We are now in possession of our new leaflets!!
We have changed the size and design so that you can tell at a glance what FSWC is all about. Aren't they fab??!!
Don't forget our Open Days from Monday 6th - Thursday 9th August 2018 where you can call in and view our amazing new space.
INVITATION TO TENDER NOTICE - OPEN TENDER PROCESS
First Steps Women's Centre (FSWC) wish to appoint tutors to deliver courses as listed below, for their project “Women Towards Education and Employment (WTEE)” which is partially funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department for Economy (DfE). . Accredited courses provided must be no higher than Level 1. Please refer to the table below which indicates the proposed outline delivery plan per year. Please note all courses are demand led and FSWC cannot provide a guaranteed level of work.
The Pre-ESOL Class paid a visit to Dungannon Library today. Elizabeth kindly gave us a detailed tour of each floor and the great facilities on offer.
After our visit to the Library the ladies enjoyed tea and biscuits in La Scala restaurant, Ranfurly House.
The lovely ladies from our Introduction to Computers class on their last day with Tutor Patricia Hynds from Tr@inIT.
Well done Ladies!
It was lovely to welcome the Space and Place people here today.
After tea and scones and an update from Project Manager Yvonne Corbett they had a wee duke at our on-going renovation work which they are kindly sponsoring.
As you can see they were all well impressed!
Many happy returns to our Birthday girl and prominent supporter of FSWC Patrica Davies.
We hope you have a lovely day!
We had a wee visit to see how the renovations were getting on last Thursday (before we left in the snow!).
Things are progressing nicely and it's amazing how the place has changed already.
Exciting times!
News Release 13 February 2018
Photo Captions:
Image 1 – L-R: Asda Cookstown Community Champion, Janice Gibson, Carla Dias (First Steps Women’s Centre), Asda Cookstown General Store Manager, Peter Beckett, Joanne Orr (First Steps Women’s Centre), Amanda Boyd (First Steps Women’s Centre) and Yvonne Corbett Project Manager from First Steps Women’s Centre.
Image 2 – L-R: Amanda Boyd (First Steps Women’s Centre), Asda Cookstown General Store Manager, Peter Beckett, Joanne Orr (First Steps Women’s Centre), Carla Dias (First Steps Women’s Centre) and Yvonne Corbett Project Manager from First Steps Women’s Centre with Asda Cookstown Community Champion, Janice Gibson, and her Asda Cookstown colleagues.
First Steps Women’s Centre in Dungannon is the latest local group to benefit from Asda Foundation support following a donation of £35k.
Aimed at transforming the lives of local women, the First Steps Women’s Centre provides educational and training support, alongside health and well-being services.
As a direct result of the donation, the centre is able to progress with a building refurbishment project, which will allow it to extend its childcare facilities for service users.
Michael McGoldrick, Chief Executive of First Steps Women’s Centre, said:
“We were encouraged by Asda Cookstown Community Champion, Janice, to apply for the significant amount of £35k from the Asda Foundation. After visiting the centre and witnessing first-hand the life-changing – and life-saving work – which the team carries out on a daily basis, she was confident we could secure the funds needed for our building work.
“From a training course to a safe space to meet for a coffee, the centre is a hub for women to develop the skills and support networks they need to transform their lives. By extending the building to provide free childcare, First Steps Women’s Centre will be able to continue to help hundreds of women grow and develop each year, whilst caring for their families.”
Asda Cookstown Community Champion, Janice Gibson, added:
“As the 20th anniversary of the centre opening approaches, it seems a fitting tribute to the hard work and dedication of the staff and service users to extend the building. The additional space for childcare facilities will not only allow women using First Steps to concentrate on their studies and classes – it will also mean the centre does not have to pay to hire additional space for its activities.
“With the building work set to commence over the next couple of months, I am already looking forward to visiting the centre in the near future for the big reveal of its new space!”
Any woman interested in an IT, Health & Wellbeing or Life Skills course, please contact the centre on 028 87727648, on Facebook, or via the website www.firststepswomenscentre.org
For more information, please contact Robyn McMurray at Morrow Communications on (t) 028 90 39 38 37 or (e) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Exciting times!! Work has finally begun on our renovation thanks to Spaces & Places! We will keep you posted with updated photos.
The ESOL ladies enjoyed a visit to the Hill of the O'Neill today courtesy of NI Executive funding.
As you can see the ladies enjoyed their history of Dungannon!
As a registered charity, First Steps Women's Centre (FSWC) is managed by a Board of Voluntary Directors drawn from all sections of the community.
Always eager to develop and grow, FSWC is keen to recruit new directors who are passionate about helping women to develop and fulfil their unrealised potential.
Please contact FSWC if you feel you can contribute by becoming a director and contribute to the Community in a proactive and positive way.
The tenure of Directors is three years and this role is not remunerated.
For more information contact Michael McGoldrick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Yvonne Corbett, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone on (028) 87727648
As we have no venue this year due to our Space & Place renovations, NIRWN have kindly agreed to let us help co-celebrate "100 years - Women and the vote" in Corrick House on the above date.
We will be organising a bus so If you would like to come along and celebrate with us please contact Bernie on (028) 8772 7648 asap.
The bus will be leaving at 9.30am and returning no later than 2.30pm. Please share with your friends!
Participants from First Steps Women’s Centre’s programme “Living In Mid-Ulster” paid a visit to Dungannon Leisure Centre and Mid Ulster Council Offices on Thursday 30th November 2017.
This project is funded by the Council’s Good Relations Programme.
The ladies had a great time meeting Councillor Kim Aston, Council Staff and finding out all about what services the Council provides.
A MASSIVE thank you to all the ladies who contributed to this very worthy cause - a fabulous amount!!
The Pre-Esol ladies enjoyed a trip to Ranfurly House Arts & Visitors Centre and The Hill of O'Neill on Thursday 26th October 2017.
The ladies enjoyed their tea, coffee and scones in La Scala Cafe before Rita kindly provided a very informative tour of the Ranfurly House Arts & Visitors Centre before progressing on to the Hill of O'Neill. Although there was some fog and mist around, the views from the hill were amazing.
The ladies thoroughly enjoyed their trip and took many photographs of their historic surroundings.
We would like to thank the Mid Ulster Council Good Relations Grant for funding this trip.
Our local Co-op's (based in Moy) Local Community Fund is now closed.
The total funds raised by Co-op members is a staggering £1663.80 - Wow - Thank you!!
We hope you can join us in our local Moy Co-op store on Saturday 25 November for a celebration day where we can say thank you to all the members and customers who've raised this money for our organisation.
We are extremely grateful!
Our new students have settled into their classes really well!
On Tuesday we had Jewellery Making, Essential Skills (Literacy), Getting to know your iPad, Getting to know your Tablet
and ESOL Entry Level 2 classses.
