WAO Winter Newsletter 2023

Hello and welcome to Women’s Aid Orkney’s Winter Newsletter.

SERVICE USER’S FEEDBACK & ACHIEVEMENTS

• “I feel almost reborn into a new mind.”
• Knowing her legal rights and using them to take steps to protect herself and her family.
• Children deciding their support is no longer required as they feel in a better place.
• Being able to see through behaviours and realise they’re part of the abuse and not her fault.
• “So happy that things seem to fall into place and make sense, giving me hope I will sooner or later, find my own place in the world too.”
• Having confidence in herself and being able to hold firm boundaries in all areas of her life.
• Being able to leave the house and take part in group activities.

Domestic abuse in the workplace policy

For this years 16 Days of Action, we have been reaching out to local businesses to help them implement a domestic abuse policy into their workplace. We want companies to be aware of how crucial it is for employers to be aware of domestic abuse and the effects it can have both to the person and their employers business. As well as offering a Domestic Abuse in the Workplace Policy, we can provide training on the dynamics of domestic abuse.

Research shows that up to 75% of employed people who have experienced domestic abuse are harassed by their abuser while at work.

A Home Office Report found that 20% of people who had experienced domestic abuse had to take a month or more off work due to the abuse. 56% of abused women arrive late for work at least 5 times a month and 53% miss at least 3 days of work a month.

We would like to help directors, managers and HR to become more aware of what could potentially be the cause of staff absence and become confident in recognising signs of domestic abuse.

If you would like to find out more about the training we offer or our Domestic Abuse in the Workplace Policy, please email – info@womensaidorkney.org.uk

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the business that now have a Domestic Abuse in the Workplace Policy and we look forward to delivering training with them in the new year.

WAO’s Wonderful Christmas Raffle

We have a very exciting raffle available on our website, with some amazing prizes to be won, including –

• An etching from Daniella Celine Williams – https://www.instagram.com/daniella_celine/
• Candles & perfumes from The Perfumer’s Story – https://theperfumersstory.com/
• KATI KAIA Mat – https://www.katikaia.com/
• Sarah Barker Perfumes – https://www.sarahbakerperfumes.com/
• Placemats, coasters and Scarf from Splendour & Glory – https://www.splendourandglory.com/
• Peace Camp by Jemima Brown – https://www.jemimabrown.com/
• Leather Accessories from Scaramanga – https://scaramangashop.co.uk/
• Tea Towels and Scarf from Unplucked – https://www.unplucked.co.uk/

Tickets for our raffle are £3 and you can enter as many times as you like. Follow the link below to enter. Good luck!

WAO’s Wonderful Christmas Raffle

Food & Toy Donation Station at Lidl

Lidl’s have their Bear’s toy bank again in Store. You can find the donation box just before the exit door, next to our food donation basket. Donated toys need to be brand new and unwrapped, all toys go straight to children and young people in our service. We are incredibly grateful for any donation and could make a child very happy this Christmas. The food donation basket also really helps families in our service at this time of year. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated toys and food!

SUPPORTING WAO

We have a WAO Wish List on Amazon, if you would like to send us something, we would be incredibly grateful & it could really make someone’s day.  https://smile.amazon.co.uk/…/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1

Christmas Opening Times

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.

Special Thanks…

• Huge thank you to Ken and Erika for their help with our Christmas raffle and to all the business that donated prizes.
• The Wonderful pupils currently doing the Get Ready to Volunteer course at KGS, for their help creating pamper packs for Christmas.
• Thanks to The Hygge Clinic for their support over Christmas.
•  Huge thanks to the Salvation Army and our other wonderful generous donators for the fabulous toys for the children within our service! We are more than blown away by the kindness and it will make a huge difference to the children we support.
• Catherine at Moonshine Candles, for her generous donation.
• Natalie from OML for the brilliant training.
• Joe at CAB for being so helpful in supporting a service user.
• Huge thank you to the Kirkwall Coast Guards for their generous donation.
• To all of the Women’s Aids around the UK who offer safety, support and refuge to women fleeing Orkney due to domestic abuse.
• To all of the people and organisations, both within and without Orkney who have worked with us to keep women, children and young people safer from domestic abuse.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the business that have supported us with our fundraising events this year.

On Saturday 23rd of September we held a table top sale and raffle that raised a wonderful £818.87. Without the donations of raffle prizes this wouldn’t have been possible.