Inspirational Night for Pembrokeshire Women and Girls

Action for Children’s Women & Girls Together project in Pembrokeshire has celebrated International Women’s Day at the Picton Gallery, Haverfordwest. Inspire, Be Inspired brought over 60 women of all ages from business, education, charity and the armed forces together to celebrate and inspire each other while enjoying an art and photography exhibition by the women and girls supported by the project.

Speakers included nutritionist and co-author of the Real Food Cook Book, Ellen Picton, local volunteer Lynne Edwards and Sergeants Laura Furness and Sarah Davies as well as Lisa Morgan-Thomas, Sandra White, Donna Marie Morris and Vikki Phillips from Action for Children.

Action for Children’s Donna Marie Morris works on the Women & Girls Together project and was lead organiser for the event. She said: ‘It was wonderful to hear from women who shared their story on how they have become successful in their own right. We hope this informs and inspires the young women our project supports, that success is limitless and can be measured in many ways – ways that are individual from one person to the next.

‘It was lovely to see such a wide range of women mixing and sharing their experiences while enjoying the exhibition. I was also thrilled to see young women from our project so confidently introducing speakers and photographing the event. We’re all about supporting and inspiring girls and young women to make positive life choices, stay safe and raise aspirations. Inspire, Be Inspired showed them what can be achieved and how limitless their potential really is.’

Elise Guymer a keen photographer and student at Pembrokeshire College is supported by the project and took photographs of the event. She also took a significant role in the exhibition and added: ‘The event went really well and it was great to see a lot of people here celebrating International Women’s Day. I learnt a lot from the stories I heard from people I’d never met before and that what seems impossible can be possible.

‘I also love taking photographs of people’s emotions so capturing their faces and seeing everyone work together was really good. I’ve enjoyed taking part in the exhibition too because even though I don’t like pictures of myself, we can show what the project is about and hopefully help people who need it.’

Sandra White, Action for Children’s area manager in the south west of Wales concluded: ‘What a brilliant night hearing from such inspirational women. Life is very busy but it always good to pause and hear from women who have achieved such great things after often very difficult starts in life. This is exactly what we want our young women and girls to hear, that no matter how bad things may seem, you will find a way to make a fulfilling life for yourself on your terms. These women did and so can you and we will be with you all the way.’

The exhibition of work created by the Women & Girls Together Service art & photography groups, was a precursor to a further photography exhibition being held at The Green Shed, Haverfordwest on the 23rd March 2020, 5- 6.30pm

For further media information please contact Alastair Love, media officer at Action for Children, on 02920 347068 / 07872 675688 / alastair.love@actionforchildren.org.uk

Out–of–hours enquiries should be directed to the duty press officer on 07802 806679/ media.team@actionforchildren.org.uk