15th-16th September | Perth Concert Hall, Perth | One-day and two-day passes available - includes refreshments, lunches & evening buffet.
All women in Scotland are invited to join in the fun at the SWI's new-look National Conference and Exhibition this September for an inspiring dive into the things the SWI holds dear: its heritage, lifelong learning, enduring friendships and sharing skills.
Join us for two days of expert speakers, demonstrations and workshops showcasing Scotland's skills and stars – and a Family Evening Market to shop til you drop!
Perth Concert Hall will be buzzing with activity as SWI members from around the country showcasing their work, skills and talents, and all delegates will be able to take part in workshops and watch demonstrations. There will be many opportunities to gain knowledge, hear from experts, see examples of craft and cookery, and network with women from across Scotland.
An exhibition of members' entries for a variety of national competitions will also inspire and enthrall and the whole event brings together women with common interests to discuss, share, learn and have fun!
Tickets for this exciting event start at just £35! To book your place online please REGISTER HERE. If you would like to book your place over the phone, please tel central office on 0131 225 1724.
15th-16th September | Perth Concert Hall, Perth | One-day and two-day passes available
Includes refreshments, lunches & evening buffet for all day delegates.
19.00 – 21.00 Friday 15th September
An evening of bustling activities open to all, featuring...
This evening event will be open to the public, students, and families. The Family Evening Market is payable at the door or in advance here. Please note children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Please note the programme may change as we progress with confirmed speakers and planning. We look forward to having a great time and seeing you all there!
Among the prizes available are a stay at a fabulous hotel and spa for two, airline flights, Tweed accessories, gift vouchers, afternoon tea at famous hotel, special editions of whisky, a distillery tour for two, a garden experience at Scone Palace with the head gardener, and so much more. To be in with a chance to win these prizes you can purchase a book of 5 tickets for £5 or individual tickets for £1. We have distributed raffle books to all Federations to give out to Institutes. Anyone can buy these tickets, members, friends, and family, so get in touch with your Federation to buy tickets. Tickets will also be available throughout the conference.
Become part of the SWI family and contribute your voice. Look out for our conference posters, where members can express their views, opinions, ask questions, and highlight what matters to them. Your feedback matters, and we'll keep you informed on the impact it's making.
We have created this members' toolkit so that members can assist in promoting this wonderful SWI Women In Scotland National Conference and Exhibition. Please use all or any assets in your community and across social media. From email footers to content for Facebook and more, we've got you covered! Click here for more information.
Mike Stevenson, Global Inspirational Speaker
Mike is one of the UK’s most sought-after speakers and creative thinkers. Expelled at 15 with no qualifications, he embarked on a downward journey that led to homelessness, depression, drug addiction and the brink of suicide before he turned his life around and founded a multi-million-pound business. He is a must see and hear and will speak about the value of friendship in our lives.
So many of Scotland’s crafts are endangered, so how can we save them for future generations? Mary Lewis, Endangered Crafts Manager at Heritage Crafts, the advocacy body for traditional heritage crafts, and experienced crafter Elaine Lindsay of Something Corny and Dr Isabella Moore CBE, an olderpreneur and founder of The Olderpreneur Alliance, will discuss learning, friendships, and squeezing the most out of life well into older age as well as the challenges and opportunities the SWI has as a major membership body committed to preserving crafting techniques for women in the future.
Mary Lewis, Endangered Crafts Manager, Heritage Crafts
Mary comes from a background steeped in craft. From an early age she could be found in a coracle and is now a keen basket maker and knitter. After a few years of yurt life in the South Downs managing the Sustainability Centre, she took up the role of Endangered Crafts Manager, developing projects to prevent heritage crafts skills and knowledge from becoming extinct.
Elaine Lindsay, Something Corny
Elaine began making corn dollies in 1983. What started as a hobby soon became a large part of her life and achieved the Guild of Straw Craftsmen’s prestigious Craftsman Award. Elaine’s work is a mixture of traditional and contemporary styles, and she has designed for catwalk shows in New York, Paris, and London. She has also produced pieces for television and theatre and regularly gives talks, demonstrations, and classes on her straw work. She particularly enjoys teaching and has taught the craft in the UK, Hungary, and the USA.
Dr Isabella Moore CBE, Olderpreneur
Isabella has first-hand experience of creating and developing an international business and then carried out her doctoral research into aspects of later-life entrepreneurship. She founded The Olderpreneur Alliance, a community interest company dedicated to supporting, training, encouraging, and advocating for later-life entrepreneurs. The company mentors and trains would-be olderpreneurs and campaigns and lobbies governments, banks and others to support later-life entrepreneurs.
Dr Adele Patrick, Glasgow Women's Library
Adele has been developing innovative cultural projects rooted in equalities for over 30 years. A co-founder of Glasgow Women’s Library (GWL) www.womenslibrary.org.uk Adele has had a leadership role in this change making organisation since 1991 and is currently a Co-Director. Trained as a designer at Glasgow School of Art (GSA) she has collaborated throughout her career with creatives locally and internationally (and received the Engage Scholarship for Excellence in Gallery Education in 2016). In 2016 Adele gained Honorary Doctorates from the GSA and from Strathclyde University and became Scotswoman of the Year. A Clore Leadership Fellow (2018/2019) her Post Fellowship research has focused on feminist leadership. She sits on the Board of the V and A Dundee and in 2022 received the Fletcher of Saltoun Award from the Saltire Society.
Grabbing your life's passion by the lapels and making it work for you can make every day great! We meet two of Scotland's most inspirational stars to discover how they turned their talents into triumphs.
Jen Hogg, Sewing superstar and innovator
When life as a solicitor lost its appeal, Jen turned to sewing, reaching The Great British Sewing Bee semi finals in 2019. Since then, she has turned her talents to inventing bespoke tools and accessories from wood, leather and cashmere surplus. She is passionate about sustainable products made locally in Scotland.
“One of the most talented and consistent sewers ever to take part.” The Great British Sewing Bee
Helen Vass, pastry magician
We all know Helen as the winner of Bake Off Creme de la Creme, the professionals' version of the BBC's Great British Bake Off, but she also has a string of amazing titles to her name. She fought off stiff competition to win the Les Dames d'Escoffier award and CIS Callebaut Patisserie Chef of the Year and is currently a lecturer at South Lanarkshire College.
“Helen is friendly, fun, and happy to share her knowledge and skills.” Frances Auty Bakes
Scotland's produce, people and places are worth shouting about and that's just what Coinneach MacLeod is doing all around the world. He joins us just off a US tour promoting the best the country has to offer .
Coinneach MacLeod, author, chef and global star
Already a hot favourite of SWI members who tuned into his fabulous sustainable baking session, Coinneach is Scotland's newest superstar. If The Hebridean Baker's not appearing on This Morning or jetting around the world promoting his fabulous cookery books The Hebridean Baker and the newly released My Scottish Island Kitchen, he's dreaming up Scottish recipes at his home on the Isle of Lewis for his 12 million TikTok followers!
"Very Scottish, very sexy, very Outlander!" Elle
Tickets for this exciting event start at just £35! To book your place online, please REGISTER HERE. If you would like to book your place over the phone, please tel central office on 0131 225 1724.
Book your tickets in advance here!
An evening of bustling activities featuring...
Please note: all children must be accompanied at all times.
To help spread the word & keep up to date with any news, interact with the Facebook event here!
An inspirational exhibition of stunning crafts and makes by members of the SWI will be on display throughout the Conference.
The large foyer area will showcase 21 Federations from across the country who will be representing their area. This important showcase provides delegates with the opportunity to meet and connect with members from around Scotland.
We will see many other supporting exhibitors with products and information relevant to delegates.
In addition to the exhibition, a major exhibition of crafts will also be on display, with many created for the following competitions:
.png)
Vaughan Nash competition: Christmas themeThis is competed for by members in Institutes and groups around the country and will showcase four items on a Christmas theme, and the aim of the competition is to show as wide a range of crafts as possible. The following prizes will be awarded...1st Vaughan Nash Silver Medal; 2nd Vaughan Nash Bronze Medal; Nancy Macmillan Trophy Awarded to highest placed article outwith winner/runner-up; President’s choice Awarded to best in show
This year the Evelyn Baxter Competition is open to all attendees of the 'Improving your basic knitting & finishing skills' class, taught by Evelyn Baxter scholar, Amanda Clark. This year's article is “A Baby’s V Neck Cardigan Size 16”. This competition will be judged by Amanda Clark and an award will be presented at the prizegiving ceremony on Day Two of the National Conference.
This year’s Morgan Trophy competition chosen theme is “Hot or Cold Soup Recipes”. This competition will be judged by and an award will be presented at the prizegiving ceremony on Day Two of the National Conference.
A traditional competition for members to submit a short story with the theme of 'A Childhood Memory'. You can download the entry form here
An exciting new members' award will be launched at the SWI National Conference and Exhibition 2023. The Margaret Whiteford Award will be presented to an SWI member who has made an outstanding contribution to the organisation, and is named after a well-kent face who was both an employee and then a member of the SWI. Margaret Whiteford was devoted to the organisation and to mark her passing, Margaret’s family have donated this award in her memory.
Perhaps you or someone you know has done amazing work at Institute, Federation or National level and you would like to see their efforts recognised. If so, we would love to hear from you!
Nominations have now closed. This award will be judged by members of the National Conference Committee and presented at the prizegiving ceremony on Day Two of the National Conference.
The conference prizegiving ceremony will take place on day two at 14.30.