What's Next? For Women

24/06/2026

24/06/2026

I love football. ⚽️

I love the passion, the excitement, the community.

But no result on a pitch should ever lead to fear behind a closed door.

Possession of the ball is part of football.

Possession of a person is not.

Control, manipulation, abuse and violence are never acceptable.

This is not love.

If this is your reality, please know you are not alone. There is support available.

Women supporting women. 💛

An estimated 5,480 women and girls are harmed by male violence every day.*

During major men’s football tournaments, that pattern changes. Evidence suggests incidents of domestic abuse fall while England is playing, then rise once the match ends.

That tells us the violence is being delayed. It shows this is not random behaviour or loss of control. It shows that men who commit VAWG make choices about when to use violence, intimidation and abuse – and who to use it against.



If you are worried about what may happen during or after a match, we urge you to seek support.

You do not have to leave your relationship to get help.

Safety planning can help you think through where to go, who to contact, what to prepare and how to leave safely if you need to.

⚠️ If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

📞 The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24/7. Call 0808 2000 247.

🌐 Locally, support is available via IDASP, https://www.idasp.org/domestic-abuse-support

🏠 Trevi’s Women’s Centre is a safe, women-only service in Plymouth where there’s no wrong door. Call 01752 255758 during daytime hours, or visit https://tinyurl.com/TreviWomensCentre

*National Police Chiefs’ Council, 2024

21/06/2026

Some of you may have seen details of our next event...

Time to Move... with Alicia.

But who is Alicia?

I wonder how many of you will recognise her from the reel I've shared in the comments from her much-loved Solstice Studio in Brixham? (Be quick, I think it may disappear soon.)

Alicia isn't a new teacher. She has years of experience helping people move, stretch, breathe and reconnect with their bodies.

Like many women, she reached a point where life took her in a different direction. At the height of Solstice Studio's success, she chose to try something new, to run Port Espresso in Brixham.

Then she became a new mum to a beautiful little girl.

And, as many of us know, becoming a parent changes everything.

Our priorities shift. Our bodies change. The way we spend our time changes. Sometimes the things that once mattered most make room for something new, or we return to precious loves.

Now Alicia is teaching again, bringing not only her experience, but also the understanding that comes from navigating change herself.

I think many of us can relate to that.

There comes a point where we stop focusing on what we've lost and start appreciating what we still have, and what is still possible.

That's why I'm excited about this event.

It's not about twisting yourself into impossible shapes. It's about moving, feeling stronger, improving your balance and flexibility, and taking some time for yourself alongside other women.

I'll pop the Eventbrite booking link in the comments.

This is time for you. 💛

19/06/2026

What does "ultra" look like to you?

Last weekend my husband, Chris, completed the Scilly60. An ultra running timed event across several of the Isles of Scilly, covering around 60km of trails, beaches, hills and island crossings.

Exhausting for me too. A long day, stressing at the end of each stage about if he'd make the cut-off time to be able to continue on.

And I had to get on several boats to travel to each island, overcoming the sea sickness I've had since childhood. I should have got a medal!

But I also want to celebrate a woman who took things to another level.

Anna Brown, a cancer pharmacist, didn't just complete one event. During the same week she completed the Rhino 5km Fun Run, the Scilly60% (around 36km), the Scilly60 and the Scilly110.

That's a lot of miles, a lot of rough ground, determination, and a lot of time on your feet in one week.

Sometimes we're capable of far more than we think we are. Most of us won't run an ultra marathon, but many of us are already doing our own version of an ultra.

Caring for someone we love. Building a business. Showing up for family and friends. Working hard. Starting again after disappointment. Keeping going when life feels heavy.

The distance may be different, but the determination is the same. 💪

So whatever your ultra looks like right now, keep going.

What's Next? For Women is applauding you. 💛

I'll share Anna's reel from the event in the comments below for anyone interested. 👇

16/06/2026

✨ Bookings are now open ✨

Many of us know that movement becomes increasingly important as we get older. Strength, balance and flexibility all help us stay active, independent and able to keep doing the things we love.

Yet many women tell me they've never tried anything like this before, or they did once and stopped.

That's why we've created:

Time to Move... with Alicia
Improving Strength, Flexibility and Balance

A gentle, women only session designed to help you move more, feel better and take some time for yourself.

No pressure.

No judgement.

No need to be flexible.

Alternative movements will be offered throughout, allowing you to work at a pace that feels right for you.

The room will be softly lit with fairy lights, with gentle music and a relaxing wind down at the end, including optional essential oils and a simple breathing technique you can take away with you.

📅 Thursday 2 July

📍 5:30pm Scala Hall, Brixham

☕ 6:30pm The Birdcage, Brixham for refreshments and conversation

💷 £10 per person

50% of every ticket (after the Eventbrite booking fee) will be donated to Mummy and Me, a community led support group helping families with babies across Torbay.

Come on your own, come with a friend, or gift a place to a woman you care about.

We look forward to welcoming you.

This is time for you. 💛

🎟️ Eventbrite booking link in the comments.

15/06/2026

15/06/2026

This isn't what we'll be doing at our next What's Next? For Women event, but just imagine if we had this level of balance and strength.

Think of all the things we could continue doing independently, or the falls we might be able to avoid in the years ahead.

As painful as this can sometimes be now, I feel incredibly fortunate to have watched my Mum and my in-laws grow older.

All of them stayed active for as long as they possibly could. My Mum attended a women's gentle gym into her mid-80s, while my in-laws enjoyed letterboxing across Dartmoor with friends and family.

Whilst they all experienced the occasional fall, remarkably most did not result in broken bones or serious injury.

I'm not interested in living forever. I am interested in living a healthy, active and as pain-free a life as possible for as long as I can. I know some of that is within my control.

🗓 Tomorrow I'll share the Eventbrite to our new Time to Move... with Alicia event. Then you can decide whether it's something you'd like to join us for.

The first image below comes from a Facebook post I'll share in the comments. It shows a woman and a man putting on their shoes without sitting down.

A simple test for some (I'm not sure I coukd do this) perhaps, but one that says a lot about balance, strength and mobility.

13/06/2026

Love this image, and for me this was true.

Although I seem to remember a few favourite outfits... some made from curtains by my Mum (think big sunflowers) and a pink flowery nylon long nightdress with frills.

What do your old photos show you wearing?

Do you have any you'd share of outfits you still love, or at least you can laugh at yourself, now?

Photo of me, taken about 40 years ago, in the 80's!