yourself. Don’t struggle alone. And don’t stay in an unhealthy relationship for the children. They will thank you more if you get out and look after each other. I could have carried on drinking and ended up repeating the cycle that my parents did. I could have stayed in a violent relationship to save my children the initial upset of a family breakup. But they will both tell you now that they just want to see their parents happy. I knew I wanted more from my life. Being in the Police gave me the confidence to be the person I always knew I could be. Turning my life around hasn’t been easy. In fact at times It was 50 |

her stor y matters

Twenty nine of those years spent on the response team and in the last two years she has been part of the Integrated Offender Management unit. She is very happy in her role

Police Constable Karen Giles South East Command Unit

as a police constable in the MPS.

She has two children whom she is very proud of, a daughter who is a fantastic police officer serving as a police sergeant in the MPS and

Police Constable KarenGiles from the South

a son who is autistic and works for the NHS at

East Command Unit joined the Metropolitan

Guys & St Thomas’ Hospital Trust as a data in-

Police Service (MPS) on 12th July 1976.

putter.

She had spent all her service working and living in South East London - Peckham for eighteen years, Woolwich for four years. She is currently posted to the London borough of Lewisham where she has worked for twenty one years.

Please also tell us about your early childhood.

I was born in Lancaster and adopted by my wonderful Mum and Dad who took me to a small town in South Cumberland called Millom. My father, a Cumbrian, will always be my hero - he was a blast furnace man who had a deep understanding of his local area and loved walking. I spent many happy

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her stor y matters

hours walking with him and he would tell me about the wildlife and plants, etc. My mother, a Cornish

How do you maintain a positive attitude in your line

woman was the kindest person I have ever known

of work?

and I feel blessed to have been brought in a loving family with my brother who was four years older. Life was plain and rather old fashioned - Sunday school, playing outside with friends all day, waste not want not, treasured neighbours and friends.

What experiences, if any, played a part in your career path?

I am not from a policing family. While in school in Cornwall and at the age of thirteen, a police woman from the Devon and Cornwall constabulary visited for a careers talk, I was so inspired that I decided to join!

What have been the greatest challenges you faced in your personal life and career?

I enjoy the interaction with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds - it makes life more interesting and rewarding.

What has been your greatest moments at work?

I don’t think I have any great moments - but I do have many memorable ones! Being with colleagues at the best and worst of times - laughing together, supporting each other, building friendships and sharing experiences with the public often at the darkest times of their lives.

I have had a few proud moments in being recognised by my organisation through commendations and a lifetime achievement award!

Initially travelling to London for the first time and adapting to life in the city was a challenge. Then combining motherhood and a full-time working career, in a unique and dynamic policing service became another.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

What is most fulfilling with your job?

Helping people - policing is often seen by the public as the type of job which has a negative effect on

Photographers/Videographers, Designers, Editors, Writers

peoples’ lives but I think a great deal of the work done by police officers behind the scenes has a very positive effect - and policing is built on a ‘can do’ approach which makes me feel fulfilled and happy.

What drives you?

I like people and I like talking! The role of a police

Do you have a passion for empowering women?

officer is broad and it provides a wealth of experiences and opportunities. I believe it is a force

Believe you can add to this organisation?

for good nationally every day of the year and that belief drives me. I also enjoy the challenge of learning new things about policing and the law there is always something new. Being a police officer makes me very happy day-to-day.

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her stor y matters

Then get in contact with us via:

publications@herstorymatters.com

Alison Heydari, BSC (HONS), MSC, PGCE, MCMI Superintendent, Response and Patrol Hampshire County

Alison joined Hampshire Constabulary at the end of 2000, joining the response team at Southampton Central Station in 2001. As a student officer Alison successfully applied for the Home Office Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates and was promoted to Sergeant with just over 2 years’ service.

Alison joined the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as a Detective Sergeant working in a number of units including Child Abuse Investigation, and the Performance

process for the John Jay Exchange. She spent

and Review Unit, reviewing cold cases and

six months as ‘Professor Heydari’ teaching first

quality assuring serious crime investigations.

degree and Masters students Comparative

As a DS she also supported victims of people

Policing Systems at the John Jay College of

trafficking in Sao Paulo Brazil. On promotion to

Criminal Justice, New York, New York. She

Detective Inspector Alison worked in the CID

combined this with researching the police

general office and was offered an opportunity

response to the management of domestic

to second to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of

abuse in the Public Housing Projects in inner

Constabulary. She spent 6 months as staff

city New York.

officer to HM Inspector Robin Field-Smith followed by an extension to her secondment

On return from America, Alison was offered

to join the Inspection team. On return to

a District Command role in Havant and

force Alison headed a Public Protection Unit

Waterlooville and after a two year stint there

managing Hate Crime, Domestic Violence,

she was successful in applying for temporary

Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults.

promotion. From October 2013 to October

In 2009 Alison took up post as Chief Inspector

2014 Alison was Temporary Superintendent of

District Commander of Portsmouth South. A

Portsmouth leading on a number of impactive

year later, Alison passed the assessment

Community issues including the threat of

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terrorism. She then reverted to her substantive rank and remained in Portsmouth before passing her promotion Board.

Alison enjoyed her role as Superintendent Commander of Southampton having taken up post in January 2016. Alison was responsible for leading staff to meet the objectives of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Policing Plan and the Chief Constable’s Purpose and areas of focus. She led on developing strategic partnerships to fight crime, engaging with communities to make Southampton safer. Since January 2019, Alison has been responsible for officers across the County who respond to grade 1 and 2 (emergency) calls.

Her responsibility for about 800 staff keeps her busy!

with a network of friends spanning all continents, the family home was a welcome place for friends from across the world. We travelled extensively and from months old I travelled abroad and was exposed to a wide variety of cultures. It was fun growing up in a close family. I attended the local Grammar school for girls, where I achieved O and A levels followed by attendance at Chelsea School of Art. I love art, and I am especially interested in seeking out local art when I travel.

What experiences led you to choose this career?

My early introduction to a range of cultures and behaviours that inevitably emanated from those cultures really influenced my interest in people and what makes them tick.

I find people fascinating

and that combined with my parent’s affinity for public service, led to my interest in policing. This only happened by chance sighting of a small recruitment advert for police officers. Having seen the advert, I considered the following favourable aspects-an opportunity to make a difference to communities, lots of change and new experiences that would keep

Alison is a trained Force Negotiator (both suicide/crisis intervention & kidnap) and practiced for 8 years. She is also a Public Order and Public Safety Silver Commander. She mentors extensively and is an active member of the force Inspire Group. Her force wide responsibilities include Force Lead for Hate Crime and Force Lead for Female Genital Mutilation.

me interested and contact with people. I wanted to do my bit to bring a bit of diversity into the police whilst making a difference.

joined the police and was then successful in joining the Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates where I was able to develop my leadership skills.

What are the most rewarding aspects of your role?

I absolutely love helping people reach their potential through mentoring and coaching. I know it sounds really corny, but I joined to make a difference and feel that I can do that by supporting staff and being visible in communities.

Please tell a bit about your early life.

Two ride-alongs later I

The response to me from

many BME communities has been so positive, and I feel that I have been able to contribute to building trust and confidence by working with communities

I grew up in London, the eldest of four children to

as a BME senior leader.

parents who had migrated to London from Guyana in South America. They soon came to be well known in

What’s the most challenging aspect of your current

the community for helping people, we had an open

role and how do you overcome it?

house where people popped in frequently, to say hello and most often to eat as my parents were both

The most challenging part of my role is ensuring that

excellent cooks! My parents were avid travellers, so

I am consistently visible to my teams that are spread

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her stor y matters

across the force area. I try to ensure that I attend

for support with their professional development. I

as many briefings as possible and have 121s within

always think that whomever you are, you need what

leaders within my teams so I can keep in touch with

I would call an ‘A team’-those people who you can

the operational demands that they face. A certain

trust to pick up the phone and share the good times

degree of visibility can be achieved through email

and bad times with! They may be in or out of the

as well-making my vision and expectations for the

police and I would really recommend one of those

teams clear, but I will always supplement that face

people to be a mentor. That’s really helped me to

to face interaction.

keep things in perspective in the demanding roles that I have had-and I have had a lot of those!

There isn’t a substantial number of BAME women in the police force, in your experience what’s the reason

How has your life been impacted since joining

behind this? And what can be done to increase the

response team at Southampton Central Station in

numbers?

2001?

There are too few BAME officers full stop and the

There are significant periods of time during my career

number of BAME women is pitiful. I think that forces

where I have worked full time as well as studying in

need to be really serious about practicing positive

academia and for professional qualifications. My

action and supporting women including BAME

Master’s Degree and Doctorate have been achieved

women to be successful in policing. But to achieve

whilst successfully holding down demanding roles.

real impact, we need to be getting in early through

My husband and children have been instrumental in

effective

strategies.

providing the support and space for development

Liaison with communities, schools, colleges, places

and I am very grateful for that. There have been

of worship and building long term relationships will

stressful times, but I can honestly say that the being

build the trust and confidence that is required in

in policing has been such a positive experience for

order for BAME communities to feel that they WANT

me. I feel as if I have been able to make a positive

to join the police.

On the back of a long term

difference to many peoples’ lives. I have been in

effective community engagement strategy, a good

the very privileged position to serve the public, help

recruitment strategy can make a huge difference.

victims, put away the baddies and put my own stamp

Retaining talent is just as important, so wellbeing

on policing. I love policing, it’s a great vocation that

support for all staff needs to be fit for purpose.

has led to an incredible sense of satisfaction for me.

community

engagement

Supporting mental health, wellbeing and continuous professional development will help staff feel valued

How do you unwind?

and contribute to retaining and progressing talent, including BAME talent. This will support staff feelings

I very much enjoy spending time with my wonderful

of organisational and procedural justice, leading to

husband, who has been an incredible support for me.

self-legitimacy.

Our daughters have grown up and flown the nest, so spending time with them is precious. Travelling has

What tips do you have for work and private life

been part of my life since I was very small, so any

balance to women with demanding roles?

excuse to travel abroad is gratefully accepted! I love a whole range of activities-reading, horse riding,

Know that you can’t do everything, and you

skiing! At some point, I would love to have time to

can’t know everything-don’t let your own sense of

get back into painting.

perfectionism or demands you make on yourself scupper your own wellbeing. I also think that some women are not demanding enough about asking

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Helen Blackburn Technical Sergeant, Immediate Response

Co-secretary of Lancashire’s Inspire - Women in Policing network

Helen has recently become the co-secretary of Lancashire’s Inspire – Women in Policing network. She is passionate about mentoring and developing women in the force, particularly in roles where female officers are underrepresented.

Outside work, Helen enjoys sport, fitness and playing rugby. She played second row for the British Police Women’s Rugby Union Team; her highlight was playing against the Swiss National Team in Geneva in Sept 2016.

after the course, we keep training as a team and we are always tested and challenged. It’s been a really

Where were you born and what experiences led you to your career?

I was born in Wigan. My dad was a police officer in Lancashire, but I didn’t really grow up thinking it’s what I would do. I studied Criminology at the University of Manchester, and then started working with the police as an intelligence analyst and then a researcher. It was then that it really began to appeal to me to join as a police officer I wanted to be part

exciting role for me; I’ve enjoyed the spontaneous incidents and working as a team. There’s a lot of pressure, but it’s really rewarding.

What drives you?

I like to push myself to see what I am capable of.

Firearms is all about teamwork. That really drives me too; you rely on each other and you have to trust your team. More recently I’ve become involved in

of the action.

mentoring, particularly with those going through the

What has been the most challenging aspect of your

through the same challenges and to see them

initial firearms course. It’s rewarding to support others

career?

succeed. It drives me to keep trying to be better too.

I was really proud of completing my initial firearms

What has been your greatest accomplishments?

course. It is a tough twelve weeks, mentally and physically; learning not just to handle and shoot firearms but a range of tactics from building searches

In 2016 I received a National Bravery Award with some of my colleagues for saving a woman’s life;

to vehicle stops.

she had jumped into a river during some really

The training is realistic and demanding. It doesn’t end

the awards ceremony; it was really special having

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heavy floods. We were invited to Downing Street for

champagne in the garden of No. 10 with my mum.

That stands out as a really proud moment for me.

What roles have you observed women are underrepresented?

In Lancashire we are still at single figures for female firearms officers out of almost 100 AFOs. In reality the job is not as macho as it’s portrayed. You have to be fit, but it’s also important to communicate and assess risks. We’re working on removing some of the barriers that stop women from applying – we now have flexible working opportunities, better kit. There’s a lot more support now which is great. I hope we encourage more females to consider it; it’s a really exciting role.

What do you do to unwind?

Book another holiday! I love travelling with my fiancé.

It makes me happy having a trip to look forward to.

I’m really active and I like keeping myself fit; I love playing rugby and going to the gym. We’re also getting married next year so wedding planning is my new favourite hobby!

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her stor y matters

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