April 2008 eBulletin

Scottish Parliament recognises YWCA Scotland’s commitment to developing young women’s leadership

On 13th March Marilyn Livingstone, MSP for Kirkcaldy lodged the following parliamentary members’ motion congratulating Kirsty Kelly on her recent election to YWCA World Board and recognising YWCA Scotland’s commitment to developing young women’s leadership skills.
Opportunities and Success for Young Women in YWCA Scotland
“That the Parliament congratulates YWCA Scotland President, Kirsty Kelly, on her election to the YWCA World Board; notes that Kirsty, from Kinghorn in Fife, is still in her early twenties; recognises that this is a huge personal achievement and honour for Kirsty, as well as recognition for the work of YWCA Scotland in developing young women’s leadership; further notes that Kirsty’s election means that a member of YWCA Scotland has held a leadership place at world level for three consecutive terms, as her predecessor, Julie Dickson was from Kirkcaldy and served two terms at this level, and considers it particularly relevant, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, to recognise these young women who have been great ambassadors for Scotland and exemplars of the life changing opportunities available in the YWCA. “

S3M-01573 Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Scottish Labour), 13th March 2008

YWCA SCOTLAND

YWCA SCOTLAND PRESIDENT RELEASES HER FIRST C.D.
Following her appearance on GMTV at New Year, YWCA Scotland President, Kirsty Kelly was contacted by a songwriter from Kent who asked if she would record four of her songs on a mini C.D.
Song of the Highlands is now on sale from YWCA Scotland for £3.50 plus 50p postage UK rate. £2.30 of each sales will be donated to YWCA Scotland. To order your copy contact your local centre or YWCA Scotland tel 0131 225 7592

YWCA ROUNDABOUT

In July 2007 over 2,000 women from 125 countries met in Nairobi , Kenya to be part of Changing Lives, Changing Communities. Over 3 weeks YWCA members visited YWCA Malawi, held a Young Women's Forum, an International Women's Summit on HIV & AIDS, changed their constitution, and agreed the direction for YWCA over the next 4 years at YWCA World Council. Get a taste of their experience when they visit YWCA Roundabout on 18 th April from 6.00 – 8.00 pm, all welcome contact YWCA Roundabout for further information.

YWCA Roundabout Intercultural Summer School are looking for enthusiastic, committed, reliable volunteers 18+ and work placement students 16+ for their intercultural summer school that runs from 30 th June to 25 th July, the volunteering role is demanding but tremendously rewarding. For further information contact YWCA Roundabout .

YWCA KIRKCALDY

Healthy Lifestyle for girls 13 to 16 yrs on Wed eve at 7-9pm. starting 16th April Explore different lifestyles and topics that have an effect on you. Some topics to be explored are sexual health, personal safety, drugs, alcohol, assertiveness,body image and having fun.

'Y Music project,
Your chance to have a try at playing guitar 'strum along' or drums 'beat the beat' or do a bit of DJ mixing. Like the sound of it, come along 'mix and meet'.
Mondays 4.30 to 6.30 for 9 - 12 yrs
Wednesdays 4.30 to 6.30 for 13 - 16 yrs
For further details on Healthy lifestyle or Y Music project contact YWCA Kirkcaldy

YWCA LOCHEND

Cafe Bloom's new Cooking Course starts on Friday 11th April. The course is open to people of all cooking abilities and will run every Friday for 6 weeks, 10am – 12pm. Ingredients and crèche are provided free. Places are limited - to book, call Fiona on 0131 554 3400.

Women Onto Work will be starting a new course at YWCA Lochend, from 14th April to 26th June. WOW provides pre-vocational training courses for unemployed women over 25. See www.womenontowork.org for more info about the work they do.

Ripple Project 'Family Matters' Film Project: Tuesdays 29th April, 6th May and13th May (7pm - 9.30pm). Contact Liz Ferguson at the Ripple Project on 0131 554 0422 for more information.

New groups starting soon for 12 weeks: Girls' Group (9-13yrs) and Young Women's Group (14-18yrs). Contact lochend.ywca@care4free.net for more info or to register interest.

YWCA COUPAR ANGUS

YWCA Coupar Angus will be holding a Buffet Lunch on 1 st May to celebrate the achievements and 35 years of service of YWCA Coupar Angus Women's Interest Group .

WORLD YWCA UPDATE

WORLD YWCA, 24 th April 2008

This year's World YWCA Day is about telling stories and adding life, voice, sound, music and colour to the stories of women who have brought change to our communities and to the lives of countless women. The theme for this year's World YWCA Day is Listen to she who speaks: Women Leading Change . It builds on the Honouring Women Leaders programme launch in 2007 to honour women in their community and make a donation in their name. The names of the women honoured are saved in the World YWCA archive for perpetuity and the donation goes towards the Power to Change Fund – a permanent fund to build the leadership of women and girls.

Read the stories of remarkable YWCA women past and present on the world YWCA website. Included in those honoured are YWCA Scotland's Julie Dickson

EVENTS

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S CONVENTION YOUNG WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION EVENT FOR YOUNG WOMEN AGED 16-20 YEARS ON SATURDAY 3 RD MAY 2008 AT GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL. Travel expenses will be paid and a contribution towards childcare costs is available. The day will give young women the chance to have their say on issues that affect them, meet up with young women from across Scotland and contribute to decisions that have a direct effect on their life. further information and details contact SWC or call 0131 550 3754

YOUTH SCOTLAND TRIBAL GROOVE, RESIDENTIAL TRAINING EVENT FOR YOUNG WOMEN 24 TH – 25 TH MAY, 2008 AT CARRONVALE CENTRE, LARBERT, STIRLINGSHIRE Cost £20 including food and accommodation. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. To book a place or for further details see Girls on the Move Spring Newsletter or call 0131 554 2561

As part of the Girls on the Move project, Youth Scotland is offering young women aged 16-24 years the opportunity to take part in a two day Tribal Groove leadership training event. This high-energy, fun-packed event will teach participants the basics of Tribal Groove dance and body percussion. Working with one of the original Tribal Groove creators, the group will learn various rhythm patterns, essential communication and team-building skills and how to deliver a successful Tribal Groove workshop.

FAITH AND BELIEF IN SCOTLAND , A YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONSULTATION EVENT. 28 TH APRIL 2008, 9.30 – 5.00 pm. SCOTTISH YOUTH THEATRE, GLASGOW FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 16-25

Have you ever wished the Government would listen to your opinions? Well, here's your chance to make your views known to the Scottish Government without ever having to go near a consultation document. Through workshops based around creative thinking and theatre you will be able to explore and discuss your views on how the Scottish Government should take forward its work on faith and belief. Using creative theatre as a way of developing policy this will not simply be another talking shop and your views will be used to directly influence the development of Government policy. This event is open to anyone aged 16-25 with an interest in faith and belief you don't have to be a member of a religious community to take part. Contact Barbara Schuler for further information ( Barbara.Schuler@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0131 244 0560).