Meet Our Not-So-New Team Member, Mandy Meaghan!

Mandy joined our team last November and we’ve only just managed to tie her down for a ‘Welcome to the Team’ blog. Mandy has been super busy delivering our Progress to Success programme in the community working out in Kensington, Fountains and Granby and helping the women of Liverpool to ‘Change It’. Mandy has made quite an impression on the office and has us laughing all day. She is definitely part of The Women's Organisation family, and if you haven't already met her, we'd like you to get to know her too.

What's your name and where are you from?

Amanda Louisa Meaghan and I am born and bred in Huyton Liverpool but have not lived there since I was 18 years old.

How did you find out about The Women's Organisation? 

I first met Maggie 21 years ago at Train 2000 when I was setting up my Health awareness through Comedy programs which ran for 14 years and yes a lot has happened since then.

I suppose if you are interested in Women focused initiatives in Liverpool or Merseyside then you are going to know about the WO so I always knew about what they did but had never had any direct dealings with them. Then a post came up for Women Development Training Officer and I applied and got the job.

What kind of things have you done prior to coming to the WO?

I set up a very successful Theatre In Health UK touring company called Alltalk Productions producing award winning health presentations using drama and comedy to highlight awareness of for cervical, breast and testicular cancers. I left the stage for a more quiet life and set up my own personal development training company running programs for the NHS, Community Organisations, Workers Educational, Adult Learning Services, Connexions and other public organisations. I have in-fact always worked for myself until my job here at the Women’s Org and after being here for eight months I absolutely love it here.

What has surprised you about working at the Women’s Org?

As a Training and Development Specialist I suppose what surprised me most was the different types of training I would be delivering from personal development teaching on the Change It program for women, to building a social media strategy for those women who are developing their own businesses. I also train Business planning, Be a more confident you and Start up business conferences. There is so much going on here it’s full of new ideas and initiatives and if you are a woman with a business idea then this is where it’s at. When you work for the Women’s Org you really do feel like you are part of the family they are just so nice.

Could you describe one of your workdays?

As my job is varied (as I like it) I can be chocker block on business training days generally starting at 8:30 am to plan the sessions which are generally full to the brim and on other days I can be delivering in the Change It course in the Children’s Centres, this is a personal development program that gives women the skills to change their lives and gain the confidence to become what they want to become. I love it.

What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?

Well when I was young about 15 years old I used to block ballet and tap dance and also I’ve had 102 driving lessons so hence I don’t have a car.

What do you do when you aren’t working?

As a mother of three kids (oldest is now travelling in Australia) I spend a lot of time bossing them about and sorting their lives out. I am a new fan of Game OF Thrones so lately I’ve been indulging in Box set mania. I love to swim and walk around Liverpool’s exceptional parks and am now considering a new physical activity …Salsa so watch this dance space. 

Thanks Mandy! We love having you here at The W.O.