A holiday centre set-up by women for women

Name: Horton Women’s Holiday Centre
Founded: 1981
Location: Horton-in-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire
Industry: Tourism
Employees: Two full-time workers who live at the house, for a maximum of three years
Organisation type: charitable co-operative
What do they do: Holiday centre for women and children

Over the past 33 years, Horton Women’s Holiday Centre has been providing affordable holidays for thousands of women and children in the UK. A charitable co-operative, the centre was set up in 1981 by a group of women involved in feminism and the women’s liberation movement who wanted to offer affordable holidays with a sliding scale for payments according to income.

Women who come to the centre enjoy a supportive environment, while exchanging skills and experience. The venue runs various activities such as cooking classes, creative writing workshops and African drumming lessons. The house has a mix of private and shared bedrooms, two sitting rooms, a large playroom, large kitchen and garden, while prices vary from £10 to £30 depending on income. The cost includes food ingredients, which enables women to cook collectively and share meals. Women can also stay at the holiday centre for free, in return for a minimum of five hours work each day.

The house is owned by the members of the co-operative, who also run it. A management committee supports the workers to run the house and makes decisions on the house issues and employment.

Members hold meetings every five or six weeks and the women take on other tasks that support the house. Before becoming a member of the management committee, women need to attend three consecutive meetings to demonstrate their commitment.

• Find out more about Horton Women’s Holiday Centre by visiting: hortonwhc.wordpress.com

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