Welcome to the latest edition of our WAO newsletter.
It’s been another busy few months for the team at Women’s Aid Orkney, with lots of exciting groups and events happening on top of the already incredible work that our hardworking colleagues do for those who are or have been affected by domestic abuse.
What we’ve been up to…
The Family Forward service invited women and children to a Teddy Bear’s picnic at the Tankerness Gardens to relax, enjoy the summer sun, food & ice cream.
“It was lovely to hear lots of giggles and laughter from the children chasing bubbles, while the women had time to connect and forge new friendships.”
5 of our children & young people attended a very exciting workshop trip to Soulisquoy print makers in Stromness. They were introduced to the basics of printmaking, using resources gathered from the local environment, whilst learning techniques using professional and vintage equipment. We had a lovely lunch, and all of our young people produced some beautiful art work to take home. Thank you very much to Carol & Laura from Soulisquouy Printmakers, And Ingrid Budge & Katherine Diaper for all of the amazing artistic opportunities they have provided our young people with!
We are delighted to be partnering with OHAL and the Bilde Trust on a Housing First Project. Housing First is aimed at people who have multiple and complex needs and who may have a history of repeat homelessness. The Housing First approach ensures those with high support needs are allocated settled accommodation with intensive support. There is no requirement to prove ‘tenancy readiness’. Housing First is based on the concept that most of us, with the right support, can manage our own home.
We have recruited a full-time practitioner who will be joining us shortly to take on this new role. We will be offering intensive support to women and children affected by domestic abuse to gain, maintain, and sustain their own tenancy. There will also be options to offer financial support to service users moving to a new tenancy where all other avenues of assistance have been exhausted to ensure they can make the house their home.
This is initially funded for nine months, and we hope that more funding will be available to continue this work. The Housing First scheme will work along side our other services and nomination agreements with OIC Homelessness giving the women we support the best chance of living a life of their choosing.
Fundraising & Awareness…
July saw Orkney host this years Island Games with competing athletes travelling from around the world. The glorious weather and fabulous welcome from the locals really made for a special event.
We were so grateful to be part of the week with our fundraising and awareness stall. On offer were our limited edition badges, hoopla challenge, balloons and let’s not forget our period pain simulator!
Huge congratulations to the organisers, athletes and volunteers for a fabulous Island Games.
Each badge represents a woman or child that has been supported by WAO in the last two years and were beautifully designed by one of our Children & Young People’s support practitioners
Pictured above (left) Richard Lochhead MSP with our Service Manager and his very own badge purchase.
Above are just a few of the willing participants that took part on our Period Pain Simulator which was aimed at highlighting what women at the Island Games could be experiencing. Thank you to all that took part!
“This is definitely going to make me think in the future…”
…Willing participants
“You actually feel this pain and just get on with things?!”
We were a bit windswept at this year’s County Show but were delighted to be there with our Human Fruit Machine as part of our continued fundraising efforts. Thank you to everyone that visited!
Dates for your diary…
September –
We would like to invite you to the Kirkwall Library on the 1st of September for our first women only book group gathering. If you’ve considered joining a book club but didn’t feel too sure, this is the perfect opportunity to start in a relaxed nonjudgmental environment.
For more information email:
shannon.groat@womensaidorkney.org.uk
Own My Life is a 12 week course starting on the 9th of September designed at guiding women who have had experience of coersive, financial, physical or psychological abuse. This course will guide you and help build back your confidence in a safe, confidential environment. If you would like more information please email:
lesley-anne@womensaidorkney.org.uk
October –
This is 10 week course for Mum’s/ Female Carers of children aged 0- 18. Starting on the 1st of October The Solihull approach to parenting is a supportive group to enable parents to better understand their child and not feel alone in their experience. If you would like more information please email:
kirsty.thompson@womensaidorkney.org.uk
Getting Help…
- 999 silent call service: Make Yourself Heard if you are in danger and unable to talk, dial 999 from a mobile phone and press 55 – this will transfer your call to the police.
- Shakti Women’s Aid helps BME women, children, and young people experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse
- Imkaan is a UK women’s organisation dedicated to addressing violence against BME women and girls.
- Southall Black Sisters offer specialist support, advocacy and information to Asian and African-Caribbean women suffering abuse.
- Opoka provide a national helpline for Polish women living in the UK.
- Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA) provide support to women who may be trafficked and exploited
- Contact your local Women’s Aid: Women’s Aid Orkney 01856 877900 or info@womensaidorkney.org.uk
- Contact Refuge: 24hr helpline 0808 2000 247, www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk (access live chat Mon-Fri 3-10pm), or send a message from using their contact form
- Confide in a friend, family, colleague, someone you trust for support & help
- Always contact the police in an emergency for free on 999 or 101 for non-emergency.