‘I would suggest to my younger self ..be enthusiastic …….look for reward, fun, enthusiasm’ Professor Claudia Maraston has lived and worked in Italy, Germany, Oxford and Portsmouth. In this episode she talks about the importance of treating life like an adventure and the privilege and responsibility that comes with being in an exclusive (and literal) club of female astrophysicist Professors !
‘I am almost privileged that I had that opportunity to understand a part of a mental ill health episode . Its very easy for people to see their view of it and its that you’re just a mum not coping….and I’ve learnt a lot and even now its very easy for people to label you’ Diane Urquhart is the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth: Volunteers Award Recipient for the broad range of work she does with Portsmouth Family church. In this episode she talks about self care, learning from others and overcoming mental health. 
‘After my heart transplant I was asleep for a few days, but when I woke up, my Mum told me that I had been asked to do the mini mode fashion show. It was probably the best thing I could have woken up to and funnily enough about six days later I was out of ICU. Maybe the knowledge that if I got out I could do it pushed me to do everything I could to get healthy'.Grace Fincham, our youngest Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Finalist talks about living life to its fullness as a DEBRA fundraiser and Fashion Model who has over come the challenges of Desmoplakin deficiency (a genetic skin condition).
‘I would say to my younger self: Dream. Dream and do it. Don’t wait, just do it.”
Kasia Rajca , our Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Arts Finalist and founder of Salsa Solent talks about building a creative community and being kind to yourself during lockdown. Kasia also talks about healing from a hip arthroscopy surgery; something that could have taken away her passion for dance.
Follow her on Facebook & Instagram @salsasolent
‘There is also this element (in law firms) that you can’t possibly be effective unless you’re there from seven in the morning till seven at night’. In this episode, Alison Colley talks about how her refusal to conform to a gruelling work culture motivated her to set up her own law firm, which she established when her baby was six months old. In this episode Alison also talks about what inspired the growth of https://realemploymentlawadvice.co.uk/ and the unique opportunities she has had to build an organisation with positive values that focus on nurturing teams.
‘I am glad I was brave and strong enough to just say I’m not happy here, so I am just gonna go with it’….Grainne Gregory was a Finalist in the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Arts Awards category and in this episode she talks about the joy of being able to bravely nurture her passion for dance ; regardless of what society dictates you should be aspiring towards.
* Please note that episode was recorded remotely during the coronavirus lock down.
'I was so determined…from not being able to see..I ended up playing table tennis for England’ …Sarah Hilditch is an integral part of the Portsmouth Teaching School Alliance team and is also the moderation lead for Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth Schools. In this episode she talks about her passion for education work and how the personal challenges she has faced moulded her into a determined advocate for raising standards in education.
*Please note that this episode was recorded remotely during the coronavirus lock down.
‘I hope for the young women (involved in Project Catalyst) to grow and develop into the young activists...and they change things for themselves and the culture that they have inherited”. Gemma Green, Project Coordinator and Lilliah Butcher, Project consultant, talk about what inspires them, what they have learnt about themselves and how the PARCS Project Catalyst has evolved into an Activism project for young women aged 16-24.
* Please note that this episode was recorded online and in isolation during lock-down and elements of the audio may be slightly compromised.
‘If I could give my younger self any advice it would be (that) you don’t have to live in pain…get this sorted now’ Jodie Hughes is founder of Endometriosis South Coast and was an Inspirational woman of portsmouth Community Category Finalist. In this episode, Jodie gives an insight to the many seasons of sacrifice and resilience which has led her to pursue a doctorate based around her Endometriosis research (though she definitely was not a fan of neuroscience ! ).
Jodie has also set up a crowd fund to raise money for her new not for profit organisation Endometriosis South Coast. Jodie will soon be shaving her hair and can be supported by following the link : https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/jodies-head-shave?fbclid=IwAR1WMC8o7HQdCi_ds2ARw_ahkZoooK7_vNIImxBt56CgDfsGj8cQ5hpnzps
* Please note that this episode was recorded online and in isolation during lock-down and elements of the audio may be slightly compromised. 
‘In the January, I had my leg off. Within 6 weeks I was up and walking along Southsea seafront with my best friend'. Lorraine Lambert is the Sports category Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Award Recipient. She is a Paralympic athlete, motivational speaker, sports instructor & trained counsellor and is due to represent Great Britain in the next (postponed) Paralympics games. In this episode she talks about how her determination to overcome adversity saw her representing Portsmouth and competing in her first sports competition five months after her amputation.
Lorraine is also working with British Shooting on a fundraising challenge for the the the NHS and all the volunteers. In place of the postponed opportunity to travel to Japan for the Paralympic games, the virtual challenge will involve the British Shooting team collectively hand-biking, running, cycling, walking and running the 8200 miles by road. You can find out more and support the opportunity by following the link:
