Wiltshire-based social enterprise Mighty Girls CIC has been awarded a major grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, enabling the organisation to expand its work empowering girls and young women across the county.
The funding, awarded through the Reaching Communities Fund, will support Mighty Girls to continue and grow its Positive Relationships Programme — a creative, youth-led initiative helping young people aged 11–18 to build confidence, develop healthy friendships, and strengthen emotional resilience.
Over the next three years, the grant will allow the team to reach more schools and communities, deepen youth leadership, and create lasting impact for young people across Wiltshire.
“We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and to National Lottery players for believing in the power of early intervention and the voices of young women,” said Marsha Mars, Director of Mighty Girls CIC. “This funding comes at a crucial time for us and will allow us to expand our reach, build our team, and ensure more girls have access to the safe, creative spaces they deserve.”
Mighty Girls is led by a youth steering group of girls aged 11–18, who play a central role in shaping the organisation’s direction. The group volunteers at events, takes part in local and national conferences, and meets regularly to discuss issues affecting girls and young women in their communities. Two new volunteers, aged 14–15, are currently being sought to join the team.
Among the many projects run by Mighty Girls is its Positive Relationships Programme, which tackles inequality and encourages positive action within school communities. Relaunching in January 2026, this six-week programme works with boys and girls to improve peer relationships and promote respect and equality through youth-led social action.
The organisation also delivers a wide range of creative and confidence-building workshops, including a Body Positive Art Workshop, which uses graffiti, photography and mono printing to help participants explore how media and social pressures influence body image. Through art, the sessions encourage girls to recognise their value and individuality.
Other popular sessions include Self Defence and Safety Skills, which helps participants feel more confident through practical training, and Digital Skills workshops, such as animation and coding. The annual V Code Bootcamp, co-produced with University of Bath students, gives girls the chance to explore careers in STEM — with confidence in coding among participants increasing from 29% before the camp to 86% afterwards.
Mighty Girls also organises Girls Skate Meetups, encouraging girls to take up space in skateparks, where around 90% of users are male. These sessions aim to help girls feel comfortable, capable, and welcome in male-dominated environments.
“This is more than a continuation — it’s a step forward,” said a Mighty Girls youth volunteer. “We’re excited to help shape something that empowers the next generation of girls and challenges harmful norms.”
Mighty Girls would like to thank its partners, schools, families and, above all, the young people who have helped make its work possible.
For more information or to get involved, visit www.mightygirls.co.uk.
