YWCA in Wales becomes Platform 51 Cymru

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YWCA in Wales becomes Platform 51 Cymru

I am writing to let you know that YWCA England & Wales will now be operating under a new name – Platform 51 Cymru : girls and women at heart.  In England we will operate under Platform 51.  Our organisation values will be changing too, to reflect the work that we do with all girls and women.

Over the years we have evolved to reflect changes in society and the needs and expectations of girls and women.  YWCA England & Wales, as an operating name, no longer stands for what we do or who we represent: girls and women of all ages, all backgrounds and from all faiths and no faiths.  So after 155 years, we’ve decided to change it.

Platform 51 Cymru more accurately represents who we are and what we do. 51% of people are female and girls and women use us as a platform to have their say and a place from where they move into the next stage of their lives.  This new name will give us a greater opportunity to expand our reach to those that need our help and campaign on things that really matter to them.

Girls and women today face problems that are often subtle or misunderstood. Despite shifts in attitude and changes in the law, they are often unheard, isolated and face discrimination.  Platform 51 Cymru supports girls and women as they take control of their lives. Our activities, services and campaigns are about things they need and want.

We do two things. Firstly, we work face-to-face with girls and women.  Secondly, we speak out on their behalf.  We challenge inequality, discrimination and negative stereotypes by influencing decision makers and lobbying for changes in the law.

We work with girls and women of all ages particularly when they face challenges in their lives. We sometimes work with men if it’ll make a difference to women.

In Wales we work with Gypsy Traveller girls and women in Llanelli, we support women to gain skills and return to education or employment, we deliver a money management programme for young mothers and an alcohol awareness programme with young girls in Cwmafan.  In Cardiff our Truth about Youth project supports young people to challenge negative perceptions about them.

We will launch a campaign about girls’ and women’s health and wellbeing in 2011. The campaign will give us, as Platform 51 Cymru, the opportunity to speak out on some important topics that affect girls and women.

We are excited about our work in Wales and our future plans.  If you would like to know more about us please contact me.

For more information contact: 

Linda Pritchard

Welsh Policy Officer

Platform 51 Cymru

Tel: 029 2044 4077

Mobile: 07786 390707

www.platform51.org


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