April 2025

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR SPRING NEWSLETTER

25 Years of Women’s Aid Orkney!

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Women’s Aid Orkney and although domestic abuse is not something to celebrate, we are very proud to have been available to support the Women and Children who are or have been affected.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have shown incredible dedication and support to us over the years.

We will continue to do everything we can to be here for those that need us.

If you would like to get some advice

Call 01856 87 7900

or

email: info@womensaidorkney.org.uk

A Note From Our Service Manager

Women’s Aid Orkney had the pleasure of a visit from the CEO of Scottish Women’s Aid, Dr Marsha Scott (pictured left), who joined us at the start of the year as we mark the 25th anniversary of WOA.

It’s only April and we’ve has a busy few months of television and radio interviews, highlighting the demand faced by domestic abuse charities in the highlands and islands and the lack of availability of legal aid for the women that are seeking legal support.

Scottish Women’s Aid have been successful in applying for funding from The Legal Education Foundation for an initial 18-month period to employ a solicitor/solicitors who will offer face to face and digital advice to women in Orkney and Shetland around civil cases, with a help line for other professionals across the Highlands and Islands. The post has full time equivalent hours which could be job shared.

This project follows on from a similar one which was based in Edinburgh, this scheme was very successful and now has secured further funding to continue.

We know that women have difficulty accessing legal aid solicitors and often have to go off island to secure the help they need.

This project will enable women access to legal support for a solicitor who will take a sensitive approach to delivering legal information, advice and representation where we identify unmet legal need to women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse being supported by Women’s Aid Orkney and Shetland Women’s Aid.

Recruitment is currently under way and further information can be found on Scottish Women’s Aid’s website https://womensaid.scot/news/vacancies/

25 Years Raffle 2025

This February we held an online raffle as part of our continued fundraising efforts.

We raised an incredible £1609.39 from the purchases. A massive thank you to all that bought tickets and we can’t forget a huge thanks to all the companies that kindly donated the amazing prizes that allowed us to raise the vital funds we need.

We hope that all our lucky winners will enjoy their prizes!

International Women’s Day -8th of March

With the world feeling a little topsy-turvy at the moment, Women’s Aid Orkney wanted to use this years International Women’s Day as a way of promoting and the special women in Orkney and we were very kindly supported by Lia Lorena Florals, who donated a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

All of the posts and comments were so inspiring. Thank you to everyone that took the time to show their appreciation for the special women in their lives.

This year’s theme for IWD 2025 was #AccelerateAction, highlighting the inequality for women in the workplace.

According to data from the World Economic Forum, it will take until 2158, that’s almost 5 generations from now before we will be able to claim equality in the work place!

For more information follow the link below:

IWD: IWD 2025 campaign theme is ‘Accelerate Action’

Easter Craft Fair at the Kirkwall Grammar School

Last weekend, April the 5th and 6th, we were delighted to be part of the Easter Craft Fair at the KGS. Thank you to everyone that made purchases from our stall and huge thanks to the organisers of the event!

Women’s Service

The Women’s Service have hosted 2 seasonal Circle events which allowed women to come together to celebrate the promise and start of spring. We were lucky to host our second event at the Old Library in Kirkwall.

The next event will be a Women’s Gardening Group which will be held on the 22nd of April. Spaces can be booked via Eventbrite and the link below

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1311889279149?aff=oddtdtcreator

Children & Young People’s Service

Our Children and Young People’s support practitioners were invited to the Youth Achievement awards ceremony held at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall to celebrate the incredible young people of Orkney. 3 of our CYP were presented with Orcadian Community Awards for their fundraising and awareness raising for WAO. Well done and huge congratulations from us all.

The team were also presented with a cheque from ROAR who raised an incredible £2278.25 for WAO.

The Easter Break is planned to be a packed holiday with art sessions at the Solisquoy Print-makers led by Ingrid Budge and Kathryn Diaper, who continue to share their support and creativity with the young people in our service.

Family Forward Service

As always, we are here to help mums and children process and heal relationships affected by domestic abuse. Providing support to create positive family dynamics by bringing families together with appropriate tools to achieve an enjoyable and fulfilling life.

If you feel that your family would benefit from support, or would like more information please do not hesitate to get in touch via info@womensaidorkney.org.uk.

Nominated Charity 2025

Women’s Aid Orkney are absolutely thrilled to be the nominated charity for Skaill house this year. Visitors can donate money throughout the season and at their fabulous Christmas fair.

Special Thank Yous

We are always so grateful for donations that we receive through the year however big or small.

Thanks to @seasaltandsarah for sharing images from this years #IWD and the money raised for their sea swim, a fantastic £120.00!

Thanks also goes to the Orkney Women’s Group that donated £242.32 to WAO!

If you are interested in fundraising or donating to Women’s Aid Orkney call us for a chat on 01856 87 7900 or email info@womensaidorkney.org.uk

We’d love to hear from you!

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