International Women’s Day 2025
Supporting Women in Norfolk
International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women and to reflect on the work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equality. Here in Norfolk, women continue to face challenges that impact their health, wellbeing, and opportunities. Issues such as access to healthcare, gender-based inequalities in sports and education, and financial hardship disproportionately affect women in our communities.
At Norfolk Community Foundation, we are committed to supporting women through our funding programmes and partnerships with grassroots organisations. Over the past year, we have worked closely with a number of initiatives making a real difference in the lives of women and girls across the county.
Littlelifts – Supporting Breast Cancer Patients
Through our Love Norfolk funding, we supported Littlelifts to provide 50 care boxes to breast cancer patients at James Paget University Hospital. These boxes contain locally sourced, ethical, and medically approved items designed to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy while offering emotional support.
With 75% of breast cancer patients experiencing social isolation and over 30% reporting anxiety for the first time, initiatives like Littlelifts help provide vital care and comfort. One recipient shared:
“With one Box, I no longer felt alone in dealing with a life-changing situation. It is not a Box of cutlery and tea bags; it is a gesture of compassion and understanding sent without judgment and with no expectation, from fellow members of a club that no one wants to be part of.”
Subs for Clubs – Ensuring Equal Opportunities for Young Girls
Financial hardship should never be a barrier to opportunity. Through Subs for Clubs, we have supported children and young people to continue participating in extracurricular activities.
For example, a local Brownies group received funding to cover the subscription fees of two sisters from a single-parent household facing financial difficulties. With both girls struggling with anxiety, continued participation in Brownies is vital for their confidence, self-esteem, and emotional development.
Singing Mamas – Tackling Perinatal Loneliness
Through our Countering Loneliness Innovation Fund, we funded Singing Mamas to deliver three 10-week terms of Singing Mamas on Prescription in Lakenham. This programme offers a safe, welcoming space for perinatal women to connect through singing, reducing social isolation and supporting mental health.
The leading cause of death among pregnant women and those in the first year post-birth is suicide, highlighting the urgent need for effective support networks. Research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry shows that singing interventions can reduce postnatal depression symptoms by 41% and lead to recovery in 73% of mothers.
One Norwich attendee shared:
“The fact that Singing Mamas is a space for mothers but welcomes and cherishes children is unique and special. There’s no sense of having to hide or apologise—you can be whole.”
West Norfolk Rugby Union Football Club – Investing in Women’s Sport
With women’s sports on the rise, infrastructure must evolve to accommodate growing female participation. West Norfolk Rugby Union Football Club used NCF funding to upgrade facilities and provide dedicated changing areas, toilets, and showers for female players.
With female membership at an all-time high, this investment ensures equal access and creates an environment where women and girls can thrive in sport.
Community Voices – Improving Women’s Health Services
Healthcare inequalities remain a pressing issue for women in Norfolk. In partnership with the Norfolk and Waveney Community Voices programme, we funded eight organisations to host discussions on women’s health services.
Groups like Feathers Futures in Great Yarmouth play a critical role in reaching women who face barriers to healthcare, including those with disabilities, addiction struggles, or experiences of violence. By amplifying women’s voices, we aim to break down barriers and improve access to essential health services.
Hey Girls – Ending Period Poverty in Norfolk
One year into our partnership with Hey Girls, we are proud to support their mission to end period poverty. Through our Nourishing Norfolk Network, we provide environmentally friendly period products to food hub members for free, ensuring that no woman or girl in our community has to choose between food and hygiene essentials.
With Hey Girls’ expanded warehouse in Diss, donations are now managed and distributed more efficiently, meaning more women in Norfolk receive the support they need.
Despite progress, women in Norfolk still face disparities in health, finance, and opportunity. IWD serves as a powerful reminder that we must continue to advocate for gender equality, invest in women’s wellbeing, and create inclusive spaces where all women and girls can thrive.
Corrie Colson, Programmes Advisor at NCF, reflects on the impact of this work:
“At Norfolk Community Foundation, we believe that every woman deserves access to the support, resources, and opportunities that enable her to live a fulfilling life. Through the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our community partners, we are driving meaningful change and ensuring that women in Norfolk have the tools they need to succeed.”
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience of women and reaffirm our commitment to building a stronger, more equal Norfolk for all.
What can I do?
The Norfolk Community Foundation’s Together for Women and Girls programme tackles many challenges. Inspired by the amazing work with our partners at Hey Girls, our focus right now is on ending period poverty.
Nearly two million girls in the UK aged 14-21 have missed part or all of a school day due to their period, with 13% missing an entire day at least once a month. Likewise, a lack of access to essential period products leads to 14% of women avoiding or missing work during their periods.
No one should have to choose between their education, career, or managing their period. By providing access to essential products and education, we can restore dignity, break the stigma, and ensure no one in Norfolk is held back.
Your actions can make a real difference. Together, we can create a future where periods are never a barrier to success.
- Fundraise: Think of us for your next fundraising event.
- Donate: Help us make periods affordable for those most in need.
- Champion women with your workplace: Support Norfolk’s women and girls through Payroll Giving – the easy way to boost your giving at work. Call us to find out more.
- Sign up to our newsletter and follow us on social media: Stay up-to-date on how we’re helping women and girls in Norfolk.