Alongside running BearHugs, I also speak in schools and colleges through School Speakers UK - something I've been doing for a good few years now, though I don't think I've ever actually written about it here. So, in case it's useful to anyone reading this: if your school is looking for someone to talk to students about enterprise, resilience, or building something worthwhile out of a hard chapter, that's a session I can offer.
A bit of background
BearHugs started because I got ill and life as I knew it changed completely. What I built instead was a business sending "hug in a box" gifts to people who needed a lift, and it grew into a small team, a shop, and a co-working space. You can read more of that story on our About Us page.
It's a story I like sharing with young people, mostly because it isn't the tidy version of "success" they're often shown. Things went wrong before they went right, and that seems worth saying out loud.
What sessions usually cover
Talks are normally booked under the Enterprise category, and depending on the age group and format, tend to cover:
- Starting a business
- Turning a difficult personal experience into something purposeful
- What social entrepreneurship looks like day to day, beyond the label
- Building a team around flexible, accessible employment - something I wrote more about in our accessible employment report
Sessions can be shaped to fit anything from a single assembly slot to a full enterprise-day workshop.
Kind words from schools
"We were lucky enough to have Faye develop workshops on Entrepreneurial Skills for our Year 10 girls. Her story struck a real chord with the pupils and they were engaged throughout. We will certainly work with her again in the future." — Amy Bouchier, Sheffield High School for Girls
A little about my background
For context, I'm also a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, a charity Trustee and have been a Young Ambassador for the King's Trust, so accessible communication is something I try to keep in mind in every session. Over the years BearHugs' work has picked up a bit of recognition too, including the NatWest Prince's Trust Enterprise Award and a place on the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list.Booking
If you'd like me to speak at your school, college or enterprise event, my full speaker profile and enquiry form are on School Speakers UK. You're also welcome to reach out via our contact page if that's easier, and I'll point you in the right direction.
