Bolster Community, WomensTEC and CTS celebrate a successful collaboration! 

This week Bolster Community hosted a celebration event. 22 girls attended along with Newry WOMEN’STEC and CTS, a local construction company. The purpose of the gathering was to celebrate and recognise the girls’ achievements, completing the eight-week Go Girl programme. 

Go Girl, developed by Bolster Community aims to give every girl an opportunity to become more self-aware and recognise their own strengths and abilities. Throughout the eight weeks, the girls covered topics such as identity, healthy relationships and body image. With the support from WOMEN’STEC, the programme also introduced girls to DIY and construction skills, providing them with an insight into non-traditional career paths. 

We are proud to announce that this project was Highly Commended in the ‘Team Up and Save The Day’ category at the recent CO3 Leadership Awards. 

Tracy McCartney, Training and development officer at Bolster Community commented “Too many teenage girls struggle at school with issues such as bullying and involvement in unhealthy friendships and relationships just to fit in. So often, these things can result in negative self-talk, low self-esteem and poor body image. The Go Girl programme empowers young girls to make better-informed choices, building on confidence and resilience to support them with future decisions. We are delighted to be working alongside WomensTEC and CTS in this programme supporting young girls find their path.” 

Helen Kerr, Head of Operations and Development at WOMEN’STEC, commented “We are delighted to work with Bolster Community on the Go Girl programme. Through introducing girls to DIY and construction skills, we aim to increase awareness of careers in sectors where women are under-represented. Statistics show that girls typically choose traditionally viewed female career paths such as hairdressing, beauty, or childcare. Salaries linked to these professions are lower, employment is less secure, and progression opportunities are limited. This compares unfavourably to traditional male professions such as those in construction or engineering where salaries are higher and there are more opportunities for career progression. Whilst this is a key aim of our #NotJustForBoys initiative, the girls on Go Girl programme had great fun learning how to use drills and work with wood. Doing these activities are powerful in empowering girls to feel confident and show them that they can achieve anything they set out to achieve.” 

Connaire McGreevy, managing director and founder of CTS Projects said, “As a business, we have always contributed to the areas we work in, and this is a new evolution on what we did in the past. We are excited to partner with Bolster Community and WOMEN’STEC in Newry who both provide such essential services to our community and society. As a public sector contractor, it is good to see social value embedded in all contracts which can only mean our entire society will benefit whenever works are completed.” 

To find out more about Go Girl get in touch on 028 3083 5764.