Our Charity of the Year, Stroud Women’s Refuge, has been shortlisted as finalists to win funds for charities in a special programme where the public decides where lottery funding is spent. The refuge is aiming to win funding for activities for children who are living in the women’s refuge.
The programme is organised by the Big Lottery and ITV’s People’s Projects and is one of just five finalists in ITV’s West Country region that have been shortlisted, and is the only project in the Gloucestershire/Stroud area.
Stroud Women’s Refuge is now the only women’s refuge in Gloucestershire. It has been supporting families affected by domestic abuse for over forty years. Domestic abuse is a leading cause of harm to children and the refuge fundraises from local and national charities to make sure that children who arrive at the refuge receive the support they need. Winning the People’s Project competition would make a real difference to the lives of children, supporting them to move on from the trauma of abuse and towards a brighter future. Funding will pay for specialist play equipment and sessions which help the children to feel safe and secure, to build their skills and confidence and to help them to recover from any trauma experienced.
Stroud Women’s Refuge have worked together with Gastrell’s School and women and children in the refuge to create a film to appeal for public votes. The film will be shown on ITV on Wednesday 2 March within the evening news and will also be available on the People’s Projects Website.
Jill Cooper, manager of Stroud Women’s Refuge, said, "We are really excited to be shortlisted for the People’s Project public vote and we have really enjoyed working with families in the refuge, Gastrell’s School and ITV West Country to make a short film. It is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of the needs of children affected by domestic abuse and winning would enable us to increase activities that children in the refuge can get involved with, ensuring that they have the types of opportunities that some children might take for granted."
Members of the public will be able to vote online on the People’s Projects Website here or by post until midday on 13 March.