Former Coronation Street stars Brooke Vincent and Catherine Tydesley joined forces at an event opening up about the daily struggles of being a working parent. Brooke and Cath were among the host of guest speakers at the first BROOD Live event in Manchester.
The stars, both mums to two children, shared the daily struggles of being a working parent, also expressing how hard and lonely it can feel. They were speaking at the event held at Hotel Football in Old Trafford.
Brooke and her footballer beau Kean Bryan are parents to Mexx, three, and Monroe, two. She admitted her house is "like a circus" since their arrival and how hard she can find the everyday things.
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She said at the event: "Just getting everyone ready and out of the house is really hard". It was a sentiment echoed throughout the day by the guest speakers who included a host of parent entrepreneurs.
Actress Brooke, who has just started a new role on Hits Radio also owns her own business brand OhSoB. She said that she felt inspired by the other speakers at the event saying: "Everyone has been so open and honest, creating a safe space" at the event.
Cath echoed Brooke’s sentiments stating that she suffered "Mum guilt" at times. But she also stressed how important it was for her to go back to work as "even though she's a mum, she's still Cath too."
Cath said after the event: "Being in a room filled with other entrepreneurial parents - grafting like mad whilst juggling their Brood was glorious. I felt less alone to be honest.
"Parenting can feel lonely at times. The support network Brood are building is awesome. Proud to be a small party of something so special."
The event was hosted by Hits Radio presenter and dad of two, Mike Toolan. The Radio presenter invited Cath Tyldesley’s husband and BROOD co-founder Tom Pitfield to the stage whilst he was talking to the actress, and it wasn’t long before the room exploded with laughter as Tom joked: ‘Life is easier when Cath is not around!’
He added: "She’s like a whirlwind. My wife is many things but a domestic goddess isn’t one of them!"
Tom talked about their own parenting set up, as he looked after the couple's three-month-old daughter Iris and eight-year-old son Alfie, whilst Cath went to work in Malta for 3 months to film Channel 5’s The Good Ship Murder.
Award-winning Owner of Wood Restaurants and dad-of-four Simon Wood, was also among the guest speakers, sharing his story of how he went from being a teenage dad working at McDonalds, to a Masterchef Winner with a focus on getting a Michelin Star.
Embarrassing Bodies presenter and This Morning Regular Dr Dawn Harper, also attended the event and shared the importance of looking after your health and well-being as a busy parent.
The event was organised by the founders of BROOD Magazine in Manchester - best-selling Author Lolo Stubbs, photographer Tom Pitfield and Rob Stubbs. It was created as a unique platform for working and entrepreneurial parents to be inspired and share stories of the ups and downs of juggling a career whilst bringing up a family.
The team have said that BROOD Live will return to Manchester next year and will also be held in London early into the new year. More details will be added to @broodmagazine socials and on www.broodmagazine.com in due course.
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