Swindon Hub's International Women’s Day celebration

International Women's Day will be marked by Swindon Hub with music, art and discussions.

The town centre venue has become a focus for all things and all people in the three years since a group of passionate volunteers took over the former River Island premises.

Taking place on Saturday 8 March, International Women’s Day has been chosen by the Hub’s staff and volunteers as an important day to celebrate the impact of women in the community.

The Women’s Day event will run from 11am to 4pm featuring a Makers’ Market, live music, exhibition stands, menopause chats and much more. The Makers’ Market will feature more than 20 female-run art and craft stalls, selling everything from candles to cards and jewellery to leather goods.

Live music will be performed by local artists Sounds Like Women (12.30pm - 1.30pm) and Chloe Marie (3.15pm - 4pm), with a ‘Cheer Up Love’ vinyl DJ set in between (2pm - 3pm).

Leading the planning for the Women’s Day event, volunteer Pearl Barcoe says that equality and inclusion - particularly for women - has been at the heart of the Hub’s ethos since it opened.

She said: “The Hub has always welcomed everyone without discrimination - International Women’s Day is a chance for us to recognise the huge contribution women make, as well as the barriers we still face.

“We will be celebrating Women’s Day in the Hub with lots of fun activities and live music, as well as serious information for people wanting to find out more and get involved."

Luiza Staniec-Moir, founder and songstress at Sounds Like Women, a Swindon community group that empowers women and girls through music, said: “We love the vibe at the Hub - everyone is so positive and it will be the perfect place to share our songs and make new friends.”

Other activities taking place during the day include a creative writing session, a three-hour drop-in banner-making workshop led by Stitch Social Swindon, and a chance to learn some hula hoop tricks in a workshop led by Darine from Swindon Circus & Outdoor Arts Project.

All money raised on the day will go to local charity SWA Survivor.

Full details and timings for all sessions are on Swindon Hub’s Facebook and Instagram pages @hubswindon and the website www.swindonhub.org.uk