Dare to Be You Project

The “Dare to Be You” project, an empowering 8-week course designed to boost confidence, resilience, and self-esteem among young women, culminated in a successful celebration event held at Fullcircle’s Youth Club in Greater Manchester, UK. Together with family, friends, local partners and senior leaders they celebrated the achievements of the participants and highlighted the importance of local youth provision.

The “Dare to Be You” project, funded by Great Places Housing and The National Lottery Community Fund, provided a safe and supportive environment for young women to develop essential life skills, explore their unique identities, and build a strong sense of self-worth. The course curriculum included workshops on self-expression, skin-care routines, basic make up techniques, what it means to be ‘be you’ and how to improve our own confidence and that of others.

The presentation event featured inspiring speeches from key figures, including MUA business owner and influencer Leanne Murphy and Leanne Keanne, Partnerships Manager for Great Places Housing, as well as Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council. All the women spoke passionately about the importance of resilience, confidence, as well as the crucial role of local youth provision in fostering positive development for girls and young women.

“The Dare to be you project is about empowering young women to believe in themselves, embrace their individuality, and become the best versions of themselves,” said Leanne Murphy, Project Lead. “I am incredibly proud of the progress these young women have made!”

Becci Drake, Director at Fullcircle nw CIC was the lead youth worker on this project  said “The ‘Dare to Be You’ project is a shining example of how we can equip young people with the skills and confidence they need to thrive. Fullcircle was set up 14 years ago with a core mission to help people learn, grow and give back. This project has embodied that spirt by promoting growth, building confidence and empowering the girls to be who they truly are. We are grateful to Great Places Housing and The National Lottery Community Fund for their invaluable support.”

Leanne Keanne of Great Places Housing added, “We are delighted to have supported this fantastic project. Seeing the positive impact it has had on these young women is truly inspiring and aligns with our commitment to creating thriving communities.”

Following the event, Andy Hamill of National Association of Boys & Girls Clubs said, “The ‘Dare to be You’ project is a shining example of the difference local youth clubs make in young lives. In an age of social media that seeks to impress on young people how they should look and feel, local youth clubs and these sorts of projects help young people realise that they can decide what they want to look like, how they should feel and that their potential comes from within. Well done to everyone involved with the project.”

The evening concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, where the young participants all received certificates and were presented with a handbag and Younique makeup products in recognition of their dedication and achievements throughout the course.

Younique is an American-based beauty company with a mission to uplift, empower, and validate women across the globe. They achieve this not only through their naturally inspired, innovative products but also by providing women with the opportunity to run their own independent businesses, fostering entrepreneurship and financial independence. Their significant contribution to the “Dare to Be You” project underscores their commitment to empowering women of all ages.

About Fullcircle nw CIC (www.fullcirclenwcic.co.uk)

Fullcircle nw CIC is a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK. It is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on empowering young people and strengthening communities.

Our key activities:

• Youth Empowerment: Fullcircle nw CIC delivers a range of programs and activities designed to inspire, challenge, and support young people.

• Community Development: They offer services and support to help new and existing community groups, encouraging people to get involved in improving their local areas.

• Education and Skills: The organisation provides alternative informal accredited programs tailored to meet the needs of young people and deliver projects like the “Dare to Be You” project.

About Great Places Housing Resilience Funding

Great Places Housing Group is a housing association focused on providing affordable homes and supporting communities across the Northwest and South Yorkshire. A key part of their community support involves “resilience funding.”

Purpose: Great Places provides financial support to initiatives that help individuals and communities cope with and recover from challenges. This often focuses on addressing the cost of living and related issues.

Focus Areas: The funding typically supports projects related to:

• Economic hardship (fuel, food, furniture)

• Employment, training, and volunteering

• Financial and digital inclusion

• Health and wellbeing

Greater Together Foundation: This is the vehicle through which Great Places distributes much of its resilience funding.

About The National Lottery Community Fund

We are the largest non-statutory community funder in the UK – community is at the heart of our purpose, vision and name.

We support activities that create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable and that will strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.

We’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to work closely with government to distribute vital grants and funding from key Government programmes and initiatives. 

As well as responding to what communities tell us is important to them, our funding is focused on four key missions, supporting communities to:

• Come together

• Be environmentally sustainable

• Help children and young people thrive

• Enable people to live healthier lives.

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, we distribute over £600 million a year through 13,000+ grants and plan to invest over £4 billion of funding into communities by 2030. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life. 

National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, £49 billion has been raised and more than 690,000 individual grants have been made across the UK – the equivalent of around 240 National Lottery grants in every UK postcode district.