Running a charitable organisation requires heart, determination, support and a whole lot of stamina.
The Women's Network has been around since the mid-1980s and even with funding challenges we still manage to keep smiling and ensure that the front door remains open for the women in our community. Part of our mantra is that you don't need any other reason to come and see us other than that you can. Sometimes folk think that there has to be something wrong in order for the support of a community organisation to kick in. And, while we can certainly help you when the chips are down, we can also help keep you bobbing along just nicely, by a chat, a cuppa, a hug, or just a hearty pat on the back and a compliment. We all need someone to believe in us, and so much of what we do is ensuring that you are not alone. It really is amazing what a chat with an independent ear can achieve. So, if you've got an issue you'd like to get on top of, or even an idea that you would like to share, we can provide you with a confidential space and a whole lot of encouragement.
This is a particularly busy time of the year for us as we head into a round of applications for funding. Support in the way of donations is always welcome - every dollar helps. Here's some of what is achieved with donations that we receive: helping to provide clothing and household items for women and families in need, free pregnancy testing and sexual health referrals, assisting women with work confidence and job applications by preparing CVs and practising interview skills, developing action plans to make positive change and to achieve life goals, supporting women through relationship distress and domestic abuse, providing information and a seamless referral process to other support agencies where needed, as well as a whole host of activities and projects that enable women to connect meaningfully with other women.
One of our annual projects is fast approaching. Our Winter Wonderfest is an event jam-packed with opportunities for social connection, inspiration and personal exploration. We know that the wintertime can be particularly challenging for many folk as the colder and darker days can contribute to the lowering of serotonin levels and sometimes make it harder for us to feel uplifted and motivated to do things. So, with that in mind, we have put together a programme that we hope will lure you out for some fun and activity. Much like we do with our summer festival, La Fiesta, our Winter Wonderfest represents a partnership with some other fantastic folk in our community. One of these partners is the ever-productive Sarah Williams at Space Studio and Gallery. Sarah will be hosting a special One Hit Wonder exhibition during Winter Wonderfest, as well as another fantastically creative Night Market featuring a great line-up of local creatives.
We are also excited to announce that our launch event will take place on Sunday, August 13 with an afternoon performance by Hot Diggity at the Whanganui RSA. New Zealand's only all-female bluegrass band, they perform wearing vintage dresses from the 1940s and 50s, and write all their own music. Look out also for a visit from parenting blogger Emily Writes on August 30, known for her wonderfully insightful blog Rants in the Dark, as well as her editing of The Spinoff website. Mark your calendars from August 13 to September 1 and look out for the full Winter Wonderfest line-up revealed soon.