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When
& why did the Project start?
Tonbridge,
which is located in West Kent, is a town of contrasts: amongst the more
prosperous inhabitants there are a substantial number of local people who
live in poor housing and who are on low incomes. The YWCA Tonbridge Young
Women's Project opened in the autumn of 1997, it is a new and exciting
initiative and there is enormous support and enthusiasm for the Project,
not only amongst the local community, but also from the statutory and
voluntary sector. The Project is easily accessible by public transport.
Aims
of the Project
To
provide opportunities for young women to increase their self-esteem and
confidence through activities, training, support groups & counselling,
thereby enabling them to take greater control of their lives.
Who
does the Project
focus on?
Young women between the ages of 13
and 30, who are vulnerable, at risk and very often, isolated.
What
does the Project do?
Amongst the many services provided
the following areas are key elements of the Project's work:-
* A Young Mums Group - together
with local health visitors and social services, the Project has identified
a need for the group to encourage 'self-help' amongst teenage mothers. The
group focuses on working with young women on ways to overcome the problems
they face. Topics for discussion are chosen by the young women themselves
and have included issues around health, education, employment and
childcare. Perhaps one of the group's most important functions is to
provide support and friendship to young mums who are very often isolated
and lonely. A creche is provided to ensure full access.
* In partnership with the Probation
Service, Tonbridge Young Women's Project has launched a group, which
targets young women offenders on probation. The young women who attend do
so voluntarily and meet once a week. Many of them are recovering drug and
alcohol users and are on their second or third conviction. The group deals
with a variety of issues such as anger management and dealing with
authority. The overall aim of the group is to encourage these young women
to become involved with the local community in a positive way and to
address the issues which contributed to their offending. A creche is
provided to ensure full access.
* A drop in support and information
service is available Thursday 10-12 for women involved in domestic
violence or abusive relationships. Free access to counselling is also
available. A monthly one-stop (2~ Monday each month 1-3) for women
concerned with domestic violence and abusive relationships where
professional representatives from CAB, Housing, Victim Support, Police,
Solicitors and Benefits are available to provide information and advice.
* Peer Education - in partnership
with the Kent Youth Association, the Project delivers a 10-week certified
course. This course enables young women to gain the skills &
confidence to work with other young people in nee~ Three peer education
groups are currently developing training sessions for delivery at local
schools and youth clubs on Teenage Parenthood, Bullying & Drugs.
* In response to the needs of local
primary schools, a support group is being held for mothers whose children
display challenging behaviour. This group is led by a qualified counsellor.
The women gain support and explore issues which may be effecting their
children's behaviour. Early results are showing that this sort of support
for the mothers is in turn showing a marked improvement in the children's
behaviour at school.
* Women regularly attend the centre
for courses in literacy, numeracy, communication and personal development
courses run in partnership with the local Further Education College.
Providing opportunities for further education to women who have been
disadvantaged educationally has proved to be very popular and has given
many the boost in confidence to pursue further training.
* An Advice and Itiformation Drop
In Centre, geared towards the needs of women, is well resourced with
information. Use of computer and Internet is available.
* A creche is run every day to
enable women to attend activities. Weekly between 40-50 children under 5 yrs enjoy stimulating play activities cared
for by qualified staff.
Benefits
The YWCA in Tonbridge is having a
major impact on the lives of young women in the area. The Project can
demonstrate a record of proactive initiatives and success. We are the only
project of its kind in West Kent; the young women who come to our Project
are, in the main, from disadvantaged backgrounds and are generally
described as 'outside of Services'. We feel we play a vital role in
bringing care issues to the attention of an audience who would not
ordinarily access this assistance. Many of the women who use the Project
often comment on how much they feel they have learnt and grown as
individuals.
POSITIVE
ACTION FOR WOMEN
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