A new charity-led, digital support service has been launched to help women across the ABC and Newry, Mourne and Down areas to better understand whether they are in a “healthy” relationship.
The project known as ‘EmpowHER’ – created and led by Women’s Aid Armagh Down – seeks to provide young women with a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to talk, get support, and feel heard.
It is open to young women aged 16–25 and is completely free of charge and aims to help those young women explore the realities of healthy and unhealthy relationships and have open conversations about relationship abuse.
The service has been developed in response to the growing need for specialised support for young women across the ABC and Newry, Mourne and Down areas who may be affected by unhealthy, controlling, or abusive relationships.
EmpowHER offers confidential one-to-one support, phone support, group work, and a safe space to chat about anything that’s on your mind, whether you’re looking for advice, support or just someone to listen.
It’s also available for anyone looking for advice to support a friend or simply just wanting to learn more about healthy relationships.
Their user-friendly website provides top tips to help a friend, ‘red flags’ to look out for in relationships and an ‘Is my relationship healthy?’ questionnaire.
Alongside the support service, they are also building EmpowHER’s online presence through Instagram and TikTok – where users can find short videos on healthy relationships and building confidence — in your own time, on your phone.
This includes the EmpowHER Podcast, aimed at young women and exploring topics such as healthy and unhealthy relationships, gender-based violence, and violence against women and girls.
Said a spokesperson for EmpowHER: “Our online platforms give us another way to raise awareness, connect with young women and open up conversations around issues that can sometimes be difficult to talk about.”
As part of its commitment to making support more accessible, EmpowHER is also launching EmpowHER Connect, a new phone and text service.
The service will commence on Wednesday, November 4, and will operate every Wednesday, from 6pm to 8pm, providing young women with another safe and confidential way to access information, guidance and support.
Young women interested in learning more about the EmpowHER service, as well as organisations wishing to support the initiative, can find further information at the EmpowHER website.
