As a grassroots social enterprise we love nothing more than to get new ideas from participants and the team. This term two of those ideas are:
Profiling the wares of a different maker each month in our training room, as we have a lot of foot-fall, and…
Piloting a Marketing Buddy project
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undeniable. In a recent panel discussion, 4 panellists delved into the realm of AI and its influence on the lives of women, addressing not only the benefits of AI but also the crucial aspects of using it safely and ethically.
Welcome Ros. Can you tell us a little about why we are meeting today?
– Yes, Iâm the new Operations Manager for the Growing Club. Iâm really looking forward to getting stuck in.
Great news! Tell us a little about yourself.
Iâve lived in Lancaster for thirteen years – I was made to feel so welcome that Iâve made this my permanent home.
“A Lancaster club which boosts employment and business skills for women has been awarded £260,000 by the National Lottery.
Social enterprise The Growing Club, which has been providing employment skills training, business start-up and sustainable business growth programmes for women since 2016, will use The National Lottery Community Fund cash award to support their work over the next five years.
“To be chosen for this funding in these very difficult times is just amazing,â said Jane Binnion, MD and Co-Founder of The Growing Club.”
Read the full article here: Lancaster Guardian feature
We are excited to announce an event which is set to spark conversations and champion an inclusive and more productive workforce.
Join us for this half-day conference, where we will be discussing women, neurodiversity and workplace inclusion.
Taking place on the 23rd of November, we will come together to investigate workplace shifts that will benefit everyone.
Support for those of us with health conditions and disabilities
The Growing Club was founded by and is run by women with disabilities. As a result we attract a lot of neuro-diverse women and women with long term health conditions.
We are thrilled to announce that The Growing Club has been awarded funding from Rosaâs Voices From the Frontline to launch a research campaign focused on neurodivergent women. Our aim is to examine the impact of late diagnosis on neurodivergent women, and the barriers they face in education and employment.
On March 14th, out of the blue, we got a phone call from Clare Fallon of Channel 4 news. She had seen our film about women aged 50+ and asked if they could come and talk to a group of our women â the next day!
Luckily for us, Rebecca runs a tight ship…
Sand Arts and Crafts is a creative arts and crafts business located in Morecambe, I offer a variety of workshops and events for children and adults, including sand art, build-a-bear, and craft workshops. I facilitate events of all sizes, from small birthday parties to large corporate events.
Iâm a Sustainability Writer.
I write thoughtful and values-based marketing copy for businesses to draw out and highlight themes relating to health and wellbeing, and the environment.
If there are no or few sustainability threads, then we have a conversation to inspire change.
My business is Amy Gunawan Basketmaker, soon to be Amyâs Willow Weaving. I make baskets and woven decorative pieces from willow. I also run workshops teaching basketry and woven crafts which offer a space for people to take time out of their busy lives, to enjoy the creative process and be focused learning a new skill and to be in the present moment.
For the last 5 years we have been recruiting and training women in business as mentors for the women graduating from our start-up programme.
If you have been wondering about being a mentor, we thought you might like to read the view from both sides.
Firstly, Rebecca Young, a branding designer, and young woman who graduated from her cohort in the middle of the pandemic and completed her mentoring at Christmas 2022.
âI was so grateful for the opportunity to work with a mentor as part of the Growing Clubâs Roots and Shoots programme. I was paired with a brilliant mentor who I had a strong connection with. Together we created a space where there were no wrong answers and no achievement was too small to celebrate. I felt deeply understood, even when I couldn’t always find the words to express myself. It was wonderful to talk through my ideas with someone who I knew without a doubt was on my side. I left each monthly session feeling energised and positive.
My mentor taught me several practical techniques for managing my time and structuring my work week. This has been an important step towards overcoming feelings of anxiety and overwhelm as I work towards my business goals. She also supported me as I worked through projects with clients, and it was really special to share those experiences with her and hear her perspective. I now have a much clearer idea of the services I want to offer and an understanding of what clients will expect from me.
Perhaps the most important thing I have gained is the momentum to keep moving forward, one step at a time, even if my journey takes longer than someone elseâs. I was really moved to hear from my mentor in our last session together that she enjoyed the experience too and is proud of what we achieved together.â
Whilst most of our mentors are local to North Lancashire / South Lakeland, Favour Onabanjo is one of our mentors who zooms in from Surrey. She is now working with her second mentee.
Favour wrote;
âI have been on the Growing Club mentoring scheme for over a year now. I really enjoyed it. Firstly, I love to offer help where I can; I also derive joy in helping others to be their best. Thatâs my motivator.
Being a business coach, I initially found it tricky to follow the mentoring model. I am used to coaching and handholding many of my paying clients. And one of my strengths which can sometimes turn into a weakness, is giving the DRIVE that my client needs to move ahead and succeed. So, the mentoring felt like, I wasnât working in my best capacity, and I wasnât comfortable with that. But once I got to the swing of things. I began to blend in. I realised I was here to encourage, listen, use examples to empower them, make suggestions etc.
How interesting a mentoring journey is will be determined mostly by your mentee. Whether they are ready to do the work to make the changes, they are looking to see. One of my mentees is supercharged. I always look forward to our meeting. Sheâs an action-taker and takes her personal development seriously.â
As you can see, two very different personality types, and that is why we take time to carefully match mentee and mentor for best fit. And furthermore, we hold bi-monthly mentor forum meetings for sharing and support. So we donât just throw you in there and hope for the best!
If you would like to know more about being a mentor with us, or would like to sign up to the training which starts in April, please contact Rebecca by phone or email.
The Growing Club designs and delivers employment and enterprise training and support, by women for women.
