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TEDxTeesside

@tedxteesside

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The magic of TED in Teesside. x = independently organised TED event.

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This is me 2 years ago when I was lucky enough to deliver my TEDx Talk on the famous red dot on World Menopause Day 📣

It couldn’t have been more apt for me after all my menopause journey was why I started this account and my Best Before End Date blog back in 2017.

Somehow it’s transformed into an account where I talk a lot about what it’s like living my 60+ life in today’s society.

With of course a dash of fun, fashion and travels but a LOT of challenging ageist stereotypes.

Still so much work to do so I’ll keep flying the flag for all the women coming after me.

Drop me a DM if you’d like the link to my ‘How women can grow bolder AND older’ talk on TEDx YouTube 📣

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One year since I stood on the famous red dot and told the world “widowhood made me happier” for my @tedx_official at @tedxteesside

Not because I’m happy my husband Simon died (100% not that, literally worst thing ever, would not recommend!) but because when Simon died I made a choice to live my life to the fullest and choose happiness, both to celebrate Simon’s life and the full of life character he was, and because I knew the other option of crumbling and allowing my mental health to spiral (again) was not an option.

Grief is a long-term mental health reality and growing with our grief is absolutely possible, and that’s what we can each choose to do.

There is a huge and amazing world around us that is full of possibility and opportunities for us to learn and grow, and in widowhood, I’m choosing to embrace and explore it and do everything I can to help others do the same, to grow with their grief and to protect their mental health.

Helping others brings me happiness. Travelling brings me happiness. Sharing my experiences of grief and mental health to show others healthier & happier living is possible makes me happy. Embracing my discomfort to learn, grow and benefit others makes me happy.

All of this is possible because I am and continue to grow with my grief, and you can do the same.

To follow the next stage of the adventure, give me a follow at @widowhoodmademehappier and @tabbykerwin and keep your 👀 peeled for what’s next that could help you and others you know.

…and remember, grief is our ONE universal experience, it’s time to talk about it more at home, work and in our communities.

If you haven’t done so yet, go watch my TEDx talk over on YouTube.

#widowhoodmademehappier #widowlife #widowsupport #griefsupport #growingwithgrief

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Today marks 8 years since Billy died. 🩵

We wanted to say thank you to everyone that has supported us on this journey so far, liked and shared a post, donated funds, attended to one of our events or handed out a BillyChip to a person in need, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making the last 8 years as best as it could ever be, each tiny thing has helped to make the huge difference BillyChip is having on the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

With 50’000+ BillyChips redeemed since we started Billy’s legacy, we are growing a community that care, as he did, for those forced to sleep on our streets, through meaningful and impactful interactions.
From being featured on The One Show to international festivals, TED talks, worldwide press, global super-stars, global companies, pioneering charities, formula 1 teams and the thousands of you who believe in Billy’s dream, we stand together to make our world a better place for those less fortunate.

We keep growing every day and have so many exciting things happening this year, MORE Festivals MORE Live Events MORE talks and the LAUNCH of our new Bank of BillyChip initiative - all happening because of your love and support!

Keep your eyes peeled for our announcements and if you want to get involved, drop us a message info@billychip.com

From the bottom of our broken hearts - thank you for keeping Billy alive.

You’re fabulous and dont you ever forget it!

Sarah, Jon, Meg and Jack x💙x💙x💙x

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@counterculturedrinks
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@centralcoopuk
@thefoodheroesfamily
@clubclassmusicgroup
@jameshype
@official_brfc
@bristolcityfc
@simonemmettstudio
@professorgreen
@tedx_official
@glastothecommon
@glastofest
@jollyesuk
@bigissueuk
@rankinarchive
@valleyfest
@inkiegraffiti
@brewandbloom
@theroyallancers
@saveoursceneuk
@mendiptimes
@astonmartinf1
@ceosleepout_uk
@housing_technology
@bbcbristol
@houndsfc
@tom.grennan

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Following on from my @tedx_official talk at @tedxteesside last year, today you will find a 2 page feature on me, my brilliant husband and life as a widow and the importance of allowing emotions to co-exist in the @dailymail @femail section.

3 points to note…

1. Thanks Britney for bumping me off front page! 🤣

2. We all know my original version said “it’s a widow’s privilege not to give a f*ck what anyone else thinks!” 😜

3. Putting yourself out there like this in a national tabloid is scary AF, no matter how many times you’ve had press or talk on camera or audio. So today’s mantra is “don’t read the comments” because we know that’s where the arses and trolls reside when they’re not in the woodwork!

A huge thank you to Matthew Barbour who wrote this article and honestly, his nuance, empathy, emotional intelligence and respect made him the perfect writer for this project.

Also a huge thanks to Amy Merrywest who gave the initial PR intro.

Have a read. It is also online and most of all… be kind 🙏🏼

#widow #widowhood #dailymail #mystory #griefandloss

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Widowhood Made Me Happier - my bold title of my @tedxteesside talk - here’s what it doesn’t mean.

Listen to more about this on the newly dropped Ep 6 of the podcast “Widowhood Made Me Happier” over on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Tag or share with someone who may need to hear this.

#widowhoodmademehappier #widowjourney #griefsupport #griefcoach #widowhood

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Behind Opportunity Global & TEDxTeesside - you can find a small but incredibly mighty team!

Here’s a snapshot of what we got up to:

• Launched our first weekend retreat for women leaders, in collaboration with @clairepreston68
• My Big Idea, a documentary series, was aired by @TED, and Michaela was part of the team delivering the event, managing backstage with TEDx Brighton, TEDx Winchester & TEDx Warrington teams
• @mjreaney completed the Lone Survivor Leadership Challenge, raising over £3,000 for men’s mental health charities - a huge team effort made this happen. The challenge became part of a documentary at the Tees Valley Film Festival. Shout out to @mrjbeamson + @paulsuggittofficial for the opportunity!
• Andrea delivered another three cohorts of the Connect Northumberland Management Essentials Programme, impacting 140 people
• Delivered keynotes at 15 events, focused on human skills and democratising learning
• Launched a Reset Day for female founders & leaders. Collaborating with Natwest & Claire Preston on Lean In, Power Up events
• Worked through 300+ applications for @tedxteesside with @benpechey & Sharon Sinclair Williams
• New venue for TEDxTeesside at Digital Life, Teesside University & it sold out again - 400 tickets sold
• Liz Atkin’s TEDx 2024 talk was selected as an Editor’s Pick by TED
• Emily curated, designed, and delivered a Culture Book project with PX Group, showcasing their culture transformation work
• Launched new projects with clients across renewable, education, manufacturing, engineering, and gaming
• We were selected as UN Women volunteers at CSW69 & joined the UN Women UK Briefing Club
• Andrea delivered two cohorts for Teesside University’s Help to Grow programme, delivering sessions on leading through change & employee engagement, alongside coaching
• Designed our new Starts With Us community & learning platform
• Engaged & impacted 1,054 people through in-person workshops & speaking events
• Scored an average of 9/10 across learning interventions delivered for clients & TEDxTeesside
• Donated £4,500 to charity

Thank you to our amazing volunteers & supporters, we couldn’t do this work without you!

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Well 2025 was a blast 👏 I celebrated 13 years in business, put out lots of colourful work and grew a community in real life with so many wonderful people.

There were so many highlights throughout the year but here are some that I can fit into a carousel 🌈

The out of office is going on shortly - ready for a break before getting stuck in again next year - already can’t wait!

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We are now officially out of office.Thank you so much for your support this year we literally would not have made it without you.Whether it’s sharing our work,recommending us,donations,inviting us into new spaces or words of encouragement it’s all got us to the end of the year.We will be back in 2026 with some very exciting announcements so stay with us 💥✊🏽🖤

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“Grief and happiness are NOT opposites.”

Those difficult times we experience? They can create your purpose if you allow them and your emotions can and must co-exist.

This is a snippet from my recent TEDx talk recorded live at @tedxteesside - Have a listen to the whole thing on YouTube. Link in bio.

#tedxspeaker #purpose #findyourpurpose #widow #griefandloss #griefandhappiness #emotionalregulation #griefspeaker #griefcoach #tedxtalks #widowlife

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Another clip from my #TEDxTalk

Thanks to everyone who has shared or sent lovely comments I really appreciate it!

If you haven’t done so already please click the link in my bio to watch the full video

#whatdoesascientistlooklike #smashingstereotypes #womeninscience #womeninstem

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Here’s a little snippet from my TEDx Talk ❤️

An incredible experience and I absolutely loved sharing the stage with so many inspirational people.

So grateful for this opportunity to spread my message far and wide!

Please head over to the link in my bio for the full video and please share

#TEDx #TEDTalk #TedxTeeside #womeninscience #smashingstereotypes

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