Alumnae Daring Greatly

If you are inspired by their bold endeavours, then you’ve still got time to apply for a Be Bold Grant 2024, as we’ve just extended the deadline for submissions until Monday 6th January.

The AAG (Alumnae Advisory Group) awarded four grants in 2023 – the techpreneur Miller sisters, Amelia (Class of 2015) and Lydia (Class of 2016) launched the women returners platform ivee; fashion designer Celia Birchall, Class of 2018, created her own ethical fashion brand; breathwork facilitator Seanna Fallon, Class of 2005, set up an online forum for the LGBTQIA+ community; and Dr Ann Braine, Class of 1964, and Tanya Harvey, Class of 1984, used their grant to support an underprivileged community on the outskirts of Durban, South Africa.

To see their full reports, or to download the application form for a 2024 Be Bold Grant, please visit: https://www.hollesconnect.org.uk/pages/Be-Bold-Grant.

Lydia and Amelia Miller say the Be Bold grant was instrumental in helping them turn their vision of a return-to-work platform for women facing the “motherhood penalty” after taking a career break to start a family, into reality.

Lydia says:” Today, ivee is more than an idea; it’s a community, a tech platform, and a movement for change. We’re excited to keep growing, knowing that with each new member, we’re helping redefine what’s possible for women returners across the world.”

Seanna Fallon put her grant to good use with the start-up costs of her LGBTQIA+ breathwork circle, which was mostly online, but included some in-person sessions in her local community. She says: “Over the last year, I reached 105 people with breathwork and I hope that continues to grow. I discovered breathwork during a really vulnerable time in my life, and it is such a privilege to now share one of my coping mechanisms with people who may be moving through their own challenging times.”

Celia Birchall used her grant to buy an industrial sewing machine which allowed her to upgrade the quality and scale of the designs for her slow fashion company. Her Cotswold business sees her working with local shepherds, weavers, dyers and button turners to produce a capsule collection. She says: “There is certainly a growing consumer desire to know that what we are buying has been environmentally and ethically produced.”

From South Africa, Ann Braine (nee Freemantle), who worked with fellow alumna Tanya Harvey (nee Stone) to use their funds to raise the profile of the educational non-profit organisation, Hillcrest Advice Bureau and Bursary Fund, says: “Receiving a donation from the LEH Be Bold Grant has given us such encouragement. The value we have received from the grant has been significantly greater than its monetary value.”