Women on Wednesday (WOW) – the parish women’s group meets on the third Wednesday evening of every month at 7.30pm to foster friendship and support. 

We meet for social and spiritual evenings, talks, discussions, meals out and trips whilst also developing links with other local women’s groups especially those in the other churches in Mickleover and in the deanery.

We aim to work together to help those in need at home and abroad, both materially and practically, and to offer help and support to all women in our community and beyond.

Please come and join us –everyone is welcome

Contact Julie Corden

Women on Wednesday - Link with Local Women’s Refuge

Domestic violence is a pressing moral issue in today’s society; it is often hidden and may go unreported for years. ‘Violence against women is the greatest human rights scandal of our times’[1] affecting the lives of women everywhere regardless of wealth, culture, race or religion.

Women on Wednesday developed strong links with a local refuge after hearing a talk about domestic violence in the UK; we were horrified to hear: -  

·       1 in 4 UK women experience domestic violence at some time in their lives

·       2 women a week are killed by their partner/ex-partner

·       1 incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute  

Parishioners and others concerned about domestic violence have very generously supported us. We have a box in the Gathering Area every two or three months and anyone can put items they think would help any women and children fleeing their home.

 Mothers often come in with their children, from babies up to teenagers.  They desperately need basic items such as toiletries, talc, soap, flannels, sponges, toothpaste and toothbrushes, women’s knickers, hair brushes, babies bottles, bibs, dummies, nappies, towels etc. and we would welcome any items you think appropriate.

Strong links have been developed with the charity arm of the local refuge 'Swap Tears for Smiles', which we hope will develop and grow.

Last Christmas we collected Christmas presents for the mothers and their children and were overwhelmed with the response. At Easter we sent Easter Eggs for all those in the refuge.

Thank you so much for your continuing generous support. Everything is greatly appreciated.

By Easter, there were nineteen Mums, two babies and thirty-eight children in the refuge. There are fifteen self-contained flats (five one-bedroom flats and ten two-bedroom apartments). Recently, a new project has been set up (the Butterfly Project) with further accommodation to support mothers and their children who have suffered from domestic violence and drug and/or alcohol problems.

Recent Women on Wednesday Support for the Women’s Refuge

Members have made bags and filled them with basic items Mums would need in their flat at the refuge. We have also made pump-bags for the children, making 19 bags for Mums, and 31 bags for the children. These will be distributed when new Mums and children come into the refuge. 

The refuge is for vulnerable families, and the welcome pack gift bags give the Mums the basic items to make them feel more at home. The gift bags also make the children feel special, and keep them occupied when they first arrive.

We have investigated the provisions needed by Mums for the welcome boxes, and here are some items to give you ideas:

Pasta and sauce, 

Tinned tomatoes,

Long-Life milk,

Tin of baked beans,

Packet of dried noodles,   

Packet of dried savoury rice,

Tin of minced beef/tuna/hot dog sausages,

Bubble bath, 

Cereal, 

Small packet of sugar,

Soup,

Tissues.

Coffee,

Tea,

Crisps (snack foods),

Sweets,

Jaffa cakes, 

Biscuits, 

Tin opener,  

Shampoo, 

Toilet Roll,

Flannel,

Roll-on deodorant,

We hope to collect Christmas presents for Mums and children in mid-November, as well as items for the welcome boxes, and any other items for mothers and children you think appropriate.

Thank you everyone for the amazing support you give to help everyone in the refuge: 

Swap Tears for Smiles, the residents of Refuge and the Butterfly Project would like to thank you for your donations.

Women's Refuge contact is Julie Corden.

[1] www.amnesty.org.uk (Link opens in a new window)

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