Women As Volunteers

To celebrate the value of Volunteering WOW ran a network event focused on the subject on the 4th November 2004 at The Engine Shed.

 

The invited speakers were: Sylvia Campbell, a former East Lothian WOW trainee who currently volunteers with the St. Andrews Older People Project and with the East Lothian Learning Partnership; Sarah Larios, Volunteer Recruitment Officer for Home Link; and Nick Woodhead of the South Edinburgh Volunteer Centre.

 

Workshop sessions exploring the role and benefits of volunteering generated lively discussion. Everyone enjoyed the innovative “Jigsaw” exercise which culminated in an oversized floor jigsaw made up of participants past and potential volunteer experiences.

In addition, much fun was had attempting to match WOW staff with their past volunteer roles and feedback on the day showed it to be the most popular network event WOW has run so far. Participants felt they were now more aware of the benefits of volunteering and more likely to consider it as an option in the future.

 

Participation and the Challenge of Childcare

WOW in conjunction with the Scottish Civic Forum, held the “Participation and the Challenge of Childcare”   event on Thursday 26 th February 2004 at the MacDonald Road Library. This was a follow up to WOW's “What is an Active Citizen” event.  

 

The audience was made up of childcare providers, WOW Wester Hailes 2004 Trainees and interested others.

 

The event explored how lack of childcare creates barriers for those who want to participate fully in all areas of life.   Participants were also able to explore the challenges of accessing and providing childcare.

 

Feedback findings included a general agreement that really positive childcare provision does exist, but that there is still a clear and immediate need for childcare that is more affordable, more readily available and more flexible. It was also clear that childcare providers themselves faced many challenges, particularly in terms of funding.

The theme of adequate childcare is one WOW will continue to explore and champion.