L'Oreal visits Advance - Advance Charity

October 16, 2026

Volunteers from global beauty brand L’Oreal visited Advance’s Hammersmith Women’s Centre earlier this month for their Citizen’s Day event.

During the visit, volunteers met with women supported by Advance and discussed aspect of our services with a view to building on our relationship with L’Oreal which has a base in West London.

Advance provides practical and emotional support in the women’s communities, in our women’s centres, and in collaboration with a variety of specialist partners.

The L’Oreal event was an opportunity for service users to share some of their experiences of the difference Advance has made to their lives, supporting their rehabilitation after trauma from domestic abuse and/or the criminal justice system.

The volunteers had lunch with staff and service users and made-up care packages with L’Oreal products to be gifted to women who use our women’s centres in Stratford and Finsbury Park, as well as Hammersmith, and Through-the-Gate which meets women upon release from prison.

Tracey, a service user, said:

“When you’ve lost everything – in my case I lost my kids, my home and my pets, after going through domestic abuse – to have something that is just for you, some nice products, means a lot.”

Sandjea-Marie Adassa, Director of Development and Engagement at Advance, said:

“The combination of the Community Business Forum discussions, the volunteering activity, and the opportunity for colleagues to spend time with our service users created a meaningful and positive experience.Their support in preparing care packages, writing personal messages, and sharing conversations with women across our centres was greatly appreciated.”

Amelia, a volunteer from L’Oreal, said:

“What a great day. Everyone has been so open, so welcoming. There is such humanity in the moving personal stories that have been shared. It’s been a very meaningful experience. Having conversations around strategy and services has been very much a shared learning experience too.”