Support network of mums in business is expanding

A networking group of mums juggling running businesses while bringing up their children is expanding beyond the borders of the city.

Freelance Mum was launched in Bristol nearly nine years ago by former Radio Bristol presenter Faye Dicker when her first child was a few weeks old.

Faye, who works as a voiceover artist, launched the support group to provide local mums with an opportunity to network and a space to relate and connect with one another.

Freelance Mum was launched in Bristol nearly nine years ago by former Radio Bristol presenter Faye Dicker – photo: Adèle Williams, Super Funky Penguin

The groups of freelance or self-employed mums meet up monthly to ‘netwalk’ in fresh air and are encouraged to bring their children along.

Faye called Freelance Mum “the most amazing network in the truest sense of the word”. She said: “We are there to support whole of the person and their business.

“There’s always someone there who understands and can offer either listening ear or practical advice.

“The parents who make up the groups are the most supportive bunch of people and there’s no need to put a game face on to network – it’s easy to be very honest and real.”

The need for a local network to support parents in business was discovered through Faye’s own experiences.

The mum-of-two, who lives in Whitchurch, created a blog and a podcast in 2013 and interest grew, with her group meeting once a month in Ashton Court for six years before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

The groups of freelance or self-employed mums meet up monthly to ‘netwalk’ in fresh air and are encouraged to bring their children along – photo: Super Funky Penguin

Faye, who was included in Bristol Live’s ‘100 most influential women in the West’ in 2018, added: “When Covid hit us, I instantly launched a weekly on-line coffee morning, which allowed freelance mums, to talk and connect.

“We suddenly had even more responsibilities, with home schooling and trying to keep our businesses afloat. It was a tough time for everyone, and the support was even more vital.

“When the Covid restrictions began to lift and world began to open up, we were able to bring back our netwalks again – but it was clear to see the online coffee mornings were here to stay. Suddenly we had a scalable model.

“Members could meet in person at netwalks across the country once a month and then all connect at the weekly online coffee morning. It proved an instant hit.”

Freelance Mum now has five hubs across the country in Bristol, south Devon, Winchester, Southampton, Somerset, and north Somerset, with each hub being headed up by a local female business leader and mum.

Faye explained how the growth of the network has been “organic” and has “generated its own energy”. She explained how one Bristol member, who moved to Southampton, has since got involved with leading a hub there.

Faye (pictured right) explained how the growth of Freelance Mum has been “organic” and has “generated its own energy” – photo: Super Funky Penguin

The strong community of hubs allow for collaborations and have supported business owners to get back on their feet. Faye said one mum, who thought her business was not going to survive, was given a boost by the support and advice of fellow parents.

Faye, who described the members as “like sisters and cousins”, said: “I could burst with pride when I hear and see the how the Freelance Mum hubs are supporting and connecting freelance mums across the UK.

“I’m constantly hearing stories of all these amazing women working and collaborating together, like a woman who runs mindful cookery classes in Southampton has joined forces with a body confidence coach, or a website designer and a photographer in north Somerset who supported each other and collaborate all the time – it’s amazing.”

A north Bristol hub is set to be launched in Bristol later in 2023.

To find out more about Freelance Mum, you can visit www.freelancemum.co.uk

All photos: Adèle Williams, Super Funky Penguin

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