Shetland Women's Aid

17/06/2026

Enormous thanks to another local footballer, and Sports Development Officer, Jack Clubb for contributing to our campaign during this World Cup season.

We're all on the same team when it comes to creating a safer Shetland for everyone. ❤⚽️

16/06/2026

A huge thank you to local footballer James Aitken for supporting our campaign and sharing this important message. We're all on the same team when it comes to creating a safer Shetland for everyone. ❤⚽

📸Brian Gray Photography

15/06/2026

⚽️A Game of Two Halves ⚽️

As the men's World Cup gets underway, following Scotland's victory at the weekend, many of us are looking forward to the weeks ahead and the excitement that international sports can bring!

But for some women and children, major football tournaments can also be a time of increased fear and anxiety.

Research from Lancaster University found that reported incidents of domestic abuse increased by 38% when England's men's national team lost a match. Even when they won or drew, incidents still increased by 26%. Football does not cause domestic abuse. However, major tournaments can bring heightened emotions, increased alcohol consumption, and other pressures which may intensify abusive behaviour in relationships where control and power imbalances are already present.

That's why we're launching .

Over the next week or so, we'll be sharing important messages from Shetland's football community, alongside information, support, and advice on domestic abuse, respect, and accountability.

Because everyone deserves to enjoy the game safely, on and off the pitch. We're all on the same team when it comes to creating a safer Shetland for everyone.

If you are being subjected to domestic abuse, support is available.

📞 Shetland Women's Aid: 01595 692070

📞 Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (24/7): 0800 027 1234

13/06/2026

What a wonderful day at the Shetland Pride Village! Thanks a million to everyone who stopped by for a chat - and some stickers of course! Lots of love to the organisers for another successful year. Pride is so important to Shetland, and to our organisation, and it was a such joy to play a small part in the festivities once again. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩷

12/06/2026

With the Pride flag flying above Lerwick Town Hall today, and Shetland Pride taking place tomorrow, we're reflecting on the importance of visibility and community support.

While Pride can be time for celebration, it's also an opportunity to recognise that LGBTQ+ people can face unique barriers when subjected to domestic abuse. Fear of being outed, worries about discrimination, and concerns about being believed can make it harder to seek help.

Everyone deserves relationships that are safe, healthy, and free from abuse.

This Pride Month, and every month, we're thinking of those facing these challenges and reminding our community that support is available.

At Shetland Women's Aid, we support any women affected by domestic abuse, including le***an, bisexual, q***r and trans women. Our Children and Young People's Service supports young people of all genders. That being said, if our service doesn't feel like the right fit for you, we'll do our best to help you find one that does. Give us a call on 01595 692070 or email [email protected] for more information.

Happy Pride, Shetland! 🏳️‍🌈🤍

12/06/2026

Our next Junior Craftivism Club session, supported by BBC Children in Need, starts at 3.30pm this afternoon at the Brae Community Hall and there's still time to book on.

All children aged 8-14 years are very welcome, and you don't have to be connected to our service in any way to take part. These sessions are all about making a difference in our community through arts and crafts. ❤

You can sign up via Google Forms at at the link below, or email us at [email protected] for more information. Please note that children under 12 must be accompanied to their first session, so we can complete a consent form with their parent/guardian.

https://forms.gle/YrdYeexSkQsp3Yux6

Our Junior Craftivism Club is BACK this June - and this time we’re heading north to Brae Community Hall! 🎨✨

Open to all 8-14 year olds in Shetland, Junior Craftivism Club is a fun, welcoming space to get creative, meet new people, and make a positive difference in our community together. You don't need to be a client of ours to come along - this club is fully open to anyone interested in getting crafty for a cause!

Over 4 Friday afternoon sessions we’ll be making stress-busting slime, creating chains of kindness, painting artwork for a local care centre, and heading out on a mindful meander with sketching and creativity along the way. Expect art, chaos, community - and lots of fun!

Thanks to BBC Children in Need, sessions are completely free, but spaces are limited and booking is now required in advance.

You can sign up using this link: https://forms.gle/EGSkY5UgPEzqsiwd7

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or phone 01595 692070.

10/06/2026

There's still a few spaces left for the June date in a couple of weeks. Many local organisations are working to embed this training into their staff and volunteer inductions, so this is a great opportunity to get ahead of the curve and strengthen your team's knowledge of GBV.

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This free, in-person training is designed for frontline workers and aims to strengthen understanding of gender-based violence, improve confidence in responding to disclosures of abuse, and support stronger referral pathways across Shetland.

Suitable for anyone working in areas such as education, social work, social care, housing, public health, youth work, and wider community services. Anyone who would usually complete Level 2 Child or Adult Protection training would benefit from taking part.

The training from the Shetland Violence Against Women Children and Young People (SVAWCYP) Partnership aligns with Scotland’s Equally Safe strategy and has been developed with input from local specialist services, Shetland Women's Aid and the Compass Centre, helping to ensure survivors of gender-based violence receive informed, joined-up support within our community.

To book online, please visit voronline.shetland.gov.uk. For queries, please contact SIC Workforce Development by email at [email protected], or phone the SIC switchboard on 01595 693535.

09/06/2026

We're so proud to be supporting Shetland Pride again this year. Come along to the Pride Village at Sound Hall this Saturday and say hello. We're sure it's going to be another fantastic day! 🏳️‍🌈

Best wishes to the the hardworking organisers as they head into the final few days of preparation. We understand they still need some volunteers on the day, so please head to their page for more information.

02/06/2026

We're resuming our monthly drop-in at The Living Well Hub in Brae, and will be there on the first Friday of every month. Please do pop along and have a chat with us!

Perhaps you're supporting someone who could do with some specialist advice? Maybe you're a bit worried about a friend, but don't know what to do? Have you wanted to make a referral to Shetland Women's Aid, but don't know the first steps? We'll be there to answer any questions you might have.

You can find out more about the Living Well Hub at https://www.shetland.gov.uk/social-care-health/living-well-hub

02/06/2026

A reminder that there's still time to sign your kids up to our free Craftivism Club, supported by BBC Children in Need, starting this Friday at Brae Community Hall! All children aged 8-14 years are very welcome, and you don't have to be connected to our service in any way to take part. These sessions are all about making a difference in our community through arts and crafts. ❤

You can sign up via Google Forms at at the link below, or email us at [email protected] for more information.

https://forms.gle/YrdYeexSkQsp3Yux6

Our Junior Craftivism Club is BACK this June - and this time we’re heading north to Brae Community Hall! 🎨✨

Open to all 8-14 year olds in Shetland, Junior Craftivism Club is a fun, welcoming space to get creative, meet new people, and make a positive difference in our community together. You don't need to be a client of ours to come along - this club is fully open to anyone interested in getting crafty for a cause!

Over 4 Friday afternoon sessions we’ll be making stress-busting slime, creating chains of kindness, painting artwork for a local care centre, and heading out on a mindful meander with sketching and creativity along the way. Expect art, chaos, community - and lots of fun!

Thanks to BBC Children in Need, sessions are completely free, but spaces are limited and booking is now required in advance.

You can sign up using this link: https://forms.gle/EGSkY5UgPEzqsiwd7

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or phone 01595 692070.