ABOUT US

Empowering women and girls

In Northern Ireland

GLOW is a registered charity that currently operates in Belfast and focuses on empowering women and girls.

Established in 2011 and spearheaded by Chara Clarke, GLOW was developed from a common desire of women in the local community to address issues facing their peers such as low self-esteem & confidence, mental health problems, isolation and a general lack of purpose.

As an inter-generational, cross community organisation, GLOW challenges the status quo in order to break the vicious cycle of these issues by equipping women and young girls with tools and techniques to build their confidence, self-esteem, resilience and life skills. This will help them set positive, realistic steps in achieving their goals, enabling them to live happy fulfilled lives.

GLOW believes that all women and girls have purpose and so our unique programmes create a positive atmosphere and allow the opportunity for women and girls to discover their true selves. This has a knock on effect as participants can positively impact on their family and community, especially in setting young female family members up with confidence and life skills to have a successful future.

MISSION STATEMENT

To empower women and girls in Northern Ireland (and beyond) to discover their true identity and purpose so they can achieve their full potential.

Meet the dreamers behind glow

Chara Clarke

Founder and CEO

Chara’s heart for women and girls is apparent through her 10 years of volunteer experience within the local church. Paired with certificates in Life Coaching and Leadership & Management, she has held leadership roles within women’s ministry and is highly respected for her love of people. More recently Chara received her Advanced Diploma in Social Enterprise from University of Ulster.

In 20o8 a group of women started to do social events to bring women from the Shankill and Falls communities together. During these events Chara recognised these women had low self esteem issues and other mental health problems that seem to lead them further into isolation. This sparked something in Chara to help these women! As a result, our unique women’s programme came to be developed with the help of a few others.

As the programme developed and more people heard the testimonies, GLOW experienced a snowball effect and funders began to support the project.

chara.clarke@glowni.com

Natasha

GLOW Women’s Project Support Worker

A number of years ago, Natasha came through ‘The Real Me’ programme and was then invited to train as a facilitator herself so she could lead the sessions!

We are delighted to now have Natasha on board full time at GLOW as a Project Support Worker as she is so passionate about empowering other women.

“So many people are suffering with mental health problems. My ultimate goal is to become a counsellor but I’d also love to keep facilitating for the same reason. Being able to help others makes me happy”.

natasha.kane@glowni.com

Nikkita

GLOW Events & Marketing Officer

Nikkita joined the GLOW team in 2020 as our Events and Marketing Officer.

After graduating from QUB in 2012 with a BA (hons) in Film Studies and a CIM qualification, Nikkita has gained a wealth of experience in marketing, promotion and event management over the past ten years. She loves creating social media campaigns to raise awareness of the work GLOW does.

Nikkita looks after her own mental health through hiking, going to the gym and has completed her Mental Health First Aid.

“GLOW is the type of support network I would have loved to have had on my doorstep as a teen. Early intervention is so important in helping girls navigate their mental health and figure out who and where they want to be in life”.

nikkita.heywood@glowni.com

Paula

You Glow Girl Coordinator

Paula is our You GLOW Girl coordinator and oversees design and production for the social enterprise.

Coming through “The Real Me” programme in 2018, Paula continued to be involved with other programmes at GLOW. She came on board as a volunteer initially and was a huge asset to the staff.

Paula is happily married and a proud mum of three boys but she still found time to achieve a Level 3 qualification from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

paula@glowni.com

Margaret

GLOW Finance & Admin Officer

Margaret has held various posts over the years working in finance, admin and office management.

Margaret also worked with the Home Office assisting with the Visa procedure for volunteers and then went to work for a homeless hostel charity and individuals with addiction issues.

‘I enjoy a challenge and look forward to learning more about the people GLOW helps’.

finance@glowni.com

Lauren

GLOW Youth Worker

Lauren started as our Youth Worker back in May 2020 (right at the beginning of a pandemic) and we are so lucky to have her organising and facilitating our LILY, Fearless & Female and Glow-Getter youth sessions.

‘I am very passionate about working with young girls and helping them to grow within themselves and build their confidence and self-esteem.’

As well as being a new mummy, Lauren is also a talented digital artist and musician who loves creating in her spare time!

youthworker@glowni.com

LAOISE

You Glow Girl Social Media Officer

Laoise is our You Glow Girl Social Media Officer. She takes care of all things social media- whether it’s creating Tiktoks, overseeing the social media platforms or helping with photoshoots.

Laoise is currently a university student, studying Broadcast Production at Queen’s University. Her hobbies include podcasting and blogging. She has worked on TV & Film in the past.

“I love studying Broadcast Production and it really connects with the social media marketing I do at You Glow Girl. I’ve learnt photography and editing through my degree and I love to create content. I also have my own podcast Laoise Online. I’m passionate about helping people, which is why I am passionate about becoming a journalist/ content creator”.

laoise@glowni.com