Fife Women's Aid
| Unit 26, Dunfermline Business Centre Izatt Avenue Dunfermline KY11 3BZ |
8 Lady Wynd Cupar KY15 4DE |
| Telephone Support: 0808 802 5555 Business: 01383 732289 Email: info@fifewomensaid.org.uk | |
About Us
What is Women's Aid?
Fife Women's Aid is a charitable organisation based in the voluntary sector, which supports women, children and young people who have experience of Domestic Abuse (DA) in Fife. Scotland. Originally three independent groups: Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and East Fife (Cupar) they merged on 1st October 2010 to become Fife Women's Aid.
Dunfermline Women's Aid started in 1975, Kirkcaldy began in 1976 and finally East Fife, which started in St Andrews in 1996. We currently have offices in Cupar, Kirkcaldy & Dunfermline which cover the whole of Fife.
All together we have been providing a service to women & children in Fife for over 35 years.
See our Service page for more details on what we do.
*The Freephone number is free from all landlines and most mobile networks.
Why are we needed?
Domestic abuse, whether physical, sexual or emotional, occurs throughout our society. Abusers come from all social, ethnic and economic groups.
Many people are surprised that there is a need for such a service in rural Fife but any woman can be abused and it usually happens behind closed doors.
It is important that all women, children and young people within our community have the option of seeking help and support.
Experiences of Women & Children
Many women, who have experience of domestic abuse, have had no control over their lives for many years. They may never have had to make a decision regarding themselves, their children or home for a long time. Women and children also face the prospect of establishing themselves into a new community or school. This can be a daunting prospect, if you have not been allowed to have contact with your family or friends for so long. You lose self-respect and self esteem. Along with practical advice and support, the FWA workers will support women and children to become independent and confident as they can in all that they do.
How can we help?
Some of the service's we offer include refuge accommodation, information in relation to benefits and rights, emotional support for women and children to work through their issues and understand their experiences, counseling, liaison and advocacy with other agencies, for women and children, to ensure the best possible support is received.
- We will listen to women and believe them.
- We will not tell them what to do but we will support them in the decisions they make and respect their choices.
- We can provide information about their legal rights, housing options and entitlement to benefits.
- We can provide refuge space or a safe place to stay for women and their children who need to get away.
- We will not tell anyone what they have said or even that they have been to see us.
- We can offer company and support if they have to go to court, a solicitor or Council offices.
Who are We?
Growth in the organisation has led to the following structure and service provision:
- A Board of Trustees
- A management and administration team of:General Manager,Services Manager,Business Team Leader, HR & Admin Co-ordinator, Finance workers, Quality Evaluation worker and an Administrative Assistants and Facilities & Safety Workers
- A Children and Young People's Service (C&YPS), staff include team leader and project workers
- A Women's Support Service (WSS), staff include team leader and project workers.
- MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferencing) Workers
- Independent Advocacy Worker
- Volunteers Counsellors
- Outreach work - work with women who come to FWA for support, who may remain in their own home, or have not been admitted to refuge
- Follow on work - this service enables women, children and young people to receive support once the have been re-housed into their new community
- Training, development and awareness raising - FWA strive to raise awareness, locally and nationally, on the effects of domestic abuse on women, children and young people, including talks to community groups.The organisation also promotes personal development of its members and service users
- Refuge accommodation
- Individual support, and group support.
- Quality and Evaluation.
How are we funded?
Fife Women's Aid is a charitable company limited by guarantee - see the foot of the page for details.
We are currently funded by:
VAWF Scot Government (Counselling)
Keep Well Health & Homelessness Fund NHS (Counselling)
VAWF Scot Government (Rural Outreach)
CYPEDA Fund Scottish Government (CYP combined support)
Fife ADP (MARAC Advocacy service)
Fife Women's Aid is a charitable Company Limited by
Guarantee, Registered in Scotland No. SC316350, Scottish Charity No.
SC011689
Registered Office: Unit 26 Dunfermline Business Centre, Izatt Avenue, Dunfermline KY11 3BZ
