When recognition, partnership and purpose create lasting change.
Women’s Economic Agency is often seen through the achievements of individuals. Yet some of its most powerful examples emerge when organisations, communities and people come together with a shared purpose. At She Inspires, we call this Shared Agency – the collective power created when each partner contributes their strengths to create opportunities that none could achieve alone.
One such story unfolded at the She Inspires Awards 2022.
As a valued partner of She Inspires, the University of Greater Manchester (previously the University of Bolton) wanted its sponsorship of the Women in Health Professional Award to extend beyond recognising excellence. Together, She Inspires and the University created an opportunity that reflected their shared commitment to leadership, community and social impact.
Rather than simply presenting an award, they introduced something extraordinary.
The winner of the Women in Health Professional Award would be given the opportunity to direct a £10,000 charitable donation to an organisation making a difference within the community. That year’s recipient was Dr Helen Wall. Having been recognised for her outstanding contribution to healthcare, Dr Wall chose Bolton Hospice as the beneficiary of the award.
For more than three decades, Bolton Hospice has provided specialist palliative and end-of-life care to local people and their families. Every year, it supports thousands of patients and loved ones with expert clinical care, emotional support, counselling and bereavement services. As an independent charity, its ability to provide these vital services depends heavily on the generosity of donors, businesses and community partnerships.
At the Awards Ceremony, Professor George E. Holmes, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greater Manchester (previously the University of Bolton), proudly presented the £10,000 cheque to Bolton Hospice.
It was a memorable moment—but the real story lay beneath the presentation.
She Inspires had created the platform.
The University had chosen to invest in a partnership with purpose.
Dr Helen Wall used the recognition she had received to support a cause close to her heart.
Bolton Hospice gained funding that would help continue its essential work for people and families at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Together, they demonstrated something far greater than sponsorship or philanthropy. They showed how recognition can become opportunity, opportunity can become community impact, and collaboration can create lasting change.
This is The Power of Shared Agency.
It reminds us that Women’s Economic Agency is not created by individuals alone. It flourishes when women, organisations, sponsors and communities work together—each contributing their influence, expertise and resources to create opportunities that transform lives.
Sometimes the greatest legacy is not the award that is presented, but the lives that are touched because people chose to act together.
