In the last year, we supported over 350 women and 35 children across West Cornwall, offering crisis support, therapy and long‑term recovery and empowerment programmes.
What Survivors Tell Us
Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences
“…thank you for the horse riding lessons for [my daughter]. It has done wonders. Her behaviour is much better. She has become more aware of her responsibilities to herself and others. She has become more caring and helpful. Her school work has improved. [She] lacked self-confidence because of relentless bullying in school but because she was taking the lessons at the stables, it gave her the confidence to do her work experience there and she thoroughly enjoyed it.” Mum of child in Refuge.
“Thank you so, so much for all the amazing work you have done with our children. They have really enjoyed the sessions and gained so much from them.” Member of local School staff on Healthy Relationships workshops.
“Trying new things always builds our self-esteem. Thank you for such a good day” Mum of child in refuge
A space to heal
“The team at refuge […] are second to none. They work together in a very holistic way that generates a family feel, a sense of belonging, this I will miss.”
“I’m very thankful to have had the opportunity to live there and go on with my life peacefully.”
“Lovely lounge, great to have in-house laundry. Bathroom was nice, loved having baths again. “
Quotes from Refuge clients
Empowerment and wellbeing
“I feel like I am healing for the first time in 30 years. so thankful for West Cornwall Women’s Aid and Power to Change. Any woman that has been in any abusive relationships should do this course. Absolutely amazing!”
“The Power to Change group is a game changer for me and has exceeded any expectations I had. The content is relevant, helpful and insightful, and is delivered in a concise and professional, yet thoroughly enjoyable way. The group feels open and welcoming, and provides a space for us to communicate our challenges, seek feedback from others with similar experiences, but above all, connect with other women in the group. Life in and out of refuge can feel like the loneliest place in the world but this group cuts right through that. just this morning, I felt incredibly down. I felt consumed with multiple challenges I’m currently facing, alongside the prospect of many areas of support soon coming to an end, yet the group helped me feel like a whole person again.”
Quotes from participants in our Power to Change programme.
