A very warm welcome to Women’s Aid Orkney’s winter newsletter
The last few months have been an incredibly busy time for us at WAO. The team have also been hard at work securing additional grants, hosting groups and of course, LOTS of fundraising. Below is just a glimpse of all that’s been accomplished by our colleagues since our last newsletter!
An Update From Our Manager
This has been a busy and at times challenging year for all our services. We have continued to support women and children affected by domestic abuse by walking alongside them as they take the steps to a life of their choosing.
As a team we have laughed and cried together, helping each other get through the harder days.
We have commemorated our 25th anniversary with our limited-edition badges and fund-raising events, the Island Games were a highlight and thank you to everyone who took part in the period pain stimulator, your reactions and feedback made the week worthwhile.
We have introduced a new service, Housing First and welcomed Inga to the team.
Looking forward, we aim to grow what we do all-over Orkney so watch this space!
I would like to thank all the team and board, they are what make WAO what it is. I’d also like to thank all our funders and the community here for the support. Your help and contributions and support help us to do what we do and help women and children to feel heard, believed and understood.
Thank you
Women’s Service
Own My Life
The hugely successful Own My Life Course has just this week finished another of their face-to-face groups and has seen lots of valuable learning for the women that were able to attend.
“I have got so much from this and will continue to do so. A game-changer for me.”
“Own my life showed me not only what happened to me but who I am beyond it, and that’s where healing began.”
“In the Own my life group I learned my voice has value, my story makes sense and healing is something we can do together.”
The next Own my life will start on the 20th of January and we have spaces available for women that want to join. If you would like more information or would like to consider an online alternative please contact:
lesley-anne@womensaidorkney.org.uk
Seasonal Circle & Journaling Groups
These have been made possible by additional sourced grants which has allowed us to offer free of charge opportunities to Women to gather, reflect and look forward with confidence. Thank you to Angela for leading these fabulous sessions and to the National Lottery funding that helped make this happen at the Old Library & St Magnus Centre.
Solihull Approach
Since the 1st of October, two of our qualified facilitators have been guiding mum’s through the Solihull Approach to parenting. Offering techniques on how to navigate the challenging world of being a parent and help Mum’s and Carer’s to feel less alone.
Women’s Groups
Throughout the last few months, WAO have worked in collaboration with the Orkney Library with our Sisterhood + Stories Book group. We’d like to say a very special thanks to our very own book worm Lesley-Anne, all the staff that have helped create this group, to everyone that joined and to Sue House from the Kirkwall Library for helping to make this such a success.
Craft Groups
In the run up to Christmas we welcomed women to our craft groups. Not only did they have a chance to try something new and creative but they also shared some of there pieces to be sold at the Skaill House Christmas Fair as part of our fundraising efforts…more on that later!
CYP Service
Our incredible team of two in this department do an amazing job at supporting the Children and Young People that visit us. Helping them to navigate their experience of domestic abuse in a way that suits their individual needs and will alongside their one-to-one support, offer group activities.
“The CYP service wanted to say a big thank you to Carol and Laura from Solisquay. Ingrid Budge and Katherine Diaper for all the fantastic work they have done with the CYP service. The amazing arty opportunities they have provided for our young people and, sharing their knowledge in such a patient and kind manner“
“We would also like to thank The Orkney Early Years Team for continued support of our service. The Scottish Sea Farms for their Community Fund and to the generous funding from the Molly Lind for CYP resources this year and a big thanks to Buttle UK, The Orkney Children’s Trust and Orkney Charitable Trust“
The Blue Door
In the last week of November we were given the opportunity to be the Charity of the week in the Blue Door in Kirkwall. Thanks to all that visited. Through your purchases of raffle tickets and items in store we made an incredible…
£1812.81
Thank you so much to the team at the Blue Door and to all of you!
Skaill House Christmas Fair
We have been so thankful to have been this years nominated charity at Skaill House. Their Christmas craft Fair was the busiest yet and the WAO team very much enjoyed getting the house decorated in preparation for the weekend.
Alongside the bottle stall, lucky dip, raffle and other stall holders, we had our very own handmade items for sale from our craft groups – letter decorations, trinket trays, wire wreaths, cyanotype prints and christmas cards designed by our very own CYP department, our ever popular mystery books and beautiful bookmarks with the charms kindly donated by Lexx from Bad Biscuit!
Having the Hilltoft Peedie Ponies, The Orkney Dairy, The Orkney Rapair Cafe AND Tulloch’s Ice Cream Van made it extra special too.
Thank you to everyone that made it all possible. Not only did you buy local from the fabulous stall holders, you supported local too and raised us a huge…
£4491.53
Christmas at WAO
We acknowledge and respect that not everyone we support celebrates Christmas and for a lot of people, this time of year can be extremely challenging.
At WAO, we always aim to make this time of year a little brighter for those that need a boost and my goodness did you all get on board with that idea too. Without the support of our local community and charities we couldn’t do what we do.
We genuinely have so many people to thank and there are not enough words to show our gratitude for your support. The WAO team work very hard to help those who have or are experiencing domestic abuse here in your local community and with you all behind us it really makes a difference.
This Christmas we sourced gifts for over 100 Women and 100 Children through donated items.
Thanks to the donated items through BBC Radio Orkney, The Orkney Rugby Club, Skaill House,The Stromness Academy pamper packs, Kirkwall BID/ VAO giving Tree and all the lovely items brought to us independently we were able to source items for all the women in our service.
Thanks to the Kids Out Charity, Salvation Army Toy drive and Lidls Toy Donation Station we were able to give gifts to 100 Children
A very special thank you has to go to the Dounby Rainbow’s and The Kirkwall Girlguides for their very thoughtful delivery of 40 handmade cards. These will go to as many of the women as we can with their Christmas gifts. What an amazing job you’ve all done!
We have also been very grateful to receive £500.00 from Siemens Energy & BAM’s giving tree towards electricity vouchers for our refuge accommodation. This will make such a huge difference to those in need. Thank you to all that contributed.
Huge and just as important thanks go to:
Hestacraft’s donation from sales this December.
Lilly at Thor and Freya Coffee for their donation.
Jackie & Chris for your incredible support.
Peedie Ponies for their donation.
The Snack Pot for allowing us to have donation pots throughout this year.
Heather and her fellow sewing club members for their kind donation.
The Island Games committee for the bedding we received.
The OIC for their continued support.
To Sarah and her sea swimming legends.
To wonderful women and church groups that have supported us.
Tesco Kirkwall for their continued support
To EVERYONE that has donated money each month, clothes, pamper items, bedding, furniture and toys…
THANK YOU!
Although the office will be closed from the 24th of December until the 2nd of January 2026 you are not alone!
Need support, information or advice outside of our office hours?
If you are in danger please call 999
Scotland’s 24 hour Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline can provide information, advice or support at any time of day.
Call: Scotland’s 24 hour Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Or visit: sdafmh.org.uk
Your Right to be Safe
Anyone could be at risk from domestic abuse and everyone has the right to be safe and free from abuse. So, if it is happening to you, remember you are not to blame, and you are not alone. You can get free and confidential support from Women’s Aid Orkney!