Britain’s youngest ever woman to climb Mount Everest and reach the North Pole is set to share how she overcomes challenges and smashes her goals, as part of an exclusive evening ahead of International Women’s Day.
Bonita Norris will host a special event to help inspire young people across Manchester, offering advice on building resilience, harnessing motivation and, importantly, creating self-belief.
Taking place on Tuesday 4 March from 6pm until 8pm, the event marks the launch of ‘Elevate’, a new initiative created by co-living development, Square Gardens, which is based in Manchester’s bustling First Street district.
Elevate is a ground-breaking series that will empower both residents and the wider community to take their careers to new heights.
Through bi-monthly talks, the initiative will connect Manchester’s vibrant community with exceptional individuals who have broken barriers and achieved extraordinary goals, whilst establishing Square Gardens as a hub for personal and professional growth in Manchester.
The series, which is open to both residents and the public, is designed to inspire and drive change through real stories of achievement and shared experiences. Each session will help attendees step up to new challenges and transform their aspirations into reality.
Fronting the first instalment of Elevate, Bonita, who has conquered three of the world’s 8000m peaks, will share her remarkable journey from novice climber to record-breaking mountaineer in just two years.
She will talk about how she overcame immense challenges, learned from mistakes and turned the impossible into reality.
Through her personal insights, attendees will gain practical strategies for achieving personal and professional goals, while also understanding the power of teamwork and support networks.
Bonita said: “I’m delighted to kick off the Elevate Series at Square Gardens. My journey to climbing Everest wasn’t just about physical strength, it was about mental strength too.
“I’m passionate about sharing how the lessons I’ve learned on the mountains can help anyone push past their perceived limits. Whether you’re aiming for the summit of Everest or pursuing any other ambitious goal, the principles of resilience, self-belief, and teamwork remain the same.
“I look forward to connecting with Manchester’s vibrant community and showing that with the right mindset and support, we can all achieve what might seem impossible.”
Open to the public with limited places available, Elevate will be hosted in Square Gardens’ state-of-the-art community space.
Tariq Akbar, Operations Director at Downing said: “At Square Gardens, we understand that providing exceptional living spaces is just the beginning. We created the Elevate Series because we believe in nurturing our residents’ potential and supporting their journey towards both personal and professional success.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Bonita Norris as our inaugural speaker for the Elevate Series. Her extraordinary achievements and inspiring message perfectly align with our vision of creating spaces where people can connect, grow, and reach new heights together.
“Through this innovative series, we’re creating a unique platform where our residents and the wider Manchester community can access inspiring mentors, develop new skills, and build valuable connections. This is just the beginning of our commitment to fostering an environment where ambition meets opportunity, and we’re excited to roll out the rest of the series with some truly inspirational speakers.”
Tickets are free and subject to availability.
For more information about tickets and how to reserve a spot, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
