Founded in 1906, the Embroiderer’s Guild is a voluntary charity that aims to collect and teach about embroidery in order to keep the practice alive in today’s declining art curriculum in schools. Originally started in London, other branches began opening across England until eventually the first Scottish Branch formed in Edinburgh (1953), and in 1956 the first Glasgow branch was opened. In addition to offering courses on embroidery, the Guild also has regular meetings for members to attend, as well as giving lectures and creating exhibitions. They also curate a collection of embroidery, consisting of pieces both historical and contemporary from the 16th century onwards, which is currently held at the Bucks County Museum Resource Centre. The Glasgow and District Branch had a 50th anniversary celebration exhibition in 2006, and a 60th anniversary exhibition in 2016.
The Meridian was Glasgow’s first women's centre focused on black, Asian and minority ethnic women. Started in 1994, the Meridian aimed to empower women to live their own lives through education—including lifelong learning programmes, as well as health and language education—as well as offering communal events for women to connect and socialise, such as dances and celebrations from many different cultures. Creche and summer events were also offered to support with child care. It closed down in 2007.
The London Lesbian Line, created in 1977, was a volunteer-run telephone helpline for those needing to talk about their lesbian identity. It was the first of its kind specifically aimed at lesbians, and was subject to calls relating to many aspects of everyday life, including relationships, parenting, religion, mental and physical health, abuse, and substance problems. Though no formal training was given beyond a training programme given by more experience volunteers, the Line was able to refer callers to professional advisors if necessary, and remained a point of contact for which their callers could speak freely. Records indicate the Line was still in operation into the early 2000s.
London Lesbian Line, the very first lesbian line in the world, was set up in 1977. It was run by lesbian feminists on a voluntary basis. On April 1 1987, the Women’s Referral Information Services took over all assets and liabilities of the Line and it continued its work as a contact point for lesbians to talk to others about their experiences in all aspects of their life, including relationships, parenting, physical and mental health, prejudice, abuse, ableism, and religion. None of the volunteers had official training beyond a training programme run by more experienced volunteers. Though not a counselling or befriending service, they were in contact with groups to which they could refer callers in need of professional advice. Records show the Line continued operating into at least the early 2000s.
Close The Gap was launched by the Social Justice minister and the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister on 8 March 2001. It was launched as a campaign to raise awareness about the gender pay gap in Scotland, and has since continued to host conferences and seminars on the subject, provide training and evaluations to ensure companies are able to commit to the equality act, as well as working with trade unions in order to educate and advise their representatives. They are also a prolific source of articles pertaining to the gender pay gap. Originally a partnership initiative, it has operated as a charity since 2017.
The Southwark Women’s Centre was founded in 1984 with the intention of providing support to women residing in the London Borough of Southwark. It was a charity committed to improving the lives of women in the area, including those suffering from poverty or in need of educational or professional advice. The Women’s Centre was also a hub for multicultural gatherings, including Chinese, Black and Indian groups, where they would be able to connect with others and celebrate their native culture, an aspect further reflected in the management of the charity, which included a number of black and Asian staff.
Support groups were also created for lesbians, both young and old, as well as additional attention being given to lesbian mothers, creating a safe space for them to discuss their problems, relax at recreational events, and receive advice on all aspects of life.
The 1981 Investment Club (1981-2011) was formed for the purpose of creating a group of women who, through shared knowledge and experience, would be able to learn how to invest their finances with minimal risk. Club membership was open to women who resided in the West of Scotland, and was restricted to 20 women at a time, all of whom would be involved in the management of the club. Shared holidays and annual meals also became tradition. In 2010, the current members near-unanimously agreed to end the club, deciding that the May 2011 AGM would mark its conclusion, and compiled these records for the GWL to ensure their past efforts would be remembered.
The Wellpark Enterprise Centre (1996-2002) was a women’s’ enterprise centre based in the east end of Glasgow that sought to encourage women to engage in enterprise. It provided a range of resources, including 590sqm of subletting space, ICT services, as well as running projects designed to support potential, nascent and existing women-led businesses. From 2001 onwards, due to reliance on grants from funding partners and [little in the way of active monetary returns], it experienced financial difficulties, eventuality resulting in the liquidation of the company board, and a hand-over of the company and its remaining assets to Glasgow City Council on 1st June 2002.
Formed in 1990, Black Lesbians and Gays Against Media Homophobia (BLGAMH) was a coalition of queer Black activists including Ted Brown, the veteran GLF campaigner. The group led several campaigns against homophobia and racism in the media, including calling out the homophobic representation of lesbian and gay members of the Black community in The Voice magazine.
Lesbian and Gay Employment Rights (LAGER) was a charity organisation which advised lesbians and gay men experiencing employment discrimination connected to their sexuality. They also conducted and published research into homophobic discrimination in the workplace and recruitment practices, including a report which quantified the forms and frequency of homophobic discrimination as it was experienced by their participants.
Funded by the Association of London Government (now London Councils), LAGER ceased to exist when its funding was rescinded in 2003.