Support work
An open line of communication
At Gilgal Birmingham, we have dedicated support workers for women and children to assist them in working through the abuse they have suffered, and help them begin to rebuild their lives.
How we can help:
- Run counselling sessions, both 1:1 and in small groups, with our qualified Independent Domestic Abuse Advisers (IDVAs). This is a person-centred approach, tailored to each individual woman; it is equitable and every woman is offered what they need. The counselling in trauma-informed and uses a strength based approach; leaving is often the hardest part of recovery, so we use this as a base to help them build confidence and strength.
- Give women support to get their finances in order, such as applying for benefits and setting up their own bank account. We support women with maximising their income for their specific situation, reducing debt, and offer budgeting advice.
- Help women find legal advice, start court proceedings if they are going through a divorce, and support with custody and finances battles.
- Write referrals for further support – e.g. alcoholism or drug addiction. We have a qualified complex need and substance abuse worker who provides support alongside other external rehabilitation agencies.
- Encourage women to think about their future, and then facilitate their needs. For example, we can support them in finding new hobbies and purposes, or help with college, university, or vocational course applications. Lots of our women wish to train as support workers themselves to give back in a way that is important and special to them.
Whatever the women at our refuge need or want to achieve, we strive to assist them with that goal and provide the building blocks to a life of autonomy.
Do you need Gilgal's support?
Fill in our referral form today
Support for children
- Help find nursery places for children once they turn two.
- Help find school places if children have had to move and leave their previous school.
- Support getting children signed up for local GP services.
- Counselling through play, also known as play therapy. Our dedicated children’s worker Faye runs these sessions, both 1:1 and in small groups.
- Activities and trips to build positive life experiences.
- Every child deserves to celebrate their birthday! We make sure to hold a birthday party for every child and give them a present to help them feel settled with us.
- The refuge is purposely designed to allow the children to feel as normal as possible, support them settling in, and encourage them to open up about any traumas they have experienced.
Making Mother’s Day cards at a children’s Stay and Play session
Activities
Yoga classes with Kate from InStar Holistic
Why do we run activities?
Many of the women who come to us have had to leave their jobs, friends, and families behind, and now find themselves at a loose end. Activities give our residents a focus; something new to fill their time. For many residents it has been a good way to make new friends and engage with others who have had similar experiences, as the women share their stories and support one another. Activities can help take their minds off what they have experienced, as opposed to sitting alone in their rooms. Our activities are planned to allow residents to learn new skills and grow in confidence. We discuss with the women what they are interested in or wish to learn about, and then work with external agencies to provide activities to cater to all interests, backgrounds, cultures and faiths. Often, our women find they are good at something they never would have thought of, such as art or gardening! Our activities have even given some residents a new sense of purpose. We recently had a woman who found she enjoyed upcycling furniture, and is now on a carpentry course. We are proud to say that Gilgal is a community, not just a place to sleep.
Activities on offer:
- Exercise classes such as Yoga with Kate, and Aston Villa stretch classes. These encourage healthy living; many residents will have had their exercise routines interrupted, and have had to give up gym memberships. Exercise is good for mental wellbeing; it raises spirits, reduces depression and anxiety, and is a fun social activity.
- Craft classes, such as jewellery making with Working Clasp
- Projects within the refuge, such as the gardening project, allow to residents take pride in their surroundings and feel affinity for where they are living, as well as promoting positive causes like sustainability.
- Getting involved with the local community and other charities.
- Art classes – painting with Bridget Rush
- Employability programs to help them get back into work.
This is just an example of our current activities on offer, based on what our residents have asked for recently. The activities are entirely shaped by what our residents want.
“I didn’t know I could paint! All my life I’ve been told I can’t do this. I can’t do that. I’m not good at this. I’m not good at that. But now, I look forward to the painting classes. It feels like shedding a skin, when you walk through these doors.”
Become part of the Gilgal family
Do you have a skill you could share with our residents?