Support for women - Refuge Outreach Services

Outreach services

No-one should live in anxiety or fear because of someone else's behaviour

Who we are

For Women is the name of the Outreach Centre run by Colchester and Tendring Women's Refuge. If you don't want to come into the refuge or need support after leaving, For Women invites you to visit us. We provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment staffed entirely by women who will support you whilst you consider your options so you are able to make the right choices about your future at your own pace. All our services are free of charge.

For Women
35 East Street
Colchester
CO1 2TP

Tel: 01206 867120
Fax: 01206 867235
Email: forwomen@colchester-refuge.org.uk

We are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 am to
2 pm, at present.

What we offer

Coffee mornings

If you are feeling isolated and lonely, our weekly coffee mornings offer the opportunity to chat with other women with similar experiences in a relaxed and friendly setting. You can also find out more about us and the other services offered by the refuge. (Drop-in support)

Helping your children

Children often witness their mothers being abused. We know how hard it is for mothers to deal with this and how they worry about it and we understand how exhausting coping with children can be. Our staff will discuss what you want for your children and support you in finding appropriate help.

Counselling

For Women provides a confidential counselling service. The effects of abuse can be painful and long-lasting. Some women find counselling helps them cope.

The WISP support programme

You may have questions like:

'Why has it happened to me?'
'How has it affected my children?'
'How do I move on with my life?'

This programme can help women come to terms with their experiences of domestic abuse and develop ways of preventing it happening to them again.

Legal advice surgeries

We can arrange for you to have a free, confidential consultation with a solicitor. Appointments are made by prior appointment and will last for about half an hour.

Internet cafe

You are welcome to use our free internet and computer facilities in the cafe area.

Other facilities

We are always developing new forms of help and advice, including skills workshops, healthy living and holistic therapies.

Disabled access

If you are wheelchair bound and have difficulty accessing For Women, we can offer you any of these services at another of our sites.

Additional outreach services

We are able to offer specifically tailored awareness-raising training for agencies who may come into contact with domestic abuse.

Volunteer training programme

For Women is staffed by Colchester and Tendring Women's Refuge, and our work is generously supported by a team of volunteers. We offer specifically tailored domestic violence training to ensure they understand the issues faced by women experiencing abuse. So that we can provide a range of services and activities for women, we welcome volunteers with specific skills such as cookery, healthy eating, beauty therapy, health and fitness, crafts, manicures and complementary therapies. For details of how to apply, please follow the Volunteering link.

Annual Clothesline Project

Women are invited to tell their stories by decorating shirts using words and/or artwork. The shirts are then hung on a clothesline to be displayed in public places to raise awareness about the painful and devastating reality of domestic violence. The idea of using a clothesline came about because doing the laundry has always been women's work. In the days of close-knit neighbourhoods, women often exchanged information over garden fences while hanging out the washing to dry. During October and November 2009, there were public Clothesline displays in the Colchester and Tendring area in recognition of the International Elimination of Violence Against Women Day on November 25th. It is hoped to repeat the project in 2010.