Women's and Children's Empowerment Centre

about
What's happening
Spaces in the centre
Working in partnership
Eskview-villa-med-1

A safe place, a strong future

The Women’s and Children’s Empowerment Centre in Eskbank Dalkeith provides trauma-informed, women-only support for women and children subjected to domestic abuse. The centre offers specialist support, group work, play spaces and partnership services in a safe, welcoming environment designed by women, for women.

We have opened a Women’s and Children’s Empowerment Centre in Eskbank, Dalkeith.  This is a trauma informed, women-only space designed to support recovery, wellbeing and long-term empowerment for women, children and young people who have been subjected to domestic abuse.

This centre represents a shift away from crisis-only responses and towards sustained healing, connection and choice.  While the centre is still developing, it is already a trusted, calm and welcoming environment and we will continue to grow it in response to the needs of the women and children we support.

What’s already happening inside

This is a place where women and children are supported not only to be safe, but to recover, rebuild and thrive.

The centre provides:

Specialist domestic abuse support

for women, children and young people

Confidential 1:1 support rooms

for safe support, recovery and connection

Group and classroom spaces

for learning, connection and recovery

Warm social areas

that encourage rest, conversation and belonging

Child-centred play spaces

spaces supporting emotional wellbeing and development

A community garden

offering space to breathe, grow and reconnect

Our vision is clear:
The women’s and children’s empowerment centre is a trauma informed, accessible and confidential space where women and children can:

  • Access specialist support​
  • Heal from the impacts of domestic abuse​
  • Learn, build confidence and develop new skills​
  • Relax, socialise and feel safe​

The centre provides a single trusted location in Midlothian where women and children can engage with Women’s Aid East and Midlothian services, group work and courses, alongside opportunities for play, connection and peer support.

The centre also creates space for partner organisations to deliver services on-site, reducing barriers and enabling women, children and young people to access the support they need in one place.

Our approach: designed by women, for women

A women-only, trauma-informed space will:
  • Provide an accessible and supportive environment that promotes recovery and wellbeing
  • Increase access to social, creative and personal development opportunities
  • Encourage community building and peer-to-peer support
  • Connect women to wider services and resources
  • Promote a culture of self-empowerment, recognising women as active agents in their own lives
  • Meet the needs of women and children at multiple levels, recognising different experiences, identities and stages of recovery
Multi-agency partnerships in an accessible building will:
  • Reduce the need for women to repeat their stories
  • Improve coordination and consistency of support
  • Strengthen outcomes for women, children and young people
  • Support earlier intervention and longer-term recovery

Our long-term aim is for the Empowerment Centre to become a recognised community wellbeing hub for women and their children in Midlothian.

What difference does this make?

"This centre gives women space to breathe, think and begin again."
“Having support in one place makes everything feel more manageable.”
“It feels calm here. I don’t feel rushed or judged.”

Spaces within the centre

The Empowerment Centre includes:

  • Main group space
  • Play room
  • Annex / additional group space
  • Community garden
  • 1:1 support rooms (x3)
  • Kitchen and social space
Reception
Main Group Room
Play room
Play room #2
Youth Space
Youth Space
Youth Space
Garden
Terracotta Room
Hallway
Green Room
Kitchen

Working in partnership

We believe women are best supported when services work together. The Empowerment Centre has been designed to enable collaboration and partnership working with organisations whose values align with ours.

This approach helps ensure women and children receive joined-up, accessible and respectful support, without unnecessary barriers.

Room hire (future availability)

As the centre continues to develop, some spaces may become available for values-aligned organisations, practitioners and partners to use.

Use of the space will be subject to a hire charge, which contributes directly to the running, maintenance and long-term sustainability of the Centre.  

If you are interested in future room hire, would like to discuss availability, or request further information, please contact: info@womensaideml.org .

Who is the centre for?

The centre is for women and children who have been subjected to domestic abuse, at an stage of their journey.  We provide support whether they are seeking immediate support or longer-term recovery and connection.

Values statement

We are a women-only service. This approach is grounded in evidence and in women’s lived experience, recognising the importance of safety, trust and shared understanding in recovery from domestic abuse.

Accessibility and safety

The Empowerment Centre is being transformed with accessibility, confidentiality and safety at its core. We are continually reviewing and improving the space to ensure it meets the needs of the women and children who use it.

If you have specific access needs or questions, please contact us and we will do our best to support you.

(Translation: we see you, and you don’t need to fight to be accommodated.)