COVID-19
Community Updates
This page is to keep you up to date with Women in Defence UK community updates.
07 September 2020
I hope you are all keeping well.
Since our last update, a lot has happened so I wanted to provide a quick update to let you know what’s been happening at Women in Defence UK for the last few months.
The team have been working behind the scenes to ensure minimal disruption to our annual Women in Defence UK Awards and whilst we are still confirming changes, I’m pleased to say that the shortlist for this year’s Awards has been announced. You can find out more here.
Alongside Leidos and TechUK, we will be hosting a panel discussing how to improve gender balance in Defence - this panel event will be virtual and tickets are available here.
I will also be speaking at the Atos Diversity and Inclusion Expo 2020 discussing the role of gender diversity in transforming the defence industry. You can sign up to the expo here.
Keep in touch and stay safe.
Angela
Angela Owen
Founder, Women in Defence UK
09 April 2020
As many of us enter the third week of adjusting to different working environments and patterns, I wanted to write to you to let you know what’s been happening at Women in Defence UK.
Whilst we might be separated from our friends and colleagues, over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard to ensure we continue to build connections, friendships and most importantly, support everyone across our close-knit community.
Last week, I joined Ann Francke from the Chartered Management Institute and Air Vice Marshal Bunny James to explore the importance of leadership during these uncertain times. If you missed it, you can listen again here.
On 30 April, in partnership with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), we’ll be running our first online Status Masterclass. This virtual class will help participants gain the awareness, confidence and skills needed to come across with higher status. Unfortunately, tickets for this disappeared within hours of going live, but we are talking with RADA about running more sessions within the next few weeks.
Do you know someone who is deserves recognition? Whether they’re supporting the fight against COVID-19 or championing gender equality, the Women in Defence UK Awards recognise the very best of the defence enterprise. In light of the current situation, we’ve extended the nominations window until midday on Friday 12 June 2020. You can find out more and nominate someone special here.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing more details about our online events, including a special masterclass from Woman of the Year 2018, Michelle Partington. You can find details for all of our events on our website and stay up to date with all changes on our dedicated COVID-19 updates page.
We need your help
We are a community of people. People with inspiring stories, unique skills and hidden talents. During these difficult times, we’ll continue to work with our partners to ensure we champion the fantastic work women do across the defence enterprise, but we need your help.
Do you have a special skill, a story to tell or perhaps you just want to give something back to the community? If you have an idea for an online event, then we’d like to hear from you. You can reply to this email with your ideas, suggestions and how you’d like to get involved.
Finally, during these uncertain and sometimes worrying times, we’re keen to share what our community is doing in the fight against COVID-19. Whether you’re working from home, taking some time off, in isolation, or on the ‘viral frontline’, you will be helping. Our twitter campaign seeks to share how #WeareWomeninDefence are playing their part in combatting COVID-19, and asks you to share photos of how you’re #Inspiring, # Challenging or #Developing.
Have a good Easter, keep in touch and keep safe.
Angela
Angela Owen
Founder, Women in Defence UK
02 April 2020
Like many teams over the last couple of weeks, Women in Defence UK HQ has been getting used to working remotely. One of the bonuses of video calls is that we are getting to know each other even better than when we meet in the office. We’ve seen the views from each other’s windows, we can count the number of chocolate wrappers on the desks and can now really understand which of us are morning people and which are better after a coffee or two.
We’ve been busy working with our partners like the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to move our RADA Status Masterclass on-line – more here and we’ve been reaching out to gauge what our community feels should happen to the Awards. The overwhelming response has been that the Awards should continue but that people are currently focusing on the fallout from COVID-19. To help, we have extended our nominations window until midday on Friday 12th June.
Another key part of our developing pillar is our Mentoring Programme that we are running with Moving Ahead. The programme pairs defence public sector mentees with defence private sector mentors and vice-versa. This was due to launch in June. Again, due to requests from organisations who are very keen to take part but have other priorities at the moment, we have delayed the launch until September. Please get in touch if you think your organisation would be interested - you can sign up until 10th July.
Recently, someone asked if I had a motto or slogan for now. One that works for me is ‘it’s OK to be kind to yourself’. We are all facing exceptional circumstances. We all feel low occasionally, we all feel frustrated, and we all make mistakes. That’s OK. Cut yourself some slack, forgive yourself and take some time out. Gardening, baking and taking exercise works for me. Remember, it’s OK to be kind to yourself.
Keep in touch and stay safe,
Angela
Angela Owen
Founder, Women in Defence UK
23 March 2020
