Welcome to the summer edition of NAWA News, written by one of our volunteers. This summer, our volunteers and the Young Voices group have been going out into colleges and schools to give talks and promote Women’s Aid and raise awareness of violence against women. Over the next few months we will be planning different events to explain what Women’s Aid do.
On 14th May myself and another volunteer went to Auchenharvie Leisure centre to promote Women’s Aid. Our stall was a bit away from the main entrance but we still managed to get some people over to see us. It was a roasting hot day so we were trying to keep cool by going to the machine for ice lollies.
We then had an event at Sainsbury’s on 13th June which consisted of raising awareness for Women’s Aid. There were staff and volunteers at the event that day. Myself and some staff members also did a stall at Eglington Park on Sunday 23rd June, focusing on safety awareness.
We then had an event at Sainsbury’s on 13th June which consisted of raising awareness for Women’s Aid. There were staff and volunteers at the event that day. Myself and some staff members also did a stall at Eglington Park on Sunday 23rd June, focusing on safety awareness.
I have just found out that you can coordinate the colour of hats for premature babies IE red for heat amber for less heat and green for doing okay in accordance with body temperature, I thought that was a great idea so I will start putting little pom poms on the hats that I knit.
16 Days of Action
16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence is aimed at businesses that lack an infrastructure to deal with the large-scale problem that is domestic violence. As it stands, companies can do more to aid their employees who endure domestic violence, train those who witness it, and to protect staff as a whole, with the goal of securing safety and mitigating financial loss.
The decision to make the event span from 25 November to 10 December was deliberate as to include three other major events: International Human Rights Defenders Day (29 November), World Aids Day (1 December) and the anniversary of the Montreal École Polytechnique Massacre (6 December). This is to highlight the connection between human rights and domestic violence.
The decision to make the event span from 25 November to 10 December was deliberate as to include three other major events: International Human Rights Defenders Day (29 November), World Aids Day (1 December) and the anniversary of the Montreal École Polytechnique Massacre (6 December). This is to highlight the connection between human rights and domestic violence.
Volunteering
I was asked to write something about what volunteering consists of and that is to set up stalls wherever the event is. I myself and a member of staff went to Eglington park to promote what women’s aid do for people who find themselves in difficult situations. We try and help them and give them our phone number to call for advice and help.
We held a meeting for new volunteers to help with the work that we do, I and some of the women were there to explain what we do as volunteers. Even if it’s just a couple of hours a week we would be very grateful if they could help out. We held the meeting on Thursday 4th of July in the main office. This was mainly to provide information for volunteers such as helping out with setting up stalls and going to venues or just be a friend to someone who needs help with shopping.
The women were very interested in becoming a volunteer for woman’s aid and to give something back. When it was my turn to give a speech I just explained what I did and where we went and help out at the stalls all in all it was a very good night.
Since being a volunteer I have met a lot of people coming to groups and going to the Friday group and help to provide a simple meal for the price of a couple pounds.
Best Start Grant
The Scottish Government has now replaced the Sure Start Maternity grant with Best Start Pregnancy and Baby grant. Qualifying families will receive £600 from 25th week of pregnancy to 6 months after the birth of their first child and £300 on the birth of any following children.
There is also the early learning grant which is a payment of £250 when your child starts nursery this is available from the day of your child’s second birthday till their 3 and a half.
There is also the school age grant of a further £250 to help with additional costs when your child starts school.
You don’t need to have received the pregnancy and baby grant to be eligible for the early learning grant or the school age grant, as long as you meet the qualifying criteria.
You’ll be eligible for best start grant if you get any of the following benefits:
- Universal credit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
- Housing benefit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credit
You can apply for this through the Scottish government under the Scottish government best start grant.
Scotland’s Women Stand
On the 7th of September two volunteers and a member of staff attended the Scotland’s women stand in the Scottish parliament these are their stories.
“This was a great honour to be asked to go to the Scottish Parliament for Women’s Stand and seeing just women in the debate chamber, it was an amazing day. I would like to thank everyone that made it possible for a wonderful weekend. We were there for women who wanted to make a stand for parliament also there was different workshops to go to and listen to what people were saying. Going back to the debate chamber there was presiding officer Linda Fabiani also the co-leader of the green party, two council members and a member of SYP. We also had the Maryhill Joyful choir who were brilliant.”
“On the 7th of September me and 2 others had the privilege to attend the Scotland’s Women stand event at Scottish parliament, this event was to get more women interested and into politics whether that is their local council, MSP or the Scottish youth parliament. There were many speakers including the co-leader of the green party, the Hamilton MSP, two council members and a member of the SYP. The co-founder of the women 50:50 movement was also in attendance to give a speech. As well as all of that the Shakti women’s aid theatre put on a play. All in all, it was a very enjoyable and enlightening experience and I would like to thank everyone who made this event possible.”