The packed agenda for June’s Regional Programme Action Meeting opened with a presentation by Clare Jones, Deputy Director and Joint Chief Executive of WomenCentre.
This charity is based in the Halifax and Huddersfield areas of Yorkshire. It promotes holistic, one-stop-shop services for women in vulnerable situations. Many of the women have multiple needs related to domestic violence, housing, relationships, mental and physical health, education, and poor life skills. There may also be drug-related problems or issues arising through the criminal justice system.
The WomenCentre baseline is to treat all the women with respect. Workers listen, counsel and guide their clients to build up self-confidence and self-esteem, helping them to believe in their own potential. At their own pace the women develop skills that enable them to take greater control of their own lives, plus improve safety and wellbeing for their children. The women grow in confidence and may eventually re-enter education or undertake training, thus enhancing their economic situation. WomenCentre believes in ’Working with women to make a difference’.
Continuing the meeting Margaret Molyneux (Regional Programme Action Officer) was delighted to make a special announcement. In the Queen’s Birthday Honours (published that day), Avis Freeman of SI Leigh & District was awarded the British Empire Medal ‘For services to the communities in Leigh and Wigan, Greater Manchester’. Avis – ever modest – took over the microphone to thank everyone for their good wishes.
Yvonne Gibbon, Regional Ambassador for SIGBI’s BIG Project, gave a brief update and encouraged clubs to help boost the Region’s fundraising total. Her own fundraiser? When visiting clubs, Yvonne now takes with her ‘Mariama’. (A baby doll, but she represents children orphaned through the hazards of birthing in the Gambia.) For £1, members can have a go at guessing Mariama’s date and time of ‘birth’. So think BIG.