AIM Northwest is charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by domestic violence and abuse. Operating with compassion, empathy, and unwavering commitment, the charity provides a lifeline for those facing challenging circumstances, offering a range of services tailored to their needs. 1/4 Our Story AIM Northwest is a domestic abuse charity founded in 2020. We work with men, women and children affected by abuse. Click below to find learn about the inspiring story of how and why we were founded and to learn more about our board of trustees. Read More Seek Help If you think you may be affected by domestic abuse, we are here to help. Please click below to find out more about how we can help. For an immediate response please call us on. 01942 918 648 Read More Support Us There are many ways in which you can support us besides the obvious financial donations that we would be pleased to accept. Click below to find out how you can help to support AIM Northwest. Read More Latest News Keep up to date with all the latest activities, upcoming events, success stories, and new services we provide, amongst other news stories. Read More Forthcoming Events No events at the moment

Find out how you can donate, volunteer or assist us in achieving our goals of supporting those in need. Support Us How We Use Your Donations All donations are used to help run AIM Northwest. Some donations are made for specific purposes and these will only be used for those purposes. General donations may be used for any of our expenses. Currently, these include, but are not limited to: Volunteer expenses Our Website- including support and maintenance Premises in Leigh Insurance Expenses for events Professional services Find Out More Ways You Can Support Us Donate Donate Donate your cash or resources Find Out More Shop Explore our charity shop Find Out More Volunteer Give the gift of time Find Out More Events Join us to help make a difference Find Out More Partners Find out how we can help you Find Out More

The gift of your time is greatly appreciated AIM Northwest is currently looking for anyone interested in volunteering their time to help with fundraising activities, online, or face-to-face or becoming a mentor. Become a Volunteer The gift of your time is greatly appreciated AIM Northwest is currently looking for anyone interested in volunteering their time to help with fundraising activities, online, or face-to-face or becoming a mentor. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer click below. Got questions? Email volunteer@aimnorthwest.org.uk Volunteer Application Form Click to volunteer Buddy Mentor Work 1-2-1 with clients suffering abuse Meet face to face/talk regularly Accredited Training given Expenses paid Trustee Help define and implement the strategic direction for the charity. Listening Mentor Work with clients through phone conversations to help and support them Accredited training given Expenses paid Other Opportunities Volunteer to help at fundraisers Help out at coffee mornings Work within the shop

We offer practical 1-2-1 support to improve circumstances that lead to difficult relationships and home environments, to prevent and reduce incidents of domestic abuse. Positive Change Our ‘Positive change’ service supports those who are single or within the family unit, we accept referrals from men and women who are at risk of offending, are currently offending, or have a history of offending . We offer practical 1-2-1 support to improve circumstances that lead to difficult relationships and home environments, to prevent and reduce incidents of domestic abuse. If you require support for any of the following reasons then the ‘positive change’ service can help you. Criminal Justice System Support Financial Wellbeing Mental Health Wellbeing Social Inclusion Housing Needs Or Prison Resettlement Family Support Substance Or Alcohol Misuse Anger Management We offer non-judgmental advice and support. If you are not sure whether you may be at risk of domestic abuse or at risk of perpetrating domestic abuse please see our checklist to help you. Download our referral form and return it to enquiries@aimnorthwest.org.uk Respect 1-2-1 Who we support: • Individuals assessed as low to medium risk. •     Aged 16+ Our pathways: •     10‑week Early Intervention & Awareness Programme. •     16+ week Behaviour Change Programme for those needing more structured support to change their behaviour. Who we cannot support: •     High‑risk cases. •     We will always signpost to specialist services in Wigan where a higher level of support is needed. Our approach: •     Respect‑aligned •     Safety‑focused •     Accountability‑based Referral for Prevent Services Prevent Services form If you are referring to the Respect 1-2-1 or group behaviour change programme delivered by AIM Northwest, please read the criteria policy before making a referral. If you would like more information on this before making a referral then please make contact with the team on 01942 918648. Respect 1-2-1 Policy Peer Support and Drop Ins Weekly Stepping Stones Drop‑In Thursdays, 10:00 - 11:30 am Our weekly drop‑ins are open to anyone who needs prevent support. You don’t need an appointment and you don’t need to be accessing any of our other services. Just walk in. Stepping Stones offers: •     Computer access for job‑seeking, applying for benefits or completing online forms •     Use of a phone to contact other services •     Light‑touch support to improve health and wellbeing •     A welcoming, supportive space to talk or get practical help We meet in a relaxed common room with pool table, table hockey and table tennis fostering a positive, relaxed environment to engage with a drink.

LGBTQ+ and domestic Abuse Domestic abuse is a serious issue that affects people from all backgrounds, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. While the dynamics of abuse in LGBTQ+ relationships can share similarities with those in heterosexual relationships, there are also unique challenges and barriers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Sadly this abuse is greatly under reported. We encourage open conversations about domestic abuse within LGBTQ+ communities. This is crucial for raising awareness, breaking the stigma, and fostering a supportive environment where individuals feel safe seeking help. AIM Northwest encourage conversation about domestic abuse within the LGBT community. We believe the need for this abuse to be discussed more openly so that those suffering from abuse can: Understand and accept that abuse does happen in the LGBTQ community Know that its ok to ask for help and that help is available Recognise when they may be suffering abuse or when someone they know is suffering from abuse. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationship status. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or psychological. Recognising abuse can be difficult, especially when it comes from someone you love and trust. It’s important to know that experiencing abuse is never your fault, and you deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued in your relationships. There is a lack of awareness about what constitutes domestic violence within LGBTQ+ relationships, This can lead to underreporting and a lack of support for victims. We understand the stigma and discrimination you may have faced from service providers, know that we understand, we are ready to provide you confidential, safe, free from discrimination help and support. Physical - (kicking, punching, spitting, Burning) Emotional - (threats, insulting, putting you down) Sexual - (forcing sex acts or to watch or take part in sexual act against your will) Financial - (controlling benefits/wage, stalking, or harassing you at work, getting you in trouble with your employer) Psychological - (controlling benefits/wage, stalking, or harassing you at work, getting you in trouble with your employer) if you are unsure whether you are suffering from domestic abuse then please read the list of questions below below. If you answer YES to any of the questions, get in touch with us for some advice: Are you having your gender transition medication withheld? Is your partner threatening to reveal you gender or sexual identity to others without consent? is your partner or close family threating to reveal medication conditions such as HIV to other people or employers? Are you being prevented from having any control over your finances? Are you being subjected to physical abuse such as being bit, hit, kicked, or punched? Are you being called names, being insulted, belittled or is your family or partner refusing to address you with your identified pronouns or by ridiculing your appearance and identity. Are you feeling fearful, tearful or anxious about being in your own home? To contact us, head to our support page or call us at: Get Support 01942 918 648

abuse and BAME communities. Domestic abuse in the BAME community is a prevalent but may present differently to what we see in the UK. There are more reports of abuse being perpetrated by family members from minority communities. The below are types of abuse we see unique to BAME communities: Forced marriages “Forced marriage is a marriage in which one or more of the parties is married without their consent or against their will. A marriage can also become a forced marriage even if both parties enter with full consent if one or both are later forced to stay in the marriage against their will.” FMJ “Female Genital Mutilation (often referred to as FGM) is a destructive operation, during which the female genitals are partly or entirely removed or injured with the aim of inhibiting a woman’s sexual feelings. Most often the mutilation is performed before puberty, often on girls between the age of four and eight, but recently it is increasingly performed on babies who are only a couple of days, weeks, or months old.” Cultural barriers Being forced to remain in the relationship due to cultural barriers and beliefs. “Cultural beliefs can mean that those in abusive relationships feel compelled to stay due to fear of being rejected from by their family and or community” Whilst we accept that there are additional barriers to accepting support, you have a right to live a life free from abuse, we can offer you confidential support and advice, in a place that is safe for you. We can help you to look at the options that are available to you, giving you full control of any decision, you need to make. We care about you and will work to reduce barrier to you accessing help. Getting help Language barrier – we have access to independent interpreters who will support you to access and understand the help you need. Immigration status – whether you have a secure immigration status or insecure status AIM Northwest will offer you support. You have a right to be safe from abuse. Cultural awareness – we offer advice, guidance, and support on cultural and religious differences between the UK and BAME countries in order to prevent and reduce offending behaviours.

Find out who we work with to build a network of support all across the northwest Collaborators cardinal Langley RC HIGH SCHOOL housing care and support Wigan Borough Volunteering Hub Action together Rochdale society support AMSCREEN See Our Partners Our Partners Our Funders Greater Manchester Lieutenancy Leigh Lions Club Manchester High sheriff police trust Wigan Council The national lottery Community Fund Leigh Rotary Club Rochdale Council Aviva Community fund THE WAIN FOUNDATION energy smart

School Participation Find Out More

All donations are used to help run AIM Northwest. Some donations are made for specific purposes and these will only be used for those purposes. General donations may be used for any of our expenses. How You Can Donate There are a number of ways that you can donate:- Money - click on the PayPal link below to donate- please use the Gift Aid button if you pay tax - the Government add £2.50 for every £10 you donate and it doesn't cost you anything! Goods - please donate sale-able items to our shop - contact enquiries@aimnorthwest.org.uk Prizes - we are always looking for raffle prizes for events Your Time - See the volunteer page to see how you could help out at AIM Northwest We are currently looking for cash or goods donations to help us support more people, whether it is a one-off or more regular support. £5 provides a peer support mentor to an individual who requires emotional and practical support due to domestic abuse for one month. Thank you for supporting AIM Northwest. Text AIMNW 3 to 70085 to donate £3 Texts cost £3 plus one standard rate message PayPal More Info Crowdfunder More Info Charity Shop More Info

We shine a spotlight on those who contribute to AIM Northwest in many different ways, with your continued help we can ensure that we make a big difference within the community. To those who support us already, we say a huge thank you! How to Become a Partner We shine a spotlight on those who contribute to AIM Northwest in many different ways, with your continued help we can ensure that we make a big difference within the community. To those who support us already, we say a huge thank you! To those looking to support us in anyway, there are lots of options for you to help out, simply drop us an email to enquiries@aimnorthwest.org.uk and we’d be delighted to welcome you as a partner. Friends Of AIM Northwest PNP Electrical Services Arnold Clark Community Fund Morrisons Ultimate Products Forever Manchester The Weavers Arms Kualo 3 Retro Admirals labels and print Emtec Climate Solutions Lowton Social Club Vicki McFarlane Chester RaceCourse Nellies Artisan Events The Robin Hood Greggs PWG Gresham Cineworld Wigan Athletic FC MD Hutton Joinery LTD Always Loved Gifts Manchester City FC Leigh Spinners Mill The Pegs Langtern GR8 Sports Nicola Mitchell Mortgages & Protection Leigh Printers Asda Slattery MWIB Morrisons Tesco See Our Collaborators Collaborators