COURSE TO GIVE CONFIDENCE

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33753, 28 January 1975, Page 6

COURSE TO GIVE CONFIDENCE

A lack of confidence is often the main reason why women, after a long absence, do not return to gainful employment, or start work in the business world, even though they would like to do so.

To help such women, the Y.W.C.A. of Christchurch will begin a new course next month appropriately named “Step Ahead.” “we realise from other classes that some women are ' very nervous abbut going back into the work force,” the executive director, Mrs Dianne Proctor, said yesterday. “This new course is desighed to build confidence, help women with job applications and to bring them up to date on trends in the business world.” A similar course has been running at the Y.W.C.A. of Auckland with considerable success. NEW CLASSES New classes at the Y.W.C.A. this year include calligraphy and leatherwork. Old favourites, such as yoga, art, public speaking for beginners and mechanics will be continued. A wide range of interests shown in the Y.W.C.A’s handbook for 1975 includes indoor bowls, handwork, training for the Duke of Edinburgh Award and a club for physically and intellectually handicapped people over 15.

There are Y-Wives clubs in Central Christchurch, at Riccarton and Bryndwr and After-Schodl Clubs at Linwood, Wharenui, Aranui and Ruwsley. Most classes and clubs are open to men as well as wombn. The association also intends to expand its leadership training programmes for young people who are interested in assisting at After-School Clubs and holiday programmes. As well as basic training in leadership work, opportunities will be given for doing arts, crafts and eports activities.

For Australia. — The first girls team to be invited to compete against the national Australian St John Ambulance nursing Cadets winner has assembled in Wellington to polish its techniques. The girls are Pauline McKnight (Invercargill), Christine Buck (Auckland), Gael Warburton (Blenheim) and Bronwyn Jones (Tauranga). The team will meet the top Australian cadet team in Adelaide in May.