Women involved with our Glen Isla and Glen Clova Projects have been working with local artist Suzanne Scott to produce two colourful benches designed with empowering messages and symbolic artistry to raise awareness of the issue of gender-based violence.
The women worked with Suzanne from WhimSicAL LusH on the Sit With Us Project theme of colourful bespoke designs focusing on women and girls affected by domestic abuse with the emphasis on enablement, empowerment and recovery. The designs centre around plants, flowers and trees that represent strength.
The colourful benches provide a visual reminder of the important issue of domestic abuse, sending a powerful message that everyone deserves to live free from violence and to feel safe and protected.
The benches have been donated to Links Health Centre in Montrose and Whitehills Hospital in Forfar and have been unveiled during 16 days of action, the global campaign to highlight and challenge violence against women and girls.
Victoria Petrie, Community Justice Assistant with the council's Glen Isla Project said:
‘I would like to thank the women who have been involved with this project, from the women who came to group every week to the women who contributed remotely too. The work they have put into the benches has been so inspiring.
“As a worker it has been a real privilege to see the women coming to develop skills they didn’t believe they had (I knew they had them), their confidence grow, and relationships develop. Seeing the benches come together and the end result of months of hard work has been amazing, I am really proud of all of the women involved with the sit with us project.”
Artist, Suzanne Scott said “It’s been so inspiring working with the women from The Glens again. From the start they’ve been enthusiastic about the project and really brave pushing themselves out of their comfort zones to attempt new things. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved together, everyone has left their own mark. I hope it goes on to inspire them further.
The funding for the project and materials was donated by a local company.
A series of events and activities are happening in Angus throughout the 16 days of action campaign (25 November to 10 December). A full programme of events is available on the Protecting People Angus Eventbrite page.
To mark the end of the 16 days of action and honour the lives of those lost to gender-based violence over the last year Angus Violence Against Women Partnership (AVAWP)is holding a Candlelit vigil on Monday 11 December at Arbroath Football Club between 5pm and 7pm. The vigil will unite people in remembrance and a shared commitment to eradicating abuse, lighting a path towards a safer, more compassionate world for all.