A little bit of history
Jody Day, the founder of Gateway Women, started the first Gateway Women Online Community on Google+ in 2012, moving it to MightyNetworks in 2019. In July 2022, and after 10 years , Jody (in her 60s) handed it over to the next generation of childless women under the stewardship of Katy Seppi (40s), and it now goes by the name of the ‘Childless Collective.’
Jody is still very much a part of the Childless Collective. As well as offering support and mentorship behind the scenes to both Katy Seppi and our Community Manager, Sonia Suman, she is also the Host for the ‘Childless Elderwomen’ subgroup (200+ members aged in their 50s, 60s and 70s looking for support around elderhood without motherhood).
And now that Jody is no longer responsible for the truly humungous amount of work behind the scenes it takes to lead and manage an online community of this size and tenderness, she is able to focus on completing her next book (a novel, featuring a childless heroine of course!) and developing her emerging Gateway Elderwomen project. She also remains an Ambassador for World Childless Week and a tireless global spokesperson for women without children in media and podcast interviews, through her writing and at online and live events. You can find out more about Jody’s work and how to contact her here.
What’s the Childless Collective community like?
Under Katy’s skilled and gentle hand, all of the things that made the Gateway Women online community known, loved and trusted have remained the same, particularly its delicate application and vetting process for new members, its commitment to offering reduced or donation memberships to anyone who needs one and skilful moderation of all aspects of the community. Taken together, all these continue to make the community a safe harbour for childless women when compared to the often rough waters of ‘normal’ social media.
Excitingly, the Childless Collective has also added innovative ways for members to connect, including many more member-hosted subgroups (including for childless singles), and a much-expanded offering of (and support for) local in-person member gatherings across the world (UK, Ireland, Europe, US, Canada, Australia & NZ), some really great fun member events focused around cooking, crafts, creative writing and other activities, and a really impressive lineup of guest webinars from leaders in their fields on topics as ranging from friendship skills to aspects of personal growth. Each month in the CC is organised around a ‘theme’ and the workshops, events, prompts, webinars and discussions cluster around those, whilst still offering spaces for members to share where they’re at in their daily lives.
How much does it cost?
The Childless Collective community, as Gateway Women did, offers free trial when you join, after which there is a sliding scale of membership fees, including a donation level (all with the same level of access). This means that, whatever your financial circumstances, you can come and join this wonderful global group of women. No one is turned away for financial reasons; the support this space offers is just too important for that. If you have any questions before or during your membership, please email Sonia Suman, the Childless Collective Community Manager at hello@childlesscollective.com All the details on pricing, etc in various currencies can be found here.
Find out more, join or access the Childless Collective community.
Is it right for me?
As it was with the Gateway Women online community, the Childless Collective community is for women and non-binary people who are permanently involuntarily childless for any reason at all. This means that you have given up (or are in the process of giving up) any chance of becoming a biological or adoptive mother. Childless stepmothers are welcome, and there is a member-led subgroup on this topic. If you’re wondering if the community is right for you, please email the Community Manager, Sonia, who will be happy to answer your questions, at hello@childlesscollective.com
The Childless Collective community will not be suitable for you if you are childless by choice (childfree), trying to conceive (TTC), planning or going through fertility treatments, still hopeful of meeting a partner and having children together (or hopeful that your current partner might change their mind), considering or going through the fostering or adoption process, or are struggling with secondary infertility. There are lots of other great online groups that would be a better fit for you, and you can explore Gateway Women’s list of resources here, and World Childless Week also maintains a list.
Whilst you are welcome to join for your own healing and support, it is respectfully requested that if you are a childless coach, therapist or service provider currently offering, or planning to offer such things as workshops, events, groups or communities, etc (either free or paid) for childless women, please check with us first by emailing Sonia at hello@childlesscollective.com. And should you wish to be added to Gateway Women’s list of recommended therapists and coaches, you’ll find that here. World Childless Week also maintains a wide-ranging list of resources here.
