Linda Kirk, WWA Member and Founder of domestic abuse charity shortlisted for award

 
A founder of a County Durham women’s charity has been nominated for an award in recognition of her dedication to support victims of domestic abuse.
 
Linda Kirk, director and founder of the Just For Women Centre, in Stanley, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Amazing Women Awards 2020, which recognises women who work to help others in their local area.
 
Just For Women has supported over 4,000 women, men and young girls since it was first founded by Linda in 2011, who set up the centre to offer services such as counselling and mental health support for vulnerable women, as well as training to help women get into work and gain financial independence.
 
Linda said “It’s a great honoured and was a lovely surprise to be nominated for this award, a big thank you to Charlotte for the nomination. I would love to bring the award back to the North East”.
 
The centre has been supported over the years by Stanley AAP and has recently received funding from the AAP, as part of Durham County Council’s £1.4 million coronavirus support fund, to ensure it can continue to help those in need during the pandemic.
 
During the outbreak, Just For Women has been running its project Crafting Against Covid-19 which supports vulnerable families and elderly people by delivering crafting packs safely to their homes to promote positive wellbeing and keep people engaged while unable to leave the house.
 
The centre has also been working hard to deliver essential items, such as personal hygiene products, to those who have been unable to access essentials themselves during lockdown.
 
Councillors in the Stanley area also provided funding to enable Just for Women to expand their Feel Good Hamper project which has been delivered to care homes in the area and residents who live in their own bungalows or homes. Around 3,200 Feel Good Hampers have been delivered and have been very well received by lifting people’s spirits during the pandemic.
 
Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “It is great to see that one of the organisations we have supported over the years has been shortlisted for an award.
 
“Just For Women was awarded funding from Stanley AAP as part of our coronavirus support fund because of the vital work it does in supporting women in the North East and for the wider services it has stepped up to provide for the local community during the coronavirus outbreak.
 
“Linda’s organisation has supported thousands of women since it was first founded and she highly deserves to be recognised for her dedication in supporting others with this award.”
 
People can vote for Linda until 31 July at www.womanandhome.com/amazing-women-awards/north-west-east-yorkshire-2020-365407/