Tomorrow’s Women (TW) is a charity led by women for women based in Wirral and Chester and was created based on the principles outlined in the 2007 Corston report. Baroness Corston visited UK women’s prisons and identified that for many women who had committed non-violent crimes, prison was both disproportionate and inappropriate. Corston suggested the importance of identifying the underlying issues that led to a woman committing and offence in order to stop the cycle of re-offending.
TW are passionate about supporting and empowering women and girls from all backgrounds facing any personal issues to live equal and fulfilled lives. TW believe that every woman deserves support, compassion and understanding, and provide a safe space for women from all walks of life.
TW provides a “one stop shop” of support whereby a woman can visit the centre and access support from a range of statutory and third sector organisations all under one roof. When a woman is going through a difficult time, it can be daunting to know where to go to access support and who to turn to, it can also be stressful not knowing the associated costs with accessing this support. Another worry can also be if she a suffering from domestic abuse, she may be concerned that the perpetrator will find out she is accessing support, putting her in more danger.
The work of TW is aimed around reducing a woman’s risk of offending or re-offending by providing targeted interventions around areas in her life she may need support, this includes domestic abuse, mental health, substances, finances, confidence and self-esteem. There is however no criteria a woman must meet in order to access support, she is welcome to come along if she feels she needs to. Women attend TW from all backgrounds and walks of life, facing a range of different issues but also to take part in the array of offerings on the timetable.
TW are passionate about advocating for and supporting women who have experienced domestic abuse. 1 in 4 women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime, and it takes, on average, 7 attempts before a woman is able to leave for good. Shockingly, on average, 2 women a week are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales. TW host an annual VAWG event which campaigns for ending violence against women and girls; women survivors are welcomed to tell their inspirational stories of overcoming abuse, and speakers from supporting organisations such as Police and other DA charities discuss the fantastic work that they do. We also educate the women, and the wider community, on issues surrounding domestic abuse.
There are many ways in which women are supported following accessing TW which can be seen in case studies.
Woman A came to TW in crisis having just fled from domestic abuse. She had endured physical abuse and gaslighting for many years, she had lost control over her finances as her partner made sure all of her money was transferred into his account, and she had turned to drinking and drugs as a way of coping. The abuse had escalated over recent months and woman A is concerned for her safety and doesn’t want to live like this anymore. Woman A came in to the safety of the centre and reported immediately feeling supported. She spoke with an Empowerment Advisor (EA) who is a trained an IDVA/ ISVA and qualified in supporting with domestic abuse, who filled out a DASH form. Woman A was able to talk to a police officer for advice as well as a solicitor to get a non-molestation order put in place. The EA filled out a referral for emergency accommodation and the woman was provided with a change of clothes and toiletries. The EA also filled out a referral form for a drug and alcohol specialist support service. Woman A continued to seek support and took part in Finding Me, a domestic abuse course, and attends weekly recovery support groups.
TW staff work tirelessly and fully devote themselves to supporting the women. Whether it is the admin team who answer calls from women who are in crisis or need reassurance before coming to the centre for the first time, or the empowerment advisors who support many women every day as well as lead courses, to the management who make sure that everything is running smoothly. Every single staff member goes above and beyond within not only their own roles but also putting on events, making the centre a welcoming place, and also providing fun for women during dark times. TW’s work is invaluable. Thousands of women who have accessed the centre go on to live happy lives which are crime, abuse and substance free. TW give the women the tools to become empowered to take ownership of move on with their lives, and will always be there to support them. Some women will go on to becoming volunteers or staff members at the centre, giving back for all the support they have received.
Tomorrow’s Women (TW) | Wirral, UK
