Our eighth charity of 2023 - Juno Women's Aid
As part of the 12 charities that Page Kirk and Page Kirk Financial Services have supported throughout 2023, we dedicated the month of August to championing the incredible work of Juno Women's Aid. This Nottingham-based charity is at the forefront of providing support and empowerment to women and children affected by domestic abuse. Joining us to shed light on the organisation is our credit controller Sam O'Hara, who will share more about the invaluable role it plays in the lives of those in our community.
Did you know one in three women experience domestic abuse in Nottingham (one in four in the UK)? So it's likely your friend, family member or colleague is being abused.
Juno Women's Aid is dedicated to empowering women, children and teenagers to lead lives free from abuse. As the largest domestic abuse organisation in Nottingham, it extends its support in Ashfield, Broxtowe, Gedling, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe to those who have been affected.
The charity's efforts extend beyond providing a place to stay. They offer support, counselling, and empowerment programmes which focus on encouraging survivors to break the cycle of abuse and rebuild their lives.
Safe haven and accommodation:
Juno Women's Aid operates a safe haven and provides secure accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence. This critical service ensures that survivors have a place to escape the immediate danger and receive the support they need to heal.
Counselling and emotional support:
Recognising the profound emotional impact of domestic abuse, the charity offers counselling services to survivors. These sessions are tailored to help individuals cope with trauma, rebuild self-esteem and develop the resilience needed to move forward with their lives.
Empowerment programmes:
Juno Women's Aid is committed to empowering survivors by offering a range of programmes designed to enhance skills, boost confidence and promote financial independence. These programmes play a crucial role in helping survivors regain control of their lives and build a sustainable future, free from abuse.
Children and young people's services:
The charity recognises the unique challenges faced by children who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse. Juno Women's Aid provides specialised services to support the youngest victims, including counselling, play therapy and educational programmes, fostering an environment where they can thrive despite their past experiences.
Community outreach and education:
Juno Women's Aid actively engages with the community to raise awareness about domestic abuse and its impact. They provide educational programmes and training to schools, workplaces and other organisations to promote a greater understanding of the signs of abuse and the importance of a supportive community.
Advocacy and legal support:
Understanding the complex legal aspects involved in leaving an abusive relationship, the charity offers advocacy and legal support. This includes guidance on obtaining restraining orders, navigating the legal system and accessing the resources necessary for a fresh start.
By addressing the complex challenges faced by survivors, Juno Women's Aid plays a key role in breaking the cycle of domestic abuse. Their approach includes immediate safety, emotional well-being, empowerment and community education.
Supporting the charity
The team members here at Page Kirk, and sister company Page Kirk Financial Services, dedicated August to raise funds and awareness for this charity.
Throughout the month, our team participated in Dress Down Days. By trading in our normal business attire for casual clothes, we not only created a relaxed office environment but also raised funds directly contributing to the charity.
In addition, our team decided to organise a Women's World Cup charity sweepstake. This not only brought excitement and friendly competition among us but also served a dual purpose – fostering team unity and contributing extra funds to Juno Women's Aid. It was about rallying together for a common goal, celebrating the achievements of women in sports while making a positive impact. This initiative seamlessly blended the joy of sports with our commitment to empowering women, making it a win-win for both team bonding and supporting the invaluable work of our nominated charity.
As we reflect on our support for Juno Women's Aid, we're reminded of the resilience and strength displayed by survivors. At Page Kirk, we are proud to have contributed to such a vital organisation. And you too can help. You can make donations, volunteer and help raise awareness. You can help as well by fostering a pet, as many refuges or hostels can't take animals.
Find out more here:
https://junowomensaid.org.uk/get-involved/
If you need help
If you find yourself in a situation where you need support or just someone to talk to about what you're going through, you can call their 24-hour domestic and sexual violence helpline. It is staffed by an experienced, all-female team, ready to listen and provide assistance.
Call the helpline on 0808 800 0340. Your calls are confidential, and you have the option to share your name or remain anonymous. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing a consistent and reliable source of support.
On the charity's website, it says if you are in immediate danger, you must call 999. But did you know if you are unable to speak, you then can dial 55 on your keyboard, this will alert the operator you are in need of help? This is called 'The Silent Solution'.
Visit here for more information:
https://junowomensaid.org.uk/
Juno Women's Aid is part of our 12 Charities of Christmas – our story of reflection from our Year of Giving Back. Follow the campaign on our social media feeds.