West Country Women Awards

Aim

Launching the West Country Women Awards to recognise and celebrate women all across the region - in all walks of life. Awards with purpose.

Who we are 

We are Alexis Bowater OBE, journalist, broadcaster and womens' campaigner, and award-winning businesswoman Tess Stuber and we were the regional team behind the Venus Awards - a hugely successful women's business awards previously held every year in the West Country. 

But now we have a NEW mission - and we want you on board!  

What we want to do 

It's been a tough two years but now we're back, we're out and we're ready to celebrate women! We're launching the new West Country Women Awards! If you remember the Venus Awards, rest assured it will be the same fun, glitter, gloss, glitz, sequins, celebration, fizz, recognition and red carpets ... but bigger and better than ever! We've been doing awards since 2014 so we know how to put on a good party!

But this time it's not just about business. It's about everybody's business. 

We are awards with purpose.

We're launching new categories to encapsulate and reflect more of women's lives: 

• The Women in Sport Award
• The Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls Award
• The Campaigner of the Year Award 
• The Women in Health Award 
• The Diversity and Equality Award
• The post-pandemic Phoenix Award for the woman who has risen from the ashes. 

Why this matters

These awards matter because we still, in 2022, need to talk about diversity and inclusion, to break the chains that bind us. 

The West Country is an absolute hotbed of talent but it is so often unrecognised - and we are setting out to change that. 

We know that one of the main reasons women are held back is because they don't put themselves forward and our experiences of running networking groups here in the South West have shown us that peer-to-peer support, informal mentoring and inspirational speakers and events rocket-fuel their confidence. 

We believe most strongly in the 'if you can see it, you can be it' philosophy. 

And our findings are backed up by one of the biggest banks on the planet. NatWest's Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship 2020 revealed that 'barriers to women's progress include a lack of confidence, peer mentoring and networking'. It identified 'The Imposter Syndrome' as a key factor in inhibiting women's self development (I know all about that!). 

So, LET'S CHANGE THAT!

We want to build a community of people determined to raise up women, to celebrate them and to recognise what they do in the West Country. 

We are a social enterprise, a CIC, so all help and support is welcome.

Sponsor a category, sponsor a table, sponsor the event, nominate and pay for a social media shout out - but join the party now because it's going to be a wonderful few months. 

What impact do we want to have

It's not just about joining a community, it's about raising and reflecting what's happening in our community, joining forces to share values, passion and purpose. 

It's also about getting YOUR voice heard, making a difference and supporting other women like you. 

Our charity this year is Trevi Women so know that everything we do is about helping to combat violence against women and girls. Trevi is a nationally award-winning women’s and children’s charity based in South West England who provide safe and nurturing spaces for women in recovery to heal, grow and thrive.

What we'll spend the money on

Funds raised will help us to prepare and launch the event, run our semi-finalists and finalists networking events, and of course the glittering awards finals on December 1st, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth. 

Get involved:

So get involved to enjoy six months of networking, celebration, reflection, recognition and support - plus meet ups for the nomination launch, for the semi-finalist announcement and the finalist announcement too ... fabulous networking opportunities all round!

Pledge what you can:

We know that things are tricky right now, so support us with what you can: for as little as a £10 pledge we will give you a social media shoutout. Or if you are a business why not sponsor one of our categories, maybe a new one! Or sponsor a table, sponsor the event - but whatever you do, join the party now because it's going to be a wonderful few months.  

We can't wait to have you on board! Be part of it. Be active. Be passionate. Be involved. We can't wait for you to join the West Country Women Awards family 2022. 

Who's in?

See you soon!

This project successfully funded on 9th September 2022