Women’s Community Boutique

22/08/2026

Make your money work harder for your organisation!

Come along to Sunderland Voluntary Sector's Financial Forecasting Workshop for practical guidance on understanding your organisation's finances and plan with confidence.

This session will be particularly useful for social enterprises and VCSE organisations with trading income or commercial activities, but the learning can be adapted to support a wide range of voluntary and community organisations.

Date: Wednesday 9 September
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Venue: Bede Tower

We'll cover:

✔ Understanding management accounts
✔ Income and expenditure reports
✔ Restricted and unrestricted funds
✔ Variance analysis (budget vs actual)
✔ Financial risks and controls

Whether you're a trustee, manager, treasurer, finance lead, or anyone involved in overseeing your organisation's finances, you'll come away with practical knowledge and greater confidence in financial planning and decision making.

📌 Please note: this workshop focuses on financial forecasting and management and will not cover Charity Commission guidance or regulatory compliance.

To book a place, please email: [email protected]

Please share with colleagues and organisations that may benefit.

19/08/2026

Beauty in focus

Women’s Community Boutique
Website: www.womenscommunityboutique.org.uk

Photography: www.luminary.org.uk

18/08/2026

Join us for our Really Wild Garden Fayre.

Enjoy family-friendly activities, crafts, games, and hands-on experiences while exploring the wonders of the natural world.

📅 Thursday 20 August
11am - 3pm / All ages / Free

ℹ More info: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/see-you-in-the-garden-really-wild-garden-fayre/

08/08/2026

We'll be at the train station, come and say hello and check out our fabulous sustainable clothing.

Creativity, sustainability and community spirit will be at the heart of a special, Sunderland street party this week 😁

On Saturday 8 August, Blandford Street, will showcase its unique mix of independent businesses for a day filled with family-friendly activities, live entertainment and hands-on experiences.

🎪 Circus skills
🚲 Free bike repairs/support
🖌️ Face painting
🎨 Hand-drawn portraits

And so much more!

The party coincides with an Art, Craft and Graze market – which takes place on the second Saturday of each month - at the recently renovated Sunderland Railway Station.

You can find all of the remeaning details here - https://sunderlandbid.co.uk/news/free-sunderland-street-party-to-celebrate-community-and-creativity/

Circurama
Wear Wheels CIC
Harrison & Brown Furniture
Norfolk Street Arts
Minerva Arts & Wellbeing
Art Cafe
Just Let Your Soul Grow
Culture House Sunderland
Try New Things CIC
Women’s Community Boutique

28/07/2026

Finding Your Happy Place is Gagan's story. An untold tale of how a move from her native India helped her find community, belonging and a place she now proudly calls home.

25/07/2026

We're still seeing plastic pellets wash up on beaches and continuing to clean them up. You can report them here: https://orlo.uk/grNMv
If you do inadvertently handle any of these nurdles, remember to wash your hands afterwards, just as you would with other items of debris you might handle on the beach.
Our teams appreciate the support shown by everyone during this complex situation. For more information, the big FAQ read is here: https://orlo.uk/PBBHQ

25/07/2026

Save your planet. Reduce landfill waste. Buy Preowned.

Our toy shelves are full and there’s something for every little bargain hunter! ♻️ 🧸

21/07/2026

Bollywood dance this Thursday. These sessions are about connection, confidence and joy, while also giving our beneficiaries, volunteers and freelance facilitators the opportunity to lead the dances they love and share their culture with others.

Upcoming session
📅Date: Thursday 23rd July
🕙Start: 10am
📍17Nineteen, Holy Trinity Church, Church Street East, Sunderland, SR1 2BB

Not quite ready to dance? No problem at all, come along, have a cuppa, watch, chat, and soak up the energy. You are just as welcome.

Let’s move, laugh, and celebrate together.

Want to join us? You’ll find our contact details in the About section. Text, call, email or DM, whatever feels easiest for you.

Women’s Community Boutique
Website: www.womenscommunityboutique.org.uk

Photography: www.luminary.org.uk

11/07/2026

Our Gagan, living her Bridgerton dream at Beamish Museum.❤️

Want to join us? You’ll find our contact details in the About section. Text, call, email or DM, whatever feels easiest for you.

Women’s Community Boutique
Website: www.womenscommunityboutique.org.uk

Photography: www.luminary.org.uk

09/07/2026

The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Vision vs. Privilege

"Anything is possible with the right vision and determination."

This is the beautifully optimistic narrative pushed by many founders and leaders who insist vision alone got them to the top, but it rings hollow without acknowledging a stark reality. For the entrepreneur who already possesses property, investments, savings, and an established network, "vision and determination" are merely the drivers of a vehicle that is already fully fuelled. For them, financial security acts as a powerful safety net, absorbing the risk of failure and accelerating the path to success.

Compare this to the entrepreneur who starts with nothing but that same vision and drive. Without capital, collateral, or connections, determination alone is rarely enough to level the playing field. For the privileged, success is a matter of ex*****on; for the under-resourced, it is a gruelling battle against systemic barriers where the cost of failure can be devastating. Ultimately, while vision and grit are essential, true success is often determined by the structural advantages an entrepreneur holds before the journey even begins.

It's time to build a fairer playing field. Want to join us in addressing these barriers? Let’s connect.

You’ll find our contact details in the About section. Text, call, email or DM, whatever feels easiest for you.

Women’s Community Boutique
Website: www.womenscommunityboutique.org.uk

Photography: www.luminary.org.uk