 Membership of BPW UK brings with it many benefits and is a women’s organisation that covers every aspect of your life. Whether you are in business or a working professional, a student or retired, whether you are a manager or a factory worker, a full-time carer or on a career break, there is always something in BPW that will interest you.
Our aim is very simple ‘To help women develop their potential in all aspects of their lives’. We are a non-profit making, membership subscription organisation and non-party political, founded in 1938 by Beatrice Gordon Holmes, a city stockbroker of some renown in the 1930s. Click here to find out some more information about us.
BPW is a membership subscription organisation run by a team of volunteers on a not-for-profit basis. Annual membership costs £65 per year.
Click here for information on what that means to the members.
All BPW UK members are automatically members of both BPW International and BPW Europe. BPW UK members who are under 35 years of age are automatically members of Young BPW, at no additional cost.
BPW UK members can download or receive regular copies of the magazine BPW News which contains news and information on local and national issues. There are also regular BPW Bulletins which give updates of what is happening in BPW around the UK.
Business networking is encouraged locally, nationally and even internationally. Members often join for the opportunity to meet potential business clients and stay for the friendships that blossom from a meeting of like-minded women.
Personal Development opportunities exist at local, regional and national level that focus on your needs as an individual, whether you are employed, self-employed or at any other stage of your personal career. This is focussed on your needs rather than that of an employer.
We also help young people develop important skills with the BPW UK Public Speaking Competition in partnership with the English Speaking Board.
There are a number of awards BPW members can apply for after 2 years membership. Our International Award of up to £1 000 can be used to help undertake an international project. Previous holders found the award enhanced their careers and personal development. Lynda Phillips was voted Welsh Woman of the Year 2005.
There is an annual training award for BPW UK Members, the June O’Dell Training Award that provides financial assistance to a member undertaking a course of training that would improve her employment potential or enhance her career prospects.
The Members’ Emergency Fund is available to help in difficult times with a grant of up to £500 and/or an interest free loan up to £4000. Fully paid up members of BPW for at least 2 continuous years who have given a donation of at least 50 pence per annum are welcome to apply.
Membership can open up the world of public life and help you become involved in governmental issues. In our role as a recognised Non-Government Organisation representing women, we regularly get asked by all political parties for our members’ views on a whole range of topics across health, finance, education and employment, to name just a few. We have a lobbying Mandate which reflects motions passed at our National Conference and each and every member can add to and take an active part in ensuring these motions are actioned. Alone you are a single voice, but with BPW UK your voice joins with over 40,000 women across 100 countries and our consultative status with the United Nations and the Women’s National Council gives us a special status in the public arena.
Members also gain access to a number of benefits and discounts offered by companies and fellow BPW members. Whether you want to book a holistic retreat or get competitive insurance quotes, have your teeth fixed or receive some personal coaching BPW UK will help you.
Our annual National Conference attracts high profile speakers such as Baroness Susan Greenfield, Chief Constable Della Cannings, Kate Adie, Dame Stella Rimington and Denise Kingsmill, to name just a few who have enthralled us over the years.
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Pictures left to right: Baroness Susan Greenfield; Kate Adie; Dame Stella Rimington |
Clubs
BPW UK has a network of local clubs around the country. Wherever members are based, they can choose to attend clubs as regular or occasional visitors. Each club has its own character and organises its programme around the interests of its membership.
Meetings are either once or twice a month, usually on a weekday evening and this gives members the opportunity to network with other working women. Clubs will usually charge an annual membership fee or a fee per meeting to cover admin and catering costs.
Regions
Across the UK including Northern Ireland, regional teams support members, clubs and the National Board of BPW UK, acting as a communication link and also running events of key interest for members.
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