The founder of a Kent initiative that brings women together in shared support groups has received a Brand of the Future award.
Lynda Perry, based in Herne Bay, launched Sister Circle Events to create a welcoming environment where women can share experiences, build friendships and encourage personal growth.
The award from Big Business Events reflects the concept’s potential for nationwide growth, with ambitions to introduce circles in towns and villages throughout the UK.
Lynda said: “I am thrilled to receive this recognition – it’s great to see that others are recognising the potential of my business in the same way that I do.”
Her motivation came from her own experience seeking support while caring for her mother.
“I am now looking after my mother who has dementia and I was looking for a support network, just to help me have someone to talk to, to be able to make some new friends and just feel supported myself.
“I found it very difficult to find anyone or any groups – then I came across Circle Work. Circle Work is a group of women gathering to sit in a circle in a safe, secure environment where they can tell their story. It’s a confidential space where they can be themselves, feel seen and be heard.”
Meetings are currently held both in person in Herne Bay and online to accommodate participants from other areas.
“It is about supporting women when they feel they have nowhere else to go – a place where they can have that sisterhood,” she said.
Lynda believes the practice reflects a long tradition of communal storytelling and connection.
“The tradition of circle started when we all used to gather round the cooking fire back in caveman days and continued through the traditions of Native Americans and tribal communities.
“They all gather around the fire, and this has just come full circle – no pun intended. We have lost that connection.”
While her primary focus is on women’s groups, she sees potential applications for organisations and professional networks.
“I am starting with women because that is where I want to be, but it can be done for business and all manner of support networking,” she said.
She credits the project with giving her a renewed sense of direction.
“I had years of feeling that there was more to life than I was experiencing – but all I needed was a change of perspective.
“As I was growing up, I was taught how to be a good daughter, a good wife and mother. I fulfilled my responsibilities but there was always something missing. As my children became adults and left home, I started searching for the missing pieces in my life.
“I went exploring and achieving childhood dreams, but it was still not enough. I became a nurse, a healer, a hypnotherapist, a coach and still I was searching. Then I found Circle work and everything fell into place.”
For more information, contact Lynda on [email protected]