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.
Our Services
Latest News
Check out our full Social Feed here
Pancake Day Celebrations 🎉
On Tuesday we celebrated Pancake Day with our families in refuge. Our wonderful staff put on a lovely morning filled with fun activities, laughter and plenty of delicious pancakes!
It was so special to see everyone come together, enjoy time with one another and create happy memories. Thank you to all the staff who made it such a warm and welcoming celebration for our families.
Yesterday at the refuge, we celebrated Chinese New Year!
The staff put on a fantastic display for mums and children to enjoy, including food, crafts and other activities. 🎉🎉🎉
Back in November, we opened our new Children and Young Persons and Education Hub to support young people who are often the forgotten victims of domestic abuse.
The Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Dianne Hawkins, officially opened the hub. The Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green, delivered a poignant opening speech. They were joined by over 50 guests.
The Hub has been extremely busy offering a safe space where children can process trauma, build coping strategies, and understand that abuse is never their fault helping them heal and smile again.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.
🏃♂️ Six Marathons. Six Months. One Incredible Cause. 💙
Seddon Director Danny McCann is running six marathons across the UK and Europe in six months to raise £6,000 for Fortalice.
His challenge kicks off with the Rome Marathon on March 22, followed by Manchester, Helsinki, Waterford, Bavaria and Leeds.
Support Danny here 👉 www.justgiving.com/page/danny-mccann-51
Interested in fundraising or taking on your own challenge? Email fundraising@fortalice.co.uk
We need Creme Eggs & Easter Eggs can you help?
Drop off with us between 9am - 12pm on Thursday 19th February at our Bradford Street Office, BL2 1HT
fundraising@fortalice.co.uk
Thank you!! 🫶
We’re proud to continue investing in our Crisis Car volunteers, ensuring they have the skills and confidence to provide the very best support to our clients.
In January, the team took part in CPD sessions that refreshed safeguarding processes and procedures, encouraged reflection to strengthen practice and developed skills in record keeping and note taking.
We also took time to celebrate the dedication of our volunteers and the ongoing success of the project. Thank you to each and every volunteer for the incredible work you do, your commitment truly makes a difference.
If you would like to join the team, please contact charlotte.thaker@fortalice.co.uk
Sexual Violence and Sexual Abuse can happen to anyone and are often hidden, even within relationships and families. 💔
We always stand with survivors listening, believing and offering support with care and compassion.
#SAAM #SexualViolenceAwareness #SupportSurvivors #ConsentMatters #BreakTheSilence
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.