Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association to receive funding to help women who have experienced abuse or violence

International Women's Day at Rochdale Women's Welfare Association in 2018

The Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association has been named as one of five Greater Manchester organisations to receive funding from the Home Office to help women who have experienced abuse or violence.

The money has been secured by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to help provide services that support some of the most vulnerable women and girls across the city-region, including those who have been victim of domestic abuse, rape and other sexual offences.

In total, £682,600 is being allocated to five different organisations already working across the city-region to support women and girls - Safety4Sisters, NESTAC, Olive Pathway, Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association, and Saheli – all of which are led by women within Black, Asian and minority communities.

Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association is a dedicated woman-led organisation striving to empower Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women to reach their full potential, tackling inequalities, working to eliminate violence against women and girls and providing holistic support in a safe, culturally appropriate environment.

The lack of provision for women who have no recourse to public funds has been highlighted by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner. It means without vital services like these, these women have nowhere else to turn and are often forced to return to their abuser. This is something which has a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and minority communities.

Work will begin immediately to create a hub for services for women with complex issues to be responded to by one team, making it easier to access advice from specialist services.

A Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association spokesperson said: “We welcome this funding to support the work we do, as by and for services have always been underfunded.

“We will now be able to support more women and especially those who have no recourse to public funds.”

Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Kate Green, said: "I’m really pleased we have been successful in securing this money from the Home Office, as it will go a long way to help some of our most vulnerable residents, including women that so often go under the radar and struggle to find the help that they so desperately need.

"This particular funding will be allocated to organisations which are led by people within our Black, Asian and minority communities in Greater Manchester. They are based within communities, and have the relationships and knowledge to make a real difference to the lives of those who need them most."

The funding forms part of a £8.3 million Home Office fund being provided to organisations across England and Wales to support victims of crimes including domestic abuse, rape and other sexual offences. It aims to fund frontline and specialist support projects for victims and survivors over two years, including counselling, training and community outreach.

It will also support Greater Manchester’s ongoing work to help keep women and girls safe through the Greater Manchester Gender-Based Violence Strategy.