Inspirational messages from TEDx event are shared

Videos from the global event held at the college have been released, with the aim of inspiring people across the community.

We hosted the town’s first-ever TEDx talk – events that are organised to help showcase ideas in communities internationally – in February.

Speakers from a wide range of sectors – including health, technology, entrepreneurship and marketing – addressed the event.

Tim Rogers – founder of Future Transformation, which runs TEDx – said: “We’re delighted to share the videos of our TEDx speakers.

“The event was a real opportunity to get important conversations going in the Keighley district and to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals from a range of sectors.

“This is also about supporting people, both locally and internationally, to use their voice and have their ideas shared around the world. We look forward to staging further events like this and opening them up to more people in the district.”

Keighley College principal, Kevin O’Hare, said the event was “a milestone” for the town.

He added: “It put Keighley on the map globally, showcasing its rich culture and unbeatable community spirit.

“These videos represent an opportunity to further inspire the community about this phenomenal celebration of ideas and the topics that were explored by the speakers.”

Amongst those featuring in the videos is Farida Zaman, local development lead for Bradford at Business in the Community.

She works in collaboration with businesses, local and regional councils and the voluntary and community sector to create economic, social and environmental growth.

Also featured is Helen O’Connell, founder of community interest company Treacle.me. A trained nurse, she now works as an advanced nurse practitioner in a GP practice. She was awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse in 2020.

Another speaker, Mark Cowgill, co-founded Bradford-based ISP Exa Networks – which provides internet services to thousands of schools and businesses across the UK.

And the line-up also includes Louisa Rose Mackleston, who has worked as an assistant director in the film and TV industry for the past four years. In January last year she launched her own production company, Northern Fortress Films. She was awarded the Young Change Maker’s Fellowship by the Virgin Money Foundation to help young people from the district to pursue careers in the industry. Her award-winning film, Ruth & Safiya, has been shown internationally.

To view the videos, click here