Member Article

Hampshire housebuilder helps ‘inspire inclusion’ at Saints Foundation panel event for young women

Ahead of International Women’s Day (8th March), a female manager at Barratt Homes’ Southampton Division has been inspiring the next generation of women preparing for their future careers.

Megan Hamlyn, Marketing Manager at Barratt’s headquarters in Hedge End, has been working with the leading developer since 2017. Making great strides in her career within a male-dominated industry, the 30-year-old was eager to take part in Saints Foundation’s IWD event for 11-16-year-old girls in Hampshire, by sharing her story.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is to ‘inspire inclusion’ and Saints Foundation’s designated event was aimed at sharing potential routes into aspirational careers with girls from the Southampton charity’s Changemakers scheme.

Talks were given by Megan from Barratt, along with Gemma Osgood, from law firm, Hugh James, and Saints Foundation Partnerships Executive, Olivia Ashcroft. All spoke about their career journeys so far and answered questions from enthusiastic youngsters.

Megan spoke about her role with the Hampshire housebuilder. She chatted about overcoming barriers in the construction industry, and what companies like Barratt Homes are doing to encourage more women to join the sector. The marketeer also shared how the developer is keen on inspiring the next generation of workers.

She said: “At Barratt we are keen on inspiring young people from the region to join the building industry and events like this are the perfect opportunity. It’s been great to come along and share my thoughts today, and I hope it will help these girls feel confident in pursuing their choice of career in the future.”

Olivia Ashcroft, Partnerships Executive at Saints Foundation, said: “This was a fantastic morning that showed our young women that, through hard work and determination, they can be anything they want to be. Really proud to be a part of this event ahead of International Women's Day along with Megan and Gemma. Thanks go to them both for agreeing to come along and for sharing their inspirational stories.”

International Women’s Day 2024 will be celebrated across the globe on Friday 8th March. The campaign theme this year is about inspiring the value of women’s inclusion in the world.

Saints Foundation is the charity of Southampton Football Club, which provides life-changing opportunities to help the city and its communities thrive. The charity’s Changemakers scheme empowers, inspires, and develops leadership potential in girls aged 11-16, opening up pathways and boosting aspirations for the future.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .