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
Could you be our next fundraising hero?
A massive thank you to Eleanor for taking part in the Manchester Half Marathon and raising an incredible £370 for Fortalice!
We’re so grateful for your amazing effort, determination and support. Every pound raised makes a real difference and helps us continue our work supporting those affected by domestic abuse.
Thank you for going the extra mile for Fortalice Eleanor!
Get in touch with our fundraising team at fundraising@fortalice.co.uk to request your fundraising pack and find out how you can raise money for Fortalice! 💜
A heartfelt thank you for the lovely donation of children’s winter coats for the children in our refuge.
Your kindness and generosity will help keep our children warm this winter, bringing comfort and care to those who need it most.
Every donation makes a real difference to our families living in refuge and we are truly grateful for your support.
COME AND VISIT SANTA ON THE SANTA BUS!
Our Santa’s Grotto is proving so popular and we can’t wait to welcome you all!
🎁 Meet Santa and his elves
📸 Enjoy a festive photo opportunity
🎄 Receive a special Christmas gift
🦌 Take home reindeer food for Christmas Eve
Just £15 per child, with all proceeds going to Fortalice!
SPACES ARE LIMITED, SO BOOK NOW!
Head to our website to secure your time slot before they’re gone!
https://fortalice.org.uk/grotto/
We can’t wait to see you there! 🎅✨
We are delighted to announce our Wreath Workshop on 26th November, hosted by the fabulous Rainy from @cherrytreewillow
The workshop will be held at Harwood Methodist Church, with two sessions available:
1.30pm – 4.00pm
7.00pm – 9.30pm
Come along and enjoy a wonderful festive workshop where you can create your own beautiful Christmas wreath in a relaxed and friendly setting.
It promises to be a lovely event, raising money for Fortalice.
Places will be limited, so please email the fundraising team at fundraising@fortalice.co.uk to book your place and avoid disappointment.
We were recently invited by Greater Manchester Combined Authority to join Domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales, Dame Nicole Jacobs.
This event welcomed partners from across the region to discuss services, develop how were working together to prevent domestic abuse, improving systems and services, and supporting victims and survivors.
Gill Smallwood our Chief Executive was able to share some of the specialist good practise that has been developed in Bolton to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
#domesticviolenceawareness #domesticabuse
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.