Blackburne House

Blackburne House is a Liverpool-based charity that supports the development of local, and often vulnerable, women. With a core focus on education, they offer a wide range of nationally-recognised courses and qualifications to women, particularly in sectors in which women are still under-represented. Set in a Grade II-listed building in the heart of Liverpool's Georgian Quarter, they enable women to learn and grow in a safe environment.

Formerly the Women’s Technology and Education Centre (WTEC), Blackburne House was established in 1983 with the aim of progressing women from disadvantaged backgrounds into employment within technical professions, an area in which, at the time, women were significantly under-represented. The organisation grew quickly and in 1991 moved into new premises in Liverpool’s famous Georgian Quarter. More than £4m was raised in order to breathe new life back into Blackburne House and the beautiful, Grade II-listed building became their new home.

Today, Blackburne House is a vibrant and thriving organisation and one of the country’s leading education centres for women. Over the years, they have established a number of successful social enterprises that support their educational aims and provide tangible examples of how new markets can be used to serve local communities. Attracting thousands of visitors each year, their facilities now include a thriving bistro, health spa, conference and events facilities and a 30-place nursery.

Funding from Postcode Innovation Trust, thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery, will be used to launch a new social enterprise Wellness Centre, due to increasing local demand. The wellness services on offer will include counselling, therapy, mindfulness classes and mental health support and will be delivered by qualified practitioners. Blackburne House will use the independent income stream from the Wellness Centre to support women who are unable to fund counselling services themselves, using the income generated to benefit the most vulnerable women who are experiencing hardship a counselling service with full supervision.

Visit their website here: https://www.blackburnehouse.co.uk/