When Project Me launched in 2013 I envisioned a bigger picture of ‘Mothers Helping Mothers’ with a portion of all profits going to assist vulnerable women in some shape or form. Let’s face it, ours are very much ‘first world problems’.

Overwhelm, never-ending to-do lists, meal planning, food shopping, chauffeuring kids everywhere, homework and bedtime battles etc etc.   There are plenty of women who’d swap their problems for ours any day. Some don’t have food to feed their kids. or are escaping from domestic violence with only the clothes on their backs.

Rather than feeling guilty about this, let’s embrace our ability to be proactive problem solvers who figure out solutions and move forward. The smoother your life runs, the happier you feel – and that gives you more energy to give to others.

So I got an idea.

What if every woman who invests in their own happiness by buying the Project Me book or doing a workshop, an online course or one-on-one mentoring is at the same time investing in the happiness of someone else less fortunate than them?

Project Me is about empowerment – so how can we best support the most disempowered women?

I’ve been donating to Every Mother Counts, a U.S. non-profit organisation dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother. But I’d like input from you on who else to support. And I’ve found a great solution!

I had a meeting with Tiia Sammallahti, CEO of the wonderful new platform whatCharity which she created to make doing good less complicated. whatCharity is a platform that aims to give all charities an equal opportunity to share their missions, projects and achievements. It’s the place for anyone looking for charities and causes to support, volunteer and donate to.

We all want more transparency and most of us would donate more if we were given more information on how money is being spent by charities and the impact they are making. whatCharity are doing just that.

Tiia and I discussed how to align Project Me with charities that support and empower vulnerable women / families. She and her team wasted no time in researching many charities and we have narrowed it down to three.

Now it’s your turn to vote!

You Make It is a holistic, self-empowerment programme for young marginalised, unemployed and underemployed women to enable them to become active in cultural, social and economic life.

• 82% of their graduates to date are now in paid employment, working on their own start ups or have gained places in formal education.
• Only 5% of women were continuing to receive benefits after graduating from You Make It, compared to 82% at the start.
• Working with women in such a holistic rounded way gives them skills, tools, and networks to really lift themselves out of poverty.

The Circle was founded by singer songwriter and activist Annie Lennox in 2008. They believe that women and girls should feel empowered, independent and able to realise their human rights as well as influence the decisions that affect their lives. They support some of the most disempowered women and girls in the world as they challenge the injustice of inequality.

• 1 in 3 women globally will be victims of physical abuse and/or sexual assault in their lifetime. Less than 40% of women will seek help after an assault. Marital rape is a criminal offence in only 52 countries. 70% of human trafficking victims are women and girls.
• They provide victim support services that will enable women to overcome physical and mental trauma and to put their lives back on track after suffering violence.
• They inspire and connect women by bringing them together: to share experiences, harness their skills, draw on their resources and influence lasting change. Ultimately to support some of the most disempowered women and girls in the world as they challenge the injustice of inequality.

Family Action aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged families by providing the practical, emotional and financial support needed to overcome the complex issues facing families today – including domestic abuse, mental health problems and being a young carer. They provide a platform for parents and carers to get immediate support from the comfort of their home.

• Immediate support for parents & carers through trained virtual volunteers.
• Regular, emotional and listening support through virtual volunteer befrienders.
• Helping parents with practical information, guidance and support from their home.

It’s time to officially cast your vote via whatCharity.

Click here or on the logo below and follow the instructions.

Once you’re logged in, search for You Make It, The Circle, or Family Action. By clicking ‘favourite’ on that charity’s page, your vote will be registered and tracked back to Project Me.

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED AND I CAN REVEAL THAT THE CHARITY THAT RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES WAS…… 

Thank you for having a say in which charity Project Me will support this year. When you invest in yourself (by purchasing my book, a workshop, online courses, private mentoring), you are automatically helping the charity.

Click here if you’d like to read my article for whatCharity about my experience of volunteering in a soup kitchen once a week – and the huge impact it had on my son.

Thanks for being a part of the Project Me global movement of women who are creating their own happiness – and spreading it out into the world for others too.

In the comments below, share your thoughts on this bigger picture vision for Project Me and / or if you’re involved with any charities, volunteering. 

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