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Sandwell Women's Aid News: October 2014
Welcome to SWA's Autumn newsletter. Before you read on, please can you take a moment to support us in the Lloyds Bank Community Fund vote 2014. You have till the end of Friday 10th October to vote online - just a couple of clicks could help us win £2000 to support our vital work.
Thank you for your vote! Now read on for exciting news about our new Dudley services, our national award from Investors in People, and the expansion of our education work.
In the last quarter alone we supported over 1800 victims of domestic abuse, rape and sexual violence, child sexual exploitation, human trafficking and women in the criminal justice system. Demand for our services is growing all the time, and we continue to work hard alongside our partners to support the most vulnerable people in our society.
Sara Ward, Executive Director
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Launch of the Dudley Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Service
SWA are pleased to announce that we are now providers of the Dudley Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Service. We held the official launch in September at our new base in Dudley, The Cedar Centre. Over 100 professionals from across the borough came to meet our staff, find out about the service, and hear from speakers Sue Hayward from Dudley Safe & Sound, and Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North alongside our Executive Director Sara Ward.
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Sara Ward, SWA; Sue Hayward, Dudley Safe & Sound, Judy Foster, West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime; and Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North at the launch of the Dudley Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Service.
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 Dudley Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Service offers the nationally recognised IDVA service, supporting high and medium risk victims of domestic abuse through one-to-one practical and emotional support and advocacy. The service is commissioned by Dudley Safe & Sound and the West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime. For more information or to find out how to refer into the service, contact 01384 455 411 or dudley.IDVA@sandwellwomensaid.co.uk
Upcoming training in Dudley (please click on the link to book your place):
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SWA are the Mayor of Sandwell’s Charity
We are very pleased and honoured to be the Mayor of Sandwell’s Charity for 2014/15. Councillor Derek Rowley, the new Mayor of Sandwell, has been a valued supporter of domestic abuse services for many years, and we are looking forward to working with him and his fantastic team on some exciting fundraising projects. Look out for news and events including an upcoming Curry Challenge and Talent Show!
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SWA win national Investors in People Award
This summer, SWA were very proud to win the One to Watch: Most Improved Organisation award and Highly Commended overall runner-up at the first national IIP Awards. The Awards celebrate the best workplaces, bosses and businesses in the UK. This is a real recognition of the hard work and commitment of our staff as we transformed our organisation over the last few years. Faced with funding cuts, we adapted our business model and sourced new funding and skills to safeguard services for victims of violence in the Black Country. Read more on our website.
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 Expanding our Education Work
SWA’s acclaimed education programme, TRAPPED, has been delivered in secondary schools and youth groups across Sandwell since 2011. Thanks to funding from SMBC, we are now expanding this work to younger age groups, with pilot projects with the Albion Foundation and several Sandwell primary schools. This a very positive step towards TRAPPED becoming a widely-used preventative education tool, offering early education to teach about consent, gender, abuse and controlling behaviour in relationships, addressing sexual bullying and physical and sexual violence against girls in gangs, and actively involving boys in the fight to end violence against women and girls.
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Thank you to our fantastic fundraisers
Adrian Scarrett and a team from SMBC and Sandwell Homes completed the Three Peaks Challenge for us, totals are still being calculated.
Birmingham Blitz Dames: This Roller Derby team got muddy for SWA, completing The Suffering run and raising a brilliant £1,856.75.
Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust: 40 staff pedalled away from Sandwell to Aberystwyth to raise £3690.13 for the refurbishment of our refuge.
We’d also like to thank the Yemeni Community Association, SMBC’s Family Support Team and the Blackheath Branch of the West Bromwich Building Society for their generous donations.
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Volunteer and placement counsellors needed
Are you a qualified counsellor or studying towards a Diploma? Can you spare a few hours a week to support victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and human trafficking? Please visit our website or email Jennifer Lumsden Gordon to find out more about counselling with us.
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We need donations!
Our refuges support over 200 women and children each year fleeing domestic abuse and international human trafficking. Can you help us give them a safe and warm welcome when they arrive in refuge for the first time?
We need: toiletries for adults and children; non-perishable food; baby items; new bedding and towels.
If you can help, please get in touch with Kat Bailey on 0121 553 0090 or via email.
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