Further thanks go to
B A Cash & Carry and WCVA for sponsoring tables at our 25th Anniversary
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Well Being Day
The Workshop is putting on a women's health & well being day on Thursday November 26th,
Free lunch
Get your fitness checked
Relax with some yoga
Get Lushed up
Contact Sian Thomason at sian.thomason@womensworkshop.org.uk or 029 20493351 for further information
Free lunch
Get your fitness checked
Relax with some yoga
Get Lushed up
Contact Sian Thomason at sian.thomason@womensworkshop.org.uk or 029 20493351 for further information
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Sponsors - 25 Anniversary
Thank you to the following 25th Anniversary sponsors
Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO)
Equality & Human Rights Commission
Black Association of Women Step Out (BAWSO)
UK Resource Centre for Women in SET
Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO)
Equality & Human Rights Commission
Black Association of Women Step Out (BAWSO)
UK Resource Centre for Women in SET
25 Anniversary Dinner
Just to let everyone know the tickets are going fast for the anniversary dinner on 19th November. So please contact sian.thomason@womensworkshop.org.uk if you are interested in a ticket
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
25th Anniversary Celebration
We are planning to celebrate our 25 years of achievements at a dinner in the Future Inn Hotel, Cardiff Bay on Thursday 19th November and are offering a number of sponsorship opportunities at the event:
- a table of ten guests costs £300 and includes the company of two trainees from the Workshop on your table
- you could sponsor the wine for the evening, or the hire of the venue
- individual seats for the dinner are available at £32 each
Sponsorship gives you an excellent opportunity to invest in the future of the local community, as well as sharing your name and brand image with hundreds of people.
All major sponsors will be recognised in the publicity material and on our website and will be invited to exhibit promotional material at the event itself.
The evening will include appearances from the politicians instrumental in establishing the Workshop plus a number of special guests. It will include entertainment, demonstrations and displays from trainees past and present.
We would like to hear from ex-trainees to help us to celebrate our 25th anniversary in style. Do you have any photographs from your time in the Workshop or other memorabilia you would be happy to share with us?
Please contact Sian Thomason on 25@womensworkshop.org.uk if you would like to be involved in this exciting event or have a look at our website: http://www.womensworkshop.org.uk/25.htm
We will be updating this blog and our website with news about the forthcoming celebration.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Creative Imprints, A Community Arts Exhibition
For the past few months, Women's Arts Association have run a number of print workshops at various community venues in Cardiff and Barry. One of the workshops took place here at the Women's Workshop. They were run by professional artist, Susan Joshi and arts manager, Lucy Lilley.
This dynamic project explored the art of printmaking in all its forms, including collage, mono and lino-cuts. Throughout the workshops the tutors encouraged an accessible, "hands-on" approach to creativity and introduced a wide range of materials and processes.
As part of the project the participants are curating an exhibition of their work to be held at Art Central, Town Hall King Square, Barry. The opening hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm.
The participants have been involved in selecting work, deciding where it will be hung and will be curating the show itself. They have visited examples of shows looking at how the work is displayed and curated.
Please come along and show your support for the wonderful work these women have produced.
This dynamic project explored the art of printmaking in all its forms, including collage, mono and lino-cuts. Throughout the workshops the tutors encouraged an accessible, "hands-on" approach to creativity and introduced a wide range of materials and processes.
As part of the project the participants are curating an exhibition of their work to be held at Art Central, Town Hall King Square, Barry. The opening hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm.
The participants have been involved in selecting work, deciding where it will be hung and will be curating the show itself. They have visited examples of shows looking at how the work is displayed and curated.
Please come along and show your support for the wonderful work these women have produced.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
International Women's Day, Cardiff 2009
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achivements.
International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s when women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
To celebrate International Women's Day in Wales women's political, cultural and support groups in Cardiff are working together to organise a festival from Friday 6th - Tuesday 17th March 2009. The majority of events are free and open to all members of the public.
Events in the festival will include political and environmental debates and workshops, arts and crafts events, a film festival, a live indie music night, a Reclaim the Night march and exhibitions. The events will take place at various venues across the city.
For more information see the website: http://www.cymruwomen.org.uk/
International Women's Day at the Workshop:
Launch of the New Life Project (10am - 1pm)
Guest speaker: Jane Hutt, AM for CELLS, - by invitation only.
Arts & Crafts Workshop (12.30pm - 2.30pm)
(run by Women's Arts Association). Explore your creativity.
International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s when women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
To celebrate International Women's Day in Wales women's political, cultural and support groups in Cardiff are working together to organise a festival from Friday 6th - Tuesday 17th March 2009. The majority of events are free and open to all members of the public.
Events in the festival will include political and environmental debates and workshops, arts and crafts events, a film festival, a live indie music night, a Reclaim the Night march and exhibitions. The events will take place at various venues across the city.
For more information see the website: http://www.cymruwomen.org.uk/
International Women's Day at the Workshop:
Launch of the New Life Project (10am - 1pm)
Guest speaker: Jane Hutt, AM for CELLS, - by invitation only.
Arts & Crafts Workshop (12.30pm - 2.30pm)
(run by Women's Arts Association). Explore your creativity.
Mum's Matters @ The Women's Workshop
Mums Matters is a voluntary community group run for mums by mums. Every week the mums take part in activities to improve their health and well-being. These activities include yoga, card-making, self-defence, nutrition, arts and crafts and confidence building, among others. To help the mums to live a healthy lifestyle we encourage snacking on healthy foods.
The group is open to any pregnant mother-to-be, any mum, or carer of children. You can even attend if your children are not with you. We offer a free creche facility, where the children are looked after by qualified staff. The children also participate in exciting activities and enjoy the healthy snacks.
Mums Matters meets every Friday morning at the Women's Workshop during term time from 10am until 12pm and costs £1 per week. It's a great place to meet other mums and learn new skills in a relaxed environment. We always welcome new members, just turn up onthe day or ring Lynne on 029 2022 8707 for more details or have a look at our website: http://www.mumsmatters.btik.com/
Lynne Andrews, Mums Matters
The group is open to any pregnant mother-to-be, any mum, or carer of children. You can even attend if your children are not with you. We offer a free creche facility, where the children are looked after by qualified staff. The children also participate in exciting activities and enjoy the healthy snacks.
Mums Matters meets every Friday morning at the Women's Workshop during term time from 10am until 12pm and costs £1 per week. It's a great place to meet other mums and learn new skills in a relaxed environment. We always welcome new members, just turn up onthe day or ring Lynne on 029 2022 8707 for more details or have a look at our website: http://www.mumsmatters.btik.com/
Lynne Andrews, Mums Matters
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
New Life Video Premier
The Women's Workshop held its first showing of the New Life Project trainees' film New Life, New Start on 20th January this year. The making of the film was a project run by the Film & Video tutor, Claire Purvis. It was made over the first 20 weeks of the New Life Project from October 2008 to December 2008.
The Project works with young mothers aged 16 - 25 and young pregnant women from in and around Cardiff, addressing the multiple issues faced by these young women and their children.
The students in the video group took part in the writing, producing and filming of the video. The film includes the trainees talking about their expectations and experiences of the New Life course and the new start they have undertaken.
The showing was attended by the trainees' friends and families, support workers from Barnardos, AWETU, the Women's Workshop staff and Management Committee, as well as other agencies and partners of the Workshop.
The video group presented the video to the audience and received certificates. The audience greatly enjoyed the showing and were treated to a buffet lunch afterwards.
The trainees have now gone on to various volunteering opportunities in the community. The New Life project staff would like to thank the group for their hard work and congratulate them on their excellent achievements.
Lindsay Jackson, Project Co-ordinator
The Project works with young mothers aged 16 - 25 and young pregnant women from in and around Cardiff, addressing the multiple issues faced by these young women and their children.
The students in the video group took part in the writing, producing and filming of the video. The film includes the trainees talking about their expectations and experiences of the New Life course and the new start they have undertaken.
The showing was attended by the trainees' friends and families, support workers from Barnardos, AWETU, the Women's Workshop staff and Management Committee, as well as other agencies and partners of the Workshop.
The video group presented the video to the audience and received certificates. The audience greatly enjoyed the showing and were treated to a buffet lunch afterwards.
The trainees have now gone on to various volunteering opportunities in the community. The New Life project staff would like to thank the group for their hard work and congratulate them on their excellent achievements.
Lindsay Jackson, Project Co-ordinator
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
User Group Forum
The Women's Workshop User Group Forum was set up to encourage trainees from the Women Get Fit project to get more involved in the running of their project and the Workshop. The Forum is made up of Workshop volunteers and current and former trainees.
The forum meets every 8-12 weeks to discuss some of the issues that arise from their experiences of being on the Women Get Fit project. They discuss issues that have arisen during classes and also give suggestions for future events, taster sessions and projects they would like the Workshop to provide.
It allows women who are on the project the opportunity to meet with the staff who work on the project, to practice their spoken English and to talk with other women who are on, or who have been on the project.
So far the forum has come up with some excellent suggestions regarding future extra sessions, ranging from arts and crafts sessions, to health and welbeing sessions such as Breast Cancer Awareness, aromatherapy and pampering days. These would be provided alongside the First Aid, Confidence Building and Personal Development sessions we are looking at providing in the near future.
One of the most helpful outcomes of our running the Forum has been their input into the larger events that we plan throughout the year. The User Group has been very helpful in deciding on our afternoon events for our International Women's Day celebration on 12th March, 2009.
Helen Watling, Event Co-ordinator
The forum meets every 8-12 weeks to discuss some of the issues that arise from their experiences of being on the Women Get Fit project. They discuss issues that have arisen during classes and also give suggestions for future events, taster sessions and projects they would like the Workshop to provide.
It allows women who are on the project the opportunity to meet with the staff who work on the project, to practice their spoken English and to talk with other women who are on, or who have been on the project.
So far the forum has come up with some excellent suggestions regarding future extra sessions, ranging from arts and crafts sessions, to health and welbeing sessions such as Breast Cancer Awareness, aromatherapy and pampering days. These would be provided alongside the First Aid, Confidence Building and Personal Development sessions we are looking at providing in the near future.
One of the most helpful outcomes of our running the Forum has been their input into the larger events that we plan throughout the year. The User Group has been very helpful in deciding on our afternoon events for our International Women's Day celebration on 12th March, 2009.
Helen Watling, Event Co-ordinator
Introducing the New Life Project
The New Life Project for young mothers aged 16 - 25 has been up and running since July 2008. Courses started full-time in September 2008. The project is split into 3 sections, Strand 1, Strand 2 and Strand 3.
I have had a fantastic time getting to know the team and getting to grips with my job as Recruitment and Support Officer. My role in the New Life Project is to organise the timetable, recruitment and inductions, and to support the women through their learning journey.
The course runs for 3 days per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 10:15am and 3:00pm. The course is designed to give the young mothers 'time-out' for their own personal development, and opportunities for them to grow as a parent. We provide a creche whilst the young women are attending their classes.
The project includes: 10-week sessions of IT, health and fitness, cookery and digital photography. Personal development and confidence building is taught through film-making. The women are working towards producing a film that will be shown in January 2009 at the Women's Workshop for the new recruits onto the course.
In Digital Photography the group learnt how to take good photos and were let loose with the cameras. They had great fun taking pictures of Cardiff Bay and their children. They learnt how to edit and print their pictures. They have their own memory stick to encourage them to keep snapping away to record their time here.
Cookery is fun as each week the group prepare and cook a meal for themselves and their children - usually there is some left for me too! The lunchtime is a great time for the group to relax together and get to know each other personally as well as helping their children learn good eating habits.
Other sessions have included activities designed to enhance children's language and skills; creative play and music and movement.
In January 2009 this group moved on to the volunteering strand of the project and a new group started. We wish them good luck for their progress.
Lindsay Jackson, Recruitment & Support Officer, NewLife Project.
I have had a fantastic time getting to know the team and getting to grips with my job as Recruitment and Support Officer. My role in the New Life Project is to organise the timetable, recruitment and inductions, and to support the women through their learning journey.
The course runs for 3 days per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 10:15am and 3:00pm. The course is designed to give the young mothers 'time-out' for their own personal development, and opportunities for them to grow as a parent. We provide a creche whilst the young women are attending their classes.
The project includes: 10-week sessions of IT, health and fitness, cookery and digital photography. Personal development and confidence building is taught through film-making. The women are working towards producing a film that will be shown in January 2009 at the Women's Workshop for the new recruits onto the course.
In Digital Photography the group learnt how to take good photos and were let loose with the cameras. They had great fun taking pictures of Cardiff Bay and their children. They learnt how to edit and print their pictures. They have their own memory stick to encourage them to keep snapping away to record their time here.
Cookery is fun as each week the group prepare and cook a meal for themselves and their children - usually there is some left for me too! The lunchtime is a great time for the group to relax together and get to know each other personally as well as helping their children learn good eating habits.
Other sessions have included activities designed to enhance children's language and skills; creative play and music and movement.
In January 2009 this group moved on to the volunteering strand of the project and a new group started. We wish them good luck for their progress.
Lindsay Jackson, Recruitment & Support Officer, NewLife Project.
Garden Project
Working alongside Cardiff's Hamadryad Centre, we are very excited about our 'Garden Makeover' Project. We have a great resource in the Workshop garden, but it is in need of some tender, loving care.
Our volunteers, alongside those from the Hamadryad Centre are going to be re-designing and clearing the garden over the coming months. It is hoped that this will be an on-going project which volunteers and users of the Workshop will want to get involved with.
If you would like to help with this exciting project, we are currently looking for any old/new garden equipment and even plants or cuttings from local gardens - everything is welcome!
Our volunteers, alongside those from the Hamadryad Centre are going to be re-designing and clearing the garden over the coming months. It is hoped that this will be an on-going project which volunteers and users of the Workshop will want to get involved with.
If you would like to help with this exciting project, we are currently looking for any old/new garden equipment and even plants or cuttings from local gardens - everything is welcome!
Welcome to our Workshop Volunteers
In July 2008, 5 volunteers completed a 3-day course, Valuing Volunteering, designed to introduce women who have or have had mental health issues to some of the skills needed to volunteer at the Workshop. We wanted to give some of them the opportunity to introduce themselves:
Julie is 49 and lives in Grangetown: "I came to the Workshop in April this year to help me recover from a nervous breakdown - I learned new skills, met new people and found the staff at the Workshop greatly supportive when I really needed it! I have just completed the Valuing Volunteering course and wish to contribute to the Workshop any way I can in return for the help and support they have given me."
Peggy first came to the Women's Workshop in 2007 to do the Value Learning course. "The course consisted of confidence building, healthy living and nutrition, creative writing and general knowledge. Getting to the course was challenging in itself because of my health problems, I am also agoraphobic and being out of the house on my own was not easy, but in time I got to know the tutors and other learners. The fact that the Workshop is a women-only environment helped and I did eventually settle down and felt safe there. All I can say is the staff are amazing. The course was challenging, informative and fun. I truly benefited from doing this course and encourage all women, especially those with mental health issues, to take up a course at the Workshop. I came back last month and did another short course and now I'm so proud to be accepted back at the Women's Workshop as a volunteer. I look forward to this new chapter in my life."
"My name is Rosie. I am mum to a 5 year old boy called Justin. I did some volunteering for Women Connect First and in one of their events I found out about the Women's Workshop and picked up details about their facilities. They have flexible courses that could support me and improve my skills, such as DIY, Health & Fitness, IT and ESOL, plus there are free gym facilities. The Women's Workshop supports you both mentally and physically. It is welcoming to all women who need support. The Workshop has given me a lot and I want to give back to them."
Lisa came to the Workshop 3 years ago following her recovery from severe depression and drug abuse. "I took part in a Confidence Building course and I learned that I am a confident and assertive person, I enjoyed the course so much that I have been back on a number of occasions and am now a volunteer for the Women's Workshop. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff at the Workshop I would never have made it without their help."
We would like to thank all the volunteers for their time and we look forward to working with them.
Julie is 49 and lives in Grangetown: "I came to the Workshop in April this year to help me recover from a nervous breakdown - I learned new skills, met new people and found the staff at the Workshop greatly supportive when I really needed it! I have just completed the Valuing Volunteering course and wish to contribute to the Workshop any way I can in return for the help and support they have given me."
Peggy first came to the Women's Workshop in 2007 to do the Value Learning course. "The course consisted of confidence building, healthy living and nutrition, creative writing and general knowledge. Getting to the course was challenging in itself because of my health problems, I am also agoraphobic and being out of the house on my own was not easy, but in time I got to know the tutors and other learners. The fact that the Workshop is a women-only environment helped and I did eventually settle down and felt safe there. All I can say is the staff are amazing. The course was challenging, informative and fun. I truly benefited from doing this course and encourage all women, especially those with mental health issues, to take up a course at the Workshop. I came back last month and did another short course and now I'm so proud to be accepted back at the Women's Workshop as a volunteer. I look forward to this new chapter in my life."
"My name is Rosie. I am mum to a 5 year old boy called Justin. I did some volunteering for Women Connect First and in one of their events I found out about the Women's Workshop and picked up details about their facilities. They have flexible courses that could support me and improve my skills, such as DIY, Health & Fitness, IT and ESOL, plus there are free gym facilities. The Women's Workshop supports you both mentally and physically. It is welcoming to all women who need support. The Workshop has given me a lot and I want to give back to them."
Lisa came to the Workshop 3 years ago following her recovery from severe depression and drug abuse. "I took part in a Confidence Building course and I learned that I am a confident and assertive person, I enjoyed the course so much that I have been back on a number of occasions and am now a volunteer for the Women's Workshop. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff at the Workshop I would never have made it without their help."
We would like to thank all the volunteers for their time and we look forward to working with them.
Women Get Fit Certificate Ceremony, July 2008
The first Certificate Presentation for the Women Get Fit Big Lottery funded Project was held on 10th July 2008. It gave us all a chance to celebrate the achievements of the women who attended the learning programme.
Many of the women brought food from their own culture to share with us, work completed on the project was displayed and one of the women entertained us with an enjoyable acoustic music set.
Sandra Taylor, a member of the Workshop's Management Committee was kind enough to help with presenting certificates. Her speech was inspirational and especially relevant as she was a trainee on the very first course run by the Women's Workshop in 1984!
As the Outreach Support Officer for the Women Get Fit Project, it gave me great pride and pleasure to share this occasion with the women.
This learning programme is a great way to build confidence and at the same time, learn new skills. The project also gives women the opportunity to undertake informal learning and to try a variety of modules. These include Health & Fitness, DIY, ESOL & Fun with Figures. A number of fun taster sessions will be added to the learning programme next term.
Thanks to all who came along to make it a successful and enjoyable day.
Sadie Hayes, Women Get Fit Outreach & Support Officer
Many of the women brought food from their own culture to share with us, work completed on the project was displayed and one of the women entertained us with an enjoyable acoustic music set.
Sandra Taylor, a member of the Workshop's Management Committee was kind enough to help with presenting certificates. Her speech was inspirational and especially relevant as she was a trainee on the very first course run by the Women's Workshop in 1984!
As the Outreach Support Officer for the Women Get Fit Project, it gave me great pride and pleasure to share this occasion with the women.
This learning programme is a great way to build confidence and at the same time, learn new skills. The project also gives women the opportunity to undertake informal learning and to try a variety of modules. These include Health & Fitness, DIY, ESOL & Fun with Figures. A number of fun taster sessions will be added to the learning programme next term.
Thanks to all who came along to make it a successful and enjoyable day.
Sadie Hayes, Women Get Fit Outreach & Support Officer
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