Black Country Women’s Aid has been awarded over £800k by Heart of England Community Foundation, to provide refuge to victims of modern-day slavery. The charity will use the funding to develop and expand 13 housing units, helping to provide homes for women in need of a safe space.
Part of Heart of England’s ‘Building Better Lives’ programme, which will see over £3m granted to three major charities across the West Midlands, the money will enable the charity to extend and refurbish its current accommodation suite. The purchase will provide 13 flats and a new group activity space and will also feature an emergency reception centre to support women rescued from modern slavery.
An independent charity that has operated in the West Midlands for over 30 years, BCWA offers support to survivors of abuse and exploitation. It offers sensitive and holistic support to over 8,000 abuse victims each year, helping vulnerable individuals escape violence, cope with trauma and rebuild their lives.
BCWA is one of three charities that Heart of England Community Foundation has chosen to support in its Building Better Lives programme. Building Better Lives is a major capital build programme, with grants being awarded to causes focused on housing vulnerable people.
Sara Ward, Chief Executive of Black Country Women’s Aid, comments: “We have been overwhelmed with the funding secured through the Heart of England Foundation and are keen to get working with our partners on the development. This fund gives us a once in a life time opportunity to better support and coordinate the rescue of victims of modern slavery.”
The Building Better Lives initiative is the icing on the cake for a tremendous 12-months for the Heart of England Community Foundation, ahead of its 25th birthday next year. Having received £4m from generous anonymous donors, this was further increased by £1.58m when the donors were so impressed by the plans the charity put in place. This has allowed the charity to continue its mission of developing community activity across a number of diverse projects in the West Midlands and Warwickshire.
Tina Costello, Chief Executive at Heart of England Community Foundation, comments:“Black Country Women’s Aid is a fantastic organisation providing vital support and refuge for women experiencing domestic abuse and those being rescued from modern slavery. The Foundation are incredibly proud to be able to support this charity with one of the largest grants in the Foundation’s history.”
For more information about Building Better Lives, as well as the other projects that Heart of England Community Foundation supports, head to: www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk.
