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Looking for a room to deliver your training or workshop? Well look no further as we have a lovely, warm space, bright, inspirational space, bang in the centre of town, with easy access to public transport and parking. We provide teas and coffees, projection equipment, flip-charts, Bluetooth and internet as well as easy access to local eateries. In fact, we have everything you need for your workshop or meeting to run smoothly and at a price you can afford.

Looking for a room to deliver your training or workshop? Well look no further as we have a lovely, warm space, bright, inspirational space, bang in the centre of town, with easy access to public transport and parking. We provide teas and coffees, projection equipment, flip-charts, Bluetooth and internet as well as easy access to local eateries. In fact, we have everything you need for your workshop or meeting to run smoothly and at a price you can afford.

HELLO BEAUTIFUL. YOU'RE AMAZING! TALK TO US. LET'S GO OUR SERVICES BUSINESS CONSULTING & MARKETING SHAKTI WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY SHAKTI Galz club PINK PAPer ROOM HIRE COACHING AND MENTORING Shakti Self-Care Videos Self-care is important to us at Shakti Women. We believe that women should look after themselves so we've created a series of videos to help you unravel. Find a brief moment of peace in all the madness. Sit back and let your favourite dance and yoga teacher, Monica, guide you through a moment of tranquillity with our relaxing yoga sessions. Or why don't you dance like no one is watching... if you've been feeling like getting active, we have some groovy, waist moving, heart-pumping dance moves to make you feel alleviated. ​ Perhaps you've been experiencing a mixed bag of emotions during this pandemic. We certainly have! Our creative writing workshops are a great way to process the good, the bad and the ugly of life in and after lockdown. Whatever you're looking for, we've got you. Everything is just a click away. WHAT PEOPLE SAY I was apprehensive about joining the course but I have thoroughly enjoyed each session. I have learnt how to participate in chat rooms, use smartboard and share images. Women Walking on Water I really enjoy our weekly walks by the canal with the Shakti Women. It is so refreshing and great to talk to other women because I don't get out very much. This is the best room we have found in all of Birmingham to use for training and meetings. My counselling session is going so well. She feels like a friend. I feel so comfortable and she's really helping me unpack everything. Talk Therapy Zoom Bootcamp Training Room Girls Club Staff Comment Working for Shakti has been one of the most rewarding and dynamic experiences I've had. I love that we are serving women in this holistic way, with such compassion and respect for their inner beauty and power. Studio Room I really enjoy our weekly walks by the canal with the Shakti Women. It is so refreshing and great to talk to other women because I don't get out very much. Studio Room I loved the Studio – we’ve used the other room which are great, but this space is exquisite and of course comes with the usual shakti service. Volunteer Feedback I enjoyed working at Shakti. The staff are so kind and I learnt so much in a short period of time.

WE ARE A REFLECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY... Our dedication to changing the lives of women doesn't start and stop at business and personal development. For years we have been working side by side our communities to create impact and inspire positive change, but there is still work to be done. ​ We are always making new connections and links and looking out for people who are ready to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in. If you want to get involved with any of our projects, please get in touch. We'd love to hear from you! ​ As well as our amazing projects we also offer key services for business and marketing, training room hire, studio hire, workspace hire and coaching and mentoring. ​ 2021 PROJECTS Money Awareness Project So many women have struggled with job losses whilst lock-down after lockdown has seen a significant rise in on-line spending. Women tell us they are drowning under debt and finances are “out of control”. The money club will support us all to review our income and expenditure, practice budgeting and thrift, manage debt and create an affordable savings plan. ​ As women we deserve to live a life without financial worries. Job Club The Shakti Job Club can help you with local employment support when you need it. You will receive individualised support and you will be a part of a women-only tribe where you’ll build your skills a nd confidence to navigate the workplace. Over the next 12 months we will offer a delightful and engaging menu of work related skills, including confidence building, understanding your unique selling points (USP), the importance of networking & allies, understanding your learning styles, dressing for success, communication & team building skills. Bun & Say Cheese ​ Shakti is dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in the community and during lockdown and one of those groups were our elders, who told us they were lonely, isolated and sometimes living in fear of the world around them. This project was dedicated to supporting our elders (men and women) in North West Birmingham who were worried about the future and afraid for their safety and that of their loved ones. So we've found a way to bridge the gap. We are offered activity packs, food parcels which we delivered safely to their door, as well as one-to-one telephone counselling. This project was highly-valued by more than fifty elders, who enjoyed hot nutritious food but more so the knowledge that their community cared. Women Walking on Water ​ Water has so many benefits, not just for the skin and the body but for the soul too. It nourishes us in so many ways. When we feel overwhelmed, we might light some candles, run a nice hot bath and soak away our sorrows. Well, we have launched a project all about water and wellbeing, aimed to get women walking and talking around Birmingham’s beautiful canals and to write creatively about water and its healing properties. Due to the new lockdown restrictions, we have been unable to gather to do our weekly group walks, but that doesn’t mean we won’t walk. So, join our Facebook community page where we will be sending in pictures of our individual walks.​ Women's Marketing Project During the lockdown many valuable organisations closed down their doors, including women's organisations dedicated to supporting women in all areas and stages of their lives. Eventhough, this was the case many new organisations emerged. We were determined to know who was still out there and how we could help by shining a light on their amazing work. During the course of this project we: Identified almost 200 organisations Created the women2women consortium Established the 202 club Offered mentoring and marketing support to a further 20 organisations. Offered free bid writing workshops to 103 organisations Provided 17 women with our confidence building workshops Although this project has come to an end if you know of any women's organisations interested in being interviewed please email us we would love to talk to them. Weekly Coffee Mornings ​ Open to all women, our weekly Coffee Mornings are a safe space for women to talk, share, laugh and just be themselves. It takes place online and is usually hosted by our wonderful facilitator, Claudette, but is currently hosted by Danielle. Once lockdown eases, we will be hosting the coffee mornings in-person at our beautiful venue on Newhall Street. To register to receive the weekly Zoom links, please email hello@shaktiwomen.com and if you are't familiar with Zoom, someone will give you a call to assist. ​ 2020 PROJECTS Lockdown Diaries Since March 2020 we have been collecting your stories. The fears, the armpit beards (we know!), the losses and the triumphs that so many women have dealt with, as well as the new discoveries we have made about ourselves in this period of intense self-refection. If you have a poem, piece of prose, or anything to share, we want to hear it. Send it to womanlywords@shaktiwomen.com . Body Love: Girls Club This year our workshops were on self-care. We danced, we designed, we had a playful photoshoot and we painted our portraits onto canvas. The four days of sessions were designed to encourage self-love and self-reflection. Follow @shaktigalz for motivational messages designed by and for ShaktiGalz. Past Projects 2019 You Go Girls: Girls' Club A summer of participation, activity, consultation and fun that included rock-climbing, outdoor games, yoga, meditation, and so much more, all designed to build confidence and raise aspirations. 2019 The Misogyny Trials ​ We want to see more women writing and published. It began with creative writing workshops, it ended with 130 women, 10 plays, 3 sell-out performances, over 30,000 community engagements on-line and regional BBC radio coverage. You can help to support our artists and future creations by purchasing your copy of these powerful plays by women, for women from our 'Treats ' page. 2018 Womanly Words & Girls Confidence & Aspirations This year we are ran our second Womanly Words project that included workshops in creative writing, script writing, poetry and prose bringing our unique voices to life. We ran our second second year of Girls Club, engaging with girls aged 8 - 12 and 13-16 over the Easter & Summer holidays. We covered body confidence, writing your future, social media and finding your mojo. ​ 2017 Girls Leadership Pilot Our girls start out with so much potential but often they loose confidence through their school years. We want to help them identify their innate leadership potential and to begin the journey of nurturing their growth and development. ​ ​ 2016 Bring a Book to Dinner All year we asked women about their favourite stories and the ones they read to their daughters. As usual we wanted books with strong female characters. The year culminated with a celebration of our books over a delicious 4 course dinner. ​ 2015 Womanly Words. This was a series of writing and spoken word workshops designed to encourage more women and girls to write. 245 women and girls participated in our workshops which included confidence building, script writing, poetry, storytelling and Spoken word. The project produced 100 copies of an anthology of poetry and included 20 new writers. Shakti Women also donated £250 to the best writer. ​ 2014 Books for Women and Girls. This project evolved from the mentoring programme and raised over £700 for schools to purchase more books with powerful female characters. It culminated with an event Bring a Book to Dinner, where attendees shared discussions about their favourite empowering books. ​ 2013 Girls Mentoring project, Mosaic. This project encouraged women to volunteer, train and mentor girls at primary schools across Birmingham. ​ 2012 Snowden Challenge. This project was a challenge to 8 women to make the climb and overcome their fears. ​ ​ 2011 Soup and Socks. This project encouraged women across the city to donate soup and socks to the homeless. ​ 2010 Active Women. A health programme to encourage more women to exercise and eat healthier food. Workshops including cooking, yoga, nutrition, raw food, fitness tasters and culminated in a 5 year weekly exercise programme for women at Edgbaston reservoir. ​ 2008 – Leadership & Peer Mentoring Programme for Women. This project identified and trained 21 women in the skills of leadership, empowering self and others. ​ 2007 – Your Time to Shine Talent Show. This project identified 5 girls aged 16 – 19, and supported them to develop the skills of project management, marketing, financial management and team working. The girls in turn worked with the artists to improve confidence and their performances. The project was a huge success culmination in a show celebrating 20 young artists and attracting an audience of over 100 at the Mockingbird Theatre in Digbeth. ​ ​

SHAKTI RESEARCH Shakti Women leaders all have a grounding in research. Siobhan has held 3 research fellowship positions with the University of Birmingham and Keele University. We also have a long track record of talking to our beneficiaries about what women want. Our primary and secondary research is the cornerstone of our work and informs all of our projects. As well as our own PINK PAPER, updated every 4 years, we have been commissioned by a range of stakeholders to consult with the sector and to support tomorrow’s leaders. For more information talk to Siobhan. What is the Pink Paper? ​ At the current rate of progress, it could take another 200 years before women experience true gender equality. We’re not waiting that long; we want progress now! ​ At Shakti we pride ourselves in doing work that is grounded in 'need', so as well as regularly asking you what you want with our own surveys, we collect and collate the research that’s currently out there. ​ The Pink Paper is 80+ pages of research about the issues affecting women and girls in the UK today, from pay and mental health, to representation and the workplace. ​ Head over to our 'treats' page to download our Pink Paper. ​ You'd be a fool not to, so, get downloading! ​

My body is just a shell Don't waste any money on any extravaganza Share stories about me with each other Wear bright clothes Touch each other's souls Come with a smile Clap a little, dance a little and cry a little if you wish You will not be able to see me because my body would perish but my essence will be so very close to you. Remember that while you might be weeping I will be laughing. If you really feel that you want to spend some money to mark my homecoming then feed as many mouth as my age, plant trees and just love one another- your dead a long time. You don't need to pray for my soul to be in peace, my soul was at peace when I was housed in my body and when I merge with the over soul, the universe, I am free and totally at peace. Share happy silly funny deep stories don't hold any- thing back. Find the cheapest way to dispose of my body and check my third drawer in the office I've already paid for my funeral! Peace be with you. By Paramjit Oberoi

In terms of the sanctuary, most of us will go back home after an evening out and that will be a safe place, but for 1 in 4 women an 1 in 6 men, home is the least safe place they go back to. Re- lationship abuse can happen to anyone it doesn't discriminate Sadly, a young neighbour recently ended her life leaving 3 beautiful children. This was triggered by an unhealthy relationship. this is the impetus for this poem. It's dedicated to her. Hopeful. Deep breath, Chin up, Shoulders back, Chest proud Now silence that voice that speaks on repeat, saying, "you're not allowed " You're not allowed to leave... "Nah sis please don't be deceived" You're not allowed... "Nah sis pick up the car keys" Too bad to stay.too invested to leave... You're sucked in...latched on.. sayin to yourself "I need to stay for the sake of my daughter...or. I need to make it work for the sake of my son" You can't leave ...becomes you won't You won't leave... becomes you don't Meanwhile your reflection is becoming a stranger And Your thoughts and emotions signal red flag. emotional, mental, spiritual, even physical danger... By now the cost of being free, Feels so high that you abandon the idea of liberty, And continue to live in what feels like some form of domestic captivity By now it's not what THEY DO TO YOU that's affecting your health, ..It's...what... theyre ...keeping.. you from doing for yourself. Your thoughts, perspectives, beliefs are all tangled and mix up Your feet feel stuck .. You're Drowning in emotional bruises and scared by spiritual cuts Spinning your world off its axis ..and those seemingly irrelevant subtitles and nuisances. they...twist your internal organs, suck at your soul.. You may or may not have heard... of the term coercive control This sweet little one ... this daughter or this son. This precious gift of life who came through me.. How dare I destroy a birth right, and taint a beautiful legacy. Leaving isn't easy, there is no perfect exit.. You have to dig deep, to rebuild your life and fix it... It may take help from professionals, family, friends . ...and a well-made plan Deep breath, chin up...start your life over.... If I did, you can.. By Denise Amory-Reid

I am all things Greek in the uniqueness of my rage. I am Medusa's head - tangled plaits flapping in a non-existent breeze as they wrap viper-like around your neck and squeeze. Did I mention my eyes can also freeze? I am Zeus' Missus Hera - when thwarted, best abort all plans. I stamp, I shout, I throw things about, possibly the most expensive items in the house. I chew wood, spit it out, lucky, lucky you, if my blood does not shoot past it's boiling point, Id hate to disappoint. I've even driven my man to madness - I'm that bad, and he that sad - when I've finished my badassery - believe me. I am Circe if my partner upsets me - I am that sorceress who changes men to swine. Mine is the wrath of all the Gods of the Sea - see me, read, tsunami. Iam Nyx Goddess of Anger, the shadowy, shady lady of night - if you do not do right by me. I am worse than Chaos - his tears are bathos beside me. I am banshees wailing the doom of those in or out of the rooms I prey in - crying so shrilly the Moon shivers and drops her head. I am The Egyptian Book of the Dead - translated - funerary text for all who vex me. Beware my frown. Do not allow the red mist to come down - for when day falls away and night makes it's play everything must drown. By Elizabeth Uter