UKATA was proud to attend the annual Ladies’ Lunch, hosted by Mesothelioma UK in celebration of International Women’s Day. The event took place in Manchester on 7 March 2025 and brought together a diverse group of attendees, including mesothelioma patients, their families, healthcare professionals, support groups, and legal firms specialising in asbestos-related diseases.
This year’s event was centred around the theme of "Accelerate Action", a global call to accelerate progress toward gender equality and women's empowerment. The Ladies' Lunch provided an opportunity to not only celebrate the achievements of women but also to raise much-needed funds for Mesothelioma UK, a charity that supports those affected by mesothelioma and works tirelessly to increase awareness and provide vital services for patients and their families.
The lunch featured an inspiring lineup of speakers sharing valuable insights on asbestos-related issues. Emily-Jane Scandrett’s My Mesothelioma Story offered a poignant look at the personal impact of the disease, while Adele Gracen highlighted SMH Products and DCU Safety Innovations’ advancements in high-risk industry safety. Liz Darlison led a heartfelt tribute to Helen Bone, honouring her legacy in the fight against asbestos-related diseases. Ali Staley provided a moving perspective on caregiving, and Graham Gould from Thermal Recycling underscored the dangers of asbestos landfill disposal and the need for safer alternatives.
Attendees enjoyed a delightful 3-course meal and participated in various fundraising activities, including an exciting raffle, a thrilling auction and a golden envelope reveal, allowing guests to win extravagant prizes while contributing to the cause.
“UKATA was honoured to attend this powerful event hosted by Mesothelioma UK,” said UKATA Operations Manager, Sasha Brailsford. “The theme of ‘Accelerate Action’ for International Women’s Day aligns closely with our mission to support individuals affected by mesothelioma, regardless of gender. It was an incredibly inspiring day, and we are proud to be part of the movement advocating for both gender equality and enhanced support for those impacted by asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma UK is an incredibly important charity to UKATA, and the work they do is truly remarkable.”
Accelerate Action is a global initiative that aims to speed up the process of achieving gender equality, focusing on advancing opportunities, reducing disparities, and increasing the representation of women in leadership roles. The event helped further this movement by raising awareness of the intersection between gender and health, particularly in relation to diseases like mesothelioma, which disproportionately affects men but increasingly impacts women as well.
UKATA, a leading association, is dedicated to enhancing the quality and standards of asbestos training with the aim to shield workers and the public from the hazards of asbestos exposure.
The association collaborates closely with its members to guarantee that they have access to the latest information, training resources, and industry updates. They provide a suite of support services to assist them in accomplishing their training objectives. Their membership encompasses a diverse array of organisations involved in asbestos training, including training providers, asbestos removal contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers.
UKATA is fervent about promoting safe and responsible working practices, committed to working with members and partners to realise a shared vision of protecting workers and the public from the hazards linked with asbestos exposure.
Published on Monday 10th March 2025