With more than 30 years of activity and service delivery to our community, the Women's Network has many strings to its bow. One of these is our careers assistance project, cheerleading for women entering or returning to the workforce, changing career or retraining. Looking for work can feel challenging at times, and with a boost from our team this really does make a difference. We have a great track record offering support updating and writing CVs, cover letters and filling out job applications. If you're needing to brush up on your interview skills, we can assist with that too. Building up confidence to feel work ready is an important part of the process. We can offer you some snazzy tips and provide you with some opportunities to practise some techniques in a fun and supportive environment. Many of the women that have checked in with our careers assistance project have gone on to be short-listed, interviewed and selected for jobs. That's a fantastic result for you, and for us too.
If you're looking for a work wardrobe, whether it be outfits for interviews, or for on-the-job, the Women's Network can also help you out with that. Come and check out the amazing array of items in our pre-loved boutique. It's like having your very own dressing room to play with. There are shoes, accessories and beauty products to choose from as well. We can also offer you a personalised styling service to make sure you put your best self forward. If you have family or friends that need assistance with warm clothes or bedding items for the winter months, it's worth a look to see what we've got. Drop in and see us on Tuesday from 10am-midday, Wednesday through Friday from 10am-2pm, or feel free to make an appointment outside of these times by emailing: womnet.whanganui@gmail.com
With winter about to land on our doorstep, plans are underway for our fifth Winter Wonderfest in August. This is our sister festival to La Fiesta and it aims to warm up your winter days and nights with some creative and inspirational activities and events. We are once again partnering with Sarah from Space Studio and Gallery, and we invite you to submit your event activities or ideas by June 19. So, if you have a cool idea for an activity, or know someone who does, it would be fantastic to hear from you. There are already a number of fine folk who have put their hands up to be involved and the festival is shaping up to be a fun fortnight. Winter is often a time that folk find challenging, a time when social isolation can set in with the onset of shorter days and less exposure to the sunshine that nurtures us. The Winter Wonderfest is a perfect way to feel connected, to meet people, to feel motivated and inspired, and maybe even to lift you beyond your comfort zone. For women keen to run or present something in the programme, it is also a great way to launch an activity that you might have been thinking about, or quietly working away on. Women have even utilised it as an opportunity to launch a new business, trial a product, or to pilot a programme. There is still plenty of time to think about how you might like to get involved.
Sarah and I look forward to seeing what else eventuates over the next month or so. Drop us an email at the address above if you have an idea. We are also happy to meet up and chat with you if you'd like to know more.
In the meantime, here's some inspiration from our own prime minister, Jacinda Ardern.
"Some people have asked me if I'm a radical. My answer to that is very simple. I'm from Morrinsville. Where I come from a radical is someone who chooses to drive a Toyota rather than a Holden or a Ford. I am, though, a Social Democrat. I believe strongly in the values of human rights, social justice, equality democracy and the role of communities." Whatever your political values, this pretty much sums up how we feel about what we do. To all of you making the world a better place, keep doing your thing!