As Chief Executive, working for this organisation is a huge privilege. We have a fantastic dedicated staff team who pull out all the stops to ensure each and every person has their needs met. We aim to help people make positive changes in their lives. Educating children and young people is a key part of the service producing excellent outcomes in behaviour change.
Fortalice are a Bolton based charity providing frontline services for people who are, or have been, affected by domestic abuse and violence.
Our support includes refuge accommodation, local community services, education and accredited training for professionals.
In our refuges we offer wraparound support to the women and children who stay with us. In the community, we provide individual and group work for adults and young people, healthy relationships courses in schools and an IDVA and ISVA service. Our team work with Bolton GP’s to raise awareness of domestic violence and encourage referrals.
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✨Save the date ✨
Our Abseil Challenge is back!
Peel Tower, 20th September 2025
Further details to follow...
To register your interest email:
fundraising@fortalice.co.uk
✨Save the date ✨
Our Abseil Challenge is back!
Peel Tower, 20th September 2025
Further details to follow...
To register your interest email:
fundraising@fortalice.co.uk
🌟This weeks live performance
• `That Can`t Have Happened`🎭🎟
• 19th -23rd March
• Matinee and evening showings at The Kings Arms Salford
‘That Can’t Have Happened’ produced and directed by award winning David Thacker. Based on five survivors of domestic abuse who were all supported by Fortalice. Roles will be played by well-known actors Vicky Binns, Isabel Ford, Bel Odawa, Eve Steele, and Flow Wilson.
David Thacker shares:
“I am astonished by the generosity and courage of the five extraordinary women from Fortalice who have trusted me to help their voices be heard. They have been an inspiration to me and to the actors who have committed themselves to expressing their pain, fear, love and hope.”
To watch this impactful performance you can purchase tickets via: https://www.kingsarmssalford.com/events/
If you would like to make a donation to support Fortalice`s work click on the link below:
http://fortalice.org.uk/
#FortaliceBolton #ThatCantHaveHappened #Theatre
🌟This weeks live performance
• `That Can`t Have Happened`🎭🎟
• 19th -23rd March
• Matinee and evening showings at The Kings Arms Salford
‘That Can’t Have Happened’ produced and directed by award winning David Thacker. Based on five survivors of domestic abuse who were all supported by Fortalice. Roles will be played by well-known actors Vicky Binns, Isabel Ford, Bel Odawa, Eve Steele, and Flow Wilson.
David Thacker shares:
“I am astonished by the generosity and courage of the five extraordinary women from Fortalice who have trusted me to help their voices be heard. They have been an inspiration to me and to the actors who have committed themselves to expressing their pain, fear, love and hope.”
To watch this impactful performance you can purchase tickets via: https://www.kingsarmssalford.com/events/
If you would like to make a donation to support Fortalice`s work click on the link below:
http://fortalice.org.uk/
#FortaliceBolton #ThatCantHaveHappened #Theatre
Make your steps count 🥾🐾
This July can you walk for our victims and help them achieve a brighter future.
🌿 Saturday 5th July 2025
🌿 Climb Winter Hill & Rivington Pike
🌿 Sponsored walk 9K Route or 4K Route🥾🐾
🌿 Includes Tshirt, Medal and Carrs Pasty
🌿 Walking to make a difference
To register or for further details head to our website!
#FortaliceBolton #FortaliceFellsWalk #CharityWalk
Make your steps count 🥾🐾
This July can you walk for our victims and help them achieve a brighter future.
🌿 Saturday 5th July 2025
🌿 Climb Winter Hill & Rivington Pike
🌿 Sponsored walk 9K Route or 4K Route🥾🐾
🌿 Includes Tshirt, Medal and Carrs Pasty
🌿 Walking to make a difference
To register or for further details head to our website!
#FortaliceBolton #FortaliceFellsWalk #CharityWalk
Join us for an afternoon of luxury whilst helping to support our families. Limited Tickets are available.
🌸Fortalice Ladies Lunch
🌸Thursday 15th May 2025 11 – 4pm
🌸 Brookfield Hall Westhoughton
🌸 Arrival Drink, 2 Course Lunch, Live Entertainment, Stalls to Browse, Prizes to be won.
🌸 Individual Tickets or tables 10 available
For further details or to book please go to our website. Alternatively contact us on fundraising@fortalice.co.uk
Join us for an afternoon of luxury whilst helping to support our families. Limited Tickets are available.
🌸Fortalice Ladies Lunch
🌸Thursday 15th May 2025 11 – 4pm
🌸 Brookfield Hall Westhoughton
🌸 Arrival Drink, 2 Course Lunch, Live Entertainment, Stalls to Browse, Prizes to be won.
🌸 Individual Tickets or tables 10 available
For further details or to book please go to our website. Alternatively contact us on fundraising@fortalice.co.uk
`That Can`t of Happened❗️`🎭🎟
Live performance based on five survivors of domestic abuse who were all supported by Fortalice.
19th - 23rd March 2025, The Kings Arms Salford will be hosting the production directed by award winning David Thacker. Roles will be played by well-known actors Vicky Binns, Isabel Ford, Bel Odawa, Eve Steele, and Flow Wilson.
"It makes you feel like you`re making it up when you`re talking, because people look at you and think, ‘That can’t have happened!’ But it did, because you lived it.”
David Thacker shares:
“I am astonished by the generosity and courage of the five extraordinary women who have trusted me to help their voices be heard. They have been an inspiration to me and to the actors who have committed themselves to expressing their pain, fear, love and hope.”
Dr. Gill Smallwood MBE, Chief Executive of Fortalice, says:
“Domestic abuse is always difficult to talk about, but, due to the bravery of five women sharing their story, the play gives us an opportunity to hear the reality of how domestic abuse can affect victims and survivors.
“I would like to thank the University of Greater Manchester for sponsoring the play, David for his empathic and understanding approach and wonderful talent in creating and directing the play, Lisa for providing the venue and producing the play and the wonderful actors for their talent in bringing the play to life.”
To watch this impactful performance you can purchase tickets via: https://www.kingsarmssalford.com/events/
If you would like to make a donation to support Fortalice`s work click on the link below:
http://fortalice.org.uk/
#FortaliceBolton #ThatCantofHappened #Theatre
`That Can`t of Happened❗️`🎭🎟
Live performance based on five survivors of domestic abuse who were all supported by Fortalice.
19th - 23rd March 2025, The Kings Arms Salford will be hosting the production directed by award winning David Thacker. Roles will be played by well-known actors Vicky Binns, Isabel Ford, Bel Odawa, Eve Steele, and Flow Wilson.
"It makes you feel like you`re making it up when you`re talking, because people look at you and think, ‘That can’t have happened!’ But it did, because you lived it.”
David Thacker shares:
“I am astonished by the generosity and courage of the five extraordinary women who have trusted me to help their voices be heard. They have been an inspiration to me and to the actors who have committed themselves to expressing their pain, fear, love and hope.”
Dr. Gill Smallwood MBE, Chief Executive of Fortalice, says:
“Domestic abuse is always difficult to talk about, but, due to the bravery of five women sharing their story, the play gives us an opportunity to hear the reality of how domestic abuse can affect victims and survivors.
“I would like to thank the University of Greater Manchester for sponsoring the play, David for his empathic and understanding approach and wonderful talent in creating and directing the play, Lisa for providing the venue and producing the play and the wonderful actors for their talent in bringing the play to life.”
To watch this impactful performance you can purchase tickets via: https://www.kingsarmssalford.com/events/
If you would like to make a donation to support Fortalice`s work click on the link below:
http://fortalice.org.uk/
#FortaliceBolton #ThatCantofHappened #Theatre
Women you are inspirational. 💜
To our clients, residents, supporters, volunteers, staff and colleagues. Happy International Women`s Day 2025.
Rights. Equality. Empowerment. 💜
#FortaliceBolton #IWD2025 #Internationalwomensday2025
Women you are inspirational. 💜
To our clients, residents, supporters, volunteers, staff and colleagues. Happy International Women`s Day 2025.
Rights. Equality. Empowerment. 💜
#FortaliceBolton #IWD2025 #Internationalwomensday2025
In preparation for 2025 International Women`s Day the children have been busy creating artwork pieces! 🌻
Our nursery staff asked the children to describe their mums in one word. Loving, Funny, Happy, Caring, The Best, Beautiful, Kind, Good Cuddles, Strong. 🥰
Each child created a painting to give to their mum for International Women`s Day ❤️
#FortaliceBolton #IWD2025
In preparation for 2025 International Women`s Day the children have been busy creating artwork pieces! 🌻
Our nursery staff asked the children to describe their mums in one word. Loving, Funny, Happy, Caring, The Best, Beautiful, Kind, Good Cuddles, Strong. 🥰
Each child created a painting to give to their mum for International Women`s Day ❤️
#FortaliceBolton #IWD2025
Feedback on our services…
Chief Executive
The service has given me time to think and plan for my future. It has given me more confidence to know that I can manage on my own and live independently. More than anything, when I was feeling low, staff always helped me to see the positive side and gave me strength and hope. I could not have done it without them.
I cannot thank you enough for the help and support you provided for my children and I. Although our stay was short, it’s impact and influence on us will empower us to turn our situation around and find our happily ever after. Lewis House is an amazing, healing place.
Being in Fortalice has really changed my life for the better. Me and my daughter have had so much support from all the fantastic staff. I have had time and help to fix myself and feel so much better in myself. Seeing my daughter blossom from a shy, quiet little girl into a bright, talkative and confident girl has made every second worth it.
Thank you so much for the support and willingness to take me on board. I really appreciate the valuable skills and experience that I have gained from volunteering at Fortalice.
Each volunteer contributes in their own unique way by supporting children either on a one to one basis, through group work or in one of the many positive activity sessions we provide. Their dedication, care and passion when working with the children enhances the support we are able to offer to children who are clearly traumatised and need time to heal.
I count it a privilege to travel 20 miles to be a Volunteer at Fortalice’s Refuge. The Refuge is an amazingly well run and well organised establishment. I chose to volunteer because in the past, when my family needed refuge, there was none available. The reciprocal rewards for me of giving something back are immense
It has been absolutely wonderful being able to work for Fortalice and I have gained so much valuable experience. Thank you so much for your help!
I have worked as a volunteer at Fortalice for 20 months now, initially on placement and now as a qualified counsellor. The counselling service is run extremely professionally, and there is a great collaborative approach to working as a team. It means so much to me to be able to offer something back and provide a safe and non-judgemental space for our clients.