Year 13 student, Halima Karbhari was selected by the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and AQA’s Unlocking Potential Programme to receive mentoring from inline skater Jenna Downing, 2008 LG Action Sports World Champion.
Halima, is highly involved in the local community and wanted to encourage our younger pupils to take advantage of the opportunities available. She is aware about the pressures that affect young women these days and wanted to host an event that celebrates successful female role models as well as giving our pupils the chance to partake in new activities.
The event called ‘You Got This Girl’ took place at the end of last term with the aim of being able to empower our Year 10 girls, the event consisted of:
- Jenna Downing offering an Inline Skating Master Class,
- Saima Afzal MBE talking about her experiences growing up in Blackburn and eventually becoming one of the first Muslim women to be elected as a councillor for Blackburn with Darwen,
- Local artists Emma Corbett and Lydia McCaig talking about their experience curating an exhibition in Blackburn to give a platform to women, the LGBTQ community and artists of colour,
- Miss Sharples leading a mental health workshop,
- and the Blackburn Youth Zone talking about the opportunities available for young women.
The girls’ and staff had an amazing day and were truly inspired by Jenna and Saima.
