MEET THE TEAM:

Lynn Addison – Chief Officer

Nicola Richardson – Service Manager

Christine McGuirk – Office & Finance Administrator

Andrea Davies – Counselling Coordinator

Natalie Munro – Case Worker

Susan Crompton – Freedom Programme Facilitator & Young Peoples Support Worker

Gaynor Dickinson – Lead Young Peoples Support Worker

Danielle Chapman – Community Domestic Abuse Worker

Philippa Chapman – Community Domestic Abuse Worker

Angie Owens – Health Worker

Katie Melling – Health Worker

Board Of Trustees

Our Ambassador: Lady Joy Smith

Hilary Spragg: Chair Person

Jayne Loxham: Treasurer

Jean Coates-Topping: Trustee

Emma Spragg: Trustee

Kath Ellis: Trustee

The centre has a large team of dedicated volunteers and offers placements to volunteer counsellors.

The campaign for a Well Women Centre in the Wigan Borough began in the summer of 1988. A survey of women throughout the Borough was undertaken in 1990, which clearly indicated an overwhelming need for a local Well Women Centre in addition to the services being offered by the local Health Authority. 

The Centre became registered as a charity in May 1991, the company Women for Well Women, a company limited by guarantee registered number 2668110, and a registered charity, number 1041937.

In 2016 the Centre was awarded the prestigious ‘Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of the number of well-trained well supported volunteers.

The centre has expanded throughout the years with the continued focus on the needs of the community. The centre has received funding and delivered successful contracts from Wigan Council, The Big Lottery, Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Ministry of Justice, HMPPS . 

The centre has a formal partnership with DIAS and Wigan Council to deliver, The Wigan Borough Community Domestic Abuse Service and is part of the GMWSA to support women in the criminal justice system.

The Well Women Centre is constantly seeking funds to enable the Centre to continue to expand, to run courses, support groups, special events and expand the counselling service.

The original aims of Women for Well Women remain today, to work in a cooperative way offering support to all women in the Wigan borough. Empowering women to take control of their emotional health and wellbeing. This is done through support and education enabling them to make informed positive life choices. Support is offered by trained staff and volunteers in a non-clinical environment where all staff work in a trauma informed, non-judgmental manner. 

How Can People Help?

Every charity needs the kind will and donations of the local community .If you think you can help us here is a few ideas :

• Raising Awareness
• Holding Charity Events
• Promoting Our Charity
• Volunteer with us
• Follow us on Social Media & Share Our Posts

   

The Well Women Centre is run by women for women and we wouldn’t be able to function without our team of dedicated volunteers.

There are usually in a region of 50 volunteers involved with the Well Women Centre. These volunteers cover a range of duties within the organisation.

Volunteer Counsellors are the mainstay of the Counselling Service; the Counsellors are at varying stages of their careers from trainees to fully qualified Counsellors working towards professional accreditation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is it a medical centre?

A: No – we are not a medical centre. We do not do examinations or tests (apart from chlamydia testing and pregnancy testing for girls and women under 25)

Q: Who can come to the Centre?

A: Women of any age and girls over 16

Q: How do I access the service?

A: You can refer yourself by contacting us by phone or email or calling into the Centre

Q: How much does counselling cost?

A: As we are a charity, we greatly appreciate and welcome any donations towards maintaining the service.

Q: Is it confidential?

A: All services provided by the Well Women Centre are confidential unless it concerns child protection, criminal activity, or a safeguarding issue.

All counsellors, volunteers and staff are DBS checked.