Finding Confidence, Community, and Identity: How Girls Club Teesside is empowering women to try something new.

In a world where social media often shapes unrealistic standards and many people feel increasingly disconnected from real life communities, spaces that encourage confidence, friendship and self-expression have never been more important. That is exactly what Girls Club Teesside has set out to create.  

Founded to give women the opportunity to try new things in a beginner- friendly, low-pressure environment, Girls Club Teesside has quickly become more than just an events group. It is a place where women can step outside their comfort zones, meet likeminded people and discover new sides of themselves.  

The idea for Girls Club Teesside was born from a gap in the local community. After attending events run by a former women’s group in Teesside, founder Danni saw first-hand the value of having a dedicated female space where women could connect and explore new interest.  

As someone who describes herself as a “serial hobbyist,” she understood how difficult it can be to try something new alone.  

“Sometimes the hardest part of starting something new is simply not having anyone to go with,” she explains. “I wanted to create a space where women could try new things and make new friends along the way.” 

That mission has resonated with women across the region.  

Breaking down barriers  

Girls Club Teesside was also inspired by the specific anxieties many women experience when trying unfamiliar activities. From worrying about where to park, which door to enter, who to speak to, to these small but real concerns can often stop people from taking the first step.  

Danni knows that feeling well. She recalls how intimidating it was attending her first tennis coaching session, particularly as she once viewed the sport as male dominated.  

“I wanted to take that scariness away,” she says. “If I can make the experience of trying something you’ve wanted to do for ages into a really calm and fun one, then I’m happy.” 

That mindset has helped women take part in activities they may never have otherwise considered, particularly sports that can feel intimidating to beginners.  

Watching women shine  

One of the most powerful parts of Girls Club Teesside is seeing the transformation in members who arrive feeling nervous and leave feeling proud.  

Women often turn up shy or anxious, but once the activity begins, confidence starts to grow.  

“You can see them shine,” founder Danni says. “They are so proud of what they can achieve.” 

For many, that confidence extends far beyond the event itself. Some continue with the hobbies they discover through the group, developing new passions and identities they never expected.  

One standout example came during a Padel session. A woman who heads previously turned down a company competition because of bad school PE memories and fear of embarrassment decided to give it a try through Girls Club Teesside.  

Because the event felt safe and supportive, she was able to enjoy the experience without worrying about how she looked or whether she was good enough. She left wanting to play more and has since found both a sporting community and new friendships through the game.  

Identity through connection  

While Girls Club Teesside focuses on activities, its deeper impact lies in the connections it creates.  

Friendships, the founder believes, plays a major role in shaping identity.  

“The people around you can strengthen who you already are,” she says. “You are in charge of who you let into your life, and that’s important.” 

Rather than changing who someone is, meaningful friendships can give people the confidence to embrace themselves more fully. In a room full of women from different backgrounds, members often feel freer to express their own individuality.  

“There is no one size fits all,” she explains. “We don’t expect a certain type of person to turn up.” 

That diversity helps create an atmosphere where authenticity feels natural.  

Confidence in the age of social media 

For young women today, confidence and identity can be especially difficult to navigate. Social media often promotes narrow ideas of beauty, success, and personality, making individuality feel harder to maintain.  

“There can be a push to look a certain way,” Danni says. “If you don’t fit into that box, it can feel isolating.” 

That is why real-world communities matter so much. In an era where many people feel they have lost the “third spaces” that once existed outside home and work, Girls Club Teesside offers something increasingly rare: belonging.  

Although events may only last a few hours, the impact can be lasting.  

“It feels like a hug when you’re there,” she says. “It’s warm, welcoming and a break from the outside world.” 

A message to women still figuring it out  

Perhaps the most powerful message behind Girls Club Teesside is that identity does not none to be fixed.  

“You don’t have to have it figured out,” says Danni. “As you grow and age, you can change your identity as many times as you like.” 

It is a refreshing reminder in a world obsessed with certainty. Confidence is not about having all the answers. Sometimes, it starts simply with showing up, trying something new and giving yourself permission to grow.