The Soroptimists are proud to support and work with the Stroud Women’s Refuge.
In 1977, a small group of volunteers met for the first time in Stroud Subscription Rooms to look at what could be done locally to reach out to women and children who often had no way of escaping the daily violence and intimidation to which they were being subjected. From those very early beginnings, the Stroud Beresford Group was set up and the first women’s refuge was established in the town with help from Stroud District Council, making it possible to offer safe accommodation and support to women and children and enabling them to re-build their lives. The Refuge, the only one in Gloucestershire, provides safety and independence for women and children from around the UK whose lives have been impacted by domestic abuse. They also run an important local community outreach programme for women in the Stroud District who are affected by domestic abuse or who are at risk of domestic abuse. For more information on their work please visit:https://www.stroudwomensrefuge.org/womens-refuge/
In the past few years the Cirencester and District Soroptimists have donated equipment, linen, toiletries, activity packs, treat boxes and money to help the Stroud Beresford Group look after the women and families who come to them for help. We look forward to continuing this relationship and are delighted that one of their volunteers has now become a Soroptimist. Women working together to improve the lives of women and their families.