WT Celebrates Woman's Day

WELCOME to Woman’s Trusts International Woman’s Day webpage!

2010-02-25T09:52:00.000-08:00

We’re very pleased to be marking International Woman’s Day celebrating the effectiveness, strength, wisdom and courage of women both locally and across the world.

Women who have experienced domestic violence often encounter judgment, disbelief, blame, poverty and isolation as well as support, friendship, and loyalty, most often from other women. Children exposed to domestic violence are deeply affected by it and it is overwhelmingly women who care for them. 2 women every week are killed by a partner or ex-partner. One in 4 women will experience domestic violence.

These are depressing statistics that need to be taken on board. Every day we see women who have been traumatised by DV, who also find deep reserves of personal power, endurance, fortitude, love, good judgment, intelligence, and determination. People who experience DV are indeed victims. And also survivors who very often go on to thrive in rich, new lives.

Where is Woman’s Trust Woman’s Day being held?

2010-02-25T09:51:00.000-08:00

Lighthouse West London is 3 minutes walk from Ladbroke Grove underground.
Buses 7, 23, 52, 70 and 452 stop outside Ladbroke Grove underground station.
Car parking is on the street and metered.

Lighthouse West London
111 – 117 Lancaster Road
W11 1QT

Woman’s Trust Advocates and Counsellors

2010-02-25T09:42:00.000-08:00

Woman’s Trust Advocates and Counsellors will be available on the day to offer advice and support.

Advocates help with practical things such as legal advice and knowing your rights. At present, and because of funding limitations, we can only work with women who live in the boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster and Greenwich. If you live in any other borough we will pass you the details of another agency who could help you. During Women’s Day we will work with everyone who needs us.

Our counsellors understand that women who experience domestic violence are often used to being told what’s good for them which is often harmful and hurtful. We know that each woman is the expert on their own life and, given the opportunity, will find the way forward that is best for them. Empowering women to remember that they are capable, wise, sensible and loving, works. We work with any woman whose been affected by domestic violence, and we’ll be on hand during the day.

Urbanbliss

2010-02-25T09:37:00.000-08:00

Physical touch and simple attention becomes associated with violence, cruelty and pain for people who experience domestic violence. The body is no longer experienced as a useful, beautiful vessel for the soul but something that is used and abused.

Practitioners from Urban Bliss have very generously offered to be available on the day offering various taster treatments that can help reunite and heal the body and mind.

Aliza Baron Cohen (acupuncturist and healer) and Helen Thorpe (massage therapist) first set up Urbanbliss in 1998. You can find out more about their work here.

Kensington and Chelsea College

2010-02-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

Remaining in touch with the world is important for all of us, but for women who’re experiencing domestic violence it can be a literal lifesaver. Perpetrators almost always aim to isolate their victims; victims’ lives become small and separated from ordinary reality; minds can stop working, depression sets in and abuse becomes normal because no one says it isn’t.

Kensington and Chelsea College offer vocational training, apprenticeships, courses for people with no qualifications and courses for people who are very well qualified. GCSE’s, A levels, construction training, interior design, hairdressing and beauty, graphic design, performing arts, ceramics . . . there’s a course for everyone. And with every course comes self-esteem, a social life, achievement, new friends – factors that can prevent or halt domestic violence.

Students from Kensington and Chelsea College NVQ 3 in Children’s Care And Development will be offering keeping children entertained on the day with mask making, face painting and other activities.

http://www.kcc.ac.uk/health-care-and-child-care/child-care/

The Beauty Therapy department has generously donated manicure vouchers. Their salon offers very cheap hair and beauty treatments.

We’re very pleased to welcome representatives of the college who can guide you through choosing and applying for a course. And they’re offering 10% off course fees too!

Portobello Fitness Club

2010-02-24T07:35:00.000-08:00

Emotional and physical wellbeing are closely linked. Being active lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of diabetes, stroke and heart attack and the more active you are the more likely you are to avoid or reduce depression.

Happiness is in short supply for women who’re experiencing domestic violence, and so we're very pleased to welcome Portobello Fitness Club. Unlike most gyms Portobello Fitness Club has a community involvement team, who’re keen to find ways to make fitness available to as many people as possible, including a GP referral scheme and free passes.

Sophie Dare Massage

2010-02-24T07:31:00.000-08:00

Women who experience domestic violence often find themselves destitute, unable to buy nappies or shoes for their children, let alone pay any attention to their health and wellbeing. A cycle of neglect can mean that a woman becomes unable to compete in the job market because they begin to look, and feel, drab. Physical contact comes to mean violence and threat.

We're very pleased to welcome Sophie Dare who has very generously offered free hand and feet massages. With over 12 years experience, Dare Therapy and Massage SW1 offers one of London's leading healing and massage therapy services. You can find out more about her services here.

RBKC Housing Department

2010-02-18T11:28:00.000-08:00

Kensington and Chelsea has the highest property prices and private sector rents in the country, the highest residential density in London, the highest proportion of people renting privately in the United Kingdom and a lower than average proportion of owner occupiers.

Women who experience domestic violence often have to flee their homes and become homeless. Affordable housing, whether rented from the Council, a housing association or a private landlord is very difficult to access and can be horrendously expensive.

Woman’s Trust welcomes Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Housing Department to guide women through what can be a confusing, frustrating labyrinth.

Community Safety Unit

2010-02-18T10:23:00.000-08:00

The CSU prioritize dealing with hate crimes, including domestic violence. They have strong links with Woman’s Trust and work alongside other community organizations like the CAB and the local council. CSU officers have specialist training and aim to have a named officer in charge of your case from beginning to end.

Woman's Trust is very pleased to welcome the CSU to be available to women, formally and informally, as each woman determines is best for her.

Sapphire Unit

2010-02-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

Sapphire is the Metropolitan Police specialist rape and sexual assault unit. The police get a bad press about the way in which they sometimes treat rape victims but Sapphire officers are specifically trained to support women and men victims and have extensive links with non-police organizations that can assist beyond the legal system.

Woman's Trust works extensively with women who have experienced sexual violence and we welcome Sapphire officers to our Woman's Day event.

Department for Work and Pensions

2010-02-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

The DWP are a government organization responsible for state benefits and for helping unemployed people back to work. They can also offer interest free loans to help in emergencies.

Women experiencing domestic violence, and their children, also often experience sudden and catastrophic poverty.

The legislation around benefit entitlement and returning to work can be very confusing, so we’re really pleased to have representatives from North Kensington JobCentre Plus guiding women through the system.