By Producer and Talent Coach Kate Cocker
Two weeks ago we started Sound Women North West’s monthly get togethers in Manchester. We have started as a small affair. A venue in the city, that will let us have a bar for a couple of hours the last Thursday of every month for the foreseeable. The plan… world domination? Not quite. But we should aim high right?
The plan is to create a space for women in radio in the North West to meet, create, support, find each other, inspire, have fun, and celebrate our achievements. The vision is that you can come here and share – which is what we ladies do best – and not be judged.
Watch a film about the first NW meet here
Sound Women North West started a few months ago inspired by the amazing work that was happening in London. Me, Jo Meek, Andrea Day, Jo Good and Vicky Warham found ourselves meeting in tea shops in Manchester’s Northern Quarter sharing experiences of radio and comparing the contents of our handbags (lipsticks, USB sticks and random cable adaptors covered in mascara!) over milkshake and cake. And after some deliberation, decided it was time to get the ball rolling in the North West by setting a time to meet regularly.
And so there we were on Thursday April 26th, sticking up posters and slicing up something that looked like cake in 2022s on Dale Street in Manchester. The venue is a real find. A lovely creative space that exhibits art, puts on films and has a bar. What more do you need?
Nothing it seemed. There was a strong turn out of women from all levels of the industry travelling from as far as Liverpool and Chester to meet up. The magic of bringing brilliant people together has already begun, sparking off ideas and collaborations and radio training and radio programmes. It is nothing but positive.
As the months go by and with the guidance of the people that come, we plan to create breakout workshops, invite speakers, organise formal discussion and have events that people who can’t make it at 6pm, can (eg Radio Ladies Wot Lunch). But we’ll do it like this for a few months first. The task of the ladies that came this month is to bring a friend next month… Maybe we are after world domination?
We’ll meet again 6pm on Thursday May 24th at 2022s, Dale Street, Manchester. Please come along, and if you can’t make it this month – come the next month!
If anyone would like to start a Sound Women group in their area please email regions@soundwomen.co.uk
