Last month I completely freaked out when I had a little flick through my diary and realised that I was long overdue for a smear test (Cervical Cancer was in the news, screenings are at 20 year low, I’d missed a period and I’m generally just a bit of an anxious wreck when it comes to my health).  I booked in pronto-tonto, got it done, a letter dropped on my doorstep a week or so later letting me know that everything was hunky dory (phew!) and so I took to Instagram to encourage everyone else to do the same.  When a follower messaged me off the cuff to ask where the nearest Family Planning Clinic in Cardiff was – so they could ring up and book their own screening – I came up completely empty.  I had absolutely no idea!

But not just that, when I sat down and thought about it, I realised that I’m a bit clueless in general when it comes to services in Cardiff that are available to women.  You know, for example: where do you go when you’re looking for a bit of careers advice?  What sports teams are there?  Are there any open mic events?  There needs to be a Women’s Guide to Cardiff – a Little Black Book for women of The ‘Diff to stay clued up.  A directory of listings for local networking events, places to go for advice, the morning after pill, or when you’re just in a jam and desperately need a bit of help – whether that’s for mental health counselling or refuge from violence.  Let’s stay safe and in the know, ladies.

And so, here it is.  Or the beta version, anyway.  I’m going to keep adding to it to keep it fresh and as up to date as possible; so if you’ve got any ideas or suggestions I want to hear them.  I’m a woman and I live in Cardiff, but I’m not an authority on the matter.  You are.  Got any recommendations?  Know of a service that the women of Cardiff need to know exists? Just send me a message or let me know in the comments section below. 🙂

Health

Need to book in your smear test?  Need the morning after pill or some advice on contraception?  Trying for a baby?  Here’s where to look.

Sexual Health Clinics:

♥ Butetown Health Centre
02921 833257
♥ Cardiff Royal Infirmary
02920 33 5355
♥ Park Place Surgery
029 2087 0660

*Don’t forget that you can book in smear tests at your local Doctor Surgery as well as chat to the nurse about contraception and other women’s health issues/concerns.

Family Planning:

♥ LWC Cardiff
02920 236 301
♥ Centre for Reproduction and Gynaecology Wales
01443 443 999
♥ BPAS Cardiff
03457 304 030

Postnatal and Antenatal Support for Mums and Mums to be:

♥ Parentline Plus
♥ PANDAs Foundation (support for pre and post natal depression)
♥ Listing of local Mother and Toddler Groups in Cardiff
♥ SANDS (Cardiff’s Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity

Networking

If you’re thinking of starting your own business or a blog, or just want to meet some like-minded ladies then there are so many incredible networking events in and around Cardiff.  Just check the Cardiff Eventbrite Listings to see what’s happening, or snag some tickets to one of these!

♥ House 21 Events
Workshop and Brunch for Bloggers and Brands.
♥ The Wonders Of
Networking events for local bloggers, creatives and business owners.
♥ The Monday Club
Weekly newsletter and networking events for women bossing it in and around Cardiff.
♥ Warrior Women Events
Monthly meetups to inspire and empower local women. Read my article about them here.
♥ Little Birdie Events
Networking events and workshops for women and small businesses in Cardiff and South Wales.

Arts and Crafts

If you’re a creative gal and fancy putting your artistic eye to good use, then check out some of these events, groups and classes.

♥ Twinmade Workshops
♥ Cardiff Illustration Club
♥ Cardiff Book Festival
♥ Milieu Spoken Poetry and Fiction Sessions
♥ Ignite Cardiff (5 minutes of fame!)
♥ National Museum of Wales Drawing Group
♥ Cardiff National Novel Writing Month Boards (November)
♥ Llanover Hall Arts Centre (run looooads of classes!)
♥ Cardiff Writer’s Circle

Sport

There are so many women’s sports teams in the capital (including the awesome Tiger Bay Brawlers!) – so if you’re interested in signing up with a new squad, just check the list below.

♥ Cardiff Athletic’s Club
♥ Cardiff Basketball Club
♥ Badminton Clubs in Cardiff
♥ Tiger Bay Brawlers Roller Derby
♥ Cardiff AJAX Cycling Club
♥ The Cardiff Valkyries (Women’s American Football)
♥ Cardiff Bluebells Women’s Football
♥ Cardiff Golf Club’s “Ladies New2Golf”
♥ Cardiff Comet’s (Women’s Ice Hockey)
♥ Whitchurch Hockey Club
♥ Cardiff Harlequins Lacrosse Club
♥ Play Netball
♥ Llandaff Rowing Club
♥ CDF Runners
♥ Cardiff Ski and Snowboard Centre
♥ Cardiff Ice Skating Club
♥ Cardiff Lawn Tennis Club

Careers Advice and Guidance

Everything you need to get your career moving in the right direction, from advice to working spaces and where to look if you fancy doing a bit of volunteering.

Where to go for careers advice and help with job searches and CVs:

♥ Careers Wales
♥ Women’s Equality Network Wales (WEN)
♥ Chwarae Teg
♥ Women Connect First (Advice and support for Black and Minority Ethnic Women in and around Cardiff.)
♥ Big Ideas Wales (supports anyone interested in starting up their own business!)
♥ Young Women’s Trust (women in Wales can access their free careers coaching sessions as long as they’re under 30)

Creative hubs and co-working spaces for freelancers:

♥ Rabble Studio
♥ The Sustainable Studio
♥ Tramshed

Volunteering Opportunities:

♥ Volunteer Cardiff
♥ Volunteering Wales
♥ New Link Wales

Magazines and Podcasts

If you’ve been living in Cardiff for a while then you’re bound to have come across some of the local mags hanging around on the window sills in coffee shops and in the waiting rooms of local salons.  They’re full of information about special offers and events in and around the city. 🙂

Podcasts:

♥ Wicked Women’s Institute
“Real conversations by strong, brave, empowered women on topics from body, relationships, to sex.”
♥ Hank
Monthly podcast exploring the Welsh capital’s food and drink scene!

Magazines:

♥ Buzz Mag
Cardiff’s What’s On Guide. Find a copy @ Central Library, The Hayes
♥ Cardiff Life
Lifestyle magazine showcasing life in Cardiff and the Bay
♥ Style of the City
Fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazine for Welsh Women.

Help and Support

If you’re struggling, whatever the circumstances, there are plenty of amazing charities and services in Cardiff and South Wales that can help.  Dewis Wales is a good place to start – they have an online database of local organisations and services that focus on well being.

Help for Women suffering domestic abuse and sexual violence:

♥ Cardiff Women’s Aid Resource and Recovery Centre
Counseling, support, accommodation and recovery services for women experiencing domestic and sexual violence.
♥ BAWSO
Specialist support and intervention for Black and Minority Ethic Women in Cardiff and South Wales, including victims of trafficking, forced marriage and FGM.
♥ Hafan Cymru
Floating “in home” support, housing and refuge for vulnerable women and families.

Counselling and Mental Health Services:

♥ Cardiff Concern
Free charity counselling service run by christian volunteers, offering a listening ear and helping people in need regardless of their religious views.
♥ Relate Cymru
Relationship counselling and therapy.
♥ Breathe
Created by mental health charity Gofal, Breathe offers talking therapies, counselling and mental health workplace training.
♥ YCS Wales
Affordable counselling sessions in Cardiff and Bridgend.
♥ Kooth
Anonymous support for 11-18 year olds.
♥ Meic
24/7 support line for under 25 year olds

Support for homeless and at risk women:

♥ Llamau
Help and support for young people and women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
♥ Shelter Cymru

Support for those in financial difficulty:

♥ The Discretionary Assistance Fund
The DAF gives a one-off grant to anyone of 16 who is in immediate financial difficulty and meets their criteria.
♥ Margaret’s Fund
Not sure this one’s Wales-based, but it’s worth mentioning.  It’s a charity that offers financial help to women struggling due to illness.
♥ The Speakeasy
Offers free and impartial legal advice to anyone struggling with social welfare issues including debt.
♥ Turn2us
A national charity helping people to get back on their feet financially.

Useful Websites and Blogs

I could spend all day listing the many, many amazing local bloggers based in the Welsh Capital, but if you’re looking for something or someone super specific then check out the Wales Blog Network. (And if you’re a local blogger yourself, make sure you sign up!) 🙂

Websites About Cardiff:

♥ We Are Cardiff
Website sharing interesting stories, arts and culture from in and around Cardiff.
♥ Visit Cardiff
Visitor Information site showcasing what’s on and what’s to see in and around The ‘Diff.

 

Phew!  What a list!  And honestly, I really want it to keep on growing; so if there’s anything you think the women of Cardiff really need to know about, comment below or send me a message so I can get it added to the list (similarly, if there’s anything you think shouldn’t be on the list, do let me know).  Happy #InternationalWomensDay you beautiful lot! ♡♡♡