Agency In Action

Sometimes the greatest recognition isn't what you receive. It's what you choose to do with it. An award lasts a moment. What happens afterwards is what defines its true value. For some, recognition marks the end of a journey. For others, it becomes the beginning of something far greater. It becomes a responsibility. A chance to give back. A chance to create opportunities for people they may never even meet. That is exactly what happened when Sue France received the She Inspires Award for Women in Networking and Events in 2023. Known across Cheshire for her extraordinary ability to bring people together, Sue has…

When recognition, partnership and purpose create lasting change. Women’s Economic Agency is often seen through the achievements of individuals. Yet some of its most powerful examples emerge when organisations, communities and people come together with a shared purpose. At She Inspires, we call this Shared Agency - the collective power created when each partner contributes their strengths to create opportunities that none could achieve alone. One such story unfolded at the She Inspires Awards 2022. As a valued partner of She Inspires, the University of Greater Manchester (previously the University of Bolton) wanted its sponsorship of the Women in Health Professional Award to extend beyond recognising excellence.…

Creating opportunity through relationships, trust and community. Some opportunities are carefully mapped out. Others arrive quietly, through conversations, shared experiences and the people we happen to meet along the way. For Jenny Matthews, one such opportunity began with a simple invitation from Jackie Hyde to join the She Inspires Awards judging panel. An experienced business coach and passionate advocate for women in enterprise, Jenny joined a panel of professionals from business, education and the wider community, each bringing their own expertise to recognise and celebrate women who were making a difference. It was an opportunity to contribute her experience, meet fellow professionals and become part…

Transforming lived experience into leadership and lasting change. Some women build businesses. Others build hope. Faria Arsh has done both. As a single mother raising a daughter with severe autism, Faria understands the challenges that many families face every single day. Like countless parents, she found herself navigating a world that often offered more questions than answers. Every milestone required patience, determination and resilience, but one challenge in particular proved especially overwhelming—toilet training. Alongside caring for her daughter, Faria began making handmade soaps and candles, building a small business from home while balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and caring for a…

Building purpose through enterprise, wellbeing and compassion. Sometimes the most meaningful businesses are not created to fill a gap in the market. They are created to make a difference in people’s lives. For Sue Cain, that difference came through the transformative power of sound, wellbeing and human connection. Sue had long been fascinated by the relationship between emotional wellbeing, stress and the body’s ability to heal. As life became increasingly busy and demanding, she recognised that many people were carrying invisible burdens—anxiety, exhaustion, loss, overwhelm and the constant pressure of modern living. She believed there had to be a way to…

Investing in potential to create opportunities for others. Every successful entrepreneur can point to a moment when a dream began to feel possible. For Ashley White, that dream started in the family garage. Armed with little more than a grooming table, a love for dogs and an unwavering determination to build something of her own, Ashley began welcoming clients one by one. She knew that success would not come overnight, but she also knew that every dog she groomed was another opportunity to build a reputation based on trust, quality and genuine care. Like many women starting a business, Ashley faced…

Creating opportunities through the enduring power of legacy and belief. Some people leave a legacy through the things they build. Others leave a legacy through the lives they inspire. Stacey Withington did both. Stacey was one of those remarkable young women whose warmth, kindness and determination left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She had dreams, ambition and an infectious enthusiasm for life. She believed in making the most of every opportunity and embodied the very qualities that She Inspires has always sought to champion: courage, resilience and the confidence to build a brighter future. When Stacey received one of…

Finding opportunity through resilience, innovation and community. Every business faces moments of uncertainty. The most successful are often defined not by the challenges they encounter, but by how they respond to them. For Emma Hughes and Joanne Evison, founders of Casual Closet, that defining moment came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like thousands of independent retailers across the country, they watched as the familiar world of high street shopping changed almost overnight. Shop doors closed, footfall disappeared and the future of many small businesses suddenly became uncertain. For many, it was a time to pause. For Emma and Joanne, it became a time to innovate.…

Transforming personal loss into lasting social impact. Some ideas begin with a business plan. Others begin with a life-changing experience. For Jane Dixon, the inspiration behind The Bereavement Café CIC came from one of the most difficult periods of her life. Following the loss of her husband, Steve, Jane experienced first-hand the loneliness, confusion and isolation that grief can bring. While support services existed, she recognised that many people simply needed somewhere they could sit, talk, listen and realise they were not alone. What began as a deeply personal response to loss soon became something much bigger. Jane founded The Bereavement Café CIC to create…

Creating opportunity through conversation, connection and belief. Some opportunities begin with an application. Others begin with a conversation. For Grace Robinson, that conversation took place at RISE, She Inspires’ leadership conference, where she shared her journey with honesty, courage and remarkable humility. Grace had already achieved what many people only dream of. As an elite Paralympic swimmer, she understood the discipline, resilience and determination required to compete at the highest level. But behind every medal, every competition and every personal best lay another reality that many athletes quietly face—the constant challenge of finding the financial support needed to continue pursuing excellence. Standing…