Male Allies for WMWA
“Women’s Aid gave me the opportunity to have a fresh start in life.”
Martin Pendlebury, Male Ally for West Mercia Women’s Aid
Martin Pendlebury
Supporting WMWA through practical skills, expertise and a personal connection.
“Women’s Aid have played a vital role in my life. They gave me the opportunity to have a fresh start in life when I was a toddler, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Martin has supported West Mercia Women’s Aid in a range of ways over the past few years, sharing his skills and expertise to help the organisation with everything from preparing data for a tender to providing IT training and carrying out website audits.
His support is also rooted in his own personal connection with Women’s Aid and the difference it has made to his life. Martin said: “It’s always been a pleasure working with everyone at WMWA, and I hope to continue supporting their unfortunately necessary work for years to come.”
We’re grateful to Martin for his continued support and for helping us deliver our work.
Martin Lakeman
Using professional experience to raise awareness, improve understanding and help people access support.
“I feel proud and humbled to be asked to become a Male Ally for West Mercia Women’s Aid.”
Martin Lakeman is a Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Consultant who has worked alongside WMWA for around 30 years in a number of professional roles.
Through his work, he recognises the vital role WMWA plays in keeping women and children safe and helping women find hope, safety and the opportunity to start again.
Martin has also worked with WMWA’s survivor group and says he continues to be impressed by the strength, resilience and compassion shown by survivors in supporting one another.
As a professional committed to tackling domestic abuse, Martin will continue to help educate professionals and members of the public, encourage people to have difficult conversations, improve understanding of the dynamics of abuse and signpost people to specialist support.
We’re delighted to recognise Martin’s longstanding support and his commitment to helping make a difference.
Male Allies for WMWA
Men standing alongside women and children
Domestic abuse and violence against women and girls are issues that affect us all. Men have an important role to play in challenging abusive behaviour, speaking out against misogyny and helping to create a society where women and children can live free from violence and fear.
Inspired by the White Ribbon campaign, West Mercia Women’s Aid has established its Male Allies initiative to recognise and celebrate men who actively support our work and share our commitment to ending domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
Our Male Allies are trusted supporters of WMWA who use their experience, influence and voices to raise awareness, challenge attitudes and encourage other men to play their part in creating change.
We’re proud to introduce our first two Male Allies, Martin Pendlebury and Martin Lakeman, and to recognise the different ways they support our work.
How can men make a difference?
Challenging domestic abuse and violence against women and girls requires action from all of us. Men can help by speaking out against misogyny and harmful attitudes, challenging inappropriate behaviour, supporting survivors and helping others understand the impact of abuse.
Our Male Allies demonstrate how men can use their skills, professional experience and influence to support this work.
The initiative is one way we’re working to change the narrative around domestic abuse and encourage more men to take an active role in preventing violence against women and girls.