KILCOOLEY WOMEN'S CENTRE

What KILCOOLEY WOMEN'S CENTRE does

Kilcooley Women's Centre (KWC) is a non-profit women's organisation founded in 1995 and headquartered in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland, operating as the leading women's organisation in Ards and North Down. The organisation delivers a multi-service portfolio spanning training and accredited education (CCEA, OCN, VTCT courses via the Virtual Learning College), early years childcare (Ladybirds Children & Family Centre for 0-4 year olds), health and wellbeing programmes (Healthier You, SWIRL Project), community-based social enterprises (Bangor Social Supermarket, Queen Bee Cafe, vintage postbox and china hire), and peace/reconciliation work (WHISPER, PEARL, Peace Plus partnerships). It operates across 8+ physical sites in Bangor including headquarters at Balloo Avenue, the Kilcooley Estate, Ladybirds on Old Belfast Road, the Old Market House, and Queen Bee Cafe at Kilcooley Square.

KWC's business model is a hybrid of grant-funded services and earned social enterprise income. Primary funding flows from government grants (Irish Government DFAT Reconciliation Fund, UK Department for Communities, Department of Education, Public Health Agency, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Dormant Assets Fund NI), charitable trusts (BBC Children in Need, Tudor Trust, National Lottery Community Fund, National Heritage Lottery Fund, Versus Arthritis), and programme-specific European funding (Erasmus+, Peace Plus). Earned income comes from childcare fees (Ladybirds subscription model), training course fees, social supermarket membership fees, cafe sales, and vintage hire services. The organisation is governed by a board of trustees with CEO Alison Blayney BEM leading a management team of approximately 11-50 staff, including Executive Directors for Digital and Operations. KWC generates no proprietary technology product; its digital infrastructure is a WordPress/Elementor website with standard analytics and SSL.

The organisation's strategic focus extends beyond direct service delivery into sector leadership, including appointment as Women's Sector Representatives on the Ards North Down Peace Plus Partnership and leadership of the PCSP-funded One Stop Shop for domestic abuse support across the borough. International partnerships span 12+ European countries (Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkey, Belgium, Poland) enabling staff exchanges, learner mobility, and knowledge transfer via Erasmus+ and other EU-funded collaborations.

Name

KILCOOLEY WOMEN'S CENTRE

Legal name

Kilcooley Women's Centre

Website

https://kilcooleywomenscentre.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kilcooley Women's Centre is a non-profit community organisation founded in 1995 in Bangor, Northern Ireland, delivering training, accredited education, early years childcare, health and wellbeing programmes, and social enterprises for women, children, and families in Ards and North Down.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Access & Quality (International Development) (BPAGABAE), Basic Education Access & Quality (Primary/Secondary) (BPADAKAA), Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD)

Keywords

• Women's community services
• Social enterprise programmes
• Early years childcare
• Community training education
• Peacebuilding reconciliation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangor

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Primary funding from government sources including Department for Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund (€107,400 strategic partnership), Department for Communities, Department of Education, Public Health Agency, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and Dormant Assets Fund. Funding supports peacebuilding, good relations, training, health improvement, and community programmes.
2. Social Enterprise Operations: Revenue generation through social economy ventures including Bangor Social Supermarket (membership fees), Queen Bee Cafe operations, vintage postbox and china hire services, and other commercial activities.
3. Charitable Trust and Foundation Funding: Funding from charitable organisations including BBC Children in Need, Tudor Trust, National Lottery Community Fund, National Heritage Lottery Fund, and Versus Arthritis for specific programmes and projects.
4. Training and Course Fees: Revenue from accredited courses, workshops, and training programmes including OCN qualifications, beauty and nail courses, classroom assistant training, and various skills development programmes.
5. Childcare Services: Ladybirds Children & Family Centre provides full-time and part-time childcare for children aged 0-4 years, open Monday to Friday 7.30-5.30, 48 weeks per year. Supported by Department for Communities Women's Centre Childcare fund and Department of Education Pathways Fund.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

KILCOOLEY WOMEN'S CENTRE is a not-for-profit women's organisation founded in 1995 that delivers community-based services for women, children and families in the Ards and North Down area of Northern Ireland. It provides training and accredited courses, health and wellbeing programmes, early-years childcare through Ladybirds Children & Family Centre, peace and reconciliation work, social enterprise ventures (including a social supermarket and cafe), and heritage and creative programmes from multiple sites.

Product overview

KILCOOLEY WOMEN'S CENTRE operates as a multi-service community organisation offering a portfolio of interrelated services rather than a unified software platform. The core offering spans childcare (Ladybirds Childcare with age-specific rooms from 0-4 years), health and wellbeing programmes (Healthier You, SWIRL Project), and community development initiatives. Social enterprise activities include the Bangor Social Supermarket for food poverty alleviation, Queen Bee Cafe, and vintage hire services (postboxes and china). Training and education is delivered through the Virtual Learning College offering accredited courses (CCEA, OCN, VTCT). Peace-building and reconciliation work is conducted through the WHISPER Project (DFA Reconciliation Fund), Peace Plus partnerships, and Erasmus+ international collaborations. Youth and family support includes Catalyst Youth Programme, Summer Scheme, Incredible Years Parenting, and the PCSP One Stop Shop domestic abuse service. The organisation also operates Square One Community Hub and The Old Market House as heritage and community venues. All services are designed to support women, children, and families in the Ards and North Down region with a focus on those facing disadvantage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ladybirds Children & Family Centre: Early years childcare centre offering services for children from birth to 4 years, including baby room, toddler room, and pre-school programmes.
• Gifted Enterprise
• WHISPER (Women in Sustainable Peace, Empowerment & Reconciliation)
• GRIT (Good Relations i facilitation Course)

Products and services

• Ladybirds Childcare
• Bangor Social Supermarket
• Queen Bee Cafe
• Virtual Learning College
• Summer Scheme
• WHISPER Project (Women in Sustainable Peace, Empowerment & Reconciliation)
• Peace Plus Projects
• SWIRL Project
• Eastside Lives (Bangor) Heritage Project
• Square One Community Hub
• Erasmus+ International Projects
• Vintage Postbox Hire
• Vintage China Hire
• PCSP One Stop Shop (Domestic Abuse Support)
• Healthier You Programme
• KWC Harp Project

Quantifiable outcome

• 125% increase in social supermarket membership
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) - Irish GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Three-year strategic partnership worth €107,400 from the Irish Government's Reconciliation Fund. This is among the first strategic partnerships under the Department's new strategy, supporting KWC's peace, good relations, and female empowerment programmes. The partnership enables broadening reach into urban and rural communities across Ards and North Down.
• Irish Government Reconciliation FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026€10 million fund allocated to 154 peacebuilding and reconciliation projects in Northern Ireland. 11 groups specifically addressing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence received support. KWC is among the notable recipients as part of this initiative.
• Training for Women NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding recipient of €180,000 from Irish Government Reconciliation Fund. Collaborates with KWC on training and women's empowerment initiatives across Northern Ireland.
• Belfast & Lisburn Women's AidmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNotable recipient of Irish Government Reconciliation Fund alongside KWC. Both organisations address domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Northern Ireland.
• 14 Regional Women's Centres in Northern IrelandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWC links with 14 regional women's centres across Northern Ireland, cooperating on shared objectives of advancing gender equality and supporting women and families.
• European Partner OrganisationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnerships with women's organisations across Europe including Italy, Ireland, The Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkey, Belgium, and Poland. These partnerships enable staff training, learner exchange programmes, knowledge exchange, and transfer of innovation.
• Arts Council of Northern IrelandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministered the Department for Communities' Musical Instrument Fund which supported KWC's harp project. The project has supported over 100 people to access musical tuition at The Old Market House.
• Department for CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department providing funding through Musical Instrument Fund for harp project and various community programmes. Minister Gordon Lyons MLA visited to see project impact.
• The Co-opmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership developed for Kilcooley Community Fridge initiative. Co-op has also partnered on Community Heart Project supporting Healthy Tots Healthy Hearts programme.
• Peace Plus PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWC appointed as Women's Sector Representatives on Ards North Down Peace Plus Partnership. Partnership includes Building Women's Resilience, Women in Peacebuilding, Education & Training, and Irish Language & Ulster Scots projects.
• HubbubbmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Hubbubb as part of FoodHub programme supporting the social supermarket initiative.
• Public Health AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in health improvement programmes. KWC hosted the Kilcooley Health Improvement Consortium and delivers SWIRL project within Making Life Better framework.
• South Eastern Health & Social Care TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in health development programmes, working together to drive health improvements, prevention and interventions in the community.
• Versus ArthritismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Versus Arthritis project supporting women with arthritis network through KWC.
• Ards North Down Police and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWC leads on PCSP 'One Stop Shop' for the Borough, delivering domestic abuse support services. PCSP awards contract annually for this service.
• NI Housing ExecutivemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWC joined NI Housing Executive's 'Housing Community Network' to build better community relations. Chair Nicole Lappin visited KWC to explore impact.
• DEVON Mind (Plymouth, UK)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner on multiple Erasmus+ projects including RIYPLD, Reset Restart, PAFYP (Parenting Awareness for Young People), and Traffir. KWC collaborates as international partner.
• Let Her In International ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean collaboration for WE GET project (Women Entrepreneurs Generating Enhanced Training). KWC participates as part of this international consortium.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland: Federation of women's organisations in Northern Ireland addressing domestic and sexual violence. Directly comparable to KWC's domestic abuse and gender-based violence programmes and named alongside KWC as a recipient of Irish Government Reconciliation Fund support.
• Women's Resource and Development Agency (WRDA): Northern Ireland women's policy and development organisation supporting women's centres across the region. Comparable in mission (gender equality, training, policy) and operates at regional scale linking 14+ women's centres similar to KWC's network role.
• Falls Women's Centre: Community-based women's centre in West Belfast delivering training, health, childcare, and personal development. Closest operating-model peer to KWC — multi-service women's centre serving a defined geographic community with grant and social enterprise funding.
• Foyle Women's Centre: Derry/Londonderry-based women's centre providing education, training, health, and childcare services. Same multi-service community women's centre model as KWC and part of the Northern Ireland regional women's centres network.
• Belfast & Lisburn Women's Aid: Northern Ireland domestic abuse support provider explicitly named in company data as a fellow Irish Government Reconciliation Fund recipient. Comparable mission overlap with KWC's PCSP One Stop Shop domestic abuse drop-in service.
• The Women's Centre (Derry): Cross-border women's centre in Derry providing training, health, and community programmes. Comparable in being a cross-border Irish-UK women's services organisation with similar funder profile and training programme mix.

Emerging players

• Springboard Opportunities: Northern Ireland charity supporting people facing barriers to education and employment. Comparable in adult learning, employability training, and accredited course delivery (similar OCN-style programmes to KWC's Virtual Learning College).
• Young Women's Trust: UK charity supporting young women (18-30) with employability, training, and personal development. Comparable in training-for-women and employability mission similar to KWC's Catalyst Youth Programme and OCN course offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA): Umbrella body for Northern Ireland's voluntary and community sector. Comparable as a broader regional infrastructure player that KWC interfaces with for policy advocacy, funder relationships, and sector representation.
• Refuge (UK): UK-wide domestic abuse support charity operating helplines, refuges, and advocacy. Comparable in mission focus on violence against women and girls, and represents the scaled national incumbent in KWC's direct service domain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user128763528
• Facebookfacebook.com/KilcooleyWomensCentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/kilcooleywomenscentre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KILCOOLEY WOMEN'S CENTRE