Enthusiastic response to launch of human trafficking toolkit

Yesterday morning at the Department of Health's Whitehall offices, an eager and animated crowd of around 50+ health professionals poured into the Cathedral Room for the launch of the Human Trafficking toolkit. Worked on for over a year by Platform 51, the Department of Health and an engaged steering group of health professionals, the human trafficking toolkit was finally ready and about to be launched. The toolkit represents a successful example of partnership working between government and the voluntary sector and its evidence base had been informed by two expert symposiums and other engagement events as part of the project steering group's work in the run-up to the launch and finalisation of the toolkit.

Just after 11am, Rebecca Gill, our Director of Policy, Campaigns & Communications opened the proceedings and introduced the speaker line-up. Opening the event and speaking first was Minister for Public Health, Anna Soubry MP, followed by our own Chief Executive, Dr Carole Easton and lastly by Jill Demilew, Consultant Midwife at King's College Hospital and Chair of the project steering group.

Minister for Public Health, Anna Soubry MP, spoke passionately about human trafficking - "human trafficking is abhorrent, and a form of slavery which causes misery and suffering to the thousands of victims and their families" - and advised that she "encouraged all NHS staff to complete this training so that they can save someone who is suffering from an unimaginably awful life". Platform 51 Chief Executive, Dr Carole Easton commented that "the plight of human trafficking victims needed to be much more forward in people's minds" and advised that the Human Trafficking project toolkit [a guidance leaflet and interactive e-learning module available to all NHS staff] would "go a long way to enabling health professionals to offer victims of human trafficking the support that they need." Chair of the human trafficking project steering group and Consultant Midwife at King's College NHS hospital, Jill Demilew, told the audience, "It has been a pleasure to Chair this project and to work with the Department of Health, Platform 51 and the project steering group of health professionals to deliver this resource". She continued, "I believe the toolkit offers my colleagues and peers working across the health service, the key information they need to identify victims of human trafficking. It will serve to harness the skills of healthcare professionals to support these victims."

On the communications front, the Department of Health posted the launch press release - 'Help for NHS staff to spot and support trafficking victims' - on the Gov.UK website just prior to the launch. Meanwhile, during the launch, Platform 51 live-tweeted soundbites, photos and impressions from the event on its Platform 51  - @platform51 - twitter stream. We also shared the links on our website, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter of the Department of Health press release announcement and the Human Trafficking toolkit.

We were delighted that the Human Trafficking leaflet received significant interest and was enthusiastically supported by the invited guests and later by a wider audience on social media. Now the ball will start rolling as healthcare professionals explore and digest the toolkit and spread the word to their colleagues and peers.

Check Platform 51's Facebook page for a Facebook album of the event coming shortly

Check out our twitter feed @platform51 to see all the conversations and online engagement that took place yesterday.

To download the Department of Health press release, click here.

To take a look at the Human Trafficking toolkit guidance leaflet and interactive e-learning module, click here.

Links to news coverage from the event will be posted here shortly.

Photo shows Platform 51 Chief Executive Dr Carole Easton in conversation with Jill Demilew, fellow speaker at the launch event, Chair of the human trafficking project steering group and Consultant Midwife at King's College Hospital

Key guidance launched today with Department of Health

Platform 51 will launch this morning - in association with its project partner and funder, the Department of Health - new tools designed to help health professionals identify and support trafficking victims. The Minister for Public Helath, Minister Anna Soubry MP will be speaking at the event alongside Platform 51 Chief Executive Dr Carole Easton and Jill Demilew, Consultant Midwife at King's College Hospital and Chair of the project steering group. Invited guests will be able to explore at first-hand the human trafficking toolkit  which consists of a downloadable guidance leaflet- 'Identifying and Supporting victims of Human Trafficking - and an interactive e-learning module. The creation of this toolkit represents a successful example of partnership working between government and the voluntary sector.

The project steering group which has worked for over a year to develop this vital toolkit for health professionals comprises Platform 51, British Association of Sexual Health and HIV, Ministry of Justice, Royal College of Psychiatrists , Royal College of Nursing, UK Human Trafficking Centre, Home Office, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of General Practitioners, Salvation Army, Poppy Project (Eaves Housing), College of Emergency Medicine, Section for Women' Mental Health at the Institute of Psychiatry,  Kings College London, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Department of Health and the NSPCC National Child Trafficking Advice Centre (CTAC). Two expert symposiums and other engagement events have supported the work of the Steering Group and helped to build the evidence base for the project.

While victims of human trafficking experience many health problems such as chronic headaches, depression, chemical burns and pesticide poisoning, they are also likely to be extremely vulnerable, scared to ask for help or even unaware that they have been trafficked. This can and does present a real challenge for staff in the health sector to identify and to provide appropriate support to those who may have been trafficked. Hence, the very real value of our human trafficking toolkit for health professionals. The toolkit provides insight and guidance for NHS staff regarding typical signs of someone who may have been trafficked, information on how to explore concerns and details on how to provide support while not endangering the lives of these victims of human trafficking.

We will report back shortly on further details and updates from today's launch at the Department of Health. In the meantime, please click here to view the Human Trafficking toolkit and here to see the associated press release which will be posted online at 09.30 am in the Announcements section of Gov.UK's online newsroom. Please also check the Twitter feeds for Platform 51 - @platform51 - and the Department of Health - @DHgovuk - as we will be live tweeting during the launch event.

Partnering with Staffordshire & West Midlands Probation Trust

Platform 51 is proud to announce an exciting new partnership initiative with Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust [SWM]. The Trust's delivery unit in Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton Probation, has linked up with our Platform 51 centre in Wolverhampton to develop a one-stop-shop for female offenders.

The new one-stop-shop initiative effectively means that Platform 51 and the Trust's probation staff in Wolverhampton work in partnership to offer a range of services for the women offenders covering health education, housing, debt advice, relationships, parenting, domestic abuse and emotional issues. The programme comprises a 10-week course which includes six sessions on victim awareness and self-esteem. The beauty of the joint partnership is that when this stand-alone programme has been completed by women offenders taking part in the programme at Platform 51's Wolverhampton centre, they can then feel confident to attend the centre again after their orders and licenses have finished.

This exciting initiative has been made possible by funding from SWM's Innovations Fund.  Equally, Heather Cooper from SWM's Wolverhampton Probation has been particularly instrumental in helping to establish a group work programme for this one-stop-shop initiative for women offenders which is the only one of its kind at any women's centre in Staffordshire and the West Midlands. A fantastic and innovative initiative for sure and a powerful catalyst for personal change! As Heather explains, "At Wolverhampton probation office, we have a small group work unit which has been developing the way that we work with female offenders. In 2012, Platform 51 was invited to the women's group to promote their services. This subsequently inspired us to take probation into the community."

Commenting on the new partnership, a spokesperson for Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust said "Our work in partnership with organisations like Platform 51 is vital to reduce re-offending and the number of victims of crime. It enables us to share expertise which can transform the lives of women, creating safer communities for all."

Platform 51's Mandy Willis, Assistant Director, North and West Midlands, also commented, saying: "This initiative with Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust is an excellent example of a positive partnership that enables and supports Platform 51 in its provision of holistic services to girls and women, in this case for female offenders. Many of the women who attend Platform 51 are surprised by what they find, what they can achieve and the impact this then has on their lives, families and communities. We are delighted to be working in such an innovative and ground-breaking fashion with Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust."

A powerful part of the programme for the women offenders entails interactive theatre workshops delivered by the Geese Theatre Company. These workshops provide issues-based performances and interactive drama which makes for a powerful and effective vehicule serving to prompt the participating women to examine their behaviour. The workshops also act as a catalyst for personal development and change.

Female offender Laura, who is on probation, has been with Platform 51 since 2012. She comments, "At first, it was a bit daunting to come here. I was terrified! But I soon settled in. I had lived in three different refuges before I came to Platform 51 and had very little confidence. Now, due to the staff at Platform 51 and also my Probation Officer, Jill, I have lots of confidence, changed as a person and have more purpose in my life."

Clearly, once the SWM/Platform 51 one-stop-shop programme is fully up and running for female offenders in the Wolverhampton area, it will be possible to change many more women's lives for the better! We are delighted to be part of such a unique and innovative partnership with SWM to change women's lives, promote personal development and build self-esteem.

Find out more about Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust here

Read more about our Platform 51 centre in Wolverhampton here

Carole Easton joins us from disfigurement charity Changing Faces

This week sees the arrival of Carole Easton, Platform 51's new Chief Executive, who joins us on Monday 14^th January. Platform 51 extends a warm welcome to Carole who joins us from the UK's leading disfigurement charity, Changing Faces. Carole will report to the new Chair of Platform 51's Board of Trustees, Deborah Mattinson, co-founder of Britain Thinks. Welcome Carole!

Prior to joining Changing Faces, Carole was Chief Executive of CLIC Sargent, ChildLine and CRUSE Bereavement Care. She played an instrumental role in the leadership of ChildLine's successful merger with children's charity NSPCC. Carole is a seasoned charity leader with extensive management and operational experience in the voluntary sector. She started her career as a child and family psychotherapist.

We will be providing further updates from Carole in the coming months. Please keep checking our website and social media channels for all the latest Platform 51 news.

Carole Easton to join Platform 51 as Chief Executive in January

Platform 51 has confirmed today that Carole Easton will take up the position of Chief Executive in January 2013.  Easton joins from Changing Faces, the UK's leading disfigurement charity, and replaces former Chief Executive, Penny Newman.

Easton is a charity leader with extensive experience. Before Changing Faces, she was Chief Executive of CLIC Sargent, the charity providing services for children and young people with cancer and was also Chief Executive of ChildLine, the UK children's helpline, outreach services and campaigning charity. In 2006, Easton was instrumental in the leadership of ChildLine's successful merger with children's charity, NSPCC.

Chair of Platform 51, Deborah Mattinson, said: "We are delighted to welcome Carole to Platform 51 as our new Chief Executive. She brings with her strong leadership credentials and a fantastic track record in senior management roles within several high-profile charities. At Platform 51, Carole will be responsible for developing and implementing Platform 51's strategic direction working closely with myself, the Board and our Senior Management Team.

Commenting on her appointment, Carole Easton said: "It will be a great privilege to lead Platform 51 through the next phase of its endeavours. In my view, addressing gender discrimination and the reduced chances that many women and girls face, is one of the most urgent issues for our society to tackle. I am looking forward to steering the development of opportunities for more women and girls to benefit from the work that Platform 51 does."

In a further announcement, Deborah Mattinson also confirmed that interim Chief Operating Officer, Susan Achmatowicz, would stay on until May 2013, advising : "Susan has been doing a terrific job as interim COO. I am delighted to announce that she will remain with Platform 51 until May 2013 to ensure an effective hand-over with our new Chief Executive, and will then work with Carole to deliver the organisation's transformation programme"

See also Carole's announcement in the Latest Movers section of Third Sector here . 

GE Capital support will increase engagement with girls and women

Platform 51 has established a new corporate partnership with GE Capital, one of the UK's leading providers of commercial finance, which will enable increased reach and engagement with the girls and women Platform 51 supports. The partnership will see Platform 51 benefit from a significant capital investment in new finance and IT systems which will remove administrative burdens and free up Platform 51 support workers to spend more time on valuable service provision.

As part of Platform 51's alliance with GE Capital, the charity's key specialist teams will also benefit from significant support from GE Capital expert volunteers and mentors. The new partnership forms part of GE Capital's global 'Building on Diversity' programme, part of the company's commitment to strengthening communities through philanthropy and volunteering.

The key elements of the partnership comprise £24,000 pledged to Platform 51 to be invested in new finance and IT systems and associated support for Platform 51 staff by GE Capital expert volunteers and mentors. This will include providing :

• Advice on improvements to financial processes, and project management on the installation of a new finance and accounting system
• An assessment of the charity's IT infrastructure, and the donation and installation of IT hardware from the GE Capital inventory worth an additional £17,500 to boost internet access and network connectivity across its centres in England and Wales.
• 'Train the Trainer' workshops for charity staff in project management and on software packages [including Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint]

Deborah Mattinson, Chair of Platform 51, commenting on the new partnership, said : "We warmly welcome the business skills and mentoring input from GE Capital which we know will have benefit for us all at Platform 51. The investment support we are receiving from GE Capital will enable us to focus more time on much needed initiatives to support vulnerable girls and women by cutting time spent on administration. This support is invaluable as we look to increase our reach and the number of women we can support in 2013".

John Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of GE Capital UK, advised : "Platform 51 is an organisation that makes a real difference to the lives of girls and women across the country, so we are delighted to be supporting such a worthy cause. We hope that through our efforts we can build up a strong partnership which will create a positive and lasting impact on the organisation".

GE Capital is one of the leading commercial finance providers in the UK with major operations in asset-based lending, fleet, leasing and healthcare financial services. GE Capital has major offices in Bristol, Manchester, Sale and the London area and focuses on providing leasing and lending solutions, from working capital and investment finance through to fleet management and equipment leasing to mid-market customers.

Follow GE Capital company news on Twitter at @GECapital 

Follow latest Platform 51 news on Twitter at @Platform51

For media coverage announcing the Platform 51/GE Capital partnership, see below : 

Market Watch 

PR-Inside

News Blaze 

The Herald [York, Chester, Lancaster]

Finance Boston

EON

London : The News

Yahoo News 

iStockAnalyst

CNBC

Reuters

Street Insider

Houston Chronicle

Check out our new Giving for Good website!

We are very proud to announce that we have just launched Platform 51's brand new virtual giving website Giving for Good.

This Christmas make someone feel really special with a Giving for Good gift. You can buy any one of a range of unique and life-changing gifts, starting from just £5.

To give a gift that lasts a lifetime, just follow these four simple steps;

Log onto www.givingforgood.co.uk

Choose your gifts from our selection, ranging from £5 to £80. Let us know where to send them and pay at the checkout.

We send out your Giving for Good gift pack to you or the lucky recipient by post or email.

Your Giving for Good gift starts to help girls and women take steps to improve their lives.

There are not that many sleeps left until Christmas so visit http://www.givingforgood.co.uk/ and buy your Giving for Good gifts for your special friends, family, and colleagues today.

And don't forget - the fun doesn't stop at Xmas presents. You can give Giving for Good presents throughout the year for all sorts of reasons - from birthdays through to just the simple pleasure of giving! Enjoy!

Deborah Mattinson, Founder Director, Britain Thinks

September 2012 saw Platform 51 welcome the arrival of its new Chair, Deborah Mattinson.  For a national women's organisation, steeped in services for disadvantaged and vulnerable women as well as campaigning and influencing on their behalf, Deborah's background, experience and personality could not be a more perfect fit for Platform 51. Her extensive background in research and strategy [she is Founder Director of the agency Britain Thinks and has many years of experience in this field] sits comfortably alongside her writing and broadcasting activities, political campaigning and strong feminist principles.  Hence, Platform 51's delight in having Deborah on board!

This week, we seized the opportunity to interview Deborah and find out more about her thoughts and background.

P51:     Tell us about your earlier career Deborah ...

DM :    I began my career in advertising. After taking a law degree at Bristol, I joined McCann Erickson, the global advertising agency then moved on to Ayer Barker. Around that time, fate stepped in.  My experience in advertising gave me an opportunity to develop my interest in the political world as I started doing voluntary work for Alf Dubs, my local MP in Battersea. By chance, he introduced me to Peter Mandelson, then just getting into his stride as new Director of Communications of the Labour Party who in turn introduced me to the late Philip Gould later to become Labour's strategist. The lure of politics was too much for me and I left the advertising world in 1985 to set up Gould Mattinson Associates in London's Soho with Philip. 

Some years later, after the General Election in 1992, I left GMA to co-found Opinion Leader Research, with my old advertising colleague Viki Cooke. We built a successful business which we subsequently sold to Lord Bell's Chime Communications in 1998.  After the sale, we stayed on with Chime to continue the development of OLR -- and to create Chime's research insight and engagement division.

My passion for politics continued and throughout  the 1990s and the birth of New Labour, I advised the Labour Party and worked closely with Gordon Brown as his chief pollster in government before and after he became Prime Minister.

P51 :  ... and what are you up to nowadays?

DM:  Viki and I left Chime in 2010 along with our colleague, Ben Shimshon, to set up our latest joint venture Britain Thinks which provides insight into public opinion and taps into the nation's mood as well as operating a little like a think tank. Our international arm is called World Thinks and we work here in the UK and on global projects for clients that include a mix of corporates and charities.

Very exciting times! Made even more exciting by having the chance to be Chair of Platform 51.

P51:     What interests you most about being Platform 51's new Chair?

DM :    Now is a particularly tough time for girls and women. Girls and women have been hard hit by the economic crisis. They have also been disproportionately affected by unemployment, wage stagnation and public service cuts.  And last, but not least, discrimination still mars the lives of many. That's why, I am proud to have joined Platform 51 as Chair at this important time. There's so much we can do to  give real tangible help for the girls and women we work with alongside the opportunity to give them a real voice and to be heard.  This is what drives my interest as Platform 51's new Chair.

Since September, I have had the opportunity to visit most of Platform 51's national centres and have been blown away by the amazing work being done there. And I have been struck by the courage of the women we work with who are getting to grips with their lives in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.

All this seems to me to be in keeping with Platform 51's impressive heritage. The charity has supported the most vulnerable girls and women in our society and provided a safe haven for them since 1855, when it was founded as the YWCA, right up to today.  An extraordinary achievement!

P51:     Have you always had a strong interest in women's issues?

DM:     Yes. And I am happy to add that I am absolutely, unapologetically and unreservedly a feminist! Working in business and in politics means I understand how difficult it can be to work in a male-dominated environment. I know how important it is to stand up for yourself, be heard and have a voice.  I have experienced what it feels like to be discriminated against purely on account of being a woman. 

I served two terms as an Equal Opportunities Commissioner and look forward to bringing insights from that time to my work as Chair at Platform 51.  At Britain Thinks, we recently published  research on the current status of that old chestnut, the dearth of women in the boardroom. Clearly, in terms of the drive for gender equality, there is still much to do.  During the recent dramatic events at the BBC and the George Entwistle debacle, it was very disappointing to still hear constant casual assumptions that the new Director General would be a 'him'.

P51 :    What would you say is the secret to being successful as a women?

DM :    Two key tenets come to mind. Hard Work and Self Belief. 

Very often the downside for women - whether we're talking about women in the boardroom or women living with disadvantaged circumstances such as those we work with at Platform 51 - is a lack of self-belief. The women I've met in our centres often work really hard but lack the confidence they need to get on. That's where Platform 51 can come in - the support we give can make all the difference, building their self esteem as well as providing practical help and campaigning on their behalf.

P51 :    What is your driving ambition for Platform 51 in your role as Chair?

DM:     Firstly, I want to help our girls and women find their voice and find the confidence to be heard. Many of the women we work with at Platform 51 are really brave and have driven themselves through the most difficult of circumstances. One of my ambitions as Chair at Platform 51 is to give more women like these the support they need.

Secondly, I want to draw on the collective experience of Platform 51's people - our fantastic heritage, knowledge,  skills and services - to build a stronger reputation for Platform 51 which showcases our unique insight into the wants and needs of girls and women.

Finally, I hope I can personally add value to Platform 51 in my role as Chair by drawing on all the various strands my professional and personal experience.  I've been fortunate in my career and want to share what I've learned.  I also want to learn. An impatience and a hunger to learn new things is one of the elements that drives my entrepreneurial spirit!

P51:     Tell us a little about your writing and broadcast experience ...

DM:     I enjoy doing both.  I write for the national press and on various blogs, I'm  an active social media user and commentator, and have also written a book, Talking to a Brick Wall which examines how the gulf between voters and MPs has grown.

I broadcast and speak regularly at conferences and events  on gender issues Recent activities include taking part on Newsnight on a debate about the women's vote and also on Radio Four's Women's Hour, speaking at the Editorial Intelligence conference 'The Gender Agenda' and at the British Academy event 'Where are all the Women'. This month I will also be speaking at the Labour Women's Network Politics Day conference and am booked in for an appearance on Andrew Neil's Daily Politics show too.

To my mind, participating in public life in this way is an important way to address the under-representation of women at all levels in today's world.  That's why I think it is critical that Platform 51 helps our women and girls to find their own voices and, in doing so, build their authority. I'm determined to make sure that those voices are heard and that we will give them a platform now and in the future.

Follow Deborah on Twitter here ... @debmattinson

Definition widened to include teenagers and 'coercive control'

Platform 51 welcomes the introduction of the broader definition of Domestic Violence which now includes teenagers and also covers forms of non-violent coercive behaviour.

This represents a change to the definition of domestic violence following a consultation held by the Home Office between December 2011 and March 2012. The official definition of domestic violence will now be changed and widened from March 2013 to ensure that thousands of teenage victims who are abused while in a relationship get the help and support they need.

It is also to be widened to explicitly include "coercive control", which is defined as complex patterns of abuse by one partner using power and psychological control over another, such as financial, verbal abuse or enforced social isolation. It means behaviour such as preventing partners from leaving the house or having access to a phone could lead to a prosecution.

The underlying hope behind this change is that the broadened definition will increase awareness of what domestic abuse is and who suffers it. The Home Office advised that more prosecutions could be brought as a result of this much welcomed widening of the definition of Domestic Violence. A Home Office impact assessment estimates  that as many as 5,280 high-risk teenage girls could be referred to multi-agency panels involving the police, domestic violence advisers, children's services, health and housing professionals, as a result of the move to improve their safety.

A further hope is that it will encourage more teenagers to come forward and access the support they need - for example, speaking to someone about the abuse they have experienced or contacting a helpline or a specialist service such as the service that Platform 51 provides to young victims of domestic violence.

Commenting on the introduction of the new definition for domestic violence, Nancy Platts, Interim Director of Policy, Campaigns and Communications at Platform 51 advised: 

"The inclusion of 16 and 17 year olds in the definition of domestic violence is very welcome. At Platform 51 we work with younger girls who might be experiencing violence in their relationships and know it is crucial these girls are protected. No young person should grow up believing that violence in a relationship is normal."

She continued: "Today's announcement has real potential to help more girls escape the cycle of domestic abuse. Now the government needs to ensure that girls experiencing violence and abuse are made aware of these new rights and have the confidence to seek help, both through the police and support organisations." 

The current single definition of domestic violence as "any incident of threatening behaviour, or abuse between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality" was introduced in 2004. It is not a statutory definition but it is used by government departments, crown prosecutors, the police and immigration authorities to identify domestic violence cases and ensure they get access to help for them to escape an abusive relationship. The definition covers so-called "honour violence", female genital mutilation and forced marriage but teenagers aged 16 to 18 are currently excluded.

Platform 51 has been campaigning on the issue of domestic violence since 2009 when we were known as YWCA. The video 'Risky Relationships' was prepared as part of our campaigning activity and shows the viewpoints of our girls and women at our West Kent centre on this critical topic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5B-gR8Ife4

In a further call of support in relation to today's announcement regarding the widening of the domestic violence definition, Platform 51 Centre Manager, Jacki Murphy from our Knowsley centre commented:

"We welcome the government's acknowledgement that the definition of domestic abuse is to be extended to younger teenagers, and will include the many types of controlling behaviour perpetrated on some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Violence against women is an enduring social issue affecting women and their children. Recent statistics show that girls as young as 12 are being subjected to controlling or abusive behaviours, leading to unrealistic experiences within relationships which can then have a lasting impact on an individual's ability to form positive relationships in the future. In addition to supporting those who are victims, there needs to be a comprehensive approach towards education and awareness raising to influence change in the future.

There has long been a need to take more action to prevent violence against women and girls and to ensure their safety. We at Platform 51 are committed to ensuring that all victims of domestic abuse are offered support by developing and maintaining services that work effectively in partnership with other agencies, to ensure that the services offered are of the highest quality, and to work closely with victims of domestic abuse to ensure that all services and interventions are driven by the needs of the victim.

Following the government announcement, there now needs to be a clear and cohesive approach to funding services which will target the groups identified as being at risk, in order to move things forward effectively."

Find out more:

If you would like to know more about the services that Platform 51 provides to young victims of domestic violence as well as older women, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Read today's coverage of this story by the BBC, The Guardian, The Telegraph & Huffington Post.

Photo courtesy of InLoughborough.com

Deborah Mattinson from Britain Thinks to assume role

Platform 51 is delighted to announce the appointment of Deborah Mattinson as the new Chair of Platform 51 Board of Trustees. She will formally take over from Helen Wollaston when she comes to the end of her term of office.

Deborah said: “Girls and women have been hard hit by the economic crisis. They have been disproportionately affected by unemployment, wage stagnation and public service cuts. Platform 51's extraordinary heritage, supporting the most vulnerable girls and women in our society, dates back to 1855 when it was founded as the YWCA. That work is more important now than ever and I am proud to be appointed Chair at this important time."

Deborah will immediately assume a key role in the organisation’s strategic organisational review, already underway, to create a sustainable future for Platform 51.

Deborah Mattinson is the Founder Director of insight and strategy consultancy, Britain Thinks. Her non-executive experience includes as a Commissioner of the Equal Opportunities Commission and Trustee of the Green Alliance.

Platform 51 announces resignation of CEO

Platform 51 announced today the resignation of CEO, Penny Newman. 

During the past 18 months, the charity has taken steps to rectify its financial deficit by restructuring the organisation with a saving of nearly £1m in overheads. Now that this has been completed, and with a new strategic direction in place, Penny Newman has decided to resign from Platform 51 with effect from Autumn 2012. 

Platform 51 has operated for several years with substantial financial deficits, and this is not sustainable. With income dropping, and the tough environment that many charities are suffering, the Trustees have appointed PwC to lead an independent professional assessment as to the options to continue the work of putting the organisation on a sound financial footing. Penny, with the Trustees, is working closely with the PwC team, whose report is due in September.

Commenting on the announcement, Helen Wollaston, Chair, Platform 51 said, "All the Trustees would like to thank Penny for all her hard work and for the significant expertise and commitment she has given to Platform 51 over the past two years, and wish her well in her future endeavours."

Wollaston continued "I and the rest of the Trustees believe passionately that Platform 51 has a vital contribution to make in the lives of women and girls across England and Wales, which in turn is good for society as a whole. It is our duty to ensure the long term future of the organisation for the benefit of generations to come". 

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. 

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.

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

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).

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.

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. 

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.

Changes will affect the most vulnerable warns 15 organisations.

Fifteen organisations including Platform 51 have today joined forces and written a letter to the Minister of State for Pensions, Steve Webb MP expressing deep concern about DWP proposals to abolish parts of the Social Fund.

The Social Fund provides an extremely important safety net to many of the most vulnerable people in our society say the Chartered Institute of Housing, Citizens Advice, Community Links, CPAG, Crisis, Family Action, Gingerbread, Homeless Link,  National Housing Federation, Platform 51, RNIB, Shelter, St Mungo's, Toynbee Hall  and the TUC. They warn that proposed changes to abolish Community Care Grants and most aspects of Crisis Loans, and to transfer administration to local authorities from 2013 when Universal Credit is introduced, could result in a drastic and wide scale reduction of vital support to those most in need.

The letter to the Minister highlights the huge scale of need for these payments. While there were 640,000 applications for a Community Care Grant, and 3.65 million applications for a Crisis Loan in 2009/10, evidence given to the Public Accounts Committee last year showed that on average, only 32 per cent of "legitimate demand" for Community Care Grants was met.*

While the letter recognises that there is a need to review how these payments are administered, the charities express deep concern at the lack of analysis by the DWP into the needs and circumstances of the people who rely on Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans, and the lack of details on how the proposals will work. The charities also express concern at the decision to move administration to local authorities at a time when their budgets are being cut.

The charities are asking for the opportunity to meet with the Minister, as well as urging him to provide further evidence and a clear business case to explain and justify the withdrawal of such an essential part of the welfare system, and to explain how the proposals would meet the needs of the most vulnerable to ensure an effective safety net is maintained.

-ends-

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmpubacc/573/573.pdf , page 10

For more information contact:

laura.burnell@citizensadvice.org.uk

Tel: 0207 833 7085

Our out-of-hours contact number: 0845 0990107

Notes to editors:

1.    The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk

2.    The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see www.adviceguide.org.uk 

3.    Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 7.1 million problems from April 2009 to March 2010, an 18% increase on the previous year. For full 2009/2010 service statistics see: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/pressoffice/press_index/press_20100517.htm

4.    Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable. (nfpSynergy's Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).

5.    Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.

Comedy gig in aid of Platform 51

Platform 51 presents an evening of stand up comedy in celebration of 100 years of International Women's Day. Join us for an evening of great comedy and support Platform 51's vital work to work to help vulnerable girls and women to take control of their lives.

Featuring Isy Suttie (Peep Show), Liz Carr (BBC Ouch! Podcast), Kate Smurthwaite (Soho Comedy Club), Tiffany Stevenson (BBC Stand Up Show) and Kiki Kendrick.

Date: Wednesday 30 March 2011, 8pm

Venue: Soho Comedy Club, The Comedy Pub, 7 Oxendon St, London, SW1Y 4EE

Tickets: £10 from http://www.sohocomedy.com/box_office All proceeds go to Platform 51.

More information, including a list of performers here.

Penny Newman begins as chief executive

The new chief executive of Platform 51 is Penny Newman who starts work at the charity today. 

Until recently Penny was the chief executive officer of the Jamie Oliver Foundation, working to support  vulnerable young people through the restaurant chain Fifteen. Before that she was the chief executive officer of Cafedirect: the UK’s largest 100% Fairtrade hot drinks company. Penny has also worked as a marketing manager for The Body Shop.

Penny was awarded an OBE for her services to ethical business in 2008, is a member of the Advisory Board to the Office of Civil Society, a Social Enterprise Ambassador and a non-executive director of Social Finance Ltd.

YWCA becomes Platform 51

During the 155 years since we were founded, we've had to evolve to reflect changes in society and the needs and expectations of women.This is true not only of the work we do, but also of our name. Our original name no longer stood for who we are or what we do and people often confused us with another charity. So we have changed our operating name from YWCA England & Wales to Platform 51.

Why 'Platform 51'?

Our new name more accurately represents who we are and what we do: 51% of people are female, and girls and women use us as a platform to have their say and as a place from where they can move into the next stage of their lives.

Make no mistake, what remains the same is our passion to help girls and women as they take control of their lives.

YWCA pop out for lunch with the Queen

It was a day of glamorous hats, tea and cucumber sandwiches for a young woman from YWCA Wolverhampton who attended the Queen's Garden Party yesterday. 

Jude Featherstone, accompanied by YWCA worker Becky Matthews, got the chance to stroll through the famous Garden of Buckingham Palace and to see members of the Royal Family at the party held annually by The Queen.

The Queen is patron of YWCA England & Wales, the charity working with young women from disadvantaged backgrounds. YWCA receives invitations every year for the Queen's Garden Party, which is distributed to its projects around England and Wales.

Jude said: "Even though it was a rainy day I had a great time anyway!"

Wolverhampton Homes hold women in construction event

Wolverhampton Homes has hosted a Women In Construction event day to encourage more women into a trade.

The organisation and its Decent Homes partners - Bullock, Frank Haslam Milan and Thomas Vale - organised taster sessions in painting and decorating, plumbing and carpentry.

Women from YWCA and local schools and colleges attended to try out a trade, talk to other women working in construction and to apply for apprentice opportunities.

Pat McFadden MP was also the guest speaker who gave his support to the day.

Shazad Ahmed, project skills co-ordinator from Wolverhampton Homes, said: "Many women came along to the event which was really successful, it was all about breaking down the stereotypes that construction is only for men.

"I know many people who attended also found it really useful to talk to women already in a trade and get their first hand knowledge and experience."

Rachel Symons, YWCA centre manager, said: "The young women really got involved in the day, getting stuck into tasks they never thought they would be doing and getting an insight into a job sector unfamiliar to most of them. It proves that career advice shouldn't always be steering young women into traditionally 'female' jobs, but should be showing the full spectrum of options available to them."

Low pay commission releases 2009 report

The Low Pay Commission is calling for apprentices to receive a national minimum wage in its 2009 report, published last week. However this will be at a lower rate than for other workers.

They have recommended the Government ask them to look into an appropriate minimum wage rate for apprentices in next year's report. The Government will respond to their recommendations in the summer.

YWCA's Parliamentary officer Helen Berresford said: "If the Government does accept the recommendation it really is great progress and a fantastic step for the More than one rung campaign and us.

The Commission's report also asked for small increases to the current national minimum wage for all workers and for the age at which people receive the adult rate to be lowered from 22-years-old to 21. Both of these recommendations have been accepted. The national minimum wage will rise by 7 pence per hour in October 2009. However the age at which employees receive the adult rate will not change until October 2010.

Helen Berresford said: "We campaigned to get rid of youth rates altogether however, this small change is still a win and welcomed."

James Anthony, UNISON national executive council member said on behalf of national minimum wage campaigners: "Against the backdrop of recession, when we need to be putting more money into the pockets of the low-paid, it is a surprisingly low increase.

"We are pleased that the government has responded positively to the LPC call for the adult rate to start from age 21. However, this small move actually highlights the continuing discrimination by age, preserved in the national minimum wage, which is again exempted from the provisions of the Equality Bill.

"Our message to the government is: we want and need more bold action to raise the level and end the injustices in the national minimum wage. We believe our campaign has played an important role in challenging the proposed zero increase, in winning the change in start of the adult age band, and the proposed inclusion of apprentices. Our campaign continues."

YWCA is part of the campaign to end age discrimination in the national minimum wage.

YWCA launches credit crunch survival guide

Living on a low income, keeping loans under control and financial abuse are just three of the subjects covered by a recession-busting leaflet launched today by YWCA. The guide is aimed at young women and features tips on saving money, low budget shopping and cutting costs.

The charity is concerned that women living on low incomes are currently finding it even more difficult to balance their limited weekly income. It believes they are getting into even greater financial difficulties.

"The women we work with have very limited incomes" says Sarah Payne, Chief Executive YWCA. "Within this leaflet we provide key pieces of financial information which, we hope, will help these women manage their very limited resources better."

"In the current economic climate everyone is worried about money. But young women in some of the poorest communities are particularly vulnerable. They tend to be on low incomes and sometimes lack the skills to manage their limited funds" Sarah continues: "Young mothers and teenage girls, who have had to leave unhappy homes, can find themselves suddenly living independently with little or no support. They find themselves in charge of household bills, with responsibilities that they've never had to think about before. We hope this leaflet will help them and demonstrate that YWCA is here to support them".

Women often do jobs that pay so badly they experience 'in-work poverty'. Nearly two-thirds of low paid workers are women. Sectors with the highest proportions of minimum-wage jobs are female-dominated; for example retail, hospitality, social care, hairdressing and cleaning.

According to the Trade Union Conference (TUC) it is likely that women's jobs will be affected more than in past recessions. More women have been made redundant since the beginning of 2008 than men. [TUC (2009) Women and Recession: How will this recession affect women at work?]

In times when money is scarce women on low incomes are more vulnerable to credit and store card offers, especially if they have young children. Often they do not realise the expensive interest charges they will incur if they do not pay off their account each month.

Linda Jack, Youth Policy Adviser at the Financial Service Authority (FSA) says: "I welcome this excellent and timely initiative from YWCA. The young women they work with are likely to be disproportionally affected by the credit crunch and will need as much support as possible to be able to effectively manage their money. This leaflet, alongside the outstanding support YWCA centres already offer to so many young women, will be a lifeline for those struggling to make ends meet and make the most of their money."

Some women attending YWCA centres have talked about boyfriends, having lost their jobs, taking money from them without asking and not paying them back or using their credit cards without permission - in some cases a form of financial abuse which is putting them in debt. The leaflet therefore looks at this issue and suggests ways to avoid falling into this trap.

You can download the credit crunch survival guide here.

Young women mark ten years of National Minimum Wage

Four young women from YWCA centres had the opportunity to voice their opinions to influential decision makers at two events in Parliament last week.

The introduction of the national minimum wage in 1999 had a profound impact on female workers. It brought the basic wages of those in industries traditionally associated with women, such as retail, hospitality and hairdressing, in line with other industries.

YWCA teamed up with UNISON and the British Youth Council to celebrate the tenth birthday of the national minimum wage and discuss how it can be made more effective.

Kayleigh Devlin and Belinda Moreton from YWCA Northampton (pictured left with Sally Keeble MP) and Sheri Dobbs from YWCA Cwmafan attended the reception and mingled with MPs such as Harriet Harman, Judy Mallaber and Hywel Francis. The young women also enjoyed a short tour of Parliament.

During her speech, Sheri explained how she supported the minimum wage but that it still needed to improve. She spoke about her experiences of working on the much lower level of the youth rate of minimum wage which YWCA believes is discriminatory and unfair.

Sheri was involved in YWCA’s More than one rung campaign and told the audience how she thought apprentices should be paid the equivalent of the minimum wage. Helen Berresford, YWCA’s Parliamentary officer, said: “There were many nods of agreement in the room as she spoke!”

At the same time, Charlotte Lowe of YWCA Cwmafan was speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Children in Wales. Charlotte spoke to a group of Welsh MPs about the different types of discrimination that young women faced.

The meeting was discussing the forthcoming Equality Bill which will exclude young people under 18 from one of the definitions of age discrimination. YWCA believes this is unfair as we know that young women face multiple forms of discrimination.

Charlotte’s direct evidence will form part of our lobbying activity around the Equality Bill and shows once again that our campaigning is built on the real experiences of young women.

Girls should have more to do than get drunk, says chief exec

Boredom leads girls to binge drinking

Eighty per cent of the public, in a recent YouGov and YWCA survey, agreed that girls binge drinking is a problem in England and Wales. However, according to the survey people don't just want criticism and punishment for young women - they want to see girls offered ways to change their behaviour.

Boredom, peer pressure and lack of parental guidance are perceived to be the main reasons for young girls aged between 13 and 18 to binge drink according to the survey. Sixty three per cent of those who responded felt that boredom is a key issue around drinking in young women.

To help tackle binge drinking YWCA England & Wales, therefore, calls on parents and the Government to urgently look at how young people spend their days and evenings and to provide alternatives to binge drinking. About two thirds (65%) of those interviewed suggest that young women should be given alternatives, such as youth clubs and cafes, to reduce binge drinking.

"I think most of us accept that the teenage years are a time for experimentation. Which means it is not unusual for young people to try out alcoholic drinks. There has been plenty of talk about punishing young people but more and more the public are recognising that it is education, and support that is needed, not criminalisation." says Sarah Payne, Chief Executive of YWCA.

"Although many people drink because they enjoy it, we believe that young women especially drink because of low self-esteem, low self-confidence and nothing to do. Young women who feel bad about themselves drink to boost their confidence, to make them fit in socially, to block out traumatic things from their past and to forget worries about their future. In our day to day work we constantly see how improving self esteem and offering them alternative activities can dramatically change the lives of young women for the better. We help them develop their skills, socialise, gain work and qualifications. In this way we tackle the root causes of alcohol problems."

YouGov and YWCA's poll also revealed that the public don't want to criminalise young women. When asked what should be done about young girls drinking in public places, such as on the streets or in parks , only one per cent of those surveyed agreed that the police should move young girls on without offering support that would help them. A fifth (20%) suggested that more education and activities on the issue were necessary and nearly a fifth (18%) suggested that parents should be prosecuted if their child were caught drinking.

"We must not assume that all young people have safe and supportive homes to go to. For those who do not, and unfortunately there are quite a few, parental education on alcohol will be limited. Hanging out and getting drunk may even be preferable or even safer to going home" says Sarah. "Society needs to find ways to reach out and help these young people. If we don't we will be failing them and our future generations."

YWCA believes that the following steps will help reduce this problem:

• Safe, interesting and secure places to go and things to do, especially in the evenings and at weekends;

• High quality education as part of PHSE (Personal Health and Social Education). This should help young people to understand that alcohol can be addictive and alcohol misuse can damage their health and in the case of pregnant women their unborn babies. Discussions should also look at how alcohol abuse can have an impact on friends and family;

• Education should help young women gain an understanding that heavy consumption can often lead them into unsafe situations like dangerous driving, walking home alone at night, unsafe sex, the possibility of unplanned pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted infection;

• Education should extend to settings outside the classroom and be available for young people not in mainstream education;

• Local authorities need to make commitments in their Children and Young People's Plans to provide constructive out of hours activities for young women.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2015 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10- 12 February 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

For more information read our briefings and information sheets on young women and alcohol.

Survey of young women shows disturbing evidence

Disturbing evidence of young women being deprived of money by controlling partners has come to light in a recent survey on money and debt carried out by YWCA England & Wales. The charity fears this could accelerate if the economic crisis deepens.

YWCA wanted to find out how the current crisis was affecting girls and young women emotionally and practically. They was surprised to discover that one third of young women surveyed admitted that their partners had deployed methods such as forcing young women to hand over cash or credit cards, taking benefits or forcing them to sign financial contracts in their name.

Interestingly, despite these admissions, many young women did not want to acknowledge that this was financial abuse, a recognised form of domestic violence, in which someone deprives a partner of enough money to meet basic needs through manipulation and control.

Gabriella was with her partner for nine months and now recognises those patterns:

"My boyfriend constantly asked me for money, which he spent on booze, and I'd have no money for myself. When I told him I didn't have any money left he called me a liar and checked my bank statements. He insulted me until my self-esteem was at rock bottom. I got help from my local YWCA and have built up my confidence since then but I think loads more women out there should be aware that this kind of behaviour counts as abuse and is unacceptable."

YWCA is already running programmes to help young women understand more about money management. It is working closely with charity Refuge, which this week published its own report on financial abuse, to raise awareness about it. It is concerned that, like many forms of abuse, it is largely misunderstood and hidden.

YWCA wants: tackling financial abuse to become part of the National Action Plan on domestic violence; improved financial assistance to women experiencing domestic violence and economic abuse; improved data collection to better reflect the crime itself, by both the police and through the British Crime Survey plus investment in further research; young women and men to receive education on financial abuse as part of their PSHE education on both money and relationships; and professionals such as youth workers, social workers, teachers and doctors to receive training and information so they can identify and support young women at risk of, and experiencing, financial abuse.

YWCA's director of policy said: "What's particularly concerning is that most young women in this kind of situation don't even realise they are being abused. Financial abuse doesn't necessarily involve violence; it is a damaging form of manipulation and control. Our worry is that when a partner feels weakened or diminished at times when money is tight, it could only lead to an escalation of the problem."

For more information read our briefings and information sheets on financial abuse, money and debt.

The new apprenticeship strategy announced by the Government is a huge step forward in providing young people with the path to a decent job. YWCA was pleased to see that many of the things we pointed out to the Government  (as told to us by girls and women) have been considered:

• It has acknowledged how many young women find themselves in poorly-paid apprenticeships and wants to tackle this;
• It has proposed a pilot scheme to help tackle the entrenched problems of gender segregation in certain job sectors;
• In job sectors which have traditionally been dominated by men, YWCA's recommendation is that femal apprentices entering male dominated sectors need support from 'mentors' is reflected.

The strategy also recognises that schoolchildren need information about the different pay rates, working conditions and expectation for different jobs and careers. Once again, this is something we have been calling for.

YWCA welcomes the fact that apprenticeship pay will be looked at in the strategy. However, with many young women still struggling on low apprenticeship wages we are appealing to the Government to set apprenticeship pay at the equivalent of the National Minimum Wage.

The challenge is for this ambitious plan to be fully implemented and YWCA will be following the evolution closely to ensure that it becomes a meaningful option for disadvantaged young women to avoid a lifetime of hardship in poorly paid jobs with no prospects

Sally Copley, director of policy, research and campaigns at YWCA said: "Apprenticeships are clearly an important doorway for young people into a job with future prospects. However there is still an inherent gender injustice that we hope will be genuinely addressed through this plan. The highest paid apprenticeship is in the electro technical field, and is exclusively male. It pays double that of the lowest paid, hairdressing, which is dominated by women. That just cannot be right."

For more information read our briefings and information sheets on jobs and training.