Bristol YWCA is to launch a project to improve the learning and skills levels of disadvantaged young women in the area.
With funding of 58,000 from the Learning and Skills Council, the one-year project will target young women aged 14 to 19 from Asian backgrounds, young mums, young lesbian and bisexual women and socially excluded young women.
Project manager Ali Thomas said: "We decided to target these groups following some research we did in 2001 that identified a need for younger women to have their own groups."
Separately, YWCA has also hired three board directors at a national level: Helen Wollaston, director of campaigns for the Equal Opportunities Commission in Manchester; Lynn Pertoldi, a human resources consultant from Oldham; and Shanaz Mason, a project manager for Leeds City Council.
