International Women’s Day is an important day to celebrate, uplift and support women across the globe. Have a look at the different organisations, both charities and social enterprises on our platform that have been founded by women or that help beneficiaries that are women both in the UK and globally.
Female founded Social Enterprises:
Love Sober – We created love sober to provide a positive model for women seeking to change their relationship with alcohol. We use strength-based coaching techniques to work with clients 121, in group programs, online courses, books and our community. We also work with companies to become addiction, mental-health and trauma informed.
Touch Network CIC – Touch Network was set up in 2016 by Debs Carter who was a ‘revolving door’ mental health patient. She spent years of her teenage life in mental health hospitals & her road to recovery began at a community hospital where she built friendships, & the experience of hearing other people talk unlocked something in her & helped her share her own story.
The Sapphire Community Group – Unofficially registered in April 2015 and Officially registered in February 2018 in the UK. We then went on to open a branch of The Foundation in Nigeria January 2020. We have over 5 years experience working in Islington, Hackney, Camden, Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich and Lambeth. We have worked with over 4000 young people and families.
The Midlife Hub Ltd – Like many people, we only realised how the mental and physical changes that midlife bring were affecting us once we were experiencing our own midlife crises. We both had a passion to help other people have a better experience than we did. So we created The Midlife Hub, and launched it in June, 2020.
Oxygen Arts – A new social enterprise that invests our profits into digital and arts training for global majority young people in London and abroad. We want to connect young people in the UK across the ‘Black Atlantic’ to create art that explores the issues that impact their lives and help them to pursue a career in the creative industries.
Female founded Charities:
The Shine Project – Starting in 2006, Shine was originally designed to promote self-esteem and confidence as a preventative for teen pregnancy. The last 13 years has seen The Shine Project develop its service into a comprehensive early intervention course promoting physical and mental health whilst retaining its focus on young women.
Coventry Haven Women’s Aid – We began in 1972 as a women’s group and have grown to become a small, community-based, grass roots, registered charity which is run by women for women. Our aim is to help women and their children who have been or are being subjected to, domestic abuse in any form to free themselves from the situation they are in, and offer support in various ways.
Joanna Project Leeds – In 2004 3 friends were researching the issue of women and homelessness and found that the most vulnerable group of people were women involved in street based prostitution. They started a street outreach in Holbeck. In 2015 with paid staff we were able to open the Sanctuary House in Holbeck.
Teacher Aid – Teacher Aid first began following a holiday in Zambia, 2002. I visited a school outside Lusaka and promised to help. I registered “Teacher Aid” as pupils needed teacher continuity, funds to pay teacher salaries and a feeding scheme. We funded a school near Chipata in 2013. We stayed at Nsobe and met Fiona, who had started her own school.
Sophia Forum – We came about from the creation of The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS in 2004, an initiative led by UNAIDS. Our former co-founder Alice Welbourn set up a UK chapter of GCWA with a plan to develop a network of women across the UK to raise awareness across different constituencies in the UK of the issues facing women living with HIV.
Brook – Founded in 1964 by Helen Brook, a pioneer in sexual & reproductive rights. Her aim was to empower unmarried women to take charge of their sexual health & reduce the number of illegal abortions. Despite opposition, she refused to let stigma stand in the way of what was needed and started providing free contraception & sexual health advice.
Herpes Viruses Association – We were formed in 1985, by patients, to counter the stigma surrounding the word “herpes”. Through the website, email answers, non-profit helpline and Facebook messaging, we supply the facts in a non-judgmental way. The psycho-sexual burden that the word places on the newly diagnosed can only be helped with carefully worded and accurate information.
Cygnet Training Centre – Cygnet Theatre was founded in 1981 by Monica Shallis, Mary G Evans & Richard Digby Day. It has 3 aims: Train the next generation of performers in achieving artistic excellence. Broaden our name as a community staple, engaging with people who are disadvantaged & less likely to engage in the arts. Create a performance library of local heritage.
Peak Empower – Opened in July 2019 and was founded by two parent carers; Lucy Somers and Sapphire Tuckfield. Both have children with conditions that can cause social isolation. Our team is dedicated to inclusion and continues to develop resources that support young people and their families.
Nystagmus Network – Founded in 1984 as a parent support group by Vivien Jones after her son was diagnosed with nystagmus when he was 3 months old. It has grown exponentially from these humble beginnings to the hi-tech digital online presence of today.
Grace Organisation – Set up in 1983 by Daphne Marché MBE, initially to meet the needs of the older members of the African-Caribbean community. The letters ‘GRACE’ stand for Get, Relief, Assistance, Counselling and Encouragement. Over the years it expanded and developed to be what it is now.
Peterson’s Fund For Children – Supports children in Surrey who struggle with severe mental and physical disabilities. My name is Charlene Peterson and I founded the charity ten years ago. The aim of our charity is to help the children we support to maximise their potential and live the best life they can.
Interact Stroke Support – Founded in 2000 by theatre director Caroline Smith, InterAct takes professional actors into hospitals and stroke clubs to stimulate memory, language and alleviate depression. We work in 19 hospitals and 35 stroke clubs nationally. We’ve also developed community projects to encourage the creativity of stroke survivors facilitated by actors.
Human Values Foundation – Established in August 1995 by a primary school teacher who found her pupils’ education was being badly affected by their social & emotional issues. She created a programme for them: EDUCATION IN HUMAN VALUES. It transformed their thinking, behaviour & wellbeing & their academic achievements shot up.
Hammersley Homes – Established in 2018 to enrich the lives of vulnerable adults who suffer from enduring mental illness and who struggle to live independently, through the provision of long-term supported homes, introducing friendship, kindness, compassion and a sense of purpose and community.
Spotlight UK – Started in 2009 in Basingstoke providing emotional and practical support to children and young people. This included free mentoring, free activities and special days out treats for children who have experienced trauma. We now also work across Hampshire and Berkshire. We provide food parcels, care packages and support people in to work.
Charities and Social Enterprises that support female beneficiaries specifically:
Africa’s Gift – We wish to see a future where many of the poorer community members in Africa become more self reliant & take care & stewardship of their environments. Where many more young girls access schooling and cooking is done without harm. Where food can be grown in a restorative manner through conservation agriculture using permaculture principles.
World Vision – Our story began in 1947 when Dr Bob Pierce, an American evangelist and war correspondent, took a life-changing trip to China and Korea. Amid the incredible poverty, one girl’s need tore at his heart. In 1984, a BBC film crew travelled with World Vision to a project in famine-struck Ethiopia, triggering huge publicity that helped save thousands.
Love Sober – We created love sober to provide a positive model for women seeking to change their relationship with alcohol. We use strength-based coaching techniques to work with clients 121, in group programs, online courses, books and our community. We also work with companies to become addiction, mental-health and trauma informed.
Sophia Forum – We came about from the creation of The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS in 2004, an initiative led by UNAIDS. Our former co-founder Alice Welbourn set up a UK chapter of GCWA with a plan to develop a network of women across the UK to raise awareness across different constituencies in the UK of the issues facing women living with HIV.
The Shine Project – Starting in 2006, Shine was originally designed to promote self-esteem and confidence as a preventative for teen pregnancy. The last 13 years has seen The Shine Project develop its service into a comprehensive early intervention course promoting physical and mental health whilst retaining its focus on young women.
Coventry Haven Women’s Aid – We began in 1972 as a women’s group and have grown to become a small, community-based, grass roots, registered charity which is run by women for women. Our aim is to help women and their children who have been or are being subjected to, domestic abuse in any form to free themselves from the situation they are in, and offer support in various ways.
Joanna Project Leeds – In 2004 3 friends were researching the issue of women and homelessness and found that the most vulnerable group of people were women involved in street based prostitution. They started a street outreach in Holbeck. In 2015 with paid staff we were able to open the Sanctuary House in Holbeck.
Bees Abroad – We Create Beekeepers for Life. Working with local delivery partners we have helped lift 50, 000 people out of poverty with 100 projects in 15 countries. We understand beekeeping because we are beekeepers. More recently we have developed our strategy and strengthened governance, financial controls and our team of trustees. We are ready to grow.
Feeling inspired on International Women’s Day?
To find resources for your charity or social enterprise, set up a profile on whatimpact.com by booking a call with Grace, our Charity & Social Enterprise Lead.
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To have a look at other organisations on our platform visit our homepage.
