In September, Women’s Aid Orkney hosted a learning exchange in Kirkwall. This event brought together community organisations working in and adjacent to the gender-based violence sector across Orkney, as well as Shetland Women’s Aid.
With a focus on tools and approaches to promote culture change and engage local communities, meeting the needs of survivors in the island context, and championing staff wellbeing, the learning exchange helped build relationships and spark conversations between organisations.
Team members from Women's Aid Orkney shared information about their work, including the wide positive impact that the Own My Life course has on participants. This course and other groups forge long-lasting relationships among cohorts which tackle the isolation side of domestic violence, which can be particularly acute in small communities. We heard from ORSAS about their equality hub on the high street, and the very active presence they are building in the community to counter narratives that say sexual violence 'doesn't happen here.' A range of services also shared learning on their own prevention work, and how they've tailored it to their specific contexts.
Throughout the day there was much reflection on the particular challenge of ensuring safe access for service users, especially in a rural island context that can make anonymity difficult. Shetland Women's Aid told us about the ways in which they work to expand their reach, including partnerships with the NHS, and a range of different in-person office spaces. We also discussed the ways in which crossover between services was useful in an island context, and if too much emphasis is put on avoiding duplication, then someone who feels unable to access one service may then have no alternative.
Multiple attendees have developed in-house counselling services and shared learning on the different types of counselling being provided. This innovation is having a widespread positive impact. Individual service users can engage with counselling sooner and with the assurance that their counsellor understands the dynamics of domestic abuse. The capacity being built in these organisations also eases the pressure on local mental health service waiting lists.
Different organisations spoke about the ways service users can engage in a long-term way - SWA's use of creative projects such as plays was particularly inspiring. At Women's Aid Orkney, we have been approached by numerous people who want to volunteer with us, and we have been considering how best to start a volunteer program. Hearing from Shetland Women's Aid about the ways in which they work with volunteers and also facilitate continued engagement from service users was inspiring and gave us lots of ideas.
This event was wonderful, and we are so grateful to the Scottish Community Alliance, Scottish Rural Action, and the Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament for making it possible. Bringing together organisations working in this space created a sense of shared purpose and solidarity. Relationships have been forged that will be beneficial on a personal level but also to the services more widely. There were enthusiastic conversations about future collaboration and finding ways to meet annually. The exchange also allowed Women's Aid Orkney team members to sit back and reflect on the breadth and depth or service they provide on a daily basis. It allowed them to feel proud of what they are achieving and the difference they are making locally.
Laura from Shetland Women’s Aid said:
“We are grateful to have been included in the Learning Exchange experience. The visit provided invaluable insight into how different models of refuge provision can operate effectively within similar demographic contexts. Observing the integration of refuge and office space in Orkney has been particularly thought-provoking as we explore options for new premises in Shetland.
Overall, the exchange underscored the importance of shared learning between island services. It has broadened our perspective, informed our strategic thinking, and reinforced our commitment to developing a service model that is both locally responsive and aligned with best practice.”
Women’s Aid Orkney CYP said:
"The learning exchange day was hugely beneficial for the CYP team as we were able to share practice with the Shetland Women's Aid team and discuss how we both offer our practice, whilst sharing new ideas and ways of working.
We were able to speak to others in the same role which was invaluable at allowing us to develop our practice in new skills/ideas and new ideas going forward for developing the service. “
