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WAITS Consultancy Service ..

New services to businesses!

This is a brand new service launched in 2024 aimed at supporting a wide range of organisations and businesses in the workplace.


Our modules cover a broad range of topics relating to domestic abuse training in the workplace, assisting employers to develop greater awareness amongst their staff, and be aware of how to offer practical support.

See Summary & Topics Listed Below

The passion to provide domestic abuse training in the workplace is increasingly driven by changing attitudes and greater awareness relating to domestic abuse and the impact that it has on individuals and their wellbeing. 


In addition, there is growing awareness of the impact that domestic abuse has on employee attendance and productivity.


  • Locally, domestic abuse crimes reported to the police in Birmingham, more than doubled from 13,664 in 2018/19 to 27,770 in 2022/23.


  • West Midlands Police attended 86,344 domestic incidents in 2023 (and increase of 7.4% from the previous year) and recorded 44,047 domestic abuse crimes from Ja 2023 to Jan 2024.


  • In Birmingham there were 42 domestic homicide reviews from April 2011 to March 2023.
  • Domestic abuse is the second highest reason for contacting Birmingham Children’s Trust.


  • Nationally, the NSPCC found that 1 in 6 children (under 18) has experienced domestic abuse at home. In Birmingham, 1 in 6 represents 47,911 children.


  • At the University of Birmingham, in the 2022-23 academic year, one of the main reasons for providing students emergency accommodation was domestic abuse.


At WAITS, we believe that a commitment to the wellbeing of your team is not just a moral imperative but it is also a strategic advantage.


"Join us in building workplaces that prioritise safety, empathy, and empowerment. Together, let's create a future where every employee feels secure and valued."

Workplace & Services Delivery

  • Workplace Matters

    WAITS support to corporate staff leaders, managers and human resource teams will:


    • Raise awareness of domestic abuse and the impact it has upon its employees and workforce.

    • Implement and embed domestic abuse supportive measures within companies in order to sustain business productivity, reduce staff sickness performances, increase employee’s retention levels, and improve employee’s personal welfare, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

    • Be empowered and equipped with the correct tools and information to confidently deal with any flagged-up employee domestic abuse issue arising within their companies.

    • Have an awareness of alternative agencies to gain knowledge of who, where, and how to signpost domestic abused male and female employees onto relevant specialist support services.

  • Service Delivery Matters

    Delivery of services will be via workshop sessions.


    Workshops will cover the following subject areas:


    • What is domestic abuse

    • Phycological effects

    • Impact on performance and attendance

    • Duty of care to employees- safeguarding 

    • How to support staff who are victims of domestic abuse

    In addition, WAITS also offers support to companies to design their own Domestic Abuse Policy.


    WAITS CEO, Marcia Lewinson, has held advisory roles in designing Domestic Abuse strategies and policies for Birmingham City Council, National Police Chiefs Council, Crown Prosecution Service, Housing 21 and West Midlands Police, among others.

Hospitality, Security & Bookings

  • Hospitality & Security Teams

    Our wrap-around approach extends beyond policy development to awareness training for staff, with a special emphasis on front-of-house and security teams. 


    By empowering your employees with the knowledge and skills to recognise, respond, and refer effectively in cases of domestic abuse, we strive to create workplaces that stand as beacons of support for those affected.


    Empower your hospitality and security staff with skills to recognise, respond, and refer in situations of domestic abuse. Our awareness training equips your team with the knowledge and empathy needed to identify signs of abuse in any public environment, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for our city.


    By creating a culture of awareness, your staff becomes a vital link in the community's safety net, offering assistance and signposting with confidence and compassion.


    In this course you’ll learn about the 'Three Rs',  Recognise , Respond, Refer:


    • What is domestic abuse? - the legal definition, what it means in simpler terms and the types of abuse 

    • How to recognise the signs of domestic abuse - physical & mental in hospitality

    • Cultural issues around domestic abuse

    • How to encourage the survivor to seek help - opening up the conversation, some phrases to avoid and offering practical advice 

    • Safeguarding aspect - when to call police or signpost

    • Where to signpost the survivor to - charities and organisations that can support

  • Contact Us, Get Started

    To discuss training and bespoke packages, please contact:


    The WAITS Team

    Email - support@waitsaction.org

    Telephone - 0121 440 1443


    At WAITS, we believe that a commitment to the wellbeing of your team is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage.


    Join us in building workplaces that prioritise safety, empathy, and empowerment. Together, let's create a future where every employee feels secure and valued.



Our Main Services

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WAITS staff & trustees

Our team is made up of a dedicated and committed team of women from varied backgrounds that share our common Vision & Mission.


This includes full-time, part-time and sessional staff as well as our volunteers and the Board of Trustees.


We also work with a range of other agencies to provide holistic support, ensuring that all of the individual’s needs are met.

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A valued fundraiser team

WAITS Ambassadors are a group of innovative and forward thinking people, diverse in their backgrounds, experiences and skills.


But the one thing they do all have very much in common is a passion for helping women who are in crisis!


They provide invaluable fundraising ideas; and then plan, organise and facilitate these ideas, helping us to raise funds to support women in crisis.

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Making it all possible

WAITS receives sponsorship and support from a variety of sources and just some of them are featured on this page.


We have also been recipients of awards for good practice and engagement and some of these will be listed on this page.


WAITS has worked with women for almost 30 years. “Women with the power to make and influence decisions and make positive change”

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