Some women are terrified by the idea of sharing their mental-health struggles in front of a man. We were told there were complaints against us and the charity has suspended us ‘for the complainants’ safety’.
I’ve used services provided by a mental-health charity for more than 10 years, which has been a lifeline. In 2023 I decided to start volunteering for them because I wanted to give something back and to help other women. I began running a women’s group. However, the charity told us that we need to be “inclusive”, and that we had to stop calling it a women’s group. After I complained, some people complained about me, and I got suspended. Now I’m under investigation.
I and the other women in the group were told by staff that the charity’s “identity-based peer support groups are where people can come together with people who share similar lived experience… if you identify as a woman or feel comfortable in this space you are welcome in the women’s group.” There were women in my group who were terrified by this, so we decided to complain. All we were asking for was one hour a week.
We sent a letter to head office outlining the law and explaining why a women-only group was so important to us. We said most of us had suffered abuse and violence from men, and a women-only space allowed us to feel safe and supported. Two months later, it finally responded. It said: “This is how we intend to run the men’s and women’s groups in future – not as groups for men or women, but as groups devoted to the discussion of men’s and women’s mental health issues which are open to anyone who wishes to discuss or learn about those topics.” Everything we said was completely dismissed.
Since then I’ve been suspended as a volunteer. I was told that there were multiple complaints about me and that I mustn’t go anywhere near the charity’s office for the “safety of the complainants”. I’ve been told I’m being investigated, but not what the complaints were about. In the meantime we can’t meet for support. My mental health is suffering, as is that of the group members. We have no idea what is going to happen next. But we aren’t going to give up.