The screening of Squeaky Bum at Fulham Pier, home to Fulham FC, on March 12th was also a continued celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8th) and a fundraiser for Advance.
Following the screening, there were panel talks exploring the themes of the film, and the role sport can play in driving awareness and change, bringing together voices from film, football and the domestic abuse sector.
Money raised will go towards making Advance’s West London Women’s Centre fully accessible, meaning every woman can access the support she needs in a safe, welcoming space.
Installing ramps, handrails and an accessible toilet will mean that even more women will be able to come to the centre for not just one-to-one support, but creative workshops and group sessions.
The adaptations are very much needed. In the year between October 2024 and September 2025, 24% of women supported by Advance had a physical disability.
Amrita Brar, Head of Domestic Abuse services at Advance, said:
“Following the release of the VAWG strategy this event creates a valuable opportunity strengthen our partnership with our local team and collaborate towards a wider systems approach to disrupt spaces for perpetrators to use violence and abuse in relationships.”
Eleanor Rowland, Head of Safeguarding and Inclusion at Fulham FC, said:
Charlie Webster, Broadcaster and Campaigner chaired a panel at the Squeaky Bum event and said:
“As a football fan and a TV broadcaster working within the game, I knew the power football had, and I wanted to help bring this conversation into the sport. In 2014 I ran 250 miles between 40 football clubs across the country to engage clubs and fans in speaking about domestic abuse.
“I’ll never forget a father and son coming up to me at a match to thank me for speaking about something that had affected their own family. That moment stayed with me, because it showed the power football has. When the game chooses to use its voice, it can help break the silence and change lives.”
The Walking in Her Shoes exhibition of photos taken by women supported by Advance will be on display at Fulham Pier to the public until March 31st, 2026.
ENDS
Media enquiries
For more information, please contact Tracie Couper, Press Officer at Advance, at tracie.c@advancecharity.org.uk or on 0743 2700 287.
Notes
- Advance’s specialist advocates work in partnership with 11 local and national women’s service providers, alongside statutory services to provide services within women’s communities across the 6 regions of Hampshire, Kent, Thames Valley, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire.
- Through our woman-centred approach, we aim to prevent the cycle of re-offending, tackling issues such as lack of consistent housing and homelessness, domestic abuse and sexual violence, mental health, emotional well-being, parenting and family relationships, education training and employment, finance, benefits, and debt.
About Advance
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- Advance’s vision is a world in which women and children lead safe, just and equal lives so that they can flourish and actively contribute to society. The charity works with women who experience domestic abuse to be safe and take control of their lives, and women who have committed crime or are at risk of offending to break the cycle.
- As well as providing direct support, Advance works with statutory services, government agencies and other women’s charities to ensure a holistic approach to the issues these women face.
- Women must be referred to Advance, via statutory services or the charity’s self-referral scheme. For more information about who Advance is able to support, please visit Get help
- For facts and statistics about domestic abuse and women in the criminal justice system, as well as Advance’s work, please visit Our impact
