Our mission is to inspire girls and young women to achieve their potential through developing skills, self-confidence and leadership and through challenging the barriers they face in society.
We aim to
- Provide high-quality opportunities for girls and young women to develop their skills, well-being and confidence within a safe, accessible environment.
- Enable girls and young women to make informed choices, achieve goals, build leadership abilities and participate actively in all spheres of life.
- Tackle the barriers faced by girls and young women in our society through engaging with decision-makers at all levels.
- Work in partnership with other YWCAs and other organisations which share our vision of a socially, economically and politically inclusive society for all in order to deliver better services.
- Ensure our services are continually shaped by evidence, good practice and the views of our service-users.
We are guided by values, including
- Respect for self and others
- The acceptance of difference and diversity and the promotion of non-discriminatory attitudes
- Honesty, openness and trust within the organisation and its members
- The right of every individual to reach their full potential as a whole person and to achieve their goals
- Encouraging personal and social responsibility
- The equal value of every individual and their right to have their voice heard.
I like doing the activities. I’m good at badminton now, and it’s easier to make friends and talk to people here
The YWCA was established in Scotland over 150 years ago, emerging from the Christian principles of social justice and inclusion and promoting the welfare of young women through a range of activities and services. The organisation no longer promotes a specific Christian focus and is open to people of all religious faiths and of none. We work primarily for and with and on issues concerning girls and young women aged 9 to 30.
Registered Charity
YWCA Scotland is a charity registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and a Company Limited by Guarantee. The charity is actively engaged with the community of YWCAs, working for and with young women and girls across Britain and around the globe. YWCA Scotland is a member of YWCA of Great Britain, which in turn is a representative member of the YWCA World movement.
Board
YWCA Scotland is led by a volunteer Board of Trustees / Directors, which is responsible for setting the charity’s strategic direction and priorities and monitoring its outcomes. The Board also holds responsibility for adhering to legal and regulatory requirements, employment, stewardship of finance and contracts. Board members and officers are appointed from the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
Staff
The Board delegates responsibility for delivering activities and services in furtherance of YWCA’s strategic goals to the staff team, led by the National Co-ordinator. YWCA Scotland has four full time and ten part time and sessional staff and with more than 30 volunteers supporting the planning, delivery and evaluation of services.
Volunteers
Volunteers contribute to Local Advisory Committees in Kirkcaldy and Livingston, providing advice on the development of local services and contributing to YWCA through fundraising, evaluation and promotion of the charity within local communities.
Accommodation
Many years ago we used to provide accommodation, but we no longer offer this service. For short stay accommodation contact the Youth Hostel Association.
