Create whilst you isolate.

The following is a guest blog from Catherine Rogers – Cut Out Collage

Whether you’re an art scene regular, a curious creative or stuck at home looking for things to do, making art during this period of isolation is a sure-fire way to positively impact your mental wellbeing and escape the worldwide conversation of these strange times!

Hi, I’m Catherine, the founder of Cut Out Collage. Before everything changed, I was running creative workshops across Liverpool, giving artist talks, exhibiting alongside collectives and selling original artworks at markets and events, so this current climate has had a huge impact on my business. Despite the curveball I’m committed to focusing on adaptation and how I can creatively respond to the current crisis. So, I’m going to share with my top tips for staying motivated amongst the mayhem.

Artists are still working, we’re just online

Art has not ceased, just the physical places we congregate and share it are closed. Creativity is very much alive in people’s homes, minds and spirits. Therefore, there is a ton you can still get involved with. I would suggest following local and international artists on social media so the content you are browsing each day can motivate and inspire you. I find new and exciting creatives everyday who are hosting online chats, workshops, all kinds of creative spaces and offerings. Following artists can feed your soul and help you discover things you may want to try at home.

Get making, keep making

Don’t know where to start, why not start a sketchbook? What an amazing time to experiment in this way. You can buy one online or use a spare notepad you may already have at home and give it a new lease of life.

Sketchbooks are great for scribbling down ideas, cutting and pasting old magazines into, sketching your garden or your family or to capture your work as you follow online tutorials. Also, when normality returns you will have a record of your creativity and productivity to show for it!  Who knows you may get hooked on sketch booking – it’s the best!

Share your masterpieces, inspire others

Artworks can have a huge impact upon those who view them. Never underestimate the transformational power of making art and sharing it with other people. The offering of something you have created to another person can have a profound effect on their day, so if you make something that lifts your spirits, let someone else be lifted by it to! I am loving the art being sent to my inbox, its inspiring and lets me know people are thinking of me, very encouraging indeed.

Support one another and say thank you

If people share images that move you and or you enjoy in some way, comment on them, let people know that their work has encouraged you. This wave of paying encouragement forward is hugely impactful, it can create a chain reaction of kindness from such a small gesture.

For me and my business, I want to say thank you to the Women’s Organisation and The Common Zine. I want to thank them for believing in my dreams, even before I completely did. They have encouraged me every step of the way and I have taken leaps I likely would not have if it hadn’t been for their support. If confidence is your barrier, I couldn’t recommend them both enough.

Join the Collage Revolution

Obviously, I’m a little bias about this one, but if you’re unsure about where to start I couldn’t recommend collage highly enough. I release weekly Cut Out Collage bitesize workshops on our YouTube channel and top tip videos on a Tuesday! It’s a new platform for Cut Out Collage, so we’re all in it together and learning as we go. There are also collage packs available on our Etsy store, so you have plenty of images to work with!

Thank you Catherine! If you would like to find out more about Cut Out Collage you can find them on:

Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Etsy
Youtube

One-Day FREE Course to Help Liverpool Women Manage Stress

Is feeling stressed taking its toll on your mind, body and general health? You are not alone. Recognising and dealing with stress can be a hard cycle to break.

Stress is a reaction to feeling under pressure, and everyone feels stressed sometimes.

However, stress is something which can be managed via your thinking. If you can train your mind to think right and think positive, you’ll be able to cope with stress better.

This year we’ve made it our mission to help the women of Liverpool step BEYOND stress, because we all need a helping hand sometimes.

Our FREE one-day course is open to women living in the Liverpool City Council area who are dealing with stress, living with a health condition or a disability. And this summer, we’re taking Step Beyond Stress on the road to a number of venues throughout Liverpool:

Stoneycroft Children’s Centre – 15th July, 12 – 3pm

Anfield Children’s Centre – 17th July, 9:15 – 12:15pm

The Women's Organisation, 54 St James Street – 18th July, 10 – 3pm

Clubmoor Children’s Centre – 22nd July, 10 – 1pm

Ellergreen Community & Early Years Centre – 7th August, 10 – 1pm

The Women's Organisation, 54 St James Street – 5th August, 10 – 3pm

PAL Centre – 8th August, 11 – 2pm

Women’s Advice Centre – 14th August, 9:30 – 12:30pm

Felicity House – 20th August, 10 – 1pm

WHISC – 22nd August, 1:30 – 4:30pm

The Women's Organisation, 54 St James Street – 3rd September, 10 – 3pm

This course covers:

• The signs, symptoms and causes of stress 
• What stops us caring for ourselves? 
• Lifestyle changes 
• The ability to categorise reasons for stress 
• How to develop coping strategies

If you’d like to find out more about Step Beyond Stress or book a place, please contact the venue directly using the phone number below.

Stoneycroft Children’s Centre – 0151 233 4770

Anfield Children’s Centre – 0151 233 4001

The Women’s Organisation, 54 St James Street – 0151 706 8111

Clubmoor Children’s Centre – 0151 233 8500

Ellergreen Community & Early Years Centre – 0151 233 3337

PAL Centre – 0151 708 9669

Women’s Advice Centre – 0151 494 1777

Felicity House – 07572545691

WHISC – 0151 707 1826

This course is part of the Citizens Advice on Prescription: Ways to Wellbeing Liverpool programme.

#WorkOnYourWellbeing: Tips for a happier and healthier life

The following blog was written by our Intern from Liverpool John Moores University, Cerys Evans.

Good health is more than physical health – it’s mental health. Wellbeing describes the state of being comfortable, happy or healthy. But your wellbeing is dynamic and can quickly change impacting our everyday lives. When your mental health is not how you would like it to be, when you feel stressed, overwhelmed or unable to cope, it can impact all aspects of your life.

So, this month, we’re asking women everywhere to #WorkOnYourWellbeing to feel more positive, happier and able to get the most from your life.

Here are some simple steps to better mental wellbeing.

The following steps have been researched and developed by the New Economics Foundation.

Connect - Spend time developing relationships with the people around you like friends, family and colleagues.

Be active - Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.

Learn - learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence.

Take notice - be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

Give - be it the smallest or largest act, giving can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.

Here at the Women’s Organisation our personal development programmes give women the chance to take time out for themselves and learn how to be the best version of themselves. With the pressures and stress that come with today’s society we are encouraging women to come along to our two new courses focusing on improving your mental wellbeing.

Step Beyond Stress

A one-day course in partnership with Citizens Advice designed to help the women of Liverpool improve their management of stress and identify coping strategies to support this. Mental Health Foundation claims that almost three quarters of people have at some point felt so stressed that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope – Step Beyond Stress seeks to help women identify coping strategies and better manage feelings of stress.

Motivate Your Mind

A one-day course in partnership with Citizens Advice enabling women to learn how to reduce stress by building positive think strategies, improve your ability to deal with difficult situations and therefore become a calmer and more resilient person.

These courses are open to women living in the Liverpool City Council area who are suffering from stress or living with a disability or health condition. To find out more, or enquire about booking onto either of these courses, please contact us on 0151 706 8111 or hello@thewo.org.uk.

Yasmin's Story: "I learnt that I was not alone, Change it made me feel like I was part of something"

5 years ago, Yasmin Annie moved to Liverpool to start dance training at Lipa. Her career took off and she founded her own company 'Percaya Dance' whilst juggling being a dancer, performer & business woman. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious, she knew something had to change...

"I would get days where I just didn't see the point in anything I was doing and I felt like I couldn't handle anything alone. I felt I was pathetic and relied on everyone and that one day everyone was going to leave me and I'd be alone having to deal with life. I had no confidence in myself feeling like I had constantly to get reassurance off everyone, it was tiring and straining for people around me.

Yasmin Annie

I went on to do the ‘Change it’ course which came conveniently right after the break up. It felt like fate! During the ‘Change it’ course I learnt a lot. I learnt that I was not alone, even in a room full of ladies I’d never met. Change It made me feel like I was apart of something, because everyone in that room was going through something, they had their own battles, their own stories but we all at some point felt the same feelings! 

I didn’t feel 100% and I wasn’t sure how to change it. I’m obsessed with self help books and anything to help myself feel and be a better person. I've been to counselling, CBT, hypnosis and I think all these things are great and potentially could work more effectively for others, however for myself I couldn't keep up with the sessions as well as my hectic life.

Just before I went on the course, I went through a break up which meant I had to move out of my house and change my surroundings. This terrified me because I had to face one of my biggest fears: being alone, feeling abandoned and having to deal with life alone. My go-to reaction was ‘I can’t do that’.

The best thing about the programme was the trainer and the knowledge she had. Jenny is an asset to the Woman’s Org courses, she helped me a lot, she understood, cared and listened and had so much information to share.

I learnt so much, which I now use in my everyday life, which gets me through my days. I think I've have always been strong and confident deep down but I never told myself enough which was the issue! After leaving the course I reminded myself everyday that I was confident and that I could handle life on my own and that I am a strong person. It wasn’t always easy at first I felt like I was reading a script about someone else and it didn't connect to me at all! But everyday I developed and I started to notice a change and ways I would approach something in more of a positive way. I felt brave!

I still have a lot to learn and practice but I'm at a great place and I can and will handle what is thrown at me. I can do that by helping people, helping myself and helping in general through dance, and just having a tight network of women around me because I think we are good support for each other! 

Women who are thinking about doing ‘Change it’ Just do it! You won't lose anything from doing it. Only gain, gain a lot of amazing friends going through so many different things, which will broaden your mind! You will gain the knowledge that everyone has their own rough journeys but everyone's goal in the end is the same which is to be happy within themselves so why not help each other to get there. Finally you will learn that you deserve happiness and you will get there by following your own path!

I have changed a lot with the help of Womens Org and also by believing in myself that I can change things. I am so happy that I made the decision to go and I made that decision on my own and I am so proud of myself for how far I’ve come."

We have new dates available for Change it!

54 St James Street - Monday 14th January 2018, 10-3 (4 Sessions)


Wavertree Childrens's Centre - Tuesday 15th January 2018, 12:30-15:30 (5 Sessions)


Kensington Childrens Centre - Wednesday 16th January, 1-3 (8 Sessions with half term break in February)


Speke Childrens Centre - Thursday 17th January 2018, 9:15-12:15 (5 Sessions)


Belle Vale Childrens Centre - Thursday 24th January, 1-3 (8 Sessions)


If you’d like to find out more information about the programme or book a place, contact us on 0151 706 8111 or hello@thewo.org.uk and find out how we can support you.

Sophie's Change it Story: "Go for it, it's life changing"

Over here at The Women’s Organisation we love nothing more than hearing the uplifting stories from the women we’ve helped through our ‘Change it: Progress to Success’ programme. If you’re feeling like your confidence could do with a boost but you’re struggling to set the wheels in motion then hear from Sophie, a recent change it graduate who after lacking self-belief for so long decided to do something about it…

"If you could have seen me a few years ago, I was a very different mum with a very different mindset. Negative thinking was keeping me in a place that I didn’t want to be in. I knew I wanted to become a beauty therapist, but I genuinely lacked the belief system and motivation to do anything about it. There I was, a single mum with a dream just coasting through my life and then out of the blue the Change it programme appeared at the Stoney Croft Children’s Centre and the line worker insisted that I go on to it after seeing a lot of women transform their lives after completing it.

I moved to Liverpool with my children after falling in love with the city but at first, I felt isolated. Someone in my local shop suggested trying the Stoney Croft Children’s Centre and the kids loved it! There was really no excuse for me to start following my dreams, but the self-belief demon had a hold, telling me “you’re not clever enough, you aren’t good enough” and because I knew it a year had passed without me even trying to ring the college.

Then change it happened and I have never looked back.

The first session I met the trainer Mandy, I knew I was in safe hands. I felt like I was in the right place at the right time and of course having childcare meant that I wasn’t worried about my kids.

After the first session I began to realise that I was not alone, there were lots of mothers who felt stuck in their lives and I wasn’t the only one. Most of the mums wanted to do something with their lives, they wanted more but just lacked the confidence to do it. We’re not lazy, we don’t sit around watching daytime TV all day, that’s a misconception.

I had no idea that we could alter our thinking and as Mandy says, “Stinking thinking needs a shrinking”. We can change our thought patterns and I didn’t realise that not being assertive stops us from becoming who we are meant to become… it was a real eye opener to say the least.

I have changed for the better, I am more confident and after the course I applied for the Level 2 in Beauty Therapy at Liverpool Community College and guess what, I got in! I used to go over everything in my head all the things that could go wrong in the interview until I changed my thinking to “What could go right?”

The advice I would give to any mum thinking of doing the Change it course in any Children’s Centre is “Go for it as it’s life changing”. It’s like having a tool kit for your life, Challenge limiting beliefs, change your thinking, access your values and lots more. I would probably be still sitting there only dreaming of going to college and look at me now getting my life ready and on the path to becoming a proper beauty therapist. Stop dreaming, start doing and enroll for Change it!"

Thank Sophie for sharing your fantastic story, we wish you all the best for your future! Join us over on Twitter and Facebook to keep updated with all things Change it!

We're about to announce a number of Change it sessions around Liverpool within the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

If you'd like to find out more information about the programme contact us on 0151 706 8111 or email us on hello@thewo.org.uk and find out how we can support you.

Dayo's Story: How Change It Changed Me

We love nothing more than when our 'Change It: Progress to Success' graduates share their amazing stories of how the programme has had a positive impact on their lives. Author, Dayo Benson recently finished the 4-week Change It programme at 54 St James Street and had some fantastic comments to share about it...

"The Change It: Progress to Success course facilitated a time of transformation for me. I was completely oblivious to some of the ways I was holding myself back, and the course challenged my thinking, attitudes, and beliefs about myself.

  

Beyond raising my self-awareness and revealing areas in which I needed to work on myself, Jenny, the course leader, also provided practical tips for making positives changes.

Change It was the highlight of my week for the four weeks of the course. I left each session with lots of food for thought and points to action. It spurred me to commence my own personal research on self-improvement and personal development. I appreciated the safe and supportive environment that Jenny cultivated and found myself able to share openly with the other women--a huge step for this reserved introvert.

Every woman should do Change It, or something similar. We're so used to rushing around, juggling numerous responsibilities; barely catching a breath. Change It is an opportunity to catch your breath, reevaluate your life and goals, and determine whether to change direction or stay on course.

I would highly recommend this course to anybody who feels stuck in a rut or who simply wants to unlock their full potential.

All my expectations regarding the course were superseded. I'm sure yours will be too."

Dayo with her Change It group

Thanks to Dayo for sharing your experience of Change it, we wish you all the best for your future! Dayo has written a number of fiction books and you can find more information out about them over on her website here 

We have recently announced more 'Change it: Progress to Success' dates going on around Liverpool:

Life Rooms, Walton - Wednesday 27th June 2018 (5 sessions)
54 St James Street - Tuesday 7th August 2018 (4 sessions)
54 St James Street - Wednesday 12th September 2018 (4 Sessions)
Dingle Childrens Centre -Thursday 20th September 2018 (8 sessions)
Toxteth Firefit Hub -Thursday 20th September 2018 (5 sessions)
54 St James Street - Tuesday 30th October 2018 (4 sessions)
Everton Childrens Centre - Monday 8th October 2018 (5 Sessions)

If you'd like to find out more information about the programme or to book a place, contact us on 0151 706 8111 or email us on hello@thewo.org.uk and find out how we can support you.

"I Could Feel My Mood Lift Week By Week" - Linda Reflects on 'Change It' Experience

Change It: Progress to Success is all about empowering women to realise their true potential and turn that potential into success. We’ve met some fantastic women in the past year, all looking to make positive change in their life and begin building the future they really want.

We love nothing more than shouting about the successes of the women who have completed the programme. Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda, who recently recently completed Change It and has a wonderful story to tell ..

“My name is Linda, I’m 57 and I recently attended the “Change It” course. Someone who had completed the course highly recommended it to me, believing it had helped her so much.

At the time I was not in a very good headspace. Being a single parent for 18 years had not been an easy ride (as I am sure most single mums will relate to!). Financial struggles had, over the years, taken its toll and my confidence and self-esteem had taken a bit of a beating. However, I still had a bit of fight in me and, with the full support of my three children, I undertook a degree in English Language and Education Studies. My intention was to travel and teach English as a second language.

However, 5 days after completing my degree, a bad attack of sciatica left me on my stomach on the floor (literally) for almost 6 weeks. Long story short, I had severe disc problems in my back but surgery was too risky and I was told nothing could be done except for pain relief as and when needed. My hopes were dashed and I became quite severely depressed. Where did I go from here? 

I felt I had no sense of purpose (Wow, I’d forgotten how low I’d become until writing this!). Jobs I had done over the years had been to fit in around my kids and I really wanted it to be “my time” now they were young adults.

I attended a few therapy classes to help with my low mood; anxiety management, mindfulness, CBT and then became aware of “Change It” whilst attending one of these classes. The person who told me about it was so enthusiastic and really sold it so I thought I’d give it a go… and I was glad I did! Each session was filled with positivity. Our Tutor, Jenny was so good and each minute was packed with enjoyable exercises and delivered in such a thorough and professional way. We all got on so well and had lots of fun and l came away eager for the following week.

I honestly felt as though this course had been designed for me specifically. It was so reassuring to know that the way I had been feeling was not uncommon. I have always been a “glass half full” kind of person but was now full of self-pity and, to be honest, not liking myself very much. But, each session covered all of this and I could literally feel my mood lifted week by week. By the end of the five week course I felt that I could face what life has to offer, good or bad, and have the confidence once again to deal with it. 

Even my eldest daughter, who lives in Australia noticed a positive change in me each time we spoke via skype. She said I seemed so much happier now. And the best thing was that I didn’t feel like I would slip back as the sessions were full of achievement, challenges and action plans which I can refer to whenever I feel I need to.

I am now in a much better place emotionally; I feel I am taking back control of my life. Don’t get me wrong, I know I still have quite a way to go to full recovery but for the first time in years I feel hopeful again and am actually feeling excited about the next chapter of my life.

So, if you’re reading this and thinking “Is this course for me?” I would say to you “YES IT IS!” I would recommend this course for everyone, young or old, happy or sad. It will equip you with the necessary tools to improve (or maintain) your confidence and you will have such a fun time in the process, 

I promise!”

Thanks to Linda for sharing her incredible story!

We have a number of Change It programmes taking place in Liverpool’s Children’s Centres and here at The Women’s Organisation:

Speke, The Reach at Parklands, 10th April (5 sessions)

54 St James Street, 11th April (4 sessions)

Picton Children's Centre, 20th April (8 sessions)

54 St James Street, 16th May, (4 sessions)

If you’d like to find out more information about the programme or book a place, contact us on 0151 706 8111 or hello@thewo.org.uk and find out how we can support you.

A Love Letter to Liverpool’s Children’s Centres, from Mandy Meaghan

Over a year ago, we launched confidence-building programme Change It: Progress to Success, supported by the Big Lottery Fund and in partnership with Liverpool's Children's Centres. 

This partnership with the children's centres ensured that Change It would be delivered right in the heart of Liverpool's communities and in a safe space that supports all members of the family from tots, to teens to adults. 

Having spent so much time there, our 'Change It' Trainer Mandy has a few words to say on the importance of Children's Centres to local families and the wider community. So, we invited Mandy to do a guest blog! Have a read on her thoughts here .. 

They say the family is the glue that binds, but what happens if you don’t actually have a supportive family? Lets say, you are a parent trying to cope with a new born baby and the hardships now apparent in modern Britain – where do you go for family support?

I believe that the answer is children’s centres.

Not all parents have the support from their families, extended families and even neighbours in the street who would often be there to help out with advice, babysitting and a cup of sugar. Some may not have the luxury of the hands on grandparents to gain invaluable parenting advice – in fact, many  may be from a broken family and be experiencing poverty and isolation.

This is the very reason children’s centres exist; as an intervention to serve the poorest families in the poorest wards of England – that’s 4000 national spaces dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families.

Today, Children’s Centres are a hub of community engagement and activity that’s supported by local councils, family services, domestic abuse services, health services and adult learning services, all catering for the 21^st century family.

For those of us who work with or use the Centres, we know of the extraordinary value they bring to thousands of women’s and children’s lives every day, and a recent Oxford University Study confirms it.

The fact that social isolation is no longer associated with the perils of the elderly is indicative of a society that is breaking down communities and dismantling the very core principles of the ‘glue that binds.’ Mums on their own with kids often experience a lonely existence, however, I have seen the very same mums lives turnaround completely by being part of another type of ‘family’ that operate under the roof of a purpose-built building where ‘everybody knows your name’.

It’s a place to share the joys and fears of being a new mum, the first tooth and steps, feeling proud that your child ate all their dinner and wondering what to do when the stress is too much to cope with. This is when then the children’s centres step up ... with a helping hand, not a judgemental finger wag.

It’s the place where everything is at, from financial advice, health tips, childcare support, maths and English classes, family link workers, contact centres for fathers to see their children and much more.

But as they say they are ‘not kids for long’ and we are ‘not just mums’. As the kids get older, we ask,  ‘what’s next for mum’? At the children’s centres mums can figure out just that through services such as CV support classes or career guidance sessions to smooth over that transition to work, training and education.

If getting a job is the crucial element then the Children’s Centres work with the Better Off Finance Team to advise on benefits and money management, so that mums don’t fall into any poverty traps.

If its education or training then the referral can be to Adult Learning Services and Liverpool City Careers and Guidance or attend the classes at the Children’s Centres from basic maths, English and ESOL and computers/ IT.

For some of those mums who feel they need the confidence to maybe change old habits and look to build a more positive future, then the Change It programme, supported by the Big Lottery Fund is definitely the next step.

The Women's Organisation have successfully provided this confidence building course for a year now with some great successes helping women from deprived communities achieve their goals of becoming who they are meant to be … successful, happy and fulfilled in whatever they desire. We run this programme in Liverpool’s children’s centres over eight sessions for two hours covering; assertiveness, thinking skills, learning styles, process of transition, negative beliefs, motivational skills and next steps to success.

So, what were the provisions available for mums before Children’s Centres? The answer is very little. In fact, before 1998 young mums used to be penalised and discriminated against instead of supported to be the best mum they can be. This is why we support the campaign to keep children’s centres open and available to those who need it most, in areas that need it more than ever and in the lives of mums that without them have no one.

Children’s centres are the invisible family that binds communities together.

For more information on Surestarts in your area click here.

If you think that this programme could be for you, we have a new batch of programmes starting in various venues around the city, and you can book your place now!

54 St James Street - Wednesday 12th September 2018 (4 Sessions)
Dingle Childrens Centre -Thursday 20th September 2018 (8 sessions)
Toxteth Firefit Hub - Thursday 20th September 2018 (5 sessions)Everton Childrens Centre - Monday 8th October 2018 (5 Sessions)

For more information on the Change It Program contact a member of our team on 0151 706 8111 or hello@thewo.org.uk.

Catherine’s Story: ‘How Change It Changed My Life’

In 2017 we launched Change It: Progress to Success for the women of Liverpool. This confidence-building programme has a mission to help women develop their confidence, feel more positive about what they can achieve and begin building the future they want.

As we enter 2018, we’re preparing for the next round kicking off in January (more info here!).

Now, let us introduce you to previous participant, Catherine, to find out how ‘Change It’ changed her life ..

“For a long time I lied to people. Whenever somebody would ask what I did for a living I’d pretend I was in paid work. I was too ashamed to tell the truth that I was unemployed and losing the hope of ever finding full time work. I had seen how people on benefits were portrayed on television programmes like Benefit’s Street as idle, crude and dysfunctional and was afraid that people would stereotype me the same way.

Catherine

I was made redundant at the end of 2014. Although I felt disappointed to leave a job I loved I wasn’t unduly worried about my future prospects. I had good qualifications and several years of work experience under my belt. I imagined I would have few problems finding a fulfilling full time job and I immediately set to work looking for roles that matched my experience and interests. In the meantime, I kept myself busy volunteering at a mental health charity and used some of my redundancy pay out to study an English MA with the Open University.

I started 2015 full of optimism. As the New Year’s fireworks set off as I remember feeling really happy, I still had a good chunk of redundancy money left, was making good progress with my studies and had secured a couple of job interviews. By March my new year’s optimism began to wear thin, I still hadn’t managed to find any work and my redundancy money was dwindling fast. I applied for Job Seeker’s allowance the following month, I was entitled to benefits but found the whole process demeaning and felt like a failure.

As the year progressed things seemed to get worse, I was victim of a crime, my grandmother died and a relationship I was in broke down. It wasn’t long before depression set it, I began to lose hair and spent hours in bed unable to face leaving the house. Thankfully a friend pestered me to see a doctor. The doctor was really good and put me in touch with a counsellor, I was also temporarily put on a Health Related Benefits programme.

Within time I became stronger. The counselling gave me fresh hope and I felt able to look for work again. Within the next few months I came off sickness benefits and sent off what must have been hundreds of application forms. I would spend hours honing my personal statement and seek advice on how best to sell myself to prospective employers. Most of my applications forms went unanswered and I was rejected for roles at the few interviews I had managed to secure. With each set back, my hopes of finding work began to diminish, I became increasingly frustrated and there were times when I felt like giving up.

A work advisor told me about a course at Liverpool’s Women’s Organisation called Change It, which claimed to ‘help women overcome barriers to change‘. I applied but I felt cynical at any claims it could inspire my confidence. A week later I started the four-week Change it Course. The course was in a bright, glass building minutes away from Liverpool’s China town. I was a little nervous but walking in the room I received a warm welcome from the course coordinator, Jenny. 

The course examined the way we as women thought about ourselves. I came to recognise that I had developed very negative thought patterns about myself. I believed that I was a failure and unworthy of any employer’s attention. I also believed that my needs were not as important as other people’s leading to a lack of assertiveness. Having recognised these negative thoughts we worked on how I, and the other women in the room, could adapt the way we thought about ourselves. How could we transform such negative thoughts to a more healthy and positive thought process?

Slowly, through group exercises and the support from other women on the course, I began to change the way I thought. I could feel myself grow in confidence and learned more about myself than I could imagine. The course offered a safe environment where we were all able to be candid about our lives. It was the first time I’d been honest to a group of strangers about my unemployment status knowing I would not be judged.

Having completed the course I feel more confident and assertive. I have been able to say no, when appropriate, to things that I didn’t need or want to do. A couple of weeks ago I went for a job in Liverpool which involved a group exercise. In the past I’ve felt drowned out during group exercises, too timid to stand out, however, this time things were different. The Change It course had taught me that I, as well as others matter, and I confidently spoke and even collaboratively led in a group exercise. Later in the day I got the news I had longed to hear, I had got the job. The employer also mentioned that she was impressed by the confident and inclusive way I approached the group task.

I feel that without Change It’s help I would not have felt so confident on the day. I honestly believe that Change It has given me the tools to Change my life.”

Thanks to Catherine for sharing her inspiring story!

For more info on the next dates and venues for Change It: Progress to Success, click here.

To book your place or to speak to a member of our Engagement Team, contact us on 0151 706 8111 or hello@thewo.org.uk.

Rounding Up One Fantastic Year of Change It: Progress to Success and Preparing for the Next!

In 2017 we launched a three-year programme, Change It: Progress to Success, designed to help the women of Liverpool see their true potential, and turn that potential into success. As the year draws to a close, we’re reflecting on a wonderful 12 months and looking ahead to the next round kicking off in January.

Losing confidence at any stage in life is normal. Women tend to look after or prioritise those around them, so self-development doesn’t come naturally. However, here at The Women's Organisation, we believe that building confidence is the first step to making change.

Through Change It: Progress to Success, we’re seeing first-hand women taking the time to build a more positive outlook in life  . And the feedback has been great! Just look at what some of our participants have to say ..

“I’ve finally got my confidence back”

“It has helped in all aspects of life, including my family life, my career goals and my self-worth”

“I have more self-belief, confidence, motivation and determination in my career and future plans”

“I now know that we women DO matter”

“I can be someone”

You can also read the message previous participant Maureen has for the women of Liverpool here.

‘Change It: Progress to Success’ covers many topics including becoming more assertive and breaking negative thinking habits in order to develop a more positive outlook in all aspects of life. ‘Change It: Progress to Success’ enables you to identify the clear and practical steps to take in order to build a better world for yourself at work, at home and in relationships.

If you think that this programme could be for you, we have a new batch of programmes starting in various venues around the city, and you can book your place now!

Everton Children's Centre, 19th February, 9:15am – 12pm (5 sessions)

Granby Children's Centre, 23rd February, 1.00pm - 3.45pm (8 sessions)

Speke, The Reach at Parklands, 10th April, 9:15am - 12pm (5 sessions)

54 St James Street, 11th April, 10am - 3pm (4 sessions)

Picton Children's Centre, 20th April, 9:30am - 11:30am (8 sessions)

54 St James Street, 16th May, 10am - 3pm (4 sessions)

If you’d like to find out more about the programme or if you’d like to book your place, please contact our Engagement team on hello@thewo.org.uk or 0151 706 8111.

The same contact details apply for organisations looking to make a referral!

CHANGE IT: Reflecting on Our Current Programme and Looking Ahead to the Next ... 💪💪

Earlier this month we launched a brand new confidence-building programme for the women of Merseyside. As our first 4-week ‘Change It: Progress to Success’ is coming to its end, we thought this would be a good time to catch up with the current cohort, see how they’re getting on, and look ahead to the next programme due to start on Monday 20th of March at 54 St James Street.

“Change It: Progress to Success” is a personal development course that aims to inspire women to feel more confident about what they can achieve. Our trainers will encourage you to think about what it is you want to change, and then help you believe that you can do it.

The programme covers many topics including becoming more assertive and breaking negative thinking habits in order to develop a more positive outlook in all aspects of life. Throughout ‘Change It’ our trainers will help you to learn more about yourself, set achievable goals and plan for a future that you want.

Jenny Wallwork, our Training and Development Specialist, is leading the 4-week programme from 54 St James Street, home of The Women’s Organisation. We caught up with Jenny and the women on her programme to find out more about what they’ve took from the past few weeks.

'Change It' Trainer, Jenny said: "My first ‘Change it’ course’ has been inspiring to myself, working with women from many different backgrounds, who have for some, experienced many challenges in their lives.  Being able to be a part of their journey of change and witness the growth in their confidence and self-esteem, has been a privilege and I look forward to meeting the next cohort."

 Comments from women on the programme included;

“Jenny is a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable trainer who has been welcoming and informative”

“The course is called ‘Change It’, but together we are changing ourselves”

“Feeling empowered”

“I did a ‘one-day’ confidence building course a few years ago and wanted to do more but at the time there didn’t appear to be anything between that and business start-up courses – so thanks for listening” 

“The course and Jenny left me feeling empowered, supported and able to make the changes I want”

“’Change It’ is boss! Jenny is great, very friendly and approachable. Positive thinking and assertiveness modules have helped me already in my day to day – I don’t want the course to end!” 

Over the next three years, we intend to work with over 500 women developing confidence and helping women to see their true potential. We’re thrilled to have such great feedback from the programme and we’re now already preparing for our next. So if you missed our last cohort – it’s not too late to book your place onto the next, which will begin on Monday 20th of March, at The Women's Organisation.

If you are a woman who would like to book a place or find out more about the programme, please contact our engagement team on 0151 706 8111 or email hello@thewo.org.uk