International Women’s Day: changing lives with National Lottery funding

Women’s Health Information and Support Centre (WHISC)

For 40 years, WHISC, has been at the heart of women’s wellbeing in Liverpool. It started as a small initiative, later purchasing a double decker bus delivering health information and messages to local women. Today, it’s providing everything from, support for low to moderate mental health symptoms, to exercise classes, helping women to take control of their health and wellbeing.

Making a difference with National Lottery funding

WHISC understands that health isn’t just about medical care - it’s about support, education and removing barriers. Their work tackles key issues such as menstrual health, fertility, menopause, mental wellbeing and cancer, to help women access the resources they need to live healthier lives.

A recent WHISC initiative focused on increasing cancer screening awareness reached over 300 women across 10 communities in Liverpool. By opening up conversations and breaking down fears around screenings, they’re helping to save lives through early detection and education. With National Lottery funding, WHISC has also launched the Supporting Holistic Empowerment (SHE) project, enabling women to identify the non-medical factors which are impacting on their health and take steps to address them.

What does International Women’s Day mean to WHISC?

For WHISC, International Women’s Day is about coming together, sharing experiences and taking action. Each year, they hold a full day celebration in their centre, open to all the women. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, is a call to continue breaking down barriers and pushing for real change in women’s equality.

Strength & Stem

Founded in 2019, Strength & Stem is a social enterprise that supports female survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking, using floristry to empower and prepare them for employment. Strength & Stem offers robust vocational programmes designed to help survivors build confidence, gain employability skills, and improve their wellbeing within the community.

Transforming lives with the Flowers for the Future programme

Their 2024 Flowers for the Future employability and self-development programme supported 15 survivors of exploitation, helping them to increase their wellbeing, develop friendships and learn employable skills. Many of the women had been trafficked, both to and within the UK, and endured extreme abuse before escaping.

Having been referred into the National Referral Mechanism, they often face years of uncertainty while awaiting their right to remain in the UK, making it difficult to plan for the future. Strength & Stem gives them the tools to regain control, develop new skills and see a future beyond survival.

How National Lottery funding has helped Strength & Stem

The National Lottery funding was intrinsic to delivering Flowers for the Future in 2024. It covered the cost of floristry training, pre-vocational skills development, wellbeing sessions and work placements in commercial florists. The impact has been transformative, giving women not only practical skills but also a newfound sense of confidence, agency and belonging within a supportive community.

Many participants remain part of Strength & Stem’s alumni network after graduating, continuing to connect, support each other and take part in skill building opportunities to maintain their progress. One participant, *Iris* (name changed) was trafficked from the Philippines and lived in domestic slavery for 15 years. After escaping, she struggled with trauma, isolation and self-doubt. Initially, floristry training brought back memories of past experiences for Iris, but as time went on, she found joy in it. Iris developed her own style and took on a work placement at a floristry group supporting people living with dementia.

Now, she is rebuilding her life and looking towards employment in floristry. “I have become more confident, I’m not shy, I can talk to people and travel on public transport alone. I have learnt nobody will put me down. Around me is not dark, it is light.”

How Strength & Stem is marking International Women’s Day

Strength & Stem welcomes International Women’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate women’s resilience, achievements and potential. This year, they are marking the occasion with an exclusive ladies brunch and pastry session at Layers Bakery, bringing together alumni to reconnect, share their journeys and take part in another therapeutic activity. They are supported by Alex Monroe Jewellery, which is donating money from each sale of their Rosette Prosper Hoop earrings to support Strength & Stem’s work.

Luminary Bakery

Another organisation dedicated to supporting disadvantaged women through training employment and community support is Luminary, an award-winning social enterprise bakery and charity that truly believes in baking as a tool for change.

Through hands-on baking courses, work experience in their café and paid employment within their bakery, Luminary aims to holistically support disadvantaged and traumatised women as they work toward independence and a brighter future.

The inspiration behind Luminary Bakery’s creation

Luminary began in a London women’s hostel, where a group of volunteers saw first-hand how gender-based violence, homelessness and poverty were limiting women’s futures. They started running small baking classes, creating a space where women could grow in confidence, learn new skills and work towards financial independence. What began as a volunteer-led project has grown into a thriving social enterprise, with two bakeries in London, a growing online business and over 300 women supported.

A crucial part of Luminary’s work is employing graduates of their training programmes within their social enterprise bakery, providing them with their first experience of work and supporting them as they grow into independent, confident employees. Maria is a recent apprentice who describes her experience: “When I started the Luminary programme, I was at the end of my tether but wanting some sort of change. My children had recently been removed from my care. I was having a tough time with social services and struggling after the pandemic.

Luminary organised work experience for Maria in an external kitchen, followed by a shift in the Luminary Café and then the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship. “I don’t think I would have gone for it without the work experience, but I felt a bit braver. I completed my six-month apprenticeship, and now I’m a Café Assistant! I’ve gained confidence, I’m learning to accept change, and I feel like I’m part of a community. Luminary made a big difference - they believed in me more than I believed in myself.”

How National Lottery funding has transformed Luminary Bakery?

“It’s been completely game-changing."

Before receiving National Lottery funding, Luminary could only train seven women at a time in a small basement room in their Hackney café. Thanks to this support, they were able to move into new premises and quadruple the number of women they can train.

What does International Women’s Day mean to Luminary Bakery?

For Luminary, International Women’s Day is like Christmas. They welcome back their alumni community for special events, offering a chance to celebrate and reflect on their progress. It’s also their busiest week of the year, as businesses and individuals order cakes to mark the occasion, a reminder that supporting women should be an ongoing commitment, not just a one-day event.

The National Lottery has helped support thousands of women-led and women-focused projects across the UK. If your organisation is making a difference and needs funding, The National Lottery has funding available for projects in the arts, sport, heritage, charity, voluntary, health, education and environmental sectors.

Find out more about the different types of grants available and see how your organisation can benefit.