On Thursday September 29th, our club speaker was Sophie Mitchell from the Tyneside Women’s Health Project. She spoke about their work to provide services to women who are victims of domestic abuse.
The project is funded by Comic Relief. Their main office is in Gateshead but they also have a smaller branch in Byker and recently have just opened an outreach office in North Tyneside. Part of their work is to deliver workshops for professionals to raise awareness of domestic abuse issues. Other aspects of their work, is to provide support groups for mental health needs; counselling services to all volunteers who are undergoing training and craft making groups. In addition, they have spoken to groups of Gateshead schoolchildren about younger women’s healthy relationships including what is consent; honour based violence and forced marriages.
Sophie said that success included fifteen support groups established in Gateshead, twelve in Newcastle and review groups after the initial support has finished. Improved confidence, the ability to reflect on participants’ experiences and the provision of support for older women in abusive relationships are positive outcomes.
If you would like to find out more about this group (including their involvement in the White Ribbon Campaign), please click on this link: