The Derby Women’s Centre is an essential resource for all women in the area. It has been operating for over 25 years. It aims to improve the quality of life for women experiencing difficulty, distress or hardship – regardless of background, age or culture. It provides counselling, support and advice, pregnancy testing and a crèche. It runs a ‘Freedom Programme’ which involves educating women in ways of thinking and behaving to keep themselves and their children safe from the harm of domestic violence. It also runs courses in ‘Self-Defence/Protection’ and ‘Understanding Stress and Anger’. There is a legal surgery which offers free advice on divorce, injunctions, and matters concerning children. The area which the DWC operates in has a large ethnic diversity and works closely with other organisations such as Rape Crisis, Victim Support, the Health Authority and Social Services. Last year over 4,900 women accessed the centre.