Widening the Circle 

Extending connection, confidence and possibility to women for whom meaningful travel might otherwise remain out of reach.

FFTC is built on a simple belief: connection is one of the ways we contribute to one another. A welcome in an unfamiliar place, a shared experience or the encouragement to take a first journey can have meaning far beyond the trip itself.

FFTC will begin as a sustainable, membership-based travel connection service. As it grows, we intend to work with specialist and community partners to extend these opportunities to women whose circumstances have narrowed their choices.

The purpose is not simply to help more women travel. It is to widen the circle of human connection by removing barriers to participation and strengthening women’s agency. In that way, travel can be life changing.

What Travel Can Offer

Travel does not solve trauma, disability, hardship or isolation. But a carefully supported journey can offer something deeply human: welcome, choice, new perspectives and a renewed sense of possibility.

Depending on partnerships, resources and individual circumstances, this could include:

• a sponsored FFTC membership or carefully matched local connection;

• a supported first journey following a major life disruption;

• a cultural, creative, learning or nature-based experience; or

• a restorative journey developed with an appropriate specialist or community organisation.

Participation would always be voluntary and shaped around each woman’s circumstances, readiness and preferences.

Grounded in Experience

FFTC founder Lucyna MacDermott brings professional experience across child protection, family support, women’s services, disability, homelessness, safeguarding and governance.

That experience informs a practical commitment to dignity, choice, safety and accountability. FFTC would work alongside specialist organisations—not as a crisis, therapeutic or case-management service.

Dignity Without Disclosure

Women would not be expected to tell a public story of hardship, disclose more than is necessary or trade their privacy for support.

Clear arrangements would cover consent, privacy, accessibility, cultural safety, responsibilities, complaints and emergency support.

A Sustainable Contribution

This work is likely to be supported through sponsored memberships and journeys, community partnerships, philanthropy, grants, corporate support and a defined contribution from FFTC as the commercial service grows.

Local Friend Connectors would have agreed roles and boundaries and would not be expected to provide unlimited or unpaid support.

The wider-purpose work would remain distinct, properly funded and clearly governed.