The Glasgow Women’s Health Network (GWHN) brings together organisations and services working with women across the city. The network strengthens relationships, shares learning and supports more joined up responses to women’s health needs, particularly for women affected by trauma, distress, gender-based violence and wider inequalities.
Rooted in collaboration and lived experience, the network creates a space for organisations to identify emerging issues, improve referral pathways and develop trauma-informed approaches with the aim of helping women access the right support at the right time. Its work reflects the ambitions of both Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan and Equally Safe to reduce inequalities and ensure women’s voices shape services.
What the Glasgow Women’s Health Network (GWHN) aims to do
- Build a connected network of organisations supporting women across Glasgow.
- Improve understanding of the health impacts of trauma, distress and gender-based violence.
- Strengthen referral pathways and signposting between services.
- Share good practice, training, information and learning.
- Work collaboratively to reduce barriers experienced by women, particularly those facing multiple inequalities.
- Ensure the diversity of women in Glasgow and their lived experience helps shape priorities, services and responses.
Why it matters
Women’s health is shaped by many intersecting factors, from poverty and discrimination to gender based violence and mental health. By working together, GWHN helps reduce barriers and ensure women’s needs and experiences are better understood.
Who is involved in the Glasgow Women’s Health Network
Membership includes voluntary sector organisations, public sector services, community groups, specialist women’s services and individuals with a shared commitment to improving women’s health and wellbeing. Together, members support practical action, shared learning and more effective responses for women and the staff and volunteers who work alongside them.
How to get involved
GWHN meets quarterly and welcomes organisations, groups and individuals in Glasgow that support women or have an interest in improving women’s health, wellbeing and access to services. If you wish to be added to the distribution list and attend meetings, please email ggc.glasgowwomens.healthnetwork@nhs.scot.
Dates for upcoming meetings during 2026/2027 are below:
- Wednesday 26 August, 10am – 12pm, venue to be confirmed
- Wednesday 25 November, 10am – 12pm, venue to be confirmed
- Wednesday 17 February, 10am – 12pm, venue to be confirmed
If you wish to be added to the distribution list and attend meetings, please email ggc.glasgowwomens.healthnetwork@nhs.scot.
Resources, Reports and Publications
You can access women’s health related information, reports and publications from wider organisations.
Further Information
Glasgow Women’s Health Network (GWHN) Background
A Women’s Health Network was established in Govanhill during 2018. It developed out of a shared interest in responding to the health needs of women disclosing gender based violence across a wide range of services and community organisations.
The network officially launched as part of International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations in 2019 and subsequently relaunched as Glasgow Women’s Health Network in 2023. Throughout this time, GWHN has focused on linking activity to both Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan and Equally Safe, consulting with women across the city to ensure the diversity of their experiences are reflected.
Governance
GWHN is coordinated by Glasgow City HSCP’s (Health and Social Care Partnership) Health Improvement Team and reports activity into Glasgow City HSCP Equalities Working Group. GWHN is represented on GVAWP’s (Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership) Prevention Working Group.
Training and capacity building
One of the ways GWHN improves women’s experience of services is by facilitating access to training for staff and volunteers. An example of this is Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis Centre (GCRCC) First Responder training. Delivered to network members, the sessions have increased confidence of staff responding to disclosures of sexual violence.
Currently GWHN is working with TIP:UK (Trauma Informed Parenting UK) to support network members delivering services to women affected by trauma. They will also deliver trauma informed parenting sessions to women, in this way women and staff share the same learning journey.
Event planning
The Event Planning Subgroup works collaboratively to develop events and engagement activities that promote women’s health, wellbeing and gender equality. Bringing together members from a variety of organisations and services, the subgroup initiatives are developed in response to local priorities, raising awareness of key issues that create opportunities for learning, connection and community engagement.
All events aim to increase the reach of key women’s health messages and create opportunities for women, communities and professionals to connect with support, information and services.
Community pop up events are organised throughout the year, providing opportunities for women to talk directly to health/service providers and campaigning organisations.