ANNUAL REPORT 2013 - WomensHealthMatters · INNOVATIONS POSTCARD – MOCK UP Front of card our...

INNOVATIONS POSTCARD – MOCK UP

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Service Improvement Team Tel: 0113 220 8528 Email: [email protected]

1st floor Stockdale House, Headingley Office Park, Victoria Road, Leeds LS6 1PF

ANNUAL REPORT 2013


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Contents:

Chair’s Report 3A word from the new Director 4Introduction 5Domestic Violence Support Project 9SHINe (Sexual Health Information Network) 11SEEN (Seen, Enabled, Empowered and Noticed) 13Include 14Yums 15Reach 16The Key 17Body & Soul work with girls and young women 18Rainbow Hearts 19BME Women’s Health Project 20Information & Enquiries 22Maternity Services Liaison Committee 23Cervical Screening Workshops 24Annual Picnic 25What we can do for you 26Contact us 27

Womens Health Matters - Annual Report 2013


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Chair’s report

hi everyone,

Having read through this report and been involved with Womens Health Matters since 2001 I am, as always, proud of what the organisation does and stands for.

The appointment of Beverley as Project Director is an exciting development as she comes with lots of personal and professional experiences and skills. I know she will do everything she can to keep the organisation thriving and to develop it to meet new opportunities.

As with many charities we have faced challenges in the past year but I am pleased that it continues to provide first class services to the women who use it. I also know that our funders have a very high opinion of the organisation. In addition the organisation has been successful in attracting significant new funding in the shape of the Key, a project aiming to minimise the negative impact of domestic violence on women and girls.

The work we do is at times complicated, challenging, upsetting and delicate (as well as being rewarding and uplifting). It is also unique and at the cutting edge and I would like to thank everyone involved in making it the fantastic organisation it is. Volunteers, staff, Trustees and of course the women who use the service have once again worked together to create the organisation I am so proud to Chair.

I would like to say particular thanks to Catherine Ward who has resigned as Chair after seeing the organisation through a tricky year.

alison Cater: acting Chair



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a word from the new direCtor

I joined Womens Health Matters in August; it has and continues to be a steep learning curve. I’ve been welcomed into the organisation by staff, volunteers, service users and partners. I am trying to attend each group in an attempt to meet all the women we work with.

On my very first day I attended a YUMS group, where I was able to speak to young mums. I am grateful to the women who shared their issues and thoughts about the group and their need of it.

I also attended the annual picnic; this gave me the opportunity to meet many of the women accessing our services and was a humbling experience. I spoke to women attending the Rainbow Hearts group and was encouraged by their enthusiasm for the group and its continuation.

I have attended the domestic violence groups and experienced the support in the room for all the women attending. I thank you for allowing me to sit, listen and participate in the session; I am truly grateful and richer for the experience.

I am inspired by the women I’ve met and spoken to and very much looking forward to meeting many more and attending the groups in due course.

While I settle in and familiarise myself with all that is Womens Health Matters I look to the future and the further development of services we offer women across Leeds.

Beverley fearnley – director



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introduCtion

womens health matters is an independent charity run by women for women. we work with women across Leeds so that, together, they can take control of their lives and their health.

We believe it is essential to listen to the concerns of women and recognise that they are experts in their own health. We take a holistic approach to health and believe it involves all aspects of well-being.

We aim to make our service fully accessible and support women to access other services. We prioritise women in disadvantaged areas in the city and work with groups of women who experience additional disadvantage because of age, class or disability discrimination, racism or homophobia.

what do we offer?

• We listen to the concerns of women and provide information and support about health issues so that women can make choices about their own and their families’ health.• We support women to build their skills, knowledge, awareness and confidence about health.• We highlight women’s needs and work with women and others to improve services.• We also work to improve services through working in partnership with other organisations in the city, participating in special interest task groups, working parties and forums as well as representing the voluntary and community sector on strategic health bodies.



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We are grateful to the many people that contribute to the work of Womens Health Matters including the Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers, sessional workers and crèche workers.

We particularly wish to thank all the women involved in our groups and activities who consistently demonstrate their energy for improving health. It is a privilege to work with them and we will strive to ensure that they have a voice in their communities and in their city, that their potential is recognised and acknowledged and that their particular needs and experiences as women are valued and acted upon.

We would like to give special thanks to all our volunteers - without you none of this would be possible:

Talwant BhamraSusie KerinsSamantha KerinsHamidah ShahParamjit Sidhu Dee RipponKylie RumneyKirsty TurnerStacey RhodesAntoinette WokamParminder PanesarCarol CoxBecky WebsterJoanna Lane

Susan BrearleyLisa HutchinsonAbi NaylorAuriane Noumo KamgaCarol AshmoreClaire NicolsonJacqui PerryLisa ColeLucy PritchardEppy Harries-PughReshma SinghEiman Abrash



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the Board of trustees

staff teamBeverley Fearnley - DirectorFi Kellett - Finance & Administration ManagerLucy Fishwick - Project ManagerLeeanne Rowinska - Include AdviserMarianna Shapland – Project WorkerJane Bethell - Disabled Women’s WorkerAngela Singh - BME Women’s Co-ordinatorNicola Hardman - Young Women’s Worker/Include AdviserElaine Roberts – Information and Administration OfficerSally Blyth – English Language SupportMegan Waugh – Maternity Services Co-ordinator

The Trustees are grateful to Leeds City Council and Leeds PCT whose commitment to our services provides the base we need to bring other funding into the organisation and the city.

Womens Health Matters would also like to thank:

• Big Lottery Fund• The Area Committee’s Well Being Fund • Inner South Area Committee• Inner East Area Committee• NHS Leeds• Community Safety• Public Health• Inner East cluster• JESS cluster• Osmondthorpe Children’s Centre

Alison CaterPeri O’ConnerCatherine HigginsCorrina LawrenceIris Berkeley

Catherine WardSue ChildAmie TolsonCaroline Schonrock



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• GIPSIL• Connect In The North • Leeds City Council• Leeds Carers• Bramley Children’s Centre• ESH Foundation• The Market Place• Getaway Girls• The Beck• Conoco Philips• Buns and Roses WI and Leeds Ladyfest.

And of course a big thank you to everyone who fundraised or gave donations and helped us to continue working with the women of Leeds. A £100 donation was given to WHM by the daughters of Janice Howell; on behalf of family and friends, and in deepest love and honour of their mother, and her transformative and unrelenting stance against domestic violence.

Thanks also to Vicky Corbett from Wakefield for donating baby equipment and toys including a double buggy and a cot bed. These items will really help some of the women in our groups.



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domestiC VioLenCe support proJeCt

We offer education and support groups for women from South and East Leeds who have been through or are currently experiencing domestic violence. We work in partnership with GIPSIL, the Inner East cluster, JESS cluster and Hamara to provide safe space for women to improve their safety and wellbeing at their own pace. Our view is that women are experts in their individual situations and with sensitive support and encouragement they find their own solutions to any problems they face.

Our group sessions cover issues related to all aspects of domestic violence and healthy relationships. We also take care to provide space in which women can focus on improving their health and wellbeing and building resilience. Women in the groups provide a huge amount of support for each other with an understanding born out of shared experience.

Women also work with us to help develop better practice across the city, feeding back experiences of services and ideas for new approaches which will improve outcomes for others in the future. This year we have been involved in the development of guidelines for social workers who are working with families affected by domestic violence.

We work with local agencies to develop their own responses to domestic violence and work closely with the Council’s domestic violence team, Community Safety and Public Health to ensure our work is part of a coherent approach at a strategic level.



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Huge thanks go to all the women who have attended our groups for their openness, honesty, trust, strength and compassion.

If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence or are going through it at the moment just ring and we’ll do what we can to help you get the support that’s right for you.

“Very happy! Very content in myself as a whole. I feel very proud to be part of such a warm and welcoming group. I have made some new friends and learned a lot about things that I did not personally know about domestic violence. The group I attend is a very supportive and intellectual group of women from different backgrounds.”

Thanks to: Inner South Area Committee and Inner East Area Committee for contributing to our domestic violence work.



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shine (sexual health information network) 2012 - 13

SHINe is a volunteer-led sexual health project, delivering accessible information and resources to women and girls in Leeds.

Our fantastic volunteers work informally, sensitively and confidentially providing free information to women on a range of health issues

• Pregnancy testing and help finding support whatever the test result.• Chlamydia testing • Condoms and femidoms • Information about all types of contraception• Information about STI’s and testing including HIV and AIDS • Cervical screening information and support• Breast awareness and screening information• Help with thinking about how to talk to children and young people about sexual health, relationships and keeping safe• How to access emergency contraception• Information about CASH (contraception and sexual health) clinics in the local area• Information about puberty, menstruation, PMS and the menopause• Help finding information about any other concerns women might have about their sexual health.



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SHINe volunteers offer this service to the local women at Leeds Kirkgate Market every Friday lunch time, at Womens Health Matters groups, at stalls and events throughout the year. We also offer workshops to women and girls groups across the city around a range of issues covering all of the above.

This year’s highlights included new volunteers working alongside our existing volunteers, sharing their amazing knowledge and experience.

Huge thanks to:

Lisa Hutchinson for delivering a great Speakeasy course, helping other women to get accredited and achieving level 3 OCN on the Train the Trainers programme.

Carol Ashmore for bringing the SHINe service right into our groups and for being an absolute star on the market every week.

Antoinette Wokam for her bilingual brilliance at our Rainbow Hearts Group.

And to all our volunteers who make SHINe the valued and accessible service that it is.



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seen (seen, enabled empowered & noticed)

The SEEN project supports disabled women and groups across Leeds focussing on information sharing, peer support and raising awareness about disabled women’s health issues.

hope (helping others, peer empowerment) disabled women’s Group

This group meets monthly sharing information, advice and offering peer support to members.

well fit is a health education course for women with learning disabilities/difficulties. The group explores a range of women’s health issues and continues to receive very positive feedback from members.

osmondthorpe disabled women’s group meets weekly and is supported through the SEEN project. This year Skippko Arts worked with this group on a project called: All You Need Is Love. Together they created art work about the theme of ‘love’ which was then displayed in Leeds Museums Discovery Centre.

We also provided:

• Mini access audits• Menopause and cervical screening workshops• Training regarding disabled women and accessing services• Training/workshops around domestic abuse• Information packs of support services for disabled women• Creation of a learning disability/difficulty maternity pathway and developed accessible information pack • Health sessions/workshops to disabled women’s groups



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inCLude

Include works city wide, providing advice and support to young women who think they might be pregnant, are pregnant or who are already mums. We work one to one with young women up to the age of 20, unless they are care leavers then we can work with them until they are 25.

We support young women with the issues that they identify and help them make informed life choices. We support many young women who have Social Care involvement providing advocacy and promoting greater mutual understanding. We also offer support to young women who are accessing termination services providing support for women making some huge and difficult decisions. This remains a key part of the work that Include does. We’re not just there for the difficult things in life! We help young women grow as parents and develop their ideas about how to be a good mother. We help them access wider support services and local groups and amenities. It can often be very daunting for younger mums to access services, so together we attend groups, access college courses, sort out childcare, and help with housing and benefits, all of those things that make a huge difference to the quality of lives of young women and their children.



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Yums

Yums is a group in south Leeds for young mums. We’ve watched as the young women become friends supporting each other through some of the best and worst that life throws at them.

It’s for any young mums or young women who are pregnant and living in South Leeds, we meet every second Monday at Middleton Play and Learn Centre. We run all sorts of sessions dependent on what young women say they want.

Yums is a friendly and informal group where friends are made and support is offered. Some of the group members are now volunteering and attending other groups at Womens Health Matters so are benefitting from a range of services.



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reaCh – (respect – encourage – achieve – Confidential – help) - a self harm insight project

Womens Health Matters worked in partnership with The Market Place and Dial House to provide some insight into the experiences of young women who self harm. We were commissioned by Health Services who wanted to know more about why young women self harm and what services and support are helpful to them.

We would like to acknowledge the courage and honesty of everyone who took part in this project and also thank them for their invaluable contribution to raising awareness of the issues associated with self harm.

A report of the findings from this project is available on our website.

“Although I still self harm the group has helped me cope in a better way and be able to care for it in a better way”

“Since starting the group I haven’t been as isolated. I think the one to one support has helped me to understand that I aren’t alone”

“It really helped because I got to talk to other people that are doing the same thing, share my experiences, let it all out, it felt like it’s not only happening to me”

“It increased my self esteem, the group made me feel welcome and like I felt I belong here, made me realise that everyone’s beautiful, even me”



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the KeY

The Key is an exciting new project aimed at reducing the impact of domestic violence on young women. We offer 2 groups for those aged between 13 – 16 and 16 years and over. Within these groups we offer a safe confidential space for young women, whether they have experienced, witnessed or are potentially vulnerable to abuse in the future.

With support and encouragement the young women become stronger, are able to talk about and share what is going on for them and develop the skills to manage difficult situations. Together we explore, recognise and acknowledge the signs of an abusive relationship.

We work with young women to build resilience and reduce the risk of entering into violent, abusive and exploitative relationships. We help develop healthy coping mechanisms, improve confidence and self esteem, and build skills that enable positive decision making.

“The other women were really welcoming”

“It has helped with my confidence in and out of the group”

“The Assertive Rights session really helped – helped me talk to my partner”

“The group helped with my relationship with my partner”

“I have built my confidence when I need to talk to someone”

“I recognised things weren’t my fault”



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BodY and souL

Body and Soul offers tailored group work to help girls and young women get the best out of life. We provide a safe space to learn about a range of issues:

• Healthy relationships• Self esteem• Addressing problems with a women centred approach• Sexual health information• Body knowledge• Drugs and alcohol• Communication styles• Assertiveness• Self-awareness• Self defence.

In 2013 Body and Soul offered a series of groups to reduce local young women’s vulnerability to exploitation by sharing skills that help girls assess risk and build resilience. We worked in partnership with the Youth Service, Getaway Girls and The Beck to deliver this work which was funded by Inner North East Area Committee



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rainBow hearts

Rainbow Hearts is a women’s group for asylum seekers and refugees. We run the group in partnership with PAFRAS and The Feel Good Factor, who provide the venue. Women attend to socialise, get support and information about accessible services and events. We also offer English language support to enable women to participate fully in the group.

Women tell us that the group is a safe, warm place to come to. It is somewhere they have made friends, given and received support, have felt they have gained courage and even been able to laugh. This is vital for women who may be scared, isolated and vulnerable. Women come from over 15 countries and speak 29 languages.

We have delivered sessions on sexual health, domestic violence, cervical screening and breast awareness as well as stress reduction and ways of coping with very difficult circumstances this work was funded by The Inner East Area Committee.

‘This group makes me forget where I am from and what has happened to me – we are all women, all equal’

‘Different people. Different cultures. We are learning’

‘Sometimes I am afraid. We help each other’



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Bme womens heaLth proJeCt

We provide holistic support to women from BME communities who may not have access to health information. We also provide language support thereby ensuring accessibility.

Womens Health Matters recognises the challenges and additional barriers that BME women face. Our group work and one to one support enables women to overcome these.

We have worked with women around the following issues:

• Domestic violence• Forced marriage• ‘Honour’ based violence • Hate crime • Mental health • Breast awareness and cervical screening.

This project really has made a difference and increased women’s awareness regarding their health choices, their rights and the accessibility of other services.

There are two BME women’s groups: ‘Sitara’ based in Harehills and ‘Hopes and Dreams’ based in Bramley. Women tell us they feel safe to explore issues relevant to them and befriend other women. In groups they share positive experiences, combat isolation and look at ways to improve access to services.

Thanks to all the great volunteers for being supportive, giving their time and energy.



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‘It’s great to see volunteers move on to better things. Some volunteers have jobs, support the groups, welcome women, have a laugh and a joke, listen to concerns, help at stalls and events, teach computers and English, make cups of tea and reach for the stars!’



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information and enquiries

Womens Health Matters runs an information and enquiry service for women across Leeds. We provide a free, confidential service including signposting and referrals to our own women’s groups as well as to other local and national groups and organisations. We take enquiries on any subject which women feel might have an impact on their health.

“You’re the first person who has actually listened to me – thank you.”

This year we responded to 364 enquiries from women across Leeds.

“Thanks for a very helpful service.”



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maternitY serViCes Liaison Committee

Womens Health Matters has run Leeds Maternity Services Liaison Committee for the past 18 months. It’s a way of connecting women who have recently given birth to all the different health professionals involved in maternity services in the city. Every two months we chair a meeting which brings together people who design and pay for maternity services, people who work in them – community/delivery midwives, health visitors and consultants, voluntary sector groups who work with women, AND the women who use and experience maternity services – you, me, us! The aim of the group is to listen to women, to use their stories to improve services.

A wide range of issues come up at these meetings including interpreting, homebirth, attitudes and communication, accessibility and post-natal depression.

As well as these regular meetings we are also able to look into particular issues and point out areas where things need to change. In the past Womens Health Matters have looked at the maternity experiences of women seeking asylum. This year, we have worked closely with Leeds Sands (Stillbirth and neonatal death) charity to highlight the lack of support for parents who lose a baby. This has brought about many positive changes and extra support for families both in hospital and once they are at home.

I would like to thank all of those who contribute to this group and make it what it is, with special additional thanks to the co-chair Tracey Glanville, Kerry Murphy (Leeds Homebirth Support Group) and Sheryl McMahon (chair of Leeds Sands).



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CerViCaL sCreeninG worKshops

We offer free cervical screening workshops to women’s groups and organisations.

We cover:• Why do we need cervical screening?• How do they do the test? • What are the barriers to having the test, what might make it easier• Results, when do you get them, what do they mean.

This year we have provided sessions to a range of women including:

• LGBT women’s group• Women who are students• Women affected by domestic abuse• Women with HIV+ status• Women from BME communities• Women with learning disabilities/difficulties• Disabled women• Women with mental health issues.

feedback from sessions run‘It was really useful to be able to talk about this in a women only group’

‘Great to see exactly how it’s done using the body model’

‘A hard thing to talk about but had a laugh and felt safe’

If you would like us to run a workshop for your group/organisation, or would like a stall at an event please contact us at Womens Health matters 0113 276 2851



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the annuaL piCniC

The annual picnic took place on 14th August at The Mansion House in Roundhay Park. The weather was fantastic, which allowed all the activities to go ahead. These included:

• Craft session for adults and children facilitated by Chrissy Weston• Henna tattoos• Nail art • Face painting • Story telling corner – provided by library staff and our very own Trustee Sue Child as Mrs Honey.

The activities were extremely popular with women and children of all ages, and it was particularly nice to see young children sat beside older women and grandmothers working together on craft projects, this really did span the generations.

The main purpose of the day was to bring together all the women we work with in one place, enabling them to meet other women they would not normally come into contact with, to have conversations with other women, mums and children. All who attended were extremely positive about the experience.

“It’s important that we can all be safe and feel that you can be who you are, be yourself.”

“It got mum out for a bit, she stays in the house all the time.”

“There’s absolutely no judgement, only acceptance.”



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what we Can do for You

domestic Violence project• Training

Bursting the Bubble – resource pack for groupwork with young women• Group work• Training• Resource Pack

include• Training

seen• Access audits• Training and workshops• Well fit courses

Body and soul• Work in schools or in community settings

shine• Sexual Health stalls• Breast awareness workshops• Cervical screening awareness workshops• Speakeasy• Pregnancy testing• Chlamydia testing• Condom and femidom distribution



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ContaCt us:

womens health mattersBridge houseBalm roadLeedsLs10 2tp

tel: 0113 276 2851 text: 07504232 989

email:

[email protected]@[email protected]@womenshealthmatters.org.uknicola@womenshealthmatters.org.ukmarianna@[email protected]@[email protected]@womenshealthmatters.org.uk

or visit our website:

www.womenshealthmatters.org.ukfacebook: www.facebook.com/leedswhm



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worKinG with women aCross Leeds so that toGether theY Can taKe

ControL of their LiVes and their heaLth


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