Her-PlaceCharitable Trust

About us

Registered charity no. 1173554
Formerly Motherwell Cheshire CIO

A future where every woman and girl is encouraged, inspired and empowered to realise her unique potential.

That is our vision. Our mission is to uplift and support our community by creating inclusive, safe spaces that respond to her unique needs and experiences — listening actively, working in partnership, and shaping our services as those needs change.

Our values spell SHINE: Self-development, Heart of the community, Innovative, Non-judgemental and empathic, and Environmental sustainability.

What we do

Four strands of work, all led by what women tell us they need.

01

Wellbeing & mental health

1,400 support sessions a year

The heart of Her-Place is a community wellbeing programme run by women, for women and girls. It brings together one-to-one counselling, peer support groups, wellbeing days, creative workshops and courses, and it is shaped by the women who use it — the team listens first and builds the timetable around what is asked for.

Named strands include Believe In Her (support for women with complex mental-health needs, including those who have experienced abuse or trauma), FlourisHER and Inspire Her, our creative wellbeing work with young women. Referrals come through GPs, midwives, schools and self-referral; wherever we can, the support is free.

02

Her Hubs & practical help

2 community hubs, 350 sports teams supplied

Her Hub Crewe — the Crewe Community Share Hub — supplies baby bank items, clothing, toiletries and period dignity products to women who need them, alongside a sewing and repair group that teaches practical skills and reduces waste. Orders come in through a simple referral form or a phone call to the office.

Her Hub Winsford runs the Winsford Community Launderette, a warm, welcoming place to wash clothes, talk and find out about the rest of what we offer. Our Period Dignity project keeps donation bins and free supplies in surgeries, libraries, churches and community venues across Cheshire, and supplies period dignity sports bags to around 350 local women's and girls' sports teams.

03

Active Her

40 movement sessions a season

Active Her encourages women and girls of all ages, backgrounds, body types and abilities to move in a safe, supportive environment: walking groups, netball tasters, open-water dips and friendly introductions to local sports clubs. The emphasis is on enjoyment, wellbeing and friendship rather than competition or appearance.

We work with like-minded local sports and wellbeing partners, and we amplify women's own stories through the HERStories podcast — because seeing another local woman start is often what makes starting feel possible.

04

Families & campaigns

New Women's Centre opening September 2026

Through the Thriving Families project, delivered with Home-Start Warrington & Cheshire and Healthbox, families in Northwich and Winsford can access home-based parenting support, parent counselling and children's counselling. It is funded by Cheshire Community Foundation and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Our campaigns give the work a louder voice: SafeHer Spaces across Cheshire East, Period Dignity, the Women's Wellbeing Van appeal, and #APlaceForHER — the campaign around our new Women's Centre, opening in September 2026 as a place for every woman, at every age and stage of life, to belong.

Governance

How Her-Place is run

Four women from a small charity team talking around a kitchen table with notebooks and mugs of tea
A small staff team and around 58 volunteers keep the doors open.

Trustees and leadership

Her-Place Charitable Trust is a charitable incorporated organisation (foundation model) governed by a board of seven trustees, who hold the charity to its objects and approve its strategy, budget and policies. Day-to-day leadership sits with Kate Blakemore, Founder & Chief Executive, a counsellor by background who founded Motherwell in 2015, supported by a small staff team of wellbeing co-ordinators, an operations manager and around 58 volunteers. Trustee names are published on the Charity Commission register.

Safeguarding and inclusion

We work with women and girls who may be vulnerable, so safeguarding sits at the centre of everything: a published safeguarding policy, a named safeguarding lead, DBS-checked staff and volunteers, and clear routes for raising a concern. Our services are trans-inclusive and open to women and girls of every background, culture, body type and ability.

Funding and the lottery

Our work is funded by grants — including from Cheshire Community Foundation, Crewe Town Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council — alongside donations, sponsorship, fundraising events such as the annual Cherry Blossom sponsored walk, and now the Her-Place Community Lottery. The lottery is overseen by a trustee designated as the responsible person, and lottery income is ring-fenced for charitable activity after prizes and running costs.

2015
founded in Crewe as Motherwell (CIC)

charity's own history

2017
registered as a CIO with the Charity Commission

registered 26 June 2017

7
trustees

Charity Commission return, 2025

£355k
income, year to 31 March 2025

Charity Commission return

Registration

Our details on the record

Legal name
Her-Place Charitable Trust
Former name
Motherwell Cheshire CIO (renamed April 2025)
Registered charity number
1173554 (England and Wales)
Legal form
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (foundation)
Registered office
54–56 Beech Drive, Wistaston, Crewe CW2 8RG
Area of benefit
Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester
On the public registers
Our entry on the Charity Commission register lists our trustees, accounts and annual returns. We fundraise in line with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice, and our charity website is her-place.co.uk.