Y.W.C.A. seeks, new image for 1980s

Press, 4 February 1982, Page 4

Y.W.C.A. seeks, new image for 1980s

Classes in self-defence will be offered to women as part of the Y.W.C.A.’s leisure programme this year. The programme, which will begin on February 15. will also include lunch-hour talks on issues affecting women. Solo parentage, women in management and politics, and women in the cinema are among the subjects scheduled for discussion. The courses are part of the Y.W.C.A.S move to involve a broader and younger agegroup by modernising its image. The publicity officer. Ms Jane Ryan, said that the old image no longer fitted. “It is time to catch up with what is happening in other countries and socially. We have got to bring the Y.W.C.A. up to 1984 and beyond,” she said. To do this the Y.W.C.A.

would no longer call itself the Young Women's Christian Association, but would keep the initials to avoid confusing the public. The response to the selfdefence classes and the discussion groups had been enthusiastic. The Y.W.C.A. would , also seek a more active political role. It hoped to represent the whole spectrum of opinion, she said. “We are trying to make the Y.W.C.A. more of a central point in the community.” To this end, the association hoped to establish a women's bookshop and a coffee bar at the centre. The Y.W.C.A. would, however, also provide classes in the more traditional subjects this year, said Ms Ryan. The leisure programme includes ballroom dancing, floral arranging, cooking and cakeicing.