Speaking the #Unspoken

I cried at work quite a lot last week.

Sounds like a bad week. You might think I should be looking for another job!!

Actually, it was a fantastic week at work.

This was for a number of reasons, but a couple of standouts I felt compelled to share with you.

Thursday was the #Unspoken conference delivered by Lean In Leeds. I attended to represent AD:VENTURE, and honestly wasn't sure what this event would be like. I probably hadn't looked into it as much as I should. It was a tough week and Thursday was going to be a 14 hour day for me, so there I was, a little on the back foot running up to AQLs iconic Salems Chapel with the trusty banner stand covering for a colleague who was unwell.

I knew that menopause, miscarriage, the pension gap and flexible working were on the agenda, but what to actually expect, I had no idea. I attend a lot of events, and while most are very good, those of us on the "circuit" do see lot's of similar content and formats.

What did happen was a fantastically curated event where honesty was the keyword. The speakers and panel covered hugely challenging and potentially upsetting topics in a fresh way. The talks weren’t just emotional. (and seriously, some were very emotional) but these incredible people sharing their stories also made us cry with laughter. A lot! Men and women in the audience relating to these human experiences and sharing their own experiences with each other. There was also a generous and very helpful sprinkling of real facts in the mix. This event wasn’t just highlighting these challenges as many do (which is a good thing, but often we need more substance), but offering statistics to help us make decisions, suggesting solutions to how we can change these imbalances and better educate others and ourselves.

This was also the first one and was organised by Lean In Leeds volunteers, many who run their own business, as well as having children. In one case an 8 week old!! Very different from the usual. And very welcome. I went expecting to offer advice and support to others. I did that, but I also took away so much more for myself. I'm definitely not as scared by the word "menopause" as I was. I also feel like I may have a better grip on my future finance than I thought. Still some work to do, but I have moved on from the "I'll ignore that one for now" All in all not a bad day's work.

So in summary - It was bloody brilliant, and made the 14 hour day and puffy eyes so worth it all. Thank you to all the people involved in this.

Friday brought another surprise. And this one just compounded the puffy eyes!!

As partners of AD:VENTURE, The Princes Trust had kindly invited me to attend the regional awards ceremony on Friday. We work with this incredible organisation to support young people into entrepreneurship through their Explore Enterprise courses.

The team did a fantastic job, bringing in Adam and JoJo from Capital FM to present the awards, with the showbiz feel amplified by the professional lighting and set up in the beautiful Met Hotel.

And what a show! There were 7 winners on the day (and yes, I cried at all of the stories) What they had all achieved was incredible. I would urge you to follow the link in the line above and read about them all in detail. They deserve as many people as possible to celebrate their achievements, and you'll feel inspired I guarantee it.

I have personal experience of growing up in a place where opportunity wasn't as visible as it should be, and without the right support I don't know if I would be in the position I am today. Not a lofty one, no, but one I love, one I know (mostly!) that I am good at and something I feel has real value. It gives me a sense of purpose.

It's easy to forget when we work in our business world and are in environments that encourage support and nurture connections that not everyone has access to these same opportunities. Some have an even tougher challenge of surviving and overcoming domestic abuse, neglect, having no confidence and no hope. Experiences we would hope no one has to go through. But they do.

The Princes Trust and it's incredible young winners reminded me in a very real way on Friday just how much of a difference it makes having this kind of support available for young people. How important it is to have ambassadors and patrons who gently encourage them to take that step and try, when they don't feel like they can achieve anything. This is no easy thing, and it take real courage to stand up and make that change.

Courage that I admire immensely.

So, I cried a lot last week, and if that's why I'm crying at work, let's have some more of that.