What We Offer
Our Programme
‘Blended’ Opportunities
As we emerge from the pandemic era, we want to get back to meeting up in person, but we also want to keep what has been good about staying in touch online. So for the rest of this year at least, you will be able to come along to most meetings and groups either in person or online.
Keep an eye out on our Facebook page and our website for posts about what’s on. We’ll also be sending out a regular weekly email with the information as we know not everyone uses Facebook. All of our events, activities and groups are also on our events page on the website.
Practical and Emotional Support
At the moment we can offer support for a limited number of sessions on a one to one basis, to women looking for support in moving forward or making changes.
You can request this support yourself, or ask other organisations that might be helping you on a time-limited basis to arrange to meet up, and see if we can be there for you when you need some extra time.
Tracie of Talking Matters, one of the projects that women to take part in the session, says:
“ The Women’s Workshop team offer various projects and support to the Alnwick, Blyth and Amble areas in a very relaxed and accessible way. If needed you can get a 1:1 session, this is especially good for people who want to join a group or reduce isolation but may have had previous negative experiences. The team work on developing a positive relationship where people are free to come and go to the workshop as and when they need to or want to – no pressure. They also keep in touch by text which many people prefer if they don’t like answering or talking on the phone. Keep up the great work.”
We are also recruiting volunteers to join our Practical and Emotional Supporters team. If you’re interested get in touch with Ciara Dawson on ciara@womensworkshop.net or telephone on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays on 07432404932 outside of these times contact Ciara on her next working day if you need a listening ear or any woman needing support.
Our support is governed by our policies and practices which are summarised in our handbook:
Programme
Join us at the Women’s Workshop for a new series of events, activities and workshops:
Women’s Workshop Summer Programme
Please look at our calendar of events
You can book using Eventbrite. All events in this programme are free and open to all women.
If you prefer you can email admin@womensworkshop.net to reserve a place or can telephone 01665 517233/07784279612 during our office hours which are 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday.
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Groups
We can offer group activities to bring women together to focus on particular issues such as mental health, skills and learning, financial independence, alternative career routes, risk of offending, child development, enterprise, or we can support women who share a background such as migrant women, single parents, disabled women, young women. Members of our support groups are encouraged to take a course in peer mentoring skills so they can keep the support going amongst themselves and extend it to others.
Groups for 2026
Mindful Mondays
We host a peer-led women’s support group every Monday at the Women’s Workshop. The session starts at 11am with a catch up and followed by a breath work session as a practical tool for mental wellbeing with our new facilitator Karen. Each session invites you to slow down and tune in and explore your inner world. Come along from 11am-1pm if you need time to pause, acknowledge and move forward with a little ease and intention.
Wednesday Environment Group
Using our community garden and outside structures as a space where women can work together and relax in therapeutic surroundings. We are sowing, growing, harvesting and cooking together as well trying out practical skills like woodworking, laying foundations, using willow. Everyone is welcome on Wednesdays from 11am-3pm if you need any further info contact Angela on angela@womensworkshop.net for more information or an informal chat.
Projects
We can offer projects to give women the opportunity to take part in creating something as part of a team, to volunteer or organise a work experience placement. Current projects include:
HERitage – a project for women involved in promoting their products and services to local and visiting women. We attend local fairs and events with our stall showcasing women’s work and promoting our projects. If you would like a listing get in touch –
Outdoor Kitchen
Our outdoor programme uses our outdoor space at the Workshop to develop a garden space to grow and use herbs, vegetables and flowers. We are also building some outdoor structures using woodwork and straw baling, to improve women’s confidence with manual skills and build up a sense of belonging. The sessions take place mainly on Wednesdays and follow the seasons with creative activities and events. If you’re interested contact Angela – angela@womensworkshop.net
Support for Young Women – we particularly want to help young women aged 18-25 gain employment or move into sustainable employment. We can help with all aspects of the job application process, such as CV or application writing or interview help, as well as mentoring and additional support to help you build confidence and make positive steps towards a brighter future. You can email Ciara for more information about what’s available – ciara@womensworkshop.net
Courses and Training
Practical and Emotional Supporter Skills Training
We regularly run training for women who are interested in supporting other women. Our course is based on the NOCN Level 2 Award in Information Advice or Guidance, and can be accredited for anyone who would find that useful. Participants also gain a qualification in Steps to Employment Training and Personal Development.
The course resources and worksheets are available here for learners on the 2026 course
Session One – Definitions
Key Principles of the Trauma-Informed Approach
Worksheets:
VAK Learning Styles Questionnaire
Worksheet 3 IAG in your organisation
Worksheet The Stages of the Mentoring Relationship
WW Individual Support Plan 2026
Session Two – Listening Skills
P&E Skills Session – Listening
Worksheets:
P&E Skills Worksheet 4a Communication Skills Self audit
P&E Skills Worksheet 4b Communication Skills Feedback to supporter
P&E Skills Worksheet 4c Communication Skills Observation Audit
Session Three – Values and Person-centred Approaches
PE Skills Session Values and Person-centred Approaches
Worksheets:
Worksheet 10 Mentoring Practice Review sheet
Worksheet 12 Where are you on the Values Spectrum
Worksheet 13 Supporting specific groups of people
Session Four – Policy into Practice
P&E Skills Session – Policies into Practice
WW P&E Support Quality Framework
Worksheets:
Session Five – Signposting and Referral
PE Skills Session Signposting and Referral
Group Network Map
Difference between signposting and referral
Referral Form into Women’s Workshop
Worksheets:
Worksheet 16 Referral Research Activity
Session Six – Health & Safety and Safeguarding
Session Six presentation – safeguarding
WW Health and Safety 25 including lone working
WW Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy 2025-26 including safeguarding procedure
WW Whistle Blowing Policy 2025-26
Worksheets
Worksheet 17 Risk Assessment Case Study Worksheet 17 Risk Assessment Case Study
Session Seven – Resources, Evaluation and Roundup
Presenting our research
Women’s Workshop framework for recruiting and supporting P&E supporters
Next steps for final assessments
Course Evaluation
P&E Support Practice Sessions
Course participants work in pairs to practice their skills, meeting three times during the course to work through the Individual Support plan with each other. The resources for these sessions are:
WW-Mentoring-Handbook-2024 (under revision)
Worksheet 10 Mentoring Practice Review sheet
Assessment Resources
Participants complete four units, resulting in two qualifications at Level 2, and work with the trainer /assessor to record how and where their learning has been evidenced using Learner Assessment Record Sheets (LARS)
Developing Interaction Skills For IAG
Making Choices in Pursuit of Personal Goals
For more information about the course and future runs, please get in touch with susan@womensworkshop.net
Youth Work Practice
We have been using our approved provider status with the National Open College Network (NOCN) recently to support two youth work projects, Amble Youth Project and Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project and partners, by delivering Level 2 recognised professional qualifications to their part-time staff teams. We also have some availability for more people to sign up. If you’re interested contact susan@womensworkshop.net
An overview of the qualification is here
Below are the resources for the course by Unit.
Engaging and Communicating with Young People
Communication Skills
Communication Skills handout
Communication Skills self audit
Communication Skills observer
Communication Skills sharer
‘Professional’ relationships
Case Study boundaries
Case Study Questions
What Does a Youth Worker Look Like
Exercise – Role Models
Definitions of Methods for supporting Young People Presentation
WS Building good relationships with young people
Information Advice and Guidance
Knowing How to Support Young Peoples Information Needs
WS Methods of communication
young_people_need_advice_too_a4
Getting Involved in the Community
What does community mean to you
My support network worksheet
WS Increasing young peoples participation
Unit Workbook
Engaging and Communicating with Young People Level 2 Unit Workbook
My Reflective journal
LARS Engaging and Communicating with Young People L2
Theory of Youth Work
Purpose and Principles of Youth Work
NYA Purpose and Values of Youth Work
NYA Youth Work Curriculum
National Occupation Standards for Youth Work
Austerity Youth Policy
Worksheets
When is it youth work worksheet exercise
WS – National and Local Policies that Inform Youth Work
Where are you on the Values Spectrum
Unit Workbook
Level 2 Unit Workbook Theory of Youth Work
LARS Theory of Youth Work L2
My Reflective journal
Young People’s Development
Handouts
Unit Summary – Young People’s Development
Theories of adolescent development Handout
Worksheets
Worksheet – identity
Help and Resources for Young People
LARS Young People’s Development L2
Workbook
Level 2 Unit Workbook
LARS Young People’s Development L2
My Reflective journal
Group Work within a Youth Work Setting
Handouts
Group Processes in a Youth Work Setting Presentation
Group Process explained
Worksheets
Worksheet Roles in Groups
Team roles questionnaire
Planning a group activity worksheet
WW Observation and witness statement pro forma
LARS group-work-within-a-youth-work-setting
My Reflective journal
Safeguarding in a Youth Work Setting
Handouts
Signs-of-Safety-Briefing-Paper-v3-1-1
signs-of-safety-form (6)
Worksheets
WW Risk Assessment for events
WW Risk Assessment for Individuals
Unit Workbook
Level 2 workbook Safeguarding in the Youth Work Setting
My Reflective journal
LARS Safeguarding in a Youth Work Setting L2
Working with Behaviour that Challenges in a Youth Work Setting
Handouts
De-escalation techniques
strategies for meltdowns
LARS Ww challenging behaviour
Unit Workbook
Unit Workbook – Behaviour that challenges
My Reflective journal
Anti-discriminatory Practice in Youth Work
Handouts
Types of Discrimination – handout
AYP Equality Diversity Policy (2)
Strategies for challenging discriminatory comments
Global Village
WW Learner Charter
Worksheets
Who’s not here worksheet
Are people equal worksheet 5 page 1
Case Study- relationships in Youth Work values
Life events and Influences worksheet
Experiencing discrimination worksheet
Workbook
Anti-discriminatory Practice Workbook
LARS Anti-discriminatory Practice in YW
My Reflective journal
Work-based Practice in Youth Work
LARS Work-based practice in YW setting
Session plan 2022
QA05 Session Evaluation 2022
Planning a group activity worksheet
WW Observation and witness statement pro forma
Reflective Practice in Youth Work
LARS Reflective Practice in a YW setting
Workbook and Plan – Reflective Practice in YW Setting