What we do
what we do
What we care about
Young people, and especially young women are unfairly demonised by the media.
At YWCA we speak up for young women and give them a chance to have their say about all sorts of things.
We are doing all we can to work on behalf of every girl from a disadvantaged background, whether or not she comes to one of our centres.
Our research and face-to-face work with girls tells us what we should be campaigning about. We lobby for changes in the law and new policies to help them.
Our main themes are :
Crime and violence
More and more young women are becoming trapped in a cycle of crime and offending, making them vulnerable to violence, abuse and exploitation. Young disadvantaged women are at greatest risk of experiencing violence and abuse yet there is limited support for under-18s in abusive relationships.
Education, skills, jobs and work
Girls need better careers advice and training opportunities. Our More than one rung campaign helps young women work their way off the bottom rung of the career ladder. And those who are 'NEET' (not in education, employment or training) need encouragement, information and advice.
Health and wellbeing
For young women in the most disadvantaged communities alcohol abuse, bad diets and poor sexual health are huge problems.
We work to challenge the poverty, discrimination and social exclusion faced by young mums. Check out our young mums campaign website.
Money and debt
Money and debt is always a huge problem to girls and young women. And with the added pressure of the credit crunch thousands of young women are feeling the pinch even more firmly. We help girls learn about budgeting, money management and how to get out and stay out of debt.
fact
71% of media stories about young people are negative. One-third of articles about young people are about crime
quote
"British Gas are proud to support YWCA's efforts to inspire young women to be the future workforce in Engineering. It is important for young women to discover they have the skills or aptitude that could help them reach their full potential in a career in building services."
Carole Willsher, Recruitment and Diversity Specialist, Centrica Plc
support us
Give £100 and help pay for a course to teach women with learning disabilities about life choices and the right to say no
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Has your life been affected by any of the subjects we care about? Could your experience help others? If you've got a story to share please tell us
