Our timeline
Our timeline
Our timeline
Our timeline
Our timeline
Our timeline
The name “Gilgal” loosely translates from Hebrew as “circle of stones”. In the Bible, it is used as a symbol for sanctuary from oppression and persecution. The original Gilgal logo was created by Maggie Hazel 30 years ago to illustrate the related story in the Bible (Joshua 4:19).
Due to Christine’s calling, church funding, and the origins of our name, the organisation of Gilgal chooses to embody the Christian values of tolerance, equality, and love, and we ask that all residents, employees and trustees embody these values too.
Gilgal is a place of acceptance and safety. We therefore welcome those of all faiths – or none – into the refuge, and hold regular celebrations of religious festivals such as Christmas, Eid and Diwali. These events are designed to bring our staff and residents together as a community, share their own experiences, and learn from one another with no discrimination or judgement.
At Gilgal, our culture is one of family; a close-knit team, ready and waiting to welcome in women and children who need our support. Whilst our values stem from the Christian faith, they are embodied by many religions, communities and individual around the world. These values underpin everything we do at Gilgal.
Gilgal is a welcoming safe place of confidence, support, and nurturing. We do not censure, stereotype, or discriminate. We are accepting of all faiths and backgrounds, and celebrate the differences in each unique woman. (Bible reference: Matthew 7:1)
We believe that every person is made equal, regardless of gender, ethnicity, faith, or upbringing. No man or woman is worth more than you, or has the right to control you. (Bible reference: Galations 3:28)
We always strive to be patient and kind, and to treat others as we would wish to be treated ourselves. Gilgal is a place of acceptance, growth, and new beginnings; we help our women learn to love themselves again, so that they may rebuild their lives. (Bible reference: 1 Corinthians 13)
Our key goals
From the Gilgal Strategic Plan, these goals facilitate ongoing optimisation and progression for our organisation, and aim to take it through to 2029.
Find out how we’re achieving our goals and catch up on refuge news and discover expert help in the Gilgal blog.
We maintain a high standard of accommodation at our current refuge properties, and always aim for improvement.
Our staff always strive to provide individual, tailored support, encouraging residents to develop new skills, and contribute to the running and success of Gilgal. We provide a friendly, approachable environment that is inclusive to all.
We will continue to facilitate access to health care, career support, skills development, and social opportunities, in order to aid our residents to integrate back into the community. We will remain open to ideas, challenges, and other points of view, and freely share resources, skills, and opportunities.
Once our residents are ready to move on from the refuge, we will endeavour to provide self-contained flats as a next step to independence. Where a Gilgal-owned property is not available, we will facilitate a move into appropriate social, private, or local authority housing.
Once a resident has been successfully rehomed, we will continue to provide light touch support, ensuring their continued wellbeing and growth.
We will create opportunities for residents to get involved with the running and maintenance of the refuge, including applying and sharing their own expertise, to grow their self-confidence and independence.
With our growing network of Gilgal alumnae, we will create opportunities for past and present residents to interact socially, and in tutoring, volunteering, and mentoring capacities. This will create a Gilgal family of women helping women.
We will take steps to diversify our income streams, become financially resilient, and increasingly self-sufficient.
These steps will include a reviewed approach to grants and trusts, corporate partners and fundraisers, and in-house community fundraising projects like our Charity Shop.