The Merseyside Women’s Fund has revealed its awarded projects for 2026, distributing £74,257 to 12 community groups, supporting more than 1,000 women across Merseyside.
MWOTY has been contributing to the fund since 2019, donating monies raised at the awards to the Women’s Fund, with every donation funding life-changing projects and directly fuelling their impact.
Since being relaunched in 2023, using funds raised at the Merseyside Women of the Year (MWOTY) Awards, alongside contributions from W O Street and The FredMill Trust, the Merseyside Women’s Fund has awarded £398,716 to 60 majority women‑led organisations.
The fund was first established in 2018 and is managed by the Community Foundation for Merseyside. It aims to break down barriers that affect girls and women by supporting women-led grassroots organisations that work to increase confidence, aspiration, self-belief and resilience, make a positive difference to the lives of women experiencing domestic violence and abuse, support mental health and wellbeing and reduce social isolation.
The recipients of this year’s grants are:
- Next Chapter NW CIC – to provide a full year of specialist one‑to‑one coaching (6 hours per week) for women leaving abusive situations, helping them rebuild safety, confidence, and independence.
- Liverpool Feds Women & Girls Football Club – to expand football activities, including walking football and training sessions, and enables participants and volunteers to achieve qualifications such as coaching and officiating.
- Savera UK – to build on their creative programme exploring culture and abuse through art, helping women express their experiences and strengthen confidence and community connection.
- Talk the Talk Education CIC – to deliver 45 empowerment workshops focused on female leadership, confidence, healthy relationships, and responding to female‑specific issues.
- Women and Digital Inclusion CIC – WODIN – to provide monthly wellbeing sessions for Black and minority ethnic women, offering culturally sensitive support, social connection, and community belonging.
- Home Start Knowsley – to provide counselling and emotional support, offering a safe, confidential space for women in crisis or distress.
- Our House Community – to expand the Wellbeing Worker role to deliver activities, support groups, and confidence‑building opportunities for women in the area.
- Me Again CIC – to offer a programme of wellbeing activities for women recovering from or living with cancer, including meet‑ups, meditation, workshops, and retreats.
- Fighting to be Heard – to part‑ fund four two‑day wellbeing retreats designed specifically for women with secondary breast cancer, providing respite and holistic support.
- Fuel Community Café CIC – to deliver eight cycles of six‑week one‑to‑one counselling programmes, offering structured therapeutic support for vulnerable women.
- Black Women’s Health Forum – to enable the Dancing Queens wellbeing and social‑inclusion project to perform at Africa Oye, building confidence, visibility, and cultural expression for Black and Global Majority women.
- iWoman Academy CIC – to provide a weekly media and research‑skills programme for marginalised women, breaking down barriers to digital access and supporting informed decision‑making.
Ellie Kerr, MWOTY Founding Director, said: “The projects funded via the Women’s Fund for 2026 are absolutely vital in supporting women from the city region, helping them to break down barriers and ensuring that they can thrive. It was an honour to be part of the team that reviewed the applications and our task certainly was not made easy by the standard of the initiatives proposed.
“When you are at MWOTY 2026 this year, remember that every penny raised for the Women’s Fund drives direct, real-world impact in the city, so please do dig deep. The more money we raise for the Women’s Fund, the more amazing projects we will be able to support.”
To donate to the Women’s Fund, please visit:
