SISTERSIN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
Up to 500 sixth form girls from 30 schools across Northern Ireland will be given the opportunity from September to take part in a unique programme created to help develop the female leaders of tomorrow.
SistersIN is an eight-month leadership development programme which aims to address the need for gender parity by building pupils’ confidence and broadening their career perspectives. Each pupil is matched with a female mentor from business, education or the public sector.
The class of 2023 involved 188 pupils from 10 schools. Unveiling a report on the impact of the programme in its first year, Peter Dobbin, principal of Assumption Grammar School and director of SistersIN said:
“Year one was about getting the basics in place, piloting the SistersIN Programme across 10 schools and gathering valuable experience and feedback from our partners, mentors and pupils to help us take it to the next level. We've been blown away by the energy, support and enthusiasm of everyone who has been involved.
“Our vision is to make SistersIN available to any girl post-16 level in Northern Ireland - but to do this we need more businesses to get behind the programme with financial support in addition to the backing we have received from amazing mentors from across business, education and public sectors.”
The class of 2024, which begins in September, was launched at an event at Danske Bank, a SistersIN Foundation partner.
Any business who would like to find out more about supporting SistersIN should visit sisters-in.org or email info@sisters-in.org
TERRY BRADLEY EXHIBITION
Named after his latest piece Exodus – The Art of Terry Bradley, his exhibition has opened and will run until Thursday August 31 daily from 9am – 6pm in The Andrews Gallery at Titanic Belfast.
It will showcase Bradley's long tradition of painting the dockers and working men of Belfast, while also incorporating some of the rich maritime history of the city, his iconic female pieces and his work relating to mental health awareness.
Visitors will also have the chance to see the work of aspiring young Northern Irish artists as part of ‘The Bradley Art Prize’.
The world-leading visitor attraction has announced it has commissioned the winner to create a unique Titanic related art piece to be displayed within its shipyard themed bar, Hickson’s Point. In addition, guests visiting the exhibition will be able to vote for their favourite piece from the runners-up with ‘The People’s Choice’ winner receiving £250.
There will also be the opportunity to enjoy behind-the-scenes footage of Bradley at work, a look at the tattoo culture inspired by his pieces and hear the life stories of some of those who have been touched by his art.
For further information on Exodus – The Art of Terry Bradley visit titanicbelfast.com.
HEALTH AND FITNESS AWARDS
The new faces on the judging panel of the NI Health and Fitness Awards are encouraging local businesses within the industry to enter the prestigious awards as categories are announced for 2023.
Natasha Daryaie, who runs The Gym Guru personal training and was crowned last year’s female personal trainer of the year, Billy Murray, the east Belfast kick-boxing legend and founder of ProKick Gym who was last year took home the outstanding contribution to the industry award, and Bubba Ali, four-time Health and Fitness Award winner and owner of Bubba’s Project Gym in Armagh, are all new to the judging panel for the 2023 Awards, which are scheduled for September 23 at the Crowne Plaza Belfast.
Bubba says the impact of winning four of the awards’ trophies over the years has helped him expand his business and bring even more clients on board, with revenue growing by 59 per cent since his first win.
Bubba won the Covid Champion award at the 2022 Awards – a nod to his and his fellow finalists’ tenacity in surviving the lockdown restrictions on health and fitness businesses – and says an award judged by some of the best in the business gives him and his peers a professional stamp that provides even more confidence from their members and clients.
Natasha, Bubba and Billy will be joining the legendary judging panel which includes coach and online fitness expert and long standing judge, Ian Young and diabetic muscle and fitness author, podcaster and educator, Phil Graham, with further names to be announced. Ibe Sesay, Q Radio presenter and fitness fanatic will once again oversee proceedings on the night.
To enter and for more information, visit www.healthandfitnessni.com.
