YWCA Scotland Annual review 2012-13

Annual Review

April 2012 – March 2013

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In this issue:

Inspiring girls and young women to achieve their full potential.

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A word from Laurie Gayle, Chair

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A look back with Sheila Moyes

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A look at our Learning & Development Project

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Voices of YWCA Scotland: Laura McKay, Anna Ferrier and Tracey Lennox

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+ “Over the past few months, it really feels to me like we have solidified a shared vision for young women and girls here and are putting their needs and interests first as we navigate the next stage of our own story.”

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Archives ready for National Library of Scotland

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2013 Celebratory Event

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Our Mission, Aims and Board Members

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Staff and Volunteers

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2012-­‐13 Financials

Welcome from Laurie Gayle Hello and a very warm welcome to our annual report for 2012-­‐13. Inside, you’ll be able to read about our work, both on the ground and by way of influencing decision-­‐ makers, our current position and stories evidencing how we as YWCA Scotland are making a difference in the lives of girls and young women. We, as a Board, stand firm that YWCA Scotland is a unique organisation, which is ready to say to anyone, at any place, that we believe all girls and young women, despite their age, race, origin, sexual orientation or income more on

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Teen Youth Worker wins Scottish Youth Worker of the Year

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April 2012 – March 2013

Delivering activities and services to benefit young women and girls across Scotland.

+ Welcome from Laurie Gayle cont.

This past year has been one of immense change. We have said good-­‐ bye to a number of staff whose commitment and hard-­‐work have done so much to spur us on over the years. Rather than stand on our history of working in Scotland since 1859, we’ve chosen to streamline our work and expand our vision of making Scotland a great place for girls to grow up and women to make their mark.

We are aware of the challenges that this year has wrought externally; the ever-­‐increasing sexualisation of children in the media, tough cuts to welfare entitlement and a feeling amongst a whole generation and political class who think women’s rights is a debate of the past. Despite these, we are even more emboldened

that YWCA Scotland has a part to play in levelling the playing field and bringing Scotland to its own attention where gender equality is concerned.

I’ve been on the Board now for nearly 3 years and I never cease to marvel at the level of dedication, innovation and integrity displayed by our staff, volunteers and members.

This is evidenced by some of the milestones we were able to achieve this year: our biggest ever funding grant from the Scottish Government and entering into a fruitful strategic partnership, our staff members winning key accolades such as ‘Scottish Youth Worker of the Year’ and our successful pilot to begin working in schools.

Over the past few months, it really

feels to me like we have solidified a shared vision for young women and girls here and are putting their needs and interests first as we navigate the next stage of our own story.

We’ve been transparent and honest and we hope it makes for heartening reading about what we’re hoping and striving to achieve at YWCA Scotland.

For those of you that received our previous annual report, we hope that you’ll agree that this is a livelier publication and we’ve worked hard to make it engaging and relevant to you, our members. We do look forward to hearing from you and involving you in our patch of the YWCA movement.

Laurie Gayle, Chair

+ A look back with Sheila Moyes In preparing for this year’s AGM, we decided to take a look back at YWCA Scotland’s impressive history and asked Sheila Moyes to tell us about her experiences with the organisation.

Sheila is a well-­‐known face at YWCA Scotland. As former National Secretary from1972-­‐1991, she was

personally invited to attend the YWCA World Council in Zurich in 2011 and spoke at the AGM in 2012.

As soon as Sheila got to the council, she felt the familiar feeling of being part of the international YWCA family.

“When I walked in the door, I heard More on

YWCA Scotland

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Annual Review

April 2012 – March 2013

+ A look back with Sheila Moyes cont. someone say, ‘Oh there’s Sheila!’ I looked round and it was someone from the YWCA of Palestine. Immediately I felt I was among friends again and part of a family. That’s the feeling of the YWCA.” The YWCA has always been at the forefront of women’s issues, sometimes in a very radical way, Sheila says. “Our foremothers in the YWCA called for sex education for girls at the World Council in the 1920s.”

One of the most important parts of YWCA Scotland

Learning & Development Project

remains its membership, Sheila says.

“We are a movement, and it’s very important to belong to the movement and be a member of it. It’s important to be a member, not just a volunteer,” she says.

Sheila also recalled when the YMCA and the YWCA in Scotland worked closely to meet the needs of growing new towns following the Second World War and to welcome migrants to the area, primarily from Pakistan, Sheila said.

Sheila continues to stay involved with YWCA Scotland. She attends the AGM meetings and special events, and has kept in contact with friends from the YWCA throughout Europe. She even

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“We are a movement, and it’s very important to belong to the movement and be a member of it.”

Learning & Development

The Learning and Development Project was hugely successful this year, with participant feedback on the courses and workshops showing the sessions increased participants' awareness of gender stereotypes and their impact on young people.

The L&D Project aimed to provide training for youth and community workers and volunteers. As a programme, it promoted gender inclusive practices, equality and human rights The L&D Project provided 8 full-­‐day courses on a broad array of topics, including young people’s use of technology; self-­‐esteem building;

YWCA Scotland

received a birthday card from the World YWCA organisation. This is what makes the YWCA unique, she says.

“When you’re a part of the YWCA, you’re part of a world body,” she says.

understanding sexualisation and gender discrimination; and a partnership course with Zero Tolerance called “Under Pressure,” which explored issues of abuse and sexual exploitation in young people’s relationships. There were a number of other workshops presented at different events, including the YWCA’s celebration event in February 2013.

In addition, Scottish 28 youth workers attended workshops on tackling gender stereotypes at the Youth Scotland Practical Problems Sensible Solutions conference on 9 March 2013.

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April 2012 – March 2013

Voices of YWCA Scotland

+ Laura “I feel a lot more confident around people and most importantly I feel a lot more confident about myself.”

Laura McKay didn’t always feel comfortable speaking in front of a crowd.

But during her time at the YWCA in Livingston, she has learned to become comfortable telling her story to other YWCA groups, from Fife to Glasgow.

“I don’t mind it now, but at first was tough. Now I have more confidence in speaking in front of people I don’t know and telling them my story,” Laura said.

Laura began attending the girls’ group when she was 12 and became a volunteer at 15. Her involvement with the YWCA has helped her to mature, Laura says. The organisation kept her off the streets, and gave her life experiences that have helped her improve her potential, she said.

Currently a nursery worker, Laura wants to travel in the future and stay involved

YWCA Scotland

with the YWCA. Laura says she and other senior girls can be positive role models for the younger girls. “You can use your life experiences as a lesson to younger girls. You can influence the girls, based on the respect they have for you,” she said.

One of the strengths of the YWCA groups is that they are girls only. This allows girls and young women to truly be themselves in a group setting, Laura said.

“I really enjoy girls only because you can express how you are feeling and talk about what’s happening at home and school with other girls who understand what you are going through.”

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Annual Review

April 2012 – March 2013

Voices of YWCA Scotland

+ Anna “Even if in the future I’m just helping out, I want to stay involved, any way they’ll have me.”

YWCA Scotland

When Anna Ferrier heard she had been selected by the YWCA to travel to Thailand for the International Leadership Institute for Young Women in May 2013, she was shocked. When she applied, she didn’t want to get her hopes up, but then she was told she was chosen and had to pack and be ready to leave within a week. The experience was amazing, she said.

“It helped me grow as a person. When I first got there, everyone was just so welcoming. People say, when you go to these things everyone is so nice, but they are. You felt like you were a family, felt like you were part of something,” Anna said.

When Anna first started coming to the girls’ group when she was 11, the group gave her a chance to gain confidence and play with other girls her age.

As she got older, she began taking advantages of the opportunities offered at the YWCA. She went to workshops on

bystander training and violence against women, helped made a DVD about the risks of alcohol abuse for the community, and participated in a fashion show about inspirational women. In turn, the YWCA has changed the way she thinks about the world.

“It started out as just a girls’ club, but then the amount of things we’ve had the opportunity to do is amazing,” she sad.

Anna says this is what makes YWCA Scotland unique. It provides support and helped make her a more confident person, and now she never wants to leave.

“Even if in the future, if I’m just helping out. I want to stay involved, any way they’ll have me,” she said. “I would do anything, I don’t ever want to leave. I still come to the Wednesday club even though I’m 18.” ”

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April 2012 – March 2013

Voices of YWCA Scotland

+ Tracey “The YWCA gave me a sense of direction. It all started from the YWCA.”

YWCA Scotland

Tracey Lennox’s journey with the YWCA began when she worked as cleaner at the Livingston location. At 23, Tracey had just had a baby and was working two hours a week. Then one day, development worker Hilda Dolan told Tracey she should lend a hand at one of the girls’ groups, and that was that.

“That first night there was 40 girls, screaming and laughing and going mad.

And I never left since,” Tracey said.

Her time as a youth worker eventually led to a career working with children, through the local high school, the council and at the YWCA. The YWCA gave her a sense of direction and a host of different opportunities to pursue that direction.

“I found a career I loved doing. I never knew what I wanted to do, I was just in the middle of it, working with kids. But then I though, ‘this is great.’ I never really thought of it before the Y,”

she said.

One of those opportunities included travelling to Australia in 2003 to attend the YWCA World Council in 2003, as well as to conduct workshops on body image with girls and young women there. Tracey, along with 21 girls from Scotland and England and more than 1,000 women from around the world, attended workshops and watched delegate meetings, before traveling to Sydney to host body image workshops with local girls.

“There are loads of memories, all great stuff. But it’s where you put it all when you come home that’s the hard part,” Tracey said.

At the end of the council, there was a ceremony where a unity quilt representing all the different YWCA delegations was sewn together, and the entire group got to walk underneath the quilt.

“I’ve never felt something so spiritual in all my life. I felt so powerful, felt like I could take on the world,” Tracey said.

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Annual Review

Scottish Youth Worker of the Year

April 2012 – March 2013

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Lisa Haggerty named Scottish Youth Worker of the Year

Lisa Haggerty, the co-­‐ordinator of YWCA Scotland’s Teen Parent Project, was awarded Scottish Youth Worker of the Year on 14 April 2013.

The Youth Worker award is sponsored by the Scottish Government and was presented by Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People at an awards dinner at Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza Hotel, hosted by Radio Forth One DJ Grant Stott and organised by Youth Link Scotland.

Lisa was thrilled to be named Youth Worker of the Year.

“I feel privileged to work with young parents and children in the Armadale area and humbled to be nominated,” Lisa said.

“I was speechless when I won. For people who know me, that doesn’t happen very often!”

The YWCA’s Teen Parent Project works with mothers and children who are often isolated and affected by the stigma of being teen parents. The project builds their confidence and skills, encourages mutual support, helps them access opportunities, and get more involved in the local community.

“We are so proud of Lisa’s achievements

“I was speechless when I won. For people who know me, that doesn’t happen very often!”

YWCA Scotland

Archive moving to

and thrilled she was honoured,” Kim Smith, National Library National Co-­‐ordinator of YWCA of Scotland, Scotland said. “She has made such a difference in the lives of families. You can see changes in how young mums are with their children and they’re more positive about their futures.”

The Teen Parent Project was funded by the Scottish Government Early Years Early Action Fund through Inspiring Scotland with activities in Armadale, West Lothian and Kirkcaldy Fife, where it was delivered in partnership with Fife Gingerbread and led by Louise Morris. The Teen Parent Project works in partnership with local authorities, NHS and other local voluntary and statutory services in each locality. While the project ended in June, YWCA is seeking resources to extend and develop the work.

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Annual Review

April 2012 – March 2013

+Archive moving to National Library of Scotland We encourage all YWCA Scotland members, volunteers and staff to visit the archive at the National Library in 2014,

+ YWCA Scotland Archives ready for National Library Volunteer archivist Teri Paulson completed the inventory for YWCA Scotland archives in 2013. It will be moved to the National Library of Scotland, where it will be stored and cared for from now on.

YWCA Scotland’s records date back to the 1890s, and include documents, photographs and objects, such as an old YWCA uniform and a suitcase of handmade dolls made in 1955 dressed in costumes from every country with a YWCA presence. The dolls were cherished by members throughout Scotland and were always prominently in the national office, according to a history written by Dorothea Whyte written in 1983.

Teri says the experience helped her gain important archiving experience, and learn new skills.

“One of the most beneficial things about the opportunity, for me, was that YWCA Scotland was willing for me to learn whilst I worked, something which was necessary due

YWCA Scotland

and take a look through our organisation’s impressive history!

to my lack of previous archiving experience,” she said. “This attitude, of assisting people who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities, is what I have come to admire most about the organisation.”

Once she completed the inventory as a YWCA volunteer, the organisation helped her become a volunteer archivist at the National Library of Scotland with the YWCA archives.

We encourage all our members and staff to visit the archives at their new home in the National Library in 2014.

“This attitude, of assisting people who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities, is what I have come to admire most about the organisation.”

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Annual Report

YWCA Scotland celebrates!

YWCA Scotland took time out to celebrate our work on 9 February 2013, with over 50 service users, volunteers, members, staff, board and supporters attending.

The event featured stalls showcasing the work that we do at our centres and projects, with photos, awards, and service users and volunteers sharing their stories. There was also a presentation of achievement certificates given to our volunteers and a viewing of the YWCA short film created for the 2012 AGM. Information and Communications Officer Adeline Dinsmore called the day a complete success.

“It waa a fantastic day – it’s so important for us to stop and take a moment to really look at everything we’ve achieved over the past year and celebrate everyone and everything that makes YWCA Scotland the great organisation that it is,” Adeline said.

April 2012 – March 2013

YWCA Scotland Celebratory Event

+ Our Mission:

Our Board

YWCA Scotland works primarily for and with girls and

Clockwise from left: Laurie Gayle (Chair), Talat Yaqoob,

young women aged 9 to 30 years in Scotland,

Deborah Cook, Heather Stirton, Gemma Statham (Vice Chair

particularly where they face social, economic or

& Treasurer). Not pictured: Jenni Lloyd-­‐McCulloch.

educational exclusion. We also engage in activities that have a positive impact on young women and girls.

Our Aims: •

To provide high-­‐quality opportunities for girls and young women to develop their skills, well-­‐being and self confidence.

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To enable them to make informed choices, achieve goals and build leadership abilities.

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To tackle barriers girls and young women face in our society.

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To work in partnership with other YWCAs and other sister organisations.

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To ensure efficacy of our services, shaped by evidence, good practice and the views of our service users.

Thank you to Kimberley Swan (former Chair), Jolanta Lisicka and Laura Henderson, who served on the board during 2012-­‐13.

Annual Review

April 2012 – March 2013

Financials 2012-13 Income 2012-13

Scomsh Government West Lothian Council Early Years Early Acnon Cashback for Communines Youthlink Scotland Donanons & Legacies

Expenditure 2012-13

Direct Charitable Expenditure -­‐ Staff Direct Charitable Expenditure -­‐ Acnvines Direct Charitable Expenditure -­‐ Premises Governance Other Expenditure

Inspiring girls and young women to achieve their full potential.

YWCA Scotland

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Annual Review

April 2012 – March 2013

YWCA Staff Team 2012-13 Kim Smith – National Co-­‐ordinator Rachael O’Byrne – Learning and Development Officer Hilda Dolan – Development Worker (Livingston) Lisa Haggerty -­‐ Teen Parent Project Worker (West Lothian) Yvonne Wallace – Resource Officer Pauline Dewar – Finance Assistant Adeline Dinsmore – Information & Communications Officer Tammalynn Hassell – Senior Youth Worker (Livingston) Janet Paisley – Youth Worker (Livingston) Andrea Sneddon – Youth Worker (Livingston) Maria Suttie -­‐ Youth Worker (Kirkcaldy) Linsey Neilson -­‐ Senior Youth Worker (Kirkcaldy) Ashley Geggan – Cleaner (Livingston) Florence Bailey – Cleaner (Edinburgh)

Kim Smith, National Co-­‐ordinator

Volunteers and Young Helpers 2012-13 Anne Corbett Nichola Paisley James Sneddon Amy Sneddon Anna Ferrier Ashley Geggan Morgan MacDonald Avis McDonald

Laura McKay Chelsea Laptucha Danielle Ritchie Shanice Kidd Shona Lee Burrell Amy Malone Rachel Laptucha

Funders and Donors 2012-2013 Scottish Government Fife Council West Lothian Council Almond Enterprise Almond Housing Agnes Hunter Trust AM Pilkington Trust Cllr Frank Anderson Cllr Willie Dunn

YWCA Scotland

Cllr Carl John Craigshill Community Council Greggs Trust Lauriston Jesuit Centre Martin Connell Trust Mrs Black’s Charitable Trust Pollock Memorial Trust Robert Barr Trust Rotary Club Kirkcaldy

Saints and Sinners The James Inglis Trust The MacRobert Trust The Moffat Charitable Trust The Stafford Trust West Lothian Play Association

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Annual Review

April 2012 – March 2013

YWCA Scotland National Office, 4B Gayfield Place, Edinburgh EH7 4AB Tel 0131 558 8000

reception@ywcascotland.org

Charity No. SC034132

YWCA Scotland

www.ywcascotland.org

Company Line By Guarantee Scotland No. SC246153

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