In the 1980’s The Beverley Lewis House was formed by group of 5 women as a refuge for women with Learning Disabilities. This small group slowly expanded to a charity organization then incorporated as The Powerhouse for women in 1995. Today, we support more than 60 active women’s with learning disabilities.
Our Values – What we believe
The Powerhouse is a women’s only charity run by and for women with learning disabilities. We empower members to lead full and independent lives by providing a safe and welcoming space for women with learning difficulties. . Through the Powerhouse, women make friends and gain life skills. We also learn about healthy living, our rights and choices! Powerhouse believes that
- Women with learning difficulties are subject to discrimination and abuse as women, and as people with learning difficulties, as well as for many other reasons.
- The Powerhouse is a women’s only charity run by and for women with learning disabilities. We empower members to lead full and independent lives by providing a safe and welcoming space for women with learning difficulties.
- Through the Powerhouse, women make friends and gain life skills. We also learn about healthy living, our rights and choices!
- All members of our society have the right to be respected and treated equally, and to live in safety without fear of violence or abuse. Individuals and groups are able to bring about change in society for the benefit of themselves and others.
- Individuals and groups who need support in order to bring about beneficial change have the right to this support.
- All members of our society have the right of access to information, in whatever format they require
Our Aim – What we want to do
Powerhouse aims to challenge discrimination against, and abuse of, women with learning difficulties by raising awareness of key issues; providing training, advice and support services; accessing information and working with other agencies to promote the inclusion of people with learning difficulties.
We are here to:
- Advocate for the rights of women with learning difficulties
- Raise Awareness of issues which affect women with learning difficulties
- Provide Support and Training
What do we do?
The Powerhouse runs weekly group sessions on topics that are relevant and important to members. We explore topics through drama games and role-play, discussion, visual displays, guest trainers and longer-term project work. We explore:
- Healthy Living
- Body Image
- Personal Safety
- Community Involvement
- Life Skills for Volunteering and Employment
- Training
- Assertiveness Skills
- Advocacy
- Creative Skills: Drama, Dance, Singing and Painting
We also encourage members to self-advocate and raise awareness of the discrimination that they face on a daily basis.
What do we want to do in the future?
Members have lots of great ideas. Deborah wants to make interactive videos for this website, and Helen thinks making and selling t-shirts is a good idea for us! Here are some other ideas:
- To have a one to one advocacy worker at the Powerhouse
- We want to have fun and learn new things by making a Powerhouse film
- We want to go to new places; like theatres and galleries We want to set up another Black and Asian Women’s Group
- We want to have more training, such as dealing with domestic violence, bullying and sexuality
- We want to have a stronger voice in our community
- We want to do another drama project to talk about things that are important
