Impact Report 2025/26

As we moved into the third year of our Re-Imagining Scotland for Young Women and Girls strategy, we did so against a backdrop that feels increasingly challenging, and deeply concerning.

Reflect & manifest: a mixed media workshop

Reflect & Manifest is a mixed workshop using elements of creative writing and mood boarding to help participants understand what brings them joy and how to project that into future aspirations. This event is being facilitated by Taylor Mulholland.

Music photography & filmmaking workshop

Step behind the scenes of the music industry and discover the creative careers that bring live performances, artists, and stories to life in this engaging half-day, hands-on workshop. Designed to introduce young women to the exciting worlds of music photography and filmmaking, participants will gain hands-on experience using professional creative techniques, learn how to capture compelling visual content, and explore the production roles that make the music industry thrive.

Signwriting workshop with Dumfries Women’s Signwriting Squad

An introductory workshop hosted by the Dumfries Women's Signwriting Squad, join us for this hands on session exploring the craft of traditional hand painted lettering as we create a series of illustrated panel artworks for the festival inspired by poetry. This playful workshop will introduce some of the skills involved in painting letters and crafting typographic artwork as we work together to illuminate the text!

Storytelling with The Young Women’s Movement

Hosted by Lily Mott and Muminah Koleoso, this interactive workshop explores media literacy, ethical storytelling, and the foundations of creating digital content. Join us to learn about how storytelling can challenge narratives, amplify unheard voices, and create lasting change online and off.

Young Women Remember

In celebration of The Young Women’s Movement’s 100th birthday in 2024, a group of 14 young women embarked on a two-year co-research project tracing the history of the organisation: Young Women Remember. The findings included in this report traces the changes that the YWCA has experienced over its 100 years history and the values that have remained a constant throughout; a commitment to young women’s wellbeing and gender equality. In collating the history of the organisation, this project has brought together the stories of the women who shaped the organisation in the past and in the present, making it possible for their contributions to be remembered and celebrated.

Status of Young Women in Scotland research

Status of Young Women in Scotland is our flagship research project. In the past, Status of Young Women in Scotland has explored young women's human rights; access to healthcare; employment opportunities; body image and political engagement. We have published seven reports in this series to date, and are now undertaking the research for the eighth edition, focusing on digital harms and technology-enabled violence.

The notion of trust (SIFTing through the CRAAP)

Do you need help SIFTing through the CRAAP post Scottish Election? Let a local feminist library professional help you!

Saroj Lal

Saroj Lal was heavily involved with the work of YWCA Scotland during the 1970s and early 1980s, both in Edinburgh’s YWCA Women’s International Centre (WIC) on Roxburgh Place and the YWCA Roundabout International Centre (RIC) on Gayfield Place.

Elected, Leading, Unstoppable: What our 30 Under 30 alumni are up to now 

So, with 30 Under 30 nominations being currently open, it felt like the right time to talk about what recognition actually does for young women. Not in abstract terms, but in real ones.