About Us
Believe-in-Her is a dedicated service supporting women whose children are on a Child Protection Plan or they are on the Born into Care pathway. We support women through challenging times, offering compassionate, non-judgemental, and practical support tailored to each individual’s needs.
At the heart of our work is a bespoke support plan, based upon the flower tool and shaped around each woman’s unique circumstances. We provide one-to-one, face-to-face support and can attend meetings to help ensure women’s voices are heard. Our approach is rooted in partnership—supporting, not steering—so women feel empowered and informed every step of the way.
Our incredible team work tirelessly to support clients, expand our services to reach more women and campaign for change through our community of practice.
Meet the Team
Kate Blakemore – Founder and Chief Executive
As the CEO and founder of Her-Place Charitable Trust, I have dedicated my career to advocating for the mental health and wellbeing of women and girls. With a background in counselling, I bring both personal and professional experience to my work, particularly in supporting women with complex mental health needs, including those who have experienced abuse or trauma. My passion is to address the gaps in mental health services and ensure women’s voices are heard and valued in the system.
Her-Place Charitable Trust, a charity run by women for women, focuses on delivering community-based support to vulnerable women and girls across Cheshire. Our projects are designed to empower women by providing access to vital resources and networks of care. The charity is committed to enhancing wellbeing services and creating a supportive environment for women and girls at all stages of their lives.
Beyond my role at Her-Place Charitable Trust I am an author of the book “Mum’s the Word: The Mothering Journey”, which explores the challenges and triumphs of motherhood. I also chair two charitable initiatives: my local scout group and the A Statue for Ada Campaign, which commemorates the pioneering work of Ada Nield Chew. Additionally, I serve on the Crewe Town Board, contributing to efforts that strengthen our local community.
Balancing my professional responsibilities with my personal life as a mother of three children, I have found therapeutic support invaluable as I navigate the challenges of peri-menopause and an early empty nest. My commitment to self-care extends to staying physically active through open water swimming, cycling and walking.
Through my “Mum’s the Word” YouTube channel, I continue to engage with a wide audience, sharing personal stories of Motherhood.
Jenny Foulkes – Services Manager
Donna Davenport – Believe Project Lead/Support Advocate
My name is Donna, and I was delighted to have joined Her-Place Charitable Trust as the Believe Project Lead/Support Advocate. The Believe Programme is very unique. We aim to be the “Voice” of Mum’s whose child/ren are subject to a Child Protection Plan. Within my role, I am able to offer emotional and practical support including accompanying Mum’s to all Social Care Meetings.
Each Mum will have their own bespoke support plan that is personal to them. The plan is devised from our very own Well-being Flower, this is the core of the Believe Support. It helps women to evaluate themselves and to identify the areas they need to make changes, this empowers the women to take control by adapting strategies which suits their needs.
In my previous role I have supported young people for over 20 years within the Education Sector. I have devised and delivered Resilience, Anger Management, Mental Health strategy programmes for young people. I set up and delivered a parent support group, which enabled parents to support their children who were experiencing mental health and emotional difficulties.
I have gained a qualification in Counselling and Psychology which has enabled me to set up my own part-time private practice.
Amanda Hodgkinson – Believe Support Advocate
My name is Amanda and I joined the organisation in November 2024 as a Believe Support Advocate for Ellesmere Port. I am excited to be part of a growing team and to expand the project into the Ellesmere Port area and hope that I can help empower my clients and make a positive impact supporting them. I am passionate about supporting women and am excited to join the organisation.
My background is varied and i have experience working in both the public, private and third sectors managing a range of projects. One of my passions is helping to reduce loneliness and social isolation and I have previously set up a befriending service and managed services to help reduce social isolation and loneliness.
Meet our Patron
Sally Carman
Sally Carman is one of Britain’s leading female actors having stared in many well known TV productions.
Sally is an established actress, who attended the LAMDA drama school in London.
For the Believe project the roll that stands out was ‘Abi Franklin’ in Coronation Street. Sally’s character represents the amazing women that we support. These mum’s are very often misunderstood, living with mental health conditions after experiencing traumatic events, with a lack of appropriate support.