YOUNG Asian women across Worcester will benefit from a cash injection into an education programme.

The Young Women's Christian Assocation has been given a donation of nearly £10,000 by The Nationwide Foundation, which will fund an outreach worker.

The cash has been handed over after young Asian women who visit the centre revealed the problems they have with getting training and education.

Around 60 or 70 women, mainly from the Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali-speaking communities visit the centre each week.

Pat Agar, manager of the YWCA Worcester Young Women's Project, said the cash would make a great difference.

"We organised a focus group recently with young Asian women to find out what they want from the YWCA," she said.

"They told us about problems they've had with getting the training and education they need, and asked for courses and opportunities which are run near to their homes and fit in with their schedules.

"They take their family commitments very seriously and most classes simply don't run where and when they can get to them.

Opportunities

"With this donation we hope to give many more young Asian women the educational opportunities they are asking for."

New opportunities at the centre will include informal courses like fashion and sewing, beauty therapy, driving test theory and improving communication skills.

An online Asian women's magazine will also be launched, which will give young women the chance to learn essential computer skills and desktop publishing.

A team member to continue the work is now needed by the YWCA.

The worker would make home visits in the community, particularly in the Wyld's Lane and Stanley Road areas of the city, and will expand the learning programme where necessary.

Anyone interested should call Pat Agar on 01905 729155.