GBTF train more than 100 women at Blackpool

9.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Sep 2005

At the recent Blackpool Conference, over 100 women were trained by the Gender Balance Task Force. Using a team of 11 accredited Party volunteer trainers, the GBTF trained in subjects as diverse as Developing a Political CV and Team Building Skills. Giving priority to skills needed to ensure women maximise their chances through the Approval and Selection process, at this early stage in the Parliamentary cycle, the GBTF was particularly grateful to those who have been candidates this year for giving their time to train the next generation of women coming forward to win seats for the Liberal Democrats.

All trainings rated between 4 and 5 out of a possible 5 on the feedback and it was particularly pleasing to note a large number of women taking advantage of the sessions to make contact and follow it up with one to one work.

Candy Piercy, Vice Chair, and Party Trainer Mentor commented ''The GBTF Conference training programme was a great success. We worked with a large number of new women who attended GBTF training for the first time.

We also worked with women who were refreshing their skills and knowledge. There was a great deal of enthusiasm and motivation for candidates to move on and achieve greater success over the next few years.

It was wonderful to see so many talented and able women making brilliant speeches on the Conference floor - women we have helped to train over the last four years.

It was a particular pleasure to see our newly elected women MPs in action. It was a great illustration of the impact GBTF is having now and will continue to have in the future.'