Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Registration
  • Login
Menu
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Registration
  • Login
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Strawberry Field
    • Tres Liverpool
    • Relish Liverpool
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • iStay Liverpool
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
  • LISTEN
    • RADIO
    • PODCASTS
  • DIRECTORY
Menu
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Strawberry Field
    • Tres Liverpool
    • Relish Liverpool
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • iStay Liverpool
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
  • LISTEN
    • RADIO
    • PODCASTS
  • DIRECTORY
Search
Close

The Women’s Organisation reflects on a year of female entrepreneurship

April 15, 2021
|
By Editor
  • HOME
  • Business
  • The Women’s Organisation reflects on a year of female entrepreneurship

The Women’s Organisation has received more than 7,500 enquiries from businesses and individuals since COVID-19 lockdown began a year ago, more than double its average annual rate.

On 23rd March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a national lockdown. A week of announcements that shook the nation saw those with underlying health issues advised to shield, school closures and the NHS cancelling all non-emergency surgery appointments. The UK headed into unknown territory as a population of over 66 million people became isolated at home overnight. 

The Women’s Organisation’s multi-skilled team adapted quickly to support the thousands of businesses and individuals who rely on their advice, expertise, and guidance. Just two days after the lockdown announcement sent shockwaves through the business community, they held their first online session via Zoom. The ‘Planning for Business’ session was hugely popular, with attendees signing up to continue to make their self-employed dreams a reality despite the restrictions in place.

As the organisation would find in the coming months, the demand for their services began to increase as women began to look for support as they adapted to the changing world and needed urgent business advice. As the country shut down, The Women’s Organisation changed tack. 

As lockdown weeks began to stretch into months the restrictions to manage COVID had a disproportionate effect on women, with research showing that not only have women been more heavily affected by COVID related unemployment, leaving their workplaces at four times the rate of men, but that where schools and nurseries have been forced to close, women have shouldered the extra burden of childcare and home-schooling – even when continuing to work from home. This created an environment where one in four women became forced to consider downshifting their career or leaving their position.

The Women’s Organisation reflects on a year of female entrepreneurship

For some, this was a chance to look at how they could start their own business, and women across the UK began to look for help and advice as they explored how they could start-up and create meaningful change through new enterprise.

Spurred on by the enthusiasm and drive clients were showing in the face of adversity, a digital programme of more than 150 training courses, workshops and webinars were rolled out, business advisers offered appointments via Zoom, WhatsApp or phone, to ensure their expert advice was readily available and one-to-one calls and mentoring provided individual support along with online group workshops and informal business Q&A style discussions. The impact has been tremendous. 

Francine Taylor Business Advice Team Coordinator at The Women’s Organisation said:

“The past year has seen huge change in the way we support our clients, and our flexible approach means we are able to offer the same level of wraparound support for women starting a new business or looking for some help with their current enterprise. 

“The most noticeable difference between start up and business growth throughout 2020 was the lack of financial support. Without our expert help and guidance many women may have been unable to access loans and grants as the usual pathways were closed.

“I am proud to look back on the last 12 months and see that not only did we continue to support women in business, but that we saw a 50% increase in those accessing our services who were able to the help they needed, despite these very difficult times.”

The Women’s Organisation is proud to have played a part in supporting women throughout an incredibly difficult year. Annual figures show the charity received more than double the average amount of enquiries and offered vital support to more than 1100 businesses which enabled them to access finance and business grants.

The Women’s Organisation plays a key role in women’s research and across the last year, alongside a number of influential partners has submitted no less than 7 research and policy papers to the government to influence policy and inspire change. This includes ‘Rethinking the Economy for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future’ published October 2020 and the ‘State of Small Business Britain 2020’ report written with The Enterprise Research Centre. 

CEO of The Women’s Organisation, Maggie O’Carroll added:

“It has been an extraordinary year where everything changed, a staggering loss of life, and where fear and anxiety reigned. A year where women bore the brunt of home schooling, care, job losses and a tsunami of abuse and misogyny all too often ending in injury and worse. 

“It has also been a year of hope and optimism, where people and communities have come together to help each other and where entrepreneurs have done what they do best – be inventive, innovative, respond to apparent needs, opportunities and take risks. 

“Social entrepreneurs and enterprises have been at the forefront of delivering lifesaving and enhancing services from mental health support, education, food delivery, to care and arts and cultural events. Equality, diversity, inclusion, and social value at the heart of what they do, how and why they do it. It’s not over yet so we need to keep pushing forward but, in the meantime, it is useful to look back at what has been done, what has been achieved and its impact.

“This virus has laid bare the already entrenched inequalities in our society, which have only been exacerbated by the measures to tackle COVID. It is vital to redress this balance and to make sure that women and other groups are properly protected and supported to reach their potential and play full roles in social and economic life.

“Businesses must quickly adapt, and adopt gender-inclusive workplace policies and practices, including flexible work arrangements and family-friendly workplaces that will in turn, encourage a more balanced share of care and family responsibilities between women and men.’’

The next few months are uncertain as the roadmap of COVID recovery set out by the government starts to move to the next stage. With news of new strains and possible future lockdown it is difficult to make plans with confidence. The Women’s Organisation is committed to supporting women wherever the roadmap takes us. On hand to support, facilitate and encourage both business and personal wellbeing and development, helping women to fulfil their potential remains at the heart of The Women’s Organisation values.

READ MORE: Merseyside charity Autism Together encourages people to ‘Get Active For Autism’ this April

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print

THE LATEST

Unexpected visitor heads to Royal Albert Dock this June
Unexpected visitor heads to Royal Albert Dock this June
26 May 2022
An unexpected visitor will be heading to Liverpool’s waters this June. As part of Little…
San Franciscan sourdough pizza brand ‘Pizza Punks’ heads to Liverpool 
26 May 2022
Pizza Punks Liverpool will be the brand’s largest UK site, offering unlimited pizza and pasta…
Popular Brunch menu returns to award-winning Duke Street Market
26 May 2022
The award-winning Duke Street Food and Drink Market is relaunching its popular brunch menu, with…
Paris Fan Meeting Point confirmed by Liverpool FC for Champions League final
25 May 2022
Liverpool FC can confirm there will be an official open-air fan meeting point in Paris…
Huge free NFT meet-up heads to Pins Social Club showcasing local Liverpool artists digital artwork
25 May 2022
A huge, free NFT meet-up is heading to Pins Social Club to showcase local Liverpool…
Strawberry Field announce the return of its iconic Garden Fete
Strawberry Field announce the return of its iconic Garden Fete
25 May 2022
Iconic Strawberry Field Garden Fete, much loved by John Lennon, to return as part of…
Modern Craft Beer Festival returns to Liverpool this summer
Modern Craft Beer Festival returns to Liverpool this summer
24 May 2022
The Craft Beer Expo returns to Liverpool this summer, showcasing the best of World beer with…
Leading vintage clothing retailer 'The Vintage Store' heads to Liverpool ONE
Leading vintage clothing retailer ‘The Vintage Store’ heads to Liverpool ONE
24 May 2022
Leading vintage clothing retailer, The Vintage Store set to open at Liverpool ONE the end…

WhatsAppenin LIVERPOOL

Receive WhatsApp notifications about the latest big news, events, offers, competitions and much more!

SIGN UP NOW

At Explore Liverpool we are all about bringing you everything the Liverpool City Region has to offer and more!

Useful Links

  • Liverpool Map
  • FAQs Liverpool
Menu
  • Liverpool Map
  • FAQs Liverpool

Stay In The Loop

Stay up to date with all the latest news, articles, events, and offers from across Liverpool!

© 2022 Explore Liverpool

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Menu
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
SettingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Explore Liverpool With Us!

Don't miss a thing. Sign up for our weekly roundup straight to your inbox! 🙌

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!