Brian Cope, Folk London
"The undeniable strength of women runs like a thread throughout the album ...Encouragement, a gently defiant song, from which the CD takes it's title is described as "an important reminder that if we give in to despair we're admitting defeat” and the tracks that follow become a series of stories which reflect that situation.... Though not always easy listening, Encouragement demonstrates Frankie Armstrong remains a singer of great strength and passion."