Women's Centres

[secondwaver]

Love to hear what you all think about Women's Centres. Do you remember when there were lots of them? Did you use them?? Do you have a Women's Centre near you? What does it provide? Would you like to see more Women's Centres? What sorts of activity would you like to see happening there?? Looking forward to hearing all your thoughts Wendy

I wonder if, as women’s position in society has gradually changed, many - particularly younger - women have come to see Women’s Centres as a bit irrelevant? A Google brings up three in my local-ish area: their focus seems to be on supporting vulnerable / marginalised / minority women, teaching women life skills and helping them with work experience, empowering them to speak out, advocating for women, family support, social groups etc. As a young(ish), white, educated, affluent, professional woman who doesn’t have any issues speaking her mind and has a well developed social network from a range of facets of my life, a Women’s Centre thus doesn’t seem like somewhere I’d need to go.

Perhaps if they really want to attract greater diversity of women attendees (and maybe they don’t) there needs to be a shift change in strategic thinking? More outward focus to attract women like me who would like opportunities to have a meeting space for genuinely likeminded women rather than something which seems to be a charitable effort?

We used to have the Women's Institute - WI - and my mother went to that, and most adult women in our villlage where I grew up. No men. But last I read, Women's Institute accepts men who identify as trans. So no fucking use any more for women.

I’d make a point of using one if we had one. I had a single sex education and worked in a single sex organisation at one point. I love women-only institutions. Men have plenty of them.

Women's groups and service that name themselves as groups or services for women, really, very much, need to ensure that they are for women. Otherwise, they are lying and setting women up to be abused by men who identify as women.

I wouldn't trust any kind of women's group or centre these days. Many seem more than happy to play doormat to men's demands and delusions, under the buzzword of inclusivity.

Spot the problem

Exactly as lovely weather today points out, there is a move currently to fund women's centers but when you ask them what is a woman?

Hi Comtesse! Thanks for your really insightful comments. The vision we had for Rooms of our Own was very much to attract ALL women with hot-desking, a creche, a library, creative activities etc. I think the reason the few Women's Centres that are left focus on "disadvantaged" women is that they mostly get commissions from local authorities and have to do what gets the funding

Hi Mum on a mountain we are horrified about how the whole trans thing has taken over the world .... it is so weird what humans believe. It is like Mccarthyism and hopefully soon we will look back and wonder what on earth that was all about. Of course the poor children who have had their healthy body parts removed will have to live with the consequences all their lives 😪

I have honestly never heard of them. Childrens centres, yes. And community centres. But not ones specifically for women.

Hi Fromage Rouge ....that's very encouraging to hear! Wendy

We have NO intention of giving in to men's demands!! We have already had several organisations refuse to work with us because we are not "inclusive" ie we do not include men claiming to be women. But we soldier on! Unless the whole thing crumbles we do anticipate the need for super good security in future!

100% agree. So many have been captured. Am involved with attempts to reclaim the Feminist Library which has been taken over and now wont let groups like ours meet there

There is one where I live. I haven't used it yet, but will be looking to after Christmas. What they offer for women who are long term unemployed or for women who've just come out of prison looks excellent.
I haven't looked up their stance on the trans issue because I know I'll only be disappointed.

That is SO interesting!! There was a women's centre in every London borough when I was active in the Women's Liberation movement in the 1970s. Would it be terribly rude to ask how old you are??

😡

I hadn't heard of them. I'm in Scotland.

I'm 36. Grew up in London, and have lived all over the country (and beyond!) Since I was 18. Have never come across them.

I was Guide from 5-18, and was aware of the WI and Mothers Union. (Plus womens shelters, rape crisis etc).

Gosh, your post makes me realise how old I am and how things have changed.

Women's Centres have always been places for marginalised, vulnerable women who need support. They've traditionally been run by feminists and women who see the world politically. They're almost always run as charities. They were part of the women's lib/ feminist movement. Women who are not marginalised or in need of support or advice can always get involved by volunteering. Women's Centres may include a cafe or similar where, if you choose, you can hang out and meet women if you want. My local women's centre was a hub for the lesbian and black and minority women because it was a safe space for them to meet and discuss their issues and develop their support networks.

Women like you — affluent, confident, outspoken — could hire a room in a women's centre and hold your own event if you wish, or volunteer. Otherwise it sounds as if you're looking for a private women's club where you can network with women like you to advance your own position.

www.thehandbook.com/londons-best-women-only-private-members-clubs/

OP what you're talking about sounds very interesting. I'd love to know more?

I recall, many years ago when I was hugely pro Corbyn, he pondered about women's carriages on the tube. At the time I was cross and felt it would excuse rather than address men's poor behaviour.

Now, events have forced me to reflect on the impact of male violence on my mental health and I've also gone through a period of more intense harassment, I sometimes yearn to be able to move about the world away from unknown males. I can only imagine how free it would feel. Of course, knowing what we now know, men would stop at nothing to disrupt anything like a women's carriage.

So I worked in architecture and the built environment for most of my career so have a focus on physical space! I know loads of things happen quite successfully in online space these days reinforced by the pandemic .... but there is something very special about actually BEING with women in a space I think. So since I retired have been working on Rooms of our Own .... have a look at the website? www.roomsofourown.org.uk Be SO interested in everyone's thoughts

I used to volunteer at a women's centre once upon a time. 😊 There was a library (with lots of feminist books, which went over my head), counselling service, legal advice once a week and just a place to drop in and chat. There was a lot of chatting! It was based in tiny chaotic terraced house in need of repair.

I was the youngest by far so I met lots of women whom I wouldn't normally have met and who were very supportive and very funny. I volunteered for about 2 years before I moved away.

I think a women's centre would be run more like a business these days - more professional, I mean.

It's an excellent idea but it's going to be incredibly expensive. We need something like this in every city and town in the UK.

I'm presuming it will only be accessible to biological females? The arrival of men in women's centres is what has caused the demise of a great many of them, including the one in my nearest city.

Yes, think that's mine. I'd have supported it in recent years, now I know what women are up against, but sadly it's thoroughly captured.

I think a women's centre would be run more like a business these days - more professional, I mean.

And that would probably make them much more off-putting to many of the women who need their services. I, too, was involved in a more chaotic type of women's centre run from a rented property by a group of volunteers. I think it was the unintimidating nature of the place that was really important to many users.