Creative Braiding workshop empowers young women

A community hair and beauty project designed to empower young females is being delivered every Monday at the Nottingham Women’s Centre in the city centre.

10-week programme

Several residents staying at Nottinghamshire YMCA’s hostels have already signed up to the 10-week programme, entitled the ‘Creative Braiding Workshop’, which works to equip women with various skills needed to help improve their employability.

Founded by Oyinkansola Adebayo, who believes in ‘using creativity as a tool for economic empowerment’, the programme is sponsored by The Nottingham Building Society and aimed primarily at females aged 16-25, though all women are welcome.

‘Self-empowerment’

Workshops include everything from training young women how to braid hair informed by Caribbean styles to portfolio building, hair photography and self-empowerment. There will even be guest speakers to help enhance participant engagement.

“Oyin is a real inspiration to young women who want to build a better life for themselves,” said Sarah Rodgers, Housing Development Manager at Nottinghamshire YMCA.

“She is a genuinely good person whose deep understanding of the needs of refugees and homelessness fully equips her with the sensitivity to empower females going through such life challenges.

“All equipment and resources are included in the course, and participants even get to keep the materials at the end of the programme to provide that first step on the career ladder for those who want to make a business out of their newfound skills.”

Come along!

Sessions are held every Friday from 5pm-7pm at the Nottingham Women’s Centre at 30 Chaucer Street. Anyone interested can join the course at any point in the programme by contacting admin@niyenterprise.com.