Supporting Sefton’s women, young people and children since 1974
In 1974, SWACA founders, Lesley Paterson and Helen Goodband formed a women’s support group called Crosby Women’s Action Group to address the practical and social problems facing local women in the 1970s.
Working for a local housing association and seeing the struggles of single parent families, it became clear to them that action rather than words was needed. Support started in the form of a babysitting circle and led to bulk buying schemes, setting up a register of contraceptive services, GPs and clinics in the area as well as social events and a discussion group.
Following a talk to the Group delivered by a refuge organisation, Lesley and Helen wanted to help women and their families further and, in 1975, Crosby Women’s and Children’s Aid was registered as a charity.
The organisation was made up of committee members, trustees and patrons. The patrons included the Bishop of Liverpool, the MP, Willy Russell and Jack Ashley MP. MPs were traditionally always Patrons of the Charity, including Shirley Williams, Malcolm Thornton and Claire Thomas. All of them offered support and helped to give the Charity respectability within the wider community. In 1990 the Charity was renamed Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid.
Who we help
Today, our dedicated team prides themselves on providing a professional, holistic service to more than 1,500 families each year. The service includes advocacy, advice, structured programmes of work, parenting support and therapeutic support on a one-to-on, family or group basis.
Women are encouraged to develop emotional resilience, identify and manage risk, understand the impact domestic abuse may have upon themselves and their children and improve self-esteem.
Our Children’s Caseworkers aim to help children explore wishes, worries and feelings in order to recover from their experiences of domestic abuse.
Our residential support service (or refuge) accommodates up to three families at any one time.
Our motivation
Supporting a service user through their journey to realise their worth and value to society is a powerful motivator. Building self-confidence, self-esteem and independence to care for themselves and their family is the ultimate goal for all those who we support.
For further information on the charity, you can download details from The Charity Commission, entering our registered charity no. 1066878 in the charity search box.
