Women driving change for themselves and this community
It’s International Women’s Day this week, a movement with a mission to celebrate a way of working where women are valued and supported and where equity is not a nice-tohave but a must-have we should all know, value and embrace. The stuff that not only promotes wellbeing but helps women thrive.
To mark the day we jumped on the buses that First Cymru run across this part of South Wales to meet the growing number of women behind the wheel (and behind the scenes) who are celebrating this special day by sharing the lessons they’ve learned.
Their Recruitment and Training Manager Amanda Thompson is also hoping it will encourage more to join their numbers. “We want to grow the team of 50 women who are driving the buses. “I like to think they’re role models for the children who climb on board,” says Amanda. “I’d like to see a day when they’re never surprised to see a woman behind the wheel.”
Amanda joined the company nearly 30 years ago when she was 21 and one of just a handful of women in the company. She remembers her father being appalled at the idea of her taking this job. But Amanda was hooked the minute she got in the driving seat. “I still drive when I get the chance,” she says.
But the company gave her chance to progress and now she’s recruiting and training others – men and women – coming into the company. “This is absolutely a place you can thrive, says Amanda. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t. The company embraces equity via its training and flexible working for those who want to go part-time or work shifts around family. I get to see that first hand. And my dad? He’s proud as punch.”
“Take a step out of your comfort zone and find
a job you love. Then you’ll thrive. Don’t let any stereotypes stop you.”
Rhian Leyshon, 20, Driver “I have just qualified and am over the moon. I love driving and as soon as I passed my driving test would take the family car into the countryside to explore. But I wasn’t aware I could apply to drive a bus. “There are so many women in this sector now, and I feel completely respected and welcomed by the team. It improves the culture to have a mix of people - a mix of ages, backgrounds, genders. And when you work in a positive culture it encourages you to succeed. “I set out to make every day brilliant and feel so positive when I’m out on the road, seeing the sun shining over Bracelet Bay. I’ve built good relationships with our regulars on the Mumbles and West route and when you make it a positive experience for them you get such great feedback. I go to work smiling, I leave smiling and, when I get home, I can’t stop talking about what I’ve done.” “I think the team is enriched by having a mix of people round the table to work with – we learn from each other...”
Klare Evans, 47, Staff Manager
Klare Evans grew up in Swansea and, with a father who worked as an inspector on the buses, they were part of family life. “But I didn’t expect to be here myself,” says Klare. “But eight years ago and with four children I wanted something stable so applied for a job and loved it. And I haven’t looked back….”
“It’s good to be in a workplace where everyone
simply benefits from each other’s expertise. There is no sense here that your gender makes a difference. I honestly don’t want to work in any other role, just grow in this one.”
Sally Arnold, 28, Auto Electrician “I never settled in school so left early, taking an alternative route offered to help young people get into college or work when they had no qualifications. I did better with hands on training in workplace settings and discovered I really liked working on vehicles so went to college to study further. “Then one day I was on the bus when my dad called and told me buses were taking on apprentices. So I applied, and I’ve been here for 10 years.
“The job is different every day. We’re diagnosing faults, doing repairs, working as a team to make sure buses stay on the road. I love it that I can work this job round my family. When I get home at night with oil in my nails and a smile on my face, my family are proud of what I do. And my daughter insists a bus is the only way she wants to get to creche…”
When people feel seen and know they are welcome it makes such a difference to their
day…and when they thank you for the journey it makes my day, too.
Dawn Shreeve, 64, Supervisor “I can remember when I was at school, the careers teacher asked us to write on a piece of paper what we wanted to be. I really wanted to be a driver, so put down lorry driving. I remember he ripped my paper up, put it in the bin and told me to write something sensible. I wish he could see me now. I love being on the road, driving through the countryside, on some shifts seeing the sun come up…it feels glorious, and I am getting paid for it! “I’m 64 and have been here 20 years, joining as a driver after working in other customer service roles. Customer service is key. It became clear during the pandemic how much customers valued that daily interaction with people and how much they missed it. For many passengers, we might be the only contact some people have, and that contact is so important. When people feel seen, recognised, and welcome it makes such a difference to their day.”
IWD know equity is different from equality. Equality is giving everyone equal resources or opportunities. Equity recognises people’s different circumstances and gives them the resources and opportunities they need so they can be successful, says First Cymru