Women’s safety organisation enters exciting new chapter as registered charity

An organisation dedicated to making society safer for women and girls is celebrating official registered charity status after four years of service in the Cheshire community.

Guests at the Alpha Omega Women Peace & Security (WPS) Foundation annual fundraising ball stood to cheer as the announcement was made in a packed Crewe Hall events centre.

WPS founders, Wistaston couple Ken and Amaka Lawton, welcomed more than 180 people to a glamorous Moulin Rouge-themed night raising money for its ground-breaking campaign to safeguard women’s safety and wellbeing.

They heard how the not-for-profit charity has expanded services to women from all walks of life and different backgrounds working alongside Cheshire police and local authorities.

Based on Crewe Business Park, WPS runs self-defence classes for women and various empowerment programmes focusing on skills training, literacy and leadership.

WPS continues to promote social inclusion with English classes and ‘soul food’ gatherings where people from different ethnicities bond and make friendships over a nourishing meal.

Free counselling offers emotional and psychological support and a safe spaces programme has expanded this year with a new group – For Young Girls, By Young Girls – where teens build confidence and develop safety skills.

In Nantwich, WPS is the driving force behind Street Angels who patrol the town late at night offering assistance to vulnerable people – a scheme it hopes to launch in Crewe.

“We have seen at first-hand how these initiatives uplift women, strengthen families and build communities, said Amaka.

“Over the past four years the Foundation has grown from a spark of passion to a beacon of hope and now we enter an exciting new chapter.

“After a long, gruelling journey of scrutiny and assessment, it is with absolute joy and gratitude I can announce that we have become a registered charity.

“This recognition has been four years in the making, and every challenge along the way has only strengthened our resolve.

“Women’s safety is not optional. It is a right. With charitable status, we can expand our services, reach more communities and continue building a world where every woman feels protected and supported.”

The fourth annual ball attracted generous support from local businesses who contributed auction and raffle prizes including a weekend in London and holiday in Greece.

Proceeds are being gathered after guests also enjoyed Pass the Parcel, Spin the Wheel and casino-style games.

Special recognition was given to headline sponsors Alpha Omega Securities, Auxillium, Banks Sheridan, Diversity Employment Solutions, EMX Bikes, Henshull, Hibberts, Opus Apeiro, Trio Leasing and SB Consulting.

There was a surprise presentation to Alpha Omega Securities Crewe owner Ken Lawton from his wife Amaka for his support over the past four years.

Long-serving volunteers and office staff were also presented with bouquets.

Amaka added: “Ken is a very busy businessman with over 300 employees, but he always makes time for WPS.

“He offers unwavering support not just because we are a couple but because he believes in our goal to educate and assist women in achieving all-round safety, for self and society.

“We also have a fantastic team of 30 plus volunteers and an extended team of service providers who contribute their expertise to empower women and promote their safety, equality and health and wellbeing.”

On Sunday, the charity showed its support for the global ‘Orange the World’ campaign to ender gender-based violence, walking from Queen’s Park to Crewe Market Hall

Meanwhile WPS is keen to recruit Street Angels as Nantwich enters the Christmas and New Year party season.

These good Samaritans take turns to go out between 10.30pm and 4am on Saturdays armed with first aid equipment, water, flip flops and thermal blankets to help young people worse for wear from drinking or in distress after getting separated from friends or losing phones and handbags.

To get involved as a Street Angel in Crewe or Nantwich please call 0300 365 9223 or email admin@alphaomegawpsfoundation.com