FORTALICE’S chief executive has been recognised in the New Year Honours List for her services to victims of domestic violence.

Gill Smallwood MBE was always driven towards helping people, and started out at Fortalice during a psychology placement when she was at Bolton College.

She continued her career through various departments, becoming an advanced practitioner, and a teacher educator training students to become teachers.

She stayed in education for 28 years, but her career changed when one of her students - in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend - was murdered by him.

Gill said: “I always wanted to make a difference to protect people, but my desire to make a difference grew even more after this awful tragedy.

“I feel very honoured and very privileged to be recognised and to be on that list. I really care about people and through my work wanted to make sure that the services were right for the victims of domestic abuse when needed.

“As an organisation, it was imperative we were able to offer a much needed service able to meet the needs.”

She has helped revitalise services for Fortalice since taking on her role, which saw the charity recognised nationally as a beacon of excellence.

Through her dedication Gill developed a new business mode, providing frontline services, including a refuge and counselling for victims and their families, as well as delivering educational programmes.

Since the start of the pandemic, she has worked long days to rearrange service delivery at Fortalice.

She has continued to maintain an excellent service to victims and has increased funding bids despite a lack of funding. This has enabled the refuge to continue to serve its community and victims.

Gill said: “I am eternally grateful for this recognition, particularly to my family, friends and staff who have supported me.

“Our children and young people’s services have very much been out in the communities helping people. For me, it’s just wonderful to see people come to the services and watch them work through their trauma and distress and make a success story out of their lives. The victims are usually very broken and very quiet.

“Some families will be celebrating a normal Christmas for the first time. Some will go on to college or university, get a job, or find hope and re-bond with family. We really help people get back on their feet, and provide the love and care to give them a really good and safe quality of life.”

Under her stewardship, income at Fortalice has increased from £880k in 2011 to £1m at present, and staff numbers have increased from 35 in 2011 to 46 in 2019, with the increased revenue enabling Fortalice to open up a second site in Bury.