Empowering International Women’s Day
Today, we celebrate International Women’s day with one of our many female inspired partnerships that makes a real difference to individuals, their families and the wider community.
Welsh Women’s Aid is a charitable organisation working to end domestic abuse, sexual violence and all forms of violence against women. They raise awareness, campaign for change, influence policy and their specialist member services deliver life-saving, life-changing support and preventative work across the country.
Integral to the work Welsh Women’s Aid delivers on, is the Survivor Engagement programme.
This crucial programme partners with survivors of violence and abuse to create change by shaping and informing the organisation’s work with their expertise and lived experiences. Through facilitated focus groups, peer support networks, public speaking and media appearances, all help influence and improve law, policy, public perception, societal awareness and media reporting in Wales and the wider UK.
There are currently over 90 individuals involved in the programme and that number continues to grow.
Collectively, this allows the charity to speak out about things that matter to those who have experienced abuse, and to the services that support them. There are still often stigmas, myths and misconceptions that surround violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. The Survivors network does vital work in tackling this.
The Tempo partnership is a system where survivors can be recognised for their time, knowledge and reflections. The digital credits can be used across a variety of activities such as education, health & fitness or even food shopping.
Personal development, learning and wellbeing are a few vital elements for the survivors to help rebuild their lives. Tempo recognises this and enables the survivors to access experiences important to them, as well as opportunities to enjoy as a family.
Testimonials from the survivors using Tempo:
‘Its adds so much more value to the way I feel about engaging, that our time is valued in such a way!’
‘I love that we can learn new things that would necessarily cost, investing time back into my life.’
‘It is so amazing to see classes we can attend through Tempo that are focused on wellness and taking time to care for ourselves, which as Survivors we don’t often do!’
‘It’s so great to have options to have family time or do something for myself.’
Welsh Women’s Aid
If you need help, advice or support then please contact the Live Fear Free Helpline on 08088010800. You can also text 07860077333 or email info@livefearfree.wales
If you need any further information about Women’s Aid services, please do make contact info@welshwomensaid.org.uk
If you are a woman who has experienced violence or abuse we invite you to become a member of our National Survivors’ Network. If you are a survivor and you would like to discuss getting involved with Welsh Women’s Aid as someone with lived experience, please get in touch with our Survivor Engagement Officer VickyLang@welshwomensaid.org.uk
Welsh Women’s Aid membership of Specialist services can offer information, practical help, advocacy, counselling and therapeutic support, group or individual sessions, or help accessing safe housing like refuge-based accommodation. You can access more information on your local service here
Click here for a version in Welsh.
