Falls Women's Centre Annual Report 2024 8 ILKMnoo'8 concRe k)1)4h f)4 t>bF£( r7 IlSr.- Il
VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT
Vision
Falls Women’s Centre/Ionad Mhná na bhFál is committed to promoting structural and gender equality underpinned by a just and equal society for all women.
Mission Statement
Falls Women’s Centre/Ionad Mhná na bhFál is a feminist organisation committed to promoting structural and gender equality for women. We will provide a safe, welcoming, comfortable, women-only environment, supporting women to recognise and develop their talents and skills and become active in realising their full potential. We aim to empower women to challenge inequality and social injustice locally, nationally and internationally.
Values/Ethos
Social Justice and equality – we work for a more just and equal society for
women
Empowerment – we enable women to develop confidence, capacity, skills and relationships to shape collective action and challenge imbalances of power
Safety and Integrity – we ensure that women are safe, secure in a trusted environment
Open and Inclusive – we are a diverse organisation and we build relationships with women from all sections of society
Openness – we are open and accountable with all our stakeholders
Feminist – we campaign to define, establish and achieve political, economic, personal, and social rights for women
WHO WE ARE
Management Staff Susan McCrory Cathy O’Rawe Martine Jackson Chairperson Anne-Marie Keenan Mary McArdle Vice-Chairperson Nancy Graham Rosaleen McCorley Treasurer Teresa Rice Carol Jackson Secretary Bernie Reilly Janice Austin Breige Wright Jackie Bunting Dearbhail Liggett Ailish Scott Childcare Staff Una Ni Mhearain Ann-Marie Neeson Colette Woods Michelle Rainey A very special thanks Danielle Morris to all our volunteers Leigh Aitken Alex Templeton Elaine Coyle Kim McCleary Patricia Toner Jennifer McCaul
Martine Jackson Chairperson
Welcome everyone. ( leaving board members thanks for all your contributions to the FWC Management. As my first year as chairperson, I can’t believe how quickly the year has passed and how much has been achieved. There have been highs and lows throughout the year. Our report demonstrates the high level of services we have provided to women in our community. Our education service is continually developing new courses every year based on need and supporting women gain opportunities to improve their skills. Our advice services reach the most vulnerable in our society and supports them through difficult circumstances. All our services ensure childcare is provided and barriers that prevent women moving forward in their lives are broken down.
We have taken new steps to extend our premises and services. Hopefully early next year our new building will be fully functioning and open to our users. This is a big step for us but a very vital step to enable us to continue to deliver our much-needed services and also develop new services. Our aim is to increase our service provision and develop a more strategic approach on securing the long-term future of Falls Women’s Centre.
Feminism is one of our main values, in every country in the world, women are confronted by discrimination and inequality. Women face violence, abuse, and unequal treatment at home, at work, and in their wider communities. As an organisation we remain steadfast in challenging gender inequality for all women. Each year we highlight the impact of violence against women and young girls. This year is no exception. Violence against women and girls is a systemic and deep-rooted problem within our community and worldwide. We welcome the launch of the Strategic Framework to end violence against women and girls. Ending violence against women and girls will be challenging but it must stop, we do say enough is enough, too many women are losing their lives in horrific circumstances.
It is important that within our report we recognise the violence and human rights violations that that are happening to women and children throughout the world and particularly in Gaza. Women and children are living in horrific unimaginable circumstances. Too many women and children have lost their lives. As a women’s centre We call for the protection of women and children and send solidarity greetings to women all around the world especially in Palestine and we call for an end to the genocide . There will continue to be fundraising for Palestine throughout the year. And to highlight the injustices against women and girls.
Susan Mc Crory Managing Director
It is always a privilege to present our annual report. Each year we look forward to highlighting our achievements and demonstrating our accountability to our funders, our users and the wider community. This report highlights the many achievements of women who have come through this centre this year. Our “Women in Employment programme” supported women realise their goal of becoming qualified therapeutic counsellors, achieving their level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, The opportunities to enter into the employment market or progress onto university is now within their reach. It was a pleasure to celebrated their achievement with a presentation of certificates in Belfast City Hall.
Working alongside Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and the Co-design panel of grass roots women’s groups “Nothing About Us Without Us” launched a report based on the need for a “Women’s Health Strategy” in the North of Ireland. Too often women’s health issues are considered ‘taboo’ and important conversations with other women, with our peers, and with professionals fail to take place. We know that these conversations need to happen if we want to see a real change. It is important that women and Falls Women’s Centre play a key role in continuing the important conversation of women’s health with the aim that we achieve a fully funding women’s specific health service.
O ur Women in Peace Building Programme “No Woman Left Behind” contributed to the “ The Women’s Charter for Inclusive Constitutional Futures” in conjunction with Ulster University and University College Cork. The purpose of the charter is to ensure that women are, in particular women from disadvantaged areas are involved and included in any constitutional changes on the island of Ireland. This year we met with wonderful women from Ronanstown Women’s Group and Blaney Blades from Monaghan to engage in what we believe is necessary to enable women to engage in the constitutional conversation and ensure a gendered, equal and feminist approached is reflected in the design of a shared island.
It has been another busy year for our centre. Throughout this report one can sense the range of support and services we have offered and the number of women who have benefited from the centre. Our specialised advocacy and family support service continues in it work supporting women who have survived gender-based violence. We believe it is important that women are not just placed as a statistic, their story needs to told and their incredible survival and personal journey needs to be highlighted in supporting themselves, their families and other women.
Our training and education programmes continue to grow each year along with demand. As a community-based education provider it is important that women receive much support inclusive of childcare, one to one support and a safe environment where their learning can grow. Continued personal development is a lifetime of learning and community-based education is the perfect setting for this.
I take this opportunity to thank the staff, volunteers, management board, counsellors, tutors and therapist whose contribution to our work supporting women and their families within our community valuable and worthwhile. I would also highlight our appreciation to our funders who have invested in our organisation supporting our
Statical Analysis of our users over the year. Training and Education Programme Jan-Dec 2024 counsellinglalrflcatIons • ESOL English Class Good Relations Projects Women Breaking Barriers • Maths IT Skills Employability Project Olderwomen's Group MA'S Maternal Health Women's Health Project
Specialised Advice/Advocacy Services
Supporting women living with domestic violence and sexual abuse continues to remain one of our core values. Violence against women and young girls is a systemic and deep rooted issue within society that we recognise must be addressed so that women can live free from all forms of violence and abuse. Our open door ensures we are able to support women through our wraparound services. Our specialised wraparound support services, include, attending courts, sourcing legal services, securing of temporary accommodation, inhouse counselling, welfare benefit analysis and befriending service.
Our Childcare Enjoying outdoor