Aims and Objectives

Women's Design Service was founded in 1987

1. To promote good standards of architecture and planning with particular reference to women especially women from ethnic minorities and women with disabilities.



2. To advance education through the provision of information and/or advice to women relating to architecture, associated design services and the built environment.
   


3. To undertake research into the above areas, and to make public the useful results of such research

To fulfill these aims and objectives we:-

1 undertake community development work with women and communities across London, by:

• in-depth community work with small groups of women on urban environment issues of concern;
• working with women affected by regeneration schemes and projects;
• undertaking consultancy work as and when requested;
• working with women on community safety issues;
• working with women on quality and sustainability issues.

• undertaking case study research with small groups of women on urban environment issues of concern;
• researching the impact of regeneration on women living in or affected by regeneration schemes and projects;
• participating in research undertaken by other organisations and universities;
• supporting research initiatives of other organisations and universities; maintaining information and contacts on research concerning gender and the urban environment.

• working with the London Women and Planning Forum, which meets three times per year;
• participating in relevant forums and conferences;
• producing publications as appropriate;
• disseminating WDS policy proposals through local, regional and national media;
• responding to recent policy proposals and decisions from a gender perspective.

• developing participative models of training;
• developing community interactive models of training in collaboration with other organisations and academic institutions;
• undertaking training with women and communities as and when requested;
• undertaking community safety audit training, as and when requested

• providing a telephone enquiry service; providing written information and contact lists as requested;
• producing publications arising from our project work;
• maintaining a library specialising in women and the urban environment, which runs on an appointment system.
• producing and maintaining a website.
• To provide a service for women's organisations seeking to make improvements to buildings or their local environment linking them with women designers and other consultants.

OUR SHARED VALUES

We at Women’s Design Service are committed
to working according to the following values
in all that we do in connection with the
work of the organisation

WE AIM TO:-

1. be a woman centred and woman led organisation and work to achieve gender equality

2. promote inclusive design and planning that is responsive to the needs of women especially those who have been traditionally marginalised

3. be an ethically based organisation acting with commitment and integrity

4. be a rights based organisation valuing diversity and promoting equality

5. promote empowerment, participation and partnership

6. create an open, honest,supportive and transparent organisation

7. act in a professional manner at all times

8. create an efficient, effective and influential organisation

9. be a learning organisation encouraging creativity, adaptability and sharing of knowledge

10. minimise any negative environmental impact and promote sustainability in all our projects and working practices

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

see attached policy

Women's Design Service expects all its members, staff, volunteers and user organisations to comply with the principles of our equality and diversity policies.