Category Archives: Activity

Another brilliant Dorset Women’s Week in 2018

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A massive thank you to everyone involved in running events during Dorset Women’s Week 2018  which resulted in another brilliant week!

The week ended with another fantastic Dorset Women’s Day!  Thank you to all the amazing workshop leaders; stallholders; and performers!  And thank you to everyone who came along despite the wet weather.

Congratulations to prize winner Sally who won the box of Lush goodies for giving us feedback on the day.

We hope you all enjoyed it.  Please see below for a selection of photos from Dorset Women’s Day.

Dorset Women’s Week 2017 – Programme Launched

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WAND is excited to launch the 2017 Dorset Women’s Week Programme!  The week runs from 4-11 March and culminates again in Dorset Women’s Day.

We have more fantastic events and opportunities this year during the week including a Guided Tour of Arne Nature Reserve, Feminine and Fabulous confidence building workshop, Well Women Yoga and free swimming and exercise classes at Oxley Leisure Centre.

Dorset Women’s Day on Saturday 11 March, at the Dorford Centre has a wide range of exciting workshops including bike maintenance, flower arranging, assertiveness, African drumming, a ukulele crash course, ballet, and permaculture principles, to name just a few!

We have some brilliant performances in the main hall throughout the day, along with stalls selling a range of products and information stands. See the Programme for more details.

Our fabulous catering team will be on hand to sell drinks and delicious sandwiches and cakes. We also have our Rummage Room so come and have rummage and pick up some new to you.  If you have anything you’d like to donate please bring it along on the day.

A huge thank you to everyone who is giving up their time to run a workshop, perform, have a stall as well as the brilliant team behind the scenes making this a fabulous day.

Women’s Week is support by our WAND patrons:

“It’s Dorset Women’s Day again, how fabulous! We meet once more ladies, in the wake of the most powerful women’s marches on the planet too. All across the world, the value of sisterhood was shaken up that day and continues to be fully realised.

Women are incredible humans; we’re equals, we have value, we have a voice and we shouldn’t be afraid to use it to protect our rights and to make the world a better place. I look forward to seeing you all today and celebrating the very best of West Dorset’s women.” Tracey West

“Congratulations and thanks to WAND for using today to bring focus and attention to women locally and across the world. It has seldom been more important to preserve our gains and continue to champion women in all walks of life and connect with women of other cultures, and not just on International Women’s Day but on each of the remaining 364 days of the year, every year. But for now Enjoy the Day!” Harriet Waters

We hope you can join us!

If you have any queries please email wanddorset@gmail.com or call WAND on 07379 426525.

 

DAIT Courses (Domestic Abuse Intervention Training)

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DAIT logoWAND has recived the following information from DAIT about a new programme of courses in September (including a programme for men).  Please contact dait@talktalk.net directly for more information.

 

We are writing to let you know that we are about to deliver the Freedom Programme & Recovery Toolkit courses again, from September 2016. During the last two years we have delivered both of these courses in the West Dorset and Weymouth areas to both male and female victims/survivors and have had to date, 243 clients attend our courses. These courses make a real difference to victims and survivors of domestic abuse as is proven by the positive feedback we receive from both clients and agencies alike. We will be running courses in Weymouth and Dorchester starting the week commencing 12th September 2016.

Freedom: This is a free 10 week course which runs for two hours once a week. This is the only course that is suitable for women who have left an abusive relationship or are still in an abusive relationship. It helps them to consider what has happened and helps women identify abusive behaviour. The course is developed so that each session stands alone and can be joined at any time. We feel the most important part of the course is that women instantly recognise that they are not alone. The most common held belief amongst victims is that they hold some responsibility for perpetrator’s behaviour and the course is designed to clearly identify that this is not the case. The strength comes from the group and can be very powerful in helping clients recognise that abuse is wrong on every level. There is a book that accompanies the course which every participant receives. There is very little writing during the course and is accessible for any ability.

Recovery Toolkit: This course is a Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme based on guidelines set by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Type 2 often experienced by domestic abuse victims, running over 12 weeks. This course is suitable for men or women who are not currently in an abusive relationship but have previously experienced domestic abuse. The aim of the course is to empower clients with lifelong skills, tools and techniques to effectively make healthy choices for their future.

Why run both courses? It is a misconception that those who experience abusive relationships understand what they are going through; Freedom helps participants to recognise domestic abuse and identify all the tactics used by perpetrators. The Recovery Toolkit looks at domestic abuse from a different angle and helps to develop self-esteem and confidence. The two courses together are extremely powerful; we recommend that women should complete Freedom Programme and then go onto Recovery Toolkit.

Acceptance on to the courses will be made on a satisfactory risk assessment made by DAIT staff on the client’s suitability for group work and their current situation.

We would be pleased if you could share this information with your colleagues and display the enclosed poster. (The posters are particularly effective if displayed on the back of toilet doors.) If you do wish to make a referral please use the attached form, give us a call or email and we can send the referral form electronically. Clients can refer themselves by calling the numbers below.

We would be more than happy to attend your team meetings/training to explain the courses further.

Kind Regards

Pauline Collier – Course Facilitator: 07747705916

Jo Keane – Course Facilitator: 07826077525

dait@talktalk.net

DAIT Flyer

 

A Fantastic Dorset Women’s Week 2016!

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Credit: Claire Vera

Credit: Claire Vera

A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in Dorset Women’s Week 2016 – what a week!

We talked about knickers and body confidence; we learnt to deal with stress and make jewellery; heard from (or about) some inspiring women; and we ate cake!

The week ended with another amazing Dorset Women’s Day!  Over 400 women came through the door and there was a brilliant atmosphere.

Also thank you to everyone who gave us their feedback on the day – we’ll use this to help plan next year!  Congratulations to Mrs D Harris from Weymouth who was picked out the hat as the winner of some fabulous prizes.

“This is a great event, lots of information, classes to try new things and meet interesting people. wil come again next year.” Danielle

“Brilliant Day.  Whoever got Kate Adie should be congratulated.” Jemma

“Fabulous feel good event.2 Jackie

So again a massive thank you to the organising team, the volunteers helping on the day, all the workshop leaders, the stall holders and everyone who came on the day (and the week) to make it such a special time.

See some highlights below from Dorset Women’s Day!

A thank you to Claire Vera for the following photos.

It’s almost time for Dorset Women’s Week and Women’s Day 2016!

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DWD bannerPlans are progressing well for this year’s Dorset Women’s Week.  Running from 5 to 12 March the week will culminate in our 11th Dorset Women’s Day on Saturday 12 March.

We’ll be posting the detials here soon – it’s going to be another fantastic year!

Reclaim the Night 2015 is coming!

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Reclaim 2015 PosterThis year’s Reclaim the Night event will be held on Saturday 28 November from 7pm-11pm at the Town Hall in Dorchester.

As usual WAND is hosting the event to link in with “International End Violence Against Women Day” held each year on 25 November.

Tickets cost £3, to be bought on the door, and include a drumming workshop with the wonderful Organic Rhythm, a buffet supper and a charity auction. The main event of the evening will be a short march through the Dorchester streets to ‘Reclaim the Night’.

The money raised from the auction will go to the the women and kids at West Dorset Woman’s Refuge, including enabling the e children to buy a present for their mums just from them. Last year we raised £480 at event (including a couple of generous donations).

Following the success of last year we are welcoming anyone who wishes to support an end to violence against woman so this will not be a female only event and is open to everyone. There was a real family atmosphere last year so please come along to event which promises to be a fun event despite its serious message.

If you’d like to donate a prize for the auction please contact wanddorset@gmail.com.

Dorset Women’s Day another huge success!

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DWD 2015 Main Hall 2Another fantastic Dorset Women’s Day was held on 14 March at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester.  Around 350 people attended the event and over 270 workshop spaces were taken up plus demonstrations and talks in the main hall from cooking the Italian way to stress busting techniques to crochet to the experiences of a local female plumber.

Do have a look at some of our photos from the day in the gallery below (please add any of your own to our facebook page).

WAND would like to say a big thank you to those who made the day so special from the workshop leaders to the stall holders to all those that volunteered at Dorset Women’s Day helping it all to run smoothly.  As one stall holder said, it is the “highlight of her calendar” – and it is ours too!

Thank you to our sponsors including Vitabiotics Wellwoman, Dorset Tea and the wonderful Lush who generously provided lots of lovely items for goody bags.  Also thank you to Carluccios for donating an amazing prize – the lucky winner was Jane Jones from Poole – thank you to eveyone who gave us their feedback on the day (see a selection of comments below).

WAND would also like to thank all those who contributed to Dorset Women’s Week including our partners Bridfem who hosted a range of fantastic event in Bridport, the Dorset Library service, the Gryphon Leisure Centre, Naturalife health food shop, Oxley Sports Centre and the RSBP.

We’ve already starting planning for 2016 – a date for the diary Saturday 12 March 2016 is the next Dorset Women’d Day!

If anyone would like to get more involved in WAND then they just need to email Wanddorset@gmail.com or give Emma a call on 01305 252204.

Just a few comments about Dorset Women’s Day:

“Thank you for all your hard work in organising a very fun and inspiring day.  I loved the workshop – I chose art and creative writing and can’t wait to get my pencils and pens out at home.”  Anthea, Dorchester

“It was a well organised and wonderful event. I am so pleased to be part of it.” Deepali, Broadmayne

“What a well organised event. Great mix of stalls that complemented each other and a really lovely atmosphere.” Cathy, Bournemouth

“Powerful. Explosive. Dynamic. Informative. Empowering. Important. Just some of the words that immediately come to mind.” Marlene , Dorchester

“My first visit but it wont be my last.  Really enjoyed my day. Lots of new and different things to learn and enjoy.” Jane, Dorchester

More comments to be added later.

 

Parliamentary candidates quizzed at the Women’s Manifesto

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Getting reading for the Hustings - left to right: Ros Kayes (Lib/Dem), David Glossop (UKIP), Katie Martin (chair – BBC Radio Solent presenter), Peter Barton (Green), Rachel Rogers (Labour), Oliver Letwin (Conservative).

Getting reading for the Hustings – left to right: Ros Kayes (Lib/Dem), David Glossop (UKIP), Katie Martin (chair – BBC Radio Solent presenter), Peter Barton (Green), Rachel Rogers (Labour), Oliver Letwin (Conservative).

On Friday 6 March WAND held a Question Time style event with parliamentary candidates for West Dorset to launch a week of activities and offers to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The panel, which included Oliver Letwin MP (Conservative), Ros Kayes (Lib/Dem), Rachel Rogers (Labour), Peter Barton (Green) and David Glossop (UKIP) were asked 4 questions relating to women’s issues and how they proposed addressing them.

Topics covered included improving safety for local women and tackling domestic violence, reducing the impact of austerity which has particularly adversely affected women, improving equality and representation for women in all walks of life, and safeguarding workers from exploitation through the use of zero hour contracts.

The evening, which was held at the Town Hall in Dorchester, was very well attended and those who went said what an interesting an informative session it had been.

Emma Scott, WAND member, said “ It was a very lively and animated evening and it was obvious that the people who came were very engaged with the political process and concerned to hear what the prospective candidates had to say. Many of the topics covered also relate to men and of course equality is an issue that both genders should be concerned with so it was good to see lots of men coming to the evening too. It was a great debate and a good way to really learn more about those that are seeking to represent us in Parliament. I would certainly encourage anyone who could not make it to this event to attend one of the other public hustings that are being organised in the run up to the election – details should appear on candidates websites”.

WAND would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped run the debate and in particular Katie Martin, BBC Radio Solent’s afternoon show presenter, who chaired the discussion. Katie did a great job of making sure that we heard from all of the candidates and that they answered the questions posed fully.

WAND will be ending the week with our flagship Dorset Women’s Day at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester. This event, which is free to attend, includes 25 different workshop sessions where women can learn a whole range of new skills from how to crochet to basic plumbing.

For more information contact Emma Scott on 01305 252204 or pick up a programme at your local library, West Dorset Tourist Information Centre or at Waterstones in Dorchester.

Less than a week until Dorset Women’s Week!

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Dorset Women's Week 2015 Window TICIt’s nearly here and it’s promising to be a fantastic week – Dorset Women’s Week kicks off on Friday 6 March.

Check out the full programme (or pdf version) to see what’s on – events and activities are taking place in Bridport, Dorchester and Sherborne.

There are still places at the talk on Rwanda’s Women and at the Women’s Manifesto both on 6 March – booking essential for both these events.  Contact Emma on 01305 252204 to book the Rwanda’s Women talk.  Don’t forget to submit your question for the Women’s Manifesto and book a place here.

If you’re in Dorchester check out our window display in the Tourism Information Centre which focuses on Dorset Women’s Day on 14 March (details of the day are included in the programme).

Dorset Women’s Week – the programme is here! (Includes Dorset Women’s Day)

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Dorset Women's Week and Women's Day PosterWe are excited to announce that the programme for Dorset Women’s Day and Dorset Women’s Day is now available!

For the full list of activities and event download the Full Programme (or you can view a pdf version).

Dorset Women’s Week runs from 6 – 14 March 2015 and includes:

A free talk entitled “Rwanda’s Women – Stories of Courage, Forgiveness and Resilience during the Genocide & the Journey of Rebuilding”. The talk is taking place on Friday 6 March at the West Dorset District Council offices in Dorchester. The speaker, activist and humanitarian, Carl Wilkens, will share his experiences of remaining in Rwanda during the genocide of 1994. We are happy to offer a free buffet from 12.30pm-1pm. The talk itself is taking place from 1pm-2pm. Booking is essential (call 01305 252204 or email wanddorset@gmail.com).

In the evening of the 6 March WAND are hosting a Question Time style debate with key parliamentary candidates standing to represent West Dorset. The Women’s Manifesto event is being held at the Town Hall in Dorchester from 8pm-9pm (doors open 7.30pm). The audience will be able to put their questions to candidates so that they can explain what they’re planning on doing for women in Dorset around topics such as equal pay, women’s representation, childcare and health. The debate will be chaired by BBC Radio Solent’s afternoon show presenter Katie Martin. Again booking is essential and questions must be submitted in advance – click here for more information on how to book and submit a question.

Other Dorset Women’s Week events include some wonderful performances and activities taking place in Bridport hosted by local group Bridfem. Plus there are some fantastic offers to try something new at a local leisure centre. Also there is an uplifting nature inspired talk on offer from the RSPB showing how the organisation was set up by a group of women in 1889 as well as the chance to try out a very relaxing and creative movement and yoga session known as Shakti Dance. Plus there will be free goody bags available throughout the week – but you will have to read the programme to find out where from!

Dorset Women’s Week culminates with the 10th annual Dorset Women’s Day to be hosted by WAND! This will take place at the Dorford Centre Dorchester on Saturday 14 March from 10am – 3.30pm. Regular attenders of the event will know that it offers something for everyone and this year is no exception. The day will be packed with a varied and exciting range of workshops and performances including: crochet, jewellery making, self empowerment techniques and creative writing. Plus we’re offering a delicious cookery demonstration that will teach you how to make authentic Italian style bread and home made ravioli.

There will also be a range of stallholders promoting everything relating to womanhood with the opportunity to find some wonderful hand made items.

And following the success of last year, the RUMMAGE ROOM is back again! This is an opportunity for people to donate any unwanted woman’s clothes, accessorises and books (all clean and in good condition) and pick up something new to you. Proceeds will go to WAND to support other events.

Admission to Dorset Women’s Day is free and is open to women of all ages and backgrounds. Free crèche facilities will be available together with the opportunity to purchase delicious home-made cakes and refreshments lovingly prepared by WAND volunteers. On the day there will be more.

Please note that free hard copies of the programme will also be available from the following locations:

  • Bridport, Dorchester, Sherborne and other local Libraries
  • Bridport, Dorchester and Sherborne Tourist Information Centres
  • Bridport Arts Centre
  • Dorchester Town Council
  • Bridport Town Council
  • West Dorset District Council
  • Sherborne Town Council
  • Oxley Sports Centre – Sherborne
  • Gryphon Sports Centre – Sherborne
  • Naturalife – Antelope Walk, Dorchester
  • Waterstones – Dorchester
  • Local Village Halls

We hope you can join us!