A NEW networking group for women who need a helping hand to achieve their dreams has launched in Oxford.

‘More to Life Than Shoes’ is a female-only social group for those who want to achieve their goals and long forgotten New Year’s resolutions.

Monthly sessions are des-igned to inspire, motivate and support women whose work, family or social commitments get in the way of their long term ambitions.

Lucy Eckley, 37, of Fringford, near Bicester, founded the Oxford branch this month and is hoping to get a wide spectrum of women to come along to the meetings.

The former Oxford High School pupil said “I read about ‘More to Life Than Shoes’ and joined the online community on Facebook. When they were setting up the groups I decided to set one up in Oxford.

“I think it’s great for women like me who always have lots of things on their ‘to do’ list.

“We always have great ambitions at this time of year but with the pace of day-to-day life it’s really easy to forget about your own life.

“Having a group of women to get together with and inspire yourself is a great force of support and help in achieving your ambitions.

“There is such a great range of diverse people in Oxford doing all sorts of different things, and being able to swap ideas with them gives us a fresh perspective.”

The group was founded two years ago by entrepreneurs Nadia Finer and Emily Cleaver from St Albans.

The pair realised they needed help to make their own plans happen.

Now they have about 20 groups across the nation from Bournemouth to Edinburgh.

Communications manager Mrs Eckley, who joined the group to extend her social circle, said: “People can join for a change in career, setting up their own business or finding ways to go to the gym. We can sit down and be creative and help them find ways of doing things.

“It’s really refreshing talking to people that you haven’t met before because they can offer a fresh perspective.”

Members set each other targets and steps to complete towards their personal goal which they report back to the next meeting.

Mrs Eckley added: “It’s good discipline to make sure you go away and do something.”

The next meeting will be on Monday, February 22, at Cafe Coco, in Park End Street, Oxford.

For more information about the group, see moretolifethanshoes.com