Yvonne is recognised on WISE100 UK’s top 100 (Women in Social Enterprise) - Breathe

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Yvonne is recognised on WISE100 UK’s top 100 (Women in Social Enterprise)

Thu 24 Feb 2022

Yvonne is recognised on WISE100 UK’s top 100 most inspiring and influential women in social enterprise, impact investment and mission-driven business!

On Tuesday 22nd February 2022, NatWest WISE100 (Women in Social Enterprise) revealed their top 100 list for the year, and we are overjoyed to announce that Yvonne Farquharson is on it, alongside many other inspirational women leaders.  

The annual list is produced by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital and recognises the most inspiring and influential women in social enterprise, impact investment and mission-driven business and spotlights their outstanding achievements.  

“We are so pleased to welcome our 2022 cohort of WISE100 Women and to congratulate them on their place in this year’s list. Against the pandemic backdrop of the past two years, nominations have remained strong, with exceptional times also generating many stories of exceptional leadership. We are looking forward to sharing some of these stories and experiences at our special event in London on 18 March, when we will also be revealing the winners of our four WISE100 Awards.” 

Megan Virrels, CEO of NatWest Social & Community Capital 

Breathe Arts Health Research started with a £5000 grant, a laptop, multiple funding pitches rejected and over 100 business case rewrites.  Fast forward 10 years, and Breathe is now an award-winning social enterprise, delivering transformational creative healthcare programmes, underpinned by robust scientific research. This is all down to Yvonne’s entrepreneurial spirit, outstanding leadership and innovative skills and commitment to Breathe’s work.  

Yvonne has been recognised on this list for her work as a leader in arts and health, and for her work locally and internationally such as being commissioned by the NHS and working closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to deliver and advise on a European new programme. She has also been spotlighted for the numerous talks and presentations she has given, including travelling to Denmark to present as a keynote speaker at an international arts/health conference. 

‘Yvonne and her ground-breaking organization, Breathe Arts Health Research, are a huge inspiration for me and the reason why I have for more than 5 years been dedicated to arts and health. Yvonne and Breathe not only has the potential to change the world for the better but is actually changing it.’ 
Mikkel Ottow, Special Consultant, Culture and Health at Central Denmark Region  

When the pandemic struck, instead of battening down the hatches and taking cover, Yvonne realised that our programmes were needed more than ever, with people feeling isolated and struggling to cope emotionally and mentally. We redesigned several of our programmes to an online format and created six emergency response activities.  

Through Yvonne’s tremendous fortitude and vigour, she has not only led Breathe to survive through the pandemic but thrive and supported over 1000 people in the process.  

It is a real honour to be selected for this prestigious list alongside 99 other strong inspiring women – but it is worth noting, that without the exceptional all-female senior leadership team I work alongside, and all of the staff, volunteers and freelancers that make up the team at Breathe Arts Health Research, recognition like this would not be possible. So, I would like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to the whole Breathe network, every one of whom contributes to our impact.
Yvonne Farquharson, Founder & Managing Director

Congratulate the outstanding achievements of these women at the WISE100 celebration on 18 March 2022 from 11.30 am – 3 pm, including time for networking, a panel discussion and the awards announcement. Learn more and book your free place here. 

Congratulations to all the amazing social enterprises and women leaders on this list, who through their work have made a commitment to empower others and make a real positive impact.  Find out who the UK’s top 100 women in social enterprise are this year here. 

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