What is your involvement with Solace?
I started volunteering in 2020 in the Peri team and in September 2022 I also started volunteering as a Playworker and then moved into the Mother and Children Programme on the STAR project.
What do you enjoy about your role?
The two different roles I have are two different worlds. In the Playworker role, I can see the development in children through the different activities we do with them. It is very rewarding as children who experience violence at home can carry that with them throughout other areas of their life and we can help them get through this. We also support mothers with restarting their lives and moving on.
In the Peri team I process the referrals and can see the reality of the violence and the impact it has on women’s lives. I like to be able to do something proactive to help them and feel as though I am a key part of the chain to do this.
Can you tell me about one of the most memorable days/experiences you have had?
I support with delivering the ‘Faith and Freedom’ workshop to residents and this explains the importance of how both can work together. It is important to be inclusive and heard and residents can be heard regardless of faith and religion.
I like seeing how children will raise up in a different environment. We try to teach them skills that will last throughout life – for boys this would be how to treat women and girls with respect and for girls, how to spot the signs of gender based abuse.
Can you describe Solace in 3 words?
Solace
Restart
Empathy
If you had one wish for women and girls for the next 50 years, what would you ask for?
I wish that there was more support and less judgement for women. There needs to be more awareness around VAWG issues as well as love, support and empathy.