We are looking for an exceptional individual who shares our values and aspirations for Hammersmith. If you have the vision, leadership skills, and a genuine connection to our mission, we would be delighted to hear from you.

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Rosie Peters is Head of Wendell Park primary school and is helping to promote equality and inclusion both in the school and across the borough.

Can you tell us about the work you do on diversity, equality and inclusion at Wendell Park?

I have done a lot of work on diversifying the curriculum and changing the mindset of pupils, staff and parents through training, workshops and the use of national data and research.

We want all the children to be able to see themselves within school life and within the school curriculum, and to feel comfortable talking about their home backgrounds. We don’t want them to have preconceived ideas of what a person will be like. Instead, we want them to be curious, to ask questions and to find out more about a person.

We do a lot of work around the nine protected characteristics*. For example, we have discussions in our assemblies, invite guest speakers into school to give talks, and we make sure that we celebrate occasions like International Women’s Day, Black History Month, Disability Awareness Month and Pride. We also talk about famous people. For example, we spoke to the children about Beethoven and how his deafness didn’t stop him from becoming one of the world’s greatest composers.

People say that you can’t be what you can’t see, but we tell the children, “If you can’t see it, be it. Don’t be frightened of being the first one.”

By making diversity part and parcel of what the children are experiencing day in, day out, it becomes the norm for them. For instance, the children fundraise for the local community, which gives them an understanding of the struggle some people face and how they can make a difference. Recently, we’ve raised money for The Upper Room.

How are you sharing that message wider in Hammersmith?

We’ve done a lot of work with other teachers in the borough. I held a number of webinars where teachers had the opportunity to discuss the model that we use at Wendell Park and how to make sure that the curriculum is inclusive in their own schools.

We also started a grassroots organisation called The Power of Representation. For that, I had the pleasure of leading two webinars with the British historian Professor David Olusoga, who I think is absolutely fantastic. As part of the Year 6 curriculum, we now study his book ‘Black and British: A short, essential history,‘ When the children hear about the different communities who have been in Britain for centuries, it opens up history for them and makes them realise that they and their families are part of British history and that they belong.

What barriers still exist to gender equity?

Boardrooms are still male dominated. We still need more women in positions of power. We also need equity in pay, as all too often men and women are doing the same jobs, but the women are being paid less.

We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a way to go.

What can organisations and individuals do to help achieve gender equity?

Role models, mentors and coaches are crucial. Sometimes people may not see their own potential, so it’s really important when others who do see that potential are able to guide the individual forwards. Otherwise, it’s all too easy to stay in your comfort zone.

Earlier in my career, I had two fantastic headteachers – Sheila Mears and Julie Howarth – who really inspired me and pushed me forward. Without them, I would never have thought of moving up into leadership.

It’s important to get everyone involved on the journey towards gender equity, as we’re all on this journey together. We need to educate boys on this as well as girls. As an example, at Wendell Park, the football pitch is just for girls on a Wednesday. To start with, the boys complained, so we asked them a few thought provoking questions: “Have a look at famous footballers, who are they, male or female? Have a look at their pay, is it the same for men and women? Have a look at the history of football. Do you think female footballers have had the same opportunities? Why might that be? What can we do?”

We want our boys to grow up to be allies, to have an understanding of what they can do to make things more equal.

Which women leaders inspire you?

Michelle Obama. She opened up the White House to so many different people, championed education and is so resilient.

Do you think we need to consider intersectionality more when it comes to events like International Women’s Day?

100%. We need to look across the board and be aware of all the different barriers that people face, rather than looking at one protected characteristic in isolation.

When marking certain events and as an employer, it’s crucial to understand how to unlock the doors and be mindful that an individual may face multiple barriers because of having more than one of the protected characteristics.

That might mean making certain adjustments in your organisation, because if you don’t, you’re never going to be able to tap into the full resource that each individual can offer. The more diverse a workplace is, the more you get in return and the more you understand what the community you’re trying to reach actually needs.

* The nine protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we’ve been talking to some of the inspiring women who are making a difference in Hammersmith. Dr. Christina Kondu is Founder and CEO of the Bassuah Legacy Foundation, a charity working to support single parents and their families in London and Ghana.

What comes to mind when you think of International Women’s Day?

When I hear ‘International Women’s Day’, I think of resilience, empowerment and progress. It is a day to honour the contributions of women in every sphere, whether in leadership, community work, education or the home. It reminds us that while we celebrate how far we’ve come, there is still work to do in ensuring equal opportunities for all. As a woman leading a charity, I see first hand the strength of women coming together to support, uplift and create lasting change.

Why did you start the Bassuah Legacy Foundation?

I lost my husband at an early age, which meant I had to raise my children alone. Being a single parent for over 30 years was incredibly tough. In 2015, I had an accident and then needed a major operation in 2016, and then I lost my son soon after the operation.

Life became even more challenging. The pain never goes away; it is something I carry with me every day. But I try to heal myself by supporting others, working hard and turning my pain into purpose.

Through the Bassuah Legacy Foundation, we have made a difference to hundreds of single-parent families, giving them hope, a safe space and meaningful support. Our programmes focus on reducing isolation, empowering women and young people, and helping people re-enter the workforce.

Do you think there are still barriers to gender equality?

Absolutely. While progress has been made, gender inequality is still deeply rooted in many aspects of society. Women continue to face barriers in leadership, the workplace and even in their personal lives. These barriers are often subtle, such as stereotypes, unequal opportunities or the expectation that women should balance it all without proper support.

In the UK, women remain underrepresented in top corporate roles, the gender pay gap persists, and women often face barriers in industries like finance, tech and politics. I am from Ghana, which has also made progress in women’s representation but still has a long way to go. While it is significant that the current vice president is a woman, true gender equality goes beyond a single leadership position. The fact that the Ghanaian cabinet has only two women highlights the ongoing gap in political representation and decision-making power. Equality means equal participation at all levels, not just symbolic representation.

For single mothers world-wide, the challenges can be even greater. They are often stigmatised, judged, underestimated or left out of opportunities simply because they are raising children alone. This is why organisations like the Bassuah Legacy Foundation are committed to breaking down stereotypes and creating a fairer society where every woman is valued for her contributions regardless of her circumstances.

True gender equality will only be achieved when women and men have the same opportunities, the same respect, the same pay, and the same freedom to make choices without bias or limitation. Until then, we must keep raising our voices, supporting one another and challenging the barriers that still exist.

Which women leaders inspire you?

Many women leaders inspire me, each in different ways. Michelle Obama stands out for her grace, intelligence and dedication to education and women’s empowerment. She has used her platform to advocate for girls’ education, health and leadership, showing that true power comes from lifting others up.

I am also inspired by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization. She is a strong, trailblazing African woman who has broken barriers in global finance and trade, proving that women belong at the highest decision-making tables.

Another remarkable leader is Jacinda Ardern. Her compassionate leadership has set an example of what modern leadership should look like.

On a more personal level, I draw inspiration from everyday women who fight against the odds, such as single mothers, community leaders and grassroots activists. Their resilience, strength and ability to turn pain into purpose remind me of why I do the work I do. These community leaders include Farial Missi at Imperial College, who leads the Agents of Change Women’s Community Leadership Programme, and Sue Spiller at Sobus.

Women leaders inspire me in many ways and their stories remind me that no barrier is too high to overcome.

The Bassuah Legacy Foundation offers a range of support for single-parent families in London and Ghana, including:

• Workforce preparation, such as help with writing CVs and practising for interviews.
• The essential shopping programme and charity shop (90 Goldhawk Road, Shepherds Bush, W12 8HD), which gives families access to vouchers, welcome packs and loyalty cards.
• Financial and life skills, including a money management programme and healthy eating workshops.
• Community and wellbeing activities, such as social gatherings and trips.

The Bassuah Legacy Foundation is always keen to hear from single-parent families who want to be part of the charity, along with other individuals who are interested in volunteering opportunities or who want to support the charity’s work.

Find out more at: www.bassuahlegacy.org or by contacting Christina on WhatsApp on +44 7544 757987.

From Phoenix Farm to Ravenscourt Glasshouses, Hammersmith’s community gardens offer much needed pockets of nature in our urban landscape. Five of these green spaces are managed by Hammersmith Community Gardens Association (HCGA), which also looks after community spaces in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea. The charity is led by Director Cathy Maund, who also finds time to be Treasurer of the London City Farms & Community Gardens Association.

We spoke to Cathy for our Inspiring women series, in the run up to International Women’s Day.

Do you think the UK has achieved gender equity, or are there still some barriers to overcome?

There are still challenges but things are changing; I can see that with my daughter’s experience of work. When I had kids, we had to pay for absolutely everything when it came to childcare, whereas now some of it is funded. However, statutory maternity pay is still crap! As a charity, I wish we could give people a year off on full pay, but we just can’t afford to do that.

Many women choose not to work in high-pressured jobs full time so that we can have a family, but that does come at a financial cost. It’s always a juggle.

Have you experienced any barriers in your career due to your gender?

No, but I’ve always worked in the charity sector and have been with HCGA for more than 30 years, so I think things might have been different if I’d been climbing the corporate ladder.

One of the things I’m very proud about is that HCGA has always been mainly led by women. At the moment, we’re up to 23 people – three are men and the rest are women. I think women are more likely than men to move into the charity sector; they often move over from the corporate sector when they’ve had kids.

The team works very collectively, we have quite a flat organisational structure. It’s a very small, close world, the community gardening and city farming world, and it’s been a privilege to work for one organisation for so long and see it grow.

Which women leaders inspire you?

Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, is pretty good. I also really like Margaret Atwood, partly because I enjoy reading, but also because she’s quite political in what she says.

Women still don’t shout about their strengths and achievements enough, and they should.

HCGA celebrated its 40^th anniversary last year. Along with managing community gardens, the charity runs a range of projects, from weekly sessions in schools to community workshops.

HCGA is currently running a series of free walks to help people discover new places in their borough. Find out more at https://hcga.org.uk/events/