Bounce! 2025/26

鶹ý women's personal and professional development programme
visual branding for Bounce
 
 
 
       

Bounce! is a personal and professional development programme, open to students who identify as a woman at the 鶹ý, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and recent graduates.

Bounce logo
 
 
 
This programme is designed for women who would like to break free of habits such as overthinking, self-doubt and the imposter syndrome. Through engaging and interactive sessions participants will work together to build their assertiveness, personal power and support network. 
Whether you are wanting to get a professional role, work for yourself and/or just want to build your inner confidence this programme is for you. 
You bring the motivation; we’ll bring the tools! 
Student at Bounce Workshop

 What to expect

  • Inspirational guest speakers 
  • A safe group environment 
  • Being with like-minded individuals experiencing similar challenges 
  • An optional taster session of yoga 
  • A certificate and digital badge (if you complete the full programme) 

Duration

You can choose between two ways to engage with the programme – our popular two-day programme, or our flexible programme, completed over one or two semesters. Both options cover the same content.

Do you want to...?

  • ?Learn to say no

  • ?Be more assertive

  • ?Manage your inner critic

  • ?Reduce stress

  • ?Tap into your personal power

  • ?Know your worth

  • ?Accept compliments

 
 
 

Build your:

  • confidence in recognising your skills, strengths, qualities and values
  • personal power (you have a lot more than you think!)
  • assertiveness and impact when speaking
  • sense of mindfulness and wellbeing
  • ability to make personal and professional connections.

Overcome some of the barriers that can get in your way including:

  • overthinking
  • self-doubt and insecurities
  • staying in your comfort zone
  • gender bias and the ‘glass ceiling effect’.
The programme is interactive and we will be joined by various guest speakers, who will share their personal experiences and invite you to ask them questions.

  

Whether you are wanting to get a professional role, work for yourself and/or just want to build your inner confidence this programme is for you.
You bring the motivation; we’ll bring the tools!
There are two options to engage with the programme. You could attend our popular two-day Bounce! Accelerator programme, or our new four-week Wednesday afternoon programme.

Don’t just take our word for it

This is what previous participants had to say:
  • 100% would recommend the programme to others 
  • 100% said it improved their knowledge, understanding and confidence in the topic areas
  • 100% said the content was very good/good
  • 98% said that the guest speakers were very good/good.
 

Book your place now

Bounce two-day programme
Date: Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 December 2025
Time: 9am–5pm 
Location: On campus, to be confirmed. 

Flexible programme

Session 01

Recognise your worth & identify your strengths 
Wednesday 22 October 2025, 2–5pm 
OR 
Wednesday 11 February 2026, 2–5pm

Session 02

Overcome the imposter syndrome & manage your inner critic
Wednesday 5 November 2025, 2–4:30pm 
OR 
Wednesday 25 February 2026, 2–4:30pm

Session 03

Improve your assertiveness & speak with confidence
Wednesday 19 November 2025, 2–4:30pm 
OR 
Wednesday 11 March 2026, 2–4:30pm

Event FAQs

I would like to attend the two day programme, but I can’t come to both days – can I still apply?
If you can’t attend both days, then please consider our flexible programme. 

I would like to attend the flexible programme, but I can't attend all sessions – can I still apply?
Yes of course you can!  We recommend you attending all four sessions to get the most of the programme and to receive a certificate and digital badge but if you are unable to you will still get a lot out of the sessions you do attend.

How do I secure my place?
Book your place by logging into myCareer or selecting the link in the relevant section of this webpage.
We will allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis so please make sure you book in good time to give you the best chance at securing a place on the programme. If the programme is full, we can add you to a waiting list and inform you if a place becomes available. Places are free but limited.
If you apply to attend a workshop, please do everything you can to ensure your attendance, as by booking a place you will prevent someone else from attending.

Who is it suitable for?
Bounce! is inclusive and open to all students who identify as a woman at the 鶹ý, including undergraduates, postgraduates and recent graduates.

What should I do if I have additional support needs?
Please let us know in advance so that we can work with you to provide any necessary adjustments. Email careers@plymouth.ac.uk and mark it for the attention of Sarah Plunkett and Katie Finnimore, so that we can liaise with you directly.

Can I bring a friend?
Of course! As long as they are able to attend the full dates, are a 鶹ý student and identify as a woman and/or are non-binary they are also welcome to apply.
Don’t be afraid to come on your own either, there will be lots of opportunities to make new friends and sometimes it’s easier to discuss things that are on your mind with relative strangers.

How much personal stuff do I have to share?
What, and how much information, you share during the programme is entirely your choice. Everything discussed as part of the programme will be kept confidential; the only exception to this would be if safeguarding issues were raised.

Will you provide lunch and/or refreshments?
No unfortunately not. Please bring your own lunch/refreshments. Suitable breaks will be provided.

Is there a virtual / online version?
No, the Bounce! programme is in person only.

I have previously attended the programme, can I sign up again?
We would love for previous attendees to re-attend the programme but since places are limited, you would unintentionally prevent someone else from attending.

I work at the 鶹ý and would like to join Bounce! as a guest speaker
If you would like to be a guest speaker we would love to hear from you – please email Sarah Plunkett .

Information for employers who would like to support/sponsor the programme
For information on how you can support our programme please visit Employer engagement opportunities .
 

Guest speakers 2025–26

The following inspiring women will be joining us for one or more of our events.

Celine Dearing
Celine Dearing – Teaching Fellow in Game Design (鶹ý) and Senior Motion Capture Tracker (The Imaginarium Studios)
“As a woman and mother working in a historically male-dominated industry, I am committed to empowering women and girls to pursue the careers they desire without feeling pressured to compromise other aspects of their lives.”
“Presenting at Bounce! is a very rewarding experience. The students are curious, ambitious, and excited to continue the conversation well after the event. I look forward to the next Bounce! event and sharing my strategy for overcoming imposter syndrome.”
“As women, we have a tendency to over-give of ourselves and our energy. I understand the importance of self-care and self-nourishment in order that we can continue doing all the things we love without feeling stressed, overwhelmed and burnt out.”

What our participants say

  • 6“Lots of useful and applicable content!”

  • 6“Very enjoyable and valuable lessons learnt.”

  • 6“Thank you! I will carry some of the things I have learnt with me for life.”

  • 6“Really enjoyed this programme and would recommend to other women too!”

  • 6“Great content – it didn’t drag and I made new friends on the table I was on!”

  • 6“Everyone was lovely and I really enjoyed the programme! I felt very safe and comfortable and it was all very informative and personal.”

  • 6“I feel like this course couldn’t have come at a better time in my life. It has really provided me with growth.”

  • 6“I really liked the programme – it changed my perspective on how I look at issues on my life. I will definitely try to implement some of the techniques I have learnt.”

Previous guest speakers

  • Nadine Asiedu-Dankwa

    Nadine Asiedu-Dankwa – Manager, Accenture

  • Alison Turner

    Alison Turner – Environmental Geochemist and Lecturer in Chemistry and Environmental Science, 鶹ý

  • Bounce! guest speaker Loren Munnelly, Audit Manager, KPMG

    Loren Munnelly – Audit Manager, KPMG

  • Morag Noades

    Morag Noades – Mindfulness practitioner

  • Anna Sendall profile image 

    Anna Sendall – Academic Registrar, 鶹ý

  • Close up profile image of Ruoxi Shi

    Ruoxi Shi – Principal Fire Engineer, Ashton Fire

 

Sarah Plunkett – Bounce Lead Facilitator 

“My name is Sarah and I am a Careers and Employability Consultant at the 鶹ý. For the past 16 years, it has been my mission to help all individuals to discover their purpose, fulfil their potential and find happiness in their lives. 
I feel very fortunate to have met, and had the opportunity to support a range of individuals who have experienced substance misuse, emotional and mental illness, and been involved in crime. 
During the last recession, I also co-wrote and delivered a week-long course for senior managers, on six-figure salaries who had been made redundant. 
Every person is different, but I have always been impressed by individuals' resilience and their inner strength, despite facing adversity or difficulties.
16 years ago, I began working in higher education and during this time I took the opportunity to experiment, learn and grow; progressing from a practitioner to a Head of Service senior manager role.
I have had my fair share of ups and downs, but when it comes to my career, I have always tried to join the dots, discover what was right for me and stay true to myself.
Sarah Plunkett (on the right) with her mum
Sarah (on the right) with her mum in St Ives, Cornwall 
I am super excited to be leading on this programme – in terms of women whose qualities I admire I would have to say the top of my list is my mum. I can sometimes be a bit of a pessimist, but she is an optimist and always tries to see the brighter side of things, even when things don’t go according to plan. She has also been by my side throughout my ups and downs, and I can quite honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for her love, support and encouragement.”
 

Katie Finnimore – Bounce Facilitator

“Hi! I’m Katie and I work as a Careers and Employability Consultant at the 鶹ý.
I’ve had a deep and personal interest in the personal and professional development of women for many years now, so much so that I made it the topic of my Research Project as part of my masters. 
I am hugely passionate about equitability and accepting individuals to create and pursue their own definition of success, rather than constantly being pressured by societal expectations.
In more recent years this passion has expanded into understanding additional challenges of intersectionality and improving broader equitability such as in relation to race, disability and LGBT+.
I have attended a number of programmes specifically for women both as an attendee and guest speaker as well as delivering programmes. 
In my experience you can gain a huge amount from them including deep connections with new friends and have a lot of fun; I’m excited for you to join us on this programme. 
Katie Finnimore and her gran
Katie with her nan
I have two quotes that I’d like to share with you while you’re thinking about applying to the programme: the first from Baroness Shami Chakrabarti: ‘Aspire to be anyone’s equal but no-one’s superior’ and the second, which I, unfortunately, don’t know who to attribute to: ‘Behind every strong woman is a pack of strong women who have her back.’ 
I look forward to meeting you soon.”
 

Adewumi Awelewa – Bounce Marketing Assistant 

“During my internship with Bounce!, I focused on researching women's achievements, challenges, and opportunities across various fields. I designed engaging marketing materials and infographics to enhance Bounce's visibility and participation.
Collaborating with the Bounce Team, I helped create compelling content that supports women's professional development. I am proud to have contributed to a programme making a real difference in the lives of women at the University.”
Adewumi Awelewa
Careers Service