Her-Place helps thousands during record year and unveils exciting plans in Crewe

Her-Place Charitable Trust helped a record 5000 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 the to charity for support with poor mental health, anxiety, depression, managing menopause and mothering challenges or grief following baby loss.

Now the charity, which operates from Crewe and Winsford, 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, has plans to open a second base in Crewe town centre.

It also hopes to buy a van to reach more people with its hugely successful 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 5000 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 kate@thelearning-well.com

1.Her-Place founder Kate Blakemore with Cheshire ice hockey goaltender Violet Lennon, Cheshire netball development officer Georgia Williams, Olympic BMX rider Shanaze Reade, Olympic rower Emily Ford and Warrington Town Women’s FC captain Helen Dobson

2 Strictly Come Dancing winner, Ellie Leach, a new Her-Place Patron with charity founder Kate Blakemore and chair of trustees Dr Diane Wright

3 The charity is working with Imogen Clark, of the national organisation Make Space for Girls, on making safe and welcoming areas for teenage girls

Ellie Leach addressed the conference on managing social media

Crewe BMX star Shanaze Reade supports the charity’s mission to promote equality in sport