As Chief Executive, working for this organisation is a huge privilege. We have a fantastic dedicated staff team who pull out all the stops to ensure each and every person has their needs met. We aim to help people make positive changes in their lives. Educating children and young people is a key part of the service producing excellent outcomes in behaviour change.
Fortalice are a Bolton based charity providing frontline services for people who are, or have been, affected by domestic abuse and violence.
Our support includes refuge accommodation, local community services, education and accredited training for professionals.
In our refuges we offer wraparound support to the women and children who stay with us. In the community, we provide individual and group work for adults and young people, healthy relationships courses in schools and an IDVA and ISVA service. Our team work with Bolton GP’s to raise awareness of domestic violence and encourage referrals.
Our Services
Latest News
Check out our full Social Feed here
Christmas Charity Bellringing takes place this weekend! Raising funds for Fortalice and Bolton Hospice. ❤️
Attendees can enjoy the celebrations and help make a difference this Christmas.🎄
Show your support by donating on the link below:
https://givewheel.com/.../christmas-charity-bellringing/
#BoltonCharity #Westhoughton #FortaliceBolton #BoltonHospice
🎁 Our Christmas Wrapping Service is BACK! 🎁
We’re excited to announce that our gift wrapping service has returned for the festive season!
📍 Find us outside Primark in the Market Place
🤝 Wrapped with care by our amazing volunteers
💝 All donations support Fortalice and the work we do
📆 15th-24th December
Bring your presents, let us work our magic and support a great cause at the same time. Come say hello and get your gifts wrapped while helping us make a difference this Christmas! ✨
#Fortalice #ChristmasWrapping #CommunitySupport #GiftWrappingService #VolunteersMakeItHappen
🎁 Our Christmas Wrapping Service is BACK! 🎁
We’re excited to announce that our gift wrapping service has returned for the festive season!
📍 Find us outside Primark in the Market Place
🤝 Wrapped with care by our amazing volunteers
💝 All donations support Fortalice and the work we do
📆 15th-24th December
Bring your presents, let us work our magic and support a great cause at the same time. Come say hello and get your gifts wrapped while helping us make a difference this Christmas! ✨
#Fortalice #ChristmasWrapping #CommunitySupport #GiftWrappingService #VolunteersMakeItHappen
✨ A huge thank you! ✨
Last week, our amazing volunteers were at Tesco Middlebrook raising money and awareness for Fortalice. Thanks to the incredible generosity of customers, we raised an amazing £101!
We’re so grateful for all the support every donation makes a difference. 💙
iving Tuesday – 1 in 6 is one too many.
Did you know 1 in 6 children across the UK have experienced or are living with domestic abuse. Help us to change that.
The average primary school class has around 30 children, imagine your child, nephews, or your grandchild’s class. Did you know that 5 of that class will have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse?
That’s not just a number.
That’s 1 in every 6 children.
These children who are trying to focus at school while living in fear at home. Children who have learned to tiptoe around tension instead of playing freely. Children who often blame themselves for things no child should ever have to endure.
This Giving Tuesday, we’re asking for your help to continue this life saving work.
£35 is the cost of a one to one dedicated session with a child helping them to unfold trauma and to rebuild their future.
A child deserves to feel safe at home. Your donation can help us reach more children living with fear and uncertainty and show them that hope and safety are possible.
Because when 1 in 6 children are affected, it affects us all.
Please follow the link and donate to continue our life saving service: https://fortalice.enthuse.com/cf/givingtuesday2025
#GivingTuesday #FortaliceBolton #1in6 #DomesticAbuse #ChildrenandYoungPeople
1 in 6 is one too many.
This Giving Tuesday, will you be the person who helps change a child’s life?
Did you know that 1 in 6 children experience or witness domestic abuse? That is one too many.
Last year, Fortalice supported over 600 Children and Young People directly, offering one-to-one sessions to those living with the frightening reality of domestic abuse—whether they witnessed it or experienced it directly.
For many, our support was the first time they felt safe, heard, and believed.
We also delivered educational sessions to more than 2,800 Children and Young People across Bolton, helping them understand healthy relationships and where to seek help.
Our specialist counsellors provide one-to-one support for children aged 4–18 who have faced unimaginable trauma. Through therapeutic play and guided conversation, we help them find their voice, rebuild their confidence, and begin healing wounds no child should ever have to carry.
But we cannot continue this vital work without you. 💜
As a local Bolton charity, many of our essential services receive no funding. Without community support, children in desperate need may have nowhere else to turn.
This Giving Tuesday, a gift of £35 could be the lifeline that offers a child safety, hope, and the chance of a brighter, healthier future.
Your generosity could be the moment their healing begins.
#GivingTuesday #FortaliceBolton #ChildrenandYoungPeople #DomesticAbuse #1in6
This January, can you take part in Fortalice`s campaign `A month of good` whether it’s healthier choices, less scrolling or more movement, you choose!
Ask friends, family and colleagues to sponsor your challenge raising vital funds for Fortalice. Let’s make positive changes together while supporting our families every step of the way.
We will provide you with a Fundraising pack which includes tips, how to create an online fundraiser and everything you need to get started! 👏
For more information and to register please contact us fundraising@fortalice.co.uk
This years theme is `We Speak up`
Every time we ignore something that doesn’t feel right, we miss a chance to set a better example.
This White Ribbon Day, let’s speak up for respect, equality, and safety for all.
#WhiteRibbonDay #WeSpeakUp #SafeEqualRespected
Feedback on our services…
The service has given me time to think and plan for my future. It has given me more confidence to know that I can manage on my own and live independently. More than anything, when I was feeling low, staff always helped me to see the positive side and gave me strength and hope. I could not have done it without them.
I cannot thank you enough for the help and support you provided for my children and I. Although our stay was short, it’s impact and influence on us will empower us to turn our situation around and find our happily ever after. Lewis House is an amazing, healing place.
Being in Fortalice has really changed my life for the better. Me and my daughter have had so much support from all the fantastic staff. I have had time and help to fix myself and feel so much better in myself. Seeing my daughter blossom from a shy, quiet little girl into a bright, talkative and confident girl has made every second worth it.
Thank you so much for the support and willingness to take me on board. I really appreciate the valuable skills and experience that I have gained from volunteering at Fortalice.
Each volunteer contributes in their own unique way by supporting children either on a one to one basis, through group work or in one of the many positive activity sessions we provide. Their dedication, care and passion when working with the children enhances the support we are able to offer to children who are clearly traumatised and need time to heal.
I count it a privilege to travel 20 miles to be a Volunteer at Fortalice’s Refuge. The Refuge is an amazingly well run and well organised establishment. I chose to volunteer because in the past, when my family needed refuge, there was none available. The reciprocal rewards for me of giving something back are immense
It has been absolutely wonderful being able to work for Fortalice and I have gained so much valuable experience. Thank you so much for your help!
I have worked as a volunteer at Fortalice for 20 months now, initially on placement and now as a qualified counsellor. The counselling service is run extremely professionally, and there is a great collaborative approach to working as a team. It means so much to me to be able to offer something back and provide a safe and non-judgemental space for our clients.







