Every woman should have the opportunity to glow with confidence. However, between issues such as workplaces failing to cultivate meaningful relationships, our bodies being routinely subjected to suffocating beauty standards, the pressures and expectations of motherhood and the omnipresent threat of assault, that confidence can be hard to cultivate.
That’s where Belfast-based charity Glow NI comes in. It aims to help women and girls affected by issues such as low self-esteem, mental health problems, isolation or a general lack of purpose.
As Treasa Rice, the charity’s chief executive officer, explains: “We’re a safe, inclusive environment for women to come and share their experiences and offer each other that bit of peer support.
“I think the case for a lot of women is that they just don’t take time for themselves, so we want to be a stepping stone to helping people find themselves again.
“Our tag line is ‘Connect, Inspire and Glow’ and that really is what it’s all about; the connection happens first, then the ladies inspire each other and then they glow.”
The charity offers a series of programmes to equip women with the tools and techniques to build their confidence and life-skills, helping them to achieve their goals.
Glow - which stands for ‘Giving Life Opportunities to Women’ - has three main programmes: ‘The Real Me’ which is aimed at helping over-18s make positive life changes; ‘Lily’, which specialises in early intervention for girls aged between 10 and 13; and ‘Fearless and Female’, which educates young women aged 14-17 on how to develop positive mental health habits.
A lot of women just don’t take time for themselves, so we want to be a stepping stone to helping people find themselves again
— Treasa Rice
“Each programme is eight weeks and it’s a couple of hours every week but it’s very relaxed,” Treasa says.
“There’s a participant booklet and it’s got sessions for each week, but the programmes are very much needs-led.
“It’s a forum for them to share what their issues are and really help each other and bring them out of their shells.”
Originally situated on Northumberland Street, Glow moved to Conway Mill as part of the charity’s just-launched rebrand.
The new space means that each of the programmes can take place in a safe and comfortable environment, allowing each participant to fully take part.
“When I came into post in October 2023, one of the main things I wanted to do was move premises,” Treasa recalls.
“When people come in here (to Conway Mill) they’re amazed by the space - as soon as you come in it’s open, it’s bright and inviting - it is a comfortable, lovely space.
“Then there’s our proper programme room. To me it is so important that the women are coming into a safe space where nobody’s walking in and out and they feel comfortable enough to share their stories.”
Treasa also emphasises the importance of having the right staff behind the organisation.
In addition to helping women grow in confidence Glow’s programmes also help the participating women form a community and expand their social network.
“I think when you’re going through something there’s a tendency to close off because you think you’re the only person in the whole world who’s going through that particular thing. But then maybe you come to Glow and realise that you’re not,” says Treasa.
“We’ve found that as the weeks go on, a lot of the ladies will exchange phone numbers - building friendships outside of the programmes which is what we want.”
There are a number of ways the public can get involved and help ensure Glow can continue to provide its services to women and girls who need them.
“They can donate, organise fundraising events themselves – whatever they want to do,” Treasa enthuses.
“We have dress swap coming up where you bring five items of your own and then you pay a £5 entry and everyone else brings five things and you swap them over.
“That’s just one idea but there’s so many things people could be doing whether it’s running a marathon or 10K or hosting a coffee morning or doing something in work.
“People can also volunteer as well and be there to assist with the delivery of the programmes and helping staff members out or you could be an events volunteer – there’s plenty of ways to get involved with the charity.
“Even just promoting what we do, a simple share on social media can be a game changer for us.”
