North Manchester International Women’s Day Awards: Finalist, Gin Winner and Absolutely Buzzing
Written by Stephanie Austin — Owner & Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training
Last reviewed: March 2026 | Next review: March 2027
Last Friday, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the North Manchester International Women’s Day Awards and Business Luncheon at FC United of Manchester.
North Manchester International Women’s Day Awards at FC United
The event brought together local businesses, community organisations and some genuinely brilliant people to celebrate women making a difference across North Manchester. The afternoon included an inspiring address from Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, who spoke about the importance of supporting women in business, leadership and community roles. It set the tone perfectly. The room was already full of energy before the awards even started, and with speakers and supporters including Rachel Fletcher from Slater Heelis, Naana Hagan Cherry from Medicare Foundation, and Gemma Knowles, the whole event felt considered, purposeful and warm.
I was shortlisted as a finalist for the Female Entrepreneur Award alongside Lyndsey McDonagh and the eventual winner, Chloe Barlow of Malandra Jacks.
What makes that even more meaningful is that the awards received over 130 nominations in total, and being narrowed down to just three finalists in my category is an achievement in itself.
I am genuinely honoured to have made it that far. I see it as a win. It is a testament to how far Prima Cura Training has come since I started it, and to have that hard work recognised in this way means the world to me.
The Female Entrepreneur category felt particularly special to be part of, because every finalist in that room had built something from scratch and kept it going through sheer determination. I’m proud of what Prima Cura Training has become, and being recognised in that company means a great deal.
That said, Chloe absolutely deserved the win. Sometimes you’re in a room, and you just know the right person won. This was one of those times. Huge congratulations to her.
Across all the categories, the calibre of women being celebrated was extraordinary. From Leonie Painter’s North Manchester Menopause Peer Support Group, to Opeyemi Ojo and The Beautiful Minds, to Hannah Creer winning Female Volunteer of the Year, every single winner and finalist represented something real and community-driven.
It wasn’t a room full of polished corporate accolades. It was a room full of women quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) doing the work. That’s the kind of recognition worth showing up for.
Now. Let’s talk about the raffle.
I spent £10 on tickets. A tenner. I walked away with two bottles of wine, a bottle of FC United Red Rebels gin, and a signed club shirt covered in player signatures. The return on that investment was frankly embarrassing, and I have zero regrets. The gin is already looking very settled on my shelf.
The best part of the whole day, though, was the people. The conversations, the laughter, the shared understanding that comes from being in a room with women who get it. Women building businesses, raising communities, showing up for each other without making a big deal of it. I left feeling genuinely inspired rather than just politely motivated, which is a rare and brilliant thing.
FC United enlisted the amazing Lewis McKenna Photography as the photographer for the event, who took far better photos than I could have. He has kindly published his album; the photos can be found here.
Being shortlisted at the North Manchester International Women’s Day Awards was a moment I’m genuinely proud of.
Here’s to next year. And whoever organises that raffle, you’ve made a loyal customer out of me.
Disclaimer: This article reflects personal experiences and opinions from a community business event. It is shared for general interest and does not constitute professional, legal, or business advice.
