The Women's Fund for Scotland (WFS) is a fund, held by the Scottish Community Foundation, with a voluntary Advisory Group made up of businesswomen. Small grants up to £5000 are given out to grassroots projects with a focus on providing women with life changing skills; opportunities to learn and ways to build the confidence of those overcoming domestic violence, poverty, or ill health. We support women's growth, self-sufficiency and social economic equality because it benefits all of us. We know our small grants make a big difference.

Examples of funded projects include:
Pink Ladies provide training and tutors for vulnerable women in a safe environment in Midlothian. Two ladies were recently widowed at the beginning of the project and felt deflated and isolated. They have expressed that they have acquired new interests due to the range of workshops on offer at the group. Such workshops have been possible due to the SCF grant which funded training for the presenters. In addition, it is noted that these ladies are now active and valued members of the group and feel their lives are finally back on track. There is currently a waiting list to join Pink Ladies.

Gender violence awareness raising workshops across Renfrewshire included a local workshop in Paisley Town Hall. One participating woman commented that "I feel fortunate that I have had the opportunity to receive support to help me move forward with my life. RWA and the work that they do every year inspire me and many other women. I have recently become a member of RWA and will be part of the planning group for this years conference, this will allow me to further develop my skills in this field, to be part of a creative team and continue to promote awareness of a very important cause close to my heart."

Employability workshops provide women with training sessions to develop their new IT skills. This group of women live in a rural area and have no previous experience with computers. "For the last year I have been attending a computer course in my village, which has been of much benefit to me…being able to ask for help makes such a difference, I am most grateful for this opportunity to learn this new language of computers. I thank you."

A programme of sport and exercise for young black minority ethnic women aged 17-24 encourages participation in sport and physical activity at all levels. A young 16 year old women, Donya Jafari, originally from Iran moved to Scotland at the age of 9 and could not speak any language other than her mother tongue, Farsi. Whilst she entered mainstream schooling and began to learn English she still finds it challenging to communicate in English. Since being involved with this programme she has broaden her skills, received first aid training and completed a jog leader course. Her next step is to facilitate a jogging network. Donya says: "Through the vehicle of sport I have increased confidence levels, self esteem, developed new skills and had the opportunity to make new friends." The WFS has the distinction of being the first Women's Fund in the UK. It was first set up through a grant from the Scottish Government's Gender Equality Team in 2002 and now endeavours to build a large endowment of its own in order to be self funding.

To find out further information about the charity please visit their website www.womensfundscotland.org

The woman's Fund for Scotland is a fund held by the Scottish Community Foundation (known also as SCF) which is registered as a Scottish charity (SC022910) and is a company limited by guarantee (SC152949) with its registered office at 22 Calton Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8DP.