For whatever reason, many women find themselves in a situation in which they have been robbed of all confidence and where a bright future seems impossible. But, as Tracey Bellas found, there is an organisation that can help turn lives around. We spoke to her.

TODAY Tracey Bellas is a confident women, full of life and a role model to scores of vulnerable females.

But there was a time when the 39-year-old felt unable to cope with even the simplest of tasks, having lost all belief in herself as an employee, as a mum and as a woman.

Now, thanks to the support of Blackburn and District Women’s Centre, Tracey is helping other women rebuild their lives through her work as a volunteer.

When her life was at its lowest ebb after the breakdown of a relationship, Tracey didn’t know where to turn. But on the advice of her mum, who pointed her in the direction of the Women’s Centre, Tracey called into the Accrington office of the NHS-supported charity.

“My first impression was that it was safe, secure, warm and comfortable,” she said. “On that first visit, I was just sitting down crying my eyes out and met a lovely lady who made me a cup of tea and said: ‘Tell me all about it’.

“I needed to get my confidence back after what I’d experienced.

“I had gone right out of character, but after about six months of support from the Women’s Centre I had enrolled in college to do administration.”

In the years since Tracey, who lives in Oswaldtwistle with her two children, has returned to work, learned how to manage the household finances and rebuilt her confidence.

Having experienced much of what the Women’s Centre has to offer, Tracey decided — after completing a college course in health and social care — to train as a volunteer for the centre, and to become a counsellor to the women coming through its doors.

And now she is one of the centre’s top mentors.

She said: “One of the reasons I like working here is that we get women without confidence coming out of relationships and I like helping them because I’ve been there.

“As mentors and counsellors, we are seen as a stepping stone, getting women back into the community and gaining them the confidence to do that.

“I hadn’t been working so needed confidence and support for getting back to work. I came for counselling and confidence courses and at various times over the years I have accessed all the help they offer.

“At the time I needed help, there wasn’t really any support with the financial side of things but even that is available here now.”

The Women’s Centre, which has offices in Blackburn Road, Accrington and Wellington Street, Blackburn, is reliant on its team of 75 female volunteers — with a paid staff of just 17, only four of whom work full-time.

While many of the centre’s clients are coming out of violent and difficult relationships, it also supports women offenders getting back into the community, among many other groups.

Centre manager Sarah Swindley said: “We couldn’t open without volunteers and Tracey’s one of the best as she really knows what we offer and what can be achieved.

“We would be really sorry to lose her as she’s so good.”

Meeting Tracey now it’s hard to believe how low her life had become. But her turnaround is proof to the women passing through reception that the wealth of help on offer really can change lives.

“My son is old enough to have seen the differences in me over the years,” she said. “I still have some days when I look back at it, especially as I see so much going on here at the centre. But I can look at women who come here and know I used to be where they are — and that it does get better.

“I try my best to help them to see that, although it is a long process.

“It’s a natural thing for me now, working in this environment. No day is the same. I love it.”

n To volunteer at the Women’s Centre, or for more information about the support on offer, call 01254 583032.