LOCAL HERO
By setting up a support group for local self-employed women, voice therapist Beth Ford has helped friends to flourish
Single mum Beth Ford has created a support group for other self-employed women
I live in the village of Undy in Monmouthshire, Wales, with a tight-knit group of wonderful women around me. They give me so much support, I think of them as family. No matter how challenging my day as a single mum is, and all the instability that comes from self-employment, with their encouragement I always enjoy life with my two daughters – all-singing, all-dancing, strawberry blonde girls, Evelyn, nine, and four-year-old Cecilia. The only male energy in the house is our beloved cat, Bruce! Through my work as a voice therapist, I have seen the transformational effect of friendly mentoring. I have watched shy students emerge from their chrysalis to take lead roles in the choir I run. This has fostered my interest in mental wellbeing, and I do what I can to promote emotional good health in my community by organising free singing groups and concerts.
When it comes to professional confidence, particular issues affect women. When you have children, for example, I think you can lose a bit of yourself. Self-assurance isn’t easy to maintain. Often an extra nudge in the form of a listening ear and constructive word is needed. That was why, in 2016, I suggested to two entrepreneurial female friends that we meet regularly.
There are now 12 of us in our Women’s Business Group; it’s a sounding board to air ideas and we keep it very relaxed. There’s no requirement to speak up, although everyone has the opportunity. We set each other tasks to complete by the next time we meet – maybe making business cards or a social media promotion. Producing my CD of baby music is something that would never have happened without that prompt. We’ve an impressive breadth of skills between us, including childminding, kitchen design and publishing, to name a few.
All of us have benefited from having this company of friends. Sometimes it’s finding your way back to skills you had before children;
‘BC’ as we call it. Sometimes it’s courage in your convictions. One friend came to us with an idea about diaries to support mental wellbeing in children; that’s now a successful online business. We’ll always have croissants, fresh milk and cream on the table thanks to one member who runs a farm. She greatly values meeting talented businesswomen from industries outside her own.
Our Autumn Arts Show is an event the group organises voluntarily. From preparing the venue, Magor’s village Baptist chapel, to finding stallholders, there’s a lot of work involved. The proceeds go to Greenpeace and Water Aid.
A proud moment was when a friend turned to me at the first event while my choir was performing, and said, ‘Look, it’s working, Beth!’
Sometimes I worry that the extra workload takes me away from my girls. But I think it’s good for them, too, to take part in sociable occasions. I am happy to see them learning the power of supportive networks. Kindness is what matters most.
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