What's Next? For Women

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!

12/06/2026

When was the last time you did something just for your benefit?

As we get older, maintaining our strength, flexibility and balance becomes more important than ever.

Yet many women will say they feel nervous about joining exercise classes, worry they won't be able to keep up, or simply don't know where to start.

That's why our next event will be:

✨ Time to Move... with Alicia

Improving Strength, Flexibility and Balance

A gentle movement session for women who are prepared to give something new a go, or return to something they once enjoyed but somehow stopped doing.

No complicated routines, no pressure and no judgement.

Just simple, feel good movement in a calm and welcoming environment.

📅 Thursday 2 July

📍 Part 1: 5:30pm, Scala Hall, Brixham

☕ Part 2: 6:30pm, The Birdcage, Brixham

💷 £10 per person

By joining us, you'll be supporting yourself and supporting others too.

💛 50% of every ticket will be donated to Mummy and Me, a community led support group helping families with babies across Torbay.

The Eventbrite booking link will be published on Tuesday 16 June.

What do you think?

11/06/2026

One of the things I love most about What's Next? For Women is seeing women support each other and explore new experiences together.

💛

Some of you will recognise Sarah from the video below, who joined us at our Cantina gathering last weekend.

Yesterday, we found ourselves together again at a mobility event in Bovey Tracey, where people could try a range of equipment designed to help them access places and experiences that might otherwise be out of reach.

Great to see Sarah navigate outdoor steps in a powered wheelchair for the very first time.

The difference between watching from the sidelines and joining in.

Accessibility matters to me because creating inclusive spaces means helping more people feel welcome, confident and able to take part.

If improving accessibility in Torbay is something you care about, please follow the 'Access Torbay' page to find out more.

And here's a question for some of you...

If we brought an event like this to Torbay, giving people the chance to see and try different mobility equipment for themselves, would you come along? Or do you know someone who would?

10/06/2026

𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 - 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁

That means not looking away from the patterns seen around major men’s footballing events. It means being clear that abuse is a choice. And it means helping make support visible for women and girls who may need it.

As the World Cup begins, we're supporting Trevi Women's campaign, highlighting patterns of abuse and violence around major men’s football tournaments.

It is not anti-football. It is not anti-men. It is anti-abuse.

10/06/2026

A couple of weeks ago, I shared a post about 300 women buying a château in France to create the retreat they wanted... we're not doing that. 😊

But yesterday, Samantha Garner and I visited a property in Brixham that could potentially become the home of a future What's Next? For Women gathering.

And wow!! 😍

Furzecroft Holiday Home is way bigger than it first appears, with stunning sea views, room for at least 14 women, plenty of indoor and outdoor space, a games room, books, parking, and lots of places to relax, chat, or simply be.

Take a look at the home's page and have a nose around. The photos really don't do it justice.

If you've been looking for a place to host a family, intergenerational stay, this might be the place for you.

And, this weekend won't just be for the women staying over.

The idea is that throughout the weekend there would be some affordable activities open to others too. Some at the house, some in the surrounding area.

E.g. crafting, stretching, sea dipping, table tennis, good food, great conversations, and learning from one another.

As always, we'll do our best to make activities inclusive and accessible.

We're still exploring ideas... a 3 night weekend stay, possibly September 2026 or 2027.

For now we'd love your thoughts.

💛 Thinking you might be interested in staying over? Give this post a heart.

👍 More interested in joining some of the activities? Just give it a like.

No commitment at this stage.

Just helping us understand potential interest for this.

09/06/2026

"When a woman becomes her own best friend life is easier."

~ Diane Von Furstenberg, Belgium Fashion Designer

🤔 What does this mean for you?

For me, it means treating myself with the same kindness, patience and encouragement that I often so freely give to others.

It means not waiting for someone else to tell me I'm enough.

It means recognising that what I do is not who I am, and that my value isn't measured by how much I achieve, produce, fix or give to other people.

In my work, I spend a lot of time helping people understand where they naturally have energy and how they can use this to make their best contribution to their work, and in life.

I've realised the same applies to me. Life is easier when I lean into my strengths, rather than constantly trying to be someone I'm not.

It also means backing myself when things don't go to plan, celebrating my successes without feeling guilty, and speaking to myself with love when life feels hard.

It means enjoying my own company, trusting my judgement, and knowing that whilst friendship from others is wonderful, my relationship with myself matters too.

Because when we become our own best friend, we stop being our own worst critic.

Imagine your best friend knows you better than anyone else because she is you.

🌬 What would she thank you for?

What would she encourage you to do more of?

And what would she gently remind you to stop worrying about? 💛

08/06/2026

Appreciate the small things people are always saying.

Well today we visited our newest Lidls at King's Ash, Paignton for the first time.

Not our nearest but what a lovely surprise.

And what a stunning sea view! View from the car park.

07/06/2026

🎙Lazy sunday afternoon I've got no mind to worry... by the band, Small Faces

This is what we did this afternoon. Very enjoyable.

Went in for a cup of tea. Ended up sharing a tasty trio of tapas at Visto Lounge, Torquay. 😋

Clouds, no sunshine but dry. 😁

What have you been up to?

Anything you'd care to share?