The coronavirus pandemic self-isolation is resulting in increased reports of domestic violence in the home – which ought to be the safest place right now. This makes disturbing reading and impacts on services which are already stretched and can only respond by increasing online support, set up emergency warning systems in pharmacies and grocery stores to reach those in need.
When it comes to standing up for women, we at the Soroptimist International club of Winchester do our bit. At present we are sending additional donations to the Winchester Women’s Refuge, the Trinity Centre and the Night Shelter. It is a difficult time and many of our charities have suffered from a slow-down in funding.
Recently we were able to deliver picnic items and games to the women and children at the Winchester Women’s Refuge. We have supported them for many years. The picnic was started five years ago, in partnership with St Swithun’s School in Winchester where the girls at the school join with us to help. Here we were able to provide a sumptuous picnic and outdoor activities for the children.
This year however has been different. We have not been able to interact with the women and children, but when they saw what we had provided they decided to have the picnic the same day and took advantage of the weather on that day in July. We heard later ‘they were so thrilled with the food, they ate the lot…’ and thanked us for the event.
