International Women's day: Spotlight on groups empowering women

ALL over Dorset there are grass roots voluntary groups and charities whose driving force is female and on International Women’s Day we are highlighting the work of some of those we have funded.

The day is about celebrating women’s achievement, raising awareness about discrimination and taking action to drive gender parity – something these groups all do.

The Water Lily Project in Christchurch provides practical and emotional support to women in crisis, with a focus on those who are escaping domestic abuse or struggling with mental health issues.

It’s fundamental belief is that every woman is a valuable and deserving individual who deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and the charity is motivated by a desire to show love, care, and empathy to those in need, and to provide a safe and non-judgmental environment for all of its beneficiaries.

Its range of help includes the offer of one to one support from a worker who will devise a bespoke plan and signposting to organisations or counsellors for any specific needs. The plan could include training in the charity’s own IT room or its Water Lily Café in Barrack Road.

Our Neighbourhood Fund awarded the charity £5,000 to set up a mindfulness walking group. Chief executive Andy Gilbert said the sessions empower women with practical tools for incorporating mindfulness into their daily lives. “The goal is to equip these women with life-enhancing skills that extend beyond the duration of the programme, contributing to long-term mental health and well-being,” he said.

The goal is to equip these women with life-enhancing skills that extend beyond the duration of the programme

Safe and Sound Dorset supports homeless and vulnerable women through group sessions and activities including art, writing and cookery. It assists with housing, benefits and health issues both at its base and through outreach.

Manager Dorothy Ann Pickett said: “We work with women who have multiple issues, they might be dealing with broken relationships, mental health issues, childhood abuse or addictions, it’s never a short journey for them.”

The group supports women with looking for work or volunteering opportunities to build up their confidence and skills to help them rebuild their lives. It also runs creative arts sessions to help women boost their self-esteem through self-expression.

It also runs a weekly outreach, talking to women out on the streets who are homeless, sofa surfing or sex working, some straight out of prison, offering food, clothes and other support. In 2022/23 it interacted with 432 women, 62 of which it was able to help – with 13 coming to the group’s sessions.

One said: “The last year my life has changed the most it ever has. It’s the happiest I have been since I can remember. The support and help from Safe and Sound Dorset built up my relationship with my family and made me feel not alone.”

Our Welcome Fund awarded Safe and Sound £5,772 to run a fortnightly session at its Well Café in Bournemouth for Ukrainian women with young children to meet so that they don’t become isolated.

The last year my life has changed the most it ever has. It’s the happiest I have been since I can remember

The Shine Project works with schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of young women in the BCP area. It runs a nine-week course to bolster confidence and self-esteem and develop coping strategies.

The course covers self-acceptance, flaws of the media, healthy relationships, positive communication, respect, bullying, management of social media, healthy eating, the benefits of exercise, management of strong emotions and identifying skills, talents, and aspirations.

Operations manager Ann Clarkson said the outcomes are positive. “Our most recent statistics show an increase of 29 per cent in confidence and 21 per cent in feeling good about themselves and 20 per cent increase in feeling excited about their future for the Shine Course,” she said. “After just two years of delivery Thrive statistics show a 14 per cent increase in happiness, 14 per cent increase in having purpose and 13 per cent increase in feeling optimistic about their future.”

A £4,875 Neighbourhood Fund grant enabled Shine to run ten courses for young women.