Staffordshire Women's Aid

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• Launch of new book - 'Over the Rainbow'

Launch of new book - 'Over the Rainbow'

December 2011
We are proud to announce the launch of a new book of survivor’s poems about their  journey from victim to becoming a survivor.  The song, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ suggests a place where skies are blue, dreams come true,  and you wake up where the heavy clouds of trouble melt far behind you. This is the place survivors have eventually found, after struggling and striving to find a safe place, with peace of mind, where troubles are eventually left behind.

This journey is seemingly unachievable, yet with their incredible strength, these survivors have achieved the impossible. Reaching a better place doesn’t erase the memories of how they got there, it just makes them bearable,                                       nevertheless, this is their achievement, they have found their safe place to be …                                       over the rainbow.

The book, ‘Over the Rainbow’ has taken several months to put together and was funded                              by Staffordshire County Council Community Wellbeing Fund and Arts & Museum Grant Scheme.                    The women, who contributed attended a series of creative writing workshops which enabled                    them to create some wonderful work.

Staffordshire Women’s Aid members and volunteers are extremely proud to be part of an              organisation that has managed to maintain its grass roots and yet grow phenomenally over                       the years.  We have kept our doors open against the odds, as funding is always an issue in                       the third sector, no more so than at this time of government cuts and uncertainty.

Having recently celebrated our 35th birthday we were very proud to have such a beautiful                       piece of work to showcase.

We would like to thank all of our supporters for your help and interest over the years and                      special thanks to our funders and those who donate not only essential items and gifts, but                       their time and effort,  without which we would not have survived ourselves.

Read one of the poems here: Survivor

SURVIVOR’S THOUGHTS:

Before I came to the refuge I had never heard a positive word. The women who work here                      have made me feel beautiful and proud again and, whilst I know I won’t be here for long, I                        feel loved, welcome and I no longer feel alone.”

“Amazing….. The only word to describe the women here.”

“I will never forget Women’s Aid. This place bought me back to life; without I would have died                      at his hands. I know that now. Thank you. I love you all.”

‘Over the Rainbow’ is available from Staffordshire Women’s Aid and we request a small donation of £4.00 per copy, which includes the cost of postage and packing.

Please send a cheque or postal order made out to Staffordshire Women’s Aid for £4.00 to: Staffordshire Women’s Aid, PO Box 2387, Stafford. ST16 3WS together with details of your address for delivery.

Call 0870 2700 123 for further details.

We are also putting out a request to any local retail outlets or organisations who may be interested            in supporting us by stocking the book for donation purposes. Please  contact our helpline number to     discuss further.

Thank you to all who have supported us.

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