Scouse Girl Social is celebrating its first anniversary after welcoming more than 3,500 girls to events designed to promote confidence, self-expression and a sense of belonging.
Over the past 12 months, the Liverpool initiative has brought together girls, families, local businesses and cultural partners through experiences spanning fashion, creativity, music, wellbeing and confidence-building.
Scouse Girl Social is powered by Girls With Dreams Club (GWDC), which was created in 2023 by Liverpool businesswoman and Urban Calm founder Nic Byrne.
The initiative was developed alongside qualified Integrative Counsellor and self-described “Confidence Creator” Sarah Worsley and Francesca Kearns, founder of Liverpool fashion brand Francesca Couture.
The three women were already friends before working together, with the idea growing from conversations they had as parents about some of the pressures facing children today.
Concerns around social media, comparison, body image and confidence, particularly among girls, encouraged them to create opportunities where young people could feel safe, accepted and able to be themselves.
Drawing on published research into confidence and self-esteem, Sarah’s counselling experience and the team’s work with girls, families, communities and businesses, Girls With Dreams Club began developing activities bringing young people together.
Alongside its events, GWDC has worked with schools and delivered workshops and community initiatives supporting girls and their families.
Scouse Girl Social became the name for its expanding programme of social events and experiences.
Sarah Worsley said:
“We loved the name Scouse Girl Social because everything about it represents what we want girls to feel.
“It’s about being proud of where you come from, but you don’t have to be from Liverpool to be a Scouse Girl.
“It’s about accepting everyone, celebrating what makes us different and having the confidence to be yourself. It’s a state of mind, not a postcode.”
The response to the first Scouse Girl Social was immediate, with tickets selling out within days and a waiting list quickly forming.
Sarah said:
“We genuinely couldn’t believe it. We were completely overwhelmed by the response.
“We had put so much thought into creating something that girls actually needed, and suddenly we knew hundreds of families felt the same way.
“To know that our very first event was going to give so many girls the opportunity to walk into a room, meet new people, try something different and hopefully walk out feeling a little more confident meant the world to us.”
Listening to the girls themselves has remained at the centre of the project.
During the first event, Sarah, Nic and Francesca spoke to girls and their families to find out what they enjoyed and what they wanted to experience next.
That feedback helped shape a growing programme of activities over the following year, with the events designed around the idea that every girl should have somewhere she feels she belongs and an opportunity to shine.
Nic Byrne, co-founder of Scouse Girl, said:
“Of course we want girls to come away feeling confident, celebrated and inspired, but it goes deeper than that.
“Our events are structured to create different ways for girls to find their thing.
“One girl might find her confidence through a workshop, another through singing, another through fashion or walking a catwalk, and another simply by coming into a room where she feels accepted.
“We want every child to have a moment where she can express herself and feel celebrated for it.”
The team is now preparing to mark Scouse Girl Social’s first anniversary with its biggest celebration of the year.
Sponsored by Liverpool law firm Morecrofts, the anniversary event will take place at BOXPARK Liverpool on Sunday, October 11.
Alison Lobb, Managing Partner at Morecrofts, said:
“We were proud to support Girls With Dreams Club and Scouse Girl Social when the journey began, and it’s fantastic to see how much it has grown.
“The impact it’s having on young girls across Liverpool is remarkable.
“Morecrofts is delighted to be part of that journey as a sponsor and to support a movement that helps young women build confidence, ambition and belief in themselves.”
The full-day BOXPARK Liverpool takeover will feature fashion, beauty, creativity, live performances, activities and shopping, alongside opportunities for girls to get involved throughout the day.
Looking ahead, the team hopes to continue expanding Scouse Girl Social across Merseyside and beyond, creating a community where background, appearance or ability are not barriers to taking part.
More information and tickets for Scouse Girl Social are available here.
