Celebrating the Body
Sian Walker, second from right
We’ve had a number of articles from Sian Walker in Pembrokeshire.Online. Not only has she written reviews for us but latterly she has been promoting the body positive.
Sian organised her first body positive event in July 2022, a photoshoot with Pembrokeshire Studio, near Narberth. She then held a mini event at a local gin bar in Pembroke Dock to reveal the photos to family and friends. She has since organised and taken part in a charity fashion show at the Buffs club in Kilgetty.
Sian told us: “Clothes were sourced from local charity shops and after the fashion show everything was for sale.The money raised went back into local charities.”
What motivated her to get involved in this kind of work?
“I have enjoyed organising events from a young age and love helping people out in any way I can.”
For her, having a body positive attitude is important, especially these days where so much focus is on social media and people worrying so much about how they look.
“We are all unique,” she argues. “I believe our individuality should be promoted and respected. What matters is what’s on the inside of a person, and looks will fade over time.”
Sian is concerned that the pressure on people to look a certain way has a serious effect on mental health, leading in some cases to suicide or other mental health issues. “Bullying can start at any time but it’s a big factor at school and has a negative effect on a young people’s self-esteem,.” She asserts
.Sian hopes to promote a body positive attitude to everyone and wants people to ooze confidence within their own skin. “No matter who you are, it’s your body and you should love it.“
Recently Sian had an opportunity to film with S4C at a mansion near Tenby.
“They saw my body positive article and contacted me, asking if I would like to take part in a TV programme called We Are Welsh. I took part in a catwalk alongside Miss Voluptuous 2024, Miss Wales 2023 and Miss Natural Beauty 2021.”
Sian says that while waiting for their part in the filming, the women got chatting and she found their conversation really interesting.
“Miss Wales is a medical student and suffers with alopecia and that is why she educates, advocates and raises awareness of the condition to show that there really is beauty in diversity. She is the founder of Street Doctors Exeter – a charity that teaches young people the dangers of knife crime, and lifesaving skills such as CPR and the recovery position. She is a fluent Welsh speaker and is keen to deliver her message bilingually.
“Miss Voluptuous is 21 and from Cardiff. She is advocating for improved provisions for mental health in schools and, like many, has struggled with her own confidence. She won a free boudoir photoshoot and when she had the photos back she was overcome with emotion as she’d never seen herself look so good. Because of this she applied for Miss Voluptuous International. She was so pleased to be asked to represent her home country in North Carolina in August 2024.
“She has overcome many obstacles in her life but she is one amazing lady who will stop at nothing to get her message heard.”
Sian believes that mental health is just as important as physical health throughout our lives, and it all starts with the education system, so she wishes to make schools an environment where children can feel safe – a place to have respite from their internal battles in a judgment-free setting.
She doesn’t want to stop now as she has a plethora of project ideas that she would love to make a reality and is determined to achieve everything she sets her mind to.
Watch this space.
