1. SECTARIANISM and homophobia are a scourge on our society and we need to address these issues and we need to do that now. An event that hopes to help is organised by the football v homophobia youth panel – a panel discussion, bringing together queer youth leaders and advocates in football as they discuss their impressive leadership journeys, and how being LGBTQ+ has impacted upon these journeys. For more details head over to www.lgbthistory.org.uk/whats-on/queer-youth-trailblazers 

2. A STRATEGIES for independence Zoom meeting is being held this week. Guests Marion Plunkett, Grouse Beater, Nathalia Urban and David Henry will discuss Strategies for Independence as we fast approach May’s Scottish Parliamentary election. Ask your questions and chat to fellow yessers. Friday February 19 at 7pm. This is a free event. For more information including zoom codes then please head to www.facebook.com/events/210693557406139

3. STORIES play a vital role in the growth and development of children. They can immerse themselves in the words and become friends with the characters they create. Children will release their imagination giving them a voice, confidence and enjoyment throughout the process.

Imagine what would have happened if the ‘Three Little Pigs’ were brave enough to stand up to the ‘Big Bad Wolf?

TO help inspire those little ones, head over to the children’s creative writing workshop on Friday February 19 at 11am. For more information please head to www.fantasticforfamilies.com/online-events/13823/

4. FOR your weekly feminist content as always please head over to the women’s library webpage where there is a plethora of fabulous online events, not least of which a conversation with Kerri Andrews. In a series of intimate, incisive portraits, Wanderers traces the women’s footsteps, from 18th century Elizabeth Carter, who wandered the wilds of Southern England, to modern walker-writer Nan Shepherd.

For each of these women, walking was essential to their sense of themselves, whether it was rambling for miles across the Highlands like Sarah Stoddart, or pacing novels into being around Bloomsbury, like Virginia Woolf. Wednesday February 17, 6.30pm to 8pm, Online, Women only, 16+ www.womenslibrary.org.uk

5. ALSO brought to you via the wonderful women’s library, Readers of Colour is a thriving community of women and non-binary readers of colour who come together to read writing by women and non-binary writers of colour! Readers of Colour, Wednesdays February 17, 6pm to 7.30pm, online, women of colour only, 16+ www.womenslibrary.org.uk

6. THE Scottish Re-Wilding alliance is looking at all things nature and ocean in an online event. Join the Scottish Rewilding Alliance as it calls for Scotland to become the world’s first Rewilding Nation. Wednesday February 17 at 7pm for further info please head to www.eventbrite.com/e/scotland-the-worlds-first-rewilding-nation-tickets

7. STAYING on the subject of the future of Scotland, this week Stuart McKay who is the head of hydrogen policy for the Scottish Government is doing a talk on this via Eventbrite. Scotland has a strong track record for advancing hydrogen technologies and demonstrating its production and use. We have the resources, the assets, the people and the ambition to achieve this so tune in to find out the plan. Thursday February 18 7pm via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-future-of-hydrogen-in-scotland-tickets