How to Leverage Awards, Support Youth Spaces, and Boost Wellbeing
Practical strategies from Debbie Gilbert, Teslimat Akanbi, and Zeenat Noorani—turn recognition into results, back youth spaces, and strengthen mental wellbeing.
Discover how credible awards drive real ROI, why youth hubs like Legacy Youth Zone matter, and simple steps to boost mental wellbeing across teams and schools.
Welcome
A huge welcome to today’s special guests: Debbie Gilbert, Teslimat Akanbi, and Zeenat Noorani. In true 1230 TWC style, we’re blending practical insights, real stories, and take-away tips you can use right away.
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About: Debbie Gilbert — The Real Value of Business Awards
Debbie Gilbert is a multi-award-winning businesswoman, marketing strategist, and founder of Viva Business Support. With 27+ years’ experience, she helps entrepreneurs grow through effective marketing and networking. Debbie created The Best Businesswomen Awards and runs Businesswomen UnLtd, an award-winning networking organisation. She’s also a bestselling author and a sought-after speaker.
Talking Points
- Beyond the glitz: How credible awards differ from “vanity” awards—and why your choice matters.
- Power of recognition: Awards raise profile, build credibility, attract clients, motivate teams, and strengthen trust.
- Winning entries that land: Evidence, outcomes, impact—and your unique story.
- Leverage the shortlist/win: PR, social content, newsletters, website badges, team celebrations, client updates.
- Where to find the right awards: Industry fit, stage of growth, and strategic timing.
- News: Launching The Best SME Awards—open to all UK SMEs across sectors, not just women-led enterprises.
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About: Teslimat Akanbi — Championing Young People at Legacy Youth Zone
Teslimat Akanbi is a passionate fundraising professional supporting charities that empower children and young people. With roots in international development and community engagement, she builds partnerships that create opportunities. At Legacy Youth Zone (Croydon), she connects supporters to high-impact youth programmes. Off-air, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes.
Talking Points
- Why youth spaces matter: The role Legacy Youth Zone plays in giving young people safety, inspiration, skills and belonging.
- Barriers to support: How local businesses and communities can better collaborate with youth charities today.
- Legacy 100: A network of local businesses and individuals committed to sustaining Legacy Youth Zone—practical ways to join and help.
- Business Tip: “Relationships are everything. People connect with people first—invest in genuine, meaningful relationships and success will follow.”
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About: Zeenat Noorani — Practical Mental Health & Wellbeing
Zeenat Noorani is a mental health and wellbeing coach, speaker, and podcaster who brings warmth, energy, and compassion to her work. Drawing on a background in teaching, leadership, and coaching, she supports children, young people, and adults to build resilience and clarity. As Director & Co-founder of Let’s Talk Better CIC and host of the Let’s Talk Clarity podcast, she opens up honest conversations that reduce stigma and empower positive change.
Talking Points
- Support in schools & communities: Practical ways to address stress, anxiety, and resilience for staff, students, and families.
- Campaigns & conversations: How Let’s Talk Clarity and Let’s Talk Better CIC bring mental health into everyday dialogue.
- Top wellbeing tip: Don’t wait until challenges overwhelm you—seek support early and take preventative steps to build confidence and resilience.
- Theme of strength: Rising from hardship without revenge—choosing transformation, identity, and renewal.
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Dates for Your Diary
- 16 days to go until Evolution of Finance for Businesswomen+ (Finance & Mental Health) — 22 October 2025.
- 80 days to Christmas — plan those end-of-year connections!
Next Week’s Guests
- Gloria Jones — updates from Sierra Leone
- Julie Ward
- Carrie Eddins
Take care — see you same time, same place.
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