Good morning everyone, and welcome to the Her Stories Conference.
It’s an absolute pleasure to see so many familiar and new faces here today. I want to begin by saying a heartfelt thank you: to our incredible panel speakers who are sharing their time, knowledge and passion; to our dedicated team whose commitment and hard work make days like this possible; to our trustees who guide and support us; and to our funders, whose belief in what we do allows us to keep making a difference.
As I stand here today, I can’t help but reflect on the last ten years — our journey as Motherwell Cheshire, and how far we’ve come. HerPlace grew from that foundation — a place built on the simple but powerful idea that women and girls deserve safe spaces. Spaces where they can feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Spaces where voices are amplified, stories are shared, and together we can influence change.
Today’s conference is about just that — how we can work together to break inequalities for women and girls, not just here in Cheshire, but far beyond.
Over the past 12 months, I’ve had so many moments that remind me why we do what we do. Some of the most meaningful have been the conversations I’ve had with women during bra fittings — moments of connection, laughter, and trust. And working with The Dome at Crewe Youth Zone on creating safe spaces for girls has been another highlight — seeing young women begin to find their voices and their confidence is something truly special.
Looking ahead, sustainability is a big focus for us. Our Share Hub has so much potential, and I’m excited to see how it can develop and grow as part of our future vision.
We all know that the charity sector is under increasing pressure. Funding is limited, and times are challenging. The reality is that charities today must also think and operate like businesses — finding new and creative ways to generate income while still delivering high-quality, compassionate support for all.
But what makes charities so special is our ability to collaborate, to innovate, and to respond quickly to the changing world around us. We’re proud to work alongside so many brilliant charities and third-sector organisations who share our vision and values.
And speaking of values — our SHINE values remain at the heart of everything we do: Self-development, Heart of the community, Innovation, Non-judgemental, and Empathy.These
- Self-development,
- Heart of the community,
- Innovation
- Non-judgemental, and
- Empathy
These guide every decision, every service, and every interaction we have.
We now have a clear three-year strategy, and I’m genuinely excited to see that vision become reality. Our mission — to encourage, inspire, and empower all women and girls we support — will continue to be shaped by the voices of our community and our lived experience group.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: when women come together in safe spaces, incredible things happen. We flourish, we grow, and we lift each other higher.
So, as we begin today’s conference, I hope you find inspiration in the stories you hear, connections in the conversations you have, and energy in the shared purpose that brings us all together.