Her-Place Charitable Trust helped a record 5,000 people with free items during 2025 and added more than £3m of economic value to the community, its AGM heard.
Women and girls of all ages turned to the charity for support with poor mental health, anxiety, depression, managing menopause and mothering challenges or grief following baby loss.
Now the charity is stepping up campaigns to end period poverty by providing free hygiene products and to create safe spaces for women and girls.
In Crewe, that means working with police and councillors to plan more seating and lighting where girls can gather with peace of mind.
It’s also working with The Dome Crewe Youth Zone officials to create a safe walking corridor to the facility opening next year.
Meanwhile the charity, which operates a community share hub from a former bungalow on Beech Drive in Wistaston has plans to open a second base in Crewe town centre.
It also hopes to buy a van to reach more people with its share hub recycling scheme which hands out preloved school uniforms, football boots, baby products, bras and more to anyone who needs them.
Over the past year more than 5,000 free items have been given out supporting families in need and saving tonnes of clothing going to landfill, the meeting heard.
Staged at the Apollo Buckingham Health Science campus in Crewe, the Her Stories annual conference attracted a top line of guest speakers.
From the world of sport came Crewe’s Olympic BMX rider Shanaze Reade, Holmes Chapel’s Olympic rower Emily Ford, Cheshire netball development officer Georgia Williams, Warrington Town Women’s FC captain Helen Dobson, Cheshire ice hockey goaltender Violet Lennon, a rising star at just 12.
Speakers also included Her-Place patron Ellie Leach, star of Strictly Come Dancing and Coronation Street and Manchester Metropolitan University Professor of Decent Work and Productivity Julia Rouse.
There was open debate around the topics of equality in the workplace and sporting arena and challenging taboos around female health including periods and menopause.
They touched on social media and managing negativity. Ellie, with a massive following, explained her strategy for authenticity posting the good and bad in her life.
There was a good crowd at the meeting including civic dignitaries, police and fire service officials.
The charity, which marked its tenth anniversary this year, presented an impact report recording a massive social return on investment.
Its economic value to the community was £3,657,032.
Founder Kate Blakemore said: “Our social return on investment has been an incredible achievement, demonstrating the genuine and lasting impact of our work.
“Every £1 spent with us resulted in £43.23 delivered and or saved. That’s huge value to the community.
“Income generation remains vital to keep delivering these services so we would love to hear from businesses or individuals who can sponsor any area of our work.”
The conference also updated on other areas of the charity’s work:
FlourishHer women’s health drop-ins, menopause cafes and counselling. A total of 148 wellbeing sessions were delivered this year and 797 hours of counselling.
InspireHer continues to support girls aged 13-25 with mental health and friendship.
Believe in Her supports women with children caught up in the court system and Cherry Blossom offers counselling following baby loss.
Through its sister organisation, The Learning Well, Her-Place is working with employers to support the wellness of employees which in turn boosts morale and improves productivity.
For more on the various ways Her-Place supports women and girls in the area go to her-place.co.uk
For details on The Learning Well workshops and training go to thelearning-well.com, call 01606 557666 or email [email protected]
A charity for Women, Girls and MEN ‘identifying’ as women.
Because women aren’t allowed to have anything of their own.