Women Inspired – South Yorkshire
Data shows that despite women making up 80% of the health and care workforce in South Yorkshire, women slowly disappeared in the more senior bands.
There are many barriers to women progressing in their careers; some can be attributed to a disadvantage, disability or impairment, some to facing discriminatory behaviour or prejudice and some to a lack of self-belief.
For women to progress in their careers in healthcare, they need to adopt a range of enablers including coaching and mentoring, self-belief, training programmes etc. but also making the most of peer networks.
In December 2022, South Yorkshire Women’s Network was established. Initially the ICB set up annual face to face networking events to bring women working in health and care across South Yorkshire together (details below about each event).
However in July 2024 a South Yorkshire wide Women's network was set up and titled 'Women Inspired – South Yorkshire', the coordination of the network lies with the SY ICB People Experience team.
This new iteration of the women’s network aims to bring it’s members together more often, in person and online. Women Inspired – South Yorkshire aims to be a respectful and welcoming space. It’s role is to provide space for members to facilitate professional development, connect and inspire, and to better tackle the inequalities women face in the workplace.
To join Women Inspired – South Yorkshire’s mailing and invite list, please complete this form
Women Inspired - South Yorkshire Committee members
Hannah Din - Chair Hannah is currently the Director of Operations and Fundraising at Reach Up Youth, where she leads initiatives to drive impactful change and secure resources for programs. Hannah is deeply passionate about uplifting and empowering women, committed to creating platforms where women can be each other's biggest supporters and foster collective success
Najma Timms - Head of Communications Najma is a Speech and Language Therapist by background and the first Lead AHP for Digital Technology at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. She leads 7 Allied Health Professions (AHPs) through digital transformation. Najma is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion for everyone and is also one of the co-chairs of the Race Equality Network at Sheffield Children’s
Bethan Machray - Communication Support Officer Bethan began her career in the NHS as a Graduate Management Trainee and has since held roles within HR, including advisory work and health and wellbeing. Throughout her career, Bethan has dedicated her efforts towards EDI and is currently the EDI Manager at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust. In addition to her EDI work, Bethan is passionate about communications and engagement. She serves as the Communications Support Officer for the SY Women's Network
Victoria (Tori) Russell - Head of events Tori currently works in Organisational Development at Sheffield Teaching Hospital supporting the organisation to make improvements, but started her NHS career as admin support for the laboratories. Tori has always been extremely passionate about feminism, particularly career opportunities and women’s experiences of the world, and hopes to use the network to uplift women and be a voice for women’s interests and concerns.
Aimee Hatchman - Head of webinars Aimee is currently Workforce Planning and Systems Lead at Sheffield Children's Hospital. She is mum to a 3 year old little boy and a crazy Weimaraner puppy called Willow! Aimee is passionate about the fact being a mum doesn't and shouldn't get in the way of having a career - and completed her MSc and L7 apprenticeship in Strategic Leadership and Management during the pandemic, whilst pregnant and with a newborn - graduating with a distinction. She hopes as part of this committee to help create events that leave women feeling empowered and inspired, creating a space where we can celebrate ourselves and one another
Laura Wiltshire - Events team member Laura is Care Group Director for Mental Health and Learning Disability at RDaSH, where she moved to in June 2024 after ten years working in Sheffield mental health services. Laura is proud to be a registered social worker. As an out and proud queer woman, Laura is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion and co-chairs the RDaSH rainbow network as well as being a trustee for a local LGBTQ+ youth charity (SAYiT). In her free time Laura has two rescue dogs who she adores and loves to horse ride and bird watch
Julie Shaw - Events team member Julie is a Programme Manager for Mental Health in the SY Integrated Care Board, focusing on service transformation and delivery across SY. Julie is passionate about Perinatal Mental Health and improving access to services for our population. Julie is also kept busy with her two children, aged 5 and 9
Lois Drury - Events team member Lois is the Therapeutics and Palliative Care Service Manager in the Combined Community and Acute Care Group at Sheffield Teaching Hospital. She has worked in Operational Management roles for 4 years and enjoys using her organisational and problem-solving skills to support clinical colleagues to deliver outstanding care to patients.
To contact any of the committee members email syicb.syicswomensnetwork@nhs.net
Upcoming Webinars, Workshops and Events 2025:
Tuesday 22nd April (12-1pm) - Women Inspired: South Yorkshire Women’s Network - Women empowerment webinar by Professor Laura Serrant Book here
Wednesday 7th May (12-1pm) - Neurodiversity in the Workplace - Understanding Neurodiversity book here
Monday 12th May (12-1pm) - A World Beyond the Classroom: My Mission to Support Vulnerable Communities webinar by Ridwana Wallace-Laher Book here
Wednesday 28th May (3-4pm) - Menopause and Menstrual Health workshop book here
Wednesday 4th June (12-1pm) - Neurodiversity in the Workplace - Creating an Inclusive Environment book here
Thursday 26th June (9-12pm) - Understanding and Manging Imposter Syndrome Workshop book here
Wednesday 2nd July (12-1pm) - Neurodiversity in the Workplace - Awareness and Sensitivity Training book here
Wednesday 9th July (1.30-4.30pm) - Understanding and Manging Imposter Syndrome Workshop book here
Tuesday 9th September (1-2pm) - Sleep Essential for Women + interview with Dr Guy Meadows workshop
Tuesday 16th September (1.30-4.30pm) - Understanding and Managing Imposter Syndrome Workshop book here
Wednesday 24th September (12-1pm) - Neurodiversity in the Workplace - The Role of the Line Manager and Organisation book here
To view our booking platform use this link Upcoming HWB Webinars and Courses :: South Yorkshire I.C.S.
See below recordings from the Women Inspired Webinars
11th February - Women Inspired: South Yorkshire Women’s Network - Breaking Barriers: Navigating systems and building careers webinar.
SY Women Inspired_ Race Equality Week Webinar-20250211_120533-Meeting Recording.mp4
Gina Yashere Talks About Her Mum | Live at the Apollo | BBC Comedy Greats - YouTube
The Women Inspired Network held its first in-person event to share and celebrate the successes of women across South Yorkshire. This event included a diverse range of inspiring speakers sharing their lived experiences in the hope of connecting, inspiring and empowering all women in our region.
The International Women's Day 2025 campaign theme is Accelerate Action. The theme focuses on speeding up women's equality.
https://niftyfoxcreative.pixieset.com/womeninspiredsouthyorkshire2025/
Here are some snapshots of the day.
Meet Hannah Din Chair of the Women Inspired Network, she shares her story of how she started her career and explains about "Empowerment"
Meet Vicki Beevers a committee member of the Women Inspired Network, she explains what Neurodiversity week is and why it is important and shares her own story.
Meet Tori one of our Events committee for the Women Inspired Network, here she will reflect on the International Women's Day event.
On the 8th March, as part of International Women's day Doncaster Primary care hub arranged the first Women's network event aimed at colleagues in primary care and Voluntary sector.
This was the an opportunity to network with colleagues across primary care and the voluntary sector in South Yorkshire. We heard inspirational stories from local women’s leaders about their journey, barriers they have overcome and lessons they have learnt. The event was also an opportunity to learn about the menopause champion and advocate training courses we have on offer and the importance of menopause awareness for all staff in the workplace.
Click Here to see all of the activities and events which took place on International Women’s Day 2024 across the ICS.
Meet Laura Wiltshire who is a committee member of the Women Inspired Network, who explains what LGBTQ+ is and shares her own personal story.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ February 2025
Meet Najma Timms who is a committee member of the Women Inspired Network, who explains what Hijab and world Hijab day is.
This event brought together inspiring women and their allies from across our organisations to share their stories and provide some insight and advice for career progression.
To coincide with the theme for International Women’s Day 2024 the theme was ‘Inspire Inclusion’ and looked at the value women's inclusion, and the sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment that comes when women feel included at work.
This event was hosted by Jo McDonough, Director of Strategic Development, RDaSH. Speakers included;
Akeela Din Mohammed DL, Deputy Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Co-chair of Inclusion and Fairness Forum and Director of Health
Kathy Lavery, Chair of RDaSH
Christine Joy, Chief People Officer, SY ICB
The network meeting in July 2023 was hosted by Sharon Mays, Chair of Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust, and speakers included;
- Sheila Lloyd, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Nurse RDaSH
- Catriona Collins, Head of People Resourcing, Sheffield Children’s Hospital
We also spent time having table discussions on ‘Inclusive Recruitment for Women and People from Minority Backgrounds’ and many solutions were explored and put forward.
The first network meeting in March 2023 was hosted by Kirsten Major, CEO of Sheffield Teaching Hospital, and speakers included:
- Mandy Espey, Health Inequalities Lead Doncaster, talked about her journey and shared some top tips.
- Rukeya Miah, Deputy Associate Director of Nursing at Bradford Teaching Hospitals shared her passion for inclusivity.
- Dr Maria Read, a Sheffield GP with over 50 years of Primary Care experience.
Our first event brought over 100 women together from across health and care in South Yorkshire and was hosted by Kathryn Singh, CEO at RDaSH. Speakers included;
Ali Bishop, the EDI Lead for South Yorkshire ICS talked about the importance of peer networks
Sheeba Jefferson, Deputy Nurse Director at Sheffield Teaching Hospital shared her personal journey
Jo McDonough, Director of Strategy at RDaSH talked about barriers to progression such as mental health and physical conditions
We also saw Kathryn Singh be presented with an award for a lifetime of commitment to Equality Diversity and Inclusion.
Feedback from attendees of the session has been extremely positive:
“Huge thanks for organising such a fantastic event and for having me in the company of such an amazing and inspirational group of leaders!”
“Great event – so inspiring and interesting. Thank you so much.”
“Thanks for a fabulous event. I was very inspired and made some great connections. Made to feel very welcome.”
“Congratulations on a fabulous event today. It was so inspiring listening to those leadership journeys, which were different in many ways but had key themes running through all three.”
To see the amazing impact of our first event, see our short film.