Member Article

NORTH EAST WOMEN AND GIRLS PROJECTS SHARE IN £3.4 MILLION OF NATIONAL FUNDING

More than 25 North East-based projects working with some of society’s most vulnerable women and girls have received a much-needed funding boost from County Durham Community Foundation.

These small charities and community groups have each received grants of up to £10,000 from the Tampon Tax Community Fund to work with women of all ages, focussing on preventative services for those at risk of crisis.

Projects receiving funding will help women and girls get into or back to work, raise awareness about health issues, and help them create and develop social networks.

** Examples of some of the North East projects being funded are:**

• The Halo Project in Tees Valley who were awarded a grant to establish, develop and launch a BME women and girls volunteering support network called Halo Community Angels. Currently there are no BME appropriate women and girls volunteer based organisations that could support women and girls facing domestic and or sexual violence in Tees Valley.

• Just for Women’s Centre in Stanley who will deliver a bespoke programme to support young women in Year 11 identified by the school as vulnerable and needing additional support.

**Linda Kirk from Just for Women’s Centre said: **

“We feel so privileged following news that it is to receive a grant from the Tampon Tax Community fund through County Durham Community Foundation.

The centre plans to use the grant to deliver a bespoke programme to young women in the Community who have been identified as vulnerable needing additional support. Girls that have been affected by social issues. At the Women’s centre we will put in place activities around confidence building, sexual health, keeping safe, sexual exploitation, lifestyle choices and educational prospects. With the group, we will be able to reach out to more young girls in our community to help make a difference and a significant impact on their lives and to learn and develop in a safe, non-judgemental environment.“

As one of the UK’s largest grant-giving organisations, UK Community Foundations was asked by government to distribute the largest share of the funding raised through the levy on sanitary products in 2017/18 to small, local projects, working with its network of Community Foundations across the country. County Durham Community Foundation was delighted to lead the delivery of the Tampon Tax Fund across the North East.

CEO of County Durham Community Foundation Michelle Cooper said:

“Community Foundations work with grassroots groups who are running vital services on a shoestring and supporting some of the most marginalised people in our society. This funding will enable them to run some amazing projects that make difference on the ground to the women and girls who need it most.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by County Durham Community Foundation .