The Growing Club CIC welcomed visitors to the grand opening of their new, improved training facility at 123 The Barracks at White Cross Business Park. The new Women and Enterprise Hub was officially opened by Charlotte Ellwood from Lancaster and Morecambe Chamber of Commerce.
Get in contact with Julia!
I’m Julia, a single mum and the owner of Lancaster Creative Counselling. My business is focused on using creativity therapeutically, in a safe and supportive environment. As a neurodivergent woman I think outside of the box. I have always found that expressing my feelings and experiences through art helps me to connect and gives me insight. I help other neurodivergent people of all genders to connect with their emotions through person centred counselling with expressive art therapy and sand tray therapy.
When my daughter started school, I wanted to go back to counselling work and start my own business, working around school hours.
Another mum recommended The Growing Club, having taken part in the very first Growing Club business course. I contacted Jane and there was one place left on the course that was just about to start. I joined a course with other creative women, in a similar position to myself. I have not looked back since.
My journey with The Growing Club started in Autumn 2019 when I joined the Roots and Shoots, business start-up course. Our very first session was a creative one; making a vision board and writing about my business vision. This was right up my street!
Throughout this course I focused on trialling workshops and therapy groups using expressive art. I delivered over 50 workshops in many organisations and collected feedback from participants. This industrious time helped me to build confidence, self-belief and professionalism. The other women in the group provided support and accountability. Despite the pandemic, we all persevered, through zoom to complete the course.
My journey has taken a few twists and turns since then. I now focus mainly on individual clients, receiving referrals from Lancashire County Council and an online directory. I also work with an online global company, taking referrals from places as far away as Saudi and Ecuador.
In 2020 I was asked to come onboard with The Growing Club trainers to become a tutor. I now facilitate the course that I participated in at the start of my journey.
The biggest challenge for me over the last couple of years has been to manage different responsibilities and stay true to my passion. I have had a part time job for 5 years, a child at school and Growing Club courses to facilitate.
Over these past 5 years, I have gradually streamlined my work, time and focus. I now have a successful business and feel part of a supportive team of like-minded women at the Growing Club. I have gradually reduced and given up my part time work to focus on what I enjoy the most.
I have recently been exploring neurodivergence for professional and personal development, gaining a qualification in the process. The Growing Club has been hugely inspiring and supportive in relation to this. I have recently written a 6-session course called Neuro Nurture, which explores our unique strengths and struggles as neurodivergent women. The Growing Club team helped me to market this as a pilot course and it has received excellent feedback.
Over the next 12 to 24 months, I would like to develop my understanding of the neurodivergent spectrum and how this relates to creative practice. I would like to continue to build on referrals from local authorities to help families understand their neurodivergent traits and support these within the family structure.
I would also like to develop further courses and workshops using expressive art. The Growing Club team has secured funding for 2 more Neuro Nurture courses and I can’t wait to see how this develops.
My biggest takeaway from my time at The Growing Club is that if you believe it is possible and follow your passion, your dreams can come true. In collaboration with others, we can achieve anything!
You can contact Julia via her website:
If you would like business support from The Growing Club, please email admin@thegrowingclub.co.uk or call 01524 383846.
My name is Zoe, my business is Light Open Spaces and I help my clients create refreshing spaces where they can live and thrive, through my professional home cleaning and decluttering service.
The Growing Club CIC are excited to announce that they have been awarded funding from The Community Foundation for Lancashire’s Women’s Fund. This grant will fund the continuation of one of the organisations key aims: to empower neurodivergent women in the Lancaster area.
My business is Debbie Bullock HR. I am a Freelance HR Consultant.
My aim is to support employers to have a harmonious working relationship with their staff. I care deeply about people, their lives, our communities and believe we work better pulling together, not pulling apart. I have a strong, knowledgeable, and up to date background in Human Resources, specialising in Employment Law, with a Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management focused in Employment Law from the University of Central Lancashire.
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, I’m the new Operations Manager for the Growing Club. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in.
Great news! Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve lived in Lancaster for thirteen years – I was made to feel so welcome that I’ve 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,” 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 Rosa’s 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.
