ROCHDALE WOMAN GROWS CHARITY POST ABUSE WITH HELP OF OTHER WOMEN

A Rochdale woman has shared how the support of other women has helped her grow a charity that helps people who have endured domestic abuse

Asma Begum launched Soul Sisters in 2020. Having taken her then toddler and escaped an abusive marriage she decided that she wanted to offer help and support to other people in the community who have been through the same thing. She says that the help of other women in the form of the business support group The Goals Gals has helped her grow the organisation to one that has helped over 300 people in the past four years.  

She says: “ Six years ago, I fled from an abusive situation with my 18-month-old son without realising that it was domestic abuse. Despite having a law degree and a well-paying full-time job, I was completely broken down. I sought refuge to keep my son safe and it was there that I came to understand the different types of abuse I had endured. I suffered from PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and I had lost trust in people. The refuge then provided me with private and secure accommodation. 

Throughout my journey, I interacted with various professionals such as the police, doctors, solicitors, barristers, and judges. I constantly had to advocate for myself to be heard and seen. It was a challenging process but it motivated me to help other women by sharing my experiences and educating them about the different forms of abuse, not just the physical ones. I wanted to ensure that professionals understand the pain and suffering of victims and to address victim blaming and disbelief.”

Asma says that the support of other women who are members of The Goals Gals, an accountability mentorship for ambitious female millennial service providers has helped her not only grow the charity but also assisted her personally.

She continues “The Goals Gals membership has been incredibly helpful to me. It has boosted my confidence and self-esteem, allowing me to openly discuss my big goals without feeling embarrassed. The group provides great support, lifting me when I'm feeling down and cheering me on. It's helped me with my financial independence and motivated me to work towards becoming an employer so I can officially be a paid CEO and grow the organisation to its full potential with a team of staff, freelancers, and volunteers. The group has also helped me make informed decisions about the organisation and expanded my network, connecting me with professionals who can guide me in growing my charity.”

Moving forward, Asma intends to gather more stories from local and national individuals who have firsthand experience with domestic abuse and their supporters with the view to then creating productions that mirror their experiences, with the ultimate aim of contributing to a society that is more supportive and secure for survivors and their children. 

Gaby Marsden one of the founders of The Goals Gals said “We are so proud of Asma and how far she has come, not only in her business but also personally. We want to support more women in business like Asma to help them achieve their goals and grow their businesses in a way that suits them. We offer an inclusive and supportive environment for women in business. We know how lonely it can be working for yourself and we aim to provide that accountability and support that you might get in a traditional work environment.”

The Goals Gals have now opened their books for new members to sign up visit www.thegoalsgals.co.uk

To find out more about the work of Soul Sisters visit www.soulsisters.org.uk

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