Welcome to The Growing Club CIC

Enabling women to rediscover confidence, develop skills and start or grow a sustainable businesses.

where every woman thrives

Since 2016 we have been designing and delivering training by women for women. Enabling over 720 women to rediscover confidence and use skills to return to work, education, to renegotiate positions, and to start and grow sustainable businesses.

Founded by Jane Binnion and Rachel Holme as an experiment to bridge the gap in business education. The Growing Club is a peer-to-peer led training team that have delivered over 50 trailblazing programmes with life changing outcomes.

Why we are here?

There are many reasons that motivate us to do what we do, for example:

  • Currently in the UK 24% of women are paid below the living wage, often in essential but insecure jobs – with even greater insecurity for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority women
  • The gender pay gap at pension age is 38% as women have been less able to contribute to their pension due to low pay and caring responsibilities
  • The gender pay gap amongst self-employed is 49%!

Your motivations to join us may be different, we would love to hear your story.

Get in touch

What are we doing to create change?

We champion local economic growth and community wellbeing.

In 2021 – 2022 locally and online:

  • 96% of our income was spent in the local economy
  • We created paid work for 55 women
  • 96% of participants said their confidence had increased
  • 93% said they feel more empowered
  • 91% said their wellbeing has improved
  • 58% said their income had increased (despite the pandemic)
Read our impact report

What can we offer you?

  • A “starting where you’re at” chat
  • Weekly drop-in session
  • A one-to-one call
  • Meet-ups and networking events
  • In person and online courses and training
  • Personal business start-up mentoring
  • Trainer training and paid opportunities
Let's do this!

Our Courses

No matter what stage you are at, we are here to help you. We run courses ranging from 8-weeks to 12-months. To find out more about each course, choose one of the options below.

changing direction, the growing club
"Before joining The Sowing Club, I was feeling really low with no confidence and I could barely leave the house. Working alongside the other women on the course, helped me to focus on myself ... I feel I can accomplish anything!"
Realise your skills
business start up, the growing club
"I've learnt a lot of things, particularly marketing; understanding your customer and understanding what you want to achieve. All of that really I didn't know where to start."​
Start your business
business growth, the growing club
"Being a sole trader I found it hard to make unemotional decisions, but working alongside likeminded people, I feel I am in control of my destiny and business growth. [...] The Growing Club has been such a bonus to me."
Grow your business

In partnership with...

eric wright charitable trust, the growing club, supporter, funding
lush, the growing club, supporter, funding
natwest, the growing club, supporter, funding
fsb, small business growth, supporter, funding, the growing club
SIMRA, social, innovation, marginalised, rural, agriculture, women, business
santander foundation, the growing club, supporter, funding
smallwood trust, the growing club, supporter, funding
walney extension community fund, the growing club, supporter, funding
better with jam
big lottery fund, sponsor, funding, the growing club, the oswing club, lancashire, north west
furness community awards scheme, the growing club, supporter, funding
boost lancashire business growth, supporter, funding, the growing club
rosa, the uk fund for women and girls
lancaster council logo blue
committed_small
SE_NL_landscape_RGB_1000px
ESF & ESFA Logo Pair
WEA_Logo_Centred-Green
community fund
Royal-London-1
Funded by UK Government primary logo

Don’t take our word for it...

… read what the members have to say about it!

"Joining the Growing Club has made me focus on what is important in my business in order to create sustainable growth."

"The Growing Club (GC) is an investment of time and personal commitment both to myself personally and my business and also to the other members of our group."

"I wholeheartedly recommend the Growing Club to any woman who runs a small business, I believe even the most successful of business women would leave the Growing Club even more enriched and empowered than they already are."

"Coming here has changed how I think about my business."

Sign up to our newsletter

Website Photography by Ginny Koppenhol Photography