NEWS
July Coffee Morning
☀️ Our July Coffee Morning at The Hidden Garden Café was blessed with beautiful sunshine, making it the perfect setting to come together, connect and get creative.
There was plenty of friendly competition as Ipswich Fit hosted their digital Whack-a-Mole challenge. It brought out everyone's competitive side, with our very own Kim claiming the highest score thanks to some very determined (and slightly savage!) tactics! 😄
We also enjoyed some wonderful creative activities. Sue guided us in making beautiful origami bags, while Suffolk Archives joined us with a collage activity inspired by their upcoming exhibition, Witches: Suffolk's Dark Legacy, launching later this year at The Hold.
It was lovely to welcome some new faces alongside many of our regular attendees, all enjoying great conversations, creativity and community in the gorgeous Hidden Garden.
A huge thank you to everyone who came along and to Karen for hosting such a wonderful summer coffee morning. We can't wait to see you all again soon! 💚
Lady Dury's Creative Cabinet Workshop
✨ A day of creativity, history and connection. 🎨
Last week we had the pleasure of taking part in a truly unique workshop exploring the fascinating story of Lady Drury's Cabinet also known as the Hawstead Panels at Christchurch Mansion.
It was an incredibly informative and thought-provoking session, giving us the chance to discover the history behind these remarkable artworks before creating our own panels inspired by our personal stories and what a diverse Ipswich means to us.
From painting and collage to drawing and writing, everyone brought their own creativity to the table, resulting in a collection of beautiful, meaningful pieces that we're so proud of. 💜
A huge thank you to everyone involved for such an inspiring experience. We loved learning something new, getting creative together, and sharing conversations that made us think differently.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We’re so proud to have recently delivered a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lunch & Learn in partnership with Lay & Wheeler for World Day for Cultural Diversity 🌍✨
It was a truly thought-provoking and collaborative session, filled with open conversations, shared experiences and powerful reflections. Creating space for honest dialogue around inclusion, empathy and diverse perspectives is exactly why we do what we do 💛
A huge thank you to the team at Lay & Wheeler for trusting us and to everyone who contributed so openly, your stories made the session incredibly meaningful and impactful.
“Kim was incredibly approachable and adaptable… knowledgeable, warm, and engaging throughout. A thought-provoking session delivered with real gravitas.”
Moments like these remind us how important it is to challenge assumptions, embrace different perspectives and continue learning, both in the workplace and beyond.
If your organisation is looking to bring meaningful DE&I conversations to your team, we’d love to work with you ✨
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Leiston Happiness Brunch
What a lovely morning we had at our Happiness Brunch in Leiston on Monday 💕
It was so special to see women coming together to connect, share and support one another. From meaningful conversations to learning practical women’s safety tips, the room was filled with warmth, openness and community spirit.
A big thank you to East Suffolk Council for their insightful talk on community safety and to Urban Combat for an engaging and empowering self-defence demonstration 💪✨
We’re also so grateful to everyone who joined us and the local organisations who shared their time and knowledge – it really made the morning what it was 💗
June Coffee Morning
A lovely morning at last week’s coffee morning 💚🩷
We were joined by Nellie from Community Action Suffolk, who delivered a really important and engaging “Let’s Talk Cancer” workshop.
Using interactive cards, we were able to open up conversations around cancer in a way that felt safe, supportive and accessible, turning what can often feel like a heavy or ‘taboo’ subject into something we could talk about together.
Of course, our wonderful Sue was there too with her crafts (as always bringing the creativity!) and it was so lovely to see some new faces join us alongside our regulars.
A big thank you to both Nellie and Sue for making the morning so special ✨
Craft, Connect & Create
A lovely way to spend half term!
We had a small group come together for our Craft, Connect & Create session in Leiston and it was such a relaxed, feel-good morning.
From collage to colouring, it was all about taking a moment, getting creative and enjoying good company.
Everyone who came along really got stuck in and it was so nice to see conversations flowing and connections being made ✨
We’re already looking forward to the next one!
Volunteers Week
As Volunteers Week comes to an end, we want to say a HUGE thank you 💚
A special shoutout to our three newest recruits – Ferial, Okky and Wendy. Your support over the past couple of months has been truly invaluable. You’ve embraced everything from the start, getting involved wherever needed and bringing such positive energy to the team.
Thank you for your time, commitment, passion and for showing up and making a difference.
We are so grateful for each and every one of our volunteers, past and present – you are all such an important part of the FFS family and we truly couldn’t do this without you ✨
Power Of Youth Day
We believe young people don’t just have a role to play in shaping their communities, they should be leading that change. That’s why, on Power of Youth Day, we’re proud to stand on Common Ground with the young people we work with in our Girls, Where You At? programme and sign the Power of Youth Charter, committing to embed youth voice at the heart of everything we do.
When we genuinely listen to and empower young people, everything gets better. Join us in championing youth-led change.
W2WR End Of Term Reflections
This term has been full of powerful moments from our Living in the Presence of Death dance workshop with St Elizabeth’s Hospice, to prepping for live shows, recording pre-records and interviews and going live on Ipswich Community Radio discussing the topics that matter most to us.
We’ve shown up, spoken out, and created space for real conversations.
A huge highlight was attending the Pita Festival and celebrating our very own Okky taking 1st place 🏆🔥
Proud of the growth, the voices, and the community we’re building.
We are sad to say we have to take a break as we have not been able to secure funding for the time being, but we have faith that we’ll be back 💫
GWYA End Of Term Recap
What a term it’s been for our Girls Where You At? programme!
From powerful conversations to creative expression, our girls have shown up, spoken out and supported each other every step of the way.
We’ve been proud to co-produce with Suffolk Youth Social Justice, diving into the real issues girls and young women face every day, creating space for honesty, empowerment, and change.
We got moving with not one, but two incredible dance workshops, bringing the energy with SABABA Co. and Everything by Pia
And to top it off, we’ve been busy behind the scenes planning something special… our upcoming fundraiser!!
Suffolk Futures Fund
We’re incredibly proud to share that we have been awarded funding through the Suffolk Futures Fund 🎉
This funding will support our programme for 16–25 year olds, including weekly sessions and seasonal Future Pathways workshops designed to build confidence, connection, wellbeing and brighter futures for young women across Suffolk.
We are so grateful to Suffolk Community Foundation and everyone involved in making this possible. Investment like this means we can continue creating safe, empowering spaces where young women feel seen, heard and supported as they navigate some of life’s biggest transitions.
"Receiving the Suffolk Futures grant has been incredible for us it means we will not only be able to continue supporting young girls with their creative activism, but provide some additional support and workshops that will offer guidance around key transition moments. We are very thankful for this funding and excited for the young people that will benefit from it." - Kim Trotter
We can’t wait to get started 💫
Ipswich Happiness Brunch
🌸 What a beautiful way to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 💫
Our Ipswich Happiness Brunch was filled with connection, creativity and a real focus on wellbeing 💕
We spent the morning making bracelets, moving our bodies through yoga, getting creative with zines and taking time to unwind with massages 🌿
Add in lots of new faces, honest conversations and delicious food... it was everything these mornings are about 💚
Creating safe, supportive spaces for women to come as they are and meet them where they're at ✨
May Coffee Morning
Such a lovely time at our coffee morning last week 💕
We welcomed some new faces, shared great conversations, celebrated birthdays and got creative with a little flower crafting 🌸
Moments like these are what it’s all about — connection, community and taking a little time for you.
Thanks to Realise Futures, ISCRE and SENDIASS for attending and of course our lovely Sue for the flower crafting!
Already looking forward to the next one ☕✨
Lunch & Learn
Last month, Kim had the opportunity to spend time with the team at the East of England Co-op for a Lunch & Learn alongside Fi Bool from Be More Dandilion.
Together, we opened up an honest conversation about what inclusion really looks like in everyday life — beyond policies, beyond tick boxes, and into the moments that shape how people feel at work.
One thing we kept coming back to was confidence. It’s often seen as something people either have or don’t, but in reality, it’s something that grows when people feel safe, supported and truly seen.
We also explored how the small, everyday interactions can have a lasting impact — who is given space to speak, who feels heard, and who is encouraged to step forward. These moments matter more than we sometimes realise.
We loved closing the session with guided movement led by Fi — a chance to pause, reset and reconnect in the middle of a busy day, and something many of us don’t often give ourselves permission to do.
It’s always incredibly special to share space with organisations who genuinely care about their people and their communities. We’re so grateful to be supported through the #CommunityCaresFund and to collaborate with others who are committed to creating meaningful change.
A powerful reminder that when we lead with compassion, connection and community, real impact follows.
Sissay Lemn
✨A month on we are still reflecting on such a powerful evening…
Some of our Future Female Society team and participants had the privilege of attending “An Evening of Poetry and Conversation” with Sissay Lemn at the University of Suffolk and it’s safe to say, we left feeling deeply moved.
Through poetry, storytelling and honest conversation, Lemn shared pieces from his work that were raw, uplifting and full of resilience. His words explored light and darkness, struggle and joy, reminding us all of the power of creativity and expression.
There was something really special about being in a room filled with people connecting through shared emotion, reflection and inspiration. Moments like this stay with you 💭
We’re so proud to be part of opportunities like this!
Ipswich Thrive Business Festival
In March, our founder Kim had the incredible opportunity to attend the Ipswich Thrive Business Festival ✨
Kim was invited to speak at “Let’s Get Social: Social Impact Gathering” at St Stephen’s Church, delivered by Dot to Dot Training & Consultancy.
Kim shared the story behind Future Female Society, the work we do, and the impact we’re creating as a social enterprise 💚
A proud moment to represent our community and connect with others driving positive change.
This is what it's all about...
This is what the award was really for… 💚
Behind the 2026 High Sheriff of Suffolk Award are the moments that matter most — the conversations, the confidence built, the creativity shared and the community we continue to grow together ✨
This video, created by Suffolk Community Foundation for the awards, is a glimpse into what Future Female Society is all about — supporting women and girls to feel seen, heard and empowered in their everyday lives.
From workshops to events, safe spaces to shared stories… this is just the beginning 💫
Thank you to everyone who’s been part of the journey so far — we couldn’t do it without you.
W2WR End Of Term Recap
Women 2 Women Radio is back tomorrow… so let’s take a look back at last term 🩷
What a powerful and inspiring few months it’s been ✨
From going live on Ipswich Community Radio as part of the Common Frequencies Collective — sharing conversations around Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day — to hearing the incredible voices of our Women 2 Women Radio group, it’s been a journey full of growth, confidence and connection ✨
We were also proud to host our own International Women’s Day event, where the group stepped into the role of interviewers, capturing real stories and meaningful moments from attendees 🎤
Another standout moment was taking part in the Power of Prevention Hackathon hosted by the High Sheriff. Our W2WR group shared their views, contributed to important discussions and brought honest, thoughtful perspectives that are so often missing — their voices truly matter 💚
So proud of everything this group continues to achieve — watch this space for what’s next 💫
Ipswich Happiness Brunch
A little look back at our Ipswich Happiness Brunch...
It’s always amazing to see new connections being made and a space where everyone feels welcome, supported and uplifted 💖
There were so many special moments, from relaxed chats to powerful spoken word and poetry with Amy Wragg 🎤✨
Thank you to everyone who joined us and brought such a lovely energy to the room – it truly means so much ✨
GWYA End Of Term Recap
What a term it’s been for our Girls, Where You At? group 💚
One of the highlights of the term was the girls attending our King Street Cinema event, where the girls were presented with their Leadership & Youth Social Action Certificates by Deputy Mayor Pat Bruce-Browne 👏
They also took to the stage to be interviewed about their journey with Future Female Society — speaking with confidence, honesty and pride.
For International Women's Day, the girls attended our event at The Hold 💜
They were incredible volunteers throughout the day and also took to the stage to share their talents — showing confidence, courage and supporting one another every step of the way ✨
Through their sessions with Suffolk Mind, the girls explored the power of active listening, building confidence, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle — from sleep routines to nourishing their bodies. Most importantly, they’ve been learning how to hold space for one another and create a safe, supportive environment where every voice is heard 🤍
They also had the opportunity to attend the powerful theatre adaptation of Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman at New Wolsey Theatre 🎭
A moving and thought-provoking experience, sparking important conversations — with the girls sharing how seeing it brought the story to life in a deeper way.
Creating safe spaces. Building confidence. Growing together 💭✨
We’re so proud of every single one of them — and we can’t wait to see what next term brings 💚
Leiston Happiness Brunch
🌸 Last Friday in Leiston looked like this…
A morning full of connection and community 💕☕️
From meaningful conversations to powerful moments of spoken word and poetry with Amy Wragg, it was such a special space to be part of 🎤✨
Seeing women come together, share, laugh and support one another is exactly what Future Female Society is all about 💖
Thank you to everyone who came along and made our first Happiness Brunch in Leiston so lovely 💫
And to Get On The Soapbox for holding such a beautiful workshop.
If you missed this one… don’t worry, there’s more to come 👀
GWYA & Suffolk Mind
This week at Girls Where You At?
Another session with Suffolk Mind, we explored the power of active listening, the importance of a healthy lifestyle (from sleep routines to nourishing our bodies) and how to build confidence by simply holding space for one another
Creating a safe, supportive environment where every voice is heard!
Noughts & Crosses
An incredible watch of the theatre adaptation of Malorie Blackman's Noughts & Crosses.
So many powerful themes and quite intense at times and the Girls Where You At?! enjoyed it so much.
Our first trip of the year! Afterwards they spoke about how important the topics addressed were and how seeing it in theatre form felt a lot deeper than the book but they would still recommend the book to read!
Thank you to the New Wolsey Theatre for the invite!
King Street Cinema
A night to remember… and a year to celebrate! ✨
Three weeks ago, we kick-started our year of celebrations for our 10-year anniversary at King Street Cinema, surrounded by the incredible people who make Future Female Society what it is - our partners, supporters and community.
The evening was full of laughter, memories and reflections on the journeys of the women and girls whose lives we’ve been privileged to touch - over 2,400 women and girls from 25 countries, through 41 projects and countless workshops.
Listening to their stories reminded us why we do what we do: to empower, support and give hope. We’ve seen lives change, confidence grow and futures transform. Every step of the way, it’s been the dedication and care of our community that has made these moments possible.
As a Community Interest Company (CIC), our work relies on the generosity and support of people around us. Every donation helps us keep creating safe, inclusive spaces where women and girls can learn, grow, and thrive. 💫
If you’d like to help us continue this vital work, you can donate via the link on our website.
Here’s to the next chapter of change, growth, and opportunity...together. 💚
High Sheriff Of Suffolk Award
It’s Winning Wednesday!!!!
We’ve been keeping a little secret… 👀🏆
We’re so proud to share that Future Female Society has won the 2026 High Sheriff of Suffolk Award, recognising our work in the community.
What started as a vision to support and empower women and girls has grown into something truly special.
Thank you to every woman, young person, organisation and supporter who has been part of this journey 💚
Thank you @suffolk_giving @gulshankayembe
FFS In The Press
A little look at some of the moments making headlines.
From powerful conversations to celebrating the incredible women and girls in our community, we’re so proud to see the work of Future Female Society being recognised.
10 years and this is just the beginning 💫
March Coffee Morning
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A lovely, busy coffee morning today ☕️
The room was buzzing with organisations and lots of new faces joining us.
We enjoyed Easter crafts with Sue, plenty of babies to cuddle and some really valuable conversations with local support services.
Thank you to St Elizabeth Hospice, Very Important Invitation, Footsteps, IRIS, Ipswich Job Centre, and Suffolk Family Carers for coming along and connecting with the community. A great morning bringing people together.
Power Of Prevention Hakathon
While today was all about planning for our International Women’s Day event on Saturday, we’ve been reflecting on last week’s Power of Prevention Hackathon hosted by the High Sheriff.
Our W2WR group were there sharing their views, taking part in interviews and contributing to important conversations. The women were brilliant, offering honest perspectives and insights that are so often missing from these discussions. Their voices were important, thoughtful and much needed.
We also captured some powerful interviews on the day and you’ll be able to hear them on our live show in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned.
ITV News
We have some very exciting news to share…
✨ Future Female Society is scheduled to be featured on ITV News at 6:30pm tonight! ✨
Fingers crossed everything goes to plan, but we’re expecting a short piece about the work we do and the impact we’re making in our community.
This feels like such a proud moment. Every workshop, every event, every powerful conversation, every bit of support given, it all adds up. To see our work recognised in this way means more than we can put into words, and it simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible community behind us.
If you can, please tune in and watch. Even better, tell your friends, family and colleagues. Share it, shout about it, spread the word 😊 The more people who hear about Future Female Society, the more women and girls we can reach.
If you catch it, we would LOVE to hear from you.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Tonight feels like a big one!!
February Coffee Morning
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our coffee morning on Friday.
It was so lovely to see so many ladies, little ones and familiar faces all coming together.
A huge thank you to @healthwatchsuffolk and @ipswichmuseums for taking the time to join us and share support, guidance, and what’s happening locally – your input is always so valuable.
And as always, adult crafting with Sue was a calming highlight, giving everyone a chance to relax, get creative, and chat.
We’re so grateful for our community that shows up each month!
Ipswich Happiness Brunch
Can’t believe it’s been 5 weeks since our end of year Happiness Brunch at St Margaret’s Church Centre 🤍✨
We were so grateful to be joined by some truly wonderful organisations. The lovely Hannah from @veryimportantinvitation shared an informative and empowering talk on cervical screening, while the amazing Amy from @getonthesoapbox guided our guests through a festive wreath making session 🌿
A real highlight was @caswellofficial, who brought everyone together with a joyful singing workshop — filling the room with connection, confidence, and pure community spirit 🎶
The soundtrack to this reel is the most beautiful sound of all: our community.
Thank you to everyone who attended, supported us, and helped make the day so special!
Woman 2 Woman Radio
What a wonderful return for Woman 2Woman Radio this week!
New faces and returning members. Refreshed and ready for the new year!
We did a visualisation exercise and then talked about our goals for the new year! Podcasts available on our Mixcloud via Linktree and LIVE shows every half term on ICR as part of the #commonfrequencies collaboration with fellow community organisations.
GWYA On The Radio
Girls Where You At hosted their first Common Frequencies community show on ICR.
They spoke to @suffolkmind about mental health, @suffolkpolice about street safety for women and girls as well as reflecting their time at @caswellofficial album launch at @thechurchipswich
Also featured ✨ girl dinnNnNerrr ✨ a trend that took over the internet looking at quirky quick snacks girls make to fulfil their cravings and #WhichShipToShip looking at tv characters and their friendship dynamics.
Youth Social Action
Can’t believe it’s been a whole week since we celebrated Ipswich becoming a Town of Youth Social Action with Volunteering Matters, #IWill, and all the fantastic organisations across the town who have signed the Power of Youth Charter.
We are so proud to be featured in the town’s Youth Social Action video — here’s a clip of Girls, Where You At?
Youth Work Week 2025
Building Brighter Futures: Safe places, trusted support and opportunities to thrive across the country.
Youth Work Week is a time to recognise the vital role we play and the safe spaces we create and play in young people’s lives.
Here at Future Female Society we’re proud to offer an inclusive, welcoming environment where young people feel valued, supported and empowered to be themselves.
Youth work is about providing our young people with opportunities for connection, personal growth, and using their voice and we’re proud of everything they achieve using these building blocks for a brighter future.
Platforma Community Takeover
Platforma Community Takeover...what a day!!
A celebration of arts and migration, there was dance, theatre, photography, film, textiles, visual arts, radio, podcast, food and so much more!
Our fabulous ladies from Woman 2 Woman Radio interviewed performers straight from the theatre, created vox pops with attendees and we even had our youngest guest on the mic!
It was such a wonderful event at Dance East with Counterpoint Arts!
Happiness Brunch & Craft Market
What a day!
Full of local organisations, small businesses, creativity, and community spirit.
Thank you to all our amazing stall holders for bringing so much joy to our Happiness Brunch.
A huge shout-out to Murrayside Community Centre for hosting us in your fantastic venue — truly a hive of activity! We’re excited to collaborate again in the future.
Platforma Community Takeover
Platforma Community Takeover...what a day!!
A celebration of arts and migration, there was dance, theatre, photography, film, textiles, visual arts, radio, podcast, food and so much more!
Our fabulous ladies from Woman 2 Woman Radio interviewed performers straight from the theatre, created vox pops with attendees and we even had our youngest guest on the mic!
It was such a wonderful event at Dance East with Counterpoint Arts!
October Coffee Morning
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our October Coffee Morning at the New Wolsey Theatre ☕💛
It was such a lovely morning filled with great conversations, free tea and coffee, and a welcoming space for parents and children to connect. We loved seeing so many familiar and new faces!
We were grateful to incorporate World Mental Health Day and to host part 2 of St Elizabeth’s Hospice No Barriers workshop, as well as hear from local organisations sharing support and community resources.
Our adult crafting session was a real highlight too — a therapeutic space to relax, create, and chat with other mums.
Thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the morning so special.
We hope to see you again at our next Coffee Morning 💬✨
The Whole Hog
Our brilliant Project Officer, Stacey, took on The Whole Hog Challenge in October to raise funds for us — and we’re delighted to say she raised £520!
Stacey pushed herself to the limit with a tough 5-mile obstacle course, tackling over 30 obstacles along the way. She crawled under cargo nets, squeezed through tunnels, climbed steep hills, waded through rivers and mud, and swung across monkey bars over water. We were exhausted just watching her!
Stacey took on this huge challenge to help raise much-needed funds for us. As a community interest company, we rely entirely on funding and donations to keep our fantastic projects and events running, and we’re incredibly grateful for her effort and everyone who supported her.
Caswell Album Launch Gig
What a night, what a crowd!
On Saturday night FFS turned UP and turned out to support Caswell album launch.
THIS is how you promote a community event where people feel valued and safe. Caswell worked with our groups and gave us guest tickets enabling women and girls who would never have come along to enjoy an astonishing night out. AND we all hugged and cried as she created an incredible moment on stage and with us in the audience.
You CANNOT and WILL NOT take the voices of girls.
Thank you Caswell for your talent and your compassion ♥️
BBC Make A Difference Awards
On Wednesday, we celebrated with local heroes at a special awards ceremony, shining a light on people going above and beyond in their local communities.
We were so honoured that we were a finalist in the Community Group Award category.
Our founder Kim was interviewed on BBC Radio Suffolk recently talking about why Future Female Society was created, how we help and support our service users and the difference we are making throughout our community.
September Coffee Morning
Each month, we have different local organisations and support services attend. They share what's going on in the community and how they can help or signpost you in the right direction.
This month we had part 1 of St Elizabeth's Hospice - No Barriers workshop and Healthwatch.
We also had our adult crafting, which was really therapeutic and a great opportunity to join in and have chat with other mums.
FFS Day Out!!
🌟 Wow, what a day we had on Tuesday 12th of August! 🌟
We ventured off to Rendlesham Forest for some adventure and then made our way to Aldeburgh beach for some seaside fun. 🏖️🌲
A HUGE thank you goes out to Steve from Suffolk Travel for so generously donating one of his buses for the day and driving us around. We are so grateful for your kindness, Steve – from all of us, thank you! 💜
Here’s what Steve had to say:
“Suffolk Travel is an independent, family-run coach company. We’ve been running for 5 years now and growing from strength to strength thanks to our wonderful and loyal customers. Serving our local community has always been at the heart of our business and we are honoured to be working alongside Future Female Society today to take their ladies and children out.”
🚍💫 Community spirit at its best!
Girls, Where you at?
Girls Where You At? has finished for the summer.
The girls have had a brilliant time this term working on pride podcasts, music quizzes and creating collages with Amy from Volunteering Matters. On the last day they celebrated with a party.
Enjoy your summer girls, we can't wait for next term!
Quiz Night
We had a brilliant night at The Woolpack Quiz Night and are thrilled to say we raised £680 towards our future programmes and events — thank you so much!
There was lots of laughter, a bit of healthy competition, and plenty of drinks flowing as teams got stuck into the quiz. Halfway through the night we took a break to enjoy a lovely light meal, generously provided by the amazing team at The Woolpack.
Well done to the winning team who took home the prize, and a huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported us.
We couldn’t have done it without you!
The FFS Roadshow - Wellbeing Workshops
This month is "Healthy ME – Active Me".
We had Michelle from Michelle Buckley Fitness and Wellbeing joining us. Michelle is a personal trainer, online coach and sound practitioner who empowers people to thrive physically, mentally and emotionally.
Come and join us to find out more!
Children are more than welcome to attend and if you’d like to bring a picnic along to have afterwards, we will move over near the play area for the children to burn off some energy.
July Happiness Brunch
We recently held our 2nd Happiness Brunch of the year at Burlington Church Hall.
We had chair yoga, chinese medicine, crafts, items from the museum and lots of fantastic organisations from the local community sharing their knowledge with everyone.
We also had some rather yummy food!
Our next happiness brunch will be held in October so keep an eye on our socials for more information.
Supporting Young People Award
On the 4th July Kim and Stacey attended ICS "Can Do" Health and Care Awards at Rowley Mile Racecourse in Newmarket.
The ICS 'Can Do' Health and Care Awards shine a spotlight on the great work of individuals and teams to develop new ways of thinking and innovative ways of doing things, involving local people and a range of local partners.
We were finalists in the Supporting Young People Award Category and although we didn't win we were honoured to be COMMENDED for our work and our Girls Where You At? programme.
The FFS Roadshow - Wellbeing Workshops
We had two fantastic ladies and organisations joining us for this workshop.
Firstly, we had Ellie from Yogability. It's Yoga, but not Yoga! Yogability is NOT about being the best in the room, it's NOT about being able to touch your toes or being able to squeeze into the latest gym gear.
Yogability is a community of acceptance, respect, and unity. It's welcome to all those who are looking for a way to feel like they belong and reconnect. It empowers the mind, body, and spirit no matter your experience.
We also had the lovely Georgia from Relax and Reconnect Reiki. Reiki is a complimentary therapy using an ancient form of natural energy healing. It's a holistic approach that uses energy to help balance us and promote healing on many levels, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Volunteers Week
As we come to the end of Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a huge thank you to all of our amazing volunteers.
We are so grateful for your continued support — and a special shout-out to these absolute beauts:
Lorna
Emilie
Grace
Jackie
Rabab
Mary-Jane
Sue
And our newest addition, who has taken our social media to new heights… Emma!
We truly appreciate everything you do for us and for the women and girls we support 💛
Find Fab Stuff
THANK YOU!!
We just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who came and supported our Find Fab Stuff clothing sale last weekend.
From the clothing donations and volunteers to the sales and monetary donations, none of it would be possible without YOU!!
We raised an amazing £150!!!
Thank you so much 🩷💚
June Coffee Morning
We had a really lovely time at our monthly coffee morning at the New Wolsey Theatre. It was great to catch up over a cuppa and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. We were joined by Suffolk Family Carers, who chatted with everyone about the work they do and the support and services they offer, a really useful and welcoming conversation.
We also got creative with some adult crafting, making colourful flowers using wool and pipe cleaners. There was lots of chatting, laughter, and comparing creations, which made the morning feel extra special.
Thanks to everyone who came along – we’re already looking forward to the next one!
Power of Youth
POWER OF YOUTH DAY!!! 💚💥
We see the power of young people. We know that by recognising their skills, acknowledging their needs, and providing space for them to thrive are all key to creating a meaningful impact.
The soundtrack to this reel was written and performed by Tarah at our International Women's Day event. Tarah was just 13 years old when she wrote this powerful poem. Tarah is part of our youth group, Girls Where You At? and has been attending for over 3 years. She is a fantastic ambassador for the power of youth and the importance of having a youth voice.
We want to recognise Tarah for her positive change through youth social action. We celebrate your dedication, leadership and the difference you make. Your actions reflect the strength, creativity and compassion of this generation.
Today we celebrate your impact and say THANK YOU!
Woman 2 Woman Radio
Women 2 Women Radio have had a fantastic term. Here is what we've been up to...
• We recorded a feature live from the Suffolk Refugee Support Sewing Group Exhibition at Suffolk County Library in Ipswich.
• The women recorded interviews on the Cornhill at the ICM wellbeing event.
• We welcomed podcast guests - Chris Draude from St. Elizabeth's Hospice to have an important conversation on 'Dying Matters' week. We also spoke to Chloe Davis from the New Wolsey Theatre to talk about the New Wolsey BIG AFTERNOON event.
• We attended the BSC Multicultural Support Services PITA festival and recorded interviews live from Suffolk New College.
As well as all of that, our women learnt interview techniques, open/closed questions, how to use the equipment, and more importantly, gained confidence in themselves!
We met some lovely new members too. If you'd like to join our fun and exciting programme next term, drop us a message.
Caswell at La Vida Showbar
The creative community came together recently at La Vida Showbar in Felixstowe, where local artists Caswell and Lianne Kaye joined forces with event organisers Dirty Mangos for a special fundraising gig in support of women and girls.
The night was filled with incredible live music, soulful performances, and a strong sense of community spirit. Together, the artists and organisers raised vital funds for a women and girls’ charity, helping to support projects that empower and uplift those in need.
Caswell’s dreamy alt-pop sound and captivating presence perfectly complemented Lianne Kaye’s heartfelt vocals and powerful songwriting, creating a night of unforgettable performances. With Dirty Mangos leading the creative charge, La Vida Showbar was transformed into a vibrant space celebrating art, unity, and purpose.
The event was a huge success, raising a fantastic £350 and shows the power of music can make a real difference.
The FFS Roadshow - Wellbeing Workshops
On 14th May we had our Women's Wellbeing Workshop. This was all about "Healthy ME – Your Body, Your Power!"
The interactive workshop run by Maria from Empower to Wellness was designed to help women take control of their health through simple, powerful changes in nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset, and it did just that!
We discussed how your gut, hormones, and habits shape your energy, mood, and wellbeing along with practical tips.
Thank you to Maria and everyone who came along!
Eva Wayland at The Smokehouse
The lovely Eva Wayland is a music student at Suffolk New College and is an aspiring artist and promoter.
Eva arranged a charity gig this month at The Smoke House to showcase young aspiring artists with multiple upcoming local bands performing.
Eva wanted to fundraise to make a change for women and show them that they can be given the same chances as everyone else. Giving women the confidence to do what they aspire to and reach their full potential is one of the most important things to her.
Eva chose Future Female Society to be the recipients of her fundraising, and yesterday, we got the chance to thank her and her band A Love For Money for their amazing work.
They raised a whopping £250!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
MTM Coffee Morning - May
What a brilliant day!
We had over 30 women from different communities join us at our More Than Mum Coffee Morning held at The New Wolsey Theatre.
We had the lovely Jade from Ipswich Museum bring in some really interesting artifacts found around the local area. Jade was so knowledgeable and told us all about the history of each item. We also had a sneak peak at the plans from the remodelling at Ipswich Museums... let's just say we're excited!!
We also had the wonderful Sarah from Pop Print Studios bring the craft session to life. We made a "view from our window." Lots of women created a dream view from tropical islands to countryside locations whilst others recreated the view from their own windows with beautiful wisteria.
Our community is growing at each and every event, and it's giving us all the feels!
The FFS Roadshow - Wellbeing Workshops
The FFS Roadshows - Women's Wellbeing Workshops. We want to empower women today for better health tomorrow!
Each month we'll be bringing our workshops to different venues throughout the community.
This month we have the wonderful Dr Mary-Jane Budd from @embracechangecoaching delivering a workshop on "A more resilient you"
Venue - Murrayside Community Centre, Nacton Road, Ipswich, IP3 9JL
Date - Wednesday 30th April
Time - 10.00 - 12.00
And best of all, they're absolutely FREE to attend!!
W2WRadio
Wow what a couple of weeks Women 2 Women Radio have had...
We have just finished our taster sessions before we kick things off again after the Easter break.
We have been busy practising interviewing techniques and skills, doing some vox pops and planning what's happening after Easter.
Woman 2 Woman Radio will be taking part in lots of events throughout the local community as well as hosting a regular podcast with different guest speakers.
You can check out previous episodes on our mix cloud.
One of our previous guest speakers Maria from Empower To Wellness will also be joining us for one of our FFS Wellbeing Roadshows in May!
Keep an eye on our socials for more information...
Behind the scenes...
Behind the scenes 🎬
A little sneak peek at what we've been up to in the office today...
All will be revealed soon, so keep an eye on our socials! 👀
A huge thank you to Eli Turay for your help with this project!
Happiness Brunch
We had our first Happiness Brunch of the year!!
Thank you so much to everyone who came along today, it so was nice to see some new faces and of course familiar ones too.
We had the lovely Natalie from Very Important Invitation discussing all things cervical screening.
The wonderful Imani from KMT Rising who talked about ways to try and eliminate stress by choosing alkaline/natural diets, energy balancing and mindfulness techniques.
Remember "You are enough and you're doing the best you can"
The FFS Roadshow - Wellbeing Workshops
Introducing The FFS Roadshows - Women's Wellbeing Workshops...
We want to empower women today for better health tomorrow!
Each month we'll be bringing our workshops to different venues throughout the community.
First up we have the amazing Imani from KMT Rising Ltd delivering "Your Confidence Building Toolkit" helping to create a positive you!
Venue: Elim Church, 1 Burlington Road, Ipswich, IP1 2EU
Date: Wednesday 19th March
Time: 10.00 - 12.00
And best of all, they're absolutely FREE to attend!!
International Women's Day 2025
IWD was a huge celebration this year that featured workshops, crafts and panel discussions on women's equality issues. We also set up a marketplace and lunch for the attendees. We cannot thank Suffolk Archives enough for all their hard work helping and supporting us to put this event together. We had over 380 people come through the doors at The Hold.
We had our amazing girls from our 'Girls Where You At?' project sharing poetry in a special and powerful open mic session. The have been using poetry writing as a tool to explore their emotional landscape, identity, and how it feels to be a girl in 2025. We also had the beautiful voice of Caswell performing and her track "Dorko Boda" which filled everyone with emotion. The amazing Tonia was one of our keynote speakers which was so powerful and looked at the abuse, identity and where what sits in adulthood.
It was truly an amazing day and we can't wait to celebrate again next year.
March Coffee Morning
We had another amazing coffee morning this month with the wonderful Natalie from Very Important Invitation discussing all things cervical screening.
Very Important Invitation is a co-production between Suffolk GP+, Public Health bodies, local charities, women and people in the community to promote accessible cervical screening.
We also had the lovely Sue running our adult crafting. We made beautiful little Easter treats that hold yummy chocolates.
We're haven't got our coffee morning in April but we look forward to seeing you all again in May.
Realise Futures
In March we partnered up with Realise Futures to offer our women the opportunity to take part in a Slow Cooker course.
They gained so much from money saving tips, recipes, and sharing ideas with each other.
The course leader Natasha was absolutely wonderful and even made some homemade bread and cakes in the slow cooker...yes you read that correctly...bread in the slow cooker!!!
At the end of the course, the ladies received their very own brand new slow cooker to take home with them.
Our first event at our new office...
On the 26th February we held our first ever event at our new office.
We invited local organisations and our new neighbours to come and see what FFS is all about. We received amazing support as always and the event was a great success.
Our founder Kim gave a beautiful speech explaining the history of FFS and what it means for the community. We also heard personal stories from our very own Stacey and Jackie telling us their journey and what it means to them. It was extremely moving and proved even more how much the community needs us.
We'd like to thank everyone who attended for showing your love and support.
BBC Introducing...
This month the Girls Where You At? group had an amazing opportunity to go on a trip to BBC Suffolk Radio.
The girls were so lucky to be invited into the studio to watch Angelle’s BBC Introducing show live in action. They were in the audience for the incredible live session with Nina Arya.
We had Nina play our FFS FEST a few years back and have loved watching her career grow!!
Wellbeing Day at The Mix
💖 Wellbeing Day – Love Yourself 💖
Future Female Society, in collaboration with Lighthouse and The Mix, is hosting a Wellbeing Day in Stowmarket!
📅 Thursday, 13th February
⏰ 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 The Mix, Stowmarket
🎯 Theme: Love Yourself
Come along and:
✨ Discover local support services available in the area.
🎁 Grab a goodie bag from Lush (first come, first served!).
☕ Enjoy free tea, coffee, and a Valentine’s treat.
Let’s celebrate self-care and community together! 💕 Hope to see you there!
MTM Coffee Morning
☕ Coffee Mornings Are Back for 2025! 🎉
We’re so excited to welcome you to our first coffee morning of the year on:
📅 Friday, 7th February 2025
📍 The New Wolsey Theatre
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Here’s what’s happening:
Free coffee and a chance to meet new people. ☕
Sue is back with her amazing crafts – yay! 🎨
A guest from Suffolk and Norfolk NHS will be joining us to talk about the services they offer. 🩺
We can’t wait to see you all again and start the year off together. Spread the word and bring a friend! 💛
BIG NEWS!!!
We're kicking off 2025 with some BIG NEWS!!
WE HAVE A NEW OFFICE!!
After over 8 years of hot desking, working from home and cafes we finally have our own office. We are delighted to join a busy hub of community businesses at 19 Tower Street. We're so excited to be here, where we have enough space to hold our events, programmes and meetings. It's a huge milestone for FFS and something we're very proud to be sharing with you. We can't wait host our first event here next month and show you all around!
2024 Wrapped Up
Here's our amazing year wrapped up...
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Regular projects GWYA and W2W returned
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Coffee mornings on 12th Jan, 2nd Feb and 15th Mar
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Professional video filmed at the February coffee morning!
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14th February - Happiness Brunch at The Hive
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8th March - Confidence workshop at the DWP
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9th March - International Women’s Day event at The Hold
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12th April - Attended The Eid party with Almas at The Hold
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19th & 26th Apr - GWYA attended One Sixth Form’s culture day and LEAD the Hope Hack at Ipswich Town FC
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5th May - The FFS area at May Day Festival returned
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15th May - Happiness Brunch at University of Suffolk
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25th May - The Big Afternoon at The Wolsey Theatre
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Coffee mornings on 3rd May and 7th June
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10th July - GWYA podcast workshop with Chantry High School
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11th July - People’s Health Trust visited W2W
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Coffee mornings on 12th Jul and 13th Sep
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16th August - Cultural Community Day!
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20th August - some of us joined The Hive on a day trip around Suffolk
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14th September - Kim gave a talk at KMT Rising Exhale event
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Coffee mornings on 4th Oct, 8th Nov and 6th Dec
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8th October - the first More Than Mum project since 2021 kicked off
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30th October - end of term party featuring Caswell at The Hold
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29th November - we attended PHOEBE’s gender justice and intersectional practice conference
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9th December - GWYA supported Volunteering Matters for community safety hack
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10th December - Happiness Brunch with MTM at Burlington Church Hall
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17th December - More Than Mum graduation
We couldn't have done it without you all, THANK YOU!!!
December Happiness Brunch
As part of the final task during the More Than Mum programme, we asked the women to plan and host our last Happiness Brunch of the year.
And what a fab job they did!!!
We had lots of stall holders from different organisations throughout the community. The women also held their own stalls including preloved childrens items, cakes, name the reindeer and a huge raffle. The raffle was full to the brim with prizes and vouchers which the women all sourced themselves.
We even had a visit from the Mayor!
All in all it was a very successful event, where the community came together and helped raise funds so we can continue for our programmes.
More Than Mum Programme 2024
After a long break due to Covid we were finally able to run our More Than Mum programme again at the end of 2024. Across the 10 week programme our group of women from all different backgrounds and circumstances came together on a journey to help find their identities again.
Here is what the women had to say about the programme at their graduation...
"We joined the programme to help build our confidence, help get us out of the house and discover what skills we have as a mum that we can transfer in to the workplace and community. We have learned so much about ourselves in the last 10 weeks. We have learnt how to beleive in oursleves, change our mindset and build our confidence."
"I really learned a lot about myself. I lost a lot of confidence when I had my son, he's now eight.
"I've been out of work for probably about four years, I got made redundant, and ever since then I've been a stay-at-home mum. I completely lost my confidence, didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, so coming on the programme it has really helped me see what other people see in me. I've actually made the decision to go into event planning so it has helped me find my passion and what I want to do."
The graduation was held at Christchurch Mansion on Tuesday 17th December where the Deputy Mayoress of Ipswich was in attendance along with BBC News.
Click the link below to read the full article.
Ain't No Party Like An FFS Party!!!
Come join us as we celebrate our milestones, showcase our progress, and give you a sneak peek into what’s next. We’ve planned an afternoon of fun activities, entertainment, and a chance to get creative!
Event Highlights:
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🎤 Live Performances: Don’t miss an exclusive performance by CASWELL, featuring her brand new single “Dorka Boda”!
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🎶 GWYA? and W2W Radio will be streaming live to keep the energy high.
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🍕 Pizza Galore: Enjoy delicious pizza while you mix and mingle.
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🎨 Crafting Corner: Join us for some hands-on crafting activities to create a fun keepsake from the day.
Event Details:
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📅 Date: Wednesday, 30th October 2024
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🕐 Time: 1 PM - 4 PM
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📍 Location: The Hold, 131 Fore St, Ipswich IP4 1LN
It’s going to be an afternoon filled with music, creativity, and celebration, and it wouldn’t be the same without you! Whether you’ve been part of FFS from the start or are just curious to learn more, this is the perfect time to connect and celebrate with our community.
Cultural Community Day 2024
On Friday, August 16, 2024, we co-hosted a Cultural Community Day at Christ Church Park from 11 AM to 3 PM, bringing together over 450 attendees for an unforgettable day of community and celebration. This vibrant event was held in collaboration with our incredible partners, Lighthouse, Anglia Care Trust, Iscree and The Ferns.
Together, we created a space where people from all backgrounds could come together to have a free day out and to learn of the great support services within Ipswich
Over 45 organizations joined us for the day, offering an invaluable showcase of resources and support services. From health and wellbeing, family support, education, Fire awareness, children's craftin and Suffolk Police, each organisation brought its own unique contribution to the event. Attendees were able to engage with a wide range of local resources, connecting with representatives who were there to answer questions and provide guidance.
Thank You to Our Partners and Community!
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made Cultural Community Day 2024 a success. To our partners — Lighthouse, Anglia Care Trust, Iscree and The Ferns — and to the 45+ organisations who joined us, thank you for your dedication to our shared mission of supporting and empowering our community.
Looking Ahead to 2025
We’re already planning next year’s Cultural Community Day and can’t wait to bring the community together again in 2025. Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for helping us celebrate the diversity, resilience, and strength of our community.
HOPE HACK
On Friday 3rd 'May Girls Where You At' alongside Volunteering Matters, The Damilola Taylor Foundation and The Rio Ferdinand Foundation took part in a Hope Hack @ Ipswich Town Footballl Club.
We were so privileged to be a major part of the Ipswich Hope Hack it was phenomenal!
100 young people full of energy, ideas, and smarts, creating a space of hope now and for the future.
Our GWYA crew stepped into being the leaders that we know they are, choosing the categories, leading the workshops and feedback and just smashing it.
The Hope Hacks have been taking place all over the country, with the results being tabled into a youth manifesto for change. This manifesto will be delivered to the government to inform them what and how young people see and can contribute to changes in society.
We can't wait for the response.
Huge thanks to @ipswichtown The Hope Collective @rioferdinandfoundation @damilolataylortrust @_PCFoundation @ncs @uk.youth @#iwill_movement
#ipswichhopehack #hopehack #keephopelit #hopecollective #damilolataylor #youthsocialaction👌#ipswich #suffolk #GWYA #Futurefemalesociety.