Let’s reclaim lunch says BYPY winner
THE latest recipient of Birmingham Young Professional of the Year title has launched an ambitious new initiative with the aim of celebrating the city and in doing so provide opportunities to enhance the work-life balance of professionals living and working in the city.
The OneLifeOneCity project was conceived by Katie Kershaw to reflect her own love of Birmingham, its heritage, cultural vibrancy and the diverse communities that make this city unique.
At the awards ceremony earlier this year, Ms Kershaw asked individuals and firms from the city’s business and professional services sector to make a pledge to take one lunchtime out per week to get away from their desks and discover the city around them.
This could take the form of a couple of colleagues strolling the city’s canal towpaths and taking in some of the area’s industrial heritage, visiting one of the city’s galleries and museums or attending one of the regular events entitled “Gone in 60 Minutes” that will be held as part of the initiative.
Commenting on the launch Ms Kershaw, who as well as being BYPY 2015 is director of Birmingham based Node Urban Design said: “I am passionate about this city and I want to share that with others. I love what Birmingham has to offer as a modern thinking European city and through its heritage, cultural assets and vibrancy. In my year as BYPY, I want to be able to find a way where other people working in the city could discover what’s on their doorstep both as individuals and also as a larger group.
“I have been fortunate to work with a number of fantastic local organisations like Birmingham Conservation Trust and Birmingham Civic Society and now as BYPY, working closely with BPS Birmingham Future and I admire how they champion Birmingham in everything they do.”
She said she felt strongly about making the most of every day and that lunch was an untapped resource as a means of enhancing quality of life.
“I hope that firms and individuals in the city support this initiative and encourage their staff to be part of OneLifeOneCity. I am confident that if they do we are in for a exciting journey of discovery over the coming months,” she added.
