A charity dedicated to supporting women and girls marked its 10th anniversary in style with a Glitter Ball at Nantwich Football Club.
Her-Place Charitable Trust welcomed a big crowd to its women-only event which brought glamour and heaps of sparkle to the club function room.
Guests enjoyed a dazzling evening of dining, dancing and live entertainment, while also reflecting on the achievements of the past decade.
The charity was founded in 2015 as Motherwell Cheshire offering mums emotional support and friendship, with counsellors and volunteers working from a former housing trust bungalow on Beech Drive in Wistaston.
Over the past decade the charity has branched out to offer a wide range of health and wellbeing services and earlier this year rebranded to Her-Place to reflect its support of all women and girls of all ages.
In 2020 it launched its hugely popular school uniform recycling scheme which helps families on a budget and saves tonnes of clothing going to landfill.
It provides counselling, friendship groups, health drop-ins and all manner of therapeutic activities including craft, crochet and reading groups.
Free hygiene products are offered as part of a campaign to end period poverty and it works alongside local clubs and organisations to create safe places and encourage more girls to enjoy sport.
Last spring Her-Place opened a second base in Winsford from where it runs its hugely successful laundrette offering free washing and drying facilities to local families.
The charity is also behind an annual International Women’s Day celebration in Crewe which acts as a showcase for female-led businesses and draws hundreds to Cheshire College South & West.
Its work across the Cheshire community has attracted celebrity followers including Coronation Street actress Sally Carman and Strictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach, now committed Patrons.
Founder Kate Blakemore, a trained counsellor and mum-of-three, said: “We’re dedicated to empowering and uplifting women through tailored wellbeing services, advocacy and community support.
“Over the years, our work has expanded beyond maternal support, encompassing a wider range of initiatives that address the diverse needs of women and girls at different life stages.
“Our new name, Her-Place Charitable Trust, has successfully embodied this broader vision while staying true to our core values of inclusivity, empowerment, and community-driven support.”
Her-Place is a charity for women that is run by women – its team includes 16 women at various stages of life and around 60 female volunteers.
The Glitter Ball drew more than 100 women and received support from local businesses which provided raffle and auction prizes.
Team members made table arrangements and goody bags on an away day and named tables after inspirational Cheshire women including Middlewich paralympic swimmer Poppy Maskill, Chester University academic Dr Kim Ross and Cheshire Fire Service watch manager Hannah Caulfield.
Kate added: “In an average year we support more than 800 women and girls across Cheshire in different ways. And like so many others, we face growing demand. The pot however is getting smaller making it tougher than ever for local charities.
“So we are immensely grateful to everyone who made our milestone anniversary celebration possible, to the businesses that provided prizes and women who bought tickets.”
Organisers are totting up the proceeds but hope to exceed £5,000.
For more on Her-Place Charitable Trust and its various initiatives including counselling, free period products, infant loss support, menopause cafes, health screening and school uniform recycling see social media or the website www.her-place.co.uk
(Pics by Paul Harrison, Studio One Nantwich)
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