Girls who Climb Event

Dixons Fazakerley Academy hosted an event on Monday (17 March) to inspire and empower young women by introducing them to successful female role models from diverse industries.

Over 100 attendees came together at the academy for the Girls Who Climb event which started with a keynote from professional footballer Natasha Downie, who shared her journey of resilience and determination. This was followed by a panel consisting of women from fields as diverse as construction, aesthetics, academia, veterinary science, and entrepreneurship, and finished with a speech from alumnus Kayleigh Littlemore. Each speaker shared insights from their career journey, discussing challenges they encountered and giving advice to our young women about navigating their futures.

The buzz was tangible on the night and reflected in the feedback following the event which included from our students:

• "It makes what seemed impossible reachable." – Laila Jones 
• "Your postcode doesn’t define you." – Alesha Kelly 
• "I’ve got a career plan mapped out now after speaking to Emily from Axelegro." – Sophia Bell 

And from our guest speakers:

• "This event would have helped me so much when I was [the students'] age. They are lovely, bright kids and you should be really proud of them" – Rachel Fisher, Nurse
• "What an inspiration you are…schools definitely need more events like this and you're doing something amazing by allowing us to share our experiences with the girls and letting them know that they can achieve it for themselves." –  Charlotte Kirk, Beauty Business Owner

The academy is committed to nurturing aspirations and showing its students that their future is not limited by their circumstances, which is why hosting an event like this, which breaks down barriers and provides real life examples of success, was so important. 

Melissa Clegg, event organiser said:

 "Girls Who Climb was about showing our students that there are no limits to what they can achieve. Whether they dream of becoming an entrepreneur, a scientist, a footballer, or a business owner, this event proved that their ambitions are valid and attainable. Our speakers didn’t just tell them to aim high – they showed them how to do it by being relatable role models. For me, this event was to empower our students and help them to realise just how many pathways to success there are and how many doors are actually open to them!” 

Chris Wilson, Principal said:

"All young people deserve the very best life chances and this event gave our students an insight into the breadth of opportunities available to them and the attributes they need to access them. I am proud of Melissa’s commitment and energy in leading this work and I am grateful to so many inspirational women who shared their insights and expertise with our students. A wonderful evening for students and staff alike!"

Dixons Fazakerley is committed to supporting more initiatives like this with students and is also working to support the wider community through its community hub. The community hub offers the local community a friendly and supportive space to enjoy. The academy has hosted partners from across Merseyside who are able to support families with anything from managing budgets to employment opportunities to accessing appropriate healthcare.