Empowering young women through our UK Youth partnership

In support of International Women's Day (IWD) 2026, we are focusing on our partnership with UK Youth, the leading national youth work charity focusing on social change. Today, we hear from some of our people at Intact Insurance, and UK Youth, on what IWD means to them, how we are working on breaking down barriers for young women, and a personal story from one of our colleagues.

Celebrating International Women's Day through the voices of our colleagues and partners

Katie Ashmore-Marsh from UK Youth joins Felicity Morton and James Gregory from Intact Insurance to delve further into the UK Youth partnership, our programme and what it means for them.

What International Women's Day means

Katie Ashmore-Marsh, Corporate Partnerships Officer at UK Youth: "International Women's Day is all about celebrating the women in my life and the women who have come before me, who have enabled there to be a much more equal playing field."

Supporting young women through our Building Aspirations programme

Felicity Morton, Business Readiness Consultant at Intact Insurance: "The Building Aspirations programme has been designed for all young people that are not in employment, educational training. But when we're looking specifically at young women, there are sometimes other factors that we need to consider in terms of accessibility.

"We've had young women that have attended our courses that have babies or young children and obviously that can be a complication in itself in terms of having adequate childcare to support them, particularly if they've not got a good network, you know, support network at home.

"I guess for us it's just about reassuring them and giving them the confidence to say that actually businesses like Intact Insurance, they support you with that. There are lots of women within Intact Insurance that have gone on to have very successful careers."

Breaking down barriers for young women

James Gregory, Data Analytics and Insights Director Commercial Lines at Intact Insurance: "While this is a programme for all, there are different barriers that young women face that maybe their male counterparts don't, where maybe they'll start quiet a bit reserved.

"The programme itself empowers young women with the tools that they need to gain confidence in the conversation, have their opinion heard and really share their opinion and feel valued."

Why businesses should support programmes like this

Katie Ashmore-Marsh, Corporate Partnerships Officer at UK Youth: "Businesses should see supporting programmes like this as part of their priority. Not only does it have a huge impact on social value, but outside of that, it's beneficial for the workforce.

"It diversifies it, it gives new perspectives and unique skills."

A personal journey: Balancing motherhood and a career

Alisha, Archive Administrator at Intact Insurance: "The Building Aspirations programme helped me get my role. One of my biggest worries was that I had a one year old daughter at the time and I didn't know whether I'd be able to have a career and be a mum.

"But through my support systems and having the support that I do here at Intact Insurance with my boss and other employees, I have been able to raise her, have my career that I'm flourishing in and have a lot of future prospects while also she's getting raised.

"And I'm having that time with her, which was really important to me because I didn't think that I'd be able to juggle both things, but I've been able to and she's thriving the way she is. And I've I've got a career that I'm doing really well in."

A message for women everywhere

Alisha: "On International Women's Day, I just want to say to the women everywhere to say yes to the opportunities, especially because some of the best opportunities are the ones that scare you the most."

Katie: "On International Women's Day, we would like to give our support and a really big shout out to all the women and girls who have done amazing work in the past, and who will continue to do amazing work in the future."