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Welsh Women's Aid, Colwyn Bay
Sr Carolyn Wicks reflects on her work in the light of our chapter documentsThe following is an extract from 'To Be A Blessing - Living The Vision' written by the Sisters Of Our Lady of Sion in the U.K. and Ireland Province.
We commit ourselves to promote understanding, trust, justice and peace in situations where relationships are damaged or broken…….. Especially where there is injustice, fear, marginalisation, exclusion, violence and brokenness, poverty, deprivation and human need.
Taking this commitment to heart, I was delighted to discover Training for volunteers in Welsh Women's Aid, and working with the Colwyn Bay Women's Aid . Volunteers work alongside 'workers', who carry out their tasks as a 'collective'. A very high ideal which involves giving every member a voice and the accepting of responsibility and accountability on their part.
Everyone I have worked with is a special person and fully committed to serving and befriending the women, and supporting one another. There are Refuge Workers, Outreach Workers both for the women and the children and someone to deal with administration in view of all the papers needed and meetings attended. Volunteers can offer help wherever they feel competent or where help is desperately needed. Each person's contribution is vital and valued. Twice a year we recruit and train new volunteers.
We seek to respond to every cry for help with kindness, acceptance, and compassion often in very painful and distressing situations when women are very vulnerable, exposed and frequently physically injured. They are suffering emotionally as they still love the abusive partner and believe they can 'change' him. We help each woman discover her rights and what money she can claim, and support is given as the woman works her way forward. Volunteers and Workers cover the phone 24 hours a day throughout the year. You can be called out any time of the day or night if you are 'On Call'. Refuge space is found for all needy families in a safe and secure part of the country, well away from a dangerous partner.
Everything is done to enable the women to make their own decisions, and ensure they have excellent legal advice. Sometimes there is nothing more one can do, than just let a woman know you are there ready, to listen if she wants to talk, but allowing her time and space to be herself, find her feet and make her own decision. Her wishes must always be respected.
I believe this is essential work, in keeping with the General Chapter's call to us to respond to 'God's love for the whole of creation' and ' to seek the Face of God in prayer and service to others according to the inspiration of Father Theodore: 'God is Love.' How privileged and grateful I am to work as part of Welsh Women's Aid. in Colwyn Bay, as I have many opportunities to Be a Blessing and Live the Vision..