Last month, Support Staffordshire marked a very special milestone as we welcomed our 1500th Member Organisation, Glow Forward CIC. This moment reflects the continued importance of the VCSE sector in supporting communities across Staffordshire. These organisations sit at the heart of improving wellbeing — helping people build connections, find belonging, and access welcoming, safe spaces where they can flourish.
At Support Staffordshire, we feel incredibly privileged to work alongside and support so many inspiring organisations, and to play a small part in their journeys. Reaching our 1500th member is not just a number; it represents thousands of hours of dedication, compassion, and community action taking place across the county. We look forward to building on the strong foundations we have created together, continuing to champion our members and the meaningful difference they make to people’s lives across Staffordshire.
Glow Forward – Helping Women Shine Again by Building Confidence, Setting Meaningful Goals and Looking to the Future
March is Women’s History Month — a time to celebrate women’s achievements, recognise their contributions, and reflect on the journeys that have shaped their lives. It also includes International Women’s Day, a global moment to shine a light on women’s strength, resilience, and the importance of creating spaces where women are supported not just to cope, but to thrive.
This is exactly what our 1500th Member, Glow Forward CIC, strives to do — and why their work matters so deeply to the women they support.
For many women, confidence does not disappear overnight. Instead, it fades quietly, shaped by life changes, health challenges, caring responsibilities, or difficult experiences that are often carried silently for years. Glow Forward CIC was created to meet women at that point, offering time, space, and support to help them reconnect with themselves and begin to move forward.
Founded by Lu Faragher, Glow Forward CIC is a women‑centred organisation rooted in empathy, lived experience, and a belief that wellbeing should be accessible, practical, and shaped around real lives. Still in its early stages, Glow Forward is already creating meaningful impact — not only through its structured wellbeing programmes, but through the sense of belonging, trust, and confidence that grows alongside them.
Glow Forward CIC is led by Lu Faragher alongside directors Nina Mason and Joanne Martin. While Nina brings creative insight and strategic support, and Joanne oversees financial governance and accountability, their contribution goes far beyond defined roles. Together, they are a constant source of ideas, encouragement, and thoughtful challenge. They act as trusted sounding boards, committed champions of the mission, and generous supporters behind the scenes. Their belief in the vision, practical guidance, and collaborative energy has been instrumental in shaping Glow Forward into what it is today. The CIC simply would not exist in its current form without them.
From Personal Challenge to Purpose: How Glow Forward Began
Glow Forward CIC was born from Lu’s own lived experience and a growing desire to use her skills to support other women at a time when she herself was searching for purpose.
After years working in senior roles across HR, beauty, and design, Lu found herself juggling a demanding career alongside family life. When the pandemic hit, everything slowed down — but for Lu, it also brought new challenges. Experiencing anxiety, hormonal changes, and a loss of confidence, she began questioning whether the work she was doing truly fulfilled her. Despite having what she described as a “good life on paper”, something still felt missing.
During this period, Lu became increasingly aware of how many women around her were struggling quietly — with mental health, confidence, isolation, or recovery from difficult experiences. Volunteering on the helpline at Staffordshire Women’s Aid was particularly impactful, opening her eyes to the scale of need and reinforcing her desire to use her skills for good.
With a background spanning HR coaching, creative problem‑solving, makeup artistry, and wellbeing, Lu began to see how these experiences could come together to support others. She recognised that confidence is rarely built in a single moment — instead, it grows through connection, self‑belief, and having the time and space to reflect, learn, and feel supported.
That insight became the foundation of Glow Forward CIC.
Starting small, Lu designed a ten‑week programme focused on helping women reconnect with themselves and each other. The sessions combine practical tools — such as goal‑setting, vision boards, and confidence‑building activities — with wellbeing elements including self‑care, creativity, movement, and open conversation. At its heart, Glow Forward is about creating a safe, welcoming space where women can take time for themselves, feel heard, and begin to look forward again.
Glow Forward CIC has been proud to receive £20,000 over two years from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver its 10‑week transformational programme, Surviving to Thriving. The programme is designed so that each week builds on the next, combining reflective tools such as vision boarding, journaling, and the Wheel of Life with creative confidence‑building sessions to support women both internally and externally.
Although still in its early days, Glow Forward has already had a powerful impact. Women from a wide range of backgrounds have come together, forming genuine connections and supporting one another beyond the sessions themselves. For Lu, seeing those relationships grow has reaffirmed why she started — transforming her own experiences into something that helps others feel stronger, more confident, and less alone.
In addition, Glow Forward CIC has been awarded over £10,000 from Sport England to deliver Step Into Strength: Mindful Movement for Women in Stafford, a 12‑week programme combining yoga with guided walking and light hiking. The project focuses on helping women gently rebuild strength, flexibility, and confidence in their bodies within a safe and supportive environment.
As part of this investment, Lu is currently undertaking yoga teacher training to strengthen the sustainability of the programme long‑term, with the aim of embedding movement and wellbeing into Glow Forward’s future offer.
A Ten‑Week Journey of Confidence, Connection and Care
At the heart of Glow Forward is a simple but powerful belief: that confidence can be rebuilt when women are given the time, space, and support to reconnect with themselves and each other. The Glow Forward Programme is a supportive, women‑only programme designed to help women rebuild confidence, improve wellbeing, and feel more connected — delivered through a structured ten‑week journey that allows women to move forward at their own pace.
Each programme brings together women from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences, including those living with anxiety, low self‑esteem, or mental health challenges, as well as women who may be recovering from difficult or traumatic experiences. For many, taking that first step is about connection and having a reason to show up.
As one woman explained, “I came to make connections and meet new people. I’d seen an advert and felt ready to try something new.” Another shared, “I lacked social confidence and was feeling quite isolated. I wanted somewhere to go each week and a reason to get out.”
From the outset, the focus is on helping participants understand where they are now and what they want to work towards. Gentle tools such as the Wheel of Life and vision‑boarding are used to explore goals and aspirations in a supportive group environment.
For some women, the programme arrives during major life changes. “After developing epilepsy, I felt pushed out of work and ended up taking early retirement,” one participant shared. “I saw the sessions advertised on Facebook and decided to give them a go.” Others spoke about feeling fed up or alone, with one woman explaining, “A friend recommended the sessions to me, and I thought it might help me meet people who understood.”
Across the ten weeks, women take part in a wide range of confidence‑building and wellbeing activities, including guided self‑reflection, creative sessions, journaling, yoga, gentle movement, and practical workshops focused on self‑care and self‑expression. Sessions are designed to be relaxed and inclusive, encouraging conversation, laughter, and connection, while also providing space for deeper personal growth.
Many women describe how these shared experiences help them feel less isolated and more supported, often forming friendships and peer networks that continue beyond the sessions themselves. As one participant reflected, “There’s a real sense of community. People support each other, share stories, and help one another move forward.”
A key strength of the Glow Forward Programme is its holistic approach. Alongside emotional wellbeing, women are supported to recognise their skills, strengths, and potential. Participants are encouraged to explore new possibilities, rebuild self‑belief, and — where appropriate — think about future opportunities such as volunteering, learning, or sharing their own talents with others.
These small but meaningful changes are celebrated throughout the programme. One woman shared how the sessions helped her take a leap of faith: “I’ve been encouraged to share my skills and ambitions… I decided to give it a go and have so far earned £250, which really helped me believe in what I can do and possibly contribute to achieving my dream.”
Warm, Welcoming Sessions That Spark Confidence and Connection
Myself and Pippa, our Locality Development Officer for the Stafford District, had the privilege of attending a session to better understand the programme’s impact. From the moment people arrive, the atmosphere feels relaxed, welcoming, and full of warmth. Women chat easily with one another, laughter flows naturally, and there is a strong sense of connection in the room.
It is clear that the women feel genuinely safe in the space. During the session, one woman proudly shared a new top she had bought — a small but powerful sign of the confidence she has built through attending.
Lu has clearly nurtured positive, trusting relationships, creating an environment where women from a wide range of ages and backgrounds feel comfortable to speak openly, offer their opinions, and support one another. Many participants are living with both physical and mental health challenges, yet the sessions are marked by encouragement and kindness.
Women ‘big each other up’, share tips, and celebrate one another’s strengths. Lu actively invites input on the content of the sessions, ensuring they reflect what participants want and need, while encouraging them to share their skills and ambitions — helping everyone feel valued, heard, and empowered.
Speaking to the women offered powerful insight into the impact the sessions are already having on their wellbeing. “The sessions have really improved my wellbeing. Having somewhere to go every week has given me a sense of purpose,” one woman explained. Another shared, “It’s helped me break through my social anxiety. I feel more confident meeting new people now.”
Others spoke about rediscovering themselves, with one participant reflecting, “I’ve started rediscovering myself and trying new things. Hearing other people’s stories has been really powerful.”
The sense of safety and understanding within the group came through strongly. “The space feels warm and safe,” one woman said. “Lu creates an environment where you don’t feel alone, especially when others are dealing with similar issues.”
All of this demonstrates the real impact the sessions — and the organisation — are already having on women’s lives, helping them build confidence, feel empowered, and look forward with renewed hope.
A Personal Reflection on Confidence
I also learned something personally from the session. I gained insight into my own personal styling and felt encouraged to look differently at my body shape and try outfits that suited me better. Although I had never really thought I cared about my appearance, I realised there were parts of my body I felt self‑conscious about. I had always worn loose, longer clothes to hide my ‘tummy podge’.
Following the guidance Lu shared, I realised I have a high waist, shorter legs, and a longer torso — meaning higher waistlines and shorter tops would help balance my proportions. I couldn’t believe the difference it made. When I looked in the mirror, I felt I looked nice and more confident that my outfit complemented my body shape.
I left the house that day feeling more confident and positive. This was after just one session, and it really highlighted the potential impact completing the full programme could have.
Rooted in Support: Learning, Connecting and Growing Together
As Glow Forward continues to grow, Lu sees being part of Support Staffordshire as an important source of guidance, reassurance, and connection. As a relatively new organisation, she values access to trusted support to help navigate the practical realities of running a community interest company — particularly around governance, safeguarding, and ensuring everything is done properly and ethically.
Lu is keen to learn from others who are further along in their journey, gaining insight into what works well and how to avoid common pitfalls. Being able to connect with locality officers and access specialist knowledge around compliance, funding, and organisational development gives her confidence that Glow Forward is building on strong foundations and moving in the right direction.
Networking is also a key part of what Lu hopes to gain. Through Support Staffordshire’s forums and member networks, she wants to build meaningful relationships with like‑minded organisations, explore partnership opportunities, and connect with services that support women’s health and wellbeing.
Visibility is another important benefit. By being part of Support Staffordshire’s membership, Lu hopes Glow Forward can reach more women who may benefit from the programme, as well as professionals, funders, and partners who can help extend its impact. Being included in directories, bulletins, and member stories helps raise awareness of the work taking place and ensures women know where to turn for support.
Above all, Lu values being part of a supportive community. Knowing there is a network she can turn to for advice, encouragement, and shared learning allows her to focus on what matters most — continuing to create safe, empowering spaces where women can build confidence, connect with others, and move forward with hope.
Looking Ahead with Confidence, Hope and Possibility
As International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month shine a spotlight on women’s strength, resilience, and potential, Glow Forward’s work feels more important than ever. Lu is passionate about continuing to create spaces where women are supported not just to cope, but to grow, connect, and believe in what’s possible for their futures.
By expanding the programme, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring support remains accessible to those who need it most, Glow Forward aims to be part of a wider movement that celebrates women’s voices, recognises lived experience, and empowers women to shape the next chapter of their lives with confidence and hope.
Any woman reading who feels nervous or unsure about joining is warmly encouraged to reach out beforehand. Women are welcome to bring a friend or have an informal chat prior to attending. Glow Forward is designed to be a welcoming, supportive space where confidence can grow at a comfortable pace.
For more details, please see their website https://www.glowforwardcic.co.uk/ or contact Lu at lu@glowforwardcic.co.uk .