West Lancashire Womens Refuge

NEW!!! LATEST NEWS - updated 9th July 2010

Watch this space for more events taking place with Domestic Violence Support Services (W.L) Registered Charity No 1101025 .

Our Achievements

‘Winner’ Woman in the Community Award 1995

‘Commended’ Health Challenge Award 2001

‘Finalist’ Big Difference Awards 2004

‘Finalist’ ‘Be Inspired Business Awards’ 2006

Winner ‘Leadership Team of the Year’ 2007

‘Finalist’ Business Woman of the Year 2010

‘Finalist’ Leadership Team of the Year 2010

Friends of the refuge 200 club

The first draw took place on Wednesday 30th June 2010 Winners are as follows: - no 2 K Vousden 1st, no 13 K Wilde 2nd, No 98 S Jones 3rd congratulations to you all and well done.

At the recent Forget Me Not Appeal Tiara Ball charity event, which took place on 14th May 2010, approximately £5000

was raised to help victims of domestic violence.

We would like to thank all who sponsored, donated auction/raffle prizes and attendees who helped us raise this money.

As from the 1st April 2010 West Lancashire Women's Refuge will be trading as Domestic Violence Support Services (W.L.).

Contact no's, Bank account and email address's remain the same and all cheques and payments should still be made payable to

West Lancashire Women's Refuge Ltd and sent to DVSS, P.O Box 16, Glebe Road, Skelmersdale, WN8 6XZ

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A quote from Bill Taylor of West Lancashire District Council as in The Advertiser 19th November 2009

Work of Women's Refuge is 'outstanding'

"It's not often I am stuck for words but I really struggled to express myself in a meaningful way at an event recently.

To explain, I was guest speaker at the 21st Anniversary Celebrations for the West Lancashire Women's Refuge and had been sittting watching and listening

to the premier of a new video film called "Join the Dots", which provided a graphic description of some of the horrors of domestic violence.

Victims of violence gave a first hand insight which was not only terrifying but also inspiring. Perhaps now you can understand why with a lump in my throat

I struggled to find the appropriate words - it was a very emotional experience.

The work of the refuge is nothing short of outstanding. Most residents will know that they provide absolutely first class accommodation to vulnerable women and

their families with the emphasis on safety. however, what many people will not realise is that they offer much more than this.

Did you know, for example, that they offer "floating support" providing advice for people who wish to remain in their homes? There is also the Ormskirk-based

Information Centre and the helpline and information services.

Latterly there is the "Sanctuary Scheme" part-funded by the Community Safety Partnership which provides built in security to help porvide victims of domestic violence

the ability to live safely in their own homes.

The meeting was an extremely uplifting experience and I cannot speak highly enough about the work carried out by West Lancashire Women's Refuge and its partners.

Most of all I was truly humbled by the bravery of the women who stepped forward to share with us their first hand experiences at the hands of abusers.

Can I take this opportunity to pay homage to the terrific work carried out by the Refuge. I would single out the Chair and Vice-Chair, Maureen Fazal

and Meda Westley, along with the truly inspirational contribution of Founder and Chief Officer, Eleanor Maddocks.

Without their intervention I shudder to think of the impact that domestic violence would have had on the 30,000 women who have contacted

the Refuge Service during the last 21 years".

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a womens experience word doc

All of the women who were involved in the compilation of this book have experienced domestic violence and have received Support/floating support with the West Lancs Women’s Refuge.

We gathered together to attend a creative writing programme where we wrote down our thoughts, feelings and experiences.

We respected the views of each other and supported each other when times were emotional.

All of us can relate to the experiences as we have all suffered in the same way, feeling that it was easy to talk and open up in a friendly, safe environment.

Read this book with an open mind and you can form your own opinion of our experiences.

21 years of achievements.

West Lancashire Women's Refuge in plea to migrant workers.

While a fresh start in a foreign country can solve some problems for migrants, others can only be made worse by unfamiliar surroundings.

That is why the Chief Executive of West Lancashire Women's Refuge, is urging foreign victims of domestic abuse to come forward. To this end, the charity's Ormskirk advice centre has signs in both Polish and portuguese in the window. We have seen one or two but we want the women to know that we're there to support them. Abuse happens across the world. It is difficult for women to find help. They won't know where to go.The Chief Executive explained that if she went to a foreign country she would not know what services were available. It's a strange country and it's difficult approaching agencies but we're trying to open the door and reach for them if they do need support. We're trying to break the language barrier down.

Religion and nationality don't matter if youre suffering and you need help then we're there.

The drop in centre is also open to men suffering from domestic abuse although the stigma attached to the issue makes it difficult. It's equal opportunities and we treat everyone the same. A victim is a victim and men do suffer. We've only had a low number but we would really like to encourage it.

We would also like businesses to contribute to the battle against abuse in the home.

The business community loses millions each year through time taken off work because of domestic violence. They should get more involved because it is more cost effective to take an hour off for counselling rather than a day because they're injured.

It would be good if all businesses could have a domestic violence policy.

One message for any sufferer whether male or female British or any other nationality is pick up the phone and call us, we have a 24 hour freephone helpline on 0808 100 3062.

'Help for hidden victims of abuse 'Children must not suffer in silence'

Victims of domestic violence should not suffer in silence. That is the message of a new campaign aimed at kids and mothers by the county council and agencies in the region.

The initiative will make use of children's centres to try and persuade those suffering abuse to come forward. The Chief Executive of West Lancashire Women's Refuge said "Often children are the hidden victims of abuse and the thing we notice is that they are very much aware of what's going on" It can make them withdrawn and wary of adults and can have a big effect. "They don't talk about it to anyone and it is a big responsibility on their shoulders" County councillor Jennifer Mein, cabinet member for children and young people, said "Domestic violence is a crime which has such wide-ranging and damaging effects and we are urging women to report it as soon as it happens."

"In families where domestic violence takes place, children are affected too. In 80 percent of cases they are in the same or the next room." "The thought of seeking help or even leaving the home may seem terrifying to a victim of domestic violence, but there are experienced and caring people who can help"

The 'You Dont Have To Suffer In Silence' campaign is running until the end of June, with funding from the Local Area Agreement, Stronger Safer Communities.

Leaflets and other information are being issued to children's centres, domestic violence organisations, health services, children's social care teams, the police and the probation service.

Arts and Crafts class

Service users/ex service users are now enjoying attending a Craft/Art class at our Head Office once a week.Paintings are produced on canvas and are amazing and very colourful. below are just a few of the canvas displays.

A support group/coffee morning is also being held once a week at our head office.

Service users and ex service users have just undertaken a course in household maintenance

The programme was produced and developed to enhance the life skills of women who had experienced domestic violence. In particular, the programme was designed to provide an opportunity for women to regain vital confidence whilst learning basic household maintenance skills.