Broxtowe was giving to gain for International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day was marked in Broxtowe with the borough taking part in the theme for this year - Give To Gain.
Individuals and organisations all over the world took time on the day, which was on March 8, to acknowledge and celebrate those who contribute towards women’s advancement, whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time.
And Broxtowe Council highlighted volunteers and colleagues who give what they can to help women’s causes.
Their stories demonstrate the breadth of support available across the borough.
For many women and girls in Broxtowe, joining a sports team brings not only a chance to get fitter and have fun, but also a sense of community.
Judith Humphries, secretary of Eastwood Town Cricket Club, said: "We have teenage girls as well as women in their 60s who have come to love the sport.
"Many of them will tell you that becoming part of this club has changed their lives significantly, as some are recently widowed, divorced, going through the menopause or struggling with their mental health.”
Nottingham Casuals Rugby Club is based in Beeston, but attracts players from across the borough, including from Kimberley and Eastwood.
Meredith Coney, women's team manager and player, said: "Our brilliant coaches build not only our rugby skills but also our overall physical health, including support during menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause.
"Nottingham Casuals prides itself on creating an inclusive environment where every woman can feel part of the rugby family.”
Alison Rounce, a director at Nottingham West Primary Care Network, volunteers to help women working in the NHS in Broxtowe and Nottinghamshire grow in their careers.
She focuses on encouraging women to step into leadership roles by offering coaching, mentoring, and connecting them with peer-support networks.
She said: "This work is important because most NHS staff are women, but there are still too few women in top leadership roles.
"When women lead, decisions are more inclusive, services better respond to people's needs, and the workplace becomes more positive and supportive.”
Active Lifestyles instructor Sarah Starbuck delivers one-to-one exercise referral gym sessions at various centres in the borough, including Greasley Sports and Community Centre.
She also delivers postural stability (strength and balance) classes across the borough, alongside boxfit, spinning, menopause strength workshops, and menopause coffee groups.
She said: "The women I work with are often managing long-term health conditions, recovering from illness, navigating menopause, or rebuilding confidence after difficult life events.”
The underlying message is that we all have an important part to play in supporting women’s causes.
As Jeff Buck, volunteer for Broxtowe Women’s Project put it: “It's vital for men to get involved in whatever way they can to help tackle issues that affect women and girls, whether by simply changing the way they behave individually, calling out other men who exhibit sexist attitudes and behaviour, or getting involved with a campaign group.”
Jeff works with Broxtowe Women’s Project at public events and projects to raise awareness and educate people about key issues.
Their next joint project will focus on raising awareness of domestic abuse in the workplace to businesses in Kimberley, which will be delivered in collaboration with Broxtowe Council in April.