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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A huge thank you to everyone who donated at Asda Astley Bridge last week!
It was so lovely to speak with so many of you and we’re incredibly grateful for your generous donations.
A big shoutout to our amazing @amazonuk volunteers and to the wonderful people at @freecakesforkidsbolton for providing the delicious cakes for our stall they were a big hit!🍰🎂
Your kindness and support mean the world to us 💜💙
@asdacommunitybolton
We are recruiting a Children and Young People’s Authentic Voice Coordinator. Do you have an interest in working with children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse and a desire to ensure their voice is heard when developing services to support them?
We are looking for someone who is highly motivated, proactive, organised and enjoys working in a variety of ways and developing new ideas and approaches.
Would you like to join our dedicated frontline volunteer’s team? If so, we would love to hear from you! Our frontline volunteers play a crucial role by collaborating with partner agencies, including the Police, to provide support to individuals who have experienced domestic abuse.
Your compère for this year`s Fortalice Ladies Lunch will be Bolton FM’s David Dockerty.
David specialises in hosting and live presenting and is guaranteed to bring fun, passion and lots of energy to our afternoon.
We look forward to welcoming @daviddockertyradiopresenter alongside @aliciarhythmics and @flairboutiqueuk at @brookfield_venue Westhoughton on Thursday 11th May 2025 for a fun filled afternoon 🌸🌸
David is represented by Leaf Events
https://www.leaf-events.co.uk/
Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
This year`s theme is ‘Community’
Mental Health Awareness Week invites us to reflect on how our connections with others shape our wellbeing and how we can nurture those bonds to support ourselves and those around us 🫶
Community is more than just where we live. It’s the people who make us feel seen, safe and supported. At Fortalice we stand together offering reassurance during difficult times, celebrating joyful moments and finding purpose in shared experiences.
Strong communities like ours create a sense of belonging, provide support during hard times and remind us that we’re never alone.
Let’s celebrate the power of community because together we are stronger 💜💙
We received a kind donation recently, accompanied by these lovely words from the supporter 🫶
Your words and kindness never go unnoticed. We are truly grateful 💜💙
Do you have an interest in delivering training to healthcare professionals and advocating for victims and survivors of domestic abuse?
We have an opportunity to join our established IRIS team; if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career within the domestic abuse sector, we can offer full training.
Thank you to Clarendon Primary School in Bolton for their incredible contribution to our recent Tea or Tipple fundraising event. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of staff, pupils and parents and of course plenty of delicious cake the school raised an amazing £205.89!
Thank you once again for choosing to support our charity. Your kindness and effort means the world to us. 💜💙
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.