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The Organisation
"Supporting women's professional and personal development through education and training."
First Steps Women’s Centre (FSWC) has provided a unique service to women in Mid-Ulster for almost 22 years. Based in Dungannon, the Centre provides education and training, support and guidance, along with exceptional opportunities and friendship to women across Mid-Ulster. Up to 300 women per year access training across a wide range of vocational areas which is funded under the European Social Fund (ESF) by Department for the Economy and Department for Communities.
FSWC works tirelessly to remove barriers to learning and inclusion women experience by providing additional services such as Transport, a fantastic onsite Childcare Facility and Benefit Checker service.
First Steps Women's Centre has 16 staff members made up as follows - The Chief Executive, Project Manager, Training & Education Co-ordinators (2), Progression Officer, Monitoring Officer, Recruitment Officer, Lfe Skills Co-ordinator, Participant Liaison Officer, Childcare Staff (5), Transport Co-ordinator and Housekeeper.
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Michael joined the Team in 2007 having previously worked for the Prince's Trust.
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Yvonne joined the team in 2008 and is responsible for running our new programme "Women Towards Education & Employment"
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Carmel joined the team in October 2016. She coordinates the Life Skills courses.
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Amanda promotes looking after your Mental Health & Well-being; sourcing, procuring and organising future programmes.
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Bernie joined the team in September 2009. She is responsible for promoting the Centre via Website, advertising, attending events and all social media
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Joanne is responsible for all Monitoring forms/reports and assists the Project Manager.
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Marion balances all the funding projects from DFC, DFE, ESF, NRA, Awards for all, Big Lottery & Comic Relief
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Gillian joined the team in July 2011. She provides Benefit, EMA and Universal Credit information to both men and women three days a week.
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 Franco Donnelly |
 Participant Liaison Officer Ingrid Bell |
 Childcare Leader Helena Elmoustaghit |
 Childcare Assistant Leader Jacqueline Donnelly |
| Franco joined the team in May 2013 after Volunteering for 1 year. He co-ordinates transport. |
After volunteering for 2 years, Ingrid joined the team in November 2017. As well as "holding the fort" in Reception, Ingrid provides invaluable admin support. | Helena joined the team in 2007. She was appointed Childcare Leader in September 2012. | Jacqui hails from Leitrim and joined the team in September 2012, assisting Helena in the smooth running of the Childcare. |
 Childcare Assistant Carla Dias |
 Childcare Assistant Dominika Dykiert |
 Childcare Assistant Giedre Blair |
 Housekeeper Sonata Slajiene |
| Carla hails from Portugal and joined the team in September 2012. | Dominika hails from Poland and joined the team in August 2015. | Giedre hails from Lithuania and joined the team in August 2015. |
Sonata also hails from Lithuania. She joined the team in March 2007 and keeps the premises spotlessly clean!
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Recruitment Officer 
First Steps Womens Centre relies on donations and funding to provide Educational Courses, Life Skilss and Health Promotion services.
If you would like to contribute click on the Donate button
"There is such a lovely feel when you come through the door. Its so homely and when I am there I don't want to go home! When I did my first ever course (confidence building) I thought to myself Why have i not been here before? and Why was I holding back? Everyone is so nice and very friendly. It's so relaxing".
"I have to say only for first steps I wouldn't be working today, it was yourselves got me up and running again..."
At present FSWC is managed through a Board of Directors that meets 8-10 times per year. The Board are the legal guardians and custodians of FSWC and can be made up of professional people who have a genuine interest in the welfare of the Centre.
