News and views
BWA receives unannounced inspection by the Care Inspectorate
The Care Inspectorate’s unannounced inspection took place on 13 and 14 November 2024. The inspection was carried out by one inspector from the Care Inspectorate. To prepare for the inspection they reviewed information about the service. This included previous inspection findings, registration information, information submitted by the service and intelligence gathered since the last inspection. In making their evaluations of the service, the Care Inspectorate:
• spoke with five women using the service
• spoke with four staff and management
• observed practice and daily life
• reviewed documents and records
• reviewed survey responses from four external professionals and seven members of staff
To ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), the Care Inspectorate set out two key areas of improvement. Steps are already in place to work on these areas to ensure that BWA continues to provide women with high quality support.
16 Days of Action 2024
Border Women’s Aid has launched it’s 16 Days of Action Campaign ‘Border Voices Against Abuse’ in collaboration with Scots poet Len Pennie as part of the global campaign that encourages communities to take action to end domestic violence and gender-based abuse.
Over the next 16 days on our social media, we’ll share Scots words that highlight the devastating impact of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. These words, and their domestic abuse explanations, were developed with Len Pennie to raise awareness, inspire action, and offer hope to survivors across the Scottish Borders.
We have moved!
On 1 April 2024, we moved from our Liddesdale Road office to more spacious and self-contained office premises at West Port, Hawick.
Fixing Britain with Louise Casey
Tune into BBC Radio 4 to hear Baroness Louise Casey speak with Women’s Aid CEO Farah Nazeer and domestic abuse survivor Natalie Curtis in a special episode on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
In this episode, Baroness Casey looks at the issue of men's violence against women and children. Speaking to people from across the political spectrum who have worked hard to improve the effectiveness and sensitivity of the criminal justice system's response to these crimes, she tries to get to the bottom of why they have not been more effective. And she speaks to those working on preventing the problem in the first place, by addressing attitudes and behaviours which can, if left unaddressed, end up in violence.
To listen to the full interview, visit the link here: BBC4 Fixing Britain
16 Days of Action 2023
To mark this year's 16 DAYS of ACTION campaign, Border Women's Aid launched a charity partnership with Galashiels business ‘The Wee Souk’. Owner, Kimberley Davidson is supporting women accessing our emergency accommodation and donating a fouta (multi-purpose throw/towel) to refuge for every one sold. She wants every woman arriving at refuge to receive one as a comforting and practical item upon reaching a safe space.