I found the section on responding appropriately to a patient disclosing domestic abuse very helpful. The training regarding perpetrators was interesting as we often think of the victim only.
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When our service started, over 40 years ago, our aim was to provide a refuge for women and children to keep them safe from domestic abuse and violence.
Over the years, the services have expanded and grown to meet the ever-changing needs of victims of domestic abuse. We now not only work with high risk victims but deliver early intervention programmes and healthy relationships education programmes in schools and the community to help break the cycle of abuse.
We have gone from strength to strength and are continually upgrading and expanding the services to meet the needs of all our clients who are affected by domestic abuse.
We have been supported by Bolton Council with funding alongside local people and businesses with generous donations of everything from clothes to household goods as well as financial donations, without which we wouldn’t be where we are today.
1977
Fortalice was founded by a group of volunteers and the first refuge opened in Castle Street. The property was rented from the Council on a short term lease and was run completely by volunteers. By midday on the first day of opening, 3 women and their children had taken up residence.
In the annual report dated 1978-1979, it states that 200 women and 287 children had been resident between November 1977 and April 1979.
1979
Fortalice purchased the property in Bradford Street with a mortgage from the local authority.
1980
This opened after a major refurbishment in August 1980. It had 6 bedrooms and 2 kitchens and in the first week there were 5 families with 18 children. A playgroup leader was the only salaried member of staff.
1980
We relocated to Norton House which was a larger refurbished property, owned by Irwell Valley Housing Association, with a higher standard of accommodation and a spacious garden. We could now accommodate 12 women and their children with their own bedrooms, a shared kitchen, bathroom and lounge facilities. Bradford Street became a drop in and advice centre providing continued support for ex-residents as well as non-residential services for people not needing refuge accommodation. The drop in centre provided a much needed peer mentoring scheme for the women.
1996
Fortalice was awarded £105,000 by the National Lotteries Board to refurbish Bradford street providing access for women with disabilities. We then had 15 members of paid staff supported by volunteers, counsellors and students on placement.
2006
In December, working in partnership with Irwell Valley Housing Association, planning approval was granted for a purpose built refuge to replace the old refuge. It was to provide 22 fully self contained one and two bedroom flats including four to accommodate women with disabilities. The building was to be named ‘Lewis House’ in fond memory of Pat Lewis, a founder member and very first Chairwoman of Fortalice.
2008
In April 2008, Lewis House opened it’s doors and is where we are today.
There are 22 self contained flats, four one bedroomed units and 18 with two bedrooms, four of which have disability access. All the flats are fully furnished and have fitted kitchens and bathrooms. We also provide essentials such as bedding, kettles, toasters, microwaves, crockery and cutlery as well as a welcome pack of food and toiletries. Quite often we will need to provide clothes for some families.
The building also has a well equipped indoor playroom, ball pool and outdoor play area, a communal lounge/kitchen and private interview/meeting space.
2014
The Outreach Support Centre was extended to the side and rear of the building giving extra office space and a purpose built crèche facility. The whole building was refurbished with new counselling and training rooms enabling us to expand our outreach services further.
The building also has a well equipped indoor playroom, ball pool and outdoor play area, a communal lounge/kitchen and private interview/meeting space.
2019
Fortalice continues to provide frontline services for all victims of domestic abuse. At the Refuge, we support women, children and young people fleeing domestic abuse with an allocated Family Support Worker to complete individual support plans, risk assessments and safety planning. We also have a specialist Drug and Alcohol Recovery Worker and Mental Health Coordinator on site. Our services also includes access to counselling, education, personal development sessions, including the Freedom Programme, Next Steps and relaxation sessions. At Lewis House, our OFSTED registered Children’s Services provide first contact assessments, on-site nursery provision, after school and youth club, school ready sessions, Just For You sessions and family activity days.
The Outreach Support Centre provides telephone and one to one advice, support, counselling, The Freedom Programme, Next Steps, The Recovery Toolkit, MARAC assessments, risk assessments and safety planning, the IRIS project, the Fortalice DAV car and accredited training for professionals.
We also have a dedicated Children and Young People’s service providing support and guidance sessions, individual and group work, risk assessments and safety planning, counselling, the Breaking Free project, the Recovery Toolkit and educational deliveries in primary and secondary schools.
To find out more about how you can support Fortalice, contact us
What people have to say about Fortalice…
All of the training was helpful and very interesting. I feel I now have more knowledge and a better understanding of domestic abuse and the IRIS service.
Training was very well delivered, very informative and clear. All of it was helpful including discussing the benefit of asking probing questions and different ways of asking the question. I thought the case study of the Domestic Homicide Review was thought provoking and real cases bring the topic to life. I thought the training was excellent. Thank you to all of you at IRIS for providing such a valuable service to people in Bolton.
My IRIS advocate has helped me really get back on my feet and shown such love and empathy that gave me encouragement to get back out there and make a life for myself.
My IRIS support worker has been great. She is helpful, understanding and a great listener. She’s also very knowledgeable about domestic abuse and has helped me so much.
My Advocate Educator has been a fantastic support and kept me strong when having to face court against my ex-husband. She has given me valuable advice and helped me through the court process.
When you suffer domestic abuse as a man in a relationship it is just laughed off by pretty much everyone and it makes you feel utterly hopeless and alone. Thankfully, with your help I’ve been able to find a way to deal with my partner’s erratic behaviour and I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you
Fortalice is a brilliant place to work. The work environment is positive and supportive of its staff and there are always opportunities to complete further training in domestic abuse awareness to enhance understanding and knowledge. I feel empowered in my role at Fortalice and I get to work alongside inspirational professionals that encourage my personal development.
Working for Fortalice has helped me to grow, both personally and professionally. I’ve actually worked for Fortalice twice! It’s the only place I’ve ever wanted to return to after leaving!
I feel as a team we support each other and are able to rely on one another for help, guidance and a friendly ear when days can be challenging. We are there to empower each other so that we are able to give the best of ourselves in supporting victims.