2018 Social Enterprise of the Year

Lancashire Women’s Centres have been recognised as Social Enterprise of the Year for 2018 at the Enterprise in Society Awards in Blackpool.

Lancashire Women’s Centres work with all women but typically support those experiencing multiple and often complex needs including mental ill health, low confidence, offending behaviour and poverty.  Their ‘One Stop Shop model’ provides a female-only safe space for women, reducing the need to access multiple agencies, which can be traumatic or even impossible to navigate. 

“We are proud and delighted to have been crowned Social Enterprise of the Year!  We couldn’t wait to share the news with the rest of our team.

“Lancashire Women’s Centres are here for all women, working to ensure that they can achieve their potential, develop their skills and live safe, healthy and prosperous lives. We are committed to innovation, collaboration and creativity to achieve real and lasting change for the lives of women across Lancashire.

We are committed to the continual innovation in service design and delivery in the next 12 months. Furthermore, we recognise the significant value of collaboration and creativity as the best route to achieving real and lasting change for the lives of women.  We work with partners from all sectors, regionally and nationally to share learning and best practice.”

 

Every Woman Counts   #EveryWomanCounts

 

We believe that Every Woman Counts, with this ethos guiding all services. Our vision is that women, and their families, in the communities we serve are able to achieve their potential, develop their assets and skills and live safe, healthy and prosperous lives.

Lancashire Women’s Centres was established in 1982 in response to tackle high infant mortality rates in Blackburn. Since then their women-led organisation has continued to develop and evolve to respond effectively to the needs of women in Lancashire, expanding from one centre in Blackburn to a network of five centres across the county.

Lancashire Women’s Centres are committed to continual innovation and recognise the significant value of collaboration and creativity as the best route to achieving real and lasting change for the lives of women.

From their network of five female-only centres across the county offering a range of support services for all women across four main programme areas:

  • Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
  • Women at Risk – supporting women in the Criminal Justice Service
  • Employment, advice and guidance
  • Skills and learning

 

Volunteer of the Year

Lancashire Women’s Centres’ volunteers play a vital role in ensuring that the community is embedded in their work, enabling them to reach more women and bring on board vital skills and knowledge. Sarah Harrison, a voluntary member of team was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award for her dedication, inspiration and growth within the organisation.

The Centre Manager said “Women accessing our organisation’s services place great value in the ability to be able to build a relationship with those supporting them, and in feeling that staff and volunteers understand and can relate to their experience without judgement.  Sarah is a strong role model for other women, and they hugely value her support.”

 

Highly Commended: INTACT
Finalists: In Di Go, Social Enterprise Solutions CIC, Urban Organic (UK) CIC and URPotential

 

 

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