Women Supporting Women

Aim

Our project aims to support women living in the communities of North Edinburgh who are in need of crisis support.

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN ARE A COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT BASED IN NORTH EDINBURGH AND WE WANT TO PROVIDE TRAUMA INFORMED SUPPORT TO WOMEN WHO ARE IN CRISIS.

PLEASE NOTE: WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN CONTINUE TO WORK WITH WOMEN DURING LOCKDOWN. PROVIDING 1:1 AND CRISIS SUPPORT REOMTELY FOR THOSE WOMEN WHO ARE FACING TRAUMA OR ABUSE. 

Our project aims to provide specialised 1:1 support for women living in the communities of North Edinburgh who may be experiencing trauma caused by abusive relationships, childhood abuse or adverse life experiences.

WHO WE ARE

We have been supporting women in the community for over 27 years.  We are part of Pilton Community Health Project, Scotland’s oldest health project and as an organisation we work to ensure that everyone living in North Edinburgh has equal opportunities to good health.

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN

Every year we meet incredible women who are managing their experiences of trauma; often their sense of security has been shattered and their ability to cope is overwhelmed by feelings of stress or anxiety.   Our team of qualified community Development Workers and Counsellors work with women to provide support that is flexible and suitable for their needs.   

WHAT WE ARE FUNDRAISING FOR

We would use funds raised to deliver specialised trauma-informed 1:1 emotional and practical support for women living in North Edinburgh. We will offer emergency mental health first aid/ stabilization techniques and work to reduce risks and vulnerabilities through safety planning and harm reduction work.

With funding from the Aviva Community Fund we would be able to offer women who are experiencing trauma short-term crisis support for up to six weeks.  We would also be able to increase our current 1:1 emotional support service with hard to reach women by providing medium-term 1:1 weekly support for up to six months, including stabilization and holistic approaches to health, promoting wellbeing and recovery.

WE WANT TO MAKE A SPACE FOR WOMEN THAT IS SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE, WHERE THEY CAN HAVE A VOICE AND BE HEARD.

 HOW WE DO THIS?

We offer a flexible service for women that meets each of their individual and varying needs.  We create a space that is warm, welcoming and supportive, where women can speak out and reconnect with their own story.  We provide childcare support, home visits and phone support to ensure women can access our services.

With additional funding our Development Workers would be able to increase the amount of 1:1 support they offer women in our communities. 

The need is high for 1:1 specialist support; every year we receive no less than 104 new inquiries from women in need of crisis support.   At any given time there are at least 15 women on our waiting list for 1:1 emotional support. 

OUR WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN TEAM:

Hazel Loeb, Development Worker – Women Supporting Women

I have worked in PCHP since 2002. Eighteen years later and I still absolutely love working here. I consider it to be a real privilege to work alongside women at what can be really difficult times in their lives.

I have a postgraduate qualification in Community Education (1998) and over 25 years experience of working with women who are affected by gender-based violence.

Rosa Garman, Development Worker – Women Supporting Women

I come from London but was made in Edinburgh. I first came to Edinburgh to study Social Anthropology with Development and then fell in love with the city and have been here ever since. My background is working in the areas of mental health and disabilities, more specifically with Anorexia Nervosa, OCD, Autism and Multiple Sclerosis. I’m also the arty type.  I am passionate about viewing health in a holistic way, as well as gender equality, which is why it’s such a pleasure to be part of the Women Supporting Women team.

Aliki Chiotaki, Development Worker – Women Supporting Women

My name is Aliki and I work as a development worker for women supporting women. I come from sunny Greece and I have a counselling, CBT and developmental Psychology background. Currently I do group-work with families and children and provide emotional support to women who have been through traumatic experiences. I have experience working with trauma, depression and supporting children with additional support needs.  I am very passionate about equality and love to work in groups that bring peers and communities together.

CORE VALUES

The following principles and values underpin all of our work:

• Relationships built on trust, respect and honesty.
• Welcoming and inclusive behaviour that ensures everyone is treated with dignity.
• Work that actively supports people, enabling them to take control of their own lives, and that protects their rights.
• Positivity, enthusiasm and a commitment to work flexibly and creatively to achieve our vision.

 DONATE TODAY AND HELP US SUPPORT WOMEN IN CRISIS 

REWARDS

£1 – £50 – Name added to our Women Supporting Women tree.

£100 – Mention and thank you on our social media platform; Women Supporting Women thank you card sent.

£200 – Selection of floral seeds and Women Supporting Women thank you card sent; mention and thank you on our social media platform.

£500 – Floral arrangement made and designed by Women Supporting Women client; mention and thank you on our social media platform.

£1,000 – Floral wreath made and designed by Women Supporting Women client; mention and thank you on our social media platform.

This project successfully funded on 7th May 2020