We were delighted to host our Community Security Meeting on Saturday 25th March at Cheshire College South & West. Our chosen theme for the quarterly meeting celebrated ‘The Dynamic Anatomy of Women in Security”.

It was incredible to secure six inspirational guest speakers at our event; Kate Blakemore, founder of Crewe-based women’s health and wellbeing charity, Motherwell Cheshire, Kirsty Williams who works with the survivors of rape and sexual abuse support centre (RASASC), Ewa Wilcock, managing director of the first UK-wide Polish domestic violence helpline, Vesta Specialist Family Support, Angie Power, a diversity safeguarding consultant and registered nurse, Samantha Perry, General Manager of The International School of Beauty Therapy in Crewe and Joanne Nelson, Frontline Security Officer at Alpha Omega Securities.

WPS founder Amaka Lawton said: “Our meeting offered an insight into the vital work these women and their organisations do on a daily basis and a snapshot of the dangers women are still facing in our modern age.

“WPS exists to protect women from this systematic oppression, misogyny and racism. Our quarterly meetings help to raise awareness and bring more people on-board with our mission to promote peace and harmony.

“We look forward to opening our new hub in Crewe over the next few weeks where we can step up our efforts and offer emotional and practical support to local women.”

Angie Power, gave an update on her work with Cheshire police and other agencies to combat gender-based violence with some harrowing accounts of female genital mutilation (FGM) and honour-based abuse.

Kate Blakemore, spoke about Motherwell Cheshire’s latest campaigns, including bringing equality to women in sport and abolishing period poverty.

The meeting also heard from Kirsty Williams who works with the survivors of rape and sexual violence and supports women going through the criminal justice process and Ewa Wilcock, founder of the first UK-wide Polish domestic violence helpline, Vesta Specialist Family Support.

Samantha Perry spoke about mentoring and security in a predominantly female industry and Joanne Nelson, a frontline security officer with Alpha Omega Securities in Crewe, spoke about the Safer Nights initiative to protect vulnerable females from harm.

The event was an amazing chance to look back at everything we have achieved over the last 12 months, including initiatives such as the free self-defence classes, our fundraising dinner and meeting young people at university events.

During the meeting we unveiled our plans for the new WPS Foundation headquarters in Crewe which will help further support our mission.

On April 19th, we will be launching another one of our popular self-defence courses for women. This will run weekly, free of charge, at Beechwood Primary School in Crewe.

It was fantastic to announce our new “Let the Women Grow” initiative. This will support and educate women from EAL backgrounds, with free English classes on Wednesdays and Fridays from April to July 2024.

We are thankful for Cllr Nan Walton, Crewe Town Mayor, and Cllr David Marren, Mayor of Cheshire East for coming along to show their valued support.