The Centre for Women’s Health was established by Strathclyde Regional Council, Greater Glasgow Health Board and Glasgow City Council, and opened in March 1995. The Centre was set up in recognition that women’s unequal experience in society could have an impact on their physical, emotional and mental health.

The Centre now provides a range of counselling interventions, plus library and information services, in the second floor of the Sandyford Initiative, and is accessible to all women. Counselling and support services are provided by a team of counsellors and support staff - information about the services follow. All services can be accessed by phoning the Centre’s number on 0141 211 6700, or through the Sandyford main switchboard on 0141 211 8600.

Listening Ear service

The Listening Ear Service in the Centre provides one-off, confidential support to women. Anyone can book in for a Listening Ear appointment with one of the Listening Ear staff, and talk through any issue or experience that affects their physical, mental and emotional health. Listening Ear workers use counselling skills and active listening, and can access information and referrals to help women explore feelings and options. The service is available every week day and in the evenings (from Mondays to Thursdays) and also now offers a service in Punjabi and Urdu.

Counselling services

The Centre has an experienced team of counsellors that provide a range of counselling options that can be discussed when contacting the Centre. Like the Listening Ear service, women can self-refer for counselling or attend through referrals from GPs, social workers or any other staff, including from within the Sandyford Initiative. All services are free and confidential, and any issue that is troubling you can be brought to counselling. Many women access the Centre for support concerning violence and abuse – in the past or in the present – and you can be assured that your experiences will be treated respectfully.

Eating Disorders Counselling and Groupwork Services

The Centre provides counselling and groupwork for women wishing to gain insight and help with ongoing or past experiences of eating disorders – from anorexia nervosa to compulsive overeating - in a safe and confidential environment. There are also services for friends and families of those with eating disorders, and for staff working with those with eating disorders.

Eating disorder groups for women with an eating disorder are mainly open, drop-in groups which provide an opportunity for women to make contact with other sufferers.  

Other Centre for Women’s Health groups

Group work has long been established at the Centre as an effective way of providing support for women, and again these are free, accessible services. There is usually a range of different groups - such as Self Esteem, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and a Writing Group for Survivors of Sexual Abuse - taking place in the Centre, in the day time and in the evening. Phone the Centre for more information.