In March, we’re combining Give Back Friday with International Women’s Day to support Newcastle Women’s Aid. We’ll be donating 10% of all sales in our Whitley Bay shop and on bellwoodslifestylestore.co.uk to the North East charity on Saturday 8th March.
Newcastle Women’s Aid is a charity run by women for women. They provide free, specialist advice and support for women and girls in Newcastle and the North East who are affected by domestic abuse, helping to make meaningful change going forward. Alongside this, they create awareness and change perceptions of domestic abuse.
Newcastle Women’s Aid was established in 1975 by a group of women who were living and working in the city and became concerned at the lack of emergency accommodation for women and their children who were at risk of domestic abuse. The volunteers embarked on a campaign and lobbied the local authority, and a small house was provided which was set up as the city’s first refuge and one of the first in England. Since then, they’ve helped thousands of women and children to stay safe and take steps towards a brighter future.
Every 30 seconds, police receive a phone-call from a victim of domestic abuse. Newcastle Women's Aid help women and girls to see that they’re not alone by providing a reassuring presence and a source of validation for women who may feel they’re in the wrong place, that they’re wasting time, or there’s someone who’s worse off. The charity offers a safe and confidential space where they can share their experiences and never be judged. They help them find understanding and that lightbulb moment when they realise it’s not their fault.
As a charity, Women’s Aid rely entirely on funding and donations to help them continue their vital and life-saving service. Donations support women and girls to rebuild their lives and also contribute towards the prevention and awareness of domestic abuse within our communities. If you'd like to donate directly, you can do that here.