Inspirational speaking
Katherine Sparkes is an award winning inclusion advocate, a social entrepreneur and serial not-for-profit founder (including Styleability, Flamingo Chicks and the Sensory Science programme at Lightyear Foundation). Katie has worked in over 17 countries across 6 continents, represented the UK internationally and engaged with numerous governments, businesses and world leaders. She has won numerous awards for her contribution to the global community including in 2012 when for her “extraordinary work in corporate social responsibility and community action” Katherine was named a JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (JCI TOYP) recipient in the category of moral and/or environmental leadership with the award presented at the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Taipai, Taiwan joining an elite including John F. Kennedy. Subsequently in 2017 at the New York JCI/UN Partnership Summit, she was formally recognised as a JCI Ambassador for her work in promoting the principles of JCI and the United Nations Foundation; previous recipients of this ambassadorship include Mr Ban Ki Moon. Other accolades include a Point Of Light Award from the British Prime Minister, Good House Keeping Magazine’s Heroine of The year and Katie was also named on the Independent Newspaper’s Happy List of people who make our world a better place.
Katie has overcome significant adversity having lost her partner at a young age and subsequently adopting her daughter who has cerebral palsy. She’s a passionate advocate for inclusion and breaking down barriers to ensure all disabled children have equal participation. One of her proudest achievements is founding Flamingo Chicks, a dance community where disabled children can enjoy movement alongside friends which now sees 3000 children through its doors each year, operating across the UK and in 9 other countries. Katie has held several Trusteeships including Chair of Trustees at The Rainbow Centre for Children and Styleability. She currently sits on the Advisory Board at the Bristol Royal hospital for children.
She regularly speaks on topics such as:
Being a charity trustee
The Flamingo Chicks journey, from 15 children to 15,000!
Being a working, carer mum