Women's organisations (outside London)
Women's organisations (outside London)
This section contains information about women only organisations, or on organisations that deal with issues of interest and importance to women. The organisations we’ve included deal with domestic violence, trafficking, Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issues, and sexual violence. Lower down is a list of regional support and community groups for women outside London.
There are so many organisations that we can’t list them all. If we’ve left out one that’s important, let us know by sending an email to admin@testimonyproject.org and we’ll include it.
This section includes the following categories;
-Domestic violence
-Trafficking
-Rape/sexual assault
-Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
-Women's community and support groups
-Manchester
-Nottingham
-Birmingham
-Liverpool
-Norwich
-Cambridge
-Halifax
-Sheffield
-Leeds
-Glasgow
-Wales
Domestic violence
24 Hours National Domestic Violence Helpline
This telephone hotline operates 24-hours a day, 365 days a year to support and provide women with information they need to make informed choices. You can also get information on safe refuges for women and children. Several languages are spoken.
4th Floor, International House, 1 St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1UN
Tel: 08082 000 247 (hotline) or 02073 957 700 (general enquiries)
Email: info@refuge.org.uk
Rights of Women
Rights of Women provide free confidential legal advice by phone. All advisors are woman barristers or solicitors. They can advise on getting legal protection in cases of domestic violence, divorce, issues concerning children and many other areas. The website contains useful legal guides which can be downloaded. The phone lines are very busy, but if you’re patient you will eventually get through to an advisor.
Tel: 02072 516 657 or 02072 518 887
Email: info@row.org.uk
Hidden Hurt
This website provides extensive region-specific information on domestic violence support services throughout the UK, including services in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The site also provides general information on domestic violence and an online sharing forum. This is a resource website only.
The Dove Project
This organisation operates the SHE helpline for women seeking refuge. Special support is provided for ethnic minority, lesbian, and bisexual women experiencing domestic violence. A drop-in service, counseling, and alternative health and well-being activities are also offered.
Tel: 01702 300 006 (24 hour crisis line) or 01702 337 853 (office phone)
Samaritans
This organisation provides a 24-hour confidential helpline that offers emotional support to those experiencing feelings that may lead to suicide. The website allows you to search for the helpline nearest you and includes helplines in the Republic of Ireland.
Attn: Chris, P.O. Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA
Tel: 084 5790 9090 (helpline)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Women’s Aid
This umbrella organisation provides information on local domestic violence services throughout the UK. See the website for local contact numbers and websites.
Head Office, PO BOX 391, Bristol BS99 7WS
Tel: 01179 444 411 Fax: 01179 241 703
Email: info@womensaid.org.uk
Victim Support UK
This independent national charity helps victims of any crime and has branches throughout the England and Wales. Through their hotline, they can provide information on police and court procedures as well as links to other helpful organisations. Anyone affected by crime can call, and several languages are spoken. See the website for hotline operation days and times.
Hallam House, 56 - 60 Hallam Street, London W1W 6JL (general enquiries)
Hannibal House, Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London SE1 6TB (support line letters)
Tel: 08453 030 900 (support line) or 020 7268 0200 (general enquiries)
Women’s Grid
This website posts local women’s news, views, and issues on a variety of issues from trafficking and violence to climate change and employment.
Trafficking
Poppy Project
Poppy provides support and advocacy services only for those women living outside of London who have been trafficked and forced into sex work.
Eaves Housing, 2nd Floor Lincoln House, 1-3 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DE
Tel: 02078 407 129
Helen Bamber Foundation
This not-for-profit organisation provides support to survivors of torture, including trafficking and works to raise awareness of trafficking in the sex industry and empower people to take action.
5 Museum House, 25 Museum Street, London WC1A 1JT
Tel: 02076 314 492 Fax: 02076 314 493
Email: info@helenbamber.org
Rape/sexual assault
Rape Crisis UK
This organisation has vast online resources and legal information. A list of regional sexual assault referral centres is provided as well as hotline and contact details for each. Counselling is also provided in select centres.
c/o WRSAC, PO Box 39, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1XF
Email: info@rapecrisis.org.uk
Home Office UK
You can find information on sexual assault referral centres in the UK and the services that they provide.
Direct Communications Unit, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF
Tel: 02070 354 848
Rights of Women
In addition to the general advice line listed above, Rights of Women operates a specialised sexual violence helpline. See the website for operation days and times. The website also has downloadable information sheets on rape, sexual assault, and reporting to the police.
Tel: 02072 518 887 Text phone:02074 902 562
Email: info@row.org.uk
Women and Girls Network
This organisation operates a helpline that provides referrals and signposting for survivors of sexual violence and abuse. They also run a project specifically for women trafficked into the sex industry. See the website for days and times of operation.
Tel:02076 104 345 or 02076 104 678
Email: info@wgn.org.uk
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC)
RASASC’s hotline accepts calls from male and female victims of sexual violence as well as concerned family and friends. They can provide information on police procedures, medical implications, referrals, and are there to just listen as well. See website for hotline operation days and times.
RASASC, PO Box 1009, Guildford, Surrey GU1 9EE
Tel:01483 546 400 (hotline) or 01483 452 900 (office)
Email: admin@rasasc-guildford.org
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
The Gay & Lesbian Humanist Association (UK wide)
This umbrella organisation has a wealth of information on LGBT issues, organisations, and support services/groups. The London gay and lesbian switchboard number below provides advice for those living all over the UK. See the website for operation days and times.
1 Gower Street, London WC1E 6HD
Tel: 02078 377 324
Email: info@galha.org.uk
UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UK wide)
This organisation provides support for gay and lesbian asylum seekers. There is a hotline available (see website for details) and a forum that may answer frequently asked questions.
32-36 Loman Street, London, SE1 0EH
Tel: 02079 227 811
Women's community and support organisations
Women’s Aid
This website provides information on local domestic violence services, including support groups for women survivors.
PO Box Bristol 391, BS99 7WS
Tel: 01179 444 411
Email: info@womensaid.org.uk
Women’s Resource Centre
This organization provides support for women’s organizations throughout the UK. The website provides a listing and a map of all of their member organizations, which range from women’s shelters and rape crisis centres to breast cancer awareness charities and advocacy organizations.
Ground Floor East, 33-41 Dallington St, London EC1V 0BB
Tel: 02073 243 030
Emails can be sent from the ‘Contact us’ section of the website
Manchester
Llanifah Muslim Women’s Support Group
Open to women of all ethnic minorities, this organisation also provides English as a Second Language classes, advice, and support.
Tel: 01612 263 713
Email: jameelahbasso@hotmail.com
Somali Women’s Group of Manchester
This organisation provides women-only advice as well as services for Somalis living in Greater Manchester. No website is available, but information is provided below from the Red Cross website.
165 Acomb Street, Manchester, M14 4DY
Tel: 01612 486 135
Red Cross Women’s Integration and Support Partnership
They focus on helping women with the isolation they often face as asylum seekers in the UK. They also provide English and training classes in a supportive environment that is child-friendly.
Bradbury House, 101 Brindley Road, City Park, Cornbrook, Manchester, M16 9HQ
Tel: 01618 888 900 Fax: 01618 888 901
Women Asylum Seekers Together (Manchester, Leeds)
WAST provides opportunities for asylum seeking women to come together to share experiences, expose the injustices of the UK immigration system, and support each other through regular meetings. Check the website for meeting times, events, and email contacts.
Ada House, Womens Electronic Village Hall, 77 Thompson Street, Manchester M4 5FY
Tel: 01618 338 835
Email: wastmanchester@yahoo.co.uk
Nottingham
Nottingham Women’s Counseling Project (Nottingham)
This project aims to empower women to take control of their own lives. Fees for counseling sessions are charged based on a needs assessment.
65-67 Radford Road, Nottingham NG7 5DR
Tel: 01159 782 040
Emails can be sent through the ‘Contact’ section on the website
Women’s Development Project (Nottingham, Leicester)
This project is based in the above two cities, and works to improve access to services for women asylum seekers and refugees. The project is run out of Refugee Action’s local offices; please contact them at the numbers below for further information.
Refugee Action, Castle Court, 59 Castle Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 1FD
Tel: 01162 616 200 (Leicester) or 01159 418 552 (Nottingham)
Fax: 01159 509 980
Women’s Group (Notts Refugee Forum)
This group, which meets on a weekly basis, provides a safe forum for women to come and share their experiences, make friends, and provide support to each other. Outings for members are planned and volunteers are available to answer general questions. See the website for further details.
Tel: 01159 415 599
Birmingham
Coventry Refugee Centre’s Women’s Group
This weekly meeting provides a space for all women to get together, share ideas, learn from one another, and teach each other new skills.
Tel: 02476 527 111 (women’s group) or 02476 227 254 (main office) Fax: 02476 559 674
Email: info@covrefugee.org.uk
Liverpool
Women’s Independent Cinema House (Merseyside)
This organisation provides video production classes for women asylum seekers and refugees on how to make documentaries. Travel expenses, childcare, and lunch costs are covered; no information on the course cost is available.
40 Rodney Street, Liverpool L1 9AA
Tel: 01517 070 539
Email: mediawitch@hotmail.com
Somali Women’s Group of Liverpool
This organisation provides advice for Somali women on social issues as well as the practicalities of living in the UK. See the website for opening hours.
171 Lodge Lane, Toxteth, Liverpool L8 0QQ
Tel: 01517 341 908 Fax: 01517 341 908
Norwich
Karibu African Women Support Group (Norwich)
This organisation provides information and support services to African women in Suffolk. It also aims to promote awareness of cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity. Support groups meet on a regular basis. Contact the organisation for more details.
1 Cornhill, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1AQ
Tel: 01473 289 330
Email: karibu_awsg@yahoo.co.uk
Cambridge
Black Women’s Support Group
This organisation was established to promote the welfare of black women living in Cambridgeshire. They provide free training courses as well as tutoring sessions for children.
St Luke’s Barn, Frenchs Road, Cambridge CB54 3JZ
Tel:01223 508 216
Email: womenblack@hotmail.com
Halifax
Calderdale Women’s Centre
This organisation provides legal advice to women, pregnancy testing, basic training, and volunteering opportunities. Please see the website for operating hours. Bengali, Urdu, and Punjabi are spoken.
23 Silver Street, Halifax HX1 1JN
Tel: 01422 386 500
Email: info@calderdalewomen.org.uk
Sheffield
Northern Refugee Centre
This organization holds ‘conversation clubs’ in the Sheffield area that provide a safe place for women refugees and asylum seekers to come together, share, and make friends. The clubs also provide participants with the opportunity to practice English with native speakers, Refreshments are provided as is a crèche at 5 out of the 6 weekly clubs.
Scotia Works, Leadmill Road, Sheffield S1 4SE
Tel: 01142 412 780 Fax: 01142 412 744
Emails can be sent through the ‘Contact us’ section on the website.
Leeds
Leeds Asylum Seekers’ Support Network
Please see this organisation’s directory on services for asylum seekers in the Leeds area; contact details for women’s support groups are listed.
233 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS8 4HS
Tel: 01133 805 690 Fax: 01133 805 691
Emails can be sent through the ‘Contact us’ section on the website
Glasgow
Women’s Support Project
This organisation works on a range of issues including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation. The project also runs a resource library for women. Please contact the project directly for an appointment as no drop-in service is available. There is also an extensive list of contacts for other women’s and asylum seekers’ organisations in Glasgow and elsewhere in Scotland and the UK.
Tel: 01415 522 221
Email: wsproject@btconnect.com
Wales
Women Seeking Sanctuary Advocacy Group (Wales)
WSSAG is a lobbying, advocacy and research group which works with and for refugee women and their families in order to bring about change in the refugee system and enhance their ability to rebuild their lives. They assist women running their own anti-deportation campaigns and provide a space where women can come together to meet, make friends and share experiences.
wssagwales.org.uk
Tel: 02920 460899
Email: wssagwales@yahoo.co.uk