Day 4 of Small Charity Week: Spotlight on Two Inspiring Local Charities
As part of Small Charity Week, we are proud to shine a spotlight on two inspiring small charities that are making a real difference in our local community.
Small charities play a vital role in supporting people, tackling inequalities, and bringing communities together. Through their dedication, passion, and commitment, they create lasting impact every day, often with limited resources.
Today, we celebrate two organisations whose work is improving lives and strengthening our communities. We hope their stories inspire others and highlight the invaluable contribution that small charities make across Islington and beyond. The two organisations are: Women’s Link Project and Lady Stitch Embroidery
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As part of Small Charity Week, we’re delighted to celebrate the work of Women’s Link Project, a community-led charity dedicated to reducing loneliness, promoting social inclusion, and improving the wellbeing of women across Islington.
Creating Connections and Building Community
Women’s Link Project was established to support women who may be experiencing social isolation and loneliness, providing opportunities to connect, learn, and thrive in a welcoming environment.
Through its flagship initiative, Nwentoma: Weaving Community Together, the organisation offers learning opportunities and creates safe spaces where women can come together, develop new skills, and build meaningful relationships. Weekly in-person sessions are designed to be accessible and inclusive, ensuring that participants feel comfortable, supported, and valued.
At the heart of the organisation’s work is a commitment to helping women feel connected, empowered, and part of a community.
A Year of Meaningful Impact: Over the past year, Women’s Link Project has supported around 30 women through its weekly Cake & Coffee mornings, held every Saturday in the Cally Ward area of Islington. These sessions were created to tackle loneliness and social isolation by bringing women together in a safe, friendly, and non-judgemental space. What began as a simple opportunity to connect has grown into a thriving community where women feel able to share their experiences, support one another, and form lasting friendships.
Participants have reported feeling less isolated, more connected to others, and more confident in engaging with their local community. The sessions have strengthened emotional wellbeing, built resilience, and created a genuine sense of belonging.
The past year also marked an important milestone for the organisation as Women’s Link Project successfully became a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This achievement was made possible with support and guidance from Voluntary Action Islington (VAI), helping to strengthen the charity’s foundations for future growth.
The organisation also secured funding from local funders to continue and expand its services, ensuring that women across the community can continue to access vital opportunities for connection, support, and wellbeing. This investment reflects the value of the charity’s work and the positive impact it continues to have on local women and their families.
Through support from VAI, the organisation was also able to recruit volunteer assistance, further strengthening its capacity to deliver services within the community.
Strength Through Partnership: Collaboration has been a key part of Women’s Link Project’s success.
A particularly exciting development has been the partnership with Lady Stitch Embroidery to deliver Nwentoma: Weaving Community Together, an embroidery training programme that brings women together to learn new skills, build friendships, and develop a strong sense of belonging.
The project has supported between 15 and 20 participants, helping women improve their confidence, strengthen their wellbeing, and create their own supportive community. Funding from the Cripplegate Foundation and Islington Council Community Chest, alongside support from Help on Your Doorstep, has enabled the programme to flourish and reach women who may otherwise feel isolated or disconnected.
Changing Lives Through Connection
The impact of Women’s Link Project can be seen in the stories of the women who attend its sessions.
One participant shared how the weekly Cake & Coffee mornings had transformed her life. When she first joined, she was experiencing significant loneliness and had very little social contact outside her home.
Over time, the sessions became an important part of her weekly routine, offering friendship, emotional support, and a sense of belonging. She described the group as something she looks forward to every week and explained that having a safe space to speak openly with other women has helped her feel less isolated and more connected.
Through the Women’s Link Project, she has built meaningful friendships, gained confidence, and found support during challenging times.
Her experience reflects the wider impact of the organisation’s work: creating opportunities for connection, reducing loneliness, and helping women feel valued, included, and supported within their community.
Responding to Challenges in the Voluntary Sector
Like many small charities, Women’s Link Project faces challenges including rising operational costs, increasing competition for funding, and growing demand for services that support emotional wellbeing and tackle social isolation.
To respond to these challenges, the organisation has focused on strengthening its governance through CIO registration and continuing to build strong partnerships with local organisations and community groups.
Projects such as Nwentoma: Weaving Community Together have enabled Women’s Link Project to diversify its activities while creating new opportunities for women to learn skills, build confidence, and develop supportive social networks.
The organisation also continues to recruit and support volunteers, whose contribution plays a vital role in sustaining and growing its work.
Despite the pressures facing the sector, Women’s Link Project remains committed to providing safe and welcoming spaces where women can connect, improve their wellbeing, and develop a lasting sense of belonging.
Why Small Charities Matter
Women’s Link Project believes small charities play an essential role because they are often closest to the communities they serve.
Their local knowledge, trusted relationships, and personalised approach allow them to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of individuals and families. Small charities create opportunities for people to connect, develop friendships, learn new skills, and access support in environments where they feel seen, heard, and valued.
Through initiatives such as Cake & Coffee mornings and community activities, Women’s Link Project helps women experiencing loneliness, social isolation, or emotional difficulties find connection and support.
By bringing people together, encouraging volunteering, and creating opportunities for mutual support, small charities help build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.
As we celebrate Small Charity Week, we’re proud to recognise the dedication and impact of Women’s Link Project and the difference they continue to make in the lives of women across Islington.
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As part of Small Charity Week, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Lady Stitch Embroidery, a Community Interest Company using the art of hand stitching to support emotional wellbeing, reduce isolation, and bring people together.
Stitching Together Wellbeing and Community
Lady Stitch Embroidery was founded on a simple but powerful belief: creativity can help people heal, connect, and thrive.
Through hand stitching workshops and courses, the organisation creates welcoming spaces where people can slow down, be present, and focus on themselves without the pressures of the past or worries about the future. The mindful process of stitching helps participants calm their minds, relax their bodies, and experience a sense of achievement.
Their sessions are open to anyone who wants to join, offering a safe and supportive environment where people feel valued and cherished for who they are.
A Year of Growth and Impact
Over the past year, Lady Stitch Embroidery has supported 230 people through its courses and workshops while building strong partnerships with charities and community organisations across Islington and Hackney.
“After being awarded the Make It Happen Grant by Islington Giving, VAI told me about the mentoring and training program. Thanks to this opportunity I met Gladys Cobbina-Agyemang, Chair of Women’s Link Project, and we now collaborate in her project Nwentoma Weaving Community Together.” Juliana , Lady Stitch founder and director
Reflecting on the partnership, the two organisation describes it simply as “a joy.”
Transforming Lives Through Creativity
The impact of Lady Stitch’s work can be seen in the lives of the people who take part.
Participants have rebuilt confidence, improved their self-esteem, and experienced positive changes in their health and wellbeing. Some have returned to full-time employment, while others have begun volunteering regularly after previously struggling to leave their homes due to poor health.
The organisation has witnessed people overcoming physical and emotional challenges to attend every session of a course. Individuals who arrived feeling overwhelmed by social anxiety and barely spoke during the first sessions gradually found their confidence, eventually joining in conversations and even singing with the group by the end of the programme.
Perhaps most importantly, genuine friendships have been formed, creating a growing community that continues to flourish beyond the workshops themselves.
Challenges Facing Small Charities
Like many small charities and community organisations, Lady Stitch Embroidery faces the ongoing challenge of securing sustainable funding.
Currently, much of its work relies on grant funding, which can be both unpredictable and highly competitive. To address this, the organisation is actively working to diversify its income streams and strengthen its long-term sustainability.
This includes expanding its marketing and communications to reach wider audiences, increasing awareness of its impact, and building new partnerships with charities, community organisations, local authorities, and businesses that share a commitment to improving wellbeing and reducing social isolation.
The team is also developing digital products and e-commerce opportunities that will help generate recurring income while making its creative wellbeing programmes accessible to even more people.
Why Small Charities Matter
Lady Stitch Embroidery believes small charities play a unique and vital role in local communities.
Because they are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, small organisations can build trusted relationships, create welcoming environments, and provide personalised support that reflects local needs.
For many people, accessing formal mental health services can feel difficult due to stigma, social pressures, or not meeting the threshold for clinical support. Community organisations like Lady Stitch help bridge that gap by offering accessible, preventative spaces where people can connect with others, rebuild confidence, and improve their wellbeing.
As we celebrate Small Charity Week, we’re proud to recognise the incredible work of Lady Stitch Embroidery CIC and the positive impact they continue to have on individuals and communities across London.
