YWCA England & Wales

what we do

YWCA Kirkby

YWCA Kirkby is in a deprived area with high rates of unemployment, truancy, teenage pregnancy and anti-social behaviour.  

We welcome all girls and women from the area. The girls who come to our sessions may be isolated, unemployed, questioning their sexuality, or taking serious risks with their health or personal safety.

Working closely with community police and council wardens, our outreach workers go out at night and meet girls in the places where they congregate: in parks, bus shelters, shopping precincts, by the river, and under bridges.

We talk to them and encourage them to come to our centre, where it’s warm, dry and safe, and where they get the chance to do interesting things.

We offer:

• Accredited education programmes. In a relaxed atmosphere we teach literacy, numeracy, computer training, and useful life skills such as managing on a budget, staying safe and sex education.
• Support, information and parenting skills for young mums and pregnant teenagers and the chance to get their work accredited. We have childcare facilities on-site.
• Information and support about education, training, skills and jobs.
• Confidential counselling service.
• Outdoor activities.

We encourage young women to take part, make decisions and share their opinions. For some girls it’s the first time they’ve ever been asked what they think.