PROJECTS
Lend with Care (LwC)
LwC is a scheme run by the charity Care International whereby individuals and organisations make loans to entrepreneurs in the developing world to help them start up or grow businesses. Entrepreneurs apply to micro-finance companies locally to them and once their business plan has been approved details of their requirements are posted on the LwC website. The administration of loan / repayment accounts is dealt with by Care International.
SITWD has supported the scheme for two years and a small team of members meet monthly to decide on the loans to be made. The policy is to lend only to women sole traders or female collectives.
In April 2025 loans were made to Gina, a shopkeeper from the Philippines
And Vestine, a farmer from Rwanda
Women’s Safety Collective
The Tunbridge Wells Independent Advisory Group (IAG) has initiated a community safety initiative “Together as Allies” involving the Police and many different sectors of the community. There are four strands to this initiative – Safe Havens, Bystander Intervention, Men as Allies and The Female Voice – and SITWD is leading on this fourth strand. Work is progressing on building a partnership of women’s organisations in the town who will work together to create a constructive, action-oriented dialogue with the local police which result in commitments from both the community and the police to take actions which will enhance women’s real or perceived safety in both the real and virtual worlds.
Rail Project
A project has recently been launched by the national federation which will look at the safety of women on the railways and seek to identify improvements which need to be made. The first step in the project will be to conduct a survey of local stations.
Liaison with Schools
A project is to be initiated which has as its objective the creation of stronger linkages with one or more secondary schools in the area to support young women’s development .
Outcomes from the Listening Project
Several club members are having structured conversations with different parts of the community using their network of contacts to identify unmet needs of the female population. Feedback from these conversations is being analysed on a regular basis and action plans drawn up to address those needs. Achievements to date include the establishment of women-only swimming sessions at the local sports centre.