Northampton

Our YWCA centre in Northampton town centre provides information, support, training and leisure activities to young women, the majority of who have or are about to have children.

In Northampton we work with women aged 14 to 25 to help them improve their lives. Many face homelessness, abuse and violence, unemployment, loneliness, racism, sexism and the challenges of young motherhood.

Most come from socially and economically deprived parts of Northampton and suffer from low self-esteem. Some have had little education or training and find unemployment a huge problem. Many of the young mums we see find it difficult to afford even the most basic of play and learn toys for their children. So our projects well-appointed crche is a lifeline and helps young mums to find time away from their children in the knowledge that they are being professionally cared for while they take part in activities at the project.

We offer informal education programmes, including literacy and numeracy, life skills, health education and parenting skills. But it doesnt feel like school. Many young women find it easier to work this way and gain qualifications and a renewed enthusiasm for learning.

We work with young women in groups and individually to help them build self-esteem and the confidence to lead active and fulfilling lives. For example, at our drop-in sessions young women meet in a friendly non-judgemental environment.

At the moment some of our young women are working with a community artist on Nu Shuz, a programme funded by Heritage Lottery fund. They are putting together an exhibition of artwork to do with shoe which will be displayed at Northampton Museum.

Recently young women at the project have been involved in  this ground-breaking research project.