Forty members, friends and family came together at Gallimore’s on Friday 11th October for the annual Women’s Forum Fundraiser.
Speakers Lisa Nandy MP, Cllr Nazia Rehman and Rev Ellie Palma-Cass were welcomed and left us feeling inspired and motivated.
Lisa spoke about the first 100 days of the Labour government and highlighted the positive changes which were being made already: improving workers’ rights, the setting up of GB Energy, taking back control of the railways and, central to her role as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the new support for UK filmakers from all backgrounds.
Nazia told us her story from growing up in Pakistan to qualifying as an accounting and moving to the uK, where she found herself becoming an advocate for women who were subjected to domestic abuse. Her role as a councillor led to Nazia becoming the portfolio holder for Resources, Finance, and Transformation in Wigan Borough and Nazia was – as Lisa pointed out – integral in setting out budgets not only for the local authority but her advice has impacted national policy as well.
Ellie, who set up suicide prevention organisation EPiC Hope CIC in 2022, spoke about her personal experience of abuse and trauma. She described how this led her to become an ambassador for people who were feeling suicidal and how her organisation is helping to save lives through outreach in the community, and through training people from all backgrounds to create a more suicide-aware society.
We enjoyed a delectable fish and chip supper, followed by chocolate cake and cream, and enjoyed catching up with faces old and new – not least the new MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons, who is settling into his role and making his mark on the local community in our neighbouring area.
We raised £300 for the Women’s Forum, which will pay for our conference delegate and donations to local causes.
Thanks to everyone who came and donated raffle prizes, and a special thanks to Howard and the staff at Gallimore’s who always welcome us and provide an excellent venue for our events.
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