CULTIVATE: Holistic Business Support for the Social Economy

Last month at The Changing Rooms, we hosted CULTIVATE – an in-person learning and sharing event for female-led socially trading organisations (STOs) from across the city region.

Supported by Kindred, CULTIVATE aims to respond to a need for space to nurture connections, collaboration and growth among local female social business leaders.

Figures in Kindred’s 2024 Impact report highlighted that 51% of its investments went to women-led STOs. The theme of June’s session - setting a positive mindset around money, finances and ambition - drew on Kindred’s previous research into the non-financial barriers to accessing finance facing this demographic.

Our speaker, Fi Gordon, gently led us through the workshop where we were invited to explore our money mindset, think about future plans and take away some practical tools to build clarity and confidence.

The event feedback has been resoundingly positive, with participants telling us …

‘This was an event I didn’t know I needed but was incredibly valuable.’

‘Please, please, please do more!  I didn’t know I needed this until I was there!’

‘A chance to stop, reflect, connect and focus on personal growth to support business growth.’

Over to our director, Lucy, for the last word:

“We’re really grateful to Kindred for getting behind this idea of creating a space where female leadership principles can be nurtured and – hopefully, over time – flourish.

“Thanks also to all our participants who took a leap of faith in coming along to try something new – and on the hottest day of the year too! Fortunately, The Changing Rooms’ natural Hempcrete cladding helped keep the temperature bearable despite many of us dealing with hormonal overheating as well as the high humidity.

“The insights that we all took away from the day highlighted how cultivating a holistic approach to business isn’t just good for founders - it’s fundamental to strengthening the social economy as a whole.”

To stay in the loop about plans for future CULTIVATE events and/or to enquire about hiring therapy and/or event space at The Changing Rooms, please get in touch with us.