With the launch of the Ladies First Charity Calendar 2027, Nub News is meeting the local women behind the project to discover the personal stories, passions and causes that inspired them to take part.

From stepping outside their comfort zones to raising money for charities close to their hearts, each woman has her own reason for getting involved. In this series, we find out their 'why' and what the experience has meant to them.

Paola Spiga – Balsall Common

For Paola Spiga, taking part in the Ladies First Charity Calendar is about celebrating diversity, challenging herself and supporting a cause she believes can make a difference to everyone.

As a local businesswoman with a salon in Hockley Heath, Paola admitted that posing in a swimming costume was not something she would ordinarily feel comfortable doing.

However, she was drawn to the opportunity to bring together women of different ages and backgrounds.

"The reason I'm doing the calendar is because I like the idea of the diversity," she said.

"It's related to the charity, because we put our work in for them.

"However, diversity is a plus on top of that."

Paola also admired the willingness of the women involved to challenge themselves by doing something outside their usual comfort zones.

"They want to challenge themselves and do something that is far away from their comfort zone.

"And I value that a lot," she said.

Paola's Why

With her 40th birthday approaching next month, Paola said reaching a new decade had prompted her to reflect on her life and what she wants from the future.

She compared the milestone to turning 20, when people often begin to reassess their lives and think about the direction they want to take.

"It's kind of like the moment when, you know, it happened to you when you were in your 20s, and you're like, there is a big change," she said.

"And it's like, whoa, okay. How do I look like? What do I want from my life?"

Alongside the calendar, Paola said her involvement with Ladies First has helped her build meaningful relationships with other women, both personally and professionally.

She first attended a networking event after a client recommended the organisation and was struck by how welcoming its members were.

"The first networking I went to, it felt like it was a family," she said.

"They were so welcoming, and it was so nice."

Her involvement has also helped her business, with Paola winning her first award just five months after opening her salon.

She said this was the first of 15 awards she has received, with further recognition in 2024 and 2025 helping to raise her business's profile.

"The award itself, it gives you like a boost and support your business and your visibility," she said.

Paola said the value of networking went beyond simply finding new clients, with the relationships built through Ladies First offering a stronger sense of community and mutual support.

Paola's chosen charity: Arrive Alive

Diving deeper into her reasons for taking part in the calendar, Paola explained why she has chosen to support Arrive Alive, a charity which supports the ambulance service by funding emergency response vehicles and equipment for medically trained volunteers.

The charity says it is the only registered organisation of its kind in the UK and is funded entirely through public donations.

Between June 2024 and August 2026, Arrive Alive vehicles attended more than 9,000 life-threatening 999 calls, according to the charity.

Paola said she was particularly drawn to the organisation because it relies on public donations to fund its work.

"I chose them because they don't really have any sort of funding. They are just funded by people," she said.

She also admired the fact that the charity's work can benefit anyone, regardless of their circumstances or the medical emergency they are experiencing.

"It's the kind of charity that helps anyone at any point, at any stage," she said.

"They help everyone. So, for me, this is incredible," she said.

By choosing Arrive Alive, Paola hopes to support a charity whose work she believes can make a difference to people across the community.

The Ladies First Charity Calendar launched on 15 October and is now available to purchase here.