Award winning networking group ‘Freelance Mum’ launches new hub in Horfield, North Bristol.
Award winning networking group launches new hub in Horfield, North Bristol.
Freelance Mum launches a new hub in Horfield to support self-employed Mums in North Bristol thanks to vital funding received from the Bristol Business & Enterprise Support (BrisBES). The new North Bristol Hub will meet and netwalk monthly at The Ardagh Centre in Horfield starting on Thursday 14th March, 18th April, 16th May and 20th June.
‘Freelance Mums’ will meet once a month to ‘netwalk’ for fresh air and focus questions and enables mums in business to network and (crucially) bring their children. Not only does Freelance Mum offer networking, but the connections made offer invaluable support to many women who juggle running their own business and parenting.
The also group offers an active online community of support and cheerleaders for women in business, with weekly online coffee mornings and member led sessions where all hub members across the country can come together and connect.
The idea of ‘baby-strapping’, was created by founder, Faye Dicker in 2013, after her own need juggling motherhood around her voiceover work. There wasn’t a network that supported parents in business, so she created Freelance Mum.
The North Bristol hub launching on Thursday 14th March will be run by Freelance Mum founder and voice over artist, Faye Dicker and another Freelance Mum, Claire Callaghan, who is a self-employed physio and the netwalks are being funded by BrisBES through YTKO West of England who offer local business growth and support programmes across Bristol.
Claire, used to travel across Bristol to the city to get to the original FM netwalk in Ashton Court so jumped at the opportunity to launch a hub local to her in Horfield.
The netwalks are carefully designed to support mums in business and are structured in a way that allows them to make connections and bring their children.
“The fresh air and focus questions are an important part of Freelance Mum, it’s well recognised the importance of connecting with nature for our well-being and clarity. In a world where everything can feel fast paced, it’s even more important to take some time out and connect with fellow business owners who are on the same page. The focus questions keep conversation on track and help members get the most from the sessions.” Says Faye Dicker, Founder of Freelance Mum.
Claire Callaghan, the North Bristol hub leader adds “Freelance Mum provides such a warm, friendly and helpful space for women who are managing busy families and freelance work. Being a freelance mum can be a tricky thing to navigate, so a supportive network of other like-minded women can be a huge help. I wanted to help set up a hub in North Bristol as I’ve lived here for over 15 years, and really feel there’s a need for this. I’ve also gained so much from meeting and working with other Freelance Mums, so it would be great if others could benefit too.
It will give women in Bristol and nearby the chance to come together, exchange ideas, discuss problems and help provide support and solutions. Sometimes networking can feel forced and transactional. Freelance Mums is just the opposite! The informal netwalk format and Faye’s welcome and natural sparkle ensures that everyone is comfortable and able to express themselves in whatever way they wish. We’re keen to bring women from diverse jobs, backgrounds and experience levels together.”
Freelance Mum Founder Faye adds: “It’s a real joy to launch the new hubs in Bristol and have more growth in the city. Our North Bristol hub wouldn’t be able to be launched without the funding made available from YTKO, who provide support and training for small businesses and wanted to reach North Bristol. It is great to come together and launch a brand-new hub in North Bristol, where there is clearly a need to support fellow mums in business.”
The hubs across the country, all follow the same format, so members know what to expect, whichever hub they visit. However, each hub has its own signature features – like taking a group selfie, which is a great moment in the netwalk. It allows the attendees to stop for a moment and take a photo, they can later share on social media. It’s little moments like that, that help add personality to the walks and with plans to launch more hubs across the region and support more mums in business,
Faye is keen to keep growing the network across the country and attract new members to the North Somerset hub. For only £25 per month the group gives so much and members comment how beneficial being part of Freelance Mum is, not only for their business but for their mental health and well-being.
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