WINTER NEWSLETTER 2024

Hello and welcome to the winter newsletter from Women’s Aid Orkney

A Note From Our Manager,

It’s that time of year again where we reflect on the past 12 months and all that has happened. We continue to offer support to women and children affected by domestic abuse and have had a busy year supporting 164 women and 80 children and young people since 1^st January 2024.

I would like to thank the team, our board and all those who have supported WAO over the past year, I can not express enough how important it is for our service to have you there.

Wishing you all a peaceful festive period.

Michelle

Winter Opening Times

It’s worth noting that our office hours will differ from the norm over the Christmas period.

The office will be closed from the 24th of December 12.30pm and will be reopen on the 6th of January 2025.

Our Service updates

Family Forward Service

We have spent time working on what the service looks like and how this can be improved to better reach and support families.

We have completed a range of training including becoming qualified in Solihull parenting technique and moving forward we are hoping to complete training in becoming Solihull parenting group facilitators and provide training directly to parents in this technique.

We hosted a Family Fun Day at the KGS in the summer which was well received and busy.

We have completed our drop ins for other third sector providers and organisations to raise awareness with other professionals and create a network of support for families. If you are an organisation who we have missed off the list and would like a drop in, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

During this time, we have also continued to provide support to families within the service.

Family Forward feedback,

“The daily support has been invaluable and I would have ended up going back if I did not have that consistent support.”

“Thank you so much! I will have 2 very happy children! 😊”

Women’s Service

Christmas craft group is underway and so far, we have enjoyed making wooden hanging decorations, felt penguins & Santas. 

There are three sessions remaining which will include our wreath making class.  The ladies have enjoyed the relaxed Christmasy atmosphere, listening to Christmas music while making new friends and learning new skills.

Own My Life

The Women’s Service has almost completed another successful course of “Own My Life”, a 12 week programme that is aimed at helping women take back control of their own lives. There will be new sessions available in the new year for both face-to-face and online options.

Donation Opportunities

As always we are so thankful for all the donations we receive throughout the year but especially as we approach Christmas. This time of year can be incredibly isolating for women and children. Your gifts can help bring a smile to those who could otherwise go without. Huge thank you to everyone that has already kindly donated items!

The Women’s Service are still hoping for new well-being items such as candles, pamper kits, beauty products.

A Special thank you to The Hygge Clinic and Radio Orkney have very generously offered to have drop off points for gifted items.

We are also very grateful to Lidl who have again this year allowed us to have a Toy donation box situated at the door next to our food donation basket.

Even More Special Thank Yous…

We would also like to take this opportunity to say a HUGE thank you for donations we have received which are already being put towards purchases for the women and children in our service which have been gifted by:

Drever & Heddle

Donaldsons of Orkney

North Vet

Orkney Events

The Salvation Army

Orkney Insurance Brokers Ltd

We wish you all a very happy and safe time over the festive period.

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.