Most horse owners will, no doubt, have experienced the struggle that comes when you find yourself having to take a break from horses. Not all of us use that break to start a business though...
However, following a riding accident, Lindsey channeled her energy into creating the Ladies Countryside Community. An online hub for country-loving ladies, it has got everything from a Rural Business Directory to an incredibly supportive Facebook group!
So I thought I would catch up with founder and creator, Lindsey, to find out more about the story of the community!
How would you describe the community?
The Ladies Countryside Community is a social space helping country-loving ladies find friendships, information and inspiration. Our online platform currently offers ‘Rural News and Articles’ from our Regional Reporters as well as a ‘Rural and Countryside Directory’.
The articles are written by our dedicated team of Regional Reporters covering all regions across the UK. These fellow country-loving ladies share their recommendations, reviews and experiences in their own words.
Supporting rural business is also important to me so we offer the option for businesses to share their stories too with our country loving audience.
Our directory offers the opportunity to showcase rural, countryside-inspired businesses at the heart of the UK.
Who is the community for?
The community is for fellow country-loving ladies, no matter their location. An opportunity to inspire and connect with other women across the UK.
When did you first dream up the idea of the community?
Back in the Summer of 2019, I had an accident whilst out riding my horse. I ended up taking some time off which was difficult. Horses are the biggest part of my life as I also run an equine business called The Animal Therapy Hub with my friend Michelle Woolrich, an equine physical therapist. The break from horses left me a little lost but it gave me the chance to focus on other aspects of my life I loved - nature and the countryside.
During my time off I was searching online for somewhere linked to my interests but I couldn’t find quite what I was looking for. I wanted a place dedicated to the countryside so I could throw myself into these interests during my temporary time off.
This led me to take the plunge, so I set up an account on Instagram to see if there was anyone else out there who was looking for the same. From the first few posts the feedback I had was overwhelming. This was also absolutely something others were looking for too.
By February 2020 I was ready to launch the website but then the pandemic broke out soon after. Like all of us everything had changed, and it took a while to find my feet again. Realising in such uncertain times, a community would help so many people - and me - feel connected, I pushed on and September 2020 saw the launch of our brand-new website.
What is your favourite thing about running the community?
I absolutely love meeting like-minded people. The power of community is something I hope everyone can experience at some point - motivating, uplifting, a sense of belonging...there are so many wonderful benefits.
2020 has been such a difficult year. I think it’s more important than ever to stay connected with others and celebrate the things we love the most.
I am very fortunate to have the most amazing Regional Reporter team. These incredible ladies have come together to help form the foundations of this community and I want to thank them all again for helping bring this special project to life.
Where do you see the community going in the next few years?
My dream is for the community to continue to grow and blossom connecting more and more like-minded ladies.
From the beginning there has been a list of features I’ve wanted to include such as an online marketplace, training courses, job noticeboard, tutorials/guides, and small business support. These are in the pipeline for 2021 helping to build the ultimate female-focused countryside community.
How to join the community
If you want to join the community, you can find the website at www.ladiescountrysidecommunity.co.uk, where membership is free until the end of 2020.
Or join the Facebook Group and get to know the other like-minded members!
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