South Yorkshire Women’s Development Trust has been ‘Highly Commended’ in the recent National Training Awards. The voluntary organisation set up the Burngreavebased ‘Women’s Construction Centre’ in a derelict space above the Hindu Cultural Centre on Buckenham Street and has been helping to give new skills to women.
The project has delivered courses for women in construction and computer aided design and has included the renovation of their own building. The Messenger went to visit and talk to some of the people involved.
Sandra, who is retired and enrolled on the DIY course, said: “I don’t like strangers coming into my house to do the odd DIY job, not knowing if the work has been carried out properly, and feeling insecure. What I want from this course is to be independent and to be able to maintain my own home.”
Nora, who’s never had the opportunity to do courses before, said: “DIY is the most useful course, from which I have gained a lot of experience and confidence of using power tools. It’s all hands-on without having to worry about making mistakes and making a mess.”
