The Second Act: Helping Women in Midlife Write Their Next Chapter
- Becky Percival
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Becky sat down with Charlie and Helen on the When in Frome podcast to talk in more detail about The Second Act, why they started it, and their hopes for helping women navigate midlife with confidence.
It's a question many women quietly ask themselves.
"Is this it?"
After years of raising families, building careers, caring for others or simply following the path life has taken, many reach midlife feeling unsure about what comes next. Some want a complete career change. Others have dreams they've never quite pursued. Many simply feel stuck.
That's exactly why The Second Act was created.
Meeting every third Thursday of the month at The Good Heart Café in Frome, this welcoming community group is giving women a relaxed space to explore new possibilities, share experiences and realise they're far from alone.
A Conversation That Sparked an Idea
The idea came about during a Spanish conversation club run by Charlie, where Helen mentioned a personal goal of figuring out her professional future before the end of 2026.
As they talked, they realised this uncertainty wasn't unique.
Many women in midlife find themselves questioning their careers, identity or purpose. For some, children have grown up and left home. Others are juggling work with caring responsibilities, facing workplace inequalities, or simply wondering whether there's something more fulfilling they could be doing.
Rather than trying to solve these questions alone, they decided to create a space where women could work through them together.
More Than a Support Group
The Second Act isn't counselling or career coaching.
Instead, Charlie and Helen describe it as a friendly, informal community where honest conversations happen naturally.
Their first session welcomed five women, and rather than structured lectures, the focus is on activities and discussions designed to get people talking, sharing ideas and encouraging one another.
The aim is simple: help women move from feeling stuck to taking small, manageable steps towards whatever comes next.
Finding the Right Home
The group meets at The Good Heart Café, a venue already known for bringing people together through community events.
Its relaxed atmosphere makes it the perfect setting for conversations that can often feel difficult to start elsewhere.
Charlie and Helen promoted the group through Instagram, Facebook, Nextdoor and local leafleting, hoping to reach women who might be quietly wondering whether they need a change but don't know where to begin.
It's Never Too Late
The name The Second Act was chosen deliberately.
Rather than seeing midlife as a time when opportunities have passed, Charlie and Helen believe it's the beginning of a new chapter.
Whether someone wants to retrain, start a business, return to work, discover a creative passion or simply gain confidence about their future, they want women to know that meaningful change is possible at any age.
As they explained during our conversation, even the smallest step can lead somewhere completely unexpected.
Looking Ahead
Over the coming year, Charlie and Helen hope to build a thriving community of women supporting one another through life's transitions.
They'd also like to introduce guest speakers, run occasional online sessions and continue creating opportunities for women to learn from each other's experiences.
Most importantly, they hope members leave each session feeling a little more hopeful than when they arrived.
Join The Second Act
The Second Act meets every third Thursday of the month at The Good Heart Café in Frome.
If you've been wondering what's next, feeling ready for a fresh challenge, or simply want to meet like-minded women navigating similar questions, you'll find a warm welcome waiting.
Because sometimes all it takes to begin a new chapter is one conversation.
Enjoyed this story?
Hear the full conversation with Charlie and Helen on the When in Frome podcast.
Written by Becky Percival
Writer • Publisher • Podcaster
Comments