Blackburne House

Fiona works alongside the Liverpool-based charity Blackburne House, which supports the development of local – and often vulnerable – women. It focuses on education – particularly in sectors where women are under-represented – and has started a successful social enterprises to support its educational aims, including a thriving bistro, health spa, conference and events facilities and 30-place nursery.

Set in a Grade II-listed building in Liverpool's Georgian Quarter, Blackburne House has proved a trailblazer in supporting women to learn and grow in a safe environment.

Kitty's Launderette

Fiona supports Kitty’s Launderette, a community launderette and dry cleaner in North Liverpool, through a place on its board. Kitty’s is a worker-led co-op, offering high-quality, ecological and affordable washing and drying, commercial laundry and eco-dry cleaning, alongside an accessible social space for people to gather, talk and learn.

Photo courtesy of Kitty’s Launderette.

People, Planet, Pint

Fiona is one of four co-hosts for the Liverpool People, Planet, Pint sustainability meet-up. People, Planet Pint was started by the agency Small99, based on a simple idea – to bring together people interested in sustainability. It attracts a diverse bunch, from sustainability professionals, council workers, students, people looking to shift careers to business owners and beyond. There’s no agenda, workshops or webinars – just a chat over some drinks. Now, it spans over more than 120 cities in ten different countries.

If you want to find out more about the Liverpool version, there’s a LinkedIn group with the latest news. Drop Fiona an email for more details…

Baltic Triangle Area CIC

Both Fiona and Holly sit on the board of our local CIC, Baltic Triangle Area. Fiona joined in 2019 and chaired the organisation until stepping down last year, leading on projects including the art installation Echoes and Waves (for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023), the peace garden on Baltic Green and a new post-Covid business plan for the area. Holly joined the team in late 2024 as part of the area’s comms team…

The group’s mission is to make the Baltic Triangle a safe and welcoming environment for residents and visitors, where the community can thrive, including:

  • Promoting a coherent vision for the Baltic Triangle district

  • Supporting creativity, skill and talent

  • Supporting business in the Baltic Triangle area

  • Promoting economic growth in the Baltic Triangle

  • Promoting a sustainable and environmentally friendly area

  • Ensuring the operations of BTA CIC supports businesses and their growth, where possible

  • Fostering networks, collaborations and clustering activities between sectors and businesses