FEMALE performers from across Inverclyde and beyond are joining forces to give more women the confidence to get into music.

Award-winning Greenock musician Shelagh McKay Jones has organised a first-of-its kind conference at Broomhill Community Hub this weekend to give a platform to ladies of all ages and abilities to unleash their creative talents.

The Empowering Women In Songwriting (EWIS) event will take place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday featuring special guests, talks, demonstrations and workshops throughout the day.

Among those backing the event are Shelagh's daughter Joe-Anna McKay, Dunoon musician Jan Harper, Jud Harron, who lives in Gourock, and Helen Lyons, who recently returned home to Inverclyde after four decades living and working in the Netherlands.

Helen said: "When I came back home I got involved with Shelagh and RIG Arts, who ran songwriting workshops with musician James Grant. "I'm a lyricist and Shelagh wrote me some music and now, with some help from others, I have about 12 songs. "Since she started the Songwriters Uncovered Series (SUS), the talent we've seen on stage has been incredible and that is something we have in this part of the world.

"This conference is a great way for more women to get experience. "We need more people supporting this kind of thing and people to get involved."

The aim of Saturday's EWIS launch is to establish a regular forum where women can collaborate and help each other to produce music.

The idea came about through Shelagh's successful SUS concerts at the Beacon Arts Centre and the struggle to find female representation on the bill, which is always gender balanced.

Shelagh, a former Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Award-winner, said: "The aim is to give other female songwriters out there that confidence. "For SUS, I have a waiting list longer than my arm of men who have sent me recordings and want to get involved but there's a lack of local women and I want to try and change that."

Registration opens at 9.30am on Saturday and tea and coffee will be provided.

The conference will start at 10am sharp.

Attendees can bring along their instruments if they wish to take part.

Entry costs £5 or £10 for an annual membership fee, which includes admission.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/empoweringwomeninsongwriting