News

Deaf Ethnic Women's Association (DEWA)

DEWA is experiencing substantial growth, expanding its workforce across three key projects—youth, advocacy, and research. Additionally, the organisation is providing remote support to Deaf Ethnic Women. One notable initiative is the DEWA Advocacy Service (DAS), a drop-in service that plays a crucial role in ensuring accessibility for service users. This service offers BSL translations of English letters, addressing the unique needs of individuals who may otherwise face challenges in accessing hearing services.

Substantive victory for Not Buying It

The National Police Chiefs’ Council, the NPCC (who oversee all policing in England and Wales), must now reconsider its 'Sex Work' guidance for police and will be consulting on it, for the very first time, this year.

They have also agreed to meet survivors, their support organisations and allies who represent the 90% in the sex trade desperate to escape.

This comes after human rights group, Not Buying It. launched a legal challenge against the guidance which views online pimping sites as ‘key partners’, claims ‘survival sex’ is not necessarily exploitation and frames prostitution as ‘work’ throughout.

The NPCC are not currently covering the costs of Not Buying It so, unless a Judge orders it, they have to meet their legal costs. But you can help by donating here.

Free Mental Health Support

You My Sister supports women who have experienced abuse recover their mental health.

Enrolment is now open for the next 6 week support course. This is free and run online in small groups (for approx 2 hrs/week). This gives women the tools to better manage their own mental health. It can sit alongside formal therapies or help bridge the gap whilst waiting for interventions.

You can find out more here: https://youmysister.org.uk/what-we-do/

Please email [email protected] to book your space on the next course. 

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Programme for women leading community businesses

Big Red Kick (BRK) is a creative and innovative grassroots social enterprise supporting women with lived experience to create change. For example, support programmes and packages to support women to generate wealth in their communities.

MOMO (Micro organisation, Maximum opportunity) 

The MOMO initiative supports women with up to 20 hours of support to develop their community business ideas. 

The support is individual and tailored. It works around the juggling so many women experience of trying to work, do amazing things in their communities, and manage family and caring responsibilities.

Our qualified business coaches have lived experience in starting and running various community businesses, with most having over 20 years of experience working in the voluntary and public sector at a leadership level.

Provisions include:

• Coaching and mentoring - Coaching helps drive a project idea forward and gives them someone to bounce ideas off and a structure to help get things done. Within ten sessions, women make incredible progress. Going from an idea in their heads to an incorporated organisation with funding bids submitted. 
• Signposting and guidance - Our wealth of sector knowledge means we can direct women to the right sources of support.
• Facilitation - Support writing business plans, fundraising strategies and basic policies that are implementable, not just copied and pasted from another organisation.
• Incubation of project ideas - Allowing women to try out an idea before committing to starting a business.

Currently, the MOMO programme is free to residents or women working with residents in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Bexley. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Non-residents can still be supported. If you would like more information about the MOMO project, please email [email protected]. 

Co-production facilitator training  

With over ten years of experience in deep community development work, our experienced trainers have developed innovative and fun training to support your staff and leaders to work with the communities you serve to co-produce and co-design programmes dynamically and enjoyably. No more boring surveys! 

This two-day training can be delivered bespoke for your organisation, or you can book on one of our courses. For more information, e-mail [email protected].  

For more information about our services for women-led community businesses, visit www.thebigredkick.co.uk. 

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Family Court Task Force

Family Court Crisis held a very successful community family court Unconference in January. You can watch the recordings here.

FCC has now launched a Family Court Task Force, a community of volunteers dedicated to campaigning and participating in reform on an equal power sharing basis with professionals and policymakers.

If you are interested in joining the Task Force or the Meetup, please email [email protected].

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Caring is Everybody’s Business

As a way to tackle women’s economic inequality, an alliance of ten organisations in Bristol including Bristol Women’s Voice are campaigning for greater investment in the caring economy: childcare, early years education, social care, proper pay and decent conditions for care workers and employment structures across the board that enable us to care for others when needed.

The alliance is calling for change at a local, regional, and national level as well as within employment contracts.

Find out more about the Value the Caring Economy campaign and sign the petition: https://www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk/caring-economy/ 

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Events & Training

A treacherous journey: Migrant women's pursuit of safety and independence from abuse

Date and Time: 8th March 2024, 11 am to 11:45 am

Location: Online (Teams)

Join Bromley & Croydon Women's Aid's Legal Advisor/Outreach Supervisor, Pavleta Miteva, this International Women's Day to learn about the challenges faced by some of the most vulnerable victims of domestic abuse. 

This webinar will provide an overview of the services we provide at BCWA and more specifically the No Recourse to Public Funds support service. It will explore some of the barriers faced by migrant survivors of domestic abuse in accessing support and delve into the current framework put in place in an attempt to alleviate these. 

Sign up

Charity Zumba Event 2024

Date and Time: 16th March 2024, 10 am to 12 pm

Location: Clarendon Chambers, 32a Clarendon Street, Nottingham, NG1 5JD

Join Nottingham Central Women's Aid for a fun-filled, energetic Charity Zumba Event. Get ready to dance, sweat, and have a blast while supporting a great cause. This in-person event promises to be an unforgettable experience for all Zumba enthusiasts. Hosted by the Fantabulous Charmaine from Zumba with Charm!

All proceeds from this event and will go towards supporting women and children, escaping domestic abuse providing them with refuge accommodation, practical help and a safer future. 

Let's dance our way to making a difference! 

Get tickets

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Free English learning classes

Date and Time: Every Tuesday, 10 am to 12 pm

Location: Tesco Community Room, Bulls Bridge Industrial Estate, Hayes Road, Hounslow, Southall, UB2 5LN

Asian Community Concern are offering English language classes on a weekly basis.

For more information, please call Philomina on 07359522325 or 07825575849.

Registration now open for a range of courses and classes 

Location: Unit 2, Luther House, 30 Montague Waye, Southall, UB2 5PA

• English classes for beginners
• ESOL 
• Sewing
• Self Defence
• Yoga
• Art & Crafts

Please call Philomina on 07825575849.

Yoga Classes for Beginners

Date and Time: Every Tuesday, 10 am to 11 am

Location: Tesco Extra, Community Room, Bulls Bridge Industrial Estate, Hayes Road, Hounslow, Southall, UB2 5LN

Asian Community Concern are offering weekly yoga sessions for those looking to start their fitness journey, prices are £3.00 per session.

For more information or to book a session, please call Philomina on 07825575849.

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EmpowerHer Workshop Series

Date and Time: 22nd February 2024, 11 am to 1 pm

Location: Dalston Lane Community Centre, Lewis Place, London E8 1NU

Tambu Ayis Support Service announce their upcoming EmpowerHer Workshop Series, designed to empower and uplift African and Caribbean women in the community. Join for this enriching journey towards personal growth, well-being, and cultural pride. These workshops are a unique opportunity to connect with your cultural heritage, foster resilience, and build a strong community of support. Lasting for 10 sessions, the workshop is only open to African and Caribbean women residing in Hackney and surrounding boroughs.

For inquiries or more information, please email [email protected]. 

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Domestic Abuse Act 2021: Injunctions and powers for dealing with domestic abuse

Date and Time: Monday 18th March 2024, 10 am to 12 pm

Venue: Online (Zoom)

This free online session will explore Part 3 of the Act (Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders) which are not yet in force, and provide an overview of the existing framework for protective orders.

Register

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Family Court: IDVA / ISVA attendance & keeping refuge addresses confidential

Date and Time: Tuesday 19^th March 2024, 10 am to 1 pm

Venue: Online (Zoom)

This training focuses on the interaction between domestic abuse services and the Family Court.

Register

Mother & Other - International Women's Day event

Date and Time: 4th March 2024, 11 am to 11 pm

Location: Clockhouse Community Centre, SE18 5QL

Her Centre is hosting a free online event in celebration of International Women's Day, designed to inspire women to connect and learn about empowering mothers to improve their lives. 

Organisations include:

Her Centre, Mum's Aid, Pause & Safe Core, Amore Destine and East Children's Centre.

For more information, please contact Julia on 02032607715 or email [email protected].

The View Café Official Launch Event

Date: 2nd March 2024

Time: 7 pm to 9 pm

Location: The View Café, 13 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9DX

The social enterprise is excited to announce the official launch of The View Café, a community initiative located at 13 Caledonian Road in the bustling hub of King's Cross. 

The café’s walls are adorned with art by women refugees, asylum seekers and those in detention centres and prisons.

The café's focus on showcasing art by women in the justice system and women who have gone through trauma intends to empower and inspire visitors - it is a space where rehabilitation, healing and feminine creativity merge. 

Please contact Tahera Uddin-Jones at [email protected].