Domestic violence project to open with Lottery funds

Area:

Yorkshire and the Humber

Programme:

Reaching Communities

Release date:

19 3 2013

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is awarding over 2.4 million to 11 projects across Yorkshire and the Humber that will make a big difference to some of the most vulnerable people in Leeds, Lincolnshire, Barnsley and Skipton.

Today’s funding comes from BIG’s Reaching Communities programme which awards grants between £10,000 to £500,000 to help those most in need and build stronger communities.

A new project, HOW 2, set up by St Luke’s CARES will be using £109,890 to support women aged between 13 to 21 who face sexual abuse and domestic violence in South Leeds. Many of these young women will have poor self esteem making them vulnerable to exploitation.

Two mentors will be employed to help them to make positive choices to improve their lives, becoming more active in their communities and being able to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Fortnightly advice will be offered regarding relationships, housing, employment, training and drug use and support will be given to access relevant agencies, coaching in confidence and help with day to day living. This will also be offered through recruiting and training volunteer champions.

Jackson Turner, General Manager for St Luke's CARES said: “We are delighted to receive a three year grant to support vulnerable young women in South Leeds. Through our work in youth clubs and out on the streets we have become concerned by the numbers of young women 1with low self-esteem, putting themselves at risk and unaware of support and entitlements which can be accessed through St Luke's CARES and other charities in the area. These women have tremendous potential but are at risk. A clear need was mentoring young women and supporting them in making positive choices with regards to safe and healthy relationships. Our response is the HOW 2 project which aims to support young women access services, stay safe, access training and importantly build a sustainable support network with other women across South Leeds as a source of encouragement, advice & guidance and community.”
 
“St Luke's CARES was thrilled to receive the funding and this autumn our committed staff team are set to invest their time and energy in the project to ensure its success and lasting legacy.”

Disadvantaged families with at least one child under five living in the deprived areas of Barnsley will continue to be offered support through Home Start Barnsley. The Inspire to Aspire project receives £291,636 to support those families who are facing parenting issues who may be difficult to reach and engage with. Volunteers will be trained to visit families in their homes to improve verbal skills and socialisation of the under fives and will also work with their parents to inspire them to raise their aspirations. The project will work in partnership with specialist support organisations such as Adult and Family Learning Services and employment support agencies to ensure families get the best and most appropriate support available.

Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire receives £297,644 to run a new project to engage young people in community work and to get them more involved in volunteering that could lead them to employment. Through this project, opportunities will be identified for isolated young people in this area.

Meanwhile, Skipton and Craven Action for Disability will use £140,232 to develop a new programme offering wheelchair accessible transport to enable isolated disabled people to partake in activities. These activities will include swimming, photography, indoor bowls, bingo and art, helping to improve their independence, confidence and wellbeing. The Skipton area currently has no specialist transport catering for this groups needs due to local transport funding cuts.

Caroline James, Big Lottery Fund spokesperson said, “Over £2.4 million will make a big difference to organisations across the region who work incredibly hard to support vulnerable people and families. We are pleased to provide Lottery funding that will help start a vital project supporting young women affected by sexual abuse and domestic violence ensuring they have a positive and hopeful future.”

Other projects receiving Lottery good cause funding today in the Yorkshire and Humber region are:

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
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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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