Forty years of inspiration: the women who make up the West End Women And Girls Centre
A new exhibition is launching at Newcastle's first open access centre for women and girls - to mark International Women's Day and their 40th Anniversary
Last updated 8th Mar 2022
A Newcastle community centre is celebrating the women who built it - on International Women's Day.
Forty Women and Girls is an exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of the West End Women and Girls centre in Elsick - with portraits of 40 of the influential people who've helped the centre thrive, and used it's services, taken by photographer Phyllis Christopher, and interviewed by writer and artistic director of Open Clasp Theatre, Catrina McHugh, MBE.
The West End Women And Girls Centre was the first open access centre for all women in the city - and today is one of the few remaining the country. It's been a vital part of the local community in the West End of Newcastle since 1981.
Over 10,000 women and girls access the centre every year, and more than 500 sessions and 40 community events are attended by more than 2,500 women, girls and their families.
Five generations of families hold membership.
Centre Coordinator, Huffty McHugh said,
"As we reach this milestone, we want this project to shine a light on the often unnoticed, underrepresented and undervalued contribution of women and girls, marking the significant role they play in their communities.
"Women have been proportionally more disadvantaged by 10 years of austerity and are now also proportionally more disadvantaged by COVID-19; they are trapped in dangerous situations, are often the main care-givers and bear the brunt of the hits to the economy.
"Yet as we have seen again and again, women create community, and the centre is a symbol of the collective power of these women and girls.
"It is important that this exhibition featuring 40 women and girls from our community who were nominated by the public will reflect and do justice to the women and girls of our community.”
The exhibition is also immortalized in the form of a book.
Catrina tells us why the centre is such an important place in Newcastle, and the North East;
"This centre saves and celebrates life, it stands with, in solidarity and fights corners.
"This is bigger than telling stories, it captures the strength, determination, energy and talent of 40 women.
"It captures what it means to be a community, diverse and inclusive. I got to witness this history being told.
"40 years of women gathering in rooms, kitchens, gardens, trips and board meetings.
"Of growth, renovations, community and activism.”
Phyllis says, “Every photo session for the 40 Women and Girls project lifted my spirits.
"Most of these photographs were taken during the pandemic, in the times we were allowed to meet.
"It would have been extremely interesting to meet everybody in this book during normal times - their stories are empowering - but to be able to connect during the pandemic was a balm to my soul.
"Hearing how everybody was coping with the various lockdowns made me feel less alone, and photographing at the Women's Centre made me feel even more connected to a community of strong and inspiring women."
The exhibition is being launched today - to celebrate International Women's Day - with a party and festivities at the Centre, and will be open to the public until the end of March.
You can find out more about the centre, and the exhibition via the West End Women And Girls' Centre website.
And you can find out more about Open Clasp theatre and the work they do here.