Page 10 - link magazine

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FOR WOMEN

THE WOMEN'S COLUMN by Christine Ellis WOMEN CARING
Did you know that 1/2 the world's women do 2/3rds of the world's work
earning 1/10th of the world's income and owning 1/100th of the world's FOR WOMEN
property. A woman always cares. Or does there is a safe space for your
Some people think that feminism is cranky, some that Women's Lib. she? Well . . . she cares for her children to play in while you
is 'old hat', others that equality has been achieved. . . but it makes you children and her elderly parents, wait. You might care to browse
think, doesn't it? - for a husband perhaps or an old through the informative books
How many of you have heard I, for one, would like the lady down the road. But there's and leaflets or find out more
of the Thamesdown Council voices of Thamesdown's women one person she usually forgets. about a self help group. For non-
Women's Issues Working Party? to be heard more clearly in local Herself! Always at the end of the English speakers, interpreters
A month ago I didn't know of government and to see expan- line. "Better not bother the will be available by request.
their existence. By chance I sion of the initiatives taken by doctor", "It'll put itself right", Whatever your need there will
attended their first public meet- the Working Party. It is import- "Can't leave the kids on their be someone, above all, to listen.
ing, on June 16th in the Council ant to remember, as stressed by own anyway". One excuse after Who will run the Centre?
Chamber, entitled 'Meeting the Valerie Wise (visiting speaker at another on the road to neglect. Apart from the qualified medical
Needs of Women in Thamesdown' the above meeting and Chair of But now comes the chance for staff, almost all the workers will
and came away from the meeting the former GLC's Women's change. For opening soon, within be volunteers. So far we have
with much to think about. Committee), that in fact all local the pioneering Milton Road shop assistant, a hairdresser,
The Working Party was set government issues relate to Health Hydro, will be a service office workers, factory workers,
up recently by the Borough women, not just traditional areas run only by women, for women nurses, teachers and housewives.
of Thamesdown to look into concerning the fmaily and child- the Thamesdown Area Well There are grandmothers, young
women's lives in Thamesdown ren: isn't the family equally the Woman Centre (incorporating mothers, single, married and
and make recommendations for responsibility of male parents? the already popular Well Woman divorced helpers. The Centre will
improvements. To date it has And women are people too, who Clinic from Carfax Street Health be there to welcome all women,
been involved chiefly in informa- are just as likely to use roads, Centre). regardless of age, race or back-
tion gathering, having mounted footpaths, public buildings and What will the Centre offer? It ground. It will be run on a drop-
the exhibitions of photographs transport and therefore have a will be a welcoming place giving in basis and will, of course, be
currently touring the borough, legitimate voice when it comes to basic health screening (but no entirely free.
seeking out the views of women decision making on these issues treatment) in a friendly, relaxed If you want to know more or
on the issues raised. Further to too. atmosphere. You can be sure of think you might like to train as a
this the Working Party expects to If you are interested in keeping complete confidentiality, find a volunteer, then ring Jan (Swindon
publish a bulletin, hold future up to date with the activities and sympathetic ear for your health 27504).
public meetings and produce a progress of the working party, and personal problems and know
full report of their work which the person to contact is Margaret TODDLER NEW GUIDE HELPS
will identify areas of concern and Miller in the Community Devel-
make recommendations for prac- opment Division at the Borough ABOUT TOWN HARASSED PARENTS
tical implementation. It could Council on Swindon 26161. A group of mums have been Learning Centre, Sainsburys and
be that eventually Thamesdown taking a close look at shops and Boots.
Borough Council has a Women's PICTURES OF facilities in the town and have One of the T.A.T. investigative
Committee operating equally produced a great guide for parents team is Freshbrook mum Liz
alongside its Education, Planning WOMEN with young children. A new, up- Mann who is enthusiastic about
and Transport Committees. It dated and improved edition of the guide. "It's a great way of
could be that this is not the future IN THAMESDOWN 'Toddler About Town' is now finding out things in one place.
for Thamesdown. There is clear An exhibition illustrating differ- available. It takes a close and We think it can help hard pressed
evidence that Women's Corn- ent aspects of women's lives will critical look at parents. Facilities in West Swin-
mittees working in Councils up be at Link Library from Tuesday *which supermarkets have check- don are generally quite good
and down the country have 18th August to Saturday 29th outs wide enough for prams and though the toilet arrangements
notable achievements to their August. buggies and don't have sweets at in the West Swindon Centre are
credit: the GLC's Women's Corn- toddler tempting level very inconvenient. If you have a
The exhibition is prepared by
mittee, during its relatively short Thamesdown Council's Women's *whic h cafes offer high chairs child who wants to go, you have
life, succeeded in changing the Issues Working Party which is and children's portions to abandon your loaded trolley
London Public Transport Board's very keen to hear from women *where to breast feed and change and dash upstairs or out of the
policy on advertising, eliminating interested in its activities. babies Centre altogether."
A meeting and/or activities
violence and sexist advertise- *pubs with family rooms 'Toddler About Town' costs
ments. Perhaps Thamesdown will for women in West Swindon are *where to buy a stair gate or fire SOp and is available from Sherratt
go in another direction? These being considered, if there is suf- guard at budget price and sources & Hughes bookshop in Regent
are early stages, so who knows? ficient interest in the exhibition. of second hand equipment, and Street, the Book Peddler in Wood
lots more besides. Street and The Spinning Top in
SWINDON SEAT BELT CENTRE Britannia The guide doesn't pull its pun- Manchester Road. It can also
. IF YOU Towing Centre ches. Quality Seconds in the West be obtained from Liz Mann on
Swindon Centre is criticised for 872081.
LOVE having clothes racks too close so
; Local Guide
that access with buggies and
YOUR Swindon's prams is very difficult. And the A complimentary guide to
guide reckons staff helpfulness is 'Toddler About Town' is being
KIDS, specialist towbar
• -, :- poor at Littlewoods, Debenhanis, planned for West Swindon. It
BELT and accessory Trents and Zodiac toys, and other will provide information on play-
shops. groups and toddler groups and
'EM! fitting centre. At the same time 'Toddler activities for families with young
About Town' complements shops children in the area. People who
which recognise the needs of can help collect the information
.•... families and have taken positive or have something useful to con-
.•
..
CHILD SEATHrF. action to organise themselves for tribute are welcome to join the
AVAILABLE
their needs. Those who get good group who are putting the guide
Unit 16, Station Industrial Estate,
Sheppard Street, Swindon. Tel. 613147 marks include the Swindon Seat together. Contact Anne Farrar
wm
Belt Centre, Mcllroys, the Early on 870528.