Revolutionising, normalising education surrounding sex

This week we proudly present Lisa Hallgarten as our woman of the week. She is the director of Education For Choice - an organisation enabling young people to access impartial information regarding pregnancy and abortions.

Lisa has long been campaigning for young people to access the facts on sexual reproduction. In all of her work, she stresses her belief in choice and that the only way someone can make a personal choice is once they've been offered neutral information. This is one of the reasons why she condemns anti-abortion 'charities', as they do not often provide scientific evidence as information, but rather use ideology as a reason to 'educate' vulnerable women, relying on morals rather than facts. Furthermore, Lisa stresses the necessity of voluntary organisations to provide support and structure for the mother and child before and after the birth, particularly at the moment as cuts are being put in to place in the health and social sector. Lisa highlights flaws in the actual structure of anti-abortion groups, as they do not campaign for better sex education, neither do they provide realistic and long-term support for the mother and child.

Education for Choice has recently become a project within Brook, a young people's sexual health charity. This move is bound to be extremely positive, as both organisations are closely allied in their thinking and action, and Brook will undoubtedly benefit from Education For Choice's specific knowledge on teaching about choice, pregnancy and abortion. This recent partnership will hopefully mean wider access of impartial education to both young girls and boys.

Brook's recent campaign Sex:Positive is about demanding a modern and current policy for teaching sex and relationships education in schools. This would ensure all schools have properly trained teachers, will dedicate time to educate students on safe sex (a quarter say they have never received it) which will hopefully be tailored to suit heterosexual, homosexual and asexual relationships.

The necessity for programmes such as these has been made all the more apparent by the recent threats to neutral education in the U.K. Platform 51 think it is absolutely vital that there are sensible and practical campaigners like Lisa Hallgarten to fight for our rights, our freedom of education and our freedom of information.

Campaigning for a fairer press

Anna Van Heeswijk, member of organisation Object - Women not sex objects, is our woman of the week. She has played a prominent part in the news this week following her involvement in the Leveson Inquiry, where she argued that the media was largely responsible for on-going negative attitudes of women in society today.

Anna joined Object in 2008, with the aim of overcoming sexism by combatting a general view of women - a domineering view that women have little to offer other than their looks. Anna tackles this idea in other ways: she regularly rallies outside strip clubs, often attracts media attention through persistent protesting and her lobbying of the government. All this proves she is dedicated to changing negative societal views of women

If this were not enough proof that she is dedicated to changing negative societal views of women, this week she called upon the Leveson Inquiry to ban sexualised images of women in pre-watershed media and in newspapers, to which anyone of all ages could easily have access. Anna drew attention to the difference in men and womens' representation in tabloids such as The Sun and the Daily Mail: she argued women posing naked contrasted to men shown in suits suggests men are the only active and productive members of society whilst all women are good for is the shape of their bodies.

This determination that Anna Van Heeswijk demonstrates offers a possibility of a freer press in the near future - a press that provides objective facts rather than insinuations that often lead to women being put down.

Photo courtesy of Observer Magazine

Comedy to tackle societal and political issues

Following Blue Monday this week (supposedly the most depressing day of the year) and in preparation for Blue Monday Mark 2 [the alternative date proposed for Blue Monday], we have chosen comedian Josie Long as our woman of the week to brighten you all up. This young woman has been a successful and prominent member of the stand-up business for over 10 years and has recently begun merging societal issues and comedy which has proven to be an innovative and light-hearted way of voicing her liberal, political agenda.

Brought up in London, Josie became known in the comedy circle whilst still at school. She briefly abandoned this past-time to pursue further education at Oxford University, and since graduating has become one of the leading female stand-up comediennes in Britain.

Last year Josie featured in a video for 'YoungMinds' - a charity attempting to reduce the stigma around mental health, particularly amongst young people. She starred alongside Isy Suttie in YoungMinds' The Happiness Project, stressing the validity of young peoples' voices, acknowledging that she had once had her own difficulties but most importantly the video encouraged young people to speak out about their feelings so as to improve their mental health. What Josie also stresses is that those with mental health problems can improve their state by taking part in activities which could well alleviate such problems - simple things ranging from eating good food and exercising regularly.

More recently, Josie Long set up her own charity Arts Emergency Service, with the aim of financially supporting those from unprivileged backgrounds to study arts degrees. Her comedy has a much more political slant than previously: she uses her shows as a means of campaigning against the rise of tuition fees. Furthermore, Josie tutor s students in London and organises a monthly event for students to win money that would go towards the paying of their degree.

Josie Long is a prime example of effectively attempting to implicate change and Platform 51 think she is admirable for doing something to help our society be more like we would want it to be.

February 2012 New York

The 56^th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to be held in February 2012 in New York promises to be an exciting and progressive event focusing on the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and other current challenges.

The CSW will also provide the strategic platform to review the issue of financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women. The World YWCA, the YWCA Canada and the YWCA of Nigeria have submitted a joint statement [see below] specifically recognising the vital role of leadership and political participation by women and young women in the eradication of poverty in rural communities. The YWCA movement recommends the investment in policies, programmes and organisations that develop value and make visible women's, particularly young women's, leadership in rural communities. In particular, initiatives which promote women's leadership in peace building, conflict prevention and environmental protection in rural communities.

The World YWCA represents the voices of 25 million women, young women and girls in 125 countries worldwide; many living in rural communities. As a movement the World YWCA is strongly committed to the empowerment of rural women, which is critical to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and lies at the heart of organisations such as the YWCA. The twelve critical areas of the Beijing Platform for Action have informed the work of YWCAs as they provide services in over 22,000 communities around the world, while advocating with governments and other stakeholders for accountability to women and girls' rights and dignity.

Women in rural communities often experience conflict in a more traumatic manner than men. In many remote villages and communities there is little protection for women during the outbreak of conflict, since such communities may have limited access to communication; or easy access to services such as the police, schools or hospitals.  Internal displacement also exposes women and girls to greater vulnerability to sexual abuse, harassment and violence in refugee camps where there is inadequate protection and there are poor living conditions.  With war and conflict, many women become widowed and separated from their families. Such female headed households are vulnerable to exploitation and sexual abuse.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights are a critical issue for women and young women living in rural areas.  In the absence of adequate infrastructure, education, trained professionals, facilities, medication and transportation, thousands of women die each year due to violations of sexual and reproductive rights. Furthermore, harmful traditional practices and beliefs in some rural communities create horrific realities, and barriers to the true realisation of sexual and reproductive health rights for women and girls. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA General Secretary said "Women and girls in rural communities are often marginalised with limited access to services, economic opportunities and a place at the decision making table. As a movement for over a century we continue to provide a safe and empowering space for young women to develop their leadership and build capacity for women to claim their rights. Investing in developing the skills of and empowerment of rural women is crucial to development as the world seeks a life free of violence and women enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights".

Rural women can play a vital role in the prevention of conflict as trained community leaders to build peace in vulnerable situations, ease ethnic tensions and avoid the outbreak of conflict. The World YWCA is currently collaborating with Y-Global and FOKUS on a joint multi-country capacity building project Women, Peace and Justice, designed to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR1325). The initiative focuses on Sri-Lanka, Southern Sudan and Palestine, all countries in conflict and post conflict situations. UNSCR 1325 is an essential tool for the international community to ensure women are included in conflict prevention, peacemaking and post conflict recovery processes including in local communities. The World YWCA, therefore, calls for the financial and technical resources necessary to guarantee that the needs of women are addressed in peace negotiations and that their leadership is integral in these processes.

The World YWCA will be using the CSW platform to advance its new Strategic Framework 2012-2015 by advocating for continued implementation of global commitments on women, including CEDAW and UNSCR 1325, with a particular focus on engaging rural women in the peace building process. The World YWCA and member associations will be hosting sessions around key issues including 'Sexual Reproductive Health Rights of Rural Women' and 'UNSCR 1325 and Rural Women'. As well as a women's intergenerational dialogue, which has become a trademark of the YWCA's participation at the CSW over recent years. In order to progress the climate change resolution adopted at the 2011 World Council the association will be hosting a side event on the impact of climate change on women in rural communities in collaboration with partners. Furthermore, the World YWCA will host the Young Women's Caucus in collaboration with WAGGGS.

The World YWCA has participated in the CSW since its establishment in 1948 and in fact, was one of the lead organisations advocating for its creation. As the leading global platform for advancing women's human rights, CSW continues to be an important and strategic annual event for the World YWCA.

Platform 51, formerly YWCA in the UK, is part of The World YWCA.

[With thanks to A Celebration of Women Inc for the photo which depicts Yemen's poorest women and children]

VIEW THE FULL WORLD YWCA STATEMENT BELOW .....

Commission on the Status of Women 

Fifty-sixth session        27 February - 9 March 2012 

Item 3 (a) of the provisional agenda* 

Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and to the special session

of the General Assembly entitled 

"Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace 

for the twenty-first century": Implementation of strategic 

objectives and action in critical areas of concern, and 

further actions and initiatives 

Statement submitted by World YWCA, YWCA Canada and YWCA 

Nigeria, non-governmental organizations in consultative status with 

the Economic and Social Council 

 * E/CN.6/2012/1. 

The Secretary-General has received the following statement, which is being circulated in 

accordance with paragraphs and of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31. 

Statement  

The World YWCA movement represents the voices of the 25 million women, young women and girls who are YWCA members and service users in 108 countries worldwide; many living in rural communities. We recognize the role played by rural women in poverty eradication, development and climate justice, and are strongly committed to the empowerment of rural women, which is critical to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and lies at the heart of community based organizations such as the YWCA.   

Access to education in rural areas for girls lags behind that of boys. Without adequate education, women remain behind men in employment, income, promotions and pensions, perpetuating gender inequality throughout the life cycle. Without education, women are less likely to be aware of their rights and their self-worth and are more vulnerable to rights violations. 

We call upon the Commission to promote increased investment in education for girls, more qualified teachers in rural communities and measures to ensure that girls stay in school so as to reach their full potential.  

For every year a girl remains in school, she avoids early marriage, which affects millions of girls worldwide.  It is estimated that every day, more than 25,000 girls under the age of 18 are married.  Girls from rural communities face increased vulnerability, particularly as legislation against child marriage is difficult to enforce in these areas, legal rights awareness is low, and traditional practices prevail.  Child marriage is a human rights violation that impedes development and directly prevents the achievement of the MDGs.  

Sexual and reproductive health and rights are a critical issue for women and young women living in rural areas.  In the absence of adequate infrastructure, education, trained professionals, facilities, medication and transportation, thousands of women die each year due to violations of sexual and reproductive rights.  In line with the MDGs, the CSW must prioritize increased investment in basic health services in rural communities to prevent these violations.  Health education, including comprehensive information about sexual and reproductive health and HIV, is an essential component of the empowerment of rural women and is necessary for the prevention of HIV infection. High levels of stigma in rural communities results in the denial of sexual and reproductive rights of women living with HIV.  YWCAs also express concern over the effects of nuclear radiation in rural areas on women and girls' sexual and reproductive rights, including gene damage, cancer and birth defects. 

Violence against women comes in many forms and is represented in both the public and private spheres. Rural women and girls face increased vulnerability to violence due to isolation and a lack of support services, employment and access to education. Violence against rural indigenous women is of particular concern. This group not only lacks access to economic and social resources, but their security is at increased risk due to isolation and the lack of police presence, including in developed countries. It is important for the Commission to respond to violence as it affects the lives of women in rural communities. Ensuring legislation is in place to prevent violence against women in all its forms, as well as increased awareness and community engagement in ending violence in rural communities.  

Women in rural communities often experience conflict in a more traumatic manner than men.  In jungle areas or remote villages, there is little protection for women during the outbreak of conflict.  Internal displacement also exposes women and girls to greater vulnerability to sexual abuse, harassment and violence in refugee camps where there is inadequate protection and poor living conditions.  War results in many women being widowed, and female headed households are also more vulnerable to exploitation and sexual abuse in remote areas. 

Rural women can play a vital role in the prevention of conflict as trained community leaders to build peace in vulnerable situations, ease ethnic tensions and avoid the outbreak of conflict.  UNSCR 1325 is an essential tool for the international community to ensure women are included in peacemaking processes, however local implementation is needed.  The Commission needs to propose mechanisms to meet UNSCR 1325 and ensure the financial and technical resources needed to guarantee that needs of women are addressed in peace negotiations and that their leadership is integral in these processes.  

The World YWCA emphasizes the importance of volunteer based organizations in rural areas, which have vast knowledge of local needs and are community based. Volunteer organizations fill the void left by inadequate government funding and infrastructure in rural areas, providing local women with essential services from education to access to basic healthcare.  Especially in rural areas, where facilities are insufficient to meet the needs of isolated women, volunteer services are essential to the achievement of the MDGs and should be recognized. 

Every day, rural women and girls face issues that occur as a result of institutionalized discrimination and lack of empowerment.  Through targeted and sustained investment, many issues facing rural women could be tackled.  The MDGs cannot be achieved without the input and participation of rural women who are vital to development issues such as food security, climate justice, peace building and the economic security of families and communities.  

Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women is inextricably linked to rural women's possibility to claim their rights and lead community change.  Recognizing that rural women are faced with many challenges to their rights and well-being, and that women are at the heart of the sustainable development process, YWCAs calls on the Commission of the Status of Women to:   

Recognize the vital role of leadership and political participation by women and young women in the eradication of poverty in rural communities and encourage investment in policies, programs and organizations that develop, value and make visible women's, particularly young women's, leadership in rural communities. In particular, we encourage initiatives that promote women's leadership in peace building, conflict prevention and environmental protection in rural communities.  Specific recommendations include: 

1. Increase funding and access to education and training for women and girls in rural areas in order to decrease the disproportionate levels of illiteracy and economic insecurity, and follow through on commitments in the Beijing Platform for Action.   

 2. Develop and fund policies and programs to support access for rural women and young women to obtain decent work, diversified employment options, and economic participation as a means of decreasing women's poverty and supporting women-led development in rural communities.  This includes access to drought assistance, agricultural resources and income, land ownership, land inheritance rights and environmental education.  

 3. Ensure that responses to the global economic downturn address the disproportionate impact on women and girls in rural areas, particularly in the context of access to health, employment, education and community services. 

 4. Prioritize increased investment in health spending for women, young women and girls in rural areas to ensure realization of the right to health, especially sexual and reproductive health and rights.  Responding to the prevalence of HIV among rural women with free, voluntary testing and support services, and access to treatment is essential, as well as preventing thousands of unnecessary deaths each year due to the absence of maternity healthcare in rural areas.  

 5. Scale-up investment to tackle violence against women, young women and girls in rural areas, which infringes on empowerment and undermines human rights. We call for resourcing of programs, including violence prevention, rights education and legal aid, which are responsive to the vulnerabilities of rural women. Safe houses are also required in rural communities for women, young women and girls escaping violence. 

 6. Promote legislation and law enforcement to criminalize child marriage; invest in programs that engage with cultural norms that allow the continuation of harmful practices against girls in rural areas; and ensure that disaggregated data on births in rural and urban areas is collected

 7. Ensure that royalties and economic benefits that flow from mining and extractive industries in rural communities are equally distributed between women and men, including equal employment in these sectors. Recognize that mining and extractive industries can have harmful impacts on women's access to housing, food security, community services, the environment and infrastructure in rural areas; and develop mitigation strategies. 

 8. Harness the potential of emerging technologies to reduce social isolation among women in rural areas and improve access to health services, training and education opportunities; invest in the skills and leadership of rural young women; and embrace the application of new technologies as a mechanism for empowerment and poverty reduction. 

But what about Tuesday?

As we face the most depressing day of the year - Monday 16th January - Platform 51 will be asking celebrities via Twitter how they cope when they are feeling low and what advice they can give us to make it through Blue Monday.

If you have tips and advice to give about how to beat the blues, don't hesitate to join in the conversation with @platform51 here at http://twitter.com/platform51 .

We are doing this as part of Platform 51's ongoing mental health campaign which we set up after research we had conducted found that 3 in 5 girls and women will experience low level mental health problems at some point and 1 in 5 (18%) women keep these problems a secret from their family.

Clearly, however, as Rebecca Gill, our Director of Policy, Campaigns and Communications at Platform 51 advises :

"Whilst many of us feel a little low on Blue Monday and enjoy reading about the ways we can perk ourselves up, for many people across the country this feeling does not disappear when Tuesday comes".

Platform 51 is acutely aware that millions of women and girls are suffering with mental health problems but are often not getting the support they need. Our research suggests that the NICE guidelines on antidepressants are not being followed because 1 in 4 women currently on antidepressants have been on them for 10 years or more and a quarter of women have not received a review of their medication in the last year. This comes at a time when a report from the Cooperative Pharmacy found that antidepressant use has increased by 25% since the start of the recession.

This is precisely why, as Platform 51's Rebecca Gill says ..."we are calling on Government to urgently review the use of antidepressants to ensure that they are not the first and only port of call for tackling mental health problems. By signing our Platform 51 petition you are helping women and girls get the specialised support they need with their mental health problems."

You can help on Blue Monday by joining in our Blue Monday 'beat the blues' chat on Twitter or, by signing our petition. Or both! To sign the petition, just go to our Platform 51 website at www.platform51.org and click on the Petition section of our Home Page.

We appreciate your help and participation in helping to make Blue Monday less blue for the millions of women and girls suffering with mental health problems.

Discussions start in the House of Lords

Platform 51 is part of a 20-strong coalition of charities pressing for an urgent rethink on social fund reform as the Lords prepare to debate amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill today. In a letter to the Guardian, published on Sunday January 8^th, Platform 51 - along with several other charities including Barnardo's, Women's Aid, Save the Children and Family Action - urged the government to rethink its social fund reform proposals.

The letter, co-signed by each of the participating charities including Platform 51's Director of policy, campaigns and communications Rebecca Gill, was clear and explicit in its concern that funds meant for the destitute or victims of domestic violence - 'the ultimate safety net' - will get lost in the system with no statutory obligation ensuring vulnerable people are provided with emergency support.

"Crisis loans and community care grants are the ultimate safety net for the most vulnerable in society. For example, they enable women and children fleeing domestic violence to clothe themselves and furnish their homes; or parents in rural areas who cannot afford a car to visit their child if they are taken into hospital unexpectedly. We are deeply concerned at the government's proposals to abolish these elements of the social fund and pass some of the funding to local authorities, without any statutory obligation to ensure they provide emergency support to vulnerable people.

With councils already experiencing large cuts to central government grants, we fear that some areas will choose to provide no, or extremely limited, support - especially given that funding for crisis loans will be almost halved from £67m in 2010-11 to £36m in 2013. The government's own research shows some local authorities expect the extra funding will be diverted to plug gaps elsewhere.

As charities responding to the needs of vulnerable children and adults in already desperate circumstances, we fear these changes could be catastrophic for some, such as those who resort to illegal moneylenders or high-cost credit, or women who return to live with a violent partner because they have no money to furnish another home for their children. As the Lords prepares to debate social fund reform this week, we urge Lord Freud and the government to rethink these proposals and ensure the money paid to councils to deliver a replacement scheme is at least ringfenced for this purpose".

Click here to see the full text of the letter and the 20-strong signatures.

See also here for the subsequent coverage by the Guardian following publication of the letter.

Watch this space for further updates on this important debate.

Challenging gender stereotyping and giving young girls a voice

Abi and Emma Moore, the founders of Pinkstinks, are our women of the week. Pinkstinks is a campaigning organisation that confronts the damaging messages that bombard girls though toys, clothes and media. Something that we know all too well at Platform 51 affects girls as women.

In the run up to Christmas it is almost impossible to walk into a toy shop without being bombarded with aisles of blue and pink, blue for boys and pink for girls. Pinkstinks describes this as the 'pinkification' of girlhood. This gender segregation starts from the day we are born and Abi and Emma are fighting back and saying that there is more way to be a girl and it is not just about being "pretty, passive and obsessed with shopping."

Pinkstinks was started in May 2008 by sisters Abi and Emma, since then have run various different campaigns to raise awareness of the 'pinkification' of girls and to challenge the damaging effects it can have on girls. Pinkstinks has challenged major retailers such as The Early Learning Centre, Sainsbury's and most recently Hamleys toy shop in London. Hamleys changed their famous blue and pink floors last week for more gender neutral red and white and have moved their toys to be organised by type rather than gender. The triumph for Pinkstinks was documented in The Observer.

Emma Moore said to us: "People ask me why I keep on doing this as well as having a full time job. It's because we get letters from eight year old girls telling us that we give them a voice." At Platform 51 we hear from our girls and women on a daily basis how much they are affected by the pressure they feel from the media. For example one of our young women Alex, aged 13 said: "Images in magazines make me feel that I want to be like those girls. It makes my confidence go down- look how pretty they are. But I know that it's not real and that we are all different. We should be happy with who we are."

Abi and Emma Moore there is more than one way to be a girl and we love that you are giving a voice to young girls and fighting gender stereotypes. Keep up the good work.

Pinkstinks next campaign is called SLAP. Slap will focus on the steady proliferation of make-up aimed at little girls and the damage that this normalising of make-up can do to the self-esteem of young children. Follow Pinkstinks on Twitter to keep up to date with their campaign.

Platform 51's head office moves to Botley, Oxford

We are excited to announce the move of Platform 51's Oxford Head Office from Cornmarket Street to the Botley Road. Platform 51's new registered address will be: New Barclay House, 234 Botley Road, Botley, OX2 0HP.

With lower rent costs and more meeting space, this move will allow us to become more cost-efficient and create an environment that is better fitted to our purpose. We can therefore ensure that all our available funds are being directed towards the girls and women who use our services, at a time when we know that women are facing increased hardship.

We look forward to welcoming you to the new offices in the near future. 

Using fame to make a difference to vulnerable women

Successful pop-star Alexandra Burke is our woman of the week. After winning the X-factor in 2008 she has proven to be a huge hit: over a million copies of her first single 'Halleluja' were sold in 2 weeks - something never before achieved by a female British solo artist. On many occasions she has stated that she wants to use her fame to make a difference in the world. And she has - she's taken part in several projects that have been very close to her heart.

Alexandra started singing at a very early age - she entered several singing competitions and made herself very popular among certain prominent vocalists who were very impressed with her talent. Following her GCSEs Burke persevered with her musical ability and it was at about this time that she began singing with 'Young Voices' - an organisation providing assistance to minority groups.

Since her fame, Alexandra has continued to take an interest in those less fortunate than herself. She has taken part in an 80km hike through South America for Breast Cancer Care, and more recently has gotten involved in a comic relief-funded project in Uganda. This involved working closely with MIFUMI, a domestic violence project that provides support, education and health services to over 20,000 women. Alexandra's involvement with MIFUMI followed her brave revelation that she was once a victim of physical abuse.

Platform 51 admires Alexandra Burke's participation in projects such as these - particularly when the projects promote independence, as MIFUMI does, helping women to support themselves rather than having to rely on a violent partner.

Help us to help the millions of women who are being let down

Antidepressants are important in treating poor mental health but they are not the whole solution. Often they are prescribed as the only option for mild to moderate mental health problems with no alternative treatments offered nor enough treatment reviews.

We surveyed hundreds of women and found that 33% of all women have taken antidepressants and more than half were not offered any alternative to drugs at the time of prescription. 24% currently taking antidepressants have been on them for 10 years or more and 24% have not had a review of their treatment for a year or more at some point.

Women are being let down. This is a women's health crisis.

This week, in the run up to Christmas - a stressful time for everyone, but especially for women - we have a week of action to draw people's attention to this hidden problem and encourage them to sign our petition which calls on the Government to review the use of antidepressants in England. Will you sign our petition?

All over the country this week Platform 51 staff and women from our centres will be out and about campaigning. Please support us by signing our petition and together we can make a difference.

Paving the way for African American civil rights

Our woman of the week is Rosa Parks - a key figure in the American civil rights movement of the 1950s. She was best known for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a bus at a time when this was forbidden. As a result she was arrested, but supporters of integration of black and white people boycotted buses for nearly a year and a half, which eventually led to the Supreme Court ruling integration on public transport.

Rosa was brought up in Alabama and lived in constant fear of injustice carried out by white people against black people. Lynchings and beatings were common and she said she could not comprehend why such unprovoked violence was a regular occurrence in her life. Having been enthralled by the ideal of equal rights, she joined the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People) and was soon appointed secretary.

Following the successful bus boycott, Rosa left Montgomery, but still fought for equal rights for African Americans. She has often been linked to Martin Luther King because of their very similar nonviolent civil disobedience.

Rosa Parks is often called the "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement" and it is because of her brave actions that there is progress in our society and communities. Furthermore she co-founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for self-development, encouraging people to vote, educate themselves and more generally join in in community matters. We truly do see Rosa Parks as eternally inspirational.

Double your donation to Platform 51 today

From today until this Friday 9 December, if you donate to Platform 51 your gift will be doubled at no extra cost to you, and will help more vulnerable girls and women get safe off the streets.

At 17 Amber was forced to leave home and live on the streets, where she was drawn into a dark world of drugs and violence. With no-one to care for her, she faced a terrifying winter alone and struggling to survive.

But because of the generosity of people like you, Platform 51 was there for Amber when she needed it most.    
   
Amber was able to talk through her problems with a trained counsellor, and get advice to help her find accommodation, get clean from drugs and improve her confidence.

Please help us reach more vulnerable girls like Amber. From Monday 5 to Friday 9 December, the Big Give* and generous Platform 51 supporters have created a special fund which could double the value of your donation at no extra cost to you.

Donate online from 10am on Monday 5 December to double your gift and give more girls like Amber someone to talk to and a place they can feeel safe.

If you need any more information or have any questions, please get in touch with the supporters team on 01865 304205 or email supporters@platform51.org

Only donations made to Platform 51 through the Big Give website from 10am Monday 05 to Friday 09 December will be doubled.

* The Big Give is a charitable foundation providing a special fund to match donations as part of their Christmas Challenge.

Names have been changed to protect identities. Photo is posed by Platform 51 service user.

The virus in my blood is undetectable, but stigma is everywhere

Our woman of the week is Silvia Petretti. Yesterday was World AIDS day; Silvia has HIV and is the Community Development Manager at Positively UK, a national charity championing the rights of people living with HIV.

At Platform 51 we love that Silvia has chosen to talk about living with HIV via her blog Speaking Up. She is passionate about fighting the stigma that people with HIV face: "Most of the barriers we face are not imposed by the virus or physical limitations but by society."

At Platform 51 we know how society can put barriers up; many of our girls and women face discrimination, for example, as teenage mothers or through involvement in the criminal justice system. Like Silvia we want to speak up about these prejudiced barriers, so that more people can recognise the realities of these situations.

Silvia has also spoken out about how women with HIV lack representation. She was shocked at the recent Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) that the 'Women and Girls' panel was made up of four men and only one woman.

We leave you with this quote from Silvia that expresses why she is a well deserving woman of the week: "It is our birthright to be treated with dignity and respect, but it is our responsibility to demand that others fulfil this right. Stigma will end when we are visible."

Platform 51 features on The Politics Show West

Platform 51 Bristol appeared on The Politics Show West on Sunday as part of a feature discussing how the cuts are affecting women in the West.

The feature interviewed a mothers group, the Bristol Fawcett society and Platform 51. The women from Platform 51 Bristol explained to the BBC how they are feeling and how they have been affected.

Marisa said: "Women are being paid less for doing the same thing as men ... Why, I don't know."

Jemma said: "I'm struggling to keep my house warm. I've got two children ... I've got very few Christmas presents, as its either heat the house or have a good Christmas."

You can view the BBC Politics programme on the BBC iPlayer. The feature is 43 minutes into the programme.

Hazvinei makes the grade and qualifies as social worker

When Hazvinei (not her real name) arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker six years ago she was lonely, afraid and deeply traumatised by the horrors she'd suffered at home in Zimbabwe. With the help and support of staff at Platform 51 Doncaster she was granted refugee status. She volunteered at our women's centre teaching other women IT. Once she was able to work in the UK, we employed her at our women's centre as an administrator and she went to university in Sheffield. She graduated last week and is now registered as a social worker. We are so proud of her.

"I owe it all to you" Hazvinei says. "Graduation came 27 years late but I could use my life experience and all transferable skills to learn successfully."

She continues: "I received so much support from Platform 51 in so many ways, during my three years of study, I cannot put a value to. Sometimes just coming here and seeing you all made a massive difference especially when the going was tough (with assignments, exams and placements) it made it a lot lighter and I felt compelled to plod on and not let you down. Platform 51 is just marvellous. Please keep up the fantastic work and friendship because people like me cherish it so much. Thank you very much."

More about Hazvinei here.

Sisters in Japan seek support

Our sisters in YWCA Japan have asked Platform 51, which is also part of World YWCA, to support them in their appeal to stop an atomic energy agreement between Japan, Jordan, Korea, Russia and Vietnam. In the light of the meltdown at Fukushima nuclear power plant earlier this year they fear that nuclear energy expansion is not wise and that money should be invested in sustainable energy development.

If you agree, please add your name to their petition by emailing this letter to Japan's prime minister, or one of the other names on this list.

Forever supporting a zero-tolerance approach to abuse

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women so we are making Charlize Theron our woman of the week, to celebrate her zero-tolerance approach to abuse of women.

Charlize grew up as an only child in rural South Africa with both her parents. Her father was an abusive alcoholic and was shot by her mother in an act of self-defence when Theron was in her teens. Since then, she has become a prominent Hollywood actress and has been credited with several awards including an Oscar and a star on the Hollywood walk of fame.

In 1999 she founded the first two rape-crisis centres in Cape Town and today, as a result of her help and activism, more than 5,000 people have access to HIV testing, counselling and education in a remote district of South Africa. Theron is currently a messenger of peace for the United Nations and is regularly seen campaigning for women's rights - attending pro-choice rallies etc.

It is estimated that 3 million women are victims of abuse in one way or another each year in the UK. Platform 51 believes it is absolutely vital that there is continuing support for women suffering violence and abuse. We praise Charlize Theron for her success and commitment to the cause - she truly is an inspiration.

Platform 51 providing women with new and varied opportunities

Platform 51 have recently starting running the Women Volunteers for Health programme, that provides training and support to 400 women to become health volunteers in their own communities of St Helens, Doncaster, Nottingham and Wolverhampton. 

The women come from a wide age range and a variety of backgrounds.  The programme gives them: training to develop their skills and knowledge and a chance to obtain accreditations in volunteering and support to build their confidence and assertiveness and access to volunteering opportunities.  Once women are volunteering they provide mutual support to each other and stay in touch with Platform 51 for guidance and advice when needed. 

Marcia Banasko (pictured), Platform 51 Women Volunteers for Health worker, describes the first few months of delivering the programme in St Helens. 

"I am working with 16 women aged 19 to 55... The women have achieved so much in a few weeks.  They love having something to get out of the house for.  It has given them confidence, they have met  like -minded people and they have all achieved an accreditation. 

A lot of the women taking part have disengaged with education for some reason:  mental health problems, alcoholism or having a baby at a young age.  They have described to me the very negative experiences of education and they have no confidence in their own abilities.    We work to deal with these underlying problems; if you don't deal with them, then the women can't move on.  Gaining an accreditation in just a few weeks is a massive deal and has boosted their confidence to continue with the programme. 

I have personally gained a lot from this programme.  I have never taught adults before; I have always worked with young people.  I was nervous before I started but this has been a really positive experience for me because they all want to be here and learn. 

I want to provide lots of women with skills, knowledge and an understanding of health and social care. I want their volunteering experience to eventually lead them back into employment, as so many of them have disengaged from work. One woman said to me that she knows this will be a long process but says at least she's on the ladder." 

The project is funded by the Department of Health, Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund. 

Inspiring and remarkable: a fighter for freedom and democracy

Platform 51 is delighted to announce Aung San Suu Kyi as our woman of the week. She has been a leading force in political activism in Burma for the past 22 years and this month marks the one year anniversary of her release from 15 years of house arrest.

Aung San Suu Kyi was brought up in Burma by her mother and father - who were both prominent political and military figures - and went on to study politics, philosophy and economics in England and India. She spent a few years working for the U.N in New York, and developed a philosophy of non-violence for which she has been praised for. In 1991 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize which celebrated her democratic ideals. She gave all the prize money to fund free education and health services in Burma.

Opponents to Aung San Suu Kyi's democratisation in Burma kidnapped her on multiple occasions, giving her two choices: she was either to flee the country or stay under house arrest. Determined to fight for Burma's democracy, she chose to stay captive.

Platform 51 are in awe of Aung San Suu Kyi and her fight for freedom is both inspiring and remarkable.

Louise tells us about making her speech at the CWN gala dinner

A few years ago Louise's (pictured right) life hit rock bottom and she could see no other way out other than committing suicide.  Then she came to Platform 51, the women's charity that supports girls and women as they take control of their lives. The courses and staff at Platform 51 gave her the confidence and support that she needed to move through this dark time. Last week she attended the City Women's Network's Annual gala dinner along with a number of attendees from Platform 51 - including CEO Penny Newman (pictured left)- and made a moving and touching speech about how she now has dreams for the future. This is what she said about the event:

About the City Women's Network gala dinner

How did you feel making your speech at the City Women's Network gala dinner?

I felt excited, I was really looking forward to it. I felt like I was finally doing something that I would enjoy. It was out of my comfort zone. I was challenging myself and I haven't done that for a long time.

The only time I felt a bit nervous was when I was standing behind Penny as she was doing her speech. I was about to share something very personal with strangers. Once I had done it I felt elated. I felt absolutely great. I will never get an opportunity like this again so I just got up and did it.

What was it like to receive a standing ovation?

Very overwhelming. I was very shocked, I didn't expect it. I was proud of myself. I made a room full of high calibre professional women feel proud of me. Not everyone can do that.

About Platform 51

What do you do now that you didn't do before you came to Platform 51?

I spend time with friends, socialise. I am not alone anymore or trapped. I got all this from the confidence that I got from taking the courses at Platform 51.

What does your future look like now?

Brighter, more opportunities and happier.

What do you think your life would be like without Platform 51?

I would probably be dead, and if not, it would be very dark, I would have no confidence and I would be very isolated.

What advice would you give to other women who found themselves in the same position as you?

They should open up to somebody. They should visit a Platform 51 centre or ring one and ask where they can get support and guidance in their area.

You volunteer for Platform 51 now. What made you want to do this?

I have been a fundraising volunteer and done a dualatalon (running and cycling event) and a school fair. I have even got my mum to volunteer in the café. I can't just take - I have to give back some of the money that has been spent on me. I am planning more fundraising events. I will never give up on this place now.

What is the best thing about Platform 51?

For me, it has given me a new lease of life and allowed me to make something of myself.

For all women, it is a safe haven for women from any background. They can come and discuss and talk about their problems.

Why are Platform 51 courses so important for women?

The courses help women to rebuild what has fallen down around them. They help to build confidence and self esteem. So that that they can become their own person again.

Louise recently found the suicide note that she had once written and ripped it up and threw it away. Proof that she has moved on and taken control of her life.

If you would like to hear more about Louise's story then watch the video: A place to come on our You Tube channel.

Discussing the future of women's equality

Platform 51 spent last Saturday in London and participating in the exciting FEM11 conference, organised by UK Feminista. The venue was jam-packed with approximately 1,000 feminists. There was a buzz and excitement in the air at the start of the event that this was going to be something special and the event definitely lived up to expectations .

The day began with inspirational talks from the director of UK Feminista, Kat Banyard who emphasised the necessity of new ideas and bravery in the feminist movement as women's equality appears to be taking steps backwards. The next speaker was the acclaimed writer and broadcaster, Sandi Toksvig, who called upon women to stand up for what they believe in, she gave examples of years of female belittlement in literature and in education and asked: "What are we going to do?" The event showed there IS something we can all do, together and independently.

Platform 51's involvement in the day started with our director of policy, campaigns and communications, Rebecca Gill, giving a speech at the Fawcett Society session: Don't turn back time! Protesting against cuts that will harm women's equality.  Rebecca spoke about how young mothers and young carers at Platform 51 are finding the current climate increasingly hard. Rebecca echoed Sandi Toksvig, repeating that women are "bearing the brunt" of the government's cuts.

In the afternoon Platform 51 hosted an interactive session: A Different perspective: teenage mums and feminism. The turnout was amazing - there were so many people, some had to stand outside the door. Three brave women from our centres - Kealy, Katie and Lindsey - each talked about their own experience of being a teenage mother. Each talked about the ups and downs and the help they received from Platform 51. Platform 51 has supported them to do internships, pursue education and get involved in campaigns. The aim of the session was to offer participants facts about teenage pregnancy as a contrast to how it is widely portrayed.

It was also a great opportunity for Platform 51 to hear the views from those attending the session. Other teenage mothers shared their stories and experiences about what difficulties they faced and still face today. The general consensus was that teenage mothers are not supported by the government: education is very rarely tailored to fit a parent or carer and childcare is difficult to obtain. Lindsey drew attention to this by saying: "The reality of receiving benefits and housing as a young mum is far from as easy as the media make it sound." Likewise, Katie said: "Without the massive support network I have around me, I don't know how I would've coped." There is an undeniable lack of support for teenage mothers - politicians go as far as saying that teen pregnancy is as bad for society as gun crime and knife crime. But getting pregnant is in no way a crime. A strong sense of maturity was proven by our young women: as Kealy states, that raising children is not about "the age of the mother, it's the mind-set."

The afternoon had everyone at Fem '11 sat eagerly listening to questions posed to Shami Chakrabrti, Bea Campbell, Zoe Williams, Carlene Firmin and Matt McCormack Evans - all known for their on-going celebration and endorsement of feminism. The conversation was mainly driven around the sex industry, women's portrayal in the media and a lack of acclaimed feminist role models in the press.

The day ended with the candidates for Mayor of London answering questions on how they would tackle women's inequality. Unfortunately, there was no Conservative representative but the session was still interesting and gave some insight in to what exactly is at the forefront of each party's campaign and how women fit in to it.

The inspirational day provided hope for women and we went home with the words of Sandi Toksvig's ringing in our ears: "Be bold when you declare: I am a feminist."

City Women's Network president and Platform 51 supporter

Platform 51 is honoured to present India Gary-Martin as woman of the week. India is the President of City Woman's Network (CWN). Platform 51 was awarded the title of the CWN's Charity of the Year earlier this year. We are very grateful to India for awarding us this title and for helping us to raise nearly £15,000 at the CWN gala dinner last week.  

India is, without a doubt, an inspiration to all women. Having come from a disadvantaged background, she has worked for several of the most prestigious banks in the world and has won awards including the Women in Banking and Finance's 'Outstanding Contribution to Diversity' and 'Best Female Technologist' for all her hard work. In 2010 she was listed as one of the most influential black women in the U.K. On top of this, she is also the author of Using my voice for those not heard and has used her intellect and experience to teach university students in Tokyo. Always working on a tight schedule, India still manages to organise herself in a way that will reach others - she is chair of the board of trustees for LEAP, a charity that supports encouragement and opportunities for young people who are unemployed and isolated.

At Platform 51 we are grateful to India for her support and look forward to working with her further in the future.

We need to invest in the future of vulnerable young adults

Platform 51 is very concerned about the future of the Care to Learn programme which supports young parents with childcare while they continue their education. The Department of Education is proposing to reduce the age limit of the scheme, to offset the costs that it will incur when the age that young people are expected to stay in school rises to 17 in 2013. Platform 51 strongly recommends keeping Care to Learn intact, and investing in the future of vulnerable young people.

Platform 51 has written a joint open letter - alongside Daycare Trust, NUS, Fawcett Society and Nasma - urging Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education, to reconsider his proposed cuts to the successful Care to Learn programme.

Platform 51's Chief Executive, Penny Newman OBE, in an accompanying press release, said: "Platform 51 sees on a daily basis the impact Care to Learn has on young mothers' ability to re-engage with education and training. This relatively small amount of money delivers substantial results for some of the most disadvantaged young people in our society. These proposals risk trapping young mothers in a cycle of disadvantage limiting not only their own future prospects but those of their children and generations to come."

For more information about Care to Learn please read Platform 51's response to the Department for Education consultation on Care to Learn and The Observer's coverage of the story.

City Women's Network annual gala dinner

Platform 51 attended a glittering black-tie event in the prestigious Claridge's Hotel in central London last night as part of the City Women's Network [CWN] annual gala dinner chaired by outgoing CWN President, India Gary-Martin.

As CWN's charity of the year, Platform 51 was proud to be invited to take part in the event with both Platform 51 CEO Penny Newman and Louise, a young women and volunteer supported by Platform 51 in Doncaster, both giving speeches. [See pic of India, Penny and Louise at the event]. In her speech, Penny rallied the crowd and called for society to hear and listen more to the voices of women while Louise shared her poignant story and received a standing ovation from the all-female audience. [To see Penny and Louise talking more about Platform 51's work, check out our latest video 'A Place to Come to' on our YouTube channel].

Following the speeches, a silent auction and raffle in aid of Platform 51 was held with Miriam Staley, former finalist on The Apprentice UK leading the auctioneering proceedings. Auction items included a pair of glamorous Jimmy Choo shoes donated by Davina McCall, Royal Opera Tickets and a Jaeger handbag. A final surprise auction item was a special meal for eight cooked at your home by renowned chef and former Gordon Ramsay protégé, Angela Hartnett, which went for the grand total of £5,250.

The evening saw a fantastic, £10,000+ being raised for Platform 51. Commenting on the event, Platform 51 CEO Penny Newman said: "We are delighted to be CWN's Charity of the Year and to have received such wonderful support this evening from CWN as well as chance to share our message and the power of our work. Many thanks to India Gary-Martin for making it possible for us".

Check out more pictures from the event on Platform 51's Flickr and Facebook pages. Don't forget to check out our latest video with both Penny and Louise on our Platform 51 YouTube channel.

A safe place for women to come to, no matter what

Lou was so ashamed of what she did she planned suicide. Diane used alcohol to blot out the traumas in her life and ended up in prison.

This new film explains how women's charity Platform 51 helped Lou and Diane turn their lives around.

Women offenders are some of the most vulnerable people in society: misunderstood, judged, isolated, devalued. We help them rebuild their lives. In our film you will meet Lou and Diane, two remarkable women  - we are so proud of them.

It costs £3,000 for us to run an eight-week programme like the one Diane and Lou attended. Please support us if you can so we can help more women escape the cycle of crime and rebuild their lives. 95% of the women who attend our programme do not re-offend.

Please support our work if you can. Thank you.

Scientist, doctor, anatomist and on a TV near you

With so much glitzy celebrity trivia spewing out of our TVs, what a joy it is to see a sensibly-dressed woman on the box telling us about something really fascinating. I'm talking, of course, about Dr Alice Roberts presenting BBC TV's the Origins of Us. Her sparkling series about human evolution has just finished and so it seems appropriate to make Dr Roberts our Woman of the Week.

Dr Roberts is a rare thing on our screens: a young female scientist making her subject accessible and cool. She makes you feel like she's a personal friend, and is as warm and compassionate towards the people she meets and interviews as she is respectful to the ancient human bones she handles. Inside Alice's red head is a brain bristling with qualifications in medicine and anatomy.

Compared to many of the figures from pop and celeb culture we see on TV, Dr Roberts is a breath of fresh air. Women in science have a long, proud and unsung history; long may this continue.

View Origins of Us on BBC iPlayer.

Platform 51 features in BBC documentary with John Humphrys

Last night the BBC aired the documentary The Future of the Welfare State with John Humphrys. In the documentary Humphrys travels throughout the UK and interviews those who currently use the welfare system. Platform 51’s centre in Knowsley featured in the programme. Humphrys interviewed Platform 51 Kelly Wright and young mum Gemma who goes to the centre.

The young mums group

The young mums group in Knowsley were filmed for the documentary. The young mums expressed some of the problems that they face when looking for work: inflexible working hours, childcare and a lack confidence.

What Platform 51 is doing

Platform 51's Kelly Wright explained to John Humphrys that the women at Platform 51 want to work and that is why they come to the centre. She explained how Platform 51 treats every woman as an individual because every woman is different. And how we encourage women to achieve - we don't tell them what to do.

If you did not see the documentary you can watch it again on BBC iPlayer. Platform 51 features 43 minutes into the programme.

Radical feminist who revived women-only marches

Tonight, women of Oxford will march to Reclaim the night. The revival of these women-only marches was the work of radical feminist activist Finn Mackay, who is our Woman of the week. "To me radical feminism isn't so much radical as common sense" she says . Quite.

Campaigner, peace-camper, youth worker, public speaker, writer, domestic violence prevention and child protection specialist, local government officer, Finn's credentials are awesome for a woman aged only 30. Aged 23 Finn was already hard at work founding the London Feminist Network, now one of the largest feminist organisations in the country.

The current feminist revival can in many ways be traced back to Finn's activism.  Finn is more modest and puts it down to things getting worse for women. For example, she says: "Today there are more licensed lap dancing clubs in the UK than there are rape crisis centres. In the 1970s ... a woman had a one in three chance of seeing a rapist convicted, today it's one in 20." She also attributes it to women's disgust about the sexualisation of women in the media: "They want to speak out, to voice how angry they are."

Reclaim the night

Women of Oxford: if you want to reclaim the night meet at Gloucester Green at 6.30pm tonight, Friday 28 October 2011. Other Reclaim the night marches are planned around the country, for example, in London on Saturday 26 November; assemble at 6pm in Whitehall Place, near Embankment.

Bella magazine on women and antidepressants

This week's Bella magazine (Issue 44: 1 Nov 2011) features a double-page spread about antidepressants. It tells the stories of two women - one for who antidepressants did not work and one for who they did. The article uses our statistics and mentions our call for the Government to review the use of antidepressants.

We are calling for a review of their use because although they play an extremely valuable role in treating poor mental health they are not the whole solution. Women are offered few alternatives, such as talking therapies, and reviews of treatment can be spasmodic.  

Perception-busting documentary

Truth About Youth is a project run by Platform 51 in Wales, funded by The Co-operative Foundation. It aims to challenge and change widespread negative perceptions of young people.

Last week the Caerdydd Youth Team (CYT) met a group of older people from the Healthy, Wealthy and Wise project to talk about working together. They want to make a film of what they have been doing.

Sixteen-year-old Lizzie, who put the idea of making a film to the group of 56 older people, said: "I was really nervous. But I got really excited when everyone wanted to get involved. I can't wait to get started on the documentary."

The film will show the young people working closely with older people to showcase their perception-busting work.

Doreen, from the Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, said: "I am looking forward to seeing the documentary and really enjoy supporting this project."

Speaking up about trafficking, drugs and prostitution

Students from three Bristol schools visited Bristol City Council house last week to take part in a mock council meeting and debate with local City Councillors, including Barbara Janke (Liberal Democrats), Peter Hammond (Labour), Peter Abraham (Conservatives) and Tess Green (Green).

Organised by women's charity Platform 51, the event aimed to give young women the chance to speak out about subjects that matter to them. On the agenda were human trafficking, prostitution, drugs and alcohol. They also learned about how local government works; Steven McNamara, the council's legal officer, told the students about the council's roles and responsibilities.

The students had clearly done their homework on their chosen subject areas. They spoke with authority on Bristol's anti-trafficking protocol; the impact of the economic climate on migration, drugs and employment; the objectification of women; the role of a free market and its impact on trafficking, prostitution and drugs; the benefits of a living wage and the pros and cons of legalising sex work and drugs to name but a few.

Councillors were impressed and delighted by the knowledge and maturity that the students displayed. 

The students learned how  important local government is and about the power of speaking up. It made them feel confident and the chance to tell people what they thought was highly valued.

Girls discuss mental health and its impact

A conference for girls aged 14 to 16 was held in Northampton yesterday. Organised by women's charity Platform 51, it gathered nearly 70 girls together from all over the city to discuss how low-level mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, can blight a girl's life and affect every area of her life as she becomes a woman. Many of the girls attending had no idea how serious - and how common - such problems are.

Jade Simon, a young woman who goes to Platform 51's centre in Northampton, spoke to the delegates about the things that had plunged her into depression: bullying, body image and low self-esteem. With the help of Platform 51 she now feels much better about herself and has learned ways of coping when she feels down.

Ronnie, Natasha  and Annie, volunteers from Platform 51, ran a workshop for the girls about self-harm, a common way for teenage girls to express depression and the loss of control of their lives. The volunteers explained and advised the girls about this misunderstood problem.

Girls who attended the conference were able to discuss the things that make them feel down, isolated or lonely such as isolation, body image and the pressure to look and behave in a certain way.

Bob Fletcher , principal social worker at Northamptonshire County Council, also lead a workshop on drugs, music and the teenage girl revolution.

Platform 51 offers services and support to teenage girls and young women from their women's centre in Castilian Terrace Northampton.

Ardent campaigner for gender equality and women’s rights

Violence against women affects millions around the world, including many women who come to Platform 51 in England and Wales. This week is YWCA USA's End to Violence week. To mark this, we are making Annie Lennox our woman of the week. Annie has done much in the last year to explain that while women are still victims of sexual assault, rape and murder, they are not equal.

Annie rose to fame with her music and now uses her celebrity to campaign for what she believes in. For the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day in March, Annie brought together coalition of charities demanding a more equal world under the banner EQUALS.

Annie explains: "EQUALS brings together the expertise of some of the most respected and influential charities that champion women's rights. A lot has changed since 1911, but there is still a long way to go. Gender inequality continues to permeate all sectors of society, from health and education to politics, employment and culture."

The EQUALS video, featuring Daniel Craig and the voice of Dame Judi Dench, shows how in 2011 women still have not achieved equality. Women still earn less than men, have less chance in politics, fear sexual assault and risk losing their jobs if they get pregnant.

Platform 51 is a supporting partner of EQUALS and loves what Annie Lennox has created. We all need to work together to create a more equal world and fight the inequalities that women still face.

Three mental health events taking place today

Platform 51 has been campaigning for better treatment for women with mental health problems since January. Today we are holding three events to maintain awareness of this problem and the devastating impact it has.

Women of all ages need to understand the impact of mental health problems, so in Northampton we're starting young with an event for girls aged 14 and 15. We want young girls to be aware of the services that we provide and how, if they are struggling with poor mental health, they can come to us. We will be talking to teachers so they can detect if their pupils are at risk and refer them on for the help they need.

Platform 51 in Plymouth is holding a meeting this afternoon with women from across the city to discuss how they can raise awareness of mental health in the city. This group will be involved in organising a city-wide conference, a focus group and a peer mentoring group. If you'd like to get involved contact Platform 51 Plymouth on: 01752 671080.

And finally, Platform 51 West Kent is holding a wellbeing festival. It will bring people together to discuss ways to improve health and wellbeing. There will be host of fun and informative workshops and interactive stalls.

Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for images from these events.

Visionary feminist writer

Our woman of the week is visionary feminist writer Virginia Woolf (1882 - 1941).

In 1917, she and her husband Leonard founded their own publishing house, The Hogarth Press, where she enjoyed and took full advantage of unique creative freedom.

Her characters challenge the role of women in society and ask questions about feminism, war, mental illness, even language itself. Her novels are engrossing, complex and challenging, and force you to engage completely with the language to work out what is happening.

Woolf's 1929 essay A Room of One's Own has become a term in its own right to mean the space a woman needs to be creatively free. In it she said: "A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."

Woolf saw that while women were merely supporters of their husbands, they could never be creatively free. This may not seem radical now but this was written in a world dominated by the patriarchy. British women had only been granted the same voting rights as men the previous year. She wrote: "Women have served all these centuries as looking-glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size."

So why would a successful, sexually liberated, creatively free woman kill herself?

Woolf suffered from many tragedies in her life that triggered bouts of mental illness - the death of many close family members when she was only a child, the trauma of the First World War, and then the loss of her London home in the Blitz. By 1941, Woolf's debilitating, self-consuming mental illness had reached tipping point. Unable to write, she needed to sacrifice herself to free herself and Leonard from the illness.

A note to her husband Leonard said: "Dearest, I feel certain that I am going mad again. We can't go through another of those terrible times. I can't fight any longer. I can't go on spoiling your life. I don't think two people could have been happier than we have been. V."

Monday marked World Mental Health Day. Many awareness raising events were held and people were talking about mental health across the media. This shows how far we have come since Woolf's time and that the understanding of mental health is so much better. But Platform 51 knows that there are still many women who are not getting the right treatment for their mental health problems.

We think that it is time for change. Please support our petition calling on the Department of Health to commission a review into antidepressants.

Free women-only conference

The Women's Health & Equality Consortium (WHEC), of which Platform 51 is a member, is holding a national women-only conference on 25 October 2011 at the CBI Conference Centre, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU. And it's free to attend!

WHEC is a partnership of women's organisations which share the common goals of improved health and equality for girls and women.

The conference will debate health and the women's sector, and will include  speakers, interactive workshops and discussions about a wide range of women and health-related subjects. Each delegate will receive a Lobbying Toolkit to help them promote their services to government and commissioners. It promises to be a creative, enlightening and influential day.

To book your place at the conference, please complete and return this booking form or phone 020 7250 3933 for more information.

About WHEC

WHEC campaigns for a health and social care system that meets the needs of all women and girls appropriately, and properly understands their experiences. WHEC informs and supports the women's sector and influences local and national government.

Who goes? What do they do?

People who haven't been been to a women's centre often don't understand what goes on.

In this new film the women and staff at Platform 51's centre in Bilston show what goes on and explain what happens, what they do, how it helps and what it means to them.

Platform 51 wants better treatment for all women

Today marks World Mental Health day, a day to raise public awareness of mental health problems.

Platform 51 has been campaigning for better treatment for women with mental health problems since January. The focus of our recent campaigning has been on the use of antidepressants.

Did you know that Platform 51 research shows that one in three women have taken antidepressants during their lives and over half weren't offered an alternative to drugs at time of prescription?

Or that a quarter of women on antidepressants today have not had a review of their treatment for a year or more at some point?

Platform 51 recognises the important role antidepressants can play in treating mental health problems. But we are worried that they are being used too often as the only treatment option for mild to moderate mental health problems and that women are not given sufficient reviews or support with alternatives.

We think women are being let down by the current approach.

It's time for a change. We are calling on the Government to commission an independent review into the way that antidepressants are being prescribed. To make that change, we need you to speak up, to help make our politicians listen to us. Together we can make a real difference to the mental health of millions of women and girls.

Please sign our petition

Tell your friends

If you feel as strongly about our petition as we do, please pass it on.

Please tweet the following (we tweet back)
Women are taking #antidepressants without regular review or being offered alternatives, time for change http://bit.ly/P51review @platform51

Please change your Facebook profile to
Platform 51 is calling on the Department of Health to commission a review into the use of antidepressants. Their research shows that many women are taking antidepressants without regular review or being offered alternatives. Please sign their petition today to make a change http://bit.ly/P51review

Protecting girls at risk of gang violence

Our woman of the week is Barnardo's director and founder of Girls Against Gangs, Carlene Firmin.

We have chosen Carlene as it is Black History Month and Carlene was the youngest black woman to receive an MBE in February. Her MBE was for services to women and girls and another good reason for Carlene to be Platform 51's woman of the week.

In 2010 Carlene founded the Girls Against Gangs project (GAG) to tackle gang violence, protect girls at risk, prevent their involvement and support them to exit. Add this to a very impressive CV: director of Barnardo's, senior policy officer at Race on the Agenda (ROTA) and columnist for Society Guardian. And all by the age of 27.

Carlene has worked with our girls and staff at Platform 51 Knowsley. She trained our staff to facilitate research and our girls to be peer researchers. Jan Clitheroe, centre manager of Platform 51 Knowsley, said about Carlene: "She was warm, approachable and dynamic. She was able to work at everyone's level. I very rarely get awe struck by people but she was one of them. Completely inspirational."

Our girls and women discuss mental health with MPs

Platform 51 held a buzzing event at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester yesterday.

The event was introduced by Councillor Graham Gibbens, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health. Girls and women from our West Kent and Knowsley centres then led an interactive mental health game which involved all attendees taking part and identifying the best support for women with mental health problems.

The groups each agreed on a number of recommendations including the need for early intervention for women with mental health problems, investment in holistic services and the need to ensure people are not left indefinitely on antidepressants without regular reviews of their treatment.

We would like to thank everyone who attended the event including Nicky Morgan MP, the Conservative Women's Organisation, mental health professionals, MIND, Gingerbread, Family Action and many others. We were inspired to hear how much of the discussion and views reflected our own report findings and we will be continuing to campaign to improve support for women and girls experiencing mental health problems. 

Sign our petition calling on the Department of Health to commission a review into the use of antidepressants.

TFL's Safer Travel at Night says use minicabs with care

Transport for London's Safer Travel at Night campaign is particularly important for women. And whether you live in London or not, with the evenings getting darker ever earlier, there are important lessons for us all. The campaign's current focus is on using licenced taxis and minicabs safely.

They recommend that you always book ahead using a licenced operator. Unbooked minicabs are illegal, dangerous and leave you at risk of attack, sexual assault or robbery. They say that if it's not booked, then you are simply getting into a stranger's car. That's what your mum warned you about! So when your booked minicab car shows up, check it's the one YOU booked: make sure the driver can confirm your name and destination before you get in the car, and always check the driver's photo ID. Sit in the back seat, and carry your mobile phone in your hand in case of an emergency.

Kealy, who goes to Platform 51's centre in West London, feels so strongly about being able to get around the capital at night she is now the vice chair of TFL's youth panel. Kealy will be speaking at the TFL youth event on 21 October at London's Living Room, GLA.

Heidi's warm spirit has changed the lives of many women

Our woman of the week is one of Platform 51's amazing supporters, Heidi Turtle. Last week Heidi ran the Tonbridge half marathon and has so far raised £692.50 for Platform 51 West Kent. We wanted to thank Heidi for her support and tell the world what an awesome person she is.

Heidi has been involved with our West Kent centre for 15 years. She was one of the first women to walk through the door when the centre opened. Heidi was 17 and a young mum, she didn't enjoy school and had disengaged from the education system. She came to Platform 51 West Kent for support and direction.

Heidi had a lot of spark and enthusiasm for Platform 51 from day one and after taking part in a number of programmes she started volunteering at the centre. She was such a fantastic role model for the girls and women that Platform 51 supported Heidi to undertake her youth work training. Heidi then joined the team as a project worker, where she was always a popular member of staff and made a great contribution.

Heidi now works for Tonbridge and Malling's social services children and family duty team. But she has never lost touch with the Platform 51 centre and has always been there to lend a hand.

Heidi believes that she walked into Platform 51 West Kent at a cross roads in her life and she could have gone either way. Her half marathon run was her way of giving back. She said: "If I'm running a local half marathon I'm going to do it for a local charity that is very close to my own heart. I truly believe that my life would not be the success it is without the support of this charity and this is my way of giving something back."

Platform 51 West Kent's centre manager, Von Dawson said about Heidi: "Heidi's warm spirit has touched and changed the lives of many women whilst she volunteered and worked at Platform 51. We are so proud of what she has achieved. I want to personally thank her for what she has done for the centre and the money she has raised."

Here is a lovely picture of Heidi crossing the finish line and getting her medal from former woman of the week, Dame Kelly Holmes. Well done Heidi you are a well deserving Platform 51 woman of the week.

To find out more about Platform 51 West Kent visit:
www.platform51.org/whatwedo/ourwork/centres/westkent

If you would like to take part in a running event for Platform 51 visit:
www.platform51.org/supportus/events

Forthright inspiring role model

Our woman of the week is British journalist and writer Polly Toynbee. We have chosen Polly this week as it is the Labour Party conference next week and she is known as "the queen of leftist journalists."

As a columnist in The Guardian Polly is not afraid to say what she thinks about politics. Polly's confident and forthright manner is admirable in a male dominated world. At Platform 51 many of the girls and women that come to our centres lack confidence. We instil confidence in them and teach them that they can achieve great things. Women like Polly are role models for the women we work with.

It is not just her attitude that makes her a good role model to our women, she understands the struggles that many of them face. She often speaks with great consideration of those who living on benefits or working families struggling to make ends meet.  She knows from experience how hard it is to live on the minimum wage. Her book Hard Work: Life in low-pay Britain describes how she lived on the then minimum wage of £4.10. She concludes in the book: "Well over 70 per cent of the low-paid are still the women, their work still officially and systematically devalued because it is women's work. The bad treatment of women remains the key reason for working poverty in Britain." 1

Watch our short films to see how Platform 51 supports vulnerable girls and women to take control of their lives.

1. Toynbee, P (2003) Hard Work: Life in low-pay Britain, London, Bloomsbury

Encouragement and concern after two days in Birmingham

Platform 51 has returned from spending two days at the Liberal Democrats' party conference. We are initially encouraged by some developments in Government policy on education, health and criminal justice and extremely concerned by others.

On education it was good to hear Sarah Teather talk about the pilot projects running in some Sure Start Centres, offering targeted support from professionals, including health visitors, to support young mothers. It was also good to hear her ideas for making schools accountable for pupils even after they have been excluded. 

However, we are concerned at the major focus in fringe meetings on behaviour management as the solution to educational underachievement. This appears to be a dominant theme across the Coalition's work on education. We know from the girls and women we work with that the reasons they disengage and drop out of education are more complex than this and we fear that solely focusing on behaviour management will overlook these important issues.

We were very pleased to hear the Liberal Democrats commitment to further work on Baroness Corston's recommendations on working with women offenders. We look forward to working with Ministry of Justice further on this.  And of course we welcome the conference debate on tackling violence against women.

Following the launch of our petition calling for the Department of Health to commission a review into the use of antidepressants, we are looking forward to meeting Paul Burstow MP, Health Minister to discuss this.

Platform 51 will also be attending the Labour and the Conservative party conferences in the next few weeks.

Antidepressants are not the only answer

Antidepressants have an important role to play in treating poor mental health but they are not the whole solution. Read more about mental health campaign and women and the use of antidepressants or download our briefing Checks and choices: women and antidepressants.

Platform 51 is calling on the Department of Health to commission a review into the use of antidepressants. Please sign our petition to add your name to the call for a review. It should investigate the rate at which antidepressants are prescribed as the only option for mild to moderate mental health problems and the frequency at which people taking them have their treatment reviewed.

Platform 51 research shows that more than half of women on antidepressants are not offered any alternative support when they were prescribed antidepressants. And that:

• a quarter (24%) of women on antidepressants have waited over a year for a review of their treatment at some point

• half (48%) have been on them for five or more years, and

• a quarter (24%) have been on them for 10 years or more.

Annie Besant: activist, orator, thinker, reformer, writer

This week we honour as our Woman of the week Annie Besant - activist, orator, thinker, reformer, writer and all-round amazing human being - who died on 20 September 1933. Annie devoted her long, extraordinary life to fighting for numerous causes she believed to be right; she campaigned for freedom of thought, secularism, Indian independence,  birth control (four decades before Margaret Sanger and Marie Stopes), and worker’s rights.

“What are we here for, save to help each other, to love each other, to uplift each other?” she wrote.

Because of the Trades Union Congress annual conference this week, we particularly want to remind readers of Annie’s instrumental part in the groundbreaking London match girls’ strike of 1888.

Women and girls working at the Bryant and May match factory in London endured appalling working conditions: fourteen-hour shifts, unfair fines docked from pitiful pay, and exposure to hazardous substances; the phosphorus used in making matches lead to the potentially fatal bone-rotting condition ‘phossy jaw’. Annie knew how bad things were at the match factory; in June 1888 she published an article entitled ‘White Slavery in London’. In early July one of the workers at the factory was sacked. More than 1,000 women went on strike in support of their colleague. The strikers turned to Annie for leadership. Annie spoke at meetings, led deputations and negotiated terms with the management. After three weeks Bryant and May met the strikers’ terms – one of which was the right to form a trade union. The girls elected Annie Besant as their president. The matchgirls strike was a turning point in the history of workers in Britain.

Women today struggling to have their say and express their opinions need look no further than the life and works Annie Besant for inspiration:
“Never forget that life can only be nobly inspired and rightly lived if you take it bravely and gallantly, as a splendid adventure in which you are setting out into an unknown country, to meet many a joy, to find many a comrade, to win and lose many a battle.”

Why do girls drop out or abandon their education?

In January 2012, Platform 51 will launch a campaign and publish a report about girls' and women's education and learning.

In preparation for this, we want to find out more about why girls and women drop out of or abandon their education or training, and how it affects them. Dropping out might mean gradually losing interest, facing problems which prevent you from being able to carry on, or stopping going to school or college altogether.

Did this happen to you? Do you have an opinion?

Can you spare the time to fill in our short survey? There are nine questions and it should take no more than ten minutes to complete (please note this is for women only).

The information you give is confidential but we may quote you anonymously as part of our campaign.

Go to the survey

We are looking for volunteers to join our Board of Trustees

Platform 51 is looking for volunteers to join our Board of Trustees.  In particular, we seek people who have financial, technological and marketing skills to offer.  Our Board of Trustees meet four times a year to lead and plan the strategic direction and objectives of the charity and to ensure its financial and operational sustainability.

If you believe you have the necessary skills and commitment to help us achieve our aims, please send an initial expression of interest to jobs@platform51.org More information to follow.

Pioneering sex education campaigner

This week in the light of the recent debate about abortion rights and women's reproductive choices we honour as our Woman of the week the pioneering 20^th century sex education campaigner Margaret Sanger, who died 46 years ago this week.

The Women's Health and Equality Consortium, WHEC, of which Platform 51 is lead partner, said last month:  "...the amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill  ... is a violation of a woman's right to choose what to do with her body. The Government's role should be to support women's choice and access to quality health services not create barriers to it." Happily, MPs did reject the amendment.

Margaret Sanger would have approved heartily. She endured a 50-year crusade to convince the world that contraception was a basic human right. She was harassed imprisoned, exiled and endured the venom of political and religious leaders who called her as a 'murderer'. Nevertheless, she relentlessly challenged the government, church, doctors, the press and public opinion in her efforts to convince the world of the benefits of birth control.

In 1912 while working as a maternity nurse in New York City, Sanger had witnessed hundreds of women worn-out after endless child-bearing. Her own mother's health was ruined by 18 pregnancies.

Margaret wrote articles, distributed contraceptive advice (which was a federal offence), and opened America's first birth control clinic, for which she was imprisoned. By the 1940s birth control was widely accepted but it wasn't until 1972 that unmarried women in America were guaranteed the right to use contraceptives.

She understood that: "No woman can call herself free until she can consciously choose whether she will or will not be a mother."

Discussing the issues women face today

Platform 51 will be holding a seminar at FEM11, the UK Feminista annual conference. The conference gets hundreds of campaigners and thinkers together to discuss the issues women face today and how to build a feminist future.

Platform 51's seminar, A different perspective: teenage mums and feminism, will give teenage mothers the chance to have their say about the challenges they face and open up discussion and debate about how best to ensure that campaigns for gender equality reflect the experiences of all girls and women.

The conference is on Saturday 12 November 2011 from 10.00-5.30pm at Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. Speakers include: Shami Chakrabarti (Liberty), Zoe Williams (The Guardian), Carlene Firmin (writer) and Bea Campbell (author and journalist).

There will also be workshops and seminars organised by: Fawcett Society, Abortion Rights, OBJECT, Southall Black Sisters, Women for Women International, Women's Resource Centre, Platform 51, Rights of Women, Centre for Women and Democracy, Women's Environmental Network, Imkaan, End Violence Against Women coalition, Women for Refugee Women and the White Ribbon Campaign.

Places are available to all, come and join in the debate and book your place today. For more information download the FEM11 flyer or visit the UK Feminista website.

Recent study concurs with our findings

Women are more than two-and-a-half times more likely than men to suffer from depression, with most cases occurring between the ages of 16 and 42, says Professor Hans Ulrich Wittchen, one of the authors of a recent study from the Dresden University of Technology in Germany for the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology. The study goes on to say that the burden of trying to look after children, take responsibility for the family and hold down a job has seen rates of depression in women double since the 1970s.

A letter we wrote in response to this was today printed by The Times newspaper:

"Sir, The research by Professor Hans-Ulrich Wittchen showing a doubling in rates of depression among women comes as no surprise to us ("Women feel the strain as depression rates increase", 5 Sept 2011). What is most worrying about this study is that one in three people are not having the right treatment for mental health problems, even after diagnosis.

"Our research echoes this and raises questions about the prescription of antidepressants in the UK. One in four women on antidepressants has been on them for ten years or more; one in four going for a year or more without a review of their prescription; and more than half not being offered any alternative or additional support to drugs at time of prescription. Of course antidepressants have a role to play in treating mental health problems but they should not be the first and only port of call."

Platform 51 research into the use of women's mental health and antidepressants was also mentioned in an article in today's The Guardian.

Find out more about our campaign for better treatement for women with poor mental health.

Girls and women getting together to discuss mental health

Last week saw around forty girls and women from Platform 51 centres come together and discuss mental health. Platform 51 has been campaigning for better mental health treatment for women since January and this was a great opportunity for our women to learn more, find out what other centres have been doing to campaign and plan future activity.

The women shared ideas of what promotes positive mental health and ways that women can improve their resilience such as having supportive family and friends, getting a good education, getting a job and eating healthily. The findings and asks of Platform 51's report Women like me: Supporting wellbeing in girls and women were discussed and the women came up with ideas of how they could go back to their centres and campaign for better mental health treatment for women in their local area. Some ideas that came up with were leaflets to GPs, writing mental health articles and going into schools and speaking to young women.

The positivity and energy at the event was electric. Platform 51 has run many events like this in the past but this was the first for women of all ages. The women were very knowledgeable about mental health and understood the importance of raising awareness of the problem.

Ali Thomas, Platform 51 participation development manager, said: "The event was really inspiring, the best one we have ever had. Girls and women of all ages came together and offered different perspectives. The women were really clued up about mental health, really wanted to make a change and understood why Platform 51 wants to campaign about this problem both nationally and locally."

Jemma, one of the women who attended the event, said: "I wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to come to your mental health national event. I really enjoyed myself and it was great to learn that I'm not the only one feeling unsupported by my GP and that platform 51 have plans to change this. I feel so much better knowing this and have come away from the event feeling much more positive!

Platform 51 would like to thank Pfizer UK Ltd for sponsoring the event.

An eight week course that changes lives

Platform 51's Chrysalis programme changes the lives of women offenders. Women referred to the programme get support to help them understand what is going on in their lives; only then can they break the cycle of negative behaviour.

Helen Falconer, Chrysalis programme manager, says "In the criminal justice system there's usually a massive focus on the things these women have done wrong or they're not very good at.  What we try to do is focus on their assets, to build on them, and try to move the women forward."

The programme helps them with mental health, domestic violence and abuse, childcare, literacy and numeracy, employability skills and self-esteem.

Can an eight week programme really turn women's lives around? Really? Oh yes. In these new short films (under 'Participant impact') Emma Dawes and Participant B explain the difference it's made to them.

"If I hadn't come onto the Chrysalis programme I'd probably be in prison now... in fact it's almost definite," said Emma Dawes, pictured above. You can read more about Emma here.

Platform 51's Chrysalis programme is made possible thanks to funding from the European Social Fund.

Talking about young people and single mums

This week the singer Jamelia has been talking about the kind of problems faced by many of the women who come to Platform 51: domestic violence, lone parenthood and growing up poor. And that is why we have made her our Woman of the week.

Jamelia grew up in inner city Birmingham. After the recent riots she told the BBC that she wanted to use her own experience to help young people to aspire. She said she would: "...show them my old house, my old school and tell them I used to catch the bus every day and that I wasn't able to get the latest trainers ...I've got to this stage by 15 years of hard work."

She spoke out about being a lone parent in the BBC3 documentary aired this week: Jamelia: Shame about single mums. The documentary explores how single mothers have been treated over the last 100 years. In it she describes her own feelings about being a single mum, and talks to other women who had children 'out of wedlock'.  She said: "at least I've had the option to be a single mum." Jamelia tackles the negative perceptions of single motherhood presented by the media. Journalist Julia Hartley Brewer tells her that being a lone parent is: "not a positive lifestyle choice." Jamelia responds : "don't tell us we're all doomed, I refuse to believe that. For someone to tell me it's pointless if you haven't got a man in the house is extremely offensive."

Lone mums and young girls growing up in poverty need encouragement not condemnation. When all others can do is stigmatise and apportion blame, we welcome Jamelia's positive responses.

Successful project helps girls to get out of violent gangs

When it comes to gangs and gang violence, it's usually young men who make the headlines. But worringly there are significant numbers of girls getting involved in gangs too. "Girls need some safe, girl-only space to talk about their concerns" according to Carlene Firmin, founder of the Gag (gendered action on gangs) project, writing in The Guardian. This safe, girl-only space is precisely what Platform 51 provides at its centre in Knowsley on Merseyside.

Platform 51's Home Office-funded project, Getting girls out of gangs, gets girls off the street and into the centre where they learn new things and get involved with all manner of activities.

Jan Clitheroe, manager at Platform 51 Knowsley, says: "This is a really difficult group of women to engage with. We see them walking past the centre on a Friday night, drinking and heading towards the park. Not all of them have been pulled into gangs yet, but that is the inevitable next step. So we decided to go out onto the street; we set up a table outside the centre with a beauty therapist and started talking to the girls. Gradually, gradually, we got them to come into the centre. We have now have helped 164 young women this way."

Once inside the centre, the girls learn about: how the media influences them, nurturing positive relationships, staying safe, health and wellbeing, and substance abuse. They take part in cool activities like film-making, and learn to have their say by getting involved in a youth forum. To build confidence and decision-making skills, some have done the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

It works

Kate, aged 13, said: "I used to fight a lot and be frustrated. But since coming here I have calmed down and made new friends." Melissa, 14, agrees: "I like coming to Platform 51 because it's safer and you can be yourself."

Crucially, Platform 51 gives girls in danger of getting involved in gangs a real alternative. Learning things and taking part equips them with the self-esteem to make positive choices in their lives.

Platform 51's Getting girls out of gangs project ran until March 2011. Thanks to more funding from the Home Office, the centre will continue its life-changing work from September 2011.

See the Knowsley girls talking about Platform 51 on You Tube.

Rejoice and love yourself today, cause you were born this way

This week saw the release of The Forbes World's Most Powerful Women, for our woman of the week we are ignoring the top ten and celebrating the woman at number 11, the one and only Lady Gaga.

Lady Gaga stands out on the Forbes list: she is 20 years younger than most of the other woman in the top ten, she is pictured with green hair and she is an entertainer not a CEO, politician or managing director. Gaga is using her influencing power on a younger audience. She is talking to young people and they are listening and loving her message: "Don't you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can't be exactly who you are."

Gaga talks openly and with conviction about equality and acceptance of who you are. She speaks from personal experience and has openly admitted that she was bullied at school and was not accepted for the way she was. She uses her platform of influence to fight for people's rights, for example she spoke at the National Equality March in October 2009 about gay rights and has been quoted as saying: "I want women, and men to feel empowered."

Love her or hate her, if young people are leaving her concerts heeding her advice: "I want you to walk out of here tonight not loving me more, but loving yourselves more" then surely this isn't a bad thing.

New door of opportunity or the start of a bleak future?

Today will be a life changing day for hundreds and thousands of girls across the country. For many it will open new doors of opportunity, A-levels, training courses and their first taste of employment. But for some it will signal the beginning of a bleak future.

Thousands of girls leave education every year without any formal qualifications. While league tables focus on those at the top, those at the bottom are often allowed to slip away unnoticed. Once out of education girls can find it almost impossible to get back in.

The debate about young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) tends to focus on young men but in fact latest figures show not only that there are more young women aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training but their numbers are growing much faster. Sometimes this is as a result of the choices they have made, but usually it is the effect of a system that has failed them.

In our experience while young men are acting out and attracting media attention, many girls are quietly disengaging from schools without attracting media attention, often due to dealing with difficult situations like family trouble or bullying. Today most of those young women will walk away from education without anyone trying to stop them and that will probably define them for the rest of their lives.

Riots offer a chance to treat violent girls differently

Violence damages lives in different ways and a more gendered approach has to be part of the way forward. This is the main thrust of founder of the Gag Project, Carlene Firmin's article in the Guardian today. 

Platform 51 supports the overall analysis in the article and particularly the call for consideration of what needs to happen at a policy level for young women caught up in the criminal justice system.

It is heartening, as Carlene notes, to see that we are starting to see some progress with regards to women in the criminal justice system. Platform 51 welcomes the recent announcement from the all-party parliamentary group on women in the penal system that it would be holding an independent inquiry into girls in the justice system.

Clearly, if we really want to prevent offending and reoffending, then, as Carlene says, the youth justice system [which has never been designed to respond to offending by young women] needs to change.

However, based on the work we do in our women's centres in England and Wales we are concerned that it is girls and women who will bear the brunt of the long term impact of the riots on communities: homes destroyed, investment delayed or withdrawn and families living in fear. 

As the riots unfolded and the analysis of them began, Platform 51 used Twitter to express concerns that the focus on the parenting of the young people involved in the rioting, focuses on women and this in turn can appear to place the blame on them for society's problems.  Platform 51 will continue to monitor the analysis in the aftermath of the riots to ensure that girls and women's views and voices are not lost. 

More girls not in education, employment or training than boys

The Department for Education statistics reveal that the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) is up from last year, with more girls than boys in this category.  

At Platform 51 we know that 16 to 24 year old girls are more likely to be NEET than boys but today's figures show that the rift between them is growing at devastating speeds - 50,000 more girls have been put into this category between the first and second quarter of 2011 while the numbers for boys grew by 3,000.

At Platform 51 we work with many girls and women who are NEET and we know that while young men are acting out and attracting media attention many girls are quietly disengaging from schools, often due to dealing with difficult situations like family trouble or bullying. Without support and teaching that recognises their needs, these girls are stuck with no way back into education or no way forward without it.

Download the statistics from the Department for Education website.

Find out more about what Platform 51 does for girls who have disengaged from school by downloading our Education, employment and skills theme sheet.

Bravely speaking out about her mental health problems

We are making Gail Porter our woman of the week this week. Gail rose to fame in the 1990's as a children's TV presenter. But despite the fame Gail has battled with anorexia, post-natal depression, alopecia and bipolar disorder. She was sectioned in April this year and spent three weeks in a Psychiatric hospital. She has recently spoken out about this experience in the Daily Mail:

"There was no treatment programme and nothing to do. It meant patients just focused on their problems instead of getting better."

We think that Gail is very brave for speaking out about her mental health problems and we know how difficult it is to do this. This week two women from Platform 51 Cornwall, Laura and Rosie spoke out about their experiences of taking antidepressants on BBC Radio Cornwall. (Skip to one hour and six minutes of the podcast).

Rosie said: "You can put someone on antidepressants but if you don't change the underlying cause then you're not really helping people long term."

Mental health campaign

At Platform 51 we are campaigning for better treatment for women with mental health problems. Our report Women like me: Supporting wellbeing in girls and women found that three out of five women have suffered from mental health problems. That's the equivalent of 15.2 million girls and women in England and Wales.

Platform 51 are very concerned about the treament women are getting for their mental health problems and we are calling on the government to commission a review into the use of antidepressants.

You can read more and join our mental health campaign on our website.

But they will eventually earn 20% less than men

Every year A-level results throw up a debate about why girls do better in secondary education. What is not discussed is why statistics show that on average these women will earn 20% less than their male counterparts, be underrepresented in senior management positions and few and far between in our national government.

"Working with girls and women we know how driven and capable they can be, but without also addressing the obstacles they still face, many are at risk of not being able to fulfil their potential."

Rebecca Gill, Director of policy, campaign and communications, Platform 51 

Letter in today's Guardian

Platform 51 has had a letter about our antidepressants research published in today's Guardian.

The letter is a response to The Guardian's article 'Depression in adulthood twice as likely for those abused as children' highlighting that those who have suffered abuse in childhood respond less well to drug and psychological treatments.

Articles like this one reiterate our own findings that people with mental health problems need regular reviews of their treatment. Our own research found that:

• a third (33%) of women have taken antidepressants at some point in their lives
• nearly half (48%) of women currently on antidepressants have been on them for five years or more
• one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have been on them for 10 years or more
• one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have waited a year or more for a review.

Platform 51 is calling on the government to commission a review into the use of antidepressants. The review should examine how antidepressants are prescribed, whether alternatives or additional support are offered, and whether those taking them receive regular reviews. Poor mental health has a huge impact on society and individuals and is something that needs urgent attention.

Challenging negative perceptions of young people

Platform 51's Truth About Youth project, funded by The Co-operative Foundation, works with young people in six areas of Cardiff to challenge negative perceptions about young people and break down the barriers they face.

The project's team of young carers, Power of the youth, wanted to break down the barriers between themselves and the older generation. So they invited the Deputy Head of Council, Judith Woodman and a group of pensioners to join them for an art workshop. A local artist helped them to work together on a joint piece of art.

Doreen, a local resident from Llanrumney said: "I'm afraid I was a little disappointed with the behaviour I'd seen of young people, along with young mums, but the Truth About Youth project has changed my perception of young people and I'm so glad it has."

Judith Woodman commented: "It's been really interesting and fun, and more importantly engaging with young people and sharing things we have in common and as a result showing there is no difference between the old and young. Very intergenerational, some great ideas but more importantly we had fun and age didn't come into it."

Following this successful event, the group of older and younger people are now full of ideas on exciting projects they can work on together, watch this space for more information. 

Platform 51 is concerned that women may be feeling significantly more vulnerable and isolated following the recent riots and disturbances.  We would like to reassure all women and girls, particularly those in the areas most affected by the riots - London, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Knowsley [our nearest centre to south Liverpool where riots broke out - that all our Platform 51 centres remain open and ready to welcome you.

Platform 51 provides a platform for all women and girls to have a voice.  If you have an opinion you would like to share with us about the recent riots, please email us on communications@ platform51.org. Alternatively, tweet us at @platform51 or share your thoughts with us on our facebook page.

Please call the respective Platform 51 centres in the riot-affected areas to double check opening times:

London West    0208 574 5116

Bilston                01902 357070

Bristol                01179 638775

Knowsley          0151 5477800

Warstones        01902 341822

“I can stand out the war with any man”

Our woman of the week is the English nurse Florence Nightingale. Tomorrow sees the 101 anniversary of this amazing woman's death and therefore we wanted to honour her hard work, passion and bravery.

Florence was a woman determined to do good. She saw her calling in life to be a nurse and went out and did it against her parents' wishes and against social norms of Victorian Britain.

The work that made Florence famous was during the Crimean War. What she found at the British camp in the Crimea was overcrowding, poor sanitary conditions and a shortage of medical supplies. Florence was aware that soldiers were dying from the poor conditions rather than their war wounds. She implemented hygiene systems herself and with the help of the Sanitary Commission. It was during the Crimean war that she was named 'The lady with the lamp' because of the nightly rounds that she made giving comfort and advice to wounded soldiers.

Florence's work in the Crimea was so well received that the Nightingale Fund for the training of nurses was set up in 1855. With the fund Florence set up the Nightingale Training School at St. Thomas' Hospital in 1860. Her theories were published in 1860 in 'Notes on Nursing' outlining her concerns about sanitation and military health. These theories created practises that are still being used today.

Florence's theories, determination and care have left a legacy on modern nursing and medicine. She was brave, forward thinking and cared passionately about humanity and therefore a very deserving woman of the week.

One woman's dreams come true

Five years ago, Natasha Watkins fell through the doors at Platform 51 Doncaster, drunk and just out of prison after 20 previous custodial sentences. In July 2011 her dreams came true when Belinda Grashion offered her a job as an Office Administrator.

Belinda Grashion first came across Platform 51 in June when she attended a networking event in Doncaster for women-led businesses co-sponsored by Platform 51 in association with Icon Women, a social enterprise supporting women in business. Introduced to Natasha after the event, Belinda immediately appreciated the strong potential that Platform 51 saw in Natasha.

Belgray Properties Director, Belinda Grashion, commenting on why she had chosen to recruit Natasha, said: "Firstly I was impressed and moved by her story and her determination to carry on regardless. Her spirit shone through and she had a "will do" attitude; something that is difficult to impart in people. She had many skills that she did not appreciate in herself and I could clearly see these. She had already come a long way and I feel humbled and privileged to be able to offer her a position within our company. I know she will earn the respect and trust within our company and will become a valued member of staff"

As an Office Administrator Natasha will learn how to deal with customers, answer and make appointments, learn conveyancing procedures for house buying, research property prices and market conditions and general accounting.

Natasha's case is a clear example of how the work of Platform 51 can contribute to the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged women and how with appropriate support women can turn their lives around.  It is powerful evidence of how Platform 51's partnership programme with local employers can bring jobs and opportunities for women.

Hear Natasha and Belinda telling the story on BBC Radio Sheffield (skip to one hour 19 minutes of the podcast).

Millicent's actions helped women get the vote

When it comes to famous British women from modern history, most people will have heard of Emmeline Pankhurst, but not everyone will know of Millicent Fawcett.

Writer, pioneering feminist and campaigner Millicent died on this day 82 years ago and is our woman of the week this week. While Emmeline's approach to gaining women's rights were strident and at times violent, Millicent's approach was more moderate, but no less dogged, determined or radical. She thought that debate, discussion and engagement with the establishment would serve the cause of women's rights more effectively than provocative action. Whatever the truth is, this two pronged approach, Millicent's moderation and Emmeline's zeal, worked. Women aged over 30 finally won the vote in the UK in 1918.

Millicent was an ardent campaigner. One especially notable success was her campaign for the rights of sex workers. The Contagious Diseases Acts 1864 required that women working as prostitutes be examined for sexually transmitted diseases, but this did not extend to their male clients. She exposed the inherent hypocrisy in the Acts and got them repealed.

Millicent's work continues in the charity named after her, the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for equality between women and men.

Marsh Award winner announced

The first Marsh Award for Volunteering with Platform 51 was awarded to Lindsey Hills, from Platform 51 London West last week.

Lindsey, who has been coming to Platform 51 for eight years, was presented with her prize of £1,000. She was nominated her peers and the winner was chosen by city financier and award sponsor Mr Brian Marsh OBE. Runners up were Kayleigh Devlin and Kealy Hastick. The award recognises and honours the achievements of women in turning their lives around.

London West's centre manager Ruth Lowe said: "Lindsey came to Platform 51 in a bad relationship, no job and no confidence. Since then, through sheer perseverance, Lindsey has spoken in front of an audience of over 1000, met the former Prime Minister and represented Platform 51 at the Global YWCA conference in Zurich. Lindsey is now a manager of a children's centre and is working hard to create a bright future for herself and her two children. She is an inspiration!"

Check out photos of the event on our Facebook page and this 52-second video on YouTube.

Service Update

Since January 2011, Platform 51 has been a delivery partner in the NOMS Newday Service for women offenders and those at risk of offending in Wales, operating as a sub-contractor to the Working Links, which holds the main contract.

Proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for the service and the requirements for women using it to gain qualifications and employment mean that Platform 51 is no longer the provider best-placed to deliver this contract. Working Links and Platform 51 have therefore agreed to end the contract by mutual consent.

The Newday service in Wales will continue to be managed by Working Links, whose staff have considerable expertise in assisting people into employment. Platform 51 staff will continue to support women offenders and those at risk of offending in Wales through the NOMS Turnaround service and to work with women and girls through a range of services.

Working Links thanks the organisation for its work up until now and wishes it well for the future.

Women's choir sings for health

A women's community choir, Song birds, run by Platform 51 Nottingham gave a rousing performance to show off their new singing talents last week. A 100-strong audience heard the choir perform in a gallery at international arts venue the Nottingham Contemporary.

Get out, get active, get vocal

Funded by Nottingham City Council's sustainable communities fund, the choir was set up to help women from a range of ages and backgrounds - including those with mental health problems, learning disabilities, violent homes - get out, get active, get confident and get vocal.

Ten women took part on the day drawn from 16 women who made up the choir. "Singing with this choir has really boosted my confidence and has helped me start to conquer my anxiety," said one woman.

Nottingham City Transport generously provided bus passes so that the women taking part (some of who are homeless or unemployed) could easily get across town and take part.  "It's great to know that by providing our services free-of-charge, we've played a small part in a project that makes a big difference to the health and wellbeing of women in our local area" said Anthony Carver-Smith, Marketing Manager at Nottingham City Transport.

Seen and heard

Tracy Radford, Platform 51 Nottingham's manager, said: "Many of these women struggle with a lot of problems in their lives. Some came with their support workers to help them. Joining together to create something beautiful makes them feel so much better about themselves. They can be seen and heard at last!"

This choir member would agree: "Singing with this choir has been such a boost and clears my head. It has helped me find my voice again. This kind of initiative is so important for raising the spirits and giving a sense of wellbeing."

A breath of fresh air

Another women said: "Singing with this choir has been like a breath of fresh air. After years of battling with mental health problems and drugs and alcohol addiction, I have been in some horrible dark places. Every week this group has been friendly, supportive and positive which has brushed off in other areas of my life. Thank you. I hope we will be able to continue what we've started as it has been such a happy experience."

The benefits of the choir are clear to see - and hear! This initial project cost just £1,000 to run for 10 weeks. We are currently looking for more funds so we can continue to help women find their voice and feel better through song. Can you help?

Watch the Song birds' rendition of Down in the River to Pray on YouTube.

inspirational role model

Our woman of the week this week is novelist J K Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, in case you didn't know! We honour her this week because the final film of the Harry Potter series, Deathly Hallows, has recently been released and because and in a few days it's her birthday.

In 2008 the Sunday Times Rich List estimated J K Rowling's fortune at £560 million, the twelfth richest woman in the UK. She is an enthusiastic and generous philanthropist: "I think you have a moral responsibility when you've been given far more than you need, to do wise things with it and give intelligently."

But she wasn't always so fortunate.

In the early 1990s, her marriage over, jobless, on benefits, with a dependent child, low-self-esteem and clinical depression, she contemplated suicide. But she realised: "I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter, and a big idea. And so rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life." She began writing Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first in the series. The last four Harry Potter books have been the fastest-selling books in history, translated into 65 languages.

Inspirational
Platform 51 worker, Gem Chambers is a fan. She says: "She is a fabulous, inspirational British woman and an excellent role model. She got kids and adults back into reading; she made it cool to read, be a geek, wear glasses and have ginger hair. I strongly believe her work has the power to instil bravery and courage in kids and adults alike."

an of the week: J K Rowling

Inspirational women's conference

This month's YWCA World Council meeting in Switzerland has been a triumph. The YWCA of GB delegation to the event included service users Jenna from Bristol, Kayleigh from Northampton, Lindsey from West London and Marcia who works at our centre in Knowsley, Merseyside.

YWCA World Council takes place every four years and gives women from across the world the chance to meet to discuss what really matters to them: poverty, equality, health, human rights, war, violence against women, political inclusion and leadership. Women can share ideas, learn from each other and discuss matters which they can work on back in their own countries.

Kayleigh said: "I will leave this conference truly appreciating how amazing our organisation is. I go home with lots of ideas on ways to make our women's lives better."

Lindsey said:  "Wow what a week, words cannot explain what this week has given to me. The chance to meet people from all over the world was amazing. Listening to people express their stories and attending workshops opened my mind to realities that affect different countries."

Jenna said: "I have learnt so much and met some great new friends from around the world. I come away from World Council with lots of new ideas, inspired in carrying on the work I already do and to expand on it."

More photos of the event can now be seen on Platform 51's Facebook page.

Read the delegates’ full accounts of their experiences here.

Tragic loss of young lives mourned

Platform 51 would like to extend its sincere condolences to the people and government of Norway after Friday's tragedy in Oslo and Utoya which resulted in the loss of so many young lives.

This loss is particularly saddening to Platform 51, a charity and largest member of YWCA GB, whose mission has the welfare of girls at its very heart.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the families of those who have died, and we offer our thoughts and good wishes at this harrowing time to those who survived the atrocities.

We wish Norway, the bereaved families and those who survived much strength and fortitude in the days ahead.

Click here to see the message of condolence sent to the Norwegian YWCA-YMCA by Anna Magnusson, President of the European YWCAs.

Women’s budget group resource

The Women's Budget Group has produced a resource pack for those who may be campaigning from a marginalised position, or who may lack experience in lobbying and campaigning. Platform 51 in Warstones and Bilston worked with the WBG on this project and can be downloaded here.

Labels are for jars not people

Our Woman of the week is Caroline Casey. Caroline's spirit and determination is so awe inspiring in this video she had to be Platform 51's woman of the week.

Caroline is a social entrepreneur who set up Kanchi a non for profit disability organisation in 2000. The aim of the organisation is to change the way people think about disability. Caroline stresses that labels are not for people something that Platform 51 feels strongly about. To really understand why Caroline is woman of the week watch this film and let Caroline tell you her story.

This year's Queen's garden party

Every year we take a group of girls and women to The Queen's garden party. Women that have achieved a lot since they first came to Platform 51. This year Rebecca, aged 18 and Emma, aged 20 were part of this group and this is what they said about it:

"As we arrived we went through the grand entrance which was really impressive and then entered the gardens which were equally breathtaking. We explored the grounds taking in the views and the beautiful rose garden.

"Queen Elizabeth II then arrived to the national anthem and we waited for her to walk past us. She was wearing a lovely primrose suit and hat along with a well on trend pink feather. She was always smiling and looked so happy and much younger than we expected.

"We went over to see Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, who seemed really funny and down to earth. After this we met up with some ladies and a worker from the Platform 51 centre in Doncaster which was nice.

"It was then time for the garden party to draw to an end. The Queen exited to the national anthem. It was such an honour to be invited to this garden party and it felt like a great reward for some of the things we have done and been involved in. It was a wonderful day and a once in a lifetime experience that we will never forget."

Connecting women around the Globe

"We arrived in Zurich representing an organisation. We left belonging to a movement"

Three young women from Platform 51, formerly YWCA  attended the YWCA World Council in Zurich last week.

Jenna from Bristol, Kayleigh from Northampton and Lindsey from West London, accompanied by Platform 51 worker Marcia from Liverpool, represented YWCA GB at the YWCA World Council meeting.

The women got to meet delegates from around the world to discuss the problems facing women globally: human rights, sexual and reproductive rights, advocacy and leadership.

Here are the women's highlights and thoughts about the events:

Marcia's highlights were: "learning about all the countries and causes. To really feel a connection with other women and young women from around the world.  We felt we could relate to and be ourselves with them."

Kayleigh said: "I will leave this conference truly appreciating how amazing our organisation is. I go home with lots of ideas on ways to make women's lives better in Great Britain"

Lindsey said: "Wow what a week, words cannot explain what this week has given to me. The programme was so packed and having the chance to meet people from all over the world was amazing. Listening to peoples stories opened my mind to the realities of the problems in other countries. As a delegate it was great to feel supported and that my thoughts were accepted. I will definitely take back the information that I received from other countries and hope to use it in my local centre."

Jenna said: "I have had a truly amazing week I have learnt so much and met some great new friends from around the world and closer to home. I think as a delegation we all got on well and I knew that I could rely on them if I needed anything at all. I come away from World Council with lots of new ideas and inspired in carrying on the work I already do with Platform 51 and to expand on it."

The women wrote a blog about their experiences on the Platform 51
Facebook page.

Platform 51 West Kent made council's charity of the year

Platform 51 West Kent has been made one of the preferred charities for the Tonbridge and Malling council. On the 6 August 2011 the Mayor and Mayoress of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Brian and Mrs Joy Luker are holding a summer ball in aid of Platform 51 and Leybourne Grange Riding Centre for the Disabled at Hermitage Farm.

At this black tie event there will be a drinks reception and a buffet featuring local Kent produce. There will also be a raffle and an auction to help raise money for the two charities.

Cllr Luker said: "I'm hoping this will be a great opportunity for people to join me and my wife, Joy, to help raise funds for these two splendid charities both of which provide such vital services for vulnerable people in our communities."

Tickets for the ball are £50 and all money raised will be split between Platform 51 and Leybourne Grange Riding Centre for the Disabled at Hermitage Farm. To book tickets for the Summer Ball, please call 01732 876005 or email mayors.office@tmbc.gov.uk

Do busy doctors hand out antidepressants like sweets to patients

Today Platform 51's research: Checks and choices: women and antidepressants featured on BBC Radio Four's Women's Hour. The section discussed whether busy doctors are handing out antidepressants like sweets to patients. On the panel were Psychiatrist Dr Joanna Moncrieff and GP Dr Clare Gerada. The two doctors had different viewpoints on the topic. Dr Clare Gerada defended the use of antidepressants whereas Dr Joanna Moncrieff was more concerned about there use.

Our research found that:

• a third (33%) of women have taken antidepressants at some point in their lives
• nearly half (48%) of women currently on antidepressants have been on them for five years or more
• one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have been on them for 10 years or more
• one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have waited a year or more for a review.

Platform 51's director of policy, campaigns and communications Rebecca Gill, said: "Our research reveals an escalating crisis in women's use of antidepressants. We know from working with women and girls in our centres that antidepressants have a role to play but they are too readily prescribed as the first and only remedy.

"The current NICE guidelines are apparently not being followed: women want more checks to make sure the medication use is right for them and they want more choice when it comes to receiving treatment. We call on the Government to launch a review into the use of antidepressants. "

A podcast of the Women's Hour programme will be available later today. Check our Twitter feed or our Facebook page for the link or download it directly from the BBC website.

Our woman of the week is Mary Robinson who was the first female president of Ireland (1990 to 1997) and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997 to 2002).

We are honouring Mary because on Wednesday 13 July during the YWCA World Council the first winner of the Mary Robinson Award for Young Women's Leadership in Human Rights was announced. Mary during her keynote speech said some very powerful things about what the world needs to do to empower girls and women:

"To empower girls, we need young women leaders to encourage them to stand up and have their voices heard."

"Educating girls is the single most effective development step any government can take."

Three of Platform 51's young women are currently in Zurich for the World Council and they have been feeding back their thoughts on Platform 51's Facebook page. They are finding their trip inspiring and thought provoking. They wrote about the awards ceremony: "To say there wasn't a dry eye in the house would be no exaggeration as we listened to these young women who had overcome personal adversity to help other women living in fear and hopelessness."

It is easy to see why Mary is so inspiring a group of young women, she dedicates her life to making the world better for marginalised groups. Here are some of the amazing things that she does: 

• Mary Robinson is a co-founder and former Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders
• She is Honorary President of Oxfam International, and Patron of the International Community of Women Living with AIDS (ICW). She is President of the International Commission of Jurists.
• In 2004 she received Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award for her work in promoting human rights.
• She founded the Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice (MRFCJ) is a centre for thought leadership, education and advocacy on the struggle to secure global justice for those many victims of climate change who are usually forgotten - the poor, the disempowered and the marginalised across the world.

Platform 51 strongly agrees with Mary Robinson that women need to have access to education and have their voices heard to feel empowered and achieve so therefore she is our woman of the week.

Meeting in Parliament with Lynne Featherstone

Today we took ten women to Parliament to have their voices heard. They had a meeting with the Minister of Equalities, Lynne Featherstone. They spoke about the problems that affect them and what they want to be on the government's agenda. With women and particularly single mothers predicted as the groups that will be most affected by the cuts it is really important that they are getting their opinions across to decision makers.

The visit is part of the Strengthening Women's Voices consultation, which reaches out to women and women's organisations to help engage them in the policy making process.

Helen Berresford, Parliamentary Officer at Platform 51, said: "Too often women's issues are treated as marginal, despite women making up 51% of our population. We welcome Lynne Featherstone reaching out to our women and girls and we hope this meeting will help policy makers see the impact that disadvantage and inequality is on having day to day lives."

Katie from West Kent said: "I am really excited about speaking to the Minister. Like lots of other women, I worry about getting a job and being able to afford childcare and I really need this chance to speak up for us and our concerns."

Women convene in Zurich

Three women from Platform 51, formerly YWCA, are currently attending YWCA World Council in Zurich.

Jenna from Bristol, Kayleigh from Northampton and Lindsey from West London, accompanied by Platform 51 worker Marcia from Liverpool, are representing YWCA GB at the YWCA World Council meeting.

The women have joined hundreds of delegates from YWCAs across the world to discuss the universal problems that women face today, including: human rights, sexual and reproductive rights, advocacy and leadership.

Jenna wrote on the Platform 51 Facebook page:

"Some countries still find it difficult to accept women as leaders. The example given was that men are seen as the natural leaders of the communities/countries and any women who are in leadership positions are seen only to be promoting women's issues, they are not seen as leaders of the whole community."

Keep up to date with all our activities, including our delegates at World Council, on the Platform 51 Facebook page.

Award for helping women stay out of prison

We were announced as the runners up for the Howard League for Penal Reform community programmes awards 2011 yesterday. We were nominated for our Chrysalis work in Cornwall.

The Platform 51 Cornwall Chrysalis project works with girls and women to break the cycle of offending, support them to stay out of prison, help them build their self-esteem, and provide them with the skills and knowledge to build positive lives.

The awards look for the most successful community programmes around the country.

The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest and most influential penal reform charity in the world. It is great for Platform 51 to get the recognition for the work that we do for women in the criminal justice system.

Awards were presented by Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye magazine. Pictured above is Helen Catherall, Platform 51 Chrysalis worker, who accepted the award.

The Chrysalis project is for women offenders, ex-offenders and those at risk of offending. Our staff work from both our centre in Truro and out and about across the county, including the magistrate’s courts and the Truro Attendance Centre. Working this way provides both a stable referral base and a point of reference for both women and other agencies but also overcomes the problem of rural isolation by bringing the services closer to those women that need them.

A woman campaining for better mental health treatment

Our woman of the week is Jo Brand. We launched the second part of our mental health campaign this week looking at the use of antidepressants in England and Wales and wanted to honour someone who has campaigned for better mental health treatment for people.

Before Jo became a comedian she worked as a psychiatric nurse for ten years. Jo is passionate about breaking down the stigma attached to mental illness. She has written novels about mental illness, her novel The More You Ignore Me looks at how a young child deals with her mother's mental health. She wrote and starred in the BBC series Getting on which is set in an psychiatric Ward. Jo is also a patron for the National Self Harm Network.

Jo explained to Mariella Frostrup why she wanted to work with people with mental health problems:

"I think it's a combination of my mum who worked as a social worker in child protection for years and that I just feel incredibly sorry for people whose lives are a mess, whether it's through mental illness or alcohol problems or disability. Just because you're different, people are scared of you and think you're a bit weird. I suppose I feel a bit protective and that's what my mum's like, so unwittingly I've picked that up from her."[i]

We also love Jo for being very funny. Jo has been quoted as saying: "People say that women aren't funny, and a bit of me wanted to prove them wrong."[ii] () Jo Brand you are a well deserving woman of the week and we are very glad you wanted to 'prove them wrong'!

[i] M.Frostrup (2010) Lunch with Mariella The Guardian 17 October 2010. Accessed at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/17/jo-brand-mariella-frostrup

[ii] A. Edemariam, 'Only thin women ask me that' The Guardian, Saturday 26 September 2009. Accessed at: http://www.parentpages.co.uk/working-mums-2/working-mums/only-thin-women-ask-me-that

Challenging the negative perceptions of young people

Funded by The Co-operative Foundation, Platform 51's Truth About Youth project works with young people in six areas of Cardiff to challenge negative perceptions about young people and break down the barriers they face.

Superkidz, the truth team from Mary Immaculate High School, met with Age Concern's Healthy, Wealthy And Wise group in Ely this week, to talk to the group about starting a pen friend project.

The truth team felt that the older generation can be afraid of young people, and they want to challenge this and show that negative stereotypes about young people should not be believed.

They thought that a pen-friend project - where a member of the Truth Team teams up with a member of Healthy, Wealthy and Wise to write to each other and find out about each other's lives - would be a good way of bridging the gap between generations and learning from each other.

Polly and Agata from Superkidz volunteered to do a short presentation about their idea to Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, and was very well-received. Both groups are looking forward to starting their project in September, so watch this space!

Challenging negative perceptions of young people

Platform 51's Truth About Youth project, funded by The Co-operative Foundation, works with young people in six areas of Cardiff to challenge negative perceptions about young people and break down the barriers they face. A team of young people met with their local PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) to turn the tables and question them.

The truth team, All about boys and girls, interviewed the local PCSOs for the Truth About Youth newsletter. The young people felt it is important to get to know their PCSOs and find out how they really felt about theyoung people they work with. The PCSOs were glad to answer the questions and share their experiences. After, the truth team served tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits to the PCSOs.

PCSO Neil Crowley said: "youth engagement is part of what we do and it's a good way of breaking down barriers, this works better with small groups, like this one. The young people all listened well and the questions they asked were very good. It reminds you that when you see them on the street in gangs, they're just young people at the end of the day."

PCSO Laura Ropers expressed the importance of truth teams: "it does break down barriers and give them an opportunity to talk to us. It gives an opportunity to have a relationship with them and it's really valuable."

Joshua, a member of the truth team from Grangetown, said: "it was fun asking the PCSOs questions, we gave them a good impression of young people".

We took our new research to the House of Commons

Yesterday we held a meeting in the House of Commons to talk about our new research into the use of antidepressants. The event was chaired by Dr Sarah Wollaston MP who formed the panel along with Platform 51's director of policy, campaigns and research, Rebecca Gill and Dr Tony Kendrick.

Rebecca Gill gave an overview of Platform 51's findings on antidepressants:

• a third (33%) of women have taken antidepressants at some point in their lives
• nearly half (48%) of women currently on antidepressants have been on them for five years or more
• 57% of women who have taken antidepressants weren't offered any alternatives to drugs at time of prescription.

Rebecca made it very clear that: "We're not anti antidepressants, we recognise as an organisation that antidepressants play a very important role for women tackling mental health problems"

But: "What we are concerned about is, that we're sleepwalking into a situation where people are taking them persistently, and nobody is checking if this is what women want or whether antidepressants are still appropriate for those women."

"What our girls and women are telling us is that they want choice and control over their health and wellbeing."

"Platform 51 calls on the Government to commission a review into the use of antidepressants."

Nine girls and women from Platform 51 centres all over England attended the event.

The overwhelming feeling that came across from the panel, the girls and women and the audience is that the current remedies are not working and there needs to be alternative treatments available for all to access.

For more information about Platform 51's findings on antidepressants please download our briefing, Checks and choices Women and antidepressants.

Thousands use antidepressants for long periods

New research by Platform 51 reveals the truth behind the use of antidepressant by girls and women in England and Wales.

The research, conducted by Opinium LLP*, shows that a huge number of women use antidepressants for long periods without being reviewed or offered any alternatives to drugs. It shows:

• a third of women have taken antidepressants at some point in their lives
• nearly half (48%) of women currently on antidepressants have been on them for five years or more
• one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have been on them for 10 years or more
• one in four (24%) women currently on antidepressants have waited a year or more for a review.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines advise that antidepressants should not be used routinely as the only option offered to people for depression. For moderate or severe depression a combination of medication and high-intensity psychological intervention is recommended. Therefore the number of women who have taken antidepressants and the number who were not offered alternative or additional support poses worrying questions about the appropriateness of prescriptions. The lack of choices means:

The lack of choice means 57% of women who have taken antidepressants weren't offered any alternatives to drugs at time of prescription.

Not only that, many women are hiding the problem. Nearly one in five (18%) women kept it a secret from their family and 10% even kept it a secret from their partner. 

Platform 51's director of policy, campaigns and communications Rebecca Gill, said:

"These shocking figures reveal an escalating crisis in women's use of antidepressants. We know from working with women and girls in our centres that antidepressants have a role to play in treating mental health issues. The problem is that they are too readily prescribed as the first and only remedy, with 57% of women not being offered any alternatives to drugs at time of prescription and 1 in 4 currently on antidepressants having waited a year or more for review.

"Worryingly, our research suggests that there is still a huge stigma attached to mental health problems. With 1 in 5 not telling their families and 1 in 10 keeping it a secret from their partner, it is clear that women fear they will be judged on the state of their mental health.

"Women want more checks to make sure the medication they use is right for them and they want more choices when it comes to what type of treatment they receive. That is why we are calling on the Government to launch an urgent review into the use of antidepressants."

Download our briefing Checks and choices: women and antidepressants

-------------------------------------

*To get a representative picture of the mental health experiences of girls and women, Platform 51 commissioned Opinium Research LLP to carry out a nationally representative, quota-controlled survey of more than 2,000 adults aged 18+ in England and Wales in June 2011. 

6pm, Friday 22 July, Nottingham Contemporary

Platform 51 would like to invite you to the final performance of our Women's Community Choir Challenge.

This exciting event will be held at Nottingham Contemporary, Weekday Cross, NG1 2GB on Friday 22 July 2011.

Doors open at 6pm for drinks, with the performance commencing at 6.30 pm. The running time will be approximately 30 minutes.

Platform 51's Women's Community Choir Challenge is a new initiative based on our research and experience that singing can benefit mental health problems. Forming a choir has been a positive and exciting way to support our girls and women.

Many women don’t access activities that help them meet others, have fun and learn new skills. The choir project has provided these things and reduced the isolation that many girls and women face. The choir has had a positive effect on the women and they no longer feel intimidated or held back.

The group had very little singing experience when they started but over the last 10 weeks they have created a performance that is both inspiring and uplifting.

If you would like to attend the performance on 22 July please download and print out this invitation.

If you have any questions please contact Platform 51 Nottingham on 0115 934 84 56 or email Nottingham@platform51.org

The first woman of science

On Monday it will be 77 years since the death of one of the most famous scientists of all time, Marie Curie, we want to honour her work by making her woman of the week.

Marie Curie and her husband Pierre spent their lives investigating radioactivity. In July 1898, the Curies announced the discovery of a new chemical element, polonium. At the end of the year, they announced the discovery of another, radium. The Curie's work was vital in the development of X-rays.

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only woman ever to win in two fields. She won her first with Pierre in 1903 for Physics and her second in 1911 for chemistry.

Pierre died in 1906 and Marie took over his teaching post at the Sorbonne in Paris. She was the first woman to teach there.

Marie dedicated the rest of her life to science and actively promoted the use of X-rays during the First World War.

Marie faced a lot of discrimination from male scientists in her lifetime but her Nobel Prizes speak for themselves and are testament to her hard work and dedication to science.

Challenging negative stereotypes of young people

Platform 51's Truth About Youth project, funded by The Co-operative Foundation, works with young people in six areas of Cardiff to challenge negative perceptions about young people and break down the barriers they face. One of the groups are young gypsy travellers from the Shirenewton site.

The group made a travelling book about their lives and the gypsy traveller community. The book challenges some the negative stereotypes that the group have faced. There has been some negative television coverage on the television about the gypsy traveller community

The group's book is being exhibited as part of Roma Gypsy Traveller History Month in the basement gallery of the Riverfront Theatre in Newport.

Honouring two trailblazers of women's sport

Summer is here and that means sport is everywhere. So this week we bring you a woman of the week sports special. We couldn't decide between two great sporting women and so our women of the week are; coach of England women's national football team, Hope Powell, and nine times Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova.

Hope Powell

Platform 51 loves Hope Powell because she has been the first woman to do many things within the sport. She played in England's first World Cup Finals in 1995, she became the first ever full time coach of the women's national team in 1998 and in 2003 she was the first woman to be awarded the UEFA Pro Licence.

She is a pioneering force within women's football and has led the England squad to the 2001 European Championship, the quarter-finals of the 2005 European Championship, the 2007 World Cup Finals, the final of the 2009 European Championship and now the 2011 World Cup Finals.

Platform 51 is rooting for the England team and for better recognition for the women's game. But with women like Hope Powell around we have high hopes for the future of women's football.

Martina Navratilova

Wimbledon is now in full swing and we couldn't let a sports special pass by without honouring this great woman. Martina has won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women's doubles titles and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. Making her one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Martina has spent much of her life fighting for equality. She was one of the first openly gay sports figures and had to fight stereotypes and prejudice throughout her career. She has given much of her money and time to charities supporting the LGBT community. She has famously said: "labels are for filing. Labels are for clothing. Labels are not for people." And this is a sentiment that we truly believe and follow at Platform 51.

Hope and Martina, you are both inspirational trail blazers and both worthy winners of the Platform 51 woman of the week title.

A brand new centre for Bristol

On Friday 17 June Platform 51 Bristol opened the doors to its brand new centre. To celebrate they held an open day. The day was very well attended by staff, girls and women who attend the centre and the general public. Platform 51 was honoured to have Baroness Corston at the event.

The day started with a speech from Platform 51's CEO Penny Newman. Penny was followed onto the stage by Pat Diskett, Deputy Director of Public Health who discussed the importance of the work that Platform 51 does for women with mental health problems.

The staff from Platform 51 Bristol made speeches about the three main projects that they are running with girls and women: Participation, Chrysalis and In Touch. Participation gives women and girls a voice to influence decision makers and bring about change in their communities. Chrysalis is a project that works with offenders and those at risk of offending. And In Touch is an intervention programme offering support to women at risk of or suffering from ante or post natal depression.

The work that Platform 51 Bristol does was brought alive by speeches by two women that use Platform 51 Bristol's services. Marisa, who has been involved in the Participation project, spoke about the opportunities that Platform 51 has given her. She described going to the World YWCA conference in Budapest and to party conferences. She is now a steering group coordinator and is supporting other girls to go out into the communities and make changes.

Stephanie has been on the Chrysalis programme and it has helped her with her alcohol problem. She described how it has inspired her to want to be a volunteer and help vulnerable young adults to turn their lives around. She said about Platform 51 project worker Mel Mitchell: "Mel helps me. I can talk to her about anything and everything. Trust is a big issue for me and I do trust Mel a lot. She is also very understanding and compassionate."

After the speeches there was time for everyone to have a look around the new centre and talk to each other. There was then a barbeque in the garden and a painting session in the living room. The pictures that were painted will be hung on the walls of the centre.

To finish off the event Baroness Corston cut the Platform 51 cake and made a very moving speech about Platform 51. She said "Platform 51 helps women to lead the kind of lives that most of us take for granted ... I congratulate you for it, I care as much about it as you do and I am delighted to cut this cake.

Overall the open day was a great success. Everyone had a fantastic time and got to learn about the vital work that Platform 51 does in the Bristol area and nationally.

To see more pictures from the event visit the Platform 51 facebook page.

One of the most important British women of the 20th century

This week, we remember one of the most important British women of the 20th century who died 83 years ago on Tuesday. Ladies: If you have ever voted in an election, thank Emmeline Pankhurst. And if you have ever decided not to vote, you can thank Emmeline for having that choice.

Emmeline was born in Manchester in 1858, at the height of the industrial revolution. Both her parents were political animals, so as a child she learned about social justice and the need to speak out. She read avidly;  her mother's subscription to the Women's Suffrage Journal would profoundly shape her thoughts.

She understood that campaigning on a single issue 'votes for women' would enable women to change everything that mattered to them: sexual health and reproductive rights, employment law, inheritance law, fair pay.

"We want to help women...We want to gain for them all the rights and protection that laws can give them. And, above all, we want the good influence of women to tell to its greatest extent in the social and moral questions of the time. But we cannot do this unless we have the vote and are recognised as citizens and voices to be listened to."

She began looking for an organisation she could join that reflected her passionate political views. An obvious choice was the National Society for Women's Suffrage but became frustrated with it. The Parliament Street Society advocated votes only for single women; married women's husbands could vote on their wives' behalf; not good enough! Emmeline and her husband Richard founded the Women's Franchise League but it was too radical, and dissolved after only a year. She joined the newly created Independent Labour Party. After a visit to a workhouse to distribute food aid, in which she saw the appalling, insanitary and undignified conditions that many women and their children had to tolerate, she wrote:

"The condition of our sex is so deplorable that it is our duty to break the law in order to call attention to the reasons why we do."

By 1903, now a widow with five children to support and a mountain of debt, Emmeline's patience was wearing thin. Moderation and oratory weren't getting her anywhere. Politicians weren't putting votes for women at the top of their agendas. She'd have to do something herself.

Emmeline and several others founded the Women's Social and Political Union whose motto 'Deeds not Words' was a hint of the direct action and radical stance it would need to. The time for being 'lady-like' was over.

Initially the suffragists marched, rallied and petitioned. Then things turned militant; for voiceless, disenfranchised people there is often no other way. Then they set fire to property, sent letter bombs, spat at the police, smashed government buildings, threw axes, and chained themselves to railings in a sustained campaign of disobedience. They were arrested, imprisoned, heckled, humiliated and went on hunger strike. Emily Davison's protest at the Epsom Derby lead to her death under the hoofs of the King's horse. Others endured solitary confinement and force-feeding to break their hunger strikes.

"We are here, not because we are lawbreakers; we are here in our efforts to become lawmakers."

Emmeline's three-word campaigning slogans 'Votes for women' and 'Deeds not words' still chime down the years: 'Make poverty history', 'Feed the world' and 'Save the whale'.

After the Great War, The Representation of the People Act 1918 gave the vote to all men over 21 and some women over 30.  But this was hardly the dream of universal suffrage that so many had fought for. Emmeline embarked on lecture tours, and tirelessly continued campaigning. By the 1920s, well into her 60s now, the long struggle, frequent imprisonment and hunger-striking, and a punishing schedule was taking its toll. She died in a nursing home in London aged 69.

Three weeks after her death The Representation of the People Act 1928 was passed. At last women achieved electoral equality with men: aged over 21, regardless of property ownership. Now the struggle for equality could truly begin. Still it continues.

What would Emmeline make of today's world? Perhaps she'd be horrified that 41 years after the Equal Pay Act 1970, the gender pay gap still yawns. Maybe she'd be shocked that despite the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, women still get second class treatment. She would surely worry about the lack of aspiration of so many girls, and wonder why we, as a society, don't tell girls what's possible. She would be bemused - and yet she would understand.

Each election time at Platform 51 we remember Emmeline's struggle which made it possible for us to mark our X in that box. We remember that the right to vote in elections was hard won. And for many women and girls today, the right to have their say - and be heard - is still a long way off. And that's what inspires our work at Platform 51.

Our warning to the government

We wrote a letter to home secretary Theresa May with Women's Aid and Family Action. The letter warns the government that by abolishing the social fund they will be leaving women in violent relationships with no support. Women will not have access to emergency funds to get out of abusive relationships and resettle in a safe place.

The letter has been picked up by the press and featured in the Observer on 13 June 2011: Welfare cuts 'will leave domestic violence victims at risk'

Inspiring women at Platform 51 to take control of their lives

Our woman of the week is Tulisa Contostavlos, singer from N'Dubz and new X Factor judge. Tulisa was nominated by the young women from our West Kent centre. The young women have recently produced a magazine, Be True, which tackles issues that young women face and helps them through these times. During their research they identified Tulisa as someone who had been through many of the problems they had: violence, depression, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, Anorexia Nervosa, mental health issues, financial difficulties and bullying. They were inspired by the fact that she had gone on to achieve a fantastic music career as part of the band N'Dubz.  

Mental illness

Growing up Tulisa was a carer for her mother who suffered with mental health problems. This mirrors the experience that many of the young women that attend Platform 51 have been through. In our recent research we found that three out of every five women in England and Wales have been affected by mental health problems of some kind the equivalent of 15.2 million girls and women.

Tulisa described in a Daily Mail article what it was like growing up: "Mental healthcare in this country is much better now, although we still have a long way to go"

"Too often people like me are just left to get on with it."

"But there are support groups for young carers now, which is a huge step forward because one of the worst things about dealing with my mum was how helpless and alone I felt at such a vulnerable age." [i]

Tulisa also said: "music and my dream of becoming a success was all that kept me going through those very dark times." Like Tulisa we are helping women through music and we have recently set up a choir for women dealing with mental health problems in Nottingham.

Tulisa you are Platform 51's woman of the week because you understand that women need better mental health services and you inspire our girls and women to go out there and take control of their lives.

If you think women deserve better support to overcome their mental health problems, please sign up to Platform 51's campaign

[i] Murfitt, N (2010) I pray that I haven't inherited Mum's mental illness, by N-Dubz's Tulisa The Daily Mail

Young mums have produced a new baby changing map of Nottingham

Press release

Young women from Platform 51's mums group have produced a new baby feeding and changing map of Nottingham. The group have handpicked the best facilities in the city centre and mapped them with a key to what's available at each place.

The mums decided to create the map after discussing how daunting a trip into Nottingham can be if you don't know where the good facilities are. They wanted to share their knowledge and help others plan their visit to Nottingham without the worry.

Nicola, 21, said: "we designed this map for all parents, carers, grandparents and tourists."

Simone, 21, added: 'being a new mum you aren't always aware where changing rooms are and which facilities are available. I think our map is very useful and informative and also unique as I have never seen anything with this information on before and I think I would have benefitted from this when I first had my baby."

The group have been working on their map for several months. They have surveyed the city centre facilities, worked with a graphic designer to lay out the map and taken part in a photoshoot for images to illustrate the cover.

Copies of the Babies About Town map will be available throughout the city centre and it is also available to download from the Platform 51 website www.platform51.org/downloads/resources/misc/babiesabouttown.pdf

Platform 51 Young Mum's Group meets Thursdays, 1pm to 3pm, at Hyson Green Children's Centre. Mums are welcome to join the group whatever the age of their children and crèche places can be provided on site - please call to book in advance. For more information contact Gill Court, Participation Worker on 07500 55 3800 or come along.

________________ ENDS ________________

Notes to Editors:
Launch event and photo opportunity
Thursday 23^rd June
1:30-2:30
Hyson Green Children's Centre
Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham

Contact Gill Court
07500 55 3800
gill.court@platform51.org

Additional quotes from the group:

Siobhan, 21, said: "we made this flyer because it's something that is really useful for citizens of Nottingham but also tourists as well. The front of the flyer has pictures of young parents and children on it so it also appeals to the younger generations."

Sabrina, 20, said: "I think this map will be useful for mothers who don't know where toilets area is and also for people who don't live in the area of Nottingham."

Kadee, 22, said: "we did this poster for people who haven't been to Nottingham before very useful to all mums and dads."

Helen, 21: "This will be useful for all parents and tourists in Nottingham."

Liz, 21, said: "People know where things are for babies and it helps all generations."

About Platform 51

Platform 51 supports girls and women as they take control of their lives. Girls and women are at the heart of all we do. Our activities, services and campaigns are about things women need and want. We give them a platform to have their say and challenge discrimination.

The choir challenge: set up a new choir and perform in 10 week

Press release

Women's charity Platform 51 has set Nottingham women a challenge, to form a new all female choir and put on a local performance - in just 10 weeks.

Platform 51 set up the project as part of their national mental health campaign, that showed that three out of every five women in England and Wales have been affected by mental health problems of some kind. Singing has proven benefits to health and wellbeing and is accessible to lots of different women.

The choir meets once a week on a Tuesday between 1 and 3 pm at Somerville House on Forest Road West. The group learn and practice songs from across the globe, from Congolese welcome songs to American folk songs. Choir leader, Angela Warren, said about the sessions: "Singing is a great way to let off some steam and have some fun. People often sing at home or in the car along to the radio - but it's a really exciting experience to sing together with other women in a group."

Choir members have said the following about the sessions: "it's a good laugh and is definitely helping me to build my confidence" and "it makes me feel happy".

There are 8 weeks left in the programme, and women are still encouraged to come along and join the choir. You don't need any singing experience and it's completely free to take part. Nottingham City Transport has donated bus tickets for choir members so it costs nothing to get there.

Platform 51's 'Choir Challenge' culminates in a live performance at Nottingham Contemporary Gallery on 22^nd July.

For more information contact Angela on 07981 885013 or ange.warren@ntlworld.com.

_________________ ENDS _________________

Notes to editors

Platform 51's Choir Challenge is funded by Nottingham City Council. It is supported by Framework and Nottingham City Transport.

About Platform 51

Platform 51 supports girls and women as they take control of their lives. Girls and women are at the heart of all we do. Our activities, services and campaigns are about things women need and want. We give them a platform to have their say and challenge discrimination.

An award winning volunteer

As it is national volunteers week we have made Platform 51 volunteer, Lydia Dears, woman of the week. Lydia came to Platform 51 Nottingham as a volunteer from the Initi8 volunteering project.

Lydia has been working with Platform 51 Nottingham to make a film about street harassment and how it makes women feel. The Film is called Do they think we like it and can seen on YouTube. Lydia put in a great deal of work into the project. She brought many creative ideas to the group. She was part of researching the women's stories, writing the storyboard, scripting the film, filming and editing it.

Lydia has gone on to win two awards for her volunteering: Initi8's Volunteer of The Year City (City is one of 3 campuses) and a Gold Award from Volunteering England.

Lydia said about the project: "I have thoroughly loved every minute of it. Platform 51 proposed the idea of creating the film and as a representative from Initi8, I jumped at the opportunity to work with one of the local women's charities and I am glad I did! All the volunteers involved have learnt new skills and grown and developed as people. The partnership between myself and Gill (Platform 51 participation worker) has been a fantastic learning experience and I have always been fully supported. Working with Gill and Platform 51 has heavily influenced my achievements and awards and I will be forever grateful. I would proudly recommend Platform 51 to anyone and hope to work with them again in the future."

Well done and thank you Lydia from everyone at Platform 51.

New women's centre opens

You are most welcome to join us on Friday 17 June 2011 to celebrate the opening of our new Bristol women's centre at 1 Knowle West Health Park, Bristol, BS4 1WH.

The official opening ceremony is at 10am, and is followed by an art exhibition at 11am and at 12noon, a barbecue and tours of the house and Health Park.

Our work in Bristol is surprisingly varied and all designed to help girls and women take control of their lives.

Our In Touch programme is for women with or at risk of ante- and post-natal depression. Chrysalis is especially for women offenders or those at risk of offending and Inspire helps women get employment skills, education, and help with budgeting, debt management and benefits advice. Our drop-in sessions throughout the week are a safe space for girls and women to meet others, make friends, learn new things and get the non-judgemental support they need.

Women and girls are at the heart of everything we do. And we do everything to get women's opinions heard; in the community, in the media, in local and national politics.

Come and find out much more about what we do and how we can help.

Phone 0117 963 8775 for more information and to let us know you're coming.