- Area:
- South West England
- Programme:
- Awards for All England
- Release date:
- 9 4 2013
A project helping women in Cornwall to identify negative behavioural patterns of domestic abuse will be able to extend its reach, thanks to a grant of nearly £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. The project is one of 79 sharing more than £645,000 in good cause funding across the South West today.
The Womens Rape And Sexual Abuse Centre (Cornwall) will expand their support sessions from Bodmin, East Cornwall, to Newquay, mid Cornwall. The Pattern Changing programme addresses some of the long-term damage families experience due to domestic abuse, which often includes anxiety, panic attacks, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Often the victim develops coping strategies, which in the short-term can serve a purpose but may impact negatively on health, friendships, future relationships, parenting ability and employment. In addition to the challenges of being a lone parent, if a family has had to flee their home, friends and family, especially in rural areas of Cornwall with poor transport links, it can lead to social isolation.
Comments from women who have completed the Pattern Changing course include: “I have learnt to say no and not just to him. I have far more confidence to ask for what is rightfully mine, what I need and want;” and “I can help my children to understand their rights and responsibilities, to be assertive and express their anger in positive ways.”
Maggie Parks, Chief Executive of Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (WRSAC), said: “Pattern changing programmes are life changing experiences for women and obviously we are delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has funded us to expand our programme into other areas of Cornwall. Pattern changing is a 14-week programme for women who have experienced domestic abuse and it really helps enable and empower them to move forward in their lives, after the devastating experience of domestic abuse.
“The pattern changing programme helps women see the patterns of abuse, the patterns of their responses to the abuse, and it helps them to change those patterns. In no way does it suggest that women are to blame in any way – however we help them to look at the past pattern of the abuse.”
Also receiving funding is The Southmead Project in Bristol, which will use its £7,900 grant to deliver self-help peer group sessions for people affected by childhood abuse and trauma, enabling participants to come together and discuss their issues and develop coping mechanisms.
The Conquest Centre For Disabled Riders Limited in Taunton, Somerset, will use their £9,000 funding to purchase specialist horse riding equipment, which will allow them to provide riding and sensory sessions for children with complex learning disabilities. This will assist in the learning and early development of the young participants, encouraging communication and social interaction.
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Dorchester, will use their grant of £5,250, to provide engaging music and storytelling sessions for vulnerable older people with dementia, providing stimulating activities to improve participants’ experiences of being in hospital.
EaRTH Trails Community Interest Company in Exmouth, Devon, will spend their £9,084 grant on running a pilot mountain bike trail building, bicycle repair and recycling learning programme for young people who are NEET. This will enable the young people to develop skills in trail building and bicycle maintenance, to help increase their confidence and communication, team building and problem solving skills.
And St Mewan Community Primary School in Cornwall will use their £9,130 grant on their Cycle Safe Cycle Fit project. The group will purchase bicycles, safety equipment and storage shed to establish an extracurricular cycling club for young people from low income families, teaching them to ride safely and develop observation skills.
BIG’s Awards For All scheme offers grants between £300 and £10,000 to social and environmental projects benefitting local communities and people most in need.
Helen Bullough, Big Lottery Fund spokesperson, said: “It’s excellent to see such a diverse range of organisations being awarded grants across the region today that are focused on helping to boost the emotional wellbeing, independence and self-esteem of vulnerable or disadvantaged people.”
A full list of awards announced in the South West today
Further Information
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Ask BIG a question here: https://ask.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Follow BIG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigLotteryFund #BIGlf
Find BIG on facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFund
Notes to Editors
• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
• BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 BIG has awarded close to £6bn.
• The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £29 billion has now been raised and more than 383,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
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