News News from our Community News from our community - October 2024 FiLiA FiLiA is a Women's rights charity and we are offering this training day in a number of cities throughout the UK. Do you want to advocate effectively for women in your local community? Do you want to be part of a wider network of women organising in the UK and beyond? Do you want to change the world?! Please find the details of a free training day for Women on the poster below, being held in central Cardiff on 9th November 2024. OPOKA CIO OPOKA CIO has won the Community Organisation: Gender Award at this year’s National Diversity Awards in association with HSBC UK. It’s a huge achievement to win as over 90,000 nominees and 125 finalists in 15 categories were named in recognition of their dedication to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion. OPOKA CIO, founded in 2012 to support Polish women and children escaping domestic abuse, has become a pivotal force in providing safety and empowerment. OPOKA offers bilingual helplines, practical support, DV outreach, counselling and therapy, ensuring holistic recovery for survivors. With nine places across two Safe Houses, OPOKA offers sanctuary to Polish mothers and children seeking refuge from violence. In 2023 alone, OPOKA handled 11,019 Helpline calls and supported 254 women, achieving health improvements, safety and financial stability. Notably, OPOKA CIO pioneered Safe Structured Supported Accommodation and received the Women’s Aid Federation of England a National Quality Standard Award for its exemplary service. A highlight in the diversity calendar, the National Diversity Awards unite UK citizens irrespective of race, faith, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and culture. Hailed as the ‘Golden Globes’ of the diversity world, this year’s event was hosted for the second year running by world-renowned broadcaster, author, presenter and journalist Clare Balding, CBE who, in her life and through her work, champions diversity, inclusion and equity. We really hope this award helps to shine a light on domestic abuse within the Polish community in the UK and encourages people to support charities like ours so that we can continue to be there for anyone subjected to abuse. Young Women’s Trust The latest Young Women’s Trust annual survey shows that young women are carrying a heavy burden of worry about their finances, work and their futures, compared to young men. They’re more likely to be struggling financially, trapped in jobs they don’t enjoy, and unable to move out of the family home and live their lives as they want to. At work, young women are feeling much less supported than young men to pursue their ambitions and get where they want to be. This initial snapshot from our 2024 annual survey shows the scale of the stresses and strains that young women are coping with during the ongoing cost of living crisis. Our full survey release, coming later in the year, will delve into what’s going on for young women in workplaces to cause this, and what can be done about it. Find the snapshot report here! YWT is also participating in the Big Give - all donations are going to be matched In very recent news, during the week that it's live! Birth Companions Birth Companions has recently published a response to the latest MBRRACE report into maternal deaths during pregnancy and the year after birth, which have found evidence of stark and widening inequalities along the lines of deprivation, and in relation to migrant women and women who are known to social services. Read Birth Companions' response here! Don't miss out on these events from Birth Companions Birth Companions’ reflection event 1: The 2024 MBRRACE report and children’s social care involvementMonday 4th November 2024, 12:30-13:30, Online Following the publication of the latest MBRRACE report on maternal deaths, Birth Companions will be hosting this online lunchtime reflection event to allow us to collectively reflect on one of the key inequities highlighted in this year’s report; the care of pregnant and postnatal women who have social services’ involvement. Register here. Birth Companions’ reflection event 2: Migrant women’s experiences of maternity care in the 2024 MBRRACE reportTuesday 19th November 2024, 12:00-13:00, Online Following the publication of the latest MBRRACE report on maternal deaths, Birth Companions will be hosting this online lunchtime reflection event to allow us to collectively reflect on one of the key inequities highlighted in this year’s report; experiences of pregnant and postnatal women who have recently migrated. Register here. ADHD Babes ADHD Babes has won 2 awards this month! Winner of Organisation of the year - Genius Within Winner of Community Organisation of the Year Award - Inside Out Wellbeing Some more are ADHD Babes: ADHD Babes is a community group for Black Women and Non-Binary people with ADHD. We create safer spaces for us to flourish and live our lives to their greatest potential. ADHD Babes is run by us and for us, with all members of our team being from our community. We aim to empower and encourage all members to build peer support networks, share lived experiences and embrace their neurodivergence as a community. We aim to inspire and empower people with community, tools, learning and healing spaces to redefine and understand ADHD, allowing us to tackle its difficulties and utilise its strengths. We aim to create an accessible platform and safer spaces for us to connect and learn about our experience of living with ADHD; and break down the barriers that restrict our community from gaining a clinical diagnosis. We aim to create a society that embraces neurodiversity and the social model of disability. We aim to raise awareness and educate people on the truth and reality of how ADHD affects neurodivergent people, and how best to support them. Rights of Women Info on upcoming training below: The rules on mediation in family cases for survivors of domestic abuse Webinar covering recent changes to the rules on non-court dispute resolution in family cases for survivors of domestic abuse. This interactive webinar is for non-legal professionals supporting survivors of domestic abuse involved in family law disputes. Recently, the rules were changed to try to increase the use of mediation and other ways of resolving disputes outside of court (non-court dispute resolution). This webinar will provide an overview of the rules and consider the implications for survivors of domestic abuse. Date: 26th November 2024, Tuesday Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm Format: Zoom Free Eligibility criteria and registration link can be found here Specialist Briefing Session: Domestic Abuse Act – for Voluntary and community organisations This 1-hour session for borough officers covers family law aspects of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This 1 hour session offers a basic mini-training, Q&A and peer discussion on the family law elements of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This is an informal session and particpants are invited to send any questions in advance to [email protected]. Suggested topics include the definition of domestic abuse, prohibition of direct cross-examination, special measures and DAPOs. There will also be space to ask questions in the session. Date: 19th November 2024, Tuesday Time: 10.00am – 11.00am Format: Zoom Free Eligibility criteria and registration link can be found here Survivor Space Oxfordshire The Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre (OSARCC) has changed its name to Survivor Space Oxfordshire following a 6-month research and consultation process. Survivor Space’s CEO, Lauren Kendall, said: “After consultation with staff, survivors, funders and other stakeholders, we feel very confident and excited about what this change heralds. Our new strategy commits us to becoming more visible and recognisable, and this rebranding exercise lays the foundations to achieve this important objective." “We are all looking forward to holding our launch event at the Westgate later this month and I hope to see many volunteers, supporters and friends who have worked alongside us over the years. I’m hugely grateful to the Westgate for providing us with the exhibition space to raise awareness of our work.” OSARCC was founded as Oxford Rape Crisis in 1979, and initially run by volunteers until being formally registered as a charity in 2009. In the 45 years since being founded, our organisation has supported thousands of survivors of sexual violence in Oxfordshire. Survivors and referral agencies signposting to OSARCC will be redirected to the new Survivor Space website to ensure that those who need our support can access it without any barriers. Survivor’s Network Survivor's Network are accepting Submissions for our 3rd Issue of the Speak Out e-zine - an online / newsletter zine made by survivors for survivors. The zine is a space for survivors of sexual violence to be creative and express themselves through whatever creative medium best expresses themselves (and can be put in print!) and provides survivors with opportunities to connect with one another through creativity. Currently accepting submissions for our BRAVERY issue - find more information here. Muslim Women’s Network UK MWNUK has published a report on Anti-Muslim hate: concerns and experiences Read the report here! This research seeks to understand concerns and experiences related to Islamophobia / anti-Muslim hate, both prior to and following the widespread riots that followed the Southport stabbings on 29 July, 2024. Given the adverse impact on Muslims, the voices and experiences of Muslims must be central in the efforts to combat hate crime and inform new hate crime plans and policies. Self Injury Support Self Injury Support is a mental health charity that supports people of all ages and genders affected by self harm. The organisation offers free, confidential, non-judgemental support services run by trained volunteers and staff who can provide support and a listening ear. These services can be accessed on Monday and Thursday evenings between 7pm-10pm on: Telephone: 0808 800 8088 Text: 07537 342444 Please visit our website for information and updates on our other listening support services: https://www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk/our-support-services The website also has a wide range of information and self-help resources about self-harm and related topics - some also available in several different languages - as well as guidance for family, friends and professionals. We offer an in-person, referral-based peer support service for people in the BNSSG area as well as wellbeing groups for people using self-harm, and we also deliver self-harm training courses to professionals and individuals. Inspiring Leadership Foundation Inspiring Leadership Foundation is committed to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged people achieve economic empowerment, with a focus on young people and women. Our comprehensive and holistic programmes offer personal and professional development opportunities, helping them pursue their ambitions and attain financial independence. Inspiring Leadership Foundation offers support for women age 16+ to help you grow personally and professionally. We aim to help you reach your goals and become financially independent via mentorship, workshops, work experience and online resources and learning material. Find out more on the website here! Manage Cookie Preferences