2 min read
We would like to introduce you to a charity that's very close to our hearts, Women’s Community Shelters (WCS). Now more than ever, women all around Australia need to feel safe, secure, supported and equal. Covid-19 restrictions, along with rapid rising inflation rates and financial stress linked to the pandemic, floods and other world events have caused a spike in domestic violence cases across the country.
Did you know, 56,000 women in Australia are homeless every night, and more than one in two women who seek a bed in a crisis shelter are turned away every night, mostly due to a lack of space. And these are just the ones who find out they can ask for a safe place to go.
“Our mission at Wotnot Naturals is to help improve the wellbeing of all women. As part of this we donate a percentage of sales to Women’s Community Shelters”. Sinead Roberts, co-founders of Wotnot Naturals.
WCS is an Australian charity working with communities to support existing and establish new shelters for women. These shelters provide short term emergency accommodation and support in a safe environment, helping enable homeless women to rebuild their self-esteem and achieve control and eventually, fulfilment of their lives.
Adequate support for vulnerable women requires a range of services, not just emergency accommodation and help finding long-term affordable housing. To re-establish control over their lives they also need access to counselling, health care, assistance to navigate government bureaucracy, legal help, further education and assistance gaining employment.
Each individual shelter employs a paid Shelter Manager, a number of Case Workers, an Outreach and Child Support Worker (where funds allow) and are further supported by a network of hard-working volunteers. In addition to the volunteer board members, shelters have up to 80 active volunteers who support the work of the shelter through fundraising activities, event coordination, and organising activities for resident women and children.
“WCS relies on the support of partners such as Wotnot Naturals and I thank you on behalf of the women and children in our growing shelter network. We now have seven shelters, with two in the pipeline and we have expanded our transitional housing properties from just 3 in 2018 to over 20 in 2022, meaning we can offer ongoing safe accommodation and support to women and children when they leave our shelters.” Nathalie Peacock – Women's Community Shelters
Wotnot Naturals is a company founded by women, creating products for women and their children. Our community drives everything we do, and we are so proud to be supporting WCS in their mission to help build an Australia where women and children are safe, secure, supported and equal.
To hear more about their invaluable work or to see how you can help, visit https://www.womenscommunityshelters.org.au/
