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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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.