Money, confidence and the financial challenges facing women were placed in the spotlight at an event held in Carlisle.
Organised by Rachael Bell Wealth Management, Powering Up focused on specific financial issues affecting women, including the impact of career breaks for maternity leave and the ongoing gender pay gap.
Women from across Cumbria took part in open and honest discussions, sharing personal experiences, challenging long held financial myths, and exploring what financial confidence and independence look like at different stages of life.
Rachael Bell, Practice Principal at Rachael Bell Wealth Management, said the event was designed to encourage more open conversations around money and the realities many women face.
She said: “Powering Up is about opening up the conversation around the financial challenges facing women and giving them the opportunity to talk openly about their experiences.
“We wanted to create a space where women can feel reassured that their experiences are shared by others and to understand the practical steps they can take to plan for the future they want, both now and in years to come. It’s about far more than financial planning, it’s about confidence and removing barriers.”
The event was hosted jointly by Rachael and Chelsea Whittock, a financial planner at Rachael Bell Wealth Management.
Following the success of the event at Bartons Yard in Carlisle, the team is planning a second Powering Up event in West Cumbria, which will take place in May.
Rachael added: “The response to the event has been incredibly positive. The honesty, openness and support in the room really demonstrated how important these conversations are and we’re looking forward to building on that momentum with future events.”
Established in 2014, Rachael Bell Wealth Management is a leading wealth management firm in Cumbria, with its all-female team setting it apart from other practices.
The team supports clients throughout the county and beyond, offering a range of wealth management services, including investment and retirement planning, intergenerational planning and pensions.
Powering Up is part of the firm’s wider commitment to education, inclusion and community engagement, helping to address the barriers that can prevent people from feeling informed, confident and in control of their financial wellbeing.
The firm is also behind the Financial Freedom Podcast which attracted thousands of listeners across two seasons and remains available to download or stream on all major platforms.
