Up Coming Events
DUNDEE WOMEN'S FESTIVAL 2012
- Every year DIWC runs events to; celebrate women, look at women's issues and show case the talented women we have in Dundee. This year we will be running 18 events and classes!
- Please call to reserve a place, places will not be confirmed untill payment is received.
- Crèche available @ £3 per session per child. Creche is open from 9am - 3pm only.
‘Cooking from round the world’
Back by popular demand DIWC ‘Cooking from round the world’ presents cooking classes looking different types of cooking from all corners our planet. Run by women who cook these dishes at home almost every day the food is home-style and authentic. Cost includes all ingredient and recipe sheets to take home at end of classes. The class will be interactive, fun and gives all the participants an opportunity to sample all the delicious food at the end of the session! Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
- Cooking from round the World - ‘Poland’,
- Monday 5 March, 1-3pm
- Cooking from round the World -‘Kenyan’,
- Wednesday 7 March, 1-3pm
- Cooking from round the World - ‘China’,
- Thursday 8 March, 1-3pm
- Cooking from round the World - ‘North Africa’,
- Monday 12 March, 1-3pm
- Cooking from round the World - ‘Bangladesh’,
- Wednesday 14 March, 1-3pm
- Cooking from round the World - ‘Scottish Sweet Treats’,
- Thursday 15 March, 1-3pm
- £3 per per person per session
- Book early to avoid disapoinment as these classes get fully booked fast!
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- Accessing Support for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
- Two information sessions on support available for individuals from BME communities who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse and/or professionals who may be supporting such individuals.
- FREE
- Monday 5 March / 1-3pm
- Monday 12 March / 1-3pm
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Fun Time Cooking with Kids
- Fun Time Cooking with Kids is a 2 session class which encourages children to get involved in cooking with Mum. The sessions will look at healthy savoury and sweet recipes and activities that children between the ages of 2 – 5 can actively get involved with, including preparing food and tasting the final product.
- Fun Time Cooking with Kids (Tuesday-2 sessions)
- Tuesday 6 March, 10am-12noon & Tuesday 13 March, 10am-12noon
- Fun Time Cooking with Kids (Wednesdays – 2 sessions)
- Wednesday 7 March, 10am-12noon & Wednesday 14 March, 10am-12noon
- £6 for the 2 sessions (up to 2 children with 1 adult)
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Killing Us Softly – The Medias Influence on Women (Exhibition)
- A community exhibition exploring the media’s effect on women’s lives and the ever increasing pressures on women to be ‘perfect’. DIWC service users, young people and a local community artist have created a number of pieces and information boards exploring this complex issue. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available on the day and an opportunity to talk to some of the people involved in creating the exhibition.
- Thursday 8 March, 10am-3pm
- FREE
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Cycles of Life – Herbs for Women
- An opportunity to explore the herbs which can be beneficial to a woman’s life; from puberty to pregnancy and from breast feeding to the menopause. The session is facilitated by a qualified Herbalist who will look at different herbs and spices and how we can use them in our everyday lives. Herbal teas and cake will be available on the day.
- Thursday 15 March, 10am – 12noon
- £3 per person
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How to Cook an Indian Banquet, (4 Sessions)
- Tue 6 March 6:30-8:30pm & Wed 7 March 6:30-8:30pm &
- Tue 13 March 6:30-8:30pm & Wed 14 March 6:30-8:30pm
- £25 for all 4 sessions
- A 4 session cooking class looking at starters, main meals and rice dishes for those interested in learning how to cook a Indian banquet. It will look at different recipes from last year’s fully booked sessions, so for those who came last year, there is still more to learn! Cost includes all ingredient and recipe sheets to take home at end of classes. Run by local women from Indian/Pakistani heritage the classes will be interactive, fun and gives all the participants an opportunity to sample all the delicious food at the end of each session! Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
DIWC NEWS
January 2012
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In January Susan A’Brook will start running Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) session, which will provide free, confidential advice on your rights and responsibilities, such as; employment, housing, benefits, family and consumer rights. The session will be held at DIWC by appointment only. Please call Susan to make an appointment. Polish translation available but must be arrange prior to appointment time. Mondays 1pm – 4pm and Wednesday 11:30am -3:30pm.
- NEW CLASSES THIS TERM - Craft Class on Tuesdays mornings, Pilates Exercise on Tuesday afternoon, and our English for Polish Speakers for Beginners is back on Tuesday nights.
December 2011
- This years busy Christmas Fayre was held on Saturday 10th December 2-4pm with members and their families, volunteers and members of the public attending. Activities included; Santa’s Grotto, Come and meet Santa and receive a present! Bling Bling Stall, Food & Kashmiri Chai Stalls, Bric-a-brac, Raffle and ‘Pick a Brick’ and Toy Sale. a BIG THANKS for santa visiting as it would not have been the same without him.
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In early December put up the christmas tree with the help of volunteer. Thanks to all
who helped the tree truned out to be the best yet.
- We say a big sad goodbye to Amina Nafees who was our dedicated Childcare Manager as she is moving away from Dundee and we wish her the best for the future. Steph Thomson, one of our Child Development Workers, will be taking over her post as the Childcare Supervisor and we welcome her to the new post.
November 2011
We have changed our newsletter and timetable which we mailed out to everyone this month. The newsletter now includes DIWC News and information on the different services we provide. Please tell us what think of our new format!
DIWC has held an event as part of the Dundee Science Festival by hosting a talk followed by a cooking demonstration called ‘Secrets of Spice’. The fully booked event looked at the medicinal benefits of everyday spices within foods and how to maximise their benefits in your diet. The event was hugely successful with positive feedback and request to hold move events in the future. We are planning another event during the Women’s festival in March 2012.
October 2011
A new Confidence Building Workshop has just started this month, with 4 session look at what confidence is, how you see yourself, how you can feel more confident and identifing your qualites. If you are interested in participating a workshop like this please contact susan so we can plan future workshops.
This month we saw Yasmeen Ahmad (Macara Youth Worker) and Bisma Farooq (Macara Youth Leader) graduate from the Community Leadership Programme (CLP) facilitated by Backbone. They were supported by Fatima Ramzan, DIWC Project Worker throughout the year, working very hard and completing units on a variety outdoor activities including, hiking and sea kayaking. They attended the celebratory residential in Mar Lodge in Breamar, presenting their experiences and achievements to their colleagues and peers who had taken part in the course. Congratulations to both these young women who will use their newly developed skills within the community and within the Macara Youth Group.
The 8 session ‘Introduction to the National Progression Award (NPA) in Childcare’ finished this month providing 15 women with the opportunity to find out more about the yearlong course which is held at DIWC annually. It enabled the participants to find out more about what was required from them in terms of levels of English, studying and time commitments required to pass the qualification. Out of the women who attended 8 were selected to start the yearlong course which starts next month. Congratulation to all who attended and have been selected for the NPA.
Our new ESOL & IT class has started with an opportunity to learn English and practice IT skills at the same time. It follows a successful pilot we held last year and the group seem to be eager to continue for the foreseeable future.
Our Mother and Toddler Group has be revitalize by our Childcare Development Worker, Salma creating busy and exciting weekly sessions for mothers and their children. Over the last few weeks they have looked at different types of interactive play, children’s health, children’s healthy teeth and gums and fire safety in the home.
Septemeber 2011
Our new Receptionist and Project Assistant Lesley McRobbie started work at the end of Septemeber. She will be welcoming members, working in the office and helping project staff with class materials and projects.
Our new Polish Project Worker, Anna Krol started work with us this month, supporting English classes and project activity. Welcome Anna!
A new Pilates class started on the 16th with good attendance on the night. Rise & Shine Crèche provided childcare on the night enabling women with children to join the class.
We had our Annual General Meeting on the 10th of September this year. Informing our services users and funders what we have been up to and the services we provided over the year. If you would like an AGM report give us a call or ask at reception. A special thanks to Aneeqa Arshid who volunteered to design the theme and front cover this year!
Wooden Spoon catering had another busy Flower and Food Festival selling out on most of their 300 liters of curry produced for the day! Hope you saw us on the STV local new!
For Eid this year we had a party at DIWC! We celebrated with dance workshops, Zumba, Arts and Craft Workshops, and Beauty Therapy, followed by Music, Dancing and Food. The crèche ran a little party on the night for the children with a magic show and fun activities for all ages.
We had our English Class Induction Day on the 6th September, where we invited new and continuing student to register in our English classes, ensuring that everyone is at the right level with the right kind of support. 57 students attended on the day with many more over the next week. Thanks to the volunteers who helped out on the day!
The new term started on the 5 of September, welcoming students back after the summer break. The week has been a hive of activity with services users and their children, new and continuing, getting to know new classmates and making new friends. Welcome to everyone!
We have just revamped the Centre, painting walls, changing furniture and creating a new space with a warm, fresh and welcoming feel for the new term.
August 2011
Once again we participated in this year’s Baxter Park Celebration Party where the Macara Youth Group set up a stall to fundraising for their youth group raising over £200. Although we did not the best summer weather the park was busy with families enjoying the entertainment, food and stalls.
July 2011
A member of the DIWC and a previous member of Macara Youth Group, Zahra Kazmi, has won 2 Gold and 1 Bronze medal at the Special Olympics 2011 in Athens, for horse riding. We’d like to congratulate her and look forward to supporting her in future events representing Great Britain.
This years summer trips included; MUDDY BOOTS FARM, FIFE on Thursday 14th July, a great family day out at Muddy Boots Farm with activities including Muddy Munchkins, Giant Jumping Pillow and Indoor Play. AUCHINGARRICH WILDLIFE CENTRE, on Thursday 21st July, another great family day out with many outdoor activities including Crazy Golf, Ride on Tractors, Visit the Animals, Flying Zip Wire, Indoor & Outdoor Soft Play Area
Another successful 2nd year of running DIWC’s Professional Summer Cooking class. This year’s event included a 3 course meal in South Asian cuisine. Participants thoroughly enjoyed the 4 week programme and were keen for the course to run again next year. For those who were returning participant’s highlighted t he fact they were using recipes and skills learnt last year on a regular basis. Family and friends were delighted with the cooking results.
Our Social Enterprise Business, Wooden Spoon Catering Co, has moved out of DIWC premises as the kitchen was bursting at the seams with the amount of buffets and events they were catering for. They have moved to the Olympia Swimming Pool Café and now run a fantastic daily café service as well as their usual, buffets, events and festival catering. DIWC will miss them very much as sadly our own café service will stop operating here for the moment. What will we do without Julie’s fantastic cakes!
June 2011
The Ethnic Survivors Forum Awareness Day in Dundee was held on the 24 May highlighting a service which provides support tailored specifically to ethnic minority adults who have survived childhood sexual abuse.
April 2011
DIWC's Social Enterprise Project " Wooden Spoon Catering Ltd" launched their online booking and payment website along with their new leaflet and other marketing materials.
Wooden spoon launch night " Jute, Jam and Jalfrezi" was an amazing success. DIWC would like to express their thanks to all the wooden spoon staff who worked extremely hard all week for the event! DIWC would like to also thank all the key speakers and sponsors who supported this event. Anyone wishing to see the snapshot of the night, please visit Wooden Spoon catering on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wooden+spoon+catering&aq=f
A thank you to all the sponser's who have supported this event
March 2011
Another successful and 4th year running for DIWC, as part of the Dundee Women’s Festival 2011. A yearly festival with organisations from all around Dundee hosting events, workshops, performances and issue based sessions held at DIWC. This year events included: Cooking from around the world -" How to cook a Indian Banquet, " Western African cooking", The women who shaped Dundee Exhibition and Junk to Funk fashion show.All sessions were fully booked and well attended.
January 2011
The DIWC held their Burns Lunch on Friday 28th January, 2011 from 1-3pm.The event was to celebrate Scottish Culture and Robert Burns including activities such as: Addressing the Haggis, Social traditional lunch, Scottish music, dancing, quiz and Poems. The Burns Lunch was a great success and everyone enjoyed the activities especially the Scottish Highland Dancing. Thank you to all those who participated and supported the event.
Our new Project Worker, Vicky Higgins started work with us this month, supporting classes and project activities. It’s a pleasure to welcome a new member to our Project Staff Team as classes and projects keep growing with service user needs.
December 2010
The DIWC held their annual Christmas Fair on Saturday 18th 1-4pm. This was to raise funds for projects and services that the centre provides, such as the 'Rise and Shine' creche and for the 'Bazorg' over 50s women's group to help run their weekly sessions that promote physical and mental wellbeing in later life. The day was a great sucess raising £387.27 for project work. Thank you to all who came and supported the event.
EXHIBITION for 16 Days of Action For The Elimination of Violence Against Women was DIWC's contribution to the ‘16 Days of Action - Violence Against Women’ held this December. This is celebrated to highlight, International Human Rights Day to emphasise that such violence is a violation of human rights. The exhibition was informative, educational and thought provoking. Well done to the Community Education Student, Amber, who organised the event.
We have been awarded the Volunteer Friendly Award 2010 for our work with volunteers at the centre! Two volunteers and our Project Coordinator were present at the award ceremony and proudly received and certificate and trophy! Well done everyone!
For the first time ever we have had to shut our doors because of the weather! We have had 1 ½ ft of snow which prevented many of our staff and member from attending classes and services. We were still open to phone calls and emails for information and advice, and are glad to say we were only closed for 4 days and reopened on the 6th of December! We hope that everyone is enjoying the snow and keeping safe and warm.
We are looking for women to join the Women's Festival Group 2011 to help create outfits (‘Art to Wear’) for a fashion show in March at Bonar Hall. No sewing skill required just willingness to have fun and meet up at the centre every Wednesday 1-3pm, in December, January and February.(Modelling outfits on the night is not required!)
November 2010
The One Scotland Many Culture event celebrated Scotland’s diverse ways of lifewith exciting activities such as; highland dancing, cultural mask making for children, flag making and much more! The night was quite due to the weather but everyone there reported back saying the night was fun and entertaining!
This month Wooden Spoon Catering launched a unique service called 'Friday Night Curry Night'. The first Friday we sold over 80 meal deals to businesses across Dundee, bringing in a total of £865.25. Already this innovative service has created 7 new jobs, which in this economic climate is an excellent outcome. We are delighted with this result and we aim to continue delivering this as a regular Friday night service to businesses. What is Friday Night Curry Night? Want to find out more, check out our Wooden Spoon Catering page.
The centre is starting a new beginners computing course in partnership with the BBC ‘First Click’ campaign. This course is for any women over 50 who are interested in learning about how to access and use the internet at a very basic level and the students can even access websites to do with their hobbies. The course ran over 3 sessions: Tuesday 30th November 1pm-3pm, Tuesday
7th December 1pm-3pm, Tuesday 14th December 1pm-3pm
Our Childcare Co-ordinator Nausheen Karim will be leaving on maternity leave on Friday the 19th November 2010 and Donna Morland has been recruited as her maternity cover until she returns. We all wish Nausheen the best of luck!
October 2010
DIWC launched our regular Social Evening with a Fundraising Appeal for the victims of the Pakistani Floods. The event was hugely successful with over 55 women attending our 3 course dinner and charity auction. DIWC services users generously donated raffle and auction prizes with local businesses very kindly donating over £300 worth of vouchers and prizes. Also a Big Thanks to the Macara Youth Group who set up and decorated the hall beautifully. The appeal raised over £750 for the Disasters Emergency Committee which will go directly to the Pakistani flood victims. Thank you to everyone who kindly supported this event including the Continental Foods Store and Forsyths Fruit and Vegetables.
Septemeber 2010
The Dundee Flower and Food Festival held at the beginning of September had the Wooden Spoon selling its famous homemade curries and homemade Naan breads. The 3 day event was hugely successful with all the curries selling out by the 3rd day!
Our Project Coordinator, Dana Dalziel has come back to work after maternity leave!
August 2010
Hope everyone enjoyed the Dundee fortnight off. Classes started again week beginning 23rd and 30th August and we have a few new classes - sewing class, more English classses from Dundee College - and services - money advice surgery, employment advice service, welfare rights - starting this term.
July 2010
The Wooden Spoon had a stall selling their famous homemade curries and homemade Naan breads at the Perthshire on a Plate event held in Perth on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd July.
The trip to Muddy Boots was successful despite the wet weather. There was enough activities to keep everyone happy indoors - pottery painting, play area and the coffee shop.
Congratulations to Stephanie (Steph) Thomson for joining The Rise and Shine Childcare Team as a Child Development Worker. This post is funded by BBC Children in Need for 3 years.
Our graduation was held on Thursday 24th July at the DIWC. Congratulations to all our service users who graduated. Hope to see you all again after the holidays.
June 2010
DIWC attended the BME awards ceremony on Friday 27th June in Glasgow as we had been nominated in the category Community Champions - Education, Training and Employment. Only the top 3 organisations in each category attended this event, unfortunately we were not successful in winning the award.
Congratulations to Susan A'Brook who has been appointed as Development Worker and started this post on 1st June 2010. More congratulations this time to Amina Nafees who was successful and is now our Registered Childcare Manager. Both have settled well into their promoted posts.
Well done also to Salma Gani who is the new Childcare Support Worker in the Rise and Shine Crèche.
Ardler Village Fun Day was on Saturday 19th June 2010. The event went well despite the windy weather and The Wooden Spoon had a stall selling different flavours of homemade burgers, chicken kebabs and chips.
May 2010
The Outreach Translation Service has moved to premises in the Wellgate Centre inside the library complex. Their new contact number is 01382 307491.
Sharlene Taylor has joined the team as Senior Catering Manager on Monday 24th May. She is settling in well.
April 2010
This month saw the position of Childcare Co-ordinator being filled. Nausheen Karim, a childcare practitioner from our Rise and Shine childcare service started the job at the beginning of the month and has settled into the role well.
March 2010
Sadly one of the projects held at DIWC with us, we are saying goodbye to Nasreen Choudhry and Goulnaz Ali from the Outreach Translation Service. Their secondment has come to an end and we wish them all the best in their new premises which have not yet been confirmed. Our Polish Project Coordinator, Joanna Davidson, will continue to provide the service for Polish speakers.
Part of the Dundee Women’s Festival 2010, a yearly festival with organisations all around Dundee hosting events, workshops, performances and issue based sessions were held in DIWC. This year events included: ‘Stories from Home’ Exhibition, 'Cooking from around the World – India/Pakistan', ‘Women’s Rights in Britain and around the World’, ‘Insight to self harm’ Workshop, 'A Taste of Chinese Culture' Workshop and ‘Cooking from around the World – Kurdish'.
January 2010
DIWC is delighted to have their website up and running after 12 months of upgrading and development! Please email us if you have any problems with the website or have any comments about its layout and function.
We have been awarded an Accolade by Dundee City Council for winning a Highly Recommended Award from SURF (Scottish Urban Regeneration Fund) for our work in the people category. This is the second year we have been recognised by SURF for our work in Scotland and we hope to be nominated in the future as well!
Our Project Coordinator Dana Dalziel has recently gone on maternity leave and has had a beautiful baby girl. Congratulations to the whole family! Sue Millar will be covering her maternity leave and started the post in early January. Welcome Sue!
DIWC Awards!
Shortlisted for the Scottish Social Enterprise 'Inspiring Leader of the Year' Award 2011
Shortlisted for the Scottish Social Enterprise 'Start-Up of the Year' Award 2011
Volunteer Friendly Award 2010
Nominated for the Scottish Black and Minority Ethnic Awards 2010 in the category Community Champions - Education, Training and Employment.
Social Enterprise Network Scotland Innovation awards 1st and 2nd Prize 2009
Highly Commended Award ‘For our Work with People’ 2009 Scottish Urban Regeneration Fund (SURF)
Dundee Partnership Community Award 2008 in the Work and Enterprise Category
The Scottish Black and Ethnic Minority Achievement Award 2008 in the Grass Roots Category
Highly Commended Award in the People Category of the 2007 Scottish Urban Regeneration Fund Awards (SURF)
Dundee Partnership Community award 2007 in the Equality & Diversity Category