The Well Women Centre is run by Women for women. We aim to provide a quality, ‘needs led’ service, promoting positive emotional health and wellbeing by offering a range of education, practical and emotional support, empowering women to make positive choices.
Our counsellors work within the code of Ethics and Practice of the British Association for Counselling. All staff and volunteers have full DBS clearance.
Our range of services includes:
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.
Every charity needs the kind will and donations of the local community .If you think you can help us here is a few ideas :
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.
The Well Women Centre is run by women for women. We aim to provide a quality, ‘needs led’ service, promoting positive emotional health and wellbeing by offering a range of information, education and supportive services.