Manchester City star’s inspiring message on overcoming self-doubt

At just 24, Manchester City superstar Lauren Hemp has achieved a lot.

She made her senior England debut at 19, and has since won 61 caps, scored 18 goals and helped the national team become European champions in 2023.

The following year she was awarded an MBE for services to football.

But despite her extraordinary success, the young Lioness admits she can still feel like an imposter on the biggest footballing stage.

“There’s a lot of pressure,” says Lauren.

“I feel like I’ve struggled with my confidence quite a lot. Sometimes I stand there at the start of the game and I’m like, ‘Just fake it Lauren. Just look like you’re confident.’

“A lot of things I do to deal with that is just positive reinforcement – even the people around me. Because we’re all women, we build each other up to push ourselves to be better. Not only that, but also to support each other whenever we’re feeling low.”

It’s why Lauren is now backing Manchester City’s collaboration with Buy Women Built, an inspirational consumer movement designed to support female-founded businesses across the UK.

They’re now coming together to host a unique live event in Manchester this weekend, which will give young people the opportunity to take part in empowering workshops, meet female founders from well-known brands and hear from Manchester City Women legends.

The Manchester City X Buy Women Built International Women’s Day event is happening place at Diecast Manchester on Saturday, 8 March from 10.30-2.30pm. It aims to inspire young people aged 16-24 to achieve their ambitions.

City heroes Steph Houghton and Karen Bardsley, and Cheeky Panda founder Julie Chen will be among the notable names appearing on panel discussions.

There will also be some stimulating workshops