News/Events

The Queen opens a 'Safe Space' at Aberdeen Art Gallery This has been a remarkable week for Grampian Women’s Aid, who had the immense privilege of attending the unveiling of an artwork entitled ‘You Are Not The Darkness, You Are The Light’ by Her Majesty Queen Camilla in memory of...

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16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV)in Scotland 2023: Imagine a Scotland without GBV    Every year, from November 25th to December 10th, the world comes together to participate in the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign. This initiati...

Posted on 23 Nov 2023

 Blog: 16 Days of Activism: What Are We Doing?   We invite you to take part in the 16 Days of Activism: End Domestic Abuse campaign from 25 November - 10 December 2023.  16 Days of Action: Let’s work together to stop violence against women and girls. The 16 Days of Action A...

Posted on 20 Nov 2023

The "Reclaim the Night" march in Aberdeen will continue to be a powerful expression of solidarity and the demand for greater safety for women. This year's march will take place on Saturday, November 25th, starting at 8 pm. Participants will gather at St Nicholas Centre and then march to Union Terrace Gardens.

Posted on 17 Nov 2023

Our Annual General Meeting will take place virtually, via Zoom, on Tuesday 5th September 17:30 - 18:30  If you have an interest in the work of Grampian Women’s Aid and would like to find out more about our services, aims and achievements, please join us. Register your attendance ...

Posted on 16 Aug 2023

Our July newsletter is out now! You can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 17 Jul 2023

Our April newsletter is out now! You can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 19 Apr 2023

Back in Jan 2021, Grampian Women’s Aid ran their first Own My Life course - the innovative 12-week programme for women who have experienced domestic abuse.  This year, we will see one hundred women having completed the course and what better time to celebrate this milestone than ...

Posted on 6 Apr 2023

We’re very proud of the services and support we provide for women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse and, in this video, we describe our impact over the course of one year.View video here!We recognise that we have come a long way when it comes to helping to en...

Posted on 22 Feb 2023

Our January is out now! You can read it right HERE! If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 19 Jan 2023

In 2022, another challenging year for many, we have been overwhelmed by the continued kindness and generosity of those who support us.From everyone at Grampian Women's Aid - and on behalf of the women, children & young people we support - thank you. 

Posted on 19 Dec 2022

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the LGBT Silver Charter Mark from LGBT Youth Scotland, in recognition of our efforts to promote inclusion.This award means a lot to us as equality and diversity are fundamental to our work. Thank you to everyone at LGBT Youth...

Posted on 9 Nov 2022

Our October newsletter is out now! You can read it right HERE! If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 12 Oct 2022

This time in “30 Minutes With....", where we meet the people who are Grampian Women's Aid, we are chatting with Sandra, our Group Lead, about her work with the Own My Life course.Q: So, Sandra, tell us a bit about your work and the Own My Life programme.My role is to develop and ...

Posted on 15 Aug 2022

Our July newsletter is an OWN MY LIFE special!  You can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 13 Jul 2022

We were delighted to join this year’s Grampian Pride Parade held on 28th May. For the first time in three years, Grampian Pride held the full Pride event bringing the LGBTQ community and allies together in person.Aileen and Amy went along to represent Grampian Women’s Aid at the ...

Posted on 15 Jun 2022

Our Annual General Meeting will take place virtually, via Zoom,on Tuesday 7th June, 17:30 - 19:30 If you have an interest in the work of Grampian Women’s Aid and would like to find out more about our services, aims and achievements, please join us. Our guest speaker for the eveni...

Posted on 4 May 2022

Find out what we've been up to in our new April newsletter - you can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 20 Apr 2022

Sandra kens, she understandsFit it’s like tae be feart o’ a man,Men, “abusive men” Her drawings nae up tae much,Nae up tae muckleBut she’s richt keen tae dispel myths o’ tough love Could ye dae wi reassurance?We hiv hunners o’ experience Div ye even need a lesson planFan we’re li...

Posted on 16 Mar 2022

I fell for him, I packed my life up and moved over to England after landing a job.  I got on the plane looking forward to start our life together. Got off the plane, he told me the job had been cancelled, he was stressed and angry, no mood to celebrate our new beginning.He used t...

Posted on 21 Feb 2022

Find out what we've been up to in our new January newsletter - you can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 25 Jan 2022

In 2021, another challenging year for many, we have been overwhelmed by the continued kindness and generosity of those who support us.From everyone at Grampian Women's Aid - and on behalf of the women, children & young people we support - thank you. 

Posted on 20 Dec 2021

Christmas can be a lonely and difficult time for women, children, and young people experiencing domestic abuse.  They may be far away from their families and have little or no money to spare.  We’d like your help to support the children and families we work with at Christmas time...

Posted on 22 Nov 2021

16 Days of Activism (or Action) Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign running from 25th November to 10th December.Each year we're proud to support the event - to raise the profile, and amplify the voices of, women, children & young people who have expe...

Posted on 17 Nov 2021

Find out what we've been up to in our new October newsletter - you can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 20 Oct 2021

As part of the Women’s Aid movement, Grampian Women’s Aid play a vital role in campaigning and lobbying for effective responses in legislation and policy making.  All our responses are shaped by listening to women, children and young people who have used our service. We recently ...

Posted on 23 Aug 2021

The end of the date brought our first kiss,Butterflies galore - nothing was amiss,Daytime texts and phone calls every night,Could it be love? I think it might.With every day we got closer,It then turned into a roller-coaster..Wasn't allowed to see my friends, And soon tracked al...

Posted on 28 Jul 2021

Find out what we've been up to in our new April newsletter - you can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 19 Jul 2021

This time in “30 Minutes With....", where we meet the people who are Grampian Women's Aid, we are chatting with Gemma, our Women’s Support Team Leader, and Kat, our Children & Young Person’s Team Leader, about their work and what it means to them.Q: So, Gemma, tell us tell us a l...

Posted on 21 Jun 2021

We recently participated in a project carried out by Robert Gordon's University investigating the impact of COVID-19 on Gender-Based Violence service providers in North-East Scotland and Orkney. You can read the project's initial findings HERE  

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Domestic abuse is not a victimless crime,behind those closed doors is where I start my once upon a time.To the outside world my partner is perfect,but one wrong word or look from me means the consequences once indoors are not worth it.He reeled me in, the perfect man I thought I ...

Posted on 13 May 2021

Find out what we've been up to in our new April newsletter - you can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 26 Apr 2021

How It StartedIt is well understood and recognised that taking time to consider and understand their own experiences of domestic abuse is fundamentally important in helping women to rebuild their lives.  With this in mind, and for some time now, Grampian Women’s Aid have been exp...

Posted on 21 Apr 2021

Our Annual General Meeting will take place virtually, via Zoom, on Tuesday 27th April, 16:00 - 18:00AGENDA:Welcome & Apologies Agree Previous Minutes Approval of the last AGM minutes & Audited Accounts Appointment of Auditors Chairperson’s Report Appointment and Retirement of Dir...

Posted on 19 Apr 2021

Find out what we've been up to in our new January newsletter - you can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE! 

Posted on 26 Jan 2021

As we set about writing our reflections of the year almost past and what it has meant for us here at Grampian Women’s Aid, it seems hard at first to know quite where to begin in this year like no other. A year no-one expected to experience; a year of hardship, suffering and loss ...

Posted on 28 Dec 2020

2020 has been a challenging year for many and, throughout, we've been overwhelmed by the continued kindness and generosity of those who support us.From everyone at Grampian Women's Aid and on behalf of the women, children & young people we support, thank you.  Any donation, regar...

Posted on 14 Dec 2020

The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS), in England known as Clare’s Law, aims to prevent domestic abuse by giving people the Right to Ask about the background of their partner. It also allows concerned members of the public, such as relatives and friends, the R...

Posted on 26 Nov 2020

Find out what we've been up to in our new October newsletter - you can read it right HERE!If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE! 

Posted on 26 Oct 2020

The Scottish Government have published the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill which, when enacted, will put into law recommendations made by the “Change, Justice, Fairness” research report to remove suspected perpetrators of domestic abuse from the home and ban them from...

Posted on 15 Oct 2020

We are delighted to announce that, as part of the Scottish Government’s £4.25m extra funding to frontline services and projects tackling violence against women and girls, we are to receive additional funding.Aileen Forbes, our manager, says “This funding announcement demonstrates...

Posted on 23 Sep 2020

Find out what we've been up to in our new July newsletter - you can read it right HEREIf you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our HOMEPAGE!

Posted on 22 Jul 2020

As Covid-19 lockdown restrictions ease, the Scottish Government continues to encourage those who can work from home to do so.  While there can be clear advantages to working in a home environment, fully or for part of the work week, there may be specific challenges and potential ...

Posted on 13 Jul 2020

This time in “30 Minutes With....", where we meet the people who are Grampian Women's Aid, we're chatting with Professor Sarah Pedersen.  Sarah is Professor in Communications and Media at Robert Gordon’s University, where she also has the special role of Gender Equalities Champio...

Posted on 8 Jul 2020

We all know only too well how unsettling, challenging and frightening it can be living in these times of Covid-19.  We know, too, that escaping domestic abuse and moving to refuge can bring mixed emotions. The sense of relief, of hope and security - of finally being safe - can be...

Posted on 20 May 2020

Find out what we've been up to in our new April newsletter - you can read it right HEREIf you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our homepage!

Posted on 16 Apr 2020

We know that if you are currently experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse you will know what being isolated and frightened feels like. During the Covid-19 pandemic, with options for seeking help more limited, you might be worried about self-isolating with someone who is h...

Posted on 8 Apr 2020

Earlier in the week, Grampian Women's Aid manager, Aileen Forbes, along with colleagues from Scottish Women's Aid, Angus Women's Aid and Police Scotland talked to the Press & Journal about the specific challenges for women and children experiencing domestic abuse in the midst of ...

Posted on 1 Apr 2020

Grampian Women’s Aid would like to let you know we are providing all support services during the Covid 19 pandemic.Women seeking support during this time should still reach out to us by calling 01224 593381 or emailing info@grampian-womens-aid.com or visiting http://grampian-wome...

Posted on 23 Mar 2020

**** AS A RESULT OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC, OUR AGM WILL NOW BE HELD VIRTUALLY AND THE AGENDA WILL BE BUSINESS ITEMS ONLY ****We hope to be able to arrange a further public event later in the year.If you have an interest in the work of Grampian Women’s Aid and would like...

Posted on 9 Mar 2020

Let’s take the opportunity to address this often asked question.An Understanding of Gendered Analysis  A gendered analysis recognises differences in men’s and women’s experiences of violence and abuse. This is useful because it indicates actions which can guide development of ser...

Posted on 4 Mar 2020

Find out what we've been up to in our new January newsletter - you can read it right HEREIf you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our homepage!

Posted on 23 Jan 2020

We were delighted to attend the launch earlier this week of Aberdeenshire Violence Against Women Partnership’s strategy and action plan.  The partnership, chaired by Leigh Jolly, Interim Head of Children’s Services at Aberdeenshire Council brings together Aberdeenshire Council, G...

Posted on 22 Jan 2020

As the sun sets on 2019 and we look forward to the new decade, we reflect on the year past and what it has meant for us here at Grampian Women’s Aid. Inevitably, in the work we do, we see much hardship, heartache and fear and, of course, this stays with us.  However, we also see ...

Posted on 27 Dec 2019

 Thank you for your continued support throughout 2019. Any donation, regardless of the amount, helps make adifference to the women, children and young people that we support£5 could help purchase materials for a child to take part in a children’s group activity£10 could help prov...

Posted on 19 Dec 2019

Grampian Women's Aid were delighted to be represented by St Machar Academy S3 Pupils, Duaa and Karolina, at the school's recent Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Scotland presentations.To win the £3000 prize money for their chosen charity, each team gives a presentation on the ...

Posted on 12 Nov 2019

This year, our Christmas appeal has the theme of “Quality Time”.  The women, children and young people we support tell us that one of the things they miss most, as they deal with the devastating effects of domestic abuse, is the ability to spend quality time together - doing acti...

Posted on 4 Nov 2019

Find out what we've been up to in our new October newsletter - you can read it right HERE.If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our homepage!

Posted on 23 Oct 2019

When we talk about the brave women who found the courage to escape domestic abuse, we’re often asked the same question: why didn’t she leave sooner?For many people, it seems like the obvious solution, but for women experiencing domestic abuse, it’s never that simple. There are a ...

Posted on 16 Oct 2019

We're delighted to announce that we have been awarded £10,000 from the Scottish Children’s Lottery Chance to Flourish fund. The money will contribute towards a Children and Young Person's worker who will support and work with children and young people across Aberdeen who have exp...

Posted on 18 Sep 2019

It was a big day for Grampian Women’s Aid on Tuesday 20th August when we held our first Conference in Aberdeen. The focus for the day was Understanding Coercive Control & the Impact on Local Resources and 200 people attended from many sectors including: local authority housing an...

Posted on 28 Aug 2019

Find out what we've been up to in our new July newsletter - you can read it right HERE.   If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our homepage!

Posted on 24 Jul 2019

We're delighted to announce that we have been successful in our bid for National Lottery Community Funding and have been awarded funds of over £218,000 for use over the next two years. The money will be used to help provide outreach services for women, children and young people w...

Posted on 25 Jun 2019

** THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED - JOIN THE WAIT LIST ** In partnership with Scottish Women's Aid, we are holding a conference event on Tuesday 20th August, 2019, from 09:30 to 14:30, at Curl Aberdeen.“Understanding  Coercive Control – The New Law and Impacts on Local Resources”...

Posted on 9 Jul 2019

Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic in which a person, to gain power and control of another individual, plants seeds of uncertainty in another person’s mind. The self-doubt and constant questioning slowly cause the individual to question their reality.  The term relates to the 1...

Posted on 15 May 2019

Find out what we've been up to in our new April newsletter - you can read it right here.If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our homepage!

Posted on 24 Apr 2019

Grampian Women’s Aid are delighted to introduce Aileen Forbes as our new Manager. Aileen brings with her 15 years experience in the adult care sector.  When Aileen left school, she started out as a nursery nurse in Aberdeen, she has since worked in a variety of care settings incl...

Posted on 18 Apr 2019

Earlier this week we held our Annual General Meeting at Langstane Housing Association’s offices in Aberdeen. The event was very well attended, and it was good to see supporters coming along to find out more about how their donations and gifts assist the women, children and young ...

Posted on 21 Mar 2019

Thanks to some very generous and inspiring women, we celebrated International Women’s Day by holding a pamper event on 8th March, 2019. Women supported by Grampian Women’s Aid came from across Aberdeenshire to enjoy an evening of beauty treatments, therapies and relaxation. The e...

Posted on 12 Mar 2019

If you have an interest in Grampian Women’s Aid and would like to find out more about our services, aims and achievements please join us for our 2019 Annual General Meeting. The agenda is now available and details follow here.  We are specially delighted to have guest speakers co...

Posted on 12 Mar 2019

If you have an interest in Grampian Women’s Aid and would like to find out more about our services, aims and achievements please join us for our 2019 Annual General Meeting.Date: Tuesday 19th March (date change from Monday 18th March)Start time: 6pmLocation: Langstane Housing Ass...

Posted on 25 Feb 2019

Welcome to the first in our "30 Minutes With...." series where we meet the people who are Grampian Women's Aid.  Today we're chatting with Judith Sutherland.  Judith is Langstane Housing Association's Director of Housing and Social Justice and a member of the Grampian Women's Aid...

Posted on 20 Feb 2019

Find out what we've been up to in our new January newsletter - you can read it right here. If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our homepage!

Posted on 23 Jan 2019

One of the most frequently asked questions in relation to domestic abuse is ‘Why doesn’t she just leave? We hear the question time after time.  But, to keep women safe, we must understand the barriers that stand in the way of her leaving. To support women to leave, we need to kno...

Posted on 10 Jan 2019

As we near the end of 2018 and step into the new year, we take some time to reflect on what the year has meant to us at Grampian Women’s Aid.  There has been much sadness and heartache and, sometimes, just sometimes, it can be a challenge for us to see beyond this.  Yet it is so ...

Posted on 26 Dec 2018

Peace on Earth begins at home.   Help us put an end to domestic abuse in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.  £5 could help purchase materials for a child to take part in a children’s group activity.  £10 could help provide an emergency pack for a woman fleeing domestic abuse.   Any dona...

Posted on 23 Dec 2018

 Christmas can be a lonely and difficult time for women and children living with domestic abuse.  Mums and children may be far away from their families and have little or no money to spare. Mum does her best to buy a present for her children and, with the help of our supporters, ...

Posted on 15 Nov 2018

Scottish Women’s Aid is the umbrella organisation for the network of independent Woman’s Aid groups across Scotland and, each year, their Annual Members’ Conference provides an opportunity for representatives from these groups to come together for the day, to talk, to listen and ...

Posted on 9 Nov 2018

Find out what we've been up to in our new October newsletter - you can read it right here.  If you'd like to stay up-to-date with our news, don't forget to sign up to our mailing list on our homepage!

Posted on 15 Oct 2018

We’re delighted that Langstane Housing Association have announced they are supporting the Make A Stand campaign.  Developed by the Chartered Institute of Housing in partnership with Women’s Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance, and launched earlier this year, the Make A St...

Posted on 21 Sep 2018

Some of the children and women supported by Grampian Women’s Aid recently enjoyed some time out on a day trip to Blair Drummond Safari Park. It was a lovely, relaxed day and everyone had so much fun.  These special events, arranged by our Children and Young Persons workers, are m...

Posted on 17 Sep 2018

We first became aware of Meg's* situation when a concerned family member contacted us from abroad. She was worried that Meg's partner was subjecting her to abuse at their home and hoped we could offer some advice and assistance.The family member contacted Meg who agreed to meet w...

Posted on 3 Sep 2018

Grampian Women’s Aid meets ‘Women’s Aid in Scotland National Service Standards’After a rigorous assessment process, we’re excited to announce that Grampian Women’s Aid has met all five of the ‘Women’s Aid in Scotland National Service Standards’.Over the past 40 years, we’ve devel...

Posted on 21 Aug 2018

There are many myths surrounding domestic abuse, but we’ve challenged the most common ones in our latest blog.

Posted on 30 Jul 2018

On Thursday 17th August, we held a celebration at Woodend Barn in Banchory, to mark the 40th anniversary of Grampian Women’s Aid.

Posted on 22 Sep 2017

Find out what we've been up to in our July newsletter.

Posted on 9 Jul 2018

For a long time, there has been a misconception that refuges are rundown and cramped with too many people living in tiny rooms. And when Women's Aid organisations first began 40 years ago this may well have been the case, but nowadays this couldn't be further from the truth.

Posted on 3 Jul 2018

Often when we first meet with women, they don’t realise that what they’re experiencing is domestic abuse. The fact that physical violence isn’t always present can make women feel embarrassed and reluctant to contact us.

Posted on 17 Apr 2018

It's important to us that we continually improve and further develop the services that we offer, which is why we've decided to conduct a survey.

Posted on 13 Apr 2018

Find out what we've been up to in our new April newsletter

Posted on 10 Apr 2018

On Wednesday 14th March, we held our 2018 Annual General Meeting at Langstane Housing Association in Aberdeen.

Posted on 20 Mar 2018

If you're a fan of classical music, why not head along to the Learig Orchestra's Spring Concert on 17th March. All proceeds go to Grampian Women's Aid!

Posted on 27 Feb 2018

A teacher living in France, Zara* had been married for two years when she moved to the UK with her husband and child. After leaving her friends and family behind, her husband quickly used this opportunity to dominate their relationship.

Posted on 28 Nov 2017

Find out what we've been up to in our new January newsletter - you can read it right here. Sign-up to our mailing list on our homepage, to keep up-to-date with all of our news and events.

Posted on 9 Jan 2018

If you have an interest in Grampian Women’s Aid and would like to find out more about our services, aims and achievements, join us for our 2018 Annual General Meeting.

Posted on 27 Feb 2018

Scotland's Domestic Abuse Bill was first introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 17th March last year and passed on 1st February 2018. We know it’s a fantastic achievement but what does the passing of the Bill actually mean?

Posted on 19 Feb 2018

When we talk about the brave women who found the courage to escape domestic abuse, we’re often asked the same question: why didn’t she leave sooner? For many people, it seems like the obvious solution, but for women experiencing domestic abuse, it’s never that simple.

Posted on 30 Jan 2018

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Scotland 2023: Imagine a Scotland without Gender Based Violence   Every year, from November 25th to December 10th, the world comes together to participate in the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign. ...

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