MU Foundation's successful cross-border 'International Women's Week' event

Oakgrove Integrated College, in conjunction with the Manchester United Foundation, was the venue for an International Women’s Week Workshop involving four schools from both sides of the border on Wednesday.

Over 75 participants from Oakgrove Integrated, Foyle and Londonderry, and Donegal colleges – Mulroy (Milford) and Rosses (Dungloe) - saw girls (11-14) take part in workshops with the Foundation’s Hub Officer Adele Howarth and Oakgrove College Foundation co-ordinator Martin Smith.

IN PICTURES: Local schools take part in Manchester United Foundation workshops

The workshop consisted of talking about the values of the Manchester United Foundation, female role models, inspirational historical women and the occupations that are now very popular within in the female industry.

Speaking on the day’s events, facilitator Adele said: "The aim of the workshops were to provide the girls with informative content whilst also allowing them to step outside their comfort zones in a range of activities, leaving them feeling inspired. I truly enjoyed the day and the girls took part in all the activities."

The activities included discussions of role models in their lives and the characteristics they have so they look up to them. Participants also discussed in their teams their positive characteristics and how the younger generation would benefit from them.

The final morning session saw the students joining in a practical game named ‘occupation charades’ to which the girls had to work in teams to describe an up-and-coming female job, using characteristics and clues for their team mates to try and guess.

The Hub Officer added: "I hoped the girls found the event empowering and it helped them discover an increased confidence. We also allowed them to take part in some public speaking. This took them out of their comfort zones while helping them gain a great knowledge of what the day was about.

"The afternoon session was a six-a-side session of matches with Martin Smith organising teams, mixing pupils from the various schools and creating a team spirit through football."

Concluding on the day’s events, Adele said: "It was an absolute pleasure being invited to Oakgrove College to deliver a female empowerment workshop as part of International Women’s Day. The pupils, from start to finish, were extremely engaging, intuitive and as the workshop progressed, they all became increasingly more confident with tasks and practical games I was asking them to do.

Group of students pictured at Oakgrove Integrated College on Tuesday who took part in the Manchester United Foundation's 'International Women's Week' event. Schools from Derry and Donegal took part in the day's workshops and football. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

"Indeed, all the staff and pupils made me feel incredible welcome and relaxed since I came into school. The Foundation’s co-ordinator at Oakgrove, Martin organised a fantastic event which has enabled pupils from different schools to work cohesively both within the workshop and outside on the football pitch. Thank you, Oakgrove, for allowing me to play a part in this special event, it is something I will be talking about for a long time."

Paying tribute to his colleague Adele, Martin Smith added it was great to see all the schools taking part, especially those that travelled from Donegal.

"It was great to be able to host this event at Oakgrove College this week. The Manchester United Foundation and Oakgrove College share the same values of giving the girls a platform to progress and develop themselves through a range of activities.

"All the students from the four schools enjoyed the opportunity to engage together in team work and play. All-in-all, it was a really positive experience for all."