We have an announcement.
POW Thanet is closing.
We have made the difficult decision to close as a registered UK charity after ten years of community activism and creative programming. Due to the increasingly challenging funding climate, continuing the charity’s work has become unsustainable.
We are going to take some time to figure out our next steps including how we can be of service to our community going forward, but in the meantime, we hope you will join us for a final party at our free festival POW in the Park this Saturday in Ramsgate. We hope to see you there to close this chapter together.
We are also planning a legacy mural this summer in partnership with Rise Up Clean Up to leave POW’s mark on Thanet. If you’ve benefited from POW over the years, or resonate with our mission, please donate to make this public artwork possible.
As a charity committed to equality in all its forms, POW Thanet has led the way in the sector on fair pay for women and non-binary people, creatives and local suppliers, and campaigning for the rights of women and girls in Thanet and beyond through our ground-breaking creative content. Our mission is unfinished, and there is still so much work to do, but we have been doing this with less and less funding. Less than 2% of all charity funding goes to the women and girls sector (Rosa, 2024), which has hit POW hard. Overall, our funding has been cut by 40% in the last 3 years, and success rates for Trusts & Foundation applications have dropped to 0.5%. In the current economic climate, fundraising is a hard-won battle, and this is the case across the charity sector. Despite some funding success which enabled us to run this year’s festival programme, it has not been enough.
We are very proud of the legacy that POW Thanet has created over the last decade as a grassroots movement. POW has evolved from a volunteer-led organisation to a registered charity with small grants from trusts, foundations and local authorities, seven experienced part-time staff members and 150 volunteers. In 2015, Christina Clark-McQuaid started POW with 20 women and a callout on Facebook. Ten years later, we have reached over 300,000 people through our International Women’s Day Festival, schools programme, youth mentoring and community outreach projects.
We’ve also been honoured to highlight, collaborate with, and celebrate the women and non-binary artists, creatives and makers in Thanet. We’re proud to have worked with creatives exploring topics of menstrual health, divorce, sexual abuse, maternal rights, domestic abuse, immigration, colonisation, women’s labour, disability and mental health. The young people we’ve mentored have gone on to paid work in the arts, secured university places and increased their confidence. We are pleased to know there’s a next generation of POW in the world continuing our work. We also know our impact on our community has made a difference in the lives of women, non-binary people and girls in Thanet, and we’re proud that this is our legacy.
“This is my first real event back in the community after 4 yrs of domestic abuse. I knew this would be a safe space [and] I could use to rediscover myself [and] my creativity.”
Quote from POW 2024 International Women’s Day Festival workshop attendee.
POW has always been more than just a charity. It is a movement and expression of women’s liberation through creativity. In a time where gender inequalities, marginalisation and misogyny has never felt more terrifying, it is with heavy hearts that we make this decision.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the POW staff, volunteers, and trustees, past and present, as well as the local press and media, who have helped promote our work. Thanks to the trusts, foundations, business sponsors, donors, and those who have raised funds for us through sponsored swims and art auctions. Special thanks to other Thanet charities and community organisations operating in this incredibly tough funding landscape who have been dear friends to us. We also thank the people of Thanet and further afield who have attended our events, bought merchandise, distributed our leaflets or helped spread the word about our work. We have had so many supporters over the decade, and it warms our hearts knowing you all played a part in what POW Thanet became and the legacy it leaves behind.
“In a world that often vilifies trans and non-binary people, POW’s inclusivity is empowering. It’s healing. It gives you confidence to be seen.”
Quote from Jessica Lauren - Artist & Composer.
How you can give to the legacy mural.
Tier 1: Community Champion – £50
For individuals, families, and small business supporters.
Your name will feature on our online thank you page.
Tier 2: Local Leader — £150
For small to mid-sized businesses or generous individuals.
The above, plus your name/business name featured at the mural site.
Tier 3: Future Visionary — £500+
For larger businesses, foundations, or philanthropic champions.
The above, plus your logo featured at the mural site.
