Welsh Women’s Aid: A Day in the Life
Director of Operations
Gill Owens
Every day in this role is different. Since joining Welsh Women’s Aid in June 2014, originally to manage the business and support its staff during the period between Chief Executive Officers , that being Paula Hardy leaving us in the spring and Eleri Butler joining in November, it has been a real privilege to work in this sector and with some incredible people. I have spent a great deal of time talking with both staff and our member groups, gaining an in depth insight into the challenges faced not only by the victims that we support, day in, day out but also of the continual struggle that our members face to ensure there is sufficient support locally to help women and children fleeing domestic abuse, find safe refuge from harm.
It has been a whirlwind 6 months and in addition to working with our wonderful team in our Head office in Cardiff it has been my privilege to work with our delivery teams based in North Wales. Spending time in Wrexham and Colwyn Bay Women Aid has given me first hand experience of the incredible work all our members and providers of Domestic Abuse do year in year out to ensure service users and victims are given the individual support they need, and as for our incredible staff in the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence helpline.
During this 16 Days of Action Welsh Women’s Aid has released a Survivor’s story each day, detailing the incredible stories of individuals’ journeys from fear and abuse into safety and reclaiming their lives and it makes me very proud of this sector.