Residents from a women's refuge in Derby have pulled on their
caps and gowns and are celebrating passing a range of
qualifications.
The refuge, which is owned and managed by housing provider
Derwent Living, teamed up with Castle College in Derby nearly two
years ago to give its residents the opportunity to take up
qualifications in a wide range of subjects.
The refuge offers accommodation and support to women and
children who are fleeing domestic violence. Sixty-six women, who
are current or former residents at the refuge, have undertaken
various courses including numeracy and literacy and drug and
alcohol awareness over a two year period.
Donna Webb, manager at the refuge said: "We decided to partner
up with Castle College because we felt it was a real opportunity to
offer these women the chance to gain some qualifications and
hopefully move into employment. It is a massive achievement for
them as some have never gained a qualification.
"We see it as a vital step in helping them to go forward in
their lives and gaining some independence where they can get a job
and provide for themselves and their children, without needing to
depend on a partner. This may sound quite basic to other people but
it is something they really need to do for themselves and is
something that most of us take for granted."
The courses included entry level numeracy and literacy levels 1
and 2, as well as classes to prepare the women for employment such
as IT - including an introduction to word processing, database and
file management, PowerPoint and Desk Top Publishing. Other classes
were more practical and offered teaching in life skills including
drug and alcohol awareness.
Dawn Hodgkiss, 31, lived at the refuge for two years with her
three children after fleeing from her violent partner after she was
stabbed and almost lost her life. Dawn graduated in maths and
English, levels 1 and 2. Dawn says: "I dropped out of school when I
was 14, so I never gained any qualifications. I became addicted to
drugs and then became involved in a violent relationship where my
partner abused me on a daily basis. When I first came to the refuge
I was lonely and had little confidence and now all that has
changed. I have gained these qualifications and I now volunteer at
the refuge and help out with a coffee morning every week for the
other residents and although I have now moved into my own place
with my children, I come back regularly as so many of my friends
are still here and I consider the staff my family.
"As well as my maths and English, I've also taken courses in
drugs and alcohol awareness, as I hope that one day I can work in a
similar place helping women who have had experiences like me. The
courses are the best thing I have done in my life, and have given
me the confidence to rebuild my life."
Derwent Living's refuge has been running for 16 years and
provides a floating support and a children's service. It is the
largest refuge if its kind in Derby and the only one that has
self-contained flats. The refuge caters for 15 families at a time.
It is supported by the community through donations of cash,
clothes, toys and furniture.
Since 1993, the refuge has provided support to women and a
children's service which has helped more than 2000 women with
children. The refuge also has a specialist unit called The
Butterfly project, which offers refuge for women fleeing domestic
violence and who have other problems such as alcohol or drug
dependency.
For more information abour Derwent Living, please visit thwei
website here: www.derwentliving.com