Workers Educational Association - Women in the Highlands - NEWS Apr 2018

25th April 2018

Welcome to our Apr 2018 news update.

Firstly we are delighted to announce, that in addition to a wonderful line-up of women participating at our conference, Maree Todd MSP for Highlands & Islands will be our Keynote speaker!!

Book Here - its FREE
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/wea-highland-14664030672

The WEA Women in the Highlands Project is all set to take off! We have been working hard on a number of events and workshops which are now taking place.

The first public event of 2018 was a partnership with HighlandLit on 17 April. HighlandLit is a local organisation which promotes books, reading, writers and writing at monthly events in Inverness. The April event was a panel of Highland women writers discussing equality for women and how things have changed since (some) women got the vote in 1918. The WEA Women in the Highlands project supported this event and led the theme of the evening. The event was attended by around 35 people including Norman Newton, WEA Committee Member, who described the event as ‘quite inspirational'.

The next event will take place on 28 April at the Spectrum Centre in Inverness. This is an ‘Unconference' which is bringing together a small group of women from all over Highland: Caithness, Stornoway, Skye, the Black Isle and Inverness to discuss the project and focus on the best way to get the best outcomes for women in the Highlands.

In addition to a series of workshops being rolled out across the area, we have a fully-booked residential creative writing and blogging course in the middle of May. Then on the 26th of May our Annual Conference will be held in the Merkinch Community Centre, Inverness. We are hoping that at least 100 women attend the event. The Keynote Speaker is Maree Todd, MSP for the Highlands and Islands. Also on the programme are a number of inspirational women speakers and workshop activities which mean it is going to be a very full day.

There's lots more exciting events to come as we move into the second year of this project so watch this space.

OTHER NEWS.........
Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival Highland 4 - 27 May 2018
There is a range of events organised for the 2018 Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival here in Highland in May.
https://www.facebook.com/SMHAFHighland/

Scottish Government Vote Centenary Grant Scheme
Funding announced by the Scottish Government will be used both to celebrate and commemorate the passing of the Representation of the People Act 1918 and to look to how women's political participation can be best supported in the future. The Scottish Government Vote Centenary Grant Scheme is now open. Applications must be submitted by 5pm Friday 11th May 2018. For an application form or information, contact CentenaryofWomensSuffrage@gov.scot or 0131 244 7977
http://onescotland.org/equality-themes/gender/suffrage-centenary

Rosa Invites Women's Groups to Apply for a ‘Voices from the Front Line' Grant This is the third year that Rosa, a registered charity, is providing its ‘Voices from the Front Line' grants programme which offers funding to support charitable advocacy work across Rosa's four pillars of leadership and representation, safety, health and economic justice. Grants of between £500 and £3,000 are available to women's sector voluntary and community organisations in the UK to pay for increasing the skills, capacity, credibility and effectiveness of women who wish to challenge gender inequality and promote awareness and change. There is particular interest in hearing from ‘new voices to stand up and take action'. The deadline for applications is 29 May 2018 (5pm).
http://www.rosauk.org/blog/rosa-opens-third-round-of-voices-from-the-frontline/

Comic Relief - Tackling Violence against Women and Girls
Comic Relief and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the UK's Devolved Administrations have co-funded the new £4 million ‘Tackling Violence against Women and Girls' programme. The funding aims to support organisations that are working to end violence and abuse experienced by women and girls across the UK and will focus on meeting the needs of women who are at risk or experiencing violence and who have multiple and complex needs, such as poor mental health, substance misuse, those who are homeless, or from less well-served communities or groups such as BAMER (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee) and LBTI (Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex) communities, or women who are older and/or disabled. Applications will be accepted from 17 April 2018 until 2 July 2018 (midday). Apply online or contact Tel: 020 7820 2000
E-Mail: grantsinfo@comicrelief.com for further information.
https://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-grants/open-grants-initiatives/tackling-violence-against-women-and-girls

Scottish Women's Convention.
The SWC are undertaking a programme of work on women's health over the coming months. We want to build a comprehensive overview of women's health in Scotland, including a range of issues such as breast screening, cancer detection, treatment and support; cervical screening, cancer detection, treatment and support; transvaginal mesh implants, thyroid problems and mental health, as well as any other pressing areas of concern raised by women.

We are undertaking roundtable discussions and an online survey to gather as much information from women of various backgrounds, ages and from diverse geographical areas in order to inform our work. A conference will be held in July which will also provide the opportunity for further discussions around key topics. A report will then be published in the autumn - the SWC would encourage women to use the information contained within this document to press for the changes that you want to see - sharing our findings with friends, family and your communities.
https://www.scottishwomensconvention.org/

Please find attached an information leaflet which provides further details of the work we are undertaking. I would be grateful if you would share this through your networks, in order that we can engage with as many women as possible on this important piece of work.

For further information, or if you wish to get involved in any way, please contact: Lorna Gilfillan, Policy and Events Coordinator, Scottish Women's Convention
Tel: 0141 339 4797 / Email: lorna.kettles@scottishwomensconvention.org
Website: www.scottishwomensconvention.org

The purpose of the Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC) is to communicate and consult with women in Scotland to influence public policy. Through policy work, round table and celebratory events the SWC strives to have contact with women and relevant organisations. The SWC aims to provide an effective way of consulting with a diverse range of women in Scotland.
The Scottish Women’s Convention has a network of over 300,000 women from relevant organisations throughout Scotland.

Scottish Women's Convention is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered in Scotland No. SC0327308. Registered office 2nd Floor, The Albany Centre, 44 Ashley Street, Glasgow, G3 6DS. The Scottish Women's Convention is a Charity registered in Scotland, No. SC039852