Women’s Community Matters
Women’s Community Matters is a trauma-informed organisation. They facilitate gender-responsive programmes with the constant understanding of working in a trauma-informed way for the people in our community. The Centre embodies love, care, compassion and kindness and believe that working with this ethos makes a difference for an individual and society.
Women’s Community Matters want to make a positive difference to the lives of women, young girls aged 11 and above and young men aged 11-19 in the Barrow area. They want to help in all ways they can, creating a strong resource for women and young people in crisis and those who are vulnerable and at risk.
Women’s Community Matters strive to create an atmosphere of empowerment and self-development, removing obstacles and dealing with issues together.
Although based in Barrow-in-Furness but they also operate a centre in Kendal twice a week.
You can access their website by clicking on the following link:
Women's Community Matters
Women’s Community Matters Provisions for 11–19-year-olds
Pause for thought (girls) and Time for thought (boys)
These projects are emotional support-based and have little to no criteria to meet to access these. Women’s Community Matters deliver one-to-one sessions to young people in the centre or via the phone. Within these one-to-ones, they do a multitude of different work with the young person, finding what works best for them as an individual. We may complete structured work such as worksheets, activities, or learning based work. They also spend a lot of time talking with the young people, allowing them a safe space to vent about their traumas and anxieties.
As well as one-to-one sessions, they also have two 12-week rolling therapeutic support groups in the centre for both of these projects (separately). You can see below the content covered in the groups:
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Pause, for thought
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Identity
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Friendships and Socialising
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Sex and Relationships
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Grooming and Consent
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Online Safety and Social Media
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Addictions
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Mental Wellbeing
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Emotions
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Puberty and Female Hygiene
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Time, for thought
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Introducing Me
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Anger
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Social Media
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Identity
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Racism
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Emotions and Puberty
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Sexual Health and Wellbeing
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Bullying
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Relationships and Consent
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Money
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Addiction
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Our Future and Reflection
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Also, in this age bracket, we have the My relationships and Me course, which is a 6-week healthy relationship course aimed towards both boys and girls to develop their understanding of relationships, what they want in a relationship, what is healthy and how to stay safe. We also cover consent, communication, and friendships. This can be adapted to deliver in one-to-one sessions too.
Women’s Community Matters Provisions for 16-25 -year-olds
Anything is possible (Young women), and Everything is possible (young men).
These projects are direct one to one emotional support for young people who suffer with complex mental health issues. Both offer a selection of sessions which have been developed in collaboration with young people to find what is most needed and for them. They are:
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Anything is Possible:
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Everything is Possible:
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- Who am i?
- Health and Wellbeing
- Stress Management
- Healthy and positive relationships
- Goals and Aspirations
- Domestic Abuse
- Building strength and resilience
- Sleep Hygiene
- Anger management
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- Emotions
- Identity
- It’s okay to be different
- Mental Wellbeing
- Motivation and inspiration
- Positivity
- Resilience
- Self Esteem
- Worries.
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However, Women’s Community Matters realise that it may not be possible to work through all of these sessions as it may not be appropriate on the day, and they will work with the young person to provide individual support rather than only following a set plan.
