Vulnerable women and girls projects pledged £50m lottery award

Vulnerable women who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation or suffer with mental health problems could be given additional support after a near £50 million lottery pledge.

The Big Lottery Fund will be helping to finance activities and assistance for women and girls.

One in four women will experience domestic violence during their lifetime and up to 3 million women and girls across the UK experience rape, domestic violence, stalking or other violence each year.

The Big Lottery Fund’s £48.5 million investment will largely be used to finance tried and tested work where there is evidence of success and effectiveness. It will also raise awareness, support preventative work and share what works and lessons learnt.

Clare Jones, joint chief executive of WomenCentre, the largest women’s centre in the UK, said: “We welcome this fund, which will be a lifeline for so many women’s projects across the country that are currently struggling to survive.

“It will be a major boost to projects through which women and girls are breaking free from situations that have led to experiences of isolation, shame and fear. This is an opportunity for diverse communities of women and girls to work together to overcome difficulties and build safer, more positive futures.”

Projects benefiting from the cash include those focusing on emotional support, advocacy, financial advice, childcare, community-based women’s centres and rape support centres, and services to meet the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and black and minority ethnic women.

Nat Sloane, Big Lottery Fund England chairman, said: “There is so much more can be done to raise awareness and break down taboos which affect too many women and girls on a daily basis, they are our family, colleagues, friends and neighbours.

“Today’s £48.5 million will enable women and girls through voluntary organisations and social enterprises to be in control of their lives and help support others in similar situations.”

Women and girls’ organisations interested in applying for funding can find more information at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.

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