Is this the Future?
Written by Toks Majek   
Tuesday, 10 June 2008

The Club is dead. Long live the Club!

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We held our showcasing networking event at HOUTHOUSE on Thursday 29th May called "Last Night of the Club?" which once again was a success. The presentations by our members highlighting what they had benefited from the Club and what they were working on now were inspiring. The band was on fire and the performances from our musical members were worth the entrance fee [there wasn't an entrance fee, but you get my point].

Why Last Night of the Club? Well in many ways it was. Delivery has been completed; we were funded to work with unemployed and underemployed women to teach creative skills, facilitate jobs and generally move people from square two to three and beyond. Job done? Well, 158 women took part in training, 65 gained credits at Level 1 or 2, 28 are now working, 18 are in further education, 30 are self-employed, and 19 are in voluntary work, so yes, job done.

However there are still a lot of members we have been unable to assist beyond the relatively short training periods. And we have a list of about 400 women who where interested in the programme but who were either ineligible or had missed training entry points. The Club has also developed its own identity, brand, momentum, over the last two years... for all these reasons CIDA has decided to maintain support for the Club despite reaching the end of funded delivery.
 

So what next?

The website will be regularly updated with jobs

The Club will be opened up to all women in, or around, the creative industries.

Quarterly networking events will be organised in the style of our Buzz Building events.
 

And in the future... 

We'll make new partnerships with creative organisations

We'll fundraise for the Club.

We'll look for ways to get the members more involved in the Club's day to day stuff
 

If you have suggestions, questions, or would like to be part what the the Club is becoming please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll be in touch.

 

Many thanks to all members, associate members, partners, and funders who have contributed to The Digital Women's Club. We look forward to continuing to build a creative digital community of likeminded individuals with you all.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 June 2008 )
 
Spotlight
Written by Toks Majek   
Tuesday, 19 February 2008

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Lorraine Boothe - Lambeth Business Awards 2008 Winner

 

Lorraine Boothe relaxed and smiling in a black leather jacket

Designer and retailer Lorraine Boothe became a parent at 17. Now aged 29, she has achieved her life’s dream of owning her own company – an ethical Fairtrade jewellery business.

After five years working for ITV and then running the business side of her mum’s childminding service, Lorraine gained exposure to marketing, accounts, web-sites and communications.

Fuelled by her desire to lead a life filled with passion and make a difference to people who are less fortunate, Lorraine set up Zen health and well being in Perren Road, Tulse Hill, which creates unique hand-made jewellery sold through an online boutique.

The businesswoman’s mission is to open up consumers’ awareness of Fairtrade jewellery. She said: “My company’s ethos is a fair vision, fair play, Fairtrade – our aim is to maintain an ethical business with a conscience.”

The collection is hand crafted by artisans from developing countries.

Originally published in the South London Press February 1st 2008 [www.southlondonpress.co.uk]

Picture of Lorraine in her Fairtrade jewellery by Hannah Jones

Lorraine is an active member of the Digital Women's Club having taken the Antersite training course in Flash ActionScript [Technology meets creativity]. Lorraine's company Zen Health and Wellbeing (ZHW) is in fact two businesses: Zen Designs (Web development and design) and Akalico (Fair Trade Jewellery).

 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 February 2008 )