http://www.midlandswomensaid.org.uk/"There is always someone ready to talk to you with practical advice and support day and night on:"
Nottingham (0115) 925 7647
Twitter @AidMWA40
"Independent charity providing Refuge/ support services since Feb 1974 to women/children experiencing Domestic Abuse. We have no government funds for support"
from their website -
http://www.midlandswomensaid.org.uk/help.htm"We are a registered charity that has given refuge and support to thousands of women since 1976.
Thre is always someone ready to talk to you with practical advice and support day and night on:
Nottingham (0115) 925 7647
Admissions can be made to the refuge at any time. If we are unable to admit you we can always suggest other agencies to contact. Our refuge is a pleasant and secure home where women and children can be helped to cope and recover from the trauma of family breakdown associated with violence or abuse. We can accept up to seven families at any time. Each family has a private family room and the refuge is never overcrowded.
Midlands Women's Aid workers will not tell you what decisions to make or what to do with your life. Instead our workers will:
support you and work with you to help you feel in control of your own life and your own decisions
we have a lot of experience and information which we will use to help you find the right path for you
if we can't answer all of your questions or provide you with all the help and support you need, then we will know other agencies that can
Living in a violent relationship destroys confidence
and self respect.
Violent parents leave a legacy of violence to their children.
If you are experiencing Domestic Violence,
it is not just your problem.
HELP YOURSELF
HELP YOUR CHILDREN
HELP US TO HELP YOU"
"In May 1974 Sue, our Project Manager, watched a documentary on television called "Scream Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear". To say this was an eye opener for her is an understatement, she had not been aware that this abhorrent treatment of women and children existed. Her cosy life as a secretary soon changed. That same year Midlands Women's Aid became a reality and opened its refuge in August 1976
We work with women and children who are experiencing or trying to escape domestic violence and who are dealing with its effects and consequences. We employ workers, who are all women to provide advice, support and information services for you. We also use women volunteers who give their time to help us provide our services to women and children living with and escaping domestic violence.
What is a Refuge?
A refuge is a confidential address where women and children can go if they are escaping domestic violence.
A refuge is a safe place where there are staff available to support you in deciding what you want to do next.
Don't worry if you feel confused or upset when you first arrive. Everybody feels like this. We and the other women in the refuge will help you to settle in and get used to things. As part of settling you into the refuge, a refuge support worker will:
show you around the refuge, including your own room and the communal areas
introduce you to the other people who are staying in the refuge
make sure you have things to eat or drink for the first 24 hours. After that, we can help you to get shopping and collect personal belongngs
help you to complete any paperwork you need to claim benefits if you are eligible for these
explain the house rules to you
check that you understand everything and are comfortable with it
Don't worry if you can't take everything in at once. We are always on hand to answer any of your questions."
"Outreach Service
Our Outreach Service supports women who have experienced or who are experiencing domestic violence. Women do not need to have been in refuge to access this service although some will have. The service is available to ALL women, whether or not they have children.
The service is flexible to suit individual needs and whilst it provides one to one support, often works alongside other agencies to address all needs of women and their children. Some women ask for regular structured meetings with the Outreach Worker, others prefer to phone when support is required.
Outreach work entails becoming involved with a variety of practical tasks whilst providing the emotional and moral support that a woman might need to work towards being able to undertake these tasks for herself. The practical tasks may include form filling; accompanying someone to court, solicitors, housing or hospital etc; negotiating and liaising with other agencies; explaining documents and procedures; writing letters of support; referring to other services and professionals and making enquiries on a womans behalf. This is not an exhaustive list and the diversity of tasks increases as the number of women using the service increases.
The Outreach Worker is able to provide information and explore options with a woman which will assist her to make decisions about her future and that of her children. Women are also given access to materials used in training which explain why abuse occurs and how to overcome its effects.
The support provides essential help to a woman who has been assaulted, controlled and undermined resulting in confusion, low self-esteem and lack of motivation.
The Outreach Service operates alongside the refuge to provide a complete package of support to women and families experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
Childrens Outreach Service
Our Children's Outreach Service is funded by Nottinghamshire Children's Fund until 2006. It's main role is to raise awareness of domestic violence and the support available to children. Our Children's Outreach Worker can support children aged 5-13 by listenening and acknowledging their needs through therapeutic play and talking through their problems. Our Children's Outreach Service and Outreach Service work closely together to support children in the refuge and offers ongoing support to families that have left the refuge, or families who cannot access refuge for whatever reason.
A snapshot of the possible impact of witnessing domestic violence on children can be....... sleeplessness, confusion, bullies or bullied, nightmares, anxiety, guilt, anger, self harm and eating disorders.
Children can speak to someone.
They will understand.
Children are taken seriously."
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